15 Days in Canada: Vancouver, Banff, and Toronto for Adventurous Foodies and Photographers

Hike turquoise lakes in Banff, whale watch off Vancouver, and feel the roar of Niagara Falls from Toronto—all with great coffee, breweries, beaches, shopping, and concert nights.
Canadian flag waving atop a scenic mountain view with blue skies and lush greenery.
Photo by Daniel Joseph Petty on Pexels

Canada mixes Indigenous heritage, French and British influences, and modern multicultural energy across vast landscapes. From coastal rainforests and Pacific beaches to glacier-fed lakes and thundering waterfalls, this itinerary tracks west to east for smooth travel and dramatic contrasts. Think skyline seaplane views, alpine hikes, and nights at classic concert halls.


Food is a highlight: Pacific Northwest seafood in Vancouver, mountain-forward cuisine in Banff, and global flavors in Toronto’s neighborhoods. Coffee culture runs deep, as do craft breweries—perfect bookends to days of sightseeing, hiking, and photography. With a mid-range budget, smart transit choices and a few well-timed tours unlock maximum value.

Practical notes: Summer and early fall bring prime hiking (wildfire advisories may apply), while late spring and early fall are ideal for lower crowds. In national parks, you’ll need a Parks Canada pass. In cities, tap-and-go transit cards make getting around easy. Pack layers, good shoes, and a sense of adventure.

Vancouver

Days 1–5: Pacific cityscapes, beaches, whales, and coffee

Welcome to a city where seawall bike rides segue into sushi dinners and mountain sunsets. Vancouver is a dream for photographers—glass towers mirrored in the harbor, cedars in Stanley Park, and beaches right in the city. Neighborhoods like Gastown and Mount Pleasant offer indie shops, galleries, and some of Canada’s best coffee and breweries.

Top highlights and activities

  • Walk or cycle the 17-mile Seawall, detouring to the totem poles and Prospect Point in Stanley Park. Time sunset at English Bay or Kitsilano Beach.
  • Explore Granville Island Public Market—grab a maple-glazed ring at Lee’s Donuts, charcuterie from Oyama Sausage, and take photos of the working marina.
  • Head into the rainforest on the North Shore; combine the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a city overview on a guided tour below.
  • Day trip to Victoria via ferry with a stop at Butchart Gardens when the roses are at their peak (late spring to early fall).

Book these adventure-forward tours (great for photographers):


Food, coffee, breweries


  • Breakfast/coffee: Revolver (meticulous pour-overs in Gastown), Nemesis (seasonal pastries), 49th Parallel (Lucky’s donuts + espresso), and Café Medina (waffles with lavender or white-chocolate pistachio sauces).
  • Lunch: Tacofino (Baja-style tacos), Marutama (rich chicken paitan ramen), and Go Fish (dockside fish and chips; seasonal hours).
  • Dinner: Miku (aburi oshi sushi; reserve), Phnom Penh (legendary chicken wings and butter beef), and Kissa Tanto (Italian-Japanese tasting plates in a retro room).
  • Breweries: Brassneck (rotating small-batch taps), 33 Acres (clean profiles; great snacks), Superflux (hazy IPAs and fun food).
  • Live music: Commodore Ballroom and Vogue Theatre bring touring acts; check calendars for indie, rock, and electronic shows.

Where to stay (mid-range options plus value and splurge)

Getting to Vancouver and around

  • Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From major US hubs, one-way fares often run ~$150–$300 USD.
  • YVR to downtown: 25 minutes on SkyTrain; day passes keep costs down. Rideshare and taxis are plentiful.

Banff & Lake Louise (Base: Banff/Canmore)

Days 6–10: Alpine lakes, gondola views, and the Icefields

The Canadian Rockies are all drama: slate peaks, turquoise lakes, and wildlife corridors threading ancient valleys. Base yourself in Banff or Canmore for access to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with time on the Icefields Parkway for big glacier views. Mornings and evenings are best for photos—and solitude.

Getting there from Vancouver

  • Fly Vancouver (YVR) to Calgary (YYC): ~1h 30m; typical one-way fares ~$75–$180 USD. Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • YYC to Banff: 1.5–2 hours by shuttle or rental car. Shuttles are cost-effective; driving offers flexibility for trailheads.

Bucket-list activities (book early for peak season):


Hikes and viewpoints (moderate, rewarding)


  • Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots (waterfalls, limestone walls, and quiet meadows beyond the crowds).
  • Lake Agnes Tea House (switchbacks from Lake Louise to a cliff-perched tea stop; extend to the Big Beehive for lake-over-lake vistas).
  • Tunnel Mountain (short, in-town summit for sunset) and the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk after the gondola.
  • Icefields Parkway pullouts: Peyto Lake (new viewpoint platform) and Bow Lake for mirror reflections at dawn.

