Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Road to 150

The ULTIMATE Guide to the Best Things to Do in Ontario

By Matthew G. Bailey

Ottawa is home to some of the best things to do in Ontario.
Ottawa is home to the nation’s capital.

Ontario is one of the biggest and most populated provinces in Canada and is home to some amazing cities, attractions, and nature. Ranging from the massive cosmopolitan city of Toronto to the scenic landscapes of Algonquin Provincial Park, there are so many things to do in Ontario. From kayaking next to loons to experiencing Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Ontario is definitely one of the most popular provinces to visit in Canada.

Some of the wonderful attractions in Ontario included taking a helicopter tour over Niagara Falls, visiting world-class museums in Toronto, enjoying the thrill of some of the world’s best roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, canoeing some of Canada’s best lakes and rivers, and visiting some of Canada’s top wineries, just to name a few.

Whether you’re visiting in the summer or in the winter, looking to do one of the many Ontario road trips, or looking for the best activities and attractions for your next trip to Ontario, we’ve got you covered in this extensive guide to the best things to do in Ontario.

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82 of the Best Things To Do in Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 171 Comments

drone photography of panther valley alberta canada
Panther Valley, Alberta.

From boreal forests to vast prairies and high mountain peaks, Alberta is an incredible province to explore. Born and raised in Alberta, I certainly feel that I know Alberta better than most. I’ve been to each major city and almost every small town in the province, giving me great insight into the province that I call home.

Although Alberta is one of only two provinces that are landlocked, Alberta is about as diverse as it gets. From looking at Dinosaur skeletons in the badlands and hiking some of the tallest mountain peaks in the country to splashing around in North America’s largest indoor waterpark and driving one of the world’s most scenic highways, Alberta is an incredible place to explore.

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

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32 of the Best Things to Do in Saskatchewan

By Matthew G. Bailey 42 Comments

Grasslands National Park is one of the best things to do in Saskatchewan.
Embracing the beauty of Grasslands National Park in Southern Saskatchewan.

Last Updated: October 18th, 2022

One of only two landlocked provinces in Canada, Saskatchewan is widely known for its flat prairie landscapes, but it’s also home to chiselled badlands, thick boreal forests, sand dunes, and thousands of lakes. It’s very much an “outdoor” province as it doesn’t have any major metropolitan centres. However, it does have some cool cities and towns, including Saskatoon, which has one of the youngest demographics in Canada.

Located on the Western side of Canada, east of Alberta, Saskatchewan is often overlooked during a cross-Canada road trip. But that’s a big mistake. After exploring Saskatchewan a lot during the last five years, it’s become one of our favourites, thanks in part to the incredible landscapes of Grasslands National Park, the bustling food scene of Saskatoon, and the beautiful lakes such as Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park. You’ll even find old tunnels below the town of Moose Jaw that were used by Al Capone back in the prohibition days, fascinating indigenous culture, and sand dunes in the north that look like something you’d find in Saudi Arabia. Those looking for outdoor adventure away from the crowds, or a cool, hip small city scene will love exploring Saskatchewan.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the badlands, or everything in between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the many things to do in Saskatchewan!

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The BEST Things To Do in Prince Edward Island

By Matthew G. Bailey 85 Comments

things to do in pei

Updated: October 23rd, 2021

With a beautiful coastline and stunning red sand, Prince Edward Island has become a popular Canadian Maritime destination. It’s small and picturesque, unique in its history, and home to an incredible cuisine with some of the freshest seafood available anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking to eat fresh mussels right next to the sea, learn about Canada’s history, get outdoors for some hiking, or go on a fun and scenic coastal road trip, Prince Edward Island should be on your Canadian bucket list.

PEI is also the smallest province in Canada, and so unlike our other provincial travel guides, we’ll focus on the entire province rather than splitting it out into different regions. After all, you can drive the entire length of the island in less than three hours. It is, however, sandwiched in-between other Atlantic provinces as well, such as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, so if you have more time, you can always extend your trip and truly take in the splendour of Atlantic Canada.

To learn more about Prince Edward Island, including what to do, where to go, and how to get there, this travel guide is for you!

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Best Road Trip Ever | Canada’s Road to 150

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

icefields parkway canada

Updated: January 19th, 2021

It’s not very often that someone has the opportunity to travel across Canada for 150 days. That’s 5 months of travel across one of the biggest countries on Earth. But in 2017, that’s just what we did.

