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The Best Things to Do in Canada

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Four Ways to Enjoy the Great Sandhills Saskatchewan

By Christine Broderick 8 Comments

Saskatchewan sand dunes

They look different each time I visit and I never get bored going back.

The 1900 squared kilometers of active sand dunes are ever changing. Blown by wind or hardened by rain, they are like a canvass that gets repainted every day. Trees disappear for years and then peak through the drifts, sandblasted and smooth and whitened with age.

I am lucky enough to live near the Great Sandhills, south of Sceptre and Leader, Saskatchewan. It’s the first place I take visitors and I always get a kick out of watching their reactions as they see these massive dunes for the first time. It’s a surreal feeling to know that you are standing on sand that was deposited from glaciers so many years ago. [Read more…] about Four Ways to Enjoy the Great Sandhills Saskatchewan

Things To Do In Penticton – Three Day Itinerary

By Megan Kopp 4 Comments

things to do in penticton
Scenic views while exploring Penticton’s mountain biking and hiking trails.

Ahhh… the Okanagan Valley. It’s a 160-kilometre long narrow stretch of sun-drenched paradise with long lakes, rolling mountains and plenty of heart-pumping, spirit-sipping, 100% Canadian good times. When friends asked if I wanted to join them on a three-day adventure exploring Penticton, B.C. by pedal and foot, I jumped in. [Read more…] about Things To Do In Penticton – Three Day Itinerary

Exploring Stonehammer Geopark in New Brunswick

By Alison Cornford-Matheson Leave a Comment

things to do in new brunswick

Saint John, New Brunswick is home to the first UNESCO Geopark in Canada, called Stonehammer. If you think geology is boring this site and its wide variety of activities will change your mind.

When I was growing up in Saint John, New Brunswick, I took the landscape for granted. I didn’t give our rugged coastline, impenetrable forests, and lush river valleys more than a passing thought, much less consider the ground beneath my feet.

I wasn’t alone. Most Saint Johners could tell you a bit about our Reversing Rapids when the Bay of Fundy’s relentless high tides pushes the gushing St. John River back upstream. But few of us considered the geology around those rapids – that is until UNESCO came to town.

UNESCO is most known for its catalogue of World Heritage Sites but, in addition to preserving culture and human history, the organization also brings awareness to diverse ecosystems and landscapes. The UNESCO Global Geopark system focuses on the ground beneath our feet and the eons of history our geology represents. [Read more…] about Exploring Stonehammer Geopark in New Brunswick

Waskesiu Saskatchewan in the Winter

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Dog sledding in Waskesiu Saskatchewan.

Waskesiu Saskatchewan in the Winter Last Updated: October 14th, 2022.

Growing up in Alberta, I had never felt the need to travel around Canada in the wintertime. As a kid, I grew up in the North, playing hockey under the Northern Lights and going snowmobiling deep into the Boreal forest. As an adult, I moved to Calgary, turning the Canadian Rockies into my winter playground. So, with all that winter fun around, I’ve either enjoyed my own surroundings or jumped on a plane to warmer destinations. However, this all changed when I flew into Saskatoon to experience Saskatchewan in the winter. After enjoying the many things to do in Saskatoon, my wife and I headed north to Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park. We had visited Waskesiu once before during the summer months when we made a video about all the things to do in Saskatchewan, but this was our first time visiting in the winter months. It turns out that Prince Albert National Park and neighbouring Elk Ridge Resort (where we stayed) is a winter wonderland. We loved every minute of it, and for those wanting to experience the joys of winter, it’s a great place to go.

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Things To Do In Golden BC

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

things to do in golden bc

Last updated: April 19th, 2021

Surrounded by six incredible Canadian national parks, Golden is as picturesque as it is adventurous. This is the place to go if you want to be outdoors. When driving from Calgary, Banff, or Lake Louise, Golden is the first big town you’ll see as you enter British Columbia. In fact, from the highway, it might not look like much. Without taking a small turn into the town, you’ll simply pass by gas stations and fast food joints, all the while missing this historic mountain town and neighbouring Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Spring, summer, fall, or winter, there’s no shortage of outdoor things to do in Golden. In the spring, we’ve gone white water rafting on some of the most epic rapids in Canada. In the summer, we’ve tried mountain climbing via Ferrata, and in the winter, we’ve gone skiing and snowmobiling, just to name a few things to do. How could you go wrong? It’s the perfect base for exploring some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery while escaping the crowds in Banff and Canmore.

