Summer

The Best Things to Do in Ottawa, Ontario

September 3, 2019 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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Things to do in St Pierre and Miquelon – North America’s France

August 27, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 21 Comments

Last updated: January 4th, 2021

From the moment you step on to St Pierre and Miquelon, you’ll know you’re not in Canada anymore. Little Peugeots and Renaults cruise the roads while ATMs spit out euros. French flags flap in the wind and suddenly everyone speaks French.

It’s a true taste of France just twenty-five kilometres from Newfoundland. Most people, including Canadians, have no idea that “Europe” is so close.

St. Pierre & Miquelon is a self-governing French territory accessible by ferry from Newfoundland or by plane from St. John’s, Halifax, Montreal, and even Paris. You’ll find baguettes, croissants, and Bordeaux. The time zone is different, the electrical outlets are different, and if you leave your cell phone on, you’ll be charged international rates.

There are essentially two islands – Saint Pierre and Miquelon. St. Pierre is the smaller island but is the most populated and developed, with approximately 5500 residents. Miquelon is much bigger in size but has only 600 residents or so, making it far wilder.

There’s also Langlade, which is connected to Miquelon by a beautiful sand bar. No one lives here but there are some summer cabins. Both Miquelon and Langlade are great for exploring the landscape, hiking, and bird-watching. Saint Pierre, however, is better if you’re looking for that “french town” feel, as well as history and culture.

Aspen Crossing – Scenic Train Excursions in the Alberta Prairies

August 13, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Last updated: March 20th, 2020

Located less than an hour southeast of Calgary in Mossleigh, Alberta, Aspen Crossing offers guests the chance to experience a train ride through the beautiful Alberta prairies while enjoying themed excursions, delicious food, music, and more. It’s become a very popular day-trip getaway for Calgarians and has quickly become a major tourist destination in Southern Alberta. [Read more…] about Aspen Crossing – Scenic Train Excursions in the Alberta Prairies

Rocky Mountain House Alberta Road Trip

July 30, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

(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

Experiencing Newfoundland’s Iceberg Festival

July 9, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Last updated: March 20th, 2020

Smack dab at the top of Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, St. Anthony’s is a great place to experience Newfoundland culture during the Iceberg Festival. Beginning around early to mid-June, the Iceberg Festival was built to celebrate the arrival of the icebergs and offers a unique chance to experience Newfoundland culture that few tourists would see otherwise. Since we had only four days to explore the festival, we reached out to the Viking Trail Tourism who agreed to help us out with an itinerary and to help sponsor our visit.

We began our drive up the coast on June 12th, as the rain poured down. Spring is an unpredictable season in Newfoundland, and the chances of getting rainy, cloudy, and foggy days are higher than in the summer. It’s all part of the experience though if you’re hoping to see icebergs. After all, these are gigantic ice cubes. [Read more…] about Experiencing Newfoundland’s Iceberg Festival

Newfoundland Travel – The Viking Trail

June 25, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 12 Comments

Snaking its way along the Northern peninsula coast, the Viking Trail is one of Canada’s best road trips. At 489 km, the journey can be done in as little as five hours. However, to truly appreciate what the route had to offer, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can. With so many scenic communities, coastline, historical sites, and majestic Gros Morne National Park, one could spend an entire month here and not get bored. Whether you love nature, culture, wildlife, or simply a scenic drive, the Viking Trail is one for the bucket list. [Read more…] about Newfoundland Travel – The Viking Trail

Four Ways to Enjoy the Great Sandhills Saskatchewan

June 11, 2019 By Christine Broderick 8 Comments

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

May 28, 2019 By Megan Kopp 4 Comments

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

How to Plan the Ultimate Canada Road Trip

May 14, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 9 Comments

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 Stonehammer Geopark in New Brunswick

April 16, 2019 By Alison Cornford-Matheson Leave a Comment

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

Things To Do In Golden BC

March 19, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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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Lake Superior Circle Tour in Canada

January 22, 2019 By Kristal 5 Comments

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

January 8, 2019 By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

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

December 25, 2018 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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Unique Canadian Wine – Tantalizing Tastebuds in Three Wine Regions of Canada

November 27, 2018 By Matt Browman Leave a Comment

If you’re already visiting wine country, you may as well venture off the main tasting routes of icewine, chardonnay, riesling, cabernet, and the pinots and try some truly unique wines from truly unique people. And these aren’t your “we do it differently but they taste weird” wines. These are outstanding examples from proven masters.

Whether you’re in looking for Okanagan wine tours, Niagara wine tours, or Nova Scotia wine tours, these three wineries will introduce you to something different.

