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The Best Place for Vancouver Whale Watching

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments


killer whales vancouver

Last updated: March 13th, 2020

It wasn’t long before a black dorsal fin broke through the water. Like a sharp blade, it sparkled as the sunlight hit the beads of water falling from the fin and back into the Pacific Ocean. It’s an incredible experience to see these beautiful whales off the coast of Vancouver and there’s really no better place to see them in the wild.

It was an incredibly lucky day for everyone on the water. It wasn’t more than 20-minutes from the time we left the pier before the first killer whale graced us with its presence. It was a quick start to what turned out to be an unforgettable day. Over the next three hours, we must have seen various orca whales breach the surface more than 100 times. [Read more…] about The Best Place for Vancouver Whale Watching

Exploring Nahanni National Park, The Worlds First UNESCO World Heritage Site

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Nahanni National Park

Words cannot describe the first moment we approached Nahanni National Park. Sitting aboard a floatplane, Ted Simpson, owner of Simpson Air, flew us up and over the massive, untouched park on one of his popular five-hour tours. We flew by jagged mountain peaks, numerous canyons, massive rivers, hot springs, and waterfalls. It was truly magical and had the weather been more cooperative, we could have gone even deeper.

We did land though, right next to Virginia Falls, which is twice the height of Niagara Falls. Here we met Parks Canada staff who brought us on a short hike to see the falls from different angles and to capture them with our drone. For those with more time, the trail also leads down towards the bottom portion of the river where you can witness the falls from below.

Nahanni National Park is absolutely massive. The park encompasses 30,000 square kilometres and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, it’s the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is pretty incredible, considering there are now over 1,000 of them, all across the world. [Read more…] about Exploring Nahanni National Park, The Worlds First UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ha Ling Peak – One of the Best Kananaskis Hikes

By Matthew G. Bailey

hiking trails near me

For a couple that lives just over an hour from the Canadian Rockies, we haven’t done as much hiking as we should be.  It’s almost ironic that my first big hike was actually in New Zealand when I went overseas for my first six-month solo adventure. When I told people where I was from, they were surprised to hear that I had not done many hikes. After all, Banff hiking trails are some of the best in the world. It’s the Rockies! At the same time, New Zealand is just as beautiful and lacks bears, cougars, wolves, and other dangerous animals. That’s mostly what kept me off of the trails. As I thought about it though, I realized that if I can love scuba diving with sharks, I should be okay doing some hiking near Banff National Park. So, that’s what we did. We made it a mission to do at least one or two hikes each summer. [Read more…] about Ha Ling Peak – One of the Best Kananaskis Hikes

Three Ways to Experience Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta, Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump Alberta

For anyone interested in First Nations culture, I can hardly think of a better place to visit than Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. In fact, it’s so special that it’s one of Canada’s 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, helping to preserve more than 6,000 years of Blackfoot cultures and traditions that happened here in the North American plains.

Upon arriving at the site, it doesn’t look like much, which is actually a good thing. The amazing architect who designed the building did so by building it right into the Earth, allowing it to provide visitors with an incredible interpretative centre without taking away from the natural area around it. It’s such a great design that it won the Governor General’s award for Architecture back in 1990.

Upon entering the interpretive centre, we knew we were in good hands. Everyone was so friendly. They joked around and took pride in their heritage. The museum has a variety of artifacts and displays, as well as a wonderful movie that re-enacts the buffalo hunt, a must-see for anyone visiting the site. This will help make the jump come alive for you. Without watching the movie or taking a tour, it would just look like a cliff. You’d lose the magic that comes from knowing the history that made this into one of the world’s 1,000+ World Heritage Sites.
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Exploring Alberta’s History at the Turner Valley Gas Plant

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Turner Valley gas plant

If there’s anything that surprises me about tourism, it’s that there always seems to be something just around the corner. Such is the case of the Turner Valley Gas Plant. Located in Turner Valley, this place is only 25-minutes from where I live and I had never heard of it until recently.