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The BEST Things to Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia

By Matthew G. Bailey 13 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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Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Ice Magic Festival Lake Louise
First place winner for 2019 – Ice Queen Treasures

Skiing at Lake Louise is always an amazing experience but when the Ice Magic Festival is in town, the experience becomes, well, magical.

Ice carvers from all around the world gather outside the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise from Wednesday to Friday to create a stunning piece of ice art in approximately 34 hours (three days). When I say they come from around the world, I really mean it. I’ve seen ice carvers from Iraq, Mexico, Malaysia, Latvia, Russia, Canada, and the USA, just to name a few. They come all the way to Lake Louise, Alberta to show off their skills at turning blocks of ice into stunning masterpieces.

It’s a popular time to visit Lake Louise. Not only do you get the beauty of Lake Louise and the Rocky Mountains, but you get the additional beauty of the ice sculptures. The actual event where the carvers make their art takes place for only three days, but the festival continues for almost two weeks. If you can’t make it during the event though, they do leave the ice sculptures up until they are deemed unsafe. [Read more…] about Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Lake Superior Circle Tour in Canada

By Kristal 5 Comments

lake superior circle tour

Over the years, my dogs and I have driven all over Canada and the United States, visited both oceans, and several mountain ranges.  In spite of all the amazing places we have been privileged to explore, my favourite part of Canada is still the Trans-Canada Highway, or Highway 17, between Sault Ste. Marie (affectionately called “the Soo”) and Thunder Bay (or T-Bay).

With so many things to do and places to see around massive Lake Superior, the best way to see it all is to do the Lake Superior Circle Tour, which takes place in both Canada and the USA and makes for a wonderful Lake Superior vacation. However, for this article, we’re going to focus on the Canada-side of the tour. Maybe we can call it the Lake Superior Half Circle Tour?

Let’s begin. [Read more…] about Lake Superior Circle Tour in Canada

The ULTIMATE Guide to Things To Do In Canmore, Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

Things to do in banff

Things to Do in Canmore Last updated: March 1, 2023

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.

In this Canmore travel guide, we’ll fill you in on the best things to do in Canmore, Alberta.

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How to Get the Best Views of Niagara Falls

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

best views of niagara falls ontario canada
Take a cruise at Niagara Falls. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Best Views of Niagara Falls Last Updated: March 11th, 2023

Shared between Canada and America, this spectacular landmark is often sought out by travellers. But where do you find the best view of Niagara Falls, Canada?

As one of Canada’s most popular natural attractions, Niagara Falls has been attracting visitors for more than a century. Some even consider it one of the world’s natural wonders. It is a very beautiful place and a very popular place to visit, both on the Canadian side and on the American side.

As you may know, the falls split the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA. You can view the falls from both the American side and the Canadian side but, in our humble opinion, the best way to see them is from the Canadian side.

This is where you can get up close and personal with Horseshoe Falls, the most impressive of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the one you’ve all seen in photos. However, there are also American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

Niagara Falls Facts

Before we get into how to get the best shows of the falls, I wanted to share some cool facts about Niagara Falls with you.

  • The 3 waterfalls (Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil) combine to produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall on Earth.
  • The largest vertical drop is over 50 metres (165 feet).
  • Niagara Falls are a major source of hydropower, producing a lot of electricity.
  • Although the force of Niagara Falls is controlled, they let it go strong during the popular summer months, when up to six million cubic metres of water flows over the crest each minute.
  • Niagara Falls occurs as water drains from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.
  • If erosion continues at its current rate, scientists believe that Niagara Falls will be gone in approximately 50,000 years. Get there fast!
  • Roughly 30 Million people visit Niagara Falls each year.
  • People have gone over the falls, despite it being illegal to do so. Some have even survived, but many were injured or killed.
  • People have tight-roped across the falls. First in 1859, and again in 2012.
  • Niagara Falls is one of the most popular things to do in Ontario.

As you can see, Niagara Falls has been a source of inspiration for years. Whether that inspiration has been to go over them and survive or simply kick back and enjoy the wonderful views.

If you do make it to this beautiful area, there are many different ways to see Niagara Falls.

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