Where to eat and drink

  • Breakfast/coffee: Whitebark Café (third-wave coffee), Wild Flour (sourdoughs and wholesome pastries), and Tooloulou’s (Creole-influenced breakfasts).
  • Lunch: Bear Street Tavern (craveable pizzas), Banff Avenue Brewing Co. (burgers and house beers), and Juniper Bistro (scenic views).
  • Dinner: The Bison (regional meats and vegetables), Park Distillery (house-distilled spirits; try the campfire s’mores dessert), and Nourish Bistro (inventive vegetarian).
  • Breweries/distilleries: Three Bears Brewery, Canmore Brewing Company, and Grizzly Paw (in nearby Canmore) for relaxed flights after hikes.
  • Music/nightlife: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity often hosts concerts; small venues in town feature live acoustic sets.

Where to stay

Toronto (with Niagara Falls)

Days 11–15: Skyline icons, global eats, shopping, and the Falls

Toronto is a mosaic of neighborhoods, with sleek towers rising over markets, galleries, and parks. By day, roam the AGO, ROM, and waterfront; by night, catch a concert and graze through Chinatown or the Ossington strip. Niagara Falls makes an easy and unforgettable day trip—boat mist on your face, then zipline or jet boat for the adrenaline hit.

Getting there from Calgary

  • Fly Calgary (YYC) to Toronto (YYZ): ~3h 50m–4h 10m; typical one-way fares ~$120–$260 USD. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • YYZ to downtown: The airport train runs about 25 minutes. Subways and streetcars connect major sights; rideshares fill gaps late night.

Toronto highlights


  • CN Tower LookOut and the revitalized waterfront; ferry to the Toronto Islands for beaches and skyline photos at golden hour.
  • St. Lawrence Market for a classic peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and seafood at Buster’s Sea Cove.
  • Neighborhood hopping: Queen West for boutiques and street art, Kensington Market for vintage and tacos, Yorkville for designer shopping.
  • Museums and music: Art Gallery of Ontario’s Gehry wing, the ROM’s crystal, and evening shows at Massey Hall, Danforth Music Hall, History, or Budweiser Stage (summer).

Niagara Falls day trip (choose your adventure)

Getting to Niagara: GO Transit (train or bus) takes ~2 hours from Toronto; driving runs ~1.5 hours depending on traffic. Consider an evening return to catch the Falls’ nightly illumination.


Toronto eats, coffee, and breweries

  • Breakfast/coffee: Sam James Coffee Bar (tiny shops; big flavor), Boxcar Social (espresso by day, whiskey by night), and Dineen (grand café vibe).
  • Lunch: Seven Lives (Baja-style tacos), Manpuku (homey udon), and Mean Bao (fast, fluffy buns).
  • Dinner: Pai (northern Thai staples—order the Khao Soi), Richmond Station (seasonal Canadian plates; Top Chef pedigree), Bar Raval (Gaudí-inspired tapas and G&Ts), and Kinka Izakaya (late-night energy).
  • Breweries: Bellwoods (creative sours and IPAs), Blood Brothers (experimental), and Steam Whistle (pilsner by the CN Tower).
  • Beaches and photography: Woodbine Beach for summer vibes and the Islands for the postcard skyline shot at sunset.

Where to stay

Optional Niagara overnight

Suggested Structure by Days

  • Days 1–5 (Vancouver): Seawall + Stanley Park; city and Capilano tour; whale watching; Granville Island and beaches; day trip to Victoria; optional seaplane flight.
  • Days 6–10 (Banff/Canmore): Fly to Calgary, transfer to Banff; gondola and boardwalk; Lake Louise and Moraine Lake via shuttle; Johnston Canyon or Lake Agnes hike; Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield.
  • Days 11–15 (Toronto + Niagara): Fly to Toronto; CN Tower, museums, and neighborhoods; shopping in Queen West; day trip to Niagara (boat + behind the falls, zipline or jet boat); beach time on the Islands; final-night concert.

Getting Between Cities (Time & Cost)

  • Vancouver → Calgary: Flight ~1h 30m; ~$75–$180 USD one-way. Book via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • Calgary → Toronto: Flight ~3h 50m–4h 10m; ~$120–$260 USD one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Budget & Practical Tips (mid-range ~50/100)

  • Transit day passes in Vancouver and Toronto keep costs manageable; save rideshares for late nights.
  • In Banff, shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are cheaper than taxis and bypass parking stress.
  • Picnic smart: markets (Granville Island, St. Lawrence) cut lunch costs and add local flavor.
  • Hiking safety: start early, carry layers, water, and bear spray where recommended; always check current trail conditions.

This 15-day Canada itinerary balances big-city culture with mountain adventure—whales to waterfalls, ramen to Rockies. You’ll leave with memory cards full of sapphire lakes, harbor skylines, and neon-lit concert nights, plus a list of places you can’t wait to revisit.


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