While a gas plant wouldn’t be high on my list of places to visit, this one is special due to its history. The Turner Valley Gas Plant was the start of the oil and gas industry in Alberta, which has been one of the driving forces of the economy over the last few decades. This makes it both a national historical site and a great place to learn about the humble beginnings of the province of Alberta. In fact, without this gas plant, Calgary might not be what it is today. It’s due to the location of this plant that drove Calgary to be the place for all the head offices. [Read more…] about Exploring Alberta’s History at the Turner Valley Gas Plant

Four Ways to Enjoy the Natural Side of Lethbridge Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

lethbridge train bridge

It was pretty cool to go back to Lethbridge, Alberta and take the time to see what their nature is like. After all, I lived there for four months when I went to the University of Lethbridge and never took the time to explore the natural side of Lethbridge.

I had always admired the coulee’s, a beautiful landscape formation that looks like a series of small hills. They create a canyon-like valley, which is stunning to explore. Since the coulee area is the most scenic area in the city of Lethbridge, we focused our time there, checking out the various things to do. [Read more…] about Four Ways to Enjoy the Natural Side of Lethbridge Canada

History, Culture, and the RCMP Musical Ride – Experience Fort Macleod

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RCMP Musical Ride

I can’t even remember how many times I’ve driven through the town of Fort Macleod, Alberta. Having gone to Lethbridge for school, and to visit friends, I’ve driven from Calgary to Lethbridge dozens of times and never took the time to stop and see what Fort Macleod had to offer. It’s a very small town and there’s this old fort I always drove by, which made me curious as to what lay behind the wooden posts. Well, I finally had the chance to check it out, and it’s really quite impressive.

The Fort, which is home to the Museum of the Northwest Mountain Police and First Nations Interpretive Centre, is situated just 30-minutes west of Lethbridge and 1.5 hours south of Calgary. For those driving from Calgary to Lethbridge, you’ll literally pass right by the main doors if you drive through Fort Macleod. For those of you interested in Alberta history, the RCMP, vintage artifacts, and/or horses, this is one place to add to your bucket list. [Read more…] about History, Culture, and the RCMP Musical Ride – Experience Fort Macleod

Experiencing the Old West at Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge, Alberta

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Fort Whoop Up Lethbridge Alberta

For many visitors to Alberta, they want to experience a little taste of the old west. Popular places to get that western vibe are usually the Bar-U-Ranch, the Cowboy Trail, and small towns scattered throughout the prairies. But old west culture is also in Lethbridge, Alberta, and we recently had the chance to experience a slice of it at Fort Whoop-Up.

Located right down in the beautiful Lethbridge Coulees, the fort is surrounded by canyon-like scenery, mixed with dry desert-like conditions, cactus, and the odd rattlesnake. As we made our way towards the fort, we imagined what it would have been like hundreds of years ago when there would have been horses instead of cars, and much less civility.

Fort Whoop-Up is a replica of an original fur trading fort built in the late 1800s, not too far away from here. It was originally called Fort Hamilton and during the late 19th century, served as a centre for a variety of trading activities, one of which was the illegal whiskey trade. Whiskey traders flourished here due to the lack of police force prior to 1874, and the high prices they could command for their goods. [Read more…] about Experiencing the Old West at Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge, Alberta

Things To Do in Cardston, Alberta | The Remington Carriage Museum

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Remington Carriage Museum

I’m always amazed by big attractions that lay hidden away in small towns just beyond the beaten path. I find travel is like an onion. As you peel away one layer, another emerges. Such is the case for the Remington Carriage Museum, which is located in Cardston, Alberta. Despite living in Alberta and traveling extensively within the province, I had never heard of this museum until I was on a writing assignment with Zenseekers to showcase Southern Alberta.

