Calling all newcomers to Canada! If you’re a new Canadian citizen or permanent resident, there’s an amazing way to explore your new home without spending a ton of cash that you might not know about.
Whether this is your first full year in Canada or you’ve been here for a few years, immigrating to Canada can be overwhelming — especially with the costs of an international move, adjusting to a new cost of living and navigating the Canadian housing market. With so much to budget for, it’s tough to find extra cash to explore your new home and make the most of everything Canada has to offer.
That’s why the free Canoo app offers eligible newcomers free admission to over 2,000 cultural, historical and outdoor spots across Canada. From national parks to museums, art galleries and so much more, you can discover the country for free for a whole year through the app.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Canoo app, including who’s eligible, how to sign up and where it can get you free admission in 2025.
What is the Canoo app?
Canoo is like your personal guide to Canada’s best experiences. From art galleries and museums to national parks and more, Canoo offers free access to some of the country’s most iconic spots.
The app is run by the non-profit Institute for Canadian Citizenship and is funded through donations from the public and support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is entirely free for eligible newcomers to use and designed to make it easier for new Canadians to explore everything the country has to offer.
The app also provides exclusive deals and event access, making it a must-have for newcomers who want to dive into Canadian culture and nature.
Who is eligible for Canoo?
The eligibility requirements are pretty straightforward:
- If you’re a permanent resident, you can sign up within five years of receiving your status.
- If you recently became a Canadian citizen, you need to register within one year of your citizenship ceremony (provided you didn’t already sign up when you were a PR).
- You must be 18 years or older to create an account.
Once you register, you’ll get a full 12-month Canoo membership, which can be activated anytime within the eligibility period.
How to sign up for Canoo
Getting started with Canoo is simple. Start by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then follow the prompts to create an account.
During the registration process, you’ll need to verify your eligibility by scanning your proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
Once your membership is activated, you can begin enjoying all the benefits. Keep in mind that the Canoo membership also extends to up to four children under 18, but it doesn’t include spouses, adult children or other family members — they’ll need to apply for their own membership, if eligible.
Canoo’s free admission list
Canoo gives you access to over 2,000 incredible experiences across Canada. You’ll find the full list in the app once you sign up, but trust us — there’s no shortage of things to see and do.
Here are just a few of the options available in 2025:
National & provincial parks
Nearly all of Canada’s national parks and national park reserves — including Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim, Point Pelee, Bruce Peninsula, Riding Mountain, Fundy and many others — offer free admission through Canoo.
Similarly, over 200 provincial parks in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan participate in the program.
No matter what province or territory you live in (or want to visit!), a vast expanse of protected Canadian wilderness is ready for you to explore.
National historic sites
There are over 150 national historic sites across Canada participating in the Canoo program, offering free admission to explore the rich tapestry of the country’s history.
These sites span every setting, from bustling cities to remote wilderness, and include everything from sacred spaces and archaeological sites to historic battlefields and heritage buildings. They provide a unique opportunity to learn about Canada’s past, including the diverse cultural communities that shape it and the history and traditions of Indigenous peoples.
Participating sites include the Fortifications of Quebec; the Lachine, Rideau and Chambly canals; the Halifax Citadel; Rogers Pass; and Green Gables Heritage Place, to name only a few.
Museums
Canada has no shortage of museums to explore, offering visitors the chance to dive into every facet of the country’s story — from science and nature to history and culture. Here are just a few of the great museums that are included with your Canoo pass in 2025:
- Royal Tyrrell Museum (Drumheller, AB)
- Royal Alberta Museum (Edmonton, AB)
- Royal BC Museum (Victoria, BC)
- Museum of Anthropology (Vancouver, BC)
- Manitoba Museum (Winnipeg, MB)
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg, MB)
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum (Regina, SK)
- Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON)
- Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, ON)
- Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa, ON)
- Science North (Sudbury, ON)
- Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, QC)
- Pointe-à-Callière (Montreal, QC)
- Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (Halifax, NS)
- The Rooms (St. John’s, NL)
- Science East (Fredericton, NB)
Art galleries
Canoo also offers newcomers free admission to some of the country’s best art galleries — including but not limited to:
- Art Gallery of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)
- Contemporary Calgary (Calgary, AB)
- Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, BC)
- Winnipeg Art Gallery – Qaumajuq (Winnipeg, MB)
- Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, ON)
- National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, ON)
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Montreal, QC)
- Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Quebec City, QC)
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (Halifax, NS)
Other attractions
Beyond parks, historic sites, museums and galleries, there are a ton of other attractions participating in Canoo’s free admission program this year. From the Toronto Zoo and Montreal Planetarium to hidden gems like Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington and the Diefenbunker in Ottawa, there’s no shortage of unique experiences to discover.
Happy exploring!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
Source: Narcity – Read More
