Seven Places to See in Canada Before You Die
Our Home and Native Land
Our family never did any travelling when I was growing up so it has always been one of my dreams. I think I am a natural explorer even though I never really venture far from home.
Money can be a big hindrance to travelling but my husband and I bit the bullet twice over the past four years and decided if we were ever going to do it it was best to do it now.
We divided our trip into two adventures. The first. Driving from Eastern Ontario to Nova Scotia stopping in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island along the way. The second, RVing with the in-laws to British Columbia. We saw a lot of places but not nearly enough to say we have seen it all. Canada is so big! And there is still so much to see.
Citation: images copyright M. E. Wood.
Poll Question
Where Do You Live?
Open to Recommendations
The more suggestions the better...
What follows are my suggestions for places to see in Canada before you die based on these two trips. If you have been somewhere you would like to recommend then please consider leaving your recommendation in the guest book below or better yet... create a Hubpage and let me know and I will link to it. But make sure you let me know so I can visit too.
Niagara Falls
A busy but exhilarating experience...
Niagara Falls is a border town which falls on the Canadian side in Ontario and on the U.S. side in New York. There are two sets of falls. The larger of the two falls is on the Canadian side and are called the Horseshoe Falls because of its curved resemblance to a horseshoe.
Must see attractions at Niagara include:
Niagara Falls In Pictures - Just a glimpse of what awaits you in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Read About Niagara Falls - Explore through reading...
Of course it is always nice to see things first hand but it is not always realistic. Here are a few options from Amazon to give you some mist in your face.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Nanabijou
The Sleeping Giant or Sibley as she is known to long-term residents is a peninsula that hugs the shores of Thunder Bay, Ontario protecting it from Lake Superior. The rock formations on the peninsula resemble a reclining figure with arms folded across its chest. Of course there are many legends surrounding the figure but the most common is from an ancient Ojibway narrative about Nanna Bijou, the Spirit of the Deep Sea Water, who was turned to stone when one of his people was tricked into sharing the whereabouts of the tribe's silver mine.
As part of a provincial park its protected boreal forests and man-made trails provides a home for an array of wildlife from deer, moose and fox to shore and water birds like the heron and loon.
Must see attractions when visiting The Sleeping Giant:
View of Sleeping Giant from Hillcrest Park, Thunder Bay
Stop for a persian from The Persian Man on Balmoral in Thunder Bay.
Hopewell Rocks
During low tide visitors to the Hopewell Rocks, in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick can walk out onto the Bay of Fundy floor to journey around these amazing natural formations.
This can be an all day adventure if you arrive early... because it is so busy I highly recommend the earlier the better during the summer tourist season.
Must see attractions when visiting the Hopewell Rocks:
Photos of Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick - Unique formations leave a lasting impression...
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Jasper National Park
Every day is breathtaking...
If you long to be surrounded by mountain peaks and exceptional wildlife then you must take the time to go camping in Jasper's National Park, "Canada's largest rocky mountain park". Wake to caribou grazing outside your tent or go and hike a glacier or gaze into turquoise lakes.
Must see attractions at Jasper National Park include:
Jasper and Surrounding Region in Pictures
Click thumbnail to view full-size
The Badlands
Not so bad...
The amazing land formations that exist in the badlands of Alberta, especially in the Drumheller area are definitely a must see. As are the Hoo Doos and the dinosaur museum.
Our time here was so short because we did not know better. I would definitely like to spend more time exploring here.
Must see attractions in the Badlands include:
Drumheller in Pictures
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Confederation Bridge
"The longest bridge, the shortest route"
Spanning between PEI and New Brunswick this 8 mile (12.9-kilometre) bridge is a visual phenomenon to see from the sidelines and to drive.
The Confederation Bridge in Pictures
Click thumbnail to view full-size
The Cabot Trail
The circle is complete...
Located in the province of Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island, this is one of my favorite places to see in Canada. Water meets land everywhere you look and the land is so incredibly lush.
Must see attractions when visiting Cape Breton Island:
Cape Breton in Pictures
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Canada Travel Wish List
Canada being such a huge topographical area with so much to see, it is not surprising that I have a wish list of places in Canada where I would like to visit but have not been... yet. This is my list in no particular order.
- Newfoundland
- Montreal, Quebec
- Pretty much anywhere in the North West Territories but especially Yellowknife.
- Anywhere in the Yukon but especially Whitehorse.
- Northern British Columbia.
- Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta.
- Wapusk National Park in Manitoba.
- Polar Bear Provincial Park in northern Ontario.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read my lens and view my photos. I really love hearing from you so please share with us where you have been in Canada and what you consider to be one of the "must visit" places. If you have never been then where would you like to go?
Canada, the Beautiful - It is so big it makes it impossible for one person to experience it all.
Beautiful!
What beautiful and fascinating places. I would love to visit one day!
- AUTHOR
@BarbaraCasey: Cool.. four more to go! :D
- AUTHOR
@Sara2901: I could never do the Edge Walk around the CN Tower. Definitely not on my bucket list. LOL
Canada is really beautiful. Last month my daughter, her cousins and their aunt did the Edge Walk around the CN Tower. My heart stopped seeing them walk around attached only to a harness system :)
Cool... I've been to three of the seven already. Neat lens.
