Discovering gratis attractions this summer: Unlocking access to parks, museums, and public transportation.

Win a fantastic Canadian summer experience with the "Strong Canada Pass"! Starting this coming Friday, visitors and residents alike can join the exciting event that offers free or discounted access nationwide to various parks, museums, and train rides. Ready to discover the beauty and culture of Canada? Here's a lowdown on the freebies and savings for your enjoyable escapades during this sun-soaked season.

From June 20 until September 2, 2025, anyone can enjoy free entry to popular destinations such as Canada's national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, managed by Parks Canada. To sweeten the deal, there's also a 25% discount on camping and accommodation reservation fees.

Note that these offerings do not extend to provincial, municipal, or privately owned parks. Some of the must-see national parks within Canada include Mauricie, Forillon, Mingan Archipelago, and Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park in Quebec. Remember that other service charges such as parking, guided tours, firewood, or additional services may still apply.

If you've already purchased a Discovery Pass or an annual pass for Parks Canada, you'll get an extra three months for free! If you've already paid for a summer reservation, Parks Canada will refund the cost.

Culture aficionados among the young will also benefit from the deal this summer. Entry to certain national museums will be free for individuals under 17, and those aged 18-24 can enjoy a 50% discount. Interestingly, this offer is limited to specific museums such as the Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (Halifax), and the Plains of Abraham Museum (Quebec City). Other participating federal capital region museums can be found on the Canadian Heritage website.

Regrettably, the offer does not apply automatically to all provincial museums like the Quebec Museum Society. Visitors can still enjoy the limited-time admission offers and even receive a refund for already purchased tickets to national museums.

For train travel enthusiasts, there's a treat for the young ones! Children accompanied by their parents can travel for free, while those aged 18-24 will enjoy a 50% discount. This offer is applicable on all VIA Rail trips using the Escape and Economy fares, with discount codes provided on the VIA Rail website to claim your savings. For refunds on previously purchased tickets, contact VIA Rail directly.

Some criticize the late announcement of the travel pass, as it may have affected plans made in advance. Nonetheless, the program has the potential to encourage exploring the cities and beauties of our neighboring provinces, tackling Canada's "last-kilometer" mobility issue.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in culture, history, and scenic beauty this summer! The "Strong Canada Pass" promises an unforgettable adventure across the nation.

Discovering gratis attractions this summer: Unlocking access to parks, museums, and public transportation.