After a rough 2016, we were trying to come up with a big passion project for 2017. After mulling it over for some time, I wanted to do something that capitalized on the Canada150 momentum that seemed to be taking the world by storm. Wanting to create something that had “marketing flare”, I came up with the idea to do a 150-day road trip across. However, no one cares about a personal road trip. So, I decided to turn it into a documentary about what makes Canada special. The idea was to travel to each and every province and territory while interviewing people of all backgrounds as to why they think Canada is such a great country.

There was just one problem. We needed funding. [Read more…] about Best Road Trip Ever | Canada’s Road to 150

The Best Things To Do In Northwest Territories

By Matthew G. Bailey 13 Comments

Traditional Inuit clothing in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT

Updated: January 18, 2021

With more than one million square kilometres of land area and a population of less than 50,000, the Northwest Territories are about as wild as it gets. It’s certainly not an easy area to visit (many places are fly-in, many roads are gravel, and distances are vast) but for those who make the effort, there are some incredible places to see and things to do in Northwest Territories.

Whether you’re looking to drive Canada’s only highway to the arctic ocean, fly over the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, sleep at a secluded fishing lodge, admire the Northern Lights, or visit some charming northern towns like Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, the Northwest Territories is an adventurer’s paradise. [Read more…] about The Best Things To Do In Northwest Territories

39 of the BEST Things To Do In The Yukon

By Matthew G. Bailey 36 Comments

The SS Klondike National Historic Site is one of the top things to do in whitehorse and one of the top things to do in the Yukon.

Updated: September 1st, 2022

Known for its dramatic landscapes, vast wilderness, and the famous Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon has been capturing people’s imaginations for years. With four-legged creatures far outnumbering humans, Canada’s tallest mountain peaks, and the world’s largest non-polar glacier, the Yukon is a true paradise for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.

In this Yukon travel guide, we’ll share with you the best things to do in the Yukon, as well as how to get there, where to stay, and more.

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38 BEST Things To Do in Manitoba

By Matthew G. Bailey 41 Comments

Center of Canada Landmark

Things to Do in Manitoba last updated: September 29th, 2022

Smack dab in the middle of Canada and often overlooked, Manitoba is home to some of Canada’s top signature experiences, including beautiful landscapes and unique adventures. It’s home to Winnipeg, which is one of Canada’s biggest cities as well as some of Canada’s top lakes and beaches, festivals, and world-famous northern attractions.

Kayaking with beluga whales, spying on polar bears, learning about human rights, cracking the code of mystic messages and Masonic symbols, and admiring the Northern Lights are just some of the incredible opportunities in this central province.

We’ve been to Manitoba many times and even lived in Winnipeg for five months, giving us first-hand insight into this wonderful place. In this Manitoba travel guide, we aim to let you know about the top things to do in Manitoba, as well as how to get there, where to stay, and more!

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The Best Things To Do in New Brunswick

By Matthew G. Bailey 65 Comments

Things to do in new brunswick
Peering out through a rock formation to the Bay of Funday from Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick.

Updated: September 14, 2022

Underrated and yet incredibly beautiful, New Brunswick surprised us in so many ways. It’s one of the four Atlantic Provinces of Canada, and the only province in the country with both English and French as official languages. While the province covers a land area the size of Ireland, there are only 750,000 inhabitants, leaving tons of room for visitors to explore the vast natural landscapes of the province, including quaint seaside towns, small historical cities, gorgeous natural scenery, delicious seafood, and fun activities like rappelling and zip-lining.

From driving the stunning Fundy Trail Parkway in the world to walking around the historic streets of Saint John, New Brunswick is an awesome province to explore.

To learn more about New Brunswick, including what to do, where to go, and how to get there, this travel guide is for you!

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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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Driving to the Arctic Ocean – Exploring Tuktoyaktuk

By Matthew G. Bailey 24 Comments

best things to do in tuktoyaktuk

Last updated: June 23, 2020

Located right on the Arctic Ocean in Canada’s Northwest Territories is a little fishing village called Tuktoyaktuk. Like Easter Island, Tuktoyaktuk is one of those places totally off the beaten path. In fact, up until the end of 2017, Tuktoyaktuk was only accessible via boat, plane, or a winter ice road. Now, thanks to the newly opened Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, Tuktoyaktuk can be reached year-round by vehicles and is officially Canada’s first highway to the Arctic.

