Why So Many Canadians Are Skipping the Usual American Tourist Traps — And Finding Friendlier Spots Instead

Remember when a quick cross-border trip meant snagging gas for 30 cents less per litre, grabbing a few bags of snacks you can’t pronounce, and maybe popping into a Target just for fun?

Those were simpler times. And lately, they’ve slowed to a trickle — our anemic loonie, political noise, and a post-pandemic hangover will do that. But Canadians? We’re still avid travelers at heart. We just got a bit choosier.

Not Just Any Place Will Do Anymore

Ask around, and you’ll notice a trend. Canadians aren’t giving up on visiting the U.S. Sure, many of us are taking less trips — out of protest, fear of hassle at the customs, or simply don’t want to deal with offensive attitudes. Hey, we get it. If you look closer, the underlying theme is that Canadians don’t feel as welcome there as before.

What most of us really want, other than the political climate to get better, are places where we feel genuinely welcome. Places where “thanks for coming” doesn’t sound like a script. And believe it or not, those places still exist — plenty of them, actually! You just have to know where to look.

Being Welcomed Shouldn’t Be a Gamble

You’ve likely had both kinds of experiences:

A frosty server at the counter who makes you want to run for the hills
vs.
A warm, “You folks Canadian? Welcome back — haven’t seen you in a while!”

We know which one we’d rather get.

That’s what sparked the idea behind WelcomeEh — a simple way to find shops, cafés, hotels, and other businesses across the U.S. that go out of their way to make Canadians feel at home. No more guessing. No more awkward stares. Just friendly spots, picked with care.

We’re Not Just Here for the Deals

Sure, we love a good outlet mall and a bag of jalapeño cheddar chips you can’t find north of the 49th parallel. But what really keeps us coming back is the human stuff: the warm hello, the little chat about where we’re from, the feeling that we’re more than just a passing transaction.

When a business makes an effort — even a small one — to show they care about our visit, that sticks with us. And it makes us want to return.

And yes, we still love the deals. Can’t get enough of them…

So, Where Are These Friendly Spots?

They’re out there — tucked in small towns, border cities, and even busy tourist hubs. Some are old favourites. Others are hidden gems waiting to be discovered (or nominated).

We built WelcomeEh to bring them all together.
No fluff, no spam, no gimmicks — just a growing map of places that treat Canadians like neighbours, not numbers.

Want to help build the map?
If you’ve had a great experience somewhere — tell us. Nominate a business (insert link), leave a review (insert link), or just spread the word. Because every kind word, every tip, every nudge in the right direction… it helps us all.

And if you're planning a trip soon, stick around — we’ve got more tips, deals, and friendly faces coming your way.

Join us. Let’s make travel more pleasant!