As Canadians celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend that unofficially marks the beginning of summer, the legacy of Queen Victoria lives on across the country in numerous landmarks, cities, and natural features that bear her name. Whether you’re planning a Victoria Day getaway or simply looking to explore Canada’s royal connections, these ten destinations offer fascinating glimpses into Canada’s heritage while providing memorable travel experiences for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

Victoria in British Columbia stands as Canada’s most picturesque homage to the monarch

Nestled on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria captivates visitors with its old-world charm and British colonial architecture. Established as Fort Victoria by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1843, this stunning harbour city has evolved into a sophisticated destination that still maintains its connection to British heritage. The iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel overlooks the Inner Harbour where you can partake in traditional afternoon tea before exploring the meticulously maintained Butchart Gardens. The Parliament Buildings illuminate the waterfront each evening, creating a magical backdrop for evening strolls. With its mild climate year-round, Victoria boasts Canada’s most temperate weather, making it perfect for outdoor activities from kayaking to cycling along the scenic Galloping Goose Trail. Whale-watching expeditions departing from the harbour offer opportunities to spot orcas and humpbacks in their natural habitat.

Victoria County rewards visitors with Cape Breton’s dramatic coastal scenery and cultural richness

Established in 1851 and named in the Queen’s honour, Victoria County encompasses much of northern Cape Breton Island, including a significant portion of the world-famous Cabot Trail. This region offers some of Nova Scotia’s most spectacular scenery, with rugged highlands plunging dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean. The county includes the eastern entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where hiking trails lead to breathtaking vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. Communities like Baddeck, once the summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, bring the area’s Scottish heritage to life through Celtic music performances and cultural festivals. The region’s coastal character shines through in picturesque fishing villages and lighthouses that dot the shoreline. Visit during autumn to witness the stunning fall foliage that transforms the highlands into a blazing tapestry of red, orange, and gold, capturing the essence of Atlantic Canada’s natural beauty.

Victoria County offers idyllic cottage country escapes within easy reach of Toronto

Now administratively part of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the former Victoria County represents quintessential Ontario cottage country. Just 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, this region centres around the chain of lakes that gives the area its name, with pristine waters perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. The Trent-Severn Waterway courses through the region, connecting Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay via a series of historic locks and canals that attract boating enthusiasts. The charming community of Lindsay serves as the area’s hub with its preserved 19th-century downtown featuring Victorian architecture. Outdoor activities abound, from hiking the Victoria Rail Trail to birdwatching in wetland conservation areas. Several provincial parks provide camping facilities, while farm markets showcase local produce and artisanal foods. The area’s proximity to Toronto makes it ideal for weekend getaways where visitors can experience rural Ontario’s natural beauty and relaxed pace.

Regina reveals its royal origins through legislative grandeur and prairie beauty

Saskatchewan’s capital traces its regal name to 1882 when Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, suggested the Latin word for “queen” as the city’s new identity. The majestic Saskatchewan Legislative Building with its dome and landscaped grounds embodies the city’s royal connections, standing as one of Canada’s most impressive provincial parliaments. Wascana Centre, a 2,300-acre urban park built around Wascana Lake, offers extensive walking trails and recreational opportunities in the heart of the city. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum provides insight into the region’s natural history and Indigenous cultures, while the RCMP Heritage Centre celebrates Canada’s iconic police force that established its training academy here. The city boasts a thriving arts scene, including the MacKenzie Art Gallery and numerous festivals throughout the year. Despite its inland prairie location, the city features surprising horticultural displays, particularly in the summer when thousands of flowers bloom in Victoria Park downtown.

Victoriaville welcomes visitors to discover Quebec’s artisanal traditions and cultural heritage

Founded in the 1860s and named in the Queen’s honour, Victoriaville has developed into a cultural hub in Quebec’s Centre-du-Québec region. The city gained prominence as a furniture manufacturing centre, earning the nickname “Furniture Capital of Quebec,” with several factories offering tours that showcase traditional woodworking techniques. The Laurier Museum, housed in the former home of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s first francophone Prime Minister, provides insight into Quebec’s political history. Each May, the city hosts the Festival International de Musique Actuelle, drawing experimental musicians from around the world. The surrounding countryside offers abundant outdoor activities, from cycling along the Trans-Canada Trail to maple syrup experiences at local sugar shacks during spring. The Parc du Mont Arthabaska provides panoramic views of the St. Lawrence Lowlands and hosts winter activities including downhill skiing and snowshoeing, making Victoriaville a year-round destination that blends Quebec’s distinct culture with natural attractions. Since 2003, Quebec has ditched references to Victoria on the third Monday of May and instead chooses to celebrate la Journée nationale des patriotes to commemorate the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837

