1182 Best Sights in Canada

Reclaimed from an old mining area, Quarry Lake is a popular local recreation area. There's a beach area where the water is shallow with a sandy bottom and the swimming and wading are best on hot days in July and August. The lake is fed by an underground spring and is over 100 meters (328 feet) deep in some places. There's also a grassy area with picnic tables and toilets and about 5 km (3 miles) of trails are nearby. The picnic area is adjacent to an off-leash dog park.

Lavish sunken gardens (in a former stone quarry), a rose garden, and an abundance of grassy picnicking spots are just a few of the highlights at this 52-hectare (130-acre) park. Poised at the highest point in the city, there are 360-degree views of Downtown. Other park facilities include 18 tennis courts, pitch and putt (an 18-hole putting green), and a restaurant. In the Bloedel Conservatory, you can see tropical and desert plants and 100 species of free-flying tropical birds in a glass geodesic dome—the perfect place to be on a rainy day. To reach the park by public transportation, take the Canada Line to King Edward station. From there, it's a six-block walk to the edge of the park (and a hike up the hill to appreciate the views). Cambie Bus 15, which runs south along Cambie Street from the Olympic Village SkyTrain station, will drop you a little closer, at the corner of 33rd and Cambie. Park activities make for a great family excursion, and unlike Stanley Park with its acres of rainforest, Queen Elizabeth Park is all about the flowers.

Expanding by leaps and bounds, the museum's original building, Tilley House (a National Historic Site), was the birthplace of Sir Leonard Tilley, one of the Fathers of Confederation. It displays Loyalist and First Nations artifacts, early-20th-century medical equipment, Victorian glassware, and more. The nearby Queens County Courthouse ( 16 Courthouse Rd.) is part of the museum and has archival material and courthouse furniture as well as changing exhibits. The third site is Flower House in Cambridge Narrow ( 2270 Lower Cambridge Rd.), built in 1818 by artist Anthony Flower. It relates his family history and contains a collection of his art, alongside works by other New Brunswick artists. Another building, the historic Loomcrofters Studio, dating back at least to 1761, has now been moved onto the grounds of Tilley House.

No one knows the origin of the name of this fishing village, one of the oldest parts of St. John's. The town is best explored on foot, as the roads are narrow and make driving difficult. The inlet, known as the Gut, is a traditional outport in the middle of a modern city, though a recent slew of new building permits means it is changing rapidly. It's also a good place to catch sea-run brown trout in the spring. Down on the waterfront is the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios, an open arts-and-crafts incubator where you can meet the artists and buy textiles, prints, handmade clothing, and more. It has parking and is a good place to start your walk around the village. The Inn of Olde, Quidi Vidi Brewery, and Mallard Cottage are great stops for food and shelter and, of course, beer and spirits to keep you warm as you explore.

This is Radium's first craft brewery. Views of the nearby mountainscape from the large, raised deck, coupled with a cold frothy pint, are the perfect combo. The brewery doesn't serve food, but they encourage guests to bring in their own from the Snack Bar next door and other local eateries.

The visitor center is located in the village of Radium Hot Springs just outside the south entrance to the park. Parks Canada and the Tourism Radium office are housed within the same building. Parks Canada can provide you with all the information you need about the park, including camping, hiking, and interpretive programs. Tourism staff provides comprehensive information about restaurants, accommodations, and tour operators in the region. Of note is that the Tourism side is open all year long, while Parks Canada is only staffed from May 1 to October 14.

For ocean swimming, this sand and cobble beach is the closest serviced option to Halifax, although it's a 30-minute drive from downtown, and the area near the channel should be avoided when the tide is going out because of strong rip currents. Lifeguards, on duty in July and August, set out markers to indicate the dangerous areas. Elsewhere, Rainbow Haven is safe and great for families. The beach is free for day use, and there is a campground (fee) with its own swimming area. Change houses are available, and boardwalks aid accessibility. The beach's access road closes at 8 pm, so plan your time accordingly. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Built between 1890 and 1891, this historic structure is the little white church on Canmore's Main Street. The church was named in 1942 for its founder and first minister, Charles W. Gordon, who wrote popular stories and novels under the pen name Ralph Connor. Listed on the Canadian registry of historic places, the church is an active United Church with services on Sundays at 10 am and a contemplative service on Wednesday evenings. The church is historically significant for its association with the famed author and frontier missionary and for its Carpenter Gothic architecture.