We loved Niagara Falls, Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec. Would love to explore more of Canada! Thank you for whetting my appetite!
Great lens, love your photos.
This is really a great list. These places are the dream tourist places for the visitors of Canada.
Beautiful! A spectacular dream.
Spectacular photos. Amazing the Confederation Bridge.
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About 35 years ago I took the train from Vancouver, B.C. to Toronto. The scenery along the way was breathtaking. I've always wanted to take that trip again.
- AUTHOR
@Northerntrials: There is so, so much more indeed. Thanks for stopping by!
I've just spent two weeks working just outside of Jasper National Park. I visited often . I wrote a few lenses
Nice list here but there's so much more.
Indeed you chose 7 places that every canadian and non canadian should see before one dies. Other thing which i haven't seen is "Museum of Archaeology and History" from Montreal which I would like to see when I travel this time to Canada. I think July good time to visit. I will definitely refer this 7 places and will make sure i visit most of them.
What a fantastic lens, I need to explore my home country Canada more instead of going to different countries. Very interesting!
Hi,
My name is Sharon and I am living in Toronto,
Me and my family are traveling a lot in Toronto,
and we traveled in Alberta, the most amazing place in the world
I also have a web site that describe all the nice places we have been
www.allfamilytravels.com
Thanks
i like Canada lived there
wow it looks like I am already there, but want to come my self, great lens.
Would like to visit all those places.
Beautiful country, beautiful places to visit, and great lens.
I've been to Canada many times and I've enjoyed it each time. Niagara Falls is one of my favorite spots to visit.
WOW, CANADA IS KOOL, LOVED UR LENS DEAR. cheers
Just added Canada to my travel list. Thanks for the info!
Excellent, I am Canadian I used to Live close to Niagara Falls, now I live close to Jasper ;) U Jelly ;)
Canada is a beautiful country with some amazing landscapes and natural beauty. you have crafted this lens very well. Thanks for the efforts in making of this lens.
Thanks for showing all of the lovely places to see in Canada.My favourite place is Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.Beautiful scenery and very friendly people.Great lens here. Thank you for sharing
Excellent photos. Longing to make a cross-country drive
Too true. Canada is too big and too beautiful to narrow down only 7 places. I've lived in almost every province myself as dad was in the military so we moved quite a bit. It's given me the rare privilege to see most of Canada. I think I'll take you up on the challenge to write about my favorite places in Canada. Thanks for the memories and the opportunity. Awesome lens.
Gorgeous pictures. Your descriptions are like taking a tour.
woww those are some amazing places
Looks beautiful!
Wow, so many lovely pctures... I would love to visit them all once I get the chance to go to Canada! Great lens!!!
In Seattle we are close to Canada. Love Canada, try to get to Vancouver as often as possible. Good lens.
Nice lens, I love Canada
Been to British Columbia many a time. Absolutely breathtaking!
amazing place.
Brilliant lens! It's always been a long term goal of mine to make it to Canada and check out some of the amazing sights that it has to offer!
- AUTHOR
I would love to spend more time on BC's coast too. Here's to both of us getting what we want. Thanks for stopping by.
Great suggestions! I love Thunder Bay and would like to spend some time in Prince Edward Island one day. :)
I love the Banff-Jasper area
I live in Canada and have travelled from coast to coast. You have great pics, all are wonderful places to visit. Thanx for reminding of how beautiful our country is.
I will be in Canada in March 2014 and have bookmarked this lens as a reference. Can't wait tho explore Canada!
What a beautiful places are there in Canada, I definitely go to Canada for fishing
- AUTHOR
@GardenerDon: Oh, yes, I could see definitely not having to take pictures after the 7th time. All the more time for just enjoying the view and not having to worry about camera gear. :D Thanks for stopping by.
The pictures of the Cabot Trail bought back great memories of a road trip there 2 falls ago. Finally, after about 7 times I quit taking pictures of quaint little harbours with lobster boats tied up - after a while they're all remarkably similar. Enjoyed your lens very much
Canada have a real treasure, i will suggest some time to travel to the Rockies Mountain ,
Its the most beautiful place in the world, we have done it by RV and were really enjoy from that,
If someone is interesting, I recorded our trail, so you can see it on :
www.allfamilytravels.com/the-rockies-mountain/
I've been to quite a few places in Canada, but none where you've mentioned. Thanks for the list. I guess I got more traveling to do. :)
Great picture shares! I love Niagara Falls and now I'm interested in your recommendations. There really are lots of beautiful, scenic places in Canada. Time to start saving up for some trips! :) Great lens!
beautiful places .... awwww
I've always wanted to travel to Canada - great lens!
Breathtaking! :) I am determined to visit these sights once I've saved up enough money. :)
PEI was there many, many years ago - beautiful. Toronto is still one of my most favorite cities in the world.
Still my Favorite lens!
Great lens! So many places I want to see! Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario is also good.
Niagara Falls still number one in my tour destination.