The Remington Carriage Museum is home to more than 270 carriages and is the largest of its kind in the world. Upon entering the museum, we were essentially transported back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, getting a glimpse of carriages that carried pioneers and some that carried the rich and famous. As someone who grew up watching Western movies, I really loved seeing the overnight carriages, decked out in white canvas, used by pioneers traveling across the country. We learned all about Don Remington (1914 – 1987) and why he created this place. We also learned of their newest exhibit featuring Robert McLaughlin, the entrepreneur behind the largest carriage manufacturing company in the British Empire. Considering how big of an impact this family had on Canada, I was surprised I had never heard of them before. They even created Canada Dry Ginger Ale. [Read more…] about Things To Do in Cardston, Alberta | The Remington Carriage Museum

A Day in Castle Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

things to do in alberta

2017 was an exciting year for Alberta. We got a new provincial park! Castle Provincial Park, located just 45-minutes South of Pincher Creek, is a 105,000-hectare treasure chest of rocky mountain scenery, lakes, and rivers. It’s also much less crowded than heavily established parks like Banff, Jasper, and Waterton national park.

We recently had the opportunity to spend a day there, and although we wish we had more time to explore the park a bit deeper, we were on a busy road trip throughout Southern Alberta and had already made plans to visit places such as Frank Slide. [Read more…] about A Day in Castle Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada

Standing on Top of Canada’s Deadliest Landslide at Frank Slide, Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

frank slide alberta

Today, Frank is a very small town in Southern Alberta, but back in the early 1900s, people thought it was going to be the next Pittsburgh. Due to its rich mining industry, people were coming from all over the place in hopes of creating a better life. Then, in 1903, the mountain tumbled down with 82 million tonnes of limestone rock covering up more than three square kilometres of the valley below, claiming more than 90 lives in the process. It was a devastating morning that changed the town of Frank forever.

More than 100 years later, Frank Slide is a “bucket list” attraction, teaching people Frank Slide facts while providing dramatic views of the landslide itself. For me, it was mesmerizing to be standing on the rubble that once crowned the top of Turtle Mountain. We started off with the free “Drive Through the Slide” tour, which is basically a self-driving tour through the original road that was covered up by the landslide. Along the way, we stopped the vehicle to read the info-signs provided by the interpretive centre. At one point, we were standing in the closest place that didn’t get struck by the landslide. It’s truly hard to believe that I could have been standing here back in 1903 and had the landslide go whizzing right by me. Can you imagine that? Our next stop was where they found some skeletons in one of the houses that got demolished. In fact, there are skeletons still underneath the rock. There was just no way to find them all. [Read more…] about Standing on Top of Canada’s Deadliest Landslide at Frank Slide, Alberta

Biking Crowsnest Pass, Alberta | The 23-km Community Trail

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Frank Slide Alberta

Whether you choose to walk, hike, or bike, the 23-km Crowsnest Pass Community Trail is a great way to experience the scenic area and the five small communities that make up the municipality.

We ended up renting e-bikes as it was something we had never tried before. These bikes turn even the most grueling long-distance ride into a breeze. We started off by paying a visit to the famous Burmis Tree, which has stood in the area for roughly 450 years. We then offloaded our bikes and started our adventure off with a stop at the Bellevue Mine Tour. This tour takes visitors underground into one of the mines that gave this area its start. Although the mine is truly massive, only the first 300-metres is safe to explore. It’s a cool experience to be able to go underground and see the tough conditions men had to face many decades ago. Although miners have died here, the biggest mining disaster in Canadian history is located close by in the town of Hillcrest. This area has been struck by many tragedies, with one of the most famous being Frank Slide. [Read more…] about Biking Crowsnest Pass, Alberta | The 23-km Community Trail

One-Day Itinerary: Three Ways to Experience Pincher Creek Alberta

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things to do in pincher creek alberta

Located right next to beautiful Highway 3, not too far from Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek often gets left out of a traveller’s itinerary. That’s just what happens when you’re so close to a major tourist attraction. People tend to just stop for gas and keep ongoing. This time, however, we decided to stay and uncover some of the hidden gems that make Pincher Creek a cool destination to visit. [Read more…] about One-Day Itinerary: Three Ways to Experience Pincher Creek Alberta

What Makes Canada Special?

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What makes Canada special?

