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The Best Things to Do in Canada

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Things to Do in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

Annapolis Royal, Annapolis Valley Road Trip, Nova Scotia.

Quaint and charming, the Annapolis Valley is a popular place to visit during the summer months in Nova Scotia. Known as Nova Scotia’s wine country, not to mention home to some of Canada’s oldest historical sites, the Annapolis Valley is a great place to do a road trip, taking time to learn about history, taste some wine, tantalize your tastebuds with a delicious food scene, and even get into some adventure, such as whale watching, canoeing, hiking, and more.

The Annapolis Valley is a region located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy. The valley measures approximately 126 kilometres (78 miles) in length from Digby and the Annapolis Basin in the west to Wolfville and the Minas Basin in the east, spanning the counties of Digby, Annapolis and Kings. The small towns, scenic views, and historic sites make for an excellent Nova Scotia road trip.

In this travel guide to the Annapolis Valley, we’ll fill you in on things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and more.

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Canadian Languages

By Karla Bailey 3 Comments

Canada is a huge country and a country of immigration, so it should come as no surprise that we have more than one Canadian language. Officially, Canada is a bilingual country, with two official Canadian languages: English and French. Despite this official status, however, the majority of Canadians speak English. Some, especially those living in Quebec or New Brunswick speak both English and French, and fewer speak only French or English with another second language. Ask anyone who lives here though and they’ll tell you that this relationship between English and French continuously forms much of Canada’s political drama.

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Everything You Need to Know About Canadian Money

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

Canadian money

Canadian Money is often referred to as monopoly money thanks to its bright colours and unique artwork. Unlike the less interesting “greenback” used in the United States of America, which all looks more or less the same, Canadian currency is truly beautiful. In fact, Canada’s bills and coins all feature pictures of important national symbols, which make them works of art. In this article, we’ll teach you all about Canadian money.

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Canada Flags – The History of Flags in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

Canada flag in Banff National Park.
Proudly waving the Canadian Flag from the spectacular Athabasca Glacier.

Despite Canada’s small population, the Canada flag, which is Red and white with a maple leaf in the middle, is one of the most recognized flags and symbols in the world.

Canada flags come in all shapes and sizes. From little pins worn on a jacket to massive flags being flown outside a business or a home, there are many Canadian flags to choose from. However, there are also 13 provincial and territorial flags that represent the local symbols of each place.

In this article, we’ll talk about the different Canada flags, including their history and how they came to be, as well as diving into the other popular flags spread out amongst this vast country.

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The Best Things to Do in Crowsnest Pass Alberta

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Crowsnest Pass Alberta

Crowsnest Pass, or “The Pass” as the locals call it, is a singular collective of five historic mining towns, all surrounded by the majestic rocky mountains. Each community is unique and has been formed through a history of economic booms, tragedies, and a local passion for the area.

Today, small historic mining towns, incredible mountain vistas, and lots of outdoor adventure are just some of the things that attract visitors to the Crowsnest Pass. One of the most scenic areas in Alberta, the Crowsnest Highway makes for a wonderful road trip, which is also perpendicular to another famous Canada road trip – the Cowboy Trail. Whether you’re looking to explore the historic sites of some of Canada’s deadliest disasters, go hiking in the mountains, or just enjoy that small-town vibe, the Crowsnest Pass should be on your bucket list. [Read more…] about The Best Things to Do in Crowsnest Pass Alberta

75 of the Best Things To Do in Quebec

By Matthew G. Bailey 33 Comments

best things to do in quebec
The iconic Quebec City Skyline, Canada.

Things to Do in Quebec last updated: August 11th, 2021

As Canada’s largest province, as well as the only province whose sole official language is French, Quebec is an incredible destination rich in history, culture, and adventures. Located in Eastern Canada, Quebec borders Ontario to the west, New Brunswick to the east, the Hudson Bay to the north, and the United States to the south. With a rich history encompassing sieges and battles, the foundations of Quebec date back to the 16th century with remnants of the past still visible today.

We’ve explored Quebec many times, both in the winter and in the summer, and always look forward to going back. Whether it’s roaming the streets of Old Montreal, exploring the walled city of Quebec, whale watching in Tadoussac, sleeping with wolves in Montebello, or playing with falcons in Mont Tremblant, Quebec has become one of our favourite places to visit.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the beaches, the mountains, or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of Quebec!

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Connected to Indigenous Tourism in Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Zucmin Guiding Kananaskis Alberta

Hiking can be so different depending on who you go with. For me, it normally consists of selecting a trail that leads to a goal, such as a mountain summit or an incredible view. Other times, it might be to reach a destination. Recently, however, we joined Tim Patterson of Zuc’min guiding for an education hike around Mount Yamnuska in the Kananaskis. While hundreds of other people made their way up the mountain on an extremely well-trodden trail, our small group spent hours in one small area near the bottom, meandering slowly through the forest to learn about all the plants and flowers we normally hike by. While I might admire the beauty of various plants and flowers during one of my typical hikes, I certainly didn’t know about some of the medicinal or even spiritual properties some of them hold. For example, Trembling Aspen is beautiful to look at, but did you know that if you rub the “spores” off of the bark, it can be used as sunscreen? Then again, did you know that the whole Yarrow plant (Achilla millefolium) can be used to make tea for colds?

