Discover last-minute vacations in Canada

If you want to take a trip at the last minute, you may be concerned about booking your flight and accommodation. Fortunately, you can find plenty of exciting destinations for a last-minute trip, all just a short drive or ferry ride away. Some of Canada’s best travel destinations are close to major cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, so you’ll have an array of options to choose from. Whether you want a romantic retreat, time away on your own, or a memorable trip with the kids, take a look at the best last-minute vacations in Canada to plan a trip from the city.

Last-minute vacations from Toronto

The vibrant city of Toronto is close to many other cities, rural areas, and cultural hotspots, so you’ll have no shortage of choice in taking a last-minute trip. You could take a short ride to Niagara Falls to see the incredible waterfalls and spend time exploring the kitschy attractions on Clifton Hill, or you can enjoy some time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and fishing in Algonquin Provincial Park. If you prefer a stay in town, Elora is just a short distance from Toronto and boasts a charming historic street with 19th-century buildings, local boutiques, vintage shops, and cozy eateries. For skiing and snowboarding, you can head to Blue Mountain and stay in the quaint ski village.

Last-minute vacations from Vancouver for the family

Situated on the coast close to the United States border, Vancouver provides an array of options for a last-minute getaway. One of the best places is Victoria, the capital city on Vancouver Island, which is home to unique eateries, gourmet coffee shops, excellent nightlife, and plenty of fascinating museums for the whole family. If you’re looking for something quiet or romantic, Ucluelet offers temperate rainforests, ocean breezes, and wild beaches for a coastal retreat and water sports. Vancouver is also close to Whistler, which is home to the incredible Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort and a vibrant town with shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Last-minute vacations from Ottawa

Ottawa’s surrounding valley is home to many unique attractions and beautiful rural escapes for a last-minute getaway. For something off-the-beaten-track, Carp features a secret site from the mid-century that was used during the nuclear war, which is now a museum of vintage office supplies, maps, and phones. Carp also has wineries and culinary tours. Sports fans will like Renfrew, the birthplace of the National Hockey League and the home of the NHA/NHL Birthplace Museum. For outdoor fun and fantastic motorsports attractions, Calabogie has both the Calabogie Peaks ski resort for year-round fun, and the Calabogie Motorsports Park, which lets you drive muscle cars down the track.

Last-minute vacations from Calgary

Calgary is in the centre of numerous travel destinations that can be reached within a few hours, giving you plenty of options for last-minute getaways. If you like outdoor adventure, you can cross into British Columbia to spend time on the mountains in alpine towns like Kimberley, Invermere, and Fernie, which offer everything from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and horseback riding. For fun with the kids, you can go to Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world, which boasts an array of kid-friendly attractions like the Royal Dinosaur Museum. Families can also have some bonding time and fun in Waterton Lakes National Park, a beautiful parkland with wildlife and outdoor activities like horseback riding, boating, golf, skiing, snowshoeing, and more.

Last-minute family vacations from Saskatoon

Saskatoon is close to plenty of top travel destinations, especially for a family trip. You could explore Danielson Provincial Park with swimming, hiking, boating, and fishing, or Fort Carlton Provincial Park, which offers a combination of outdoor fun and heritage sites for fur trading. Chaplin is another fun destination that’s home to the Chaplin Nature Centre, a wildlife sanctuary that provides habitats for shorebirds and migratory birds. You’ll also like Prince Alberta, which has family-friendly attractions like the Prince Albert Historical Museum and the Vintage Power Museum.