Great lens with valuable info...
I would love to get the Martitimes!
- AUTHOR
@Sunday-Vintage: Thanks! There are just so many beautiful places. ;D
As a Canadian I have to say I love your lens! There are many places in which I still have yet to visit but also have to add that the Shuswap is another beautiful place in BC :)
I have never been to Canada but love your photos and have Niagara Falls on my wish list.
I agree, Niagara Falls is absolutely beautiful and the Canadian side of the falls is much nicer than the US side. And the Maid of the Mist boat ride is definitely worth the price of admission. =)
Canada has a lot of hidden gems, both coasts are where it's at for scenery and well general awesomeness. Which is weird that I live in Regina, Sask, right in the middle of the country. haha
Beautiful lens. The images are simply breathtaking. I really hope that I will be able to visit Canada once at least in this lifetime.
I want to visit all these places someday.
Beautiful places..great post.
I have never visited Canada before but after viewing your lens, this will be my next travel plan.
- AUTHOR
@Bookmama2: Unfortunately I am not a skier. I know, I know, how could I live here and not be. Sorry I could not be of help. But the most common place mentioned by others in my area is Mont-Tremblant.
fantastic lens.
We've wanted to go up and go cross-country (Nordic) skiing in Canada, since you typically have snow later than we do in New York (we're mid-state), but I have trouble finding information about where to go sking when looking on the internet. Any advice would be most welcome.
Amazing scenes. I haven't been to Canada, but after visiting your lens, I will make it high on my travel wish list.
I have been to some of the ski resort in banff and the scenery was beautiful! Nice list.
The Hopewell Rocks would be my travel destination in Canada.. I would love to travel through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia...
thanks for the tour
The pictures are absolutely breathtaking, great job with this lens!!
Canada is definitely on my list of places to visit. Now I have some great places to search out!
Hey,I live in ontario and I always see niagara falls on this type of page. I've always disliked visiting the falls because once you see the falls, you're stuck in a cheap tourist trap that's kilometers away from any other town. I think you'd be better off visiting Vancouver or the Rockies. Just my personal opinion.
Such beautiful and interesting places! I can't pick a favorite!
The Sleeping Giant and Niagara Falls are places I'd surely visit..
We've visited Canada and it really is beautiful! Very nice page!
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Thanks Lara! I have never really been much of a beach person. I like to take a walk there once in a while but really prefer lush forests. We have a great beach near us but after an hour of sun and surf I am pretty much ready to go home. LOL Thanks so much for passing the beach info on to fellow readers!
My next travel destination is Canada, definitely!
Hi, I'm from Manitoba. We spent this past summer traveling West with our kids which was wonderful. The mountains are beautiful. It's a breathtaking view. We've been as far as Victoria, and spent time in Sask, Alberta, and BC. It's always nice to visit but what I miss the most on these trips is the water. Lots of water in the mountains but to cold to swim in. Guess I'm a beach girl at heart. We do a lot of trips close to home here as well. Maitoba is definitely farm Industry but for recreation its lake country. Over 14.5 % of our province is covered in water. We have a world renowned beach with white sand, and more beaches than you can count. Fishing is plentiful here and week long canoe trips where you will experience wildlife and true peace like no other. Unfortunately the main highway through this province is quite boring and not a very poor representation of what it has to offer for recreation. My favorite places are Falcon Lake, Hecla island, Gimili, Grand beach, and Caddy lake which has tunnels you pass thru to get from lake to lake. I think the mountains are gorgeous, and a must see but if you like it hotter, there's nothing that tops the beaches and boating in Manitoba. :)
Thanks for the great Canadian traveling site. And thanks for visiting our site on why we love Canada as a beautiful (and cheap) place to retire in! p.s. that confederation bridge is scary in the winter~
North shore of Lake Superior is stunning.
You must see Haida Guai (Charlottes) this the most beautiful place for those that like magical places on earth.
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: I would love to go back and spend some more time in the area. Looking back it felt rushed. I would love to see the tides come and go.
I'd love to see Hopewell Rocks.
- AUTHOR
@tonybonura: That is definitely bitter cold. The most I have ever experienced is -50C and that was only for a few days -- I have only seen the light show a few times and it amazes me every time. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the info. I was in Canada once in 1980 in January. We were out on a frozen oil rig in the frozen foothill of the Rockies. Except for the bitter cold (it was -40F or C in Calgary and -60F out at the rig when I got there) I did enjoy the job I was sent to do. Got to see the light show in sky and that was amazing to this Louisiana boy.
TonyB
Nice article, I will add some of these destinations to my bucket list
My vacation next year has to include canada after reading this. THANKS
Canada is firmly on my list of things to do in the next 3 years. Great infor, thanks.
I've been to Cape Breton - beautiful, friendly people though I did take some teasing for liking the NY Rangers who were terrible that year
that falls put me to awe..awesomeness!!!!
- AUTHOR
@realtalker: I am sure you will have a great time.
I'm going to be going to Canada on August 17th of this month for a youth trip. I've got to admit, now I'm more excited to go!
I have to go now
I wish I lived in Canada!
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