The community of New Bonaventure is about 15 km (10 miles) south on Route 239 from Trinity. It has been the backdrop for two movies, The Shipping News and The Grand Seduction, and for an internationally televised miniseries based on Bernice Morgan's novel Random Passage. At the end of the road, walk a short way, and you'll reach the breathtaking cove now known as Random Passage where the set of the miniseries was constructed and eventually donated to the community as an early 19th-century outpost. You can roam the church, schoolroom, houses, and a fishing stage and flakes (where fish is dried), or sit near the vegetable garden and enjoy the quiet beauty of the cove's meadows and pastures. There are guided one-hour site tours, which include "Joe's Place," the bar featured in The Grand Seduction. The website is updated seasonally with frequent programming and events. The Old Schoolhouse tearoom serves house-made fish cakes, pea soup, and light lunches.

At this conservation center about 10 minutes northeast of Duncan, you can see owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles in natural settings. Free-flying bird demonstrations are held daily at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30; you can also join a trainer on a brief falconry or ecology course.

This 3.9-km (2.4-mile) one-way trail leads to a beautiful high alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows; it's one of the prettiest spots in Kananaskis Country. The trail goes along Upper Kananaskis Lake and through a pine forest to Rawson Lake. It's a popular hiking trail in summer and a snowshoeing trail in winter. There is 320 meters (1,050 feet) of elevation gain, and because of the high elevation, it's possible to encounter snow on this trail into mid-July. Moderate.

Small-batch beers, handcrafted using local seasonal ingredients are on tap here. Located in a brick building that formerly housed a motorcycle shop along the highway, this popular craft brewery launched in 2015 with signature brews like Sweet Leaf IPA and Piggy Pale Ale. Feature beers, such as a mushroom-infused Lion's Mane Golden Ale and Idle Hands Oaked Orange Ale, change regularly. The Midnite Umber Ale won bronze at the 2019 BC Brewing Awards. A flight of three beers is C$6.

The 15-km (9-mile) route takes you from the prairie up the Blakiston Valley to Red Rock Canyon, where water has cut through the earth, exposing red sedimentary rock. It's common to see bears just off the road, especially in autumn, when the berries are ripe. There are picnic sites along the parkway and at Red Rock Canyon.

Since 1888 this track at the eastern end of the city has been the home of a sport dear to islanders—harness racing. An on-site theater simulcasts racing from other tracks, while slot machines and Texas Hold'em provide further gambling options. If you'd rather save your dollars for dinner, there is excellent dining at the Top of the Park Dining Room, too. In August, during Old Home Week, Eastern Canada's best harness horses converge here for 10 days of races. Old Home Week also brings the provincial agricultural exhibition and a family-friendly midway to Red Shores.

A 1 km (.6 miles) interpretive trail takes you through a grassland restoration area. As you walk through meadows that have been revived by prescribed fire burns, chances of seeing bighorn sheep are high. Easy 

An arts and cultural complex that tries to be all things to all people—and succeeds—the Rendez-vous de la Baie serves locals, tourists, and students. Housed in a contemporary structure on the Université Sainte-Anne campus, the center has as its highlight the Acadian Interpretive Centre and Museum, whose exhibits provide an evocative overview of Acadian culture and history. The Rendez-vous complex also includes an art gallery that shows contemporary works, a theater for live and media presentations, an Internet café that hosts events, and a visitor information center. The gift shop at the interpretive center carries an excellent selection of Acadian music.

For those who like things that have scales and slither, Reptilia is home to more than 250 animals, from tiny turtles and tree frogs to massive pythons and crocodiles. The family-friendly indoor zoo is also Canada’s largest reptile rescue, and about 75% of the animals on display were saved or surrendered by their owners. The "Feed a Reptile" add-on is highly recommended—but call in advance for something big like the pair of American alligators. Hourly shows let you get up close to touch the animals, and behind-the-scenes tours and night programs are also available. Although this branch is located in Vaughan (near Canada’s Wonderland), there are also Reptilia zoos in nearby Whitby and London.