From May 15th – October 11th, my wife and I, along with filmmaker Justin Brunelle, traveled the whole of Canada, coast to coast to coast, to find out what makes Canada special. We experienced so many of the best things to do in Canada but we also interviewed people from all backgrounds to ask them what they think makes Canada such a great country.

We interviewed a wide variety of people, including celebrity astronaut Chris Hadfield, interpreters from Parks Canada, museum curators, tour guides, and even Syrian refugees. We heard many different answers to our question and it was so inspiring and heartwarming to hear the love that everyone had for their country, whether they had been here for generations or had just arrived.

It was an incredible trip, to say the least, and we actually experienced all of the things that people said they loved about Canada. They talked about their love for immigration and we heard the stories of many refugees. They talked about their love for the people and we met so many friendly and welcoming people from each province and territory. They talked about their love for the diversity of the country and we met with dozens of different cultures along the way. And of course, they all mentioned the nature and the landscapes and how vast Canada really is. This we really experienced, as we drove all the way from Newfoundland to Tuktoyuktuk and beyond. [Read more…] about What Makes Canada Special?

Calgary’s National Music Centre Offers Backstage Pass Tour

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Studio Bell Calgary
Looking up at Studio Bell, Calgary, Alberta.

Since opening its doors in 2016, the National Music Centre’s Studio Bell has been one of Calgary’s hottest attractions. Housed in one of the cities most stunning buildings, the NMC brings musical education to the masses, including Canada’s Music Hall of Fame, interactive educational programming, artist incubation, and over 2,000 rare instruments and artifacts such as the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and one of Elton John’s pianos.

For those who want more, the National Music Centre also offers the Backstage Pass Tour, an incredible way to experience the studios where musicians record, a variety of musical instruments from this century and many before it, and even an up close and personal look at the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio, a unique setup that was used by some of the worlds most famous bands and Canadian musicians, including Dire Straits, Deep Purple, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden. [Read more…] about Calgary’s National Music Centre Offers Backstage Pass Tour

7 Tips For Driving the Dempster Highway to the Arctic

By Matthew G. Bailey 37 Comments

One of the most epic road trips in all of Canada is the Dempster Highway, a 700-km dirt road stretching from Dawson, Yukon to Inuvik, NWT. The highway takes you from one territory to another, passing the Arctic Circle and all sorts of magnificent scenery, and finally linking up to the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk-Highway, which takes you all the way to the Arctic Ocean.

Tips for Driving the Dempster Highway

During our 150-day road trip across Canada, this was one of our most epic experiences. After all, how often can you say you drove past the Arctic Circle? The landscapes are so incredible and because we went in the fall, we were greeted by an array of beautiful colours, ranging from dark reds to golden yellows. It was truly a road trip we’ll never forget and a trip that many people wish to take. After all, this is one of the best things to do in Canada.

As mentioned in the beginning, however, the Dempster Highway is a 700-km dirt road with very little services offered along the way. In fact, there’s only one and it’s in a place called Eagle Plains, which is located around the 400-km mark. Due to the highway’s isolation and rough surface, you must do some planning before you go. We read all sorts of blogs and info sites before embarking on our journey and quite frankly, many of them scared the shit out of us. Now that we’ve been on the Dempster Highway ourselves, I can say that some of them exaggerated quite a bit, but probably for good reason – to really make sure people prepare before making such a long-isolated journey.

[Read more…] about 7 Tips For Driving the Dempster Highway to the Arctic

Travel Hacking in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

First Class Emirates Travel Hacking
Sitting aboard Emirates First Class from India to Dubai

As many of you know, we travel around Canada quite a bit, exploring the best things to do from coast to coast to coast. However, we also travel around the world as much as we can and have visited six continents, 38 countries, and over 250 cities over the last seven years. In fact, it’s our love for world travel that also led to our love for exploring Canada, as travelling around the world made us appreciate the incredible scenery, attractions, and culture of our home country.

