Canadian Travel

I haven't travelled everywhere in Canada yet, but someday I will get to the East Coast and hopefully, the North. I have been amazed at everything Canada's scenery has to offer! Even for locals, it's hard to get around to all of the many different regions of this country.

British Columbia (home to the warmest and rainiest winters, many mountain regions and upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic winter games):

Vancouver area - Stanley Park, Granville Island, Burnaby Mountain Park, Lynn Canyon Park, Lions Gate bridge, Chinatown (2nd largest in North America), suburban (especially Richmond) Asian malls (for a glimpse of modern Asia), English Bay, Yaletown, Kitsilano, Lonsdale Quay Market, UBC, Robson St, Commercial Drive, Skytrain, West Vancouver seawalk; many tv, movie or commercial filming locations to be seen year-round, take a drive to Calgary or Whistler for a very scenic drive
Victoria area - Butchart gardens, beautiful waterfront, Oak Bay homes, double decker buses
Whistler area - cohost of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Alta Lake and Rainbow Park, Lost Lake, cute alpine village
Sea-to-Sky highway north of Vancouver is excellent, with Howe Sound on one side of the road up to Squamish then mountains on the way to Whistler
BC Ferries are a good way to island-hop (however, they have been having their share of news about aging ships with breakdowns)

Alberta (home to the badlands where many ancient dinosaur bones have been found, sharing the Rockies with BC, biggest oil industry in Canada, and only province with no sales tax):

Calgary - Eau Claire Market, Chinese Cultural Centre, Calaway Park
Banff, Cochrane, Drumheller (badlands)
Edmonton - Muttart conservatory, West Edmonton Mall (largest one in the world!), Whyte Ave/Old Strathcona, Victoria Park along the river valley, Legislative Building, Valley Zoo, U of A rez recommended for alternative to hotels in the summer

Saskatchewan (home to universal medicare, North West Rebellion, the wheat basket of Canada, the setting for Canadian TV show Corner Gas, and probably the flattest province):

Saskatoon (where I'm from, I won't duplicate what's on the other page)
Regina - Legislative Building, Saskatchewan Science Centre, Wascana Park, Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Mackenzie Art Gallery
Moose Jaw - historical tunnels (allegedly used by Al Capone from Chicago in Prohibition days), mineral spa, Qu'Appelle Valley area (yes there are hills in Saskatchewan!!)
Lloydminster (border city), Batoche, Fort Carleton, Lake Diefenbaker, Lake Manitou, Prince Albert, Waskiseu Lake

Manitoba (home to the Red River Rebellion, polar bears and many lakes):

Winnipeg - The Forks area, Osborne St, Legislative Building, Portage and Main, close to the geographical middle of Canada

Ontario (home to part of the Canadian Shield, some of the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls and the most populous province):

Northwestern region - Canadian Shield and inukshuks along the highway
Dryden - Aaron Park, Wabigoon Lake waterfront, Max the Moose
Ottawa - Parliament Hill, Supreme Court of Canada, National Gallery, Rideau Hall (Governor General's Residence), Rideau Canal, Sparks St, national monuments - war, Aboriginal veterans, human rights, U of Ottawa rez recommended for alternative to hotels in summer

Quebec (home to the largest provincial francophone population, Quebecois culture, maple syrup, and diverse landscapes):

Montreal - Vieux Montreal - Basilique de Notre Dame (gorgeous church), Pointe-a-Calliere museum, Sir George Etienne-Cartier's house, Chateau de Ramezay, Old Port (even better during Canada Day celebrations)
Oratoire de St Joseph, Parc de Mont Royal (amazing view of the city)
Rue St Catherine, Rue St Laurent, Rue St Denis, Schwartz, Quartier Latin, Quartier Chinois, entrepots (for shopping, but tons of good shopping in Montreal!), Plateau Mont Royal district, Jazz festival, UQAM rez recommended for alternative to hotels in summer


Last updated November 15, 2005.