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201+ Weird, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 15 Comments

Fun facts about Canada at the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Learning RCMP facts about Canada while dressing up as mounties at the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina.

Facts about Canada Updated September 1st, 2021

This article was inspired by Canada’s 153rd birthday. Really, it was inspired by Canada Day in general, but because the 153rd celebrations were cancelled due to Covid, it gave us a chance to do some research and think of another way to shine a light on this massive country. So, I got out some books, made friends with Google, and searched far and wide to find some of the coolest, weirdest, most unusual, and just pure awesome interesting facts about Canada. I thought this would be a great way to celebrate July 1st and just a really cool read for anyone interested in Canada, whether you’re local or not. [Read more…] about 201+ Weird, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Canada

Playing Hockey at the World Pond Hockey Championship 2020

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

World Pond Hockey Championship New Brunswick Drone

Last updated: April 7th, 2020

When it comes to massive world-renown pond hockey tournaments, you probably wouldn’t think of New Brunswick, little lone the small town of Plaster Rock. Yet, it’s here, in this super small town of just 1,500 people, that the world’s largest pond hockey tournament takes place each and every year. Attracting teams from all over the world, as many as 120 will compete on the small and frozen Roulston Lake, surrounded by a frosty forest.

I’m not sure how I heard about this tournament but somewhere a few years ago, I read about the World Pond Hockey Championships and have wanted to attend ever since. It’s not easy though. After all, Canada is a big country and New Brunswick is 4,222 kilometres (2,623 miles) away from my home city of Calgary, Alberta. It requires an expensive flight, a rental car, a hotel stay, and a team of five.

But in 2020, the 19th year of the World Pond Hockey Championships, I made it happen. I rallied together a team from Calgary, all of whom I didn’t even know, and flew over to New Brunswick, the only province in Canada that’s officially bi-lingual. [Read more…] about Playing Hockey at the World Pond Hockey Championship 2020

Winter in Quebec City with the Quebec Winter Carnival

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

quebec winter carnival

Last updated: March 17th, 2020

When it comes to winter festivals, there’s none better than Quebec’s winter carnival, which is one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Held annually during the month of February, the Québec Winter Carnival, or Carnaval de Québec as it’s known in French, is an annual festival that brings thousands of visitors together to celebrate the winter in Quebec. Created way back 1894, the festivities were inspired by the harsh winters as a way to create a fun celebration to warm the hearts of its citizens. The modern version of the festival started in 1955 and is now one of the biggest events of the year for French Canada. From ice sculptures to ice slides to an absolutely massive parade, it’s a great experience for kids and adults alike. [Read more…] about Winter in Quebec City with the Quebec Winter Carnival

Christmas in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

best things to do in whistler
Whistler village at dusk – Photo provided by Tourism Whistler and taken by photographer Mike Crane.

Last updated: February 2nd, 2020

Despite Christmas taking place in many warm countries around the world, it’s often marketed everywhere as a white Christmas, full of snow, Christmas lights, and various decorations. Growing up in Canada, this is how Christmas actually is. However, I found it interesting that my family-in-law living in Mexico had never seen or experienced a white Christmas and yet, all the movies and commercials they watched advertised it this way. Then, when they spent winter in Canada one year, they finally got to see a white Christmas, with lots of snow, lights, and winter activities. They even cried when a snowflake landed in their hands.

Canada is a special place to experience Christmas. In fact, we wrote about the many places you can experience Christmas in Canada, but now we’d like to talk about what Christmas is like for most Canadians. [Read more…] about Christmas in Canada

Exploring Saskatchewan’s Big Muddy Badlands

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

Big Muddy Badlands of Saskatchewan

In a land that often gets criticized for being so flat, Big Muddy’s Castle Butte rises up to challenge that misconception. Located in Big Muddy Valley, Castle Butte is just one of the attractions that inspire people to visit here from all over the world (Don’t let that scare you though. You certainly won’t find crowds). In fact, It was mainly Castle Butte that encouraged us to visit the area, but after taking a full-day guided tour, we were equally impressed by everything else we saw and experienced.

It all starts in a little town called Coronach. This is where a small team of locals offers guided tours of the Big Muddy badlands. With many of the attractions being located on private land, not to mention all the historical information you’d miss out on, guided tours are really the only way to do it. [Read more…] about Exploring Saskatchewan’s Big Muddy Badlands

The BEST Things To Do in Regina, Saskatchewan

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

things to do in regina saskatchewan canada

Things to Do in Regina last updated: November 12th, 2020

Named after Queen Victoria in 1882, Regina, which is Latin for “Queen”, is now Saskatchewan’s capital city. Although it’s not the biggest city (that would be Saskatoon), it’s the cultural and commercial centre for Southern Saskatchewan and is located right on the Trans-Canada Highway, making it the perfect stop on a Canada road trip.