For me, it all started with a solo trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia way back in 2009. Then, in 2012, I had the opportunity to do an exchange semester at a university in Malaysia. So, Karla and I travelled to Southeast Asia for an entire year, visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and China. Our passion for travel multiplied and we just didn’t want to stop. At the same time, we didn’t have the money to pay for a lot of trips, so I started learning about something called travel hacking, which inevitably led to the creation of CanadianFreeFlyers.com.

[Read more…] about Travel Hacking in Canada

Campfires Under the Northern Lights in Whitehorse, Yukon

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

photographing the milky way

For anyone visiting Canada’s north, witnessing the aurora borealis (or the northern lights as they are also known) is almost always high on their bucket list. After all, who can look at photographs of green, pink, and purple ribbons of light dancing across the sky and not want to book a northern lights holiday? Having grown up in Fort.McMurray, Alberta, I saw them all the time, but once I moved down South, I didn’t see them for many, many years. So, when I was up in Whitehorse, Yukon, it was on my bucket list to see them as well.

Since we wanted to experience the options that tourists have when visiting the area, we contacted Northern Tales and asked about their northern lights vacation packages. Located right in the Best Western hotel in Whitehorse, they’re conveniently located for anyone visiting the area. In fact, accommodation at the Best Western is included in some of their packages. We ended up trying out their Basic Aurora Borealis package, which basically consists of a few nights at the Best Western combined with late-night viewings outside the city. [Read more…] about Campfires Under the Northern Lights in Whitehorse, Yukon

Tips For Your Next Winter Ski Vacation

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ski lake louise
If you’re a regular reader of Must Do Canada, you’ve probably noticed that we love skiing. For anyone living in Canada, finding something to do in the winter should be a priority, otherwise, it’s going to be long, cold, and boring four to six months. For us, we love many things, but our favorite winter activity is hitting the slopes, especially those around Banff National Park. Not only is skiing very fun, it’s also a great way to get out and enjoy nature.

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Fat-Tire Biking in a Winter Wonderland

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Best things to do in the winter

As much as I love biking in the summer months, I’ve never considered doing it in the winter. Not only is it cold but I always thought that it would be super difficult, what with all the snow and ice and slush. Well, that’s not the case with fat-tire biking! The first time I saw fat-tire bikes was at Burning Man as people used them to push through the sand. I thought they looked really cool but didn’t see the practicality outside of biking on a sandy beach. Then, winter came to Canada and suddenly I saw this new sport come to life. I noticed people posting photos of them fat-tire biking on snowy trails and thought it looked like a great way to get outdoors during the colder months. Then we went to Panorama, BC for a weekend and finally had the opportunity to try them out ourselves. [Read more…] about Fat-Tire Biking in a Winter Wonderland

Flying Over Yellowknife in a Float Plane – It’s the Thing to Do

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Views of Yellowknife

If you ever find yourself visiting the charming city of Yellowknife, do not miss the chance to get inside a floatplane and tour the area from the sky. Whether you’re going flightseeing or being flown to a secluded lake for some incredible fishing, floatplanes are the thing to do in Yellowknife.

Prior to our visit in August 2017, I had never been inside a floatplane before. I had been in many little 4-seater planes, helicopters, and a variety of massive jetliners. I had also jumped out of a plane and even flew one myself – albeit just for a few minutes. However, flying in a floatplane had always been on my bucket list. I find it so cool that you can land them on lakes and rivers and in a place like Yellowknife, there’s a reason why floatplanes are all the rage. [Read more…] about Flying Over Yellowknife in a Float Plane – It’s the Thing to Do

Heli-Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies

By Matthew G. Bailey 24 Comments

Helicopter Tour in the rocky mountains

No matter where we go, taking a helicopter tour is one of our favourite activities. It’s such a great way to see beautiful scenery from the sky and to get a different perspective of the area. We’ve taken helicopter rides in many different areas but one of our favourite places to take a helicopter tour is in Banff National Park.

We recently had the opportunity to go heli-snowshoeing with Rockies Heli Canada, which is located almost half-way between Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. It’s basically in the middle of the famous Icefields Parkway and right next to the Instagram-famous Abraham Lake. They offer a variety of helicopter tours and the one we did was the 20-minute flight with a 1-hour snowshoeing tour.

