
Detour destinations is a popular term for 2025 travel. They are destinations that are less busy as they are not on everyone's bucket list yet they still deliver rich travel experiences. This is the first in a series about off-the-beaten-track destinations. Here, we'll cover Canadian travel destinations that avoid crowds. The reason we're starting with Canada will become clear as you read the next section.
Detour destinations are, in some ways, a response to travelers being annoyed by overtourism. That term was driven by locals exhausted by tourists driving up apartment rental costs, crowding streets, and changing the nature of their communities. The current popularity of detour destinations is the result of travelers being frustrated by overtourism. They are looking for the full travel experience but with fewer tourists, less stress, and possibly a lower price tag.
If you are on the same wavelength, we have a few ideas for you.
If you want some general advice on how to plan a trip that avoids crowds and how to enjoy small destinations as you travel, read How to Travel Off the Beaten Path for Unique Travel Experiences.
Canadian Travel Destinations for Avoiding Crowds and Saving Money
The Canadian dollar is having a bit of a bad run. That's good news for Americans, Brits, and Europeans coming to visit as their currency will go far. At the time of writing, the Canadian dollar costs just 70 cents US. That's a 30% discount for Americans. For Canadians, it's likely cheaper to travel within Canada than to travel to any of those countries with stronger currencies.
Also, there are only a few Canadian travel destinations that are truly over-touristed. Off the top of my head, avoid Niagara Falls and Banff all year round, Toronto, Halifax and the Cabot Trail, much of Prince Edward Island, Alberta's Badlands, Victoria, Ottawa, and Vancouver in the summer, and the major ski resorts in winter like Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, Mont Tremblant, and Blue Mountain.
Here are some of my preferred destinations that are not overwhelmed with tourists and offer exciting travel experiences. In some cases I might mention an event that will be busy with locals.
- For Nova Scotia, go to The Acadian Shores. The Acadian Shores are a series of peninsulas in southwest Nova Scotia. Acadians are the French who settled in Atlantic Canada in the 1600s and then were expelled in 1755 and dispersed around the world. The Cajuns of Louisiana are displaced Acadians. They were allowed to return in 1764. The expulsion, return, displacement from their original lands, and the nature of the peninsulas mix to make it a fascinating destination for history, culture, and genealogy buffs.
- For New Brunswick, go to the Acadian Coast. There is a very large Acadian population in northern and eastern New Brunswick. I took a road trip north from Moncton exploring the area. No time for a road trip? Go to the small town of Caraquet in the north of the province for the Festival Acadien de Caraquet from August 5 to 15th, 2025. The Tintamarre, as it's known, was first held in 1955 to commemorate the bicentenary of the expulsion of the Acadians.
- In Ontario, go north. The north is unique in landscape and culture. Sudbury is a marvel of ecological restoration. Read Sudbury: An Exciting Destination for Earth Science Enthusiasts. The Agawa Canyon Train ride begins in Sault Ste. Marie and is not busy in the summer. It is a very popular Canadian travel destination in the fall, so if you want to take it to see the autumn leaves, book early. The north shore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places for camping and hiking. Here's a Road Trip from Toronto to Winnipeg via Northern Ontario. If an even farther north canoe trip is what you'd like, here's a video created by my stepson, David MacKenzie. It is a gorgeous watch even if you don't want to canoe in the wilderness.
- Winnipeg, Manitoba. Cold in the winter, hot (but dry) in the summer, Winnipeg is an all-year-round destination that is better known by the surrounding states and provinces than elsewhere. The Canadian Human Rights Museum makes this city a must-visit on its own. But there are more reasons to go. The Festival du Voyageur in winter is a lot of fun. The Thermëa spa is wonderful all year round (I went in winter.) The Winnipeg Folk Festival in July is a major event on the Canadian music scene. The Festival runs concerts in the city throughout the year. There's also Birds Hill Provincial Park, a massive park for hiking, cycling, and beaches.
- Medicine Hat, Alberta. I'm steering you away from the Badlands of Alberta unless you are traveling on the off season. If it's summer, go to Medicine Hat where there are coulees in the city including in Kin Coulee Park and East Glen Coulee Park. This gives you a taste of the Badlands. Don't miss the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre. Part museum, part performing arts venue, part art gallery, there's always something interesting to discover. You can read about Tracey's visit here.
- Canadian Rockies with fewer tourists. While the Canadian Rockies are a huge draw for tourists, it's a large area. Stay south and you will be crowded. Go north and you'll enjoy far fewer tourists. Jasper is recovering from the fires of 2024 but is now open to tourists. Your visit there will be different than in other years but appreciated more than ever by the locals. To travel the Rockies by train you have the touristy option and the one that is less so. Read British Columbia by Train: Budget or Luxury. It’s Your Choice.
- Montreal and Quebec City. Both are large cities and get a lot of tourists but they make the list because the local culture is so strong. The French language is prevalent and many tourists are French so it doesn't feel as touristy as it might. If you like cold weather and snow, winter is a great time to visit as there are many outdoor festivals and events, not to mention warmer, indoor attractions such as food, art, and culture.