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The Best Things to Do in Canada

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The Best Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

things to do in ottawa

Last updated: January 4th, 2021

Beautiful and dynamic, there’s 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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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do in Toronto

By Matthew G. Bailey 24 Comments

Things to do in Toronto

Things to Do in Toronto last updated: March 20th, 2021

As Canada’s biggest city, there’s no shortage of things to do in Toronto. Whether you’re looking for world-class museums, fun attractions, lively neighbourhoods, or major league sports, Toronto truly has something for everyone. It’s also one of the most multicultural cities in the world, which makes it a great place to experience a wide variety of cultures and food.

We’ve been to Toronto a number of times and are always excited to return. From the beautiful skyline featuring the CN Tower to the funky neighbourhoods like Kensington Market, Toronto is such a lively city to wander around. However, if it’s your first time, it might be overwhelming. There really is so much to do and so many Toronto attractions that there’s no way we could list everything in this article without boring you to death.

So, what we’re going to do is list out what we feel are the best places to visit in Toronto, especially if it’s your first or second visit. It’s unlikely you’d get through everything here on your first visit unless you’re staying for quite some time. Regardless of what you do, you’re bound to have a great time in Ontario’s capital.

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The Best Things To Do in Saskatoon in 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

best things to do in saskatoon

Things to Do in Saskatoon last updated: June 28th, 2021

As the South Saskatchewan River winds through the city, Saskatoon is buzzing with an infusion of new restaurants, bars, breweries, and attractions. Locals who had once left to attend school or experience big cities like Vancouver and Toronto have moved back, bringing with them a new sense of pride.

It’s really quite beautiful, with some calling Saskatoon the “Paris of the Prairies”. Multiple bridges cross the wide river, while an 80-km trail provides a scenic way to take it all in while walking, jogging, or biking. Those into watersports can grab their paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, and go down the river for a scenic soft adventure. Even in the winter, people can be seen on bikes or kick-sleds – a new activity to the area.

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The BEST Things to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

By Matthew G. Bailey 12 Comments

Updated: March 10th, 2022

When it comes to the charming Maritimes, there’s no better city than Halifax, Nova Scotia. Not only is it Nova Scotia’s capital city, but it’s also the largest city in the Atlantic provinces. While it started off as one of Canada’s important ports, it now also has a thriving tourism scene thanks in part to its manicured parks and gardens, heritage buildings, a thriving arts scene, a variety of pubs and craft breweries, a lively music scene, and a nice steady flow of sea breezes.

Thanks to the major airport, it has also become the gateway to the Maritimes and has something to offer people of all ages. Whether you decide to stroll the beautiful waterfront, catch one of the many events that happen throughout the summer, watch some live music at one of the many Celtic pubs, or visit one of the many wonderful museums and parks, Halifax is a great place for an East Coast vacation.

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The ULTIMATE Guide to Things To Do In Canmore, Alberta in 2022

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

Things to do in banff

Last updated: March 1, 2022

If there was an award for the most beautiful mountain town in Canada, Canmore would likely take the title. Fringed by the towering Canadian Rocky Mountains, Canmore sits in one of the most beautiful locations on Earth, just minutes from the world-famous Banff National Park.

While it has become very popular over the years, Canmore is basically the “local” version of Banff. Whereas Banff was specifically designed for tourists and caters to millions of people each and every year, Canmore is the town where locals live, which is a mere 15-minute drive from Banff and about 60-minutes from Calgary.

It’s just as beautiful as Banff and is close enough to be another option for accommodation and sightseeing.

Things to Do in Canmore Alberta Canada

With such close proximity to Banff National Park, the Kananaskis, and the stunning Icefields Parkway, there are many things to do in Canmore and the surrounding area. While there are four seasons in Canada, the most distinctly different seasons are summer and winter, so we will separate all the things to do in Canmore between these two seasons.

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

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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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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

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

The Calgary International Salsa Congress

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Salsa Congress Calgary

Calgary might be known as a “cowtown” but the “salsa dancing fever” is very hot as well. With all sorts of latin-style festivals happening throughout the year as well as various dance schools teaching locals how to move, Calgary is a great place to learn and dance a variety of styles including salsa, bachata, tango, and more.

Since Karla and I love latin music (Karla is Mexican after all), we decided to take dance classes and finally learn the proper footwork and to be able to enjoy dancing a lot more. Then, our dance instructor mentioned the Calgary International Salsa Congress, which is now in its 10th year. We couldn’t miss it.

With performers from all over the world, the Calgary International Salsa Congress is the place to be if you want to see incredible dance performances ranging from salsa, bachata, tango, and even burlesque. With both amateurs and pros competing for awards, the shows go on all night. Starting around 6:30 PM and not ending until almost midnight, there’s a whole lot of entertainment for you to enjoy. [Read more…] about The Calgary International Salsa Congress

Around the World with Winnipeg’s Folklorama

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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