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Five Ways to Enjoy the Winter in Banff National Park

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

best things to do in banff in winter

For Calgarians, Banff is an easy weekend getaway. For others, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip. Regardless of where you live, however, it’s easily one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Located just over an hour from Calgary, Banff is a great place to unwind and find adventure. While the summer is the parks busiest time of year due to warm weather and summer holidays, winter is an equally amazing time with far fewer crowds. In fact, winter might be our favourite time to explore the Rocky Mountains as it really feels like a winter wonderland. With snow-covered pine trees surrounded by tall mountains, there’s never a dull moment in Banff National Park. [Read more…] about Five Ways to Enjoy the Winter in Banff National Park

Travel Across Canada in 150 Seconds!

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Road Trip Canada 150 seconds

As many of you know, we road-tripped across Canada from coast to coast to coast for 150 days in 2017. We started at Canada’s furthest Easterly point (Cape Spear, Newfoundland) on May 15th, driving West to Alberta, then North to Tuktoyaktuk, South to British Columbia, and back into our home province of Alberta to finish the trip on October 11th.

It was truly an unforgettable and epic trip, utilizing every single day to experience the best of Canada while taking a dip in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. [Read more…] about Travel Across Canada in 150 Seconds!

Five Things To Do In Inuvik, Northwest Territories

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

Inuvik Aerial View

Nestled along the beautiful Mackenzie Delta 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is a spectacular place to visit in Northern Canada

Getting here is equally an adventure. While you could just keep it simple and fly there, you can also drive the famous Dempster Highway, a 736 km gravel road taking you all the way from Dawson, Yukon to Inuvik, NWT. In fact, the newly opened Mackenzie Delta Highway takes you right to Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean!

We had the thrill of exploring Invuik and the area during our 150-day road trip across Canada and only wish we had more time to do all the amazing activities and excursions that are possible in the area.

Whether you’re visiting Inuvik for weeks or days, here are five things you shouldn’t miss.

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Seven Reasons to Visit Calgary (Besides the Stampede)

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Situated in the foothills east of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary is home to beautiful scenery, festivals, and a variety of fun and interesting activities. The city is also famous for the Calgary Stampede, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during the month of July but while the Calgary Stampede is a great time to visit, there’s plenty of other things to do in Calgary that aren’t the stampede.

Whether you’re looking for museums, parks, or excitement, here are seven reasons to visit Calgary (besides the Calgary Stampede); [Read more…] about Seven Reasons to Visit Calgary (Besides the Stampede)

One Day in Yellowknife

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Things to do in yellowknife

Yellowknife, Canada’s Northwest Territories’ capital city, is the perfect blend of vast North Canadian nature and city life. Here you’ll find a variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, and festivals as well as numerous lakes and vast wilderness, making it a great base for adventure.

Most tourists use Yellowknife as a base for viewing the Northern Lights or for taking float planes to secluded lakes and other natural attractions. However, even if Canada’s “Diamond Capital” is just a base for further exploration, you really should explore the town and see what it has to offer.

We visited Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories during our 150-day road trip across Canada and really loved our time there. Due to our vehicle breaking down in Hay River, we only had one full day to explore the city, which was enough to see the key sites below.

One Day Itinerary for Exploring the Best of Yellowknife

Yellowknife isn’t a very big city but you’ll most likely need to take a cab to some areas, peddle a bike, or rent a car. There’s also public transportation. Depending on where you’re staying, ask the hotel and see what they recommend.

Stroll Through Old Town Yellowknife

Lovingly preserved, “Old Town” is where the original city of Yellowknife was founded. This area is primarily residential but is also home to some of the oldest businesses in the city. We really enjoyed walking around some of the old shacks and log buildings as well as eating lunch at the most famous restaurant in town – Bullocks’ Bistro. The atmosphere is really cool and the food is delicious. This is also where you’ll find the floatplanes, which can bring you all around the territories or for a scenic flightseeing tour over the area.

