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Top 5 Affordable Destinations for a Canada Day Trip

Canada's birthday is right around the corner and though the holiday falls on a Tuesday, there will be many of us taking advantage of a long weekend getaway either on a staycation or an extended trip to another part of the country. Here's my top five list of local destinations with the biggest price drops over the holiday.
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Canada Day in Ottawa, Canada.
Getty Images
Canada Day in Ottawa, Canada.

Canada's birthday is right around the corner and though the holiday falls on a Tuesday, there will be many of us taking advantage of a long weekend getaway either on a staycation or an extended trip to another part of the country. This influx of travelers will mean higher prices and larger crowds in many of our most popular travel destinations, but not everywhere. There are places where you can still find a fantastic deal with great savings and get that relaxing summer getaway you've been wanting.

As such, I have scoured our database to put together my top five list of local destinations with the biggest price drops over the holiday compared to 2013, along with recommendations for festive ways to celebrate.

Happy Canada Day to all!

1.Niagara Falls, Ontario

Nestled in between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is simply stunning year-round and is known for its natural beauty. This year, there is truly something for everyone to indulge in, including a plethora of kid-friendly happenings, the annual Canada Day parade and a magnificent nighttime fireworks display over the water. Plus, the city is proving to be the most affordable destination in Canada for travellers looking to save big on hotel rooms for the holiday, with price drops of 18 per cent. My tip? Try and find a hotel that overlooks the falls rather than directly in the city so you can enjoy the scenic view instead of the heavy foot traffic.

2.Charlottetown, PEI

What better place to spend the holiday than Charlottetown, the city that birthed the Canadian Confederation? Plus, the Prince Edward Island has been ranked as the best island in the Continental USA and Canada by Travel + Leisure. The Charlottetown Event Grounds play host to a fantastic Canada Day celebration on PEI, where you can expect a full day of entertainment that starts with an opening ceremony around noon, and leads into the largest fireworks show in the country. Best of all, hotel prices are down 17 per cent and all festivities are free to the public with a pass that can be reserved or obtained day-of.

3.Banff, Alberta

Banff might feel like a secluded mountain getaway, but Canada Day in this national park town offers much more than its natural beauty; in fact, there's a fantastic patriotic parade as well as low hotel prices (down 10 per cent). A ceremonial singing of "O Canada" kicks off the celebration in the downtown area, followed by an artisan market with local food vendors and performances by local musicians throughout the day. Just before midnight, visitors can enjoy a fireworks show high above the stunning natural backdrop of Central Park.

4.Quebec City, Quebec

Unlike other destinations on this list, Quebec City hosts the unique La Fête du Canada: a Québec festival and kicks off an 11-day celebration known as Le Festival d'été directly following Canada Day. Visitors can expect a traditional patriotic celebration that starts with a flag raising ceremony, a red and white parade through the main part of town and a fireworks display overlooking the Saint Laurent River. Prices over the holiday weekend are down nine per cent, so you can score a great deal and visit a fantastic city.

5.Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is my hometown and somewhere I hold near and dear to my heart. Since prices are down around four per cent over Canada Day weekend, I just might head back to join in on the festivities! We Montréalais host the party at three different locations, offering an endless array of possibilities for families or singles. Activities range from a traditional Canada Day cake tasting, to a gun salute over the water and a craft show representing Canada's different cultures, to a concert and a fireworks show over the Old Port.

Pierre-Etienne Chartier is the vice president of the Hotwire Group and a Montreal native. Every month he provides Huffington Post Canada readers travel information, tips and advice to help them plan a fun, affordable trip.

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