Sometimes you don’t have a lot of time for travel, but you still have the desire to get away. No matter where you live in Canada there is a weekend destination  – for busy and active family time or laid back romance – a hop, skip or jump away. Here are some of our favourite weekend destinations for when you have just 2-4 days to spend away from home

Prince Edward Island

Canadians in the Atlantic provinces know and appreciate this small island where the beaches are red, the potatoes grow (and make a great vodka) and the folklore and culture is rich. Travel by ferry, or by car across the bridge that connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick. Golf, explore, relax and enjoy everything PEI has to offer, including a hearty maritime welcome from the locals.

Learn more and plan your trip.

Sunshine Coast

Vancouverites who want to escape the city head to the ferry dock in Horseshoe Bay. Vancouver Island is a popular destination but for something a bit different, hop on one of the smaller ferries headed to the Sunshine Coast. There you’ll find the quaint charm of small town life on the coast. Tour art studios, enjoy delicious food or just relax. Stand on the beach and you might just meet a wild local: Noisy sea lions and breaching whales abound off the shore!

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Drumheller

This paradise for dinosaur lovers is located an easy drive from Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer in the province of Alberta. You’ll love the history and the opportunity to hike the badlands – with the magnificent scenic views. Kids will enjoy exploring and taking advantage of everything the dinosaur capital of the world has to offer, including the Fossil World Discovery Centre and the World’s Largest Dinosaur.

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Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake

When you want to escape the big city and suburbs of Toronto head south west and take in one of the natural wonders of the world, breathtaking Niagara Falls. A walk down Lundy’s Lane, the main strip, gives kids and parents plenty of things to see and do: including wax museums and haunted houses. Stop in at the Hershey’s Chocolate shop for a sweet treat. Adults will love adding to the weekend with a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s wine region with many wineries to visit and the cottage feel of the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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Mont-Tremblant

Mont-Tremblant is perfect in winter, for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, but it’s also spectacular during the other three seasons of the year. Head up to this mountain and village and escape the hustle and bustle of Quebec’s larger cities. Mont-Tremblant offers golfing, skiing, shopping, dining, indoor and outdoor pools, a beach and plenty more for adventure and sport.

Learn more and plan your trip.

And of course the more time you have to spend on vacation, the farther you can travel to visit any of the above destinations. Canada has so much to offer: where is your favourite destination?

Weekend Getaways on Globetrotting Mama