Where to eat in yellowknife

Peer Out Over the City from Bush Pilot’s Monument

Located on “The Rock” in Old Town, This is where to go for the best views over Yellowknife. You’ll see Great Slave Lake, Back Bay, Yellowknife Bay, Old Town Yellowknife, Jolliffe Island, and Frame Lake, as well as colourful houseboats, sailboats, and floatplanes. Highly recommended!

Get an Education at Prince of Wales Heritage Centre

This is the perfect place to learn about Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories in both the past and present with a lovely display of exhibits and collections that tell the stories about the land, the people, and the history of the territories’. It was so interesting to learn about the flora and fauna, as well as the minerals found in this part of Canada. We also viewed various artifacts made by local indigenous people, including a massive mooseskin canoe, which is a great display of human ingenuity!

Get into Nature

Hiking and Fishing are two activities that you need to experience in or around Yellowknife. There are various trails suitable for walking, jogging, and biking. However, be prepared to see wildlife, including black bears!

Fish are also abundant but make sure to get your fishing license before you go fishing and follow the catch limits for each type and area. There are a number of experienced fishermen in Yellowknife and surrounding areas that can take you out on their boat. You can also join a guided hiking tour with a local, if you’re not quite sure where to go.

things to do in yellowknife

Where to Stay

We always love to stay central and the Days Inn & Suites fit our style perfectly. Located right in the heart of downtown, this is a great option for people without a car. Not only are you walking distance to all the amenities you could possibly need but you’re also close to bars and clubs if you want to partake in the nightlife.

The rooms were clean, comfortable, and spacious. They also include free high-speed internet, a fitness centre, sauna, meeting space, and more.

For those arriving by air, the Day’s Inn & Suites also include a free airport shuttle.

Learn more at www.daysinnyellowknife.com

***

Note: We visited Yellowknife during our 150-day multimedia road trip, which was sponsored by hundreds of companies coast to coast to coast. Some of the activities mentioned above, as well as the accommodation, was sponsored during our stay. However, all views are our own. 

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best things to do in Yellowknife Canada

 

Best Things to Do in Victoria BC – A Two Day Itinerary

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

things to do in victoria bc

Known for its beautiful natural scenery, Victorian architecture, and world-famous gardens, Victoria is one of Canada’s top places to visit. It’s the capital of British Columbia and is also one of the few places in Canada that gets very little snow.

We toured Victoria during our 150-day road trip across Canada and instantly fell in love. We’ve even considered moving there. It’s such a beautiful city and so close to many outdoor adventures around the island.

While you could easily spend weeks soaking in the atmosphere of BC’s capital city, this Victoria itinerary below will help you make the most of two full glorious days in this beautiful Canadian coastal city.

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Canada Road Trip | Our 150-Day Schedule

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One of my favourite ways to travel is by road and it doesn’t get much more epic than a 150-day road trip across Canada to celebrate the country’s 150th by visiting every drivable province and territory to create a web documentary about what makes Canada the great nation that it is while showcasing some of the countries top iconic attractions and landscapes. This is a multimedia adventure spread across this website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. We’ll also be hosting some meet-ups along the way and doing giveaways for you to come join us on an adventure.

If you’re looking to follow along and/or meet us somewhere along the way, you can find our schedule below. It is subject to change and we’re not going to list every activity as we want them to be a surprise. However, you’ll get a fairly solid idea of what provinces and cities we’ll be in throughout the year. Come say hi! [Read more…] about Canada Road Trip | Our 150-Day Schedule

Saving Money in Toronto

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Things to do in Toronto

When it comes to Canadian cities, Toronto is certainly the most famous. As Canada’s most populated metropolitan area, Toronto is home to soaring skyscrapers, the iconic CN Tower, and many famous sports teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, and the Toronto Blue Jays. It’s also the most multicultural city on Earth and one of the safest in North America. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of things to do in Toronto for tourists wishing to experience Canada’s biggest city and plenty of ways to save money as well, such as using CityPASS, which I’ll talk about below. [Read more…] about Saving Money in Toronto