Canada · GUIDED
Good guided tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend three and a half hours touring Montreal by bus with a live English and French guide. You will see more than 200 sights, stop in Old Montreal, visit Mount Royal and St. Joseph’s Oratory, and pass McGill, Chinatown, Olympic Park, and the Port. Guides such as Dominic, Julian, and Francis are known for lively local commentary.
“It was an amazing experience. The guide and the driver were very sweet and nice.”
Spend one hour exploring Château Frontenac with a guide in period costume. Hear stories about the hotel’s famous figures and events, admire its grand rooms, and see areas you may miss on your own. Tours run in English or French, with guides such as Claudine, Chantal, Thomas, Kevin, and Michael appearing in character.
“Excellent tour! Guide very informative and amusing. Well worth a visit to the hotel and highly recommend this tour.”
Sail from Chouinard Pier for about 90 minutes, passing Old Québec, Château Frontenac, Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Falls, and Baie de Beauport. A bilingual guide, sometimes presented in costume as Louis Jolliet, explains the sights in French and English. Outdoor decks, an enclosed bistro, and an onboard bar make this an easy, weather-flexible break from walking.
“This was such a pleasant cruise. The boat was well maintained and had nice interior and exterior viewing areas. I had a nice waitress serve me in the interior area since I got there early. I would recommend this to anyone.”
Board the amphibious bus at Sparks and Elgin Streets for a one-hour tour in English and French. You spend about 40 minutes passing Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, Lansdowne Park, and other sights, then 20 minutes cruising the Ottawa River. Guides such as Wendy, Pierre, Sarah, and Alexis add history and humor.
“We really enjoyed this activity. It was great fun and the best bit was when all of a sudden we were floating down the river!!. The guide was very enthusiastic and well informed Highly recommend.”
Spend about two hours walking from Phillips Brewing to Victoria’s Inner Harbour with Andy, an engaging local guide who blends city history with generous tastings. Expect chocolate, tea, biscuits, spring rolls, pierogi, beer, and other local bites, plus stops around Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, and Chinatown.
“Second time on this tour. Great experience! Andy is an excellent tour guide and his tour provides a great combination of food and history. Would highly recommend!”
See Montréal from the St. Lawrence River on a 90-minute cruise from Grand Quay in Old Montréal. A bilingual guide explains the city, bridges, islands, and landmarks while you move between outdoor decks and indoor seating. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and the happy hour sailing includes one drink for passengers age 13 and older.
“It was a nice relaxing little cruise. Very informative, staff was great. I would definitely do this again!”
Spend about an hour touring Fairmont Le Château Frontenac with a costumed local guide such as Thomas, Bernie, or Captain Kevin. Begin on Dufferin Terrace for the building’s story and St. Lawrence views, then head indoors to see public rooms and selected hotel spaces. Expect history, humor, stairs, and access that can change with hotel events.
“Great tour with opportunities to see normally off limits areas. History of the chateau surprisingly interesting.”
Start at 44 Sparks Street for a 1.5-hour guided loop through Ottawa. Ride the open-top double-decker or trolley, then hop off at Parliament, ByWard Market, museums, galleries, parks, and other major sights. English and French guides share local stories, while audio commentary is available in seven additional languages.
“Great day out seeing all main sites which we then returned to next day via bus. Very interesting guide.”
Ride Quebec’s longest ziplines on a three-hour guided trip from Mont Tremblant’s summit to the village. You’ll take the Panoramic Gondola, cross five lines totaling 4 kilometers, and walk mountain trails between runs. Guides such as Nicholas, Emma, Jason, and Georgia have been praised for calm instruction and good humor, but expect stairs and moderate hiking.
“We got the booking and spots right on time we enjoyed a lot and fun all our family and kids were happy hopefully we gonna booked next time”
Ride a comfortable coach through Quebec City with a local guide, stopping at Place Royale and Petit-Champlain while seeing Old Quebec, the Plains of Abraham, city walls, the port, and Château Frontenac. Commentary is in English, with French added when needed. The 10 a.m. tour returns to 10 Rue Sainte-Anne.
“Excellent guide. Informative and easy to listen to. Driver was great Weather was terrible but the staff still made every effort to make the tour informative and enjoyable”
Travel by boat across Maligne Lake with an English-speaking guide and captain. You’ll see glaciers, sharp Rocky Mountain peaks, and Spirit Island, then take a short nature walk before returning to Home Bay. Guides such as Sam, Mitchell, Nelson, and Grace are praised for adding useful history, Indigenous stories, geology, and humor.
“Thoroughly enjoyed the cruise & the beautiful lake! Grace & Liam did a wonderful job!”
Cruise the St. Lawrence River aboard the AML Louis Jolliet or a smaller vessel, passing Old Quebec, Château Frontenac, Montmorency Falls, Île d’Orléans, and Beauport Bay. A costumed guide presents the story in French and English, with audio commentary in eight languages. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard.
“Very informative and fun. Be sure to line up prior than the recommended 30 minutes to get a good seat.”
Meet Sam at Fontaine de Tourny for a two-hour English walking tour through Old Quebec. Expect major sights, lesser-known lanes, local stories, photo stops, and practical restaurant and nightlife tips. The tour ends near Place Royale, where you can continue exploring or stop for a meal.
“My girlfriend and I visited Québec City for the first time, and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide than Sam. He was super knowledgeable about the city’s history and walked us through some of the most historical and influential parts of Old Town. He also suggested great spots to visit afterward. Definitely book with him if you’re planning your next trip :)”
From Bay Bulls, you’ll cruise past the four islands of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with a naturalist guide. Expect millions of nesting seabirds, puffins, auks, and petrels, plus a chance of whales or dolphins. The family-run crew adds local stories, songs, and optional screech-in fun. A shuttle from St. John’s is available for CAD 35.
“Family owned and run tour. Great commentary about the various birds and sea creatures we saw. Crew sang some local songs and a few passengers opted to get “Screeched”. Highly recommend (thousands of puffins).”
Ride scenic Banff roads at dusk with a certified English-speaking guide and a small group of up to 24 people. You’ll search for elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and possibly bears while learning about wildlife protection. Guides such as Lucy, Jake, Evie, and Sam are praised for lively local stories and strong animal knowledge.
“Our guide was so knowledgeable, she gave information on not just the animals but the history and of the area. She was personable and humorous which made for a really enjoyable time. We saw lots of elk! An unforgettable experience!”
Pick a coast, a lake or an old town.
