Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

History and Culture

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 Matthew G. 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 6 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 5 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 24 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 a tea for colds? [Read more…] about Connected to Indigenous Tourism in Alberta

201+ Weird, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 10 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

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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

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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