travellers say Halifax is best seen on foot, so park the car and start walking. Immerse yourself in Halifax's rich history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and be sure to survey the city from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site. Then walk into any of Halifax's great bars and restaurants and catch some live music to round out your day.

Montreal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, and is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavour. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight you with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig in to a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park.

Skiiers have flocked to Mont Tremblant since its first chairlift and lodge opened in 1939. Now, though, it's just as popular with snowboarders, who love its 18 acres of ramps, rails and jumps, and its Olympic-caliber superpipe. Don't fret, though, because despite its name, this mountain doesn't actually tremble... unless you've tossed back a few too many in one of the village's bars!

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.

We won't lie: Niagara Falls is uber-touristy. There are wax museums and a Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and if it's a fast-food chain, you can probably find it here. But even the most jaded hipster shouldn't pass up a chance to visit this town, because the Falls themselves are spectacular.

We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theatre, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Although the name suggests otherwise, the Blue Mountains is an actual town in Grey County that consists of several small communities including Thornbury, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Heathcote and Ravenna. The area is very picturesque and scenic in the summer months and during "apple season" in the autumn, but the town is most famous for its mountains. Tourists flock to Intrawest's Blue Mountain Ski Resort year-round for its wide array of offerings. If you aren't in the mood for skiing or snowboarding, take a stroll through Blue Mountain Village and enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes or a meal in one of the many restaurants located in the village.