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Best Things To Do in Nova Scotia

By Matthew G. Bailey 161 Comments

Things to Do in Nova Scotia Last Updated: September 5th, 2022

From the Atlantic Ocean to the wine region of Annapolis, Nova Scotia is an incredible province to explore. For anyone looking for that maritime charm, this province has a lot to offer, and we’ve broken it down into a comprehensive list of the best things to do in Nova Scotia.

Located on the Eastern edge of Canada, Nova Scotia is easily visited from Quebec, New Brunswick, and even the USA.

Explore Canada’s top national historic site in Halifax or walk around the charming streets of Lunenburg. Drive one of the country’s top road trips in Cape Breton, or go rafting on some of the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy.

With so many attractions in Nova Scotia, this province is bound to become one of your favourite places in the country. Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the coastline, or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide.

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48 of the Best THINGS TO DO in British Columbia

By Matthew G. Bailey 99 Comments

Whale Watching Vancouver Island Port Renfrew Canada
Watching Orca whales off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.

Updated: January 31st, 2022

There are so many incredible things to do in British Columbia. From lush rainforest to high mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia is an incredible province to explore. Living next door in Alberta, we’ve been to BC many times and have experienced it from north to south and from east to west.

Although British Columbia is home to the mildest climate in Canada, it’s also about as diverse as it gets. From being able to go surfing and skiing (possibly during the same day) to being able to hike some of Canada’s tallest mountains or exploring one of North America’s most dense cities, BC is a treasure trove for tourists and locals alike.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the mountains, the ocean or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of British Columbia.

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The ULTIMATE Guide to the Best Things To Do in Newfoundland

By Matthew G. Bailey 153 Comments

best things to do in newfoundland
Colourful fishing village near St. john’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

Last updated: April 20th, 2022

Best Things To Do in Newfoundland

Easily one of our favourite provinces to explore, Newfoundland is an incredible place to add to your Canadian bucket list. We’ve visited Newfoundland many times and from May 15th to May 27th, 2017, Newfoundland became the first part of our 150-day Canada road trip travel series. We experienced icebergs, kitchen parties, history, and gorgeous landscapes. We also experienced a mix of sun, wind, rain, fog, and cloudy weather. This is all part of visiting Canada’s most Easterly province during the month of May. However, this is when icebergs begin to make their way down the Atlantic and one of the few places in the world where you can see them in all their glory.

Newfoundland is such an incredible place to explore and it is quite unique compared to the rest of Canada. We were blown away with the hospitality of the locals and by their eagerness to help us experience their great province in various ways. From the moment we touched down in St. John’s, people helped organize parties, tours, and activities all across the province, and some even took us out for dinner.

Newfoundland really is a special place. Whether you’re looking for icebergs, wildlife, incredible scenery, stunning hikes, delicious food, or a joyful atmosphere, Newfoundland is the place to be.

When planning a trip to Newfoundland, it’s always helpful to know what are the best things to do. We have a number of articles about Newfoundland on this site but this one is dedicated to showcasing some of the best things to do in the entire province, most of which have been experienced by us. We hope this becomes a great travel guide for your next trip to Newfoundland.

We hope you enjoy the article and we hope we inspire you to visit this wonderful province. 

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How to Plan the Ultimate Canada Road Trip

By Matthew G. Bailey 9 Comments

things to do in alberta road trips

Even though we love to jump on planes and travel around the world, our favourite form of travel is a good old classic road trip. There’s something special about being in control of your own transportation and being able to go wherever you want, whether that’s a small town, a big city, or an off-the-beaten-path gem. There’s also something great about stuffing what you need into a car and not worrying about baggage restrictions, lost luggage, and people throwing away your cologne and hand creams.

Road trips are a popular mode of travel in many countries around the world but there’s hardly a better place than Canada. As the worlds second largest country, Canada is best explored by vehicle. The Trans-Canada Highway runs all the way from Newfoundland to British Columbia, paving a path of more than 7,800 kilometres. Then there’s the North, which is now connected by road all the way to the arctic ocean in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. There’s major cities, small towns, and breath-taking scenery all along the way. [Read more…] about How to Plan the Ultimate Canada Road Trip

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

What Makes Canada Special?

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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?

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.

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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

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!

Canada Road Trip | Our 150-Day Schedule

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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