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Exploring Canada


Like many things this year, travel plans look quite different as our communities navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and our country’s gradual re-opening. While Canadian residents are not able to travel internationally, there are many incredible places worth exploring in Canada that are sure to catch your attention.

If a trip is on your horizon, we’ve highlighted a few of the “must-sees” from each of our country’s provinces.


British Columbia

  • Stanley Park: Thought of as Vancouver’s version of Central Park, Stanley Park offers no shortage of things to do within its urban park setting. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium, bike or walk around the seawall, visit the Totem poles at Brockton point or, if the weather is warm enough, spread out a towel and relax at one of its beautiful beaches.
  • Whistler Blackcomb: Skiers will love visiting North America’s largest ski resort that features more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain. Home to three glaciers, five terrain parks and more than 200 runs, this resort is a popular choice for anyone who likes to hit the slopes. Whistler also has one of the longest ski seasons, stretching from November until mid-May.
  • Sea to Sky Gondola: Located in Squamish, Canada’s adventure capital, the Sea to Sky Gondola pairs stunning views of the turquoise waters of Howe Sound with the traditional B.C. forest and mountain views. Once you reach the top, go for a walk, hike or snowshoe adventure along the trails and make the trip across the suspension bridge for more incredible views.

Alberta

  • Royal Tyrell Museum:  Less than two hours from Calgary in the small town of Drumheller, the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology has a lot to offer. Known as the “town of the dinosaurs,” Drumheller has had many fossil discoveries and the museum displays these finds and offers an in-depth look at the historical relevance of the area. Consisting mainly of badlands, hiking trails lead visitors through these unique rock formations (weather permitting).
  • Jasper Planetarium:  This 50-seat domed planetarium theatre brings you into the depths of the darkest galaxies with an interactive, world-exclusive indoor planetarium experience.  Don’t forget to step outside for a change of scenery and catch a glimpse of the sky through the largest telescope in the Rockies.
  • Banff National Park: Nature enthusiasts will love the beauty of Banff National Park. Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains this popular tourist destination is known for its amazing mountain views, relaxing hot springs and stunning geological formations. Banff National Park is open year-round and offers magical views no matter the season.

Saskatchewan

  • RCMP Heritage Centre: If you’re looking for an interesting and historical day trip, visiting the RCMP Heritage Centre is a great place to start. The centre tells the story of Canada’s mounted police service dating back to its conception in the 1870s. Learn about the history of our law and order, and if you’re visiting in the warmer months, enjoy a sunset-retreat ceremony which includes military music, the lowering of the Canadian flag, the March Past and a troop drill display performed by RCMP cadets.
  • Trans-Canada Highway Road Trip: Follow the Trans-Canada Highway through the prairies and wheat fields of southern Saskatchewan. If you start your trek at the province’s southeast border (near Manitoba) and drive east-to-west, you’ll get to enjoy this beautiful province.  

Manitoba

  • The Exchange District: With 150 historic buildings, the Exchange District offers shopping and dining in an architecturally significant area.  Browse local shops, stop for a bite to eat, and take a summer walking tour to learn about the stories of Winnipeg’s industrial years.
  • The Royal Canadian Mint: Coin collectors will love making a stop at the Royal Canadian Mint. Add to your collection, pick up Mint memorabilia and take a guided tour to learn all about high speed, high-volume coin production.
  • FortWhyte Alive: Located minutes from downtown Winnipeg, FortWhyte Alive offers visitors an adventure in the city. With more than 600 acres of forests, lakes and trails, it is home to bison, whitetail deer, waterfowl and many other species of wildlife. Explore by land, bike or snowshoe, or in the warmer seasons paddle in a canoe or rowboat.  Stop for a meal at the sustainable Buffalo Stone Café, visit the Interpretive Centre or browse through the nature shop.

Ontario

  • Wine Country: With more than 130 wineries and 17,000 acres of vineyards stretching from the Prince Edward County, to the Niagara Peninsula, to Lake Erie’s north shore, Ontario offers incredible winery experiences.  
  • Ottawa’s seven national museums: Our nation’s capital offers much to see and do, but the seven national museums are one of the highlights. Ranging from science and technology, to agriculture and food, natural history, there is something for everyone.
  • Blue Mountain Resort: Regardless of what season you visit, Blue Mountain packs a punch. Skiing is a winter favourite, while the warmer months bring golf, tennis, and hiking to the forefront.  For something a little different, consider a Segway tour or take in the view with the open-air gondola. Just a short drive from Collingwood, visitors can also enjoy browsing local shops, visiting several local breweries, or relaxing at one of the area’s many spas.

Quebec

  • Grande Allée: Close to Parliament Hill and situated along the Plains of Abraham, Grande Allée, offers a wide assortment of restaurants, patios and entertainment venues.  With its 19th-century buildings that were once home to Quebec’s “upper class”, this is one area to schedule into your visit.  The Grande Allée Drill Hall, Battlefields Park, and the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec can all be found here and provide the perfect balance of history and gorgeous architecture.

  • Mont Royal Park: Not only is this park Montreal’s namesake, but it is also the “mountain” at the city’s heart. This 233-metre peak offers stunning views over the largest city in Quebec. Park events occur year-round – ranging from winter ice-skating on Lac-aux-Castors and cross-country skiing to the beat of the drums at Les Tam-Tams, to relaxing strolls in the warmer weather. From the viewing platform, visitors have a panoramic view over the Île de Montréal and the St. Lawrence River. On clear days you might also catch a glimpse of the peaks of the Adirondacks in the U.S.
  • Quebec’s many churches and cathedrals: If you’re missing travelling abroad, Quebec’s many churches and cathedrals will make you feel like you’re in a European oasis. Steeped in history, these popular destinations offer stunning architecture and a glimpse into the past.