Whether you’re passing through on a road trip or flying direct, we highly recommend spending some time in Queen City. Regina often gets overlooked on many traveller’s itineraries but is home to wonderful museums, historic districts, strong indigenous culture, a vibrant food scene, and of course, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

unique camping in alberta

Have you ever heard of David Thompson?

If not, you’re not alone. We didn’t know who he was either until we visited Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. It turns out that David Thompson was the greatest land geographer of his time, travelling more than 90,000 kilometres across North America while mapping 4.9 million square kilometres of the continent along the way.  This was just one of the many things we learned about during our visit to this former Hudson Bay Trading Post.

Rocky Mountain House is a National Historic Site located near the town of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. It’s approximately 77 kilometres from Red Deer and almost equally in-between Edmonton and Calgary, making it a 2-hour road trip from either city. It’s situated right along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, and is just off the famous Cowboy Trail, otherwise known as Highway 22. In other words, it’s a great place for a classic Alberta road trip. [Read more…] about Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

The Best Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

things to do in Ottawa include visiting Parliament Hill or simply admiring it from different vantage points in the city.
Parliament Hill is one of the top things to do in Ottawa.

Things to Do in Ottawa last updated: December 4th, 2022

Beautiful and dynamic, there are lots of things to do in Ottawa, making Canada’s capital city an incredible place to explore. From the gothic-style parliament buildings to the lovely parks and world-class museums, Ottawa is one of the top places to visit in Canada. There are so many things to do in Ontario, Canada, you’re sure to have an epic vacation.

Located along the Ontario side of the Ottawa River, and right across from Quebec, Ottawa is also a great base for exploring parts of Quebec. It’s the sixth-largest city in Canada, the second-largest city in Ontario, and one of the most multicultural cities in the country. It’s also bilingual, which makes it unique for a North American capital.

It’s one of those cities that feels small, despite having a population of over one million people. Most of the action can be found around the downtown core, Parliament Hill, and the inner-city neighbourhoods. It’s a great city to go for a walk or to ride a bike, and there are many more activities to do in Ottawa.

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Rocky Mountain House Alberta Road Trip

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Matthew and Karla Bailey Must Do Canada

(This post was sponsored by AMA Travel and Best Western. AMA Members save up to 15% on Best Western stays in Canada, the U.S., and worldwide. Your AMA Membership can save you – whether you need roadside assistance, to book a vacation or at one of our Rewards partners. Check out amatravel.ca/bwbloggers to find out more and see the adventures other bloggers went on!”

When it comes to travel, especially in Canada, it’s hard to beat a good ol’ fashioned road trip. With such wide-open areas, nature, and small towns, road trips are the best way to see the second largest country on Earth. As an Albertan, I’ve seen a lot of my home province. From small prairie towns in the South to small mining towns in the North and almost everything in-between, I’ve covered a lot of ground. Yet, I had never been to Rocky Mountain House. That is, until now. Located just 77 km west of Red Deer, and only 200 km from both Edmonton and Calgary, Rocky Mountain House is a wonderful place to explore on a road trip. It’s also just 170 km from the world-famous Icefields Parkway and sits on the Cowboy Trail, another epic Alberta road trip.

From my home in Calgary, Rocky Mountain House is less than two hours away. Since most of it is done via highway 2, which isn’t all that scenic, we decided to make a loop out of it. Rather than go up and down the fast way, we decided to return via the Icefields Parkway, which adds more than 3-hours to the drive but also adds some of the best scenery in the world thanks to the Icefields Parkway. Who could say no to the Icefields Parkway? [Read more…] about Rocky Mountain House Alberta Road Trip

Around the World with Winnipeg’s Folklorama

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Spain Traditional Dancing

For two weeks each summer, scattered around the city of Winnipeg, lies a unique chance to travel around the world without actually getting on a plane. Sure, you won’t see the beautiful beaches of the Philippines or the colonial architecture of Spain but you will get a taste of the culture thanks to Folklorama.

Known as the largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the world, Folklorama allows visitors to experience the cultural dances, food, and people that make the city so diverse. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience many of the pavilions (shows) during my time in Winnipeg. [Read more…] about Around the World with Winnipeg’s Folklorama

Experiencing Humanity at Winnipeg’s Museum for Human Rights

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

Human Rights Museum Winnipeg

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

I was told that the most impressive feature of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was the building itself but this couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, the building is gorgeous. It was carefully and thoughtfully designed by Antoine Predock, who incorporated meaning into every facet of the facility. From the darkness of humanity simulated by beginning the museum partially underground to the beacon of light symbolized by reaching the top floor with expansive views of the city, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an architectural marvel.

However, the museum itself is equally fantastic. I thought that one 3-hour morning would be enough but that wasn’t the case. If you really want to dive into everything, you’ll need longer. I decided to jump on the 1.5-hour tour, which is a great way to get oriented with the museum and its different floors. The tour gives you insight into the building, the layout, the galleries and the intention of the museum. Unlike most museums that layout artifacts and historic items, this museum is designed to provoke discussion and inspiration into the movement of humanity.

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