Queen Victoria Park provides the most spectacular vantage point for experiencing Niagara’s natural wonder

Stretching along the Canadian side of the Niagara Gorge, this carefully landscaped park offers unparalleled views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. Created as a Victorian garden in the 19th century, the park remains true to its heritage with formal floral displays that include over 500,000 daffodils and tulips in spring, followed by roses and summer blooms. The park’s promenade allows visitors to feel the mist from the thundering falls while providing perfect photo opportunities day and night, when the falls are illuminated in rainbow colours. Historical monuments throughout the grounds include tributes to monarchs and significant figures in Canadian history. The park serves as the central hub for Niagara Falls tourism, with access to attractions like the Niagara City Cruises boat tour, Journey Behind the Falls, and the Skylon Tower. During winter, the park transforms into a wonderland with the Winter Festival of Lights, featuring millions of dazzling illuminations, making it a magical year-round destination.

Victoria Island invites adventurous travellers to experience the true Canadian Arctic

Named in honour of the Queen, Victoria Island ranks as the second-largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and eighth-largest in the world. Straddling Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, this remote Arctic landscape offers intrepid travellers authentic experiences in Indigenous communities like Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok, where traditional Inuit and Copper Inuit cultures thrive. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with possibilities to observe polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and vast caribou herds that migrate across the tundra. During summer months—when the sun never sets—visitors can fish in pristine lakes, hike across untouched landscapes, or participate in cultural workshops with local artisans known for distinctive prints and carvings. Winter brings the magic of the Northern Lights dancing across the polar sky. Access to the island typically involves chartered flights, making this a true bucket-list destination for those seeking Canada’s most untouched wilderness and cultural experiences.

Victoria Harbour captures the essence of Georgian Bay’s maritime heritage

This picturesque village on Georgian Bay was named for Queen Victoria during the 19th century when lumber and shipping industries drove development throughout the region. Today, Victoria Harbour offers visitors a quintessential small-town experience along some of Ontario’s most beautiful waterfront. The deep natural harbour provides perfect conditions for sailing, kayaking, and boating, with access to Georgian Bay’s famous 30,000 Islands. The historic downtown features well-preserved Victorian-era buildings housing charming shops, cafés, and galleries. The Tay Shore Trail runs through the community, offering 18 kilometres of scenic cycling and walking paths along the former rail line. Nearby Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre provides opportunities to observe diverse wetland ecosystems, while Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons recreates 17th-century Ontario history. The area’s popularity with cottagers and boaters brings the village to life during summer months, while winter offers snowmobiling and ice fishing adventures, making it a year-round destination that showcases Ontario’s relationship with its waterways.

Mount Victoria presents alpine majesty in the heart of the Canadian Rockies

Rising 3,464 metres above sea level in Banff National Park, this impressive peak was named to honour Queen Victoria in the late 19th century. The mountain forms a stunning backdrop to the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, creating one of Canada’s most photographed landscapes. Experienced mountaineers can attempt the challenging technical climb to the summit, while hiking trails around the base offer accessible adventures for visitors of all abilities. The Plain of Six Glaciers trail provides progressively spectacular views of Mount Victoria and surrounding peaks, with a historic teahouse offering refreshments along the route. During winter, the area transforms into a world-class ski destination, with runs at Lake Louise Ski Resort facing the mountain. Wildlife including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and elk inhabit the surrounding forests and alpine meadows. The nearby Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers luxury accommodations with panoramic views of the mountain, making this royal namesake a crown jewel in Canada’s first national park.

Fort Victoria historical park brings Alberta’s trading post era vividly to life

Established as a Methodist mission and Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in 1864 along the North Saskatchewan River, Fort Victoria was named in tribute to the reigning monarch. Today, preserved as a provincial historic site near Smoky Lake, northeast of Edmonton, the reconstructed fort offers immersive experiences in Canada’s fur trading history. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and daily life from the 1860s, while meticulously restored buildings—including the clerk’s quarters, trading store, and mission house—provide authentic glimpses into frontier living. The site highlights the complex relationships between European traders, Indigenous peoples, and Métis communities that shaped Western Canada. Educational programs allow visitors to try their hand at historical activities, from butter churning to blacksmithing. The fort’s riverside location offers scenic picnic spots and short walking trails through aspen forests. Special events throughout the summer, including heritage festivals and Indigenous cultural celebrations, bring additional dimensions to this living history museum that honours both its royal namesake and Alberta’s diverse cultural heritage.