Start with coffee and a local pastry or smoked salmon breakfast at Granville Island Public Market to sample BC produce and artisanal foods; market stalls typically open early but hours vary by vendor so confirm before you go.
Rent a bike and ride the scenic Seawall around Stanley Park to see totem poles, ocean vistas, and the Lions Gate Bridge — a great way to get oriented with the city.
Visit the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park to learn about Pacific marine life and local conservation programs; check current opening hours (commonly ~9am–5pm).
Depart early on a ferry (BC Ferries) or high-speed Clipper ferry to Victoria; crossings vary from ~1.5–3.5 hours depending on route — check departure/arrival times and book in advance.
See British Columbia history and natural exhibits at the Royal BC Museum, then stroll the scenic Inner Harbour and Parliament Buildings; museum hours commonly start at 10:00am.
Morning flight to Calgary (direct or via Vancouver depending on booking); total travel time including transfers ~3–4 hours — confirm flight times and airport transfer to Banff.
Ride the Banff Gondola for sweeping views from Sulphur Mountain and short boardwalks at the summit — gondola hours often start around 8:30–9:00am and vary by season so confirm times.
Arrive early at Lake Louise to beat crowds, walk the lakeshore, or rent a canoe for classic photos; canoe rentals and lakeside parking fill quickly so reserve/check shuttle options.
Short drive to Moraine Lake for sweeping alpine scenery and good hikes/photography; note Moraine Lake parking is extremely limited — check the park shuttle schedule and seasonal road access.
Drive one of the world’s most scenic highways with stops at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake for short hikes and photos; plan several stops — the full drive to the Columbia Icefield is ~2–3 hours without stops.
Experience the Icefield Glacier Adventure (big-vehicle glacier tour) or the Glacier Skywalk for dramatic views — book tickets in advance; typical activities run midmorning through late afternoon but confirm current schedules.
If seasonally available, do a Maligne Lake boat cruise to Spirit Island or take a short lake hike — cruises typically run mid-morning to afternoon; check schedule and seasonal availability.
Return drive/flight to Calgary or connect via regional flight to a major hub and onward to Toronto; total travel time with connections ~4–6 hours so plan accordingly.
Arrive in Toronto, check into your hotel, and relax before dinner; depending on arrival time you can take an evening stroll along the waterfront or in the Distillery District.
Take the Hornblower boat ride to experience the Falls up close — operate seasonally with varying times (commonly mid-morning through late afternoon); bring a waterproof layer.
Lunch with Falls views at a nearby restaurant; many tourist-area restaurants available but quality and price vary—reserve if you want Fallsview seating.
Experience tunnels and observation decks behind/ beside the falls for a unique vantage point; check seasonal hours (commonly open during daytime hours).
For a memorable evening, dine at the CN Tower’s revolving restaurant for skyline views (book well in advance) or choose a neighborhood bistro for a relaxed meal.
Walk the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and visit Notre-Dame Basilica (public hours usually from morning to late afternoon) for architecture and history.
Choose the Museum of Fine Arts for wide collections and special exhibitions or Pointe-à-Callière for Montreal’s archaeology and history; museums typically open at 10:00am but check current schedules.
Arrive and walk the UNESCO-listed Old Quebec — Terrasse Dufferin and Château Frontenac are must-sees for history and photos; outdoor areas are open most of the day.
Visit the Musée de la civilisation to learn about Quebec’s history and culture (usually opens at 9:00am) or stroll the Plains of Abraham for scenic views and history.
Finish with a classic Québécois dinner in a historic setting — try regional specialties such as tourtière or maple-glazed dishes; reservations recommended.