Top LGBTQ-Friendly Places in Canada

A relaxed vibe permeates Canada’s West Coast, particularly on Vancouver Island. British Columbia’s capital city has been welcoming the LGBTQ community for decades, drawn to the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful beaches, temperate climate, lush gardens and picturesque Victorian architecture. Outlying mountains and forest make for excellent exploration year-round.

While the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest is well-known for outdoor activities like whale-watching, kayaking, fishing and sailing, this very walkable town is equally noted for its relaxed British-style pubs, most of which have regular live music. Live acts also play a big part in the lineup at chic Upstairs Cabaret and at the iconic Hermann’s Jazz Club. 

Despite being small, this resort town 130 kilometers west of Calgary has an international flare and reputation, making it very comfortable for the LGBTQ traveler. Banff has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1883, when its famous natural hot springs were discovered—instantly making the region one of the most romantic in the province.

Situated within Banff National Park (Canada’s first) surrounded by 6,500 square kilometers of parkland, Banff offers nature at it’s finest—pristine wilderness and breathtaking scenery, with forest, lakes, mountains and meadows opening you up for superlative outdoor adventure.

Follow your hot-springs soak with a canoodling canoe ride or a thrilling helicopter sight-see. It just doesn’t get more Canadian—or more romantic—than this.

One of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, Saskatoon has been dubbed the Paris of the Prairies, due in part to the city’s ample base of artists, musicians, filmmakers and other creative entrepreneurs. A relaxed vibe well suits the LGBTQ crowd, as does the welcoming prairie spirit and the burgeoning bar and restaurant scene.

In the summer, theater, jazz and folk music festivals keep residents and visitors hopping, the Jazz Fest alone spread over 10 days. Saskatoon’s premier gay bar is Diva’s, open for more than 40 years, but Pink Lounge also draws a crowd into its busy, multi-level space. Even Saskatoon Pride gets bigger every year.

One million people turn out to celebrate Pride in Toronto every year—and you could be one of them. One of the most accepting and tolerant urban centers in the world just happens to also be great fun. With more than 140 languages spoken on the streets, Toronto is multicultural beyond words, a trait that makes for phenomenal variety, especially in its world-class culinary scene.

The tourist attractions aren’t just for families and children, but are fun for everyone. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the CN Tower EdgeWalk, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario hit all the Top 10 lists, as does the Toronto International Film Festival, which turns the town into Hollywood North each autumn.

Toronto is thick with cool places to hoist a few cocktails all across town, but make sure to spend at least one evening in the Gay Village on Church Street taking in the LGBTQ hangouts and egging on the city’s superlative drag queens.

Canada’s capital city never disappoints, regardless of what season you visit. Summertime is filled with festivals both local and national in scope, including Capital Pride. The annual Winterlude gets residents and visitors out of doors, into skates and onto the Rideau Canal, touted as the world’s biggest outdoor skating rink.

Ottawa is small enough to have a welcoming, home-town feel, yet big enough to offer world-class dining, attractions, international sports and cultural entertainment. Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Diefenbunker Museum all need to be on your to-do list.

The most romantic and gay-forward spots tend to be the town’s cocktail bars; try Riviera on Sparks Street (and stay for dinner!) or duck into Zoe’s, the lobby lounge at the Fairmont Château Laurier.

Montreal has always been a magnet for travelers lured by its unique multicultural heritage, laid-back character, decadent food and great shopping. The city’s elevated sense of style touches many arenas, including fashion, design, art and architecture. Both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montreal are definite must-dos.

For a romantic respite, heat things up at Bota Bota, a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River with various water features, outdoor pools and body treatments.

Montreal’s August Pride is a huge affair, with a large swath of the Gay Village’s main street closed to car traffic and injected with dozens of sidewalk patios fronting all the cafés and bars. And the steak frites? To die for.

Like a little bit of Europe within Canada’s borders, Quebec City is the jewel of the province. Quaint, charming, beautiful, storied and welcoming, its hospitality has been honed from many years of entertaining cruise-ship passengers touring the St. Lawrence River. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico with its walls still in tact.

The food scene is in a perpetual state of evolution, the culinary community pushing boundaries and giving traditional foods a fresh spin. For date night, couples can linger over sumptuous meals or find a quiet corner in a neighbourhood wine bar for a tête-à-tête with a bottle of rosé.

With the runaway success of the musical Come From Away, Newfoundland & Labrador is enjoying a moment in the sun, with a welcome that mirrors the show’s depiction of the province’s warm hospitality.

A quaint maritime charm fills every nook and cranny, as architecture, crafts, music and storytelling are all celebrated with gusto via numerous festivals, bested only by the region’s extraordinary seafood.

National parks, an iceberg-laden coastline and a rugged interior all offer unspoiled room to romp with hiking, whale-watching, boating and fishing. The capital comes through with museums, historic sites, food and fun.

For nightlife, everyone congregates in the watering holes along Water Street for a bit of a “knees up.” You can also take a romantic stroll through Quidi Vidi Village, stopping to sample the delicious craft beers, of course.