Hiking Newfoundland – Five Great Hiking Trails

October 2, 2018 By Leigh McAdam 2 Comments

Hiking in Canada is a very popular thing to do and Newfoundland is blessed with an abundance of excellent hiking trails, usually with a backdrop of rugged, world-class scenery. But there’s a downside – though only if you’re short on time. Many of the trails are some distance from each other. From my experience, the best hiking is along the East Coast Trail – not far from the capital of St. John’s and in Gros Morne National Park. There are a couple of other hiking trails in newfoundland you could access if you’re planning a drive across the province.

These five Newfoundland hikes are some of the best in the province…

Sugarloaf Path

The Sugarloaf Path is but one section of the 265-kilometre East Coast Trail Newfoundland. It’s one of the prettiest sections of the trail that can be done as a one-way day trip from St. John’s. I recommend either a shuttle should you have two cars or a 15-minute taxi ride to the Logy Bay trailhead at the Ocean Science’s Centre.

The East Coast Trail Association rates this hike as a difficult one, largely because the elevation gain is more than 150 metres. In my books, coming from the Rockies I’d give it a moderate rating. Allow four to five hours, more if you’re an avid photographer.

From the trailhead, it’s 8.8 kilometres to the scenic Quidi Vidi village. Along the way, it’s non-stop rugged coastal views with stunning cliffs and a good chance of iceberg sightings if you visit in June. Birders will love all the activity along this hike.

While in theory, the hike finishes in Quidi Vidi, I’d recommend adding another four kilometres and a little more than an hour of hiking time to finish in downtown St. John’s. There is the option of picking up a bus from the village as well. Look for the signs directing you to the Cuckold Cove Trail. Follow it to Signal Hill and from there into the city. [Read more…] about Hiking Newfoundland – Five Great Hiking Trails

The Best Place for Vancouver Whale Watching

September 2, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

Last updated: March 13th, 2020

It wasn’t long before a black dorsal fin broke through the water. Like a sharp blade, it sparkled as the sunlight hit the beads of water falling from the fin and back into the Pacific Ocean. It’s an incredible experience to see these beautiful whales off the coast of Vancouver and there’s really no better place to see them in the wild.

It was an incredibly lucky day for everyone on the water. It wasn’t more than 20-minutes from the time we left the pier before the first killer whale graced us with its presence. It was a quick start to what turned out to be an unforgettable day. Over the next three hours, we must have seen various orca whales breach the surface more than 100 times. [Read more…] about The Best Place for Vancouver Whale Watching

Exploring Nahanni National Park, The Worlds First UNESCO World Heritage Site

August 21, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

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

Ha Ling Peak – One of the Best Kananaskis Hikes

August 4, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey

For a couple that lives just over an hour from the Canadian Rockies, we haven’t done as much hiking as we should be. It’s almost ironic that my first big hike was actually in New Zealand when I went overseas for my first six-month solo adventure. When I told people where I was from, they were surprised to hear that I had not done many hikes. After all, Banff hiking trails are some of the best in the world. It’s the Rockies! At the same time, New Zealand is just as beautiful and lacks bears, cougars, wolves, and other dangerous animals. That’s mostly what kept me off of the trails. As I thought about it though, I realized that if I can love scuba diving with sharks, I should be okay doing some hiking near Banff National Park. So, that’s what we did. We made it a mission to do at least one or two hikes each summer. [Read more…] about Ha Ling Peak – One of the Best Kananaskis Hikes

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

July 18, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

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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Four Ways to Enjoy the Natural Side of Lethbridge Canada

July 17, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

It was pretty cool to go back to Lethbridge, Alberta and take the time to see what their nature is like. After all, I lived there for four months when I went to the University of Lethbridge and never took the time to explore the natural side of Lethbridge.

I had always admired the coulee’s, a beautiful landscape formation that looks like a series of small hills. They create a canyon-like valley, which is stunning to explore. Since the coulee area is the most scenic area in the city of Lethbridge, we focused our time there, checking out the various things to do. [Read more…] about Four Ways to Enjoy the Natural Side of Lethbridge Canada

History, Culture, and the RCMP Musical Ride – Experience Fort Macleod

July 17, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

I can’t even remember how many times I’ve driven through the town of Fort Macleod, Alberta. Having gone to Lethbridge for school, and to visit friends, I’ve driven from Calgary to Lethbridge dozens of times and never took the time to stop and see what Fort Macleod had to offer. It’s a very small town and there’s this old fort I always drove by, which made me curious as to what lay behind the wooden posts. Well, I finally had the chance to check it out, and it’s really quite impressive.

The Fort, which is home to the Museum of the Northwest Mountain Police and First Nations Interpretive Centre, is situated just 30-minutes west of Lethbridge and 1.5 hours south of Calgary. For those driving from Calgary to Lethbridge, you’ll literally pass right by the main doors if you drive through Fort Macleod. For those of you interested in Alberta history, the RCMP, vintage artifacts, and/or horses, this is one place to add to your bucket list. [Read more…] about History, Culture, and the RCMP Musical Ride – Experience Fort Macleod

Standing on Top of Canada’s Deadliest Landslide at Frank Slide, Alberta

July 11, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Today, Frank is a very small town in Southern Alberta, but back in the early 1900s, people thought it was going to be the next Pittsburgh. Due to its rich mining industry, people were coming from all over the place in hopes of creating a better life. Then, in 1903, the mountain tumbled down with 82 million tonnes of limestone rock covering up more than three square kilometres of the valley below, claiming more than 90 lives in the process. It was a devastating morning that changed the town of Frank forever.

