The Civic holiday in August (known by a variety of different names depending on the region) is just around the corner. It’s a great time for a bonus mid-summer getaway. Need some inspiration or ideas for a quick escape that won’t break the bank? We’ve put together a list of destinations to satisfy a variety of travel interests, from art and culture, to food, beaches and architecture. Even better, you can find airfares to all of them for under $500 from a number of departure points (and even less if you can be a little flexible on your travel dates). Read on to find out where you should be looking to take a long weekend away.
New York City, New York, U.S.
New York City is one of those destinations that you can keep going back to again and again, each time finding something new and exciting to see, do or eat. That’s part of what makes the Big Apple such an ideal long weekend escape – there really is something for everyone. Since it’s summertime, allot some of your time to visit sprawling Central Park for a stroll, a picnic or just to soak up some sun with a book. Otherwise, you have your pick of attractions, including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, The High Line, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Metropolitan Museum of Art and enough amazing food (be it from a food truck or five-star restaurant) to keep your taste buds happy all weekend long. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Toronto for $301.
San Diego, California, U.S.
With well over 100 kilometres of coastline, sunny San Diego makes for an ideal summer long weekend getaway. Make time to take in the sights of the historic Gaslamp Quarter downtown, where many of the bars, shops and restaurants are set in turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture; visit one of San Diego’s 30+ beaches, all open to the public; stroll the scenic, nearly five kilometre Mission Beach and Pacific Beach Boardwalk; spend one day along the waterfront at San Diego’s Big Bay Embarcadero where you can check out the floating Maritime Museum of San Diego; and until September 1, visitors to San Diego can take advantage of extended evening hours at eight museums, fill up at various food trucks and enjoy entertainment throughout the Embarcadero. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Victoria for $306.
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Las Vegas might seem like a dizzying, head-spinning neon jungle when you first get to the Strip, but it’s actually easier to explore over a long weekend than you might think. There’s a ton of cool things to do well beyond setting up shop at a roulette table. Spend some time exploring the Strip, which makes for fun people watching, and take in some of the hotel attractions like the volcano at the Mirage, the daily circus show at Circus Circus, or the water and music show at the Bellagio’s fountains. If you want to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, head to Lake Mead Recreation Area where you can swim, kayak, hike or have a picnic. It’s also worth making time for the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum and Boneyard. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Victoria for $347.
Calgary, Alberta
The southern Alberta city of Calgary is about so much more than the annual stampede that happens here every summer. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, shopper, outdoor enthusiast – or a combination thereof – you’ll find something worthwhile in Calgary. Western Canada’s largest museum and gallery, Glenbow Museum, is a good place to tack onto your long weekend itinerary, as is Fish Creek Provincial Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America and the largest such park in Canada. If you love sports, you’ll also want to make time for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and WinSport, where you can zip line, play mini golf, take a scenic chairlift ride and even race through a bobsleigh course. If you have time, pay a visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, an archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved buffalo jumps in the world. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Vancouver for $379.
San Francisco, California, U.S.
A city of distinct and eclectic neighbourhoods, San Francisco was made for long weekend wandering. You can’t visit San Francisco without making a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge so make that the first item on your itinerary. Take in the views as you walk or bike across on the pedestrian walkway. Another must-do is a ride on an iconic cable car where you’ll get a great overview of San Francisco’s winding streets and see some of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods. Spend the rest of the weekend exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and the shops and attractions of Pier 39, checking out Chinatown and grabbing some dim sum for lunch and visiting a few of the city’s museums like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Vancouver for $385.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Whether you’ve never been to Winnipeg, or you’re a frequent visitor looking for a few more things to see and do, August is a great time to spend a few days here. Summer is an especially good time to explore the Forks, home to many of the city’s best attractions including the Forks Market, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the scenic Riverwalk, Winnipeg Railway Museum, the Forks National Historic Site of Canada and a plethora of restaurants and cafes. Other city highlights include the Exchange District with its vast collection of turn of the 20th century buildings, Winnipeg Art Gallery and Assiniboine Park. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Thunder Bay for $393.
Edmonton, Alberta
Summer is a great time to put Alberta’s capital on your must-visit list. While you can visit a mall any time and (mostly) everywhere, being in Edmonton offers the chance to check out the massive West Edmonton Mall, which spans the equivalent of 48 city blocks. Here you’ll find movie theatres, mini golf courses, over 800 shops and services and World Waterpark, home to the world’s largest indoor wave pool. You’ll also want to make time to explore trendy Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona with its many boutiques, art galleries and cafés; do some hiking, paddle a canoe or have a picnic in and around the North Saskatchewan River valley and visit one of the city’s many farmers’ markets. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Vancouver for $400.
Montreal, Quebec
Cosmopolitan Montreal has a little something for every long weekend traveller, from world-class restaurants and cutting-edge art galleries, to must-see museums and a buzzing bar and nightlife scene. Start with a visit to Old Montreal where you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time into a charming old European village as you meander the cobblestone streets past sidewalk cafés. In addition, foodies will want to spend some time exploring Jean-Talon Market, one of the largest public markets in North America and a great place to snap up some local produce, meats and cheeses. Other good options for a long weekend itinerary include the Montreal Botanical Gardens, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Parc du Mont-Royal. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Thunder Bay for $429.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida, U.S.
Fort Lauderdale and neighbouring Miami offer the perfect blend of beach-hopping, shopping, great food and urban adventure. If you plan to spend some time in both, it’s a good idea to rent a car so you can cover more ground. Or, you can base yourself in one or the other, with Fort Lauderdale being the more laid-back option. In Miami, you’ve got Pérez Art Museum, featuring a manageable collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as art deco buildings and an array of shops and restaurants along Ocean Drive. And, of course, no trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to bustling South Beach. In Fort Lauderdale, enjoy the long stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach and the adjacent promenade, tour the “Venice of America” with a water taxi ride and explore Las Olas Boulevard, home to three museums, 12 art galleries, 75 shops and over 30 restaurants. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip to Miami from Toronto for CA $449 Fly round-trip to Fort Lauderdale from Vancouver for $485.
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
This central Florida city might be known for its plethora of theme parks, but that’s not all that Orlando offers. There’s plenty of time over a long weekend to hit a few rides, but if you’re also looking for some other options, you won’t have to look far. Get 360-degree views of the city and beyond from atop the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, a 400-foot tall observation wheel located in the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex. Following your spin on the wheel, check out the shops, restaurants and attractions nearby. Since Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, you’ll likely want to check out at least a couple. Given the summer temperatures, you might want to focus on water parks, like the brand-new Universal’s Volcano Bay or the well loved classics Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Walt Disney World. Sample airfare*: Fly round-trip from Toronto for $466.
*Sample airfares are priced in Canadian dollars and are for round-trip flights with taxes and core fees included and were available on July 18 for flights departing August 3 and returning August 7. This content is intended as a guide only. Airfares are subject to change.
