8 Canadian destinations to explore this September
1) Toronto, Ontario
Bash this pick for being obvious and mainstream if you must, but the rationale for picking it was more about the uniqueness of Toronto in September than the lure of Toronto in general.
Every year, September ushers in a handful of Toronto's most heralded cultural events, with the headliner undoubtedly being the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). For two weeks, stars descend upon the T Dot for a first-class cinematic showcase—and the lavish parties that inevitably come along with it. What's especially cool about TIFF is that it gives ordinary Torontonians a chance to be the first to get a taste of eventual Oscar winners, as it has for films like The King's Speech (2010), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Spotlight (2015), just to name a few.
TIFF winds down just in time for Word on the Street (WOTS), Canada's preeminent literary festival, to get going. Centrally located right at the Toronto waterfront, WOTS gives attendees the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors and publishers in one of the city's most breathtaking spots. This year's featured participants are Emma Donoghue, Monia Mazigh, Ron Sexsmith, and David Suzuki.
As always, there's still lots of other great reasons to visit Toronto that have nothing to do with special events. Check out a Blue Jays game before the team wraps up its season at the end of the month; visit the beautiful University of Toronto campus and take in the back-to-school vibrancy; or explore one of Toronto's many parks and ravines (High Park, Taylor Creek, Humber River, Rouge Valley, etc.) as they enter that sweet spot that capitalizes on both end of summer weather and fall colours.
2) Fundy Trail, New Brunswick
The Fundy Trail is a nature lover's paradise. Located just east of Saint John, New Brunswick (not to be confused with St. John's, Newfoundland), the Fundy Trail combines breathtaking coastal sights with the lushness of forested land for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
It offers visitors a number of trail options, ranging for quicker hikes under 10 km to the challenging 41 km Fundy Footpath (listed as one of Explore Magazine's "50 Best Hikes in the World"). Along the way, hikers can stop and enjoy one of the Fundy Trail park's 20 scenic lookouts, secluded beaches, world renowned high tides and sunsets, suspension bridge, or cable ladder. And if walking isn't what they're in the mood to do, they can also bike or kayak in certain parts of the area.
September is an ideal time for outdoor exploration and Fundy trail is the ideal place to get your fix in!
3) Banff and Calgary, Alberta
For those who love horses but missed out on the Calgary Stampede, September is a time for redemption. That's because Calgary plays host to the Spruce Meadows Masters.
If anyone reading this is out of the equestrian loop, the Spruce Meadows Masters is one of the world's top show jumping competitions. It offers five days of fierce competition, but also family entertainment and shopping opportunities for viewers. With admission beginning at $5 per day, it's a prestigious event at an affordable price; although those looking for a bit more of a luxurious experience can rent out a VIP table for a steeper cost. After taking in a day of competition, make sure to head on over to Calgary's South Glenmore Park for what is widely considered one of the best sunsets in Canada.
Either before or after taking in the Masters, head on over to the nearby Banff National Park for the tail end of its exceptional summer season. By that point, a lot of tourists and seasonal arrivals have probably started to clear out, so September makes for a slightly less crowded visit.
4) Vancouver, British Columbia
Taking place during essentially the exact same time frame as Toronto's TIFF, the Vancouver Fringe Festival is a nice option for people who can't make it out east or simply prefer live performance to glitzy films. Save for a few exceptions, most of the Festival's 700 performances will take place on the lovely Granville Island, also home to a loaded marketplace and a local brewery.
Arts enthusiasts will also want to check out the final stretch of Bard on the Beach, a summer-long showcase of Shakesperian plays, plus an adaptation of the more modern Shakespeare spinoff, Shylock. This year's Elizabethan crop includes Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter's Tale, The Merchant of Venice,and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Shows run until Sept. 23.
5) Brandon, Manitoba
I know what you're thinking. "Brandon, Manitoba? Really?" It's a bit of a curveball, but hear me out.
Not far from Brandon is the Souris Swinging Bridge, one of the longest and coolest of its kind in Canada. Souris itself is a lovely place to spend a nice fall day, giving visitors the opportunity to laze by the long river, play 18 holes at the town's golf course, tour the local attractions, or spot one of the many peacocks that roam around regularly.
Back in Brandon, enjoy the slightly-more-bustling vibe of Manitoba's second-largest city. On September 9 it'll be hosting its Summer Lights Music Festival, while the Garden Bros. Circus comes to town on the 25th. Beginning later in the month, you'll also be able to check out future NHL players take the ice at a Brandon Wheat Kings hockey game.
6) Montreal, Quebec
To experience a Montreal summer is to experience a seemingly endless slew of festivals. Some of the best get saved for last, which is why Montreal in September is such a great bet.
Part of that slate includes Montreal's second-largest music festival after Osheaga, the five-day POP Montreal. Spread out at venues all across the city, POP Montreal is the nomadic listener's kind of event. It's lineup usually doesn't include the sort of big-name headlining acts that the aforementioned Osheaga would, but it does showcase hip up-and-coming artists that you can one day tell your grandkids you saw at some intimate venue way back when.
Other big events to watch out for include the World Film and Black Film Festivals, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, the Old Port's Montreal In-Water Boat Show, and the Omnivore Food Festival. Or just spend a day checking out the city's non-time sensitive staples. Traverse Mont Royal, hang out in the bohemian Plateau, walk along the Lachine Canal, visit the Fine Arts or McCord Museums on Sherbrooke, etc.
7) Victoria, British Columbia
The 55 km Galloping Goose Trail is one that takes you through lush outskirts of the wonderful Victoria, BC. It is even part of the nation-connecting Trans Canada Trail, or as some call it, "The Great Trail." Users of the Trail include hikers, runners, cyclists, and even skateboarders and horse riders. This diversity gives it a vibrant feel, which is matched by the diversity of towns and backdrops the trail passes through.
Before or after you've gotten your fill of the winding trail, spend some time in downtown Victoria, one of the most cultured cities in Canada. From museums to fine dining, Victoria is a great place to indulge and unwind as summer comes to an end.
8) St. Catharines, Ontario
The Niagara region that St. Catharines belongs to produces some of the best wine in the entire world. From Sept. 8-24, it will gather the fruits of the area's labour for the latest edition of the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.
Come join in for tastings and all kinds of other fun activities, including parades, concerts, gourmet and local food, and cellar door experiences. The festival is centrally located in Montebello Park, making it easy for attendees to soak it all in and get information about more remote attractions.
And if that isn't enough for you, the world renowned Niagara Falls are under a half hour away by car, with the scenic hikes and waterfalls of Hamilton residing slightly farther away in the other direction.