The Réserve Faunique des Laurentides wildlife reserve, which incorporates the Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier and hundreds of lakes, is approximately 60 km (37 miles) north of Québec City via Highway 73, which leads to the Saguenay region. It has great hiking trails and camping spots, and good lakes for canoeing and fishing (but you should phone 48 hours in advance to reserve a fishing time). Boats, pontoons, canoes and kayak's can be rented on-site. From July to September, you can join bilingual guides to observe black bears in their natural environment from the safety of the park's observation towers. In winter, the park is a popular venue for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

It has been home to Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, among others. Unlike the White House, however, it's not open for public inspection. Lacking an invitation, you can hope only for a drive-by glimpse of a couple of roof gables. Don't even try parking near the mansion; security is tight.

The strong Fundy tides rise higher than the water level of the river, so twice daily, at the Reversing Falls Rapids, the tidewater pushes the river water some 90 km (56 miles) back upstream and the rapids appear to reverse themselves. When the tide ebbs, the river once again flows downstream over the rock ledges and on into the bay. You can see the rapids from Fallsview Park, or get an overhead view from the cliff top on Bridge Road. Here, accessed at the Reversing Falls Restaurant, you can also venture out onto the Skywalk, featuring five glass panels for a straight-down view. An excellent introductory film details the fascinating geology and uniqueness of the phenomenon. It takes time to fully appreciate the Reversing Falls Rapids. You need to visit at high, slack, and low tides, and to allow for this, Skywalk tickets are valid for the whole day.

The official residence of the Governor General of Canada since 1867 is where the Queen's official representative welcomes visiting heads of state and royalty. The 1838 mansion has a ballroom and, on the grounds, a skating rink and cricket pitch. The Governor General's Foot Guards are posted outside the main gate in summer. Guided and self-guided tours of the public rooms and grounds are available; call ahead for tours of the art collection.

A couple of blocks to the north of Kensington's major concentration of shops, bars, and restaurants is this large green space with big trees, a wading pool, and a playground for the kiddos. Grab a picnic lunch from one of the many great cafés in Kensington, plop down a blanket, and have yourself a picnic. In the evening, you can watch the lads play cricket or listen to live music on the small stage here.

Looking for a rainy-day activity? Kids can ogle the oddities and artifacts at the local Ripley's Believe It or Not! outpost from June to September.

This waterside public park recalls the area's former shipbuilding industry. It has a nautical-theme playground complete with a "Splash Pad" that sprays water from below and dumps it from buckets above. Shops sell local crafts, and there are several restaurants and docking facilities. An amphitheater showcases local entertainers most evenings and on Sunday afternoon in summer.

This farm is home to a highly photogenic sunflower and zinnia u-pick and Atlantic Canada's largest corn maze in the fall. The place turns decidedly scary from late September to Halloween, when "Fear Farm" is haunted by gruesome characters (real live actors) in the maze and a haunted house.

This spot once hosted the city's main zoo, but it's now home to a rural community representative of a late 19th-century farm. Permanent residents include horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese, and chickens. While it's not a petting zoo per se, kids get a real kick out of watching farmers go about their daily chores, which include feeding and bathing the animals. The adjacent playground has a wading pool. The nearby Riverdale Park offers some of the best skyline views in the city.

The poet Robert Service lived in this Dawson cabin from 1909 to 1912. From late May to mid September, enjoy daily readings outside the cabin from Parks Canada. A daily 45-minute tour (except Sundays) from Parks Canada gives background on the poet's life and the era he lived in. Stoke your inner poet and follow Service's footsteps on the nearby trail to Crocus Bluffs.

Many Wolfvillians will tell you that the best show in town is watching swifts—aerobatic birds that fly in spectacular formation—descend on the Tufts Centre's oversized chimney at dusk on summer evenings. The venue is named in honor of the late ornithologist, author, and longtime resident who published Birds of Nova Scotia in 1961. The illustrated tome is still considered the bible for birders in the province, and Tufts had lots of material to work with because Nova Scotia, being located on the Atlantic flyway, is an important staging point for migratory species. Birders can tick several off their "must-see" list without straying too far from Wolfville. Each summer as many as half a million sandpipers and plovers flock to Evangeline Beach near Grand Pré to gorge on the Minas Basin's nutrient-rich mudflats before continuing nonstop to South America. Winter, meanwhile, brings hundreds of regal bald eagles to Sheffield Mills, northeast of Kentville.