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With a hip new president, a progressive vibe, and a strong contingent of millennials making their mark on the country’s urban centers, Canada has become — dare we say it — really cool. But it’s not just the big cities like Vancouver and Toronto that are dripping with craft beer, covered in murals, and experimenting with new ingredients on trendy menus. Many smaller towns and cities around the country are also hopping on the bandwagon. Here are eight such places, with populations of about 100,000 or fewer, that have been given the seal of approval by our Trendsters Tribe, a group of Gogobot users always on the hunt for the next big thing. When you are ready to plan your trip to Canada, book your hotel here.
1. Canmore
Though it’s often overshadowed by big brother Banff, Canmore has spent much of the last decade building up a reputation of its own. Where they’ve really struck gold is in the eating and drinking scene, with gourmet pizza and burgers, international cuisine, and craft beer (don’t miss Grizzly Paw) some of the highlights. And with all the outdoor activities in the area, you can easily work everything off.
2. Tofino
by: hern42 flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Tofino, located on the western coast of Vancouver Island, has a local population of just 2,000 people, but it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year who come not just for the scenery (which is pretty dang gorgeous, for the record), but also for the food. It’s actually against the law to open franchises here, which means every plate you eat will be something unique. There’s also craft beer (Tofino Brewing Company) and lots of lux accomodations to round out your cool visit.
3. Kingston
by: saad36 flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
The city’s youthful university population have helped popularize and proliferate trendy bars, music venues, microbreweries, and coffee shops, but it’s also the history that makes this city cool. Many of the city’s oldest and most important buildings were constructed in the local limestone, giving the whole place an air of European sophistication.
4. Victoria
by: Luton flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Though it’s the capital of British Columbia, Victoria is still a small city with just under 80,000 residents. It long had a reputation for being old-school, but that’s slowly changing. Nowadays, the city is bike friendly and chock full of new boutiques, hipster coffee and tea spots, art galleries, and modern restaurants.
5. Kelowna
by: quinet flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Kelowna has had a booming wine industry for decades, but it has only recently started to get into the craft beer scene to meet the demand from the city’s millennials, many of whom are part of the burgeoning tech industry here. There are also plenty of great restaurants in case, you know, you like to chew your calories every once in a while.
6. Charlottetown
by: Martin Cathrae flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Charlottetown is both the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island and the origin of Anne of Green Gables, but it is, thankfully (no insult to Anne intended), much more than that. Cool dining options range from modern pubs to swanky bistros, while nightlife and culture abound. Plus, there’s no shortage of things to do outdoors, including some beautiful beaches.
7. St. John’s
by: Martin Cathrae flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Colorful St. John’s has a storied history tied to its connection to the sea. While fishing is no longer the primary industry in town, the residents have held on to their local traditions while making a transition to the 21st century. This is most evident in the exciting foodie scene, where top chefs have found ways to combine native ingredients with new techniques and international flavors.
8. Whitehorse
by: claire.herbaux flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Although it’s the capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse is pretty remote — but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here. In addition to stunning outdoor scenery, plenty of opportunity to spot the Northern Lights, and the start of the popular 1,000-mile Yukon Quest dogsled race, Whitehorse is also host to lots of cool festivals year-round, celebrating everything from music to art to First Nations culture. You’ll also want to wander around a bit — there’s hip coffee, beer, food, and artisan products to discover.
Gogobot’s mission is to help people find places to stay, eat, and play that are perfect for them. Plan your trip to Canada — or anywhere else — on the Gogobot app.
Source: gogobot.com