More than 100 years later, Frank Slide is a “bucket list” attraction, teaching people Frank Slide facts while providing dramatic views of the landslide itself. For me, it was mesmerizing to be standing on the rubble that once crowned the top of Turtle Mountain. We started off with the free “Drive Through the Slide” tour, which is basically a self-driving tour through the original road that was covered up by the landslide. Along the way, we stopped the vehicle to read the info-signs provided by the interpretive centre. At one point, we were standing in the closest place that didn’t get struck by the landslide. It’s truly hard to believe that I could have been standing here back in 1903 and had the landslide go whizzing right by me. Can you imagine that? Our next stop was where they found some skeletons in one of the houses that got demolished. In fact, there are skeletons still underneath the rock. There was just no way to find them all. [Read more…] about Standing on Top of Canada’s Deadliest Landslide at Frank Slide, Alberta

Campfires Under the Northern Lights in Whitehorse, Yukon

April 10, 2018 By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

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

Five Things To Do In Inuvik, Northwest Territories

December 26, 2017 By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

Nestled along the beautiful Mackenzie Delta 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is a spectacular place to visit in Northern Canada

Getting here is equally an adventure. While you could just keep it simple and fly there, you can also drive the famous Dempster Highway, a 736 km gravel road taking you all the way from Dawson, Yukon to Inuvik, NWT. In fact, the newly opened Mackenzie Delta Highway takes you right to Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean!

We had the thrill of exploring Invuik and the area during our 150-day road trip across Canada and only wish we had more time to do all the amazing activities and excursions that are possible in the area.

Whether you’re visiting Inuvik for weeks or days, here are five things you shouldn’t miss.

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Seven Reasons to Visit Calgary (Besides the Stampede)

November 20, 2017 By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Situated in the foothills east of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary is home to beautiful scenery, festivals, and a variety of fun and interesting activities. The city is also famous for the Calgary Stampede, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during the month of July but while the Calgary Stampede is a great time to visit, there’s plenty of other things to do in Calgary that aren’t the stampede.

Whether you’re looking for museums, parks, or excitement, here are seven reasons to visit Calgary (besides the Calgary Stampede); [Read more…] about Seven Reasons to Visit Calgary (Besides the Stampede)

One Day in Yellowknife

October 22, 2017 By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Yellowknife, Canada’s Northwest Territories’ capital city, is the perfect blend of vast North Canadian nature and city life. Here you’ll find a variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, and festivals as well as numerous lakes and vast wilderness, making it a great base for adventure.

Most tourists use Yellowknife as a base for viewing the Northern Lights or for taking float planes to secluded lakes and other natural attractions. However, even if Canada’s “Diamond Capital” is just a base for further exploration, you really should explore the town and see what it has to offer.

We visited Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories during our 150-day road trip across Canada and really loved our time there. Due to our vehicle breaking down in Hay River, we only had one full day to explore the city, which was enough to see the key sites below.

One Day Itinerary for Exploring the Best of Yellowknife

Yellowknife isn’t a very big city but you’ll most likely need to take a cab to some areas, peddle a bike, or rent a car. There’s also public transportation. Depending on where you’re staying, ask the hotel and see what they recommend.

Stroll Through Old Town Yellowknife

Lovingly preserved, “Old Town” is where the original city of Yellowknife was founded. This area is primarily residential but is also home to some of the oldest businesses in the city. We really enjoyed walking around some of the old shacks and log buildings as well as eating lunch at the most famous restaurant in town – Bullocks’ Bistro. The atmosphere is really cool and the food is delicious. This is also where you’ll find the floatplanes, which can bring you all around the territories or for a scenic flightseeing tour over the area.

Peer Out Over the City from Bush Pilot’s Monument

Located on “The Rock” in Old Town, This is where to go for the best views over Yellowknife. You’ll see Great Slave Lake, Back Bay, Yellowknife Bay, Old Town Yellowknife, Jolliffe Island, and Frame Lake, as well as colourful houseboats, sailboats, and floatplanes. Highly recommended!

Get an Education at Prince of Wales Heritage Centre

This is the perfect place to learn about Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories in both the past and present with a lovely display of exhibits and collections that tell the stories about the land, the people, and the history of the territories’. It was so interesting to learn about the flora and fauna, as well as the minerals found in this part of Canada. We also viewed various artifacts made by local indigenous people, including a massive mooseskin canoe, which is a great display of human