New Brunswick

  • Bay of Fundy: With the highest tides in the world, its dramatic cliffs, sea caves and incredible rock formations, the Bay of Fundy is a popular choice for visitors. As the tides rise and fall, they create natural phenomena that include Moncton’s tidal bore and the famous reversing falls in Saint John.  Visitors can enjoy hiking trails year-round.
  • Roosevelt Campobello International Park: Accessible mid-June through September via a ferry from mainland New Brunswick, this popular destination has strong cross-border connections due to the centrepoint of the park – the historic Roosevelt summer estate. The estate, a 34-room cottage where the Roosevelts summered with their children, offers a glimpse into the lives of one of America’s most political families.

Nova Scotia

  • Peggy’s Cove: Less than 50 kilometres southwest of Halifax, this fishing village offers a historic feel. With its lighthouse (one of Canada’s most photographed lighthouses), its battered granite bluffs, and stunning Atlantic Coast views, this is a popular destination day trip.  Fishing wharves and boathouses are plentiful along its shore, as are colourful heritage homes and art galleries.
  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21: The Canadian equivalent to Ellis Island, Pier 21 once welcomed twenty per cent of the nation’s immigrants from 1928 through to 1971.  The museum offers exhibits that give visitors insight as to what it was like to travel across the ocean and arrive in a new country. Many exhibits are hands-on and offer visitors the chance to dress in period costumes, go inside a replica ship, and explore the contents of trunks and crates to learn more about the lives of the immigrants who arrived in Canada.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Nova Scotia is home to six UNESCO sites, all of which are located close enough that they can be explored within a few days. UNESCO sites are considered to have cultural, historical and scientific importance. Check each of these sites off your must-see list!
  • Good Cheer Trail: Canada’s first winery, craft brewery, cidery and distillery tour, the Good Cheer Trail is a toast to the craftsmanship and creativity of Nova Scotia’s wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries. From Yarmouth to Sydney, you’ll sample locally produced drinks at more than 80 beverage destinations.
  • Lighthouses: Nova Scotia’s iconic lighthouses have a history of helping protect those who make their living on the dark, cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. With more than 150 lighthouses dotted along the rugged coastlines, these picturesque symbols of the coastal landscape can be observed and explored by tourists.

PEI

  • Anne of Green Gables: Prince Edward Island is home to ‘all things Anne’. Visit the land that inspired the popular Lucy Maud Montgomery books. See the Green Gables house and discover where it all began. Tourism PEI offers an entire Anne of Green Gables itinerary for those who think that Anne might be a kindred spirit.
  • Deep Sea Fishing:  Gain a new appreciation for the fresh seafood you’re bound to eat on your visit by taking part in a deep-sea fishing trip.  Chartered trips begin early July and continue through until the end of September.

Newfoundland

  • L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site: Located sat the most northern tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, six houses made of grass sods were discovered in 1962. Likely built by the Vikings around the year 1,000, it is the oldest known European settlement in north America and to date, is the only authentic trace of a Viking settlement in the western hemisphere.  
  • Puffin and whale cruises in Witless Bay: See where the puffins nest and watch for whales at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. The cruise tours the four islands of the reserve, which are the nesting sites for more than 260,000 pairs of puffins, North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony.

Yukon

  • Miles Canyon: If adventure is up your alley, then a stop to Miles Canyon is a must.  Once a treacherous site for gold seekers, it’s now a great spot for hiking, cross-country skiing and wildlife watching.
  • S.S. Klondike: At the start of the 20th century, more than 250 riverboats connected the Yukon to the rest of the world, the largest of these steam ships being the S.S. Klondike which still sits on the shores of the Yukon River. Fully restored, this ship is a popular destination point for travellers who want to roam the decks on guided or self-tours.
  • Takhini Hot Springs: These natural hot water mineral pools are the perfect way to relax – regardless of the outside temperature. In addition to the pools themselves, Takhini Hot Springs sit on 200 acres of land and offers the perfect place to hike before settling in for a soak.

Northwest Territories

  • Experience the northern lights: Known for the best aurora borealis viewing in the world, the Northwest Territories gives amazing views of the northern lights in both fall and winter. Rent out a lodge or cabin, bundle up, sit back and look up!
  • Great Northern Arts Festival: If you happen to be in the Northwest Territories during their 56 days of summer, where the sun shines 24 hours a day, it’s the perfect time to experience the Great Northern Arts Festival. Showcasing the works of 120 northern and Indigenous painters, sculptors and musicians, the festival is a great way to experience northern culture.

Nunavut

  • Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre: See beautiful displays of Inuit art, artifacts and dioramas of arctic life, and experience cultural programming throughout the year. The Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre is a great resource to help you plan the rest of your trip.
  • Auyuittuq National Park: If you seek adventure and stunning views, this is a great place to visit. It sits on the Cumberland Peninsula in the southeast of Baffin Island and a substantial portion of the park is taken up by remnant ice age glaciations – the Penny Ice Cap. Broad valleys with rugged mountains make this a challenging, yet gorgeous hike.

With incredible outdoor adventures, cultures steeped in rich history, and scenic views that will take your breath away, our provinces have something for everyone. As an RTIP/ARM member you have access to our Edvantage program. Check out our travel partners to help you plan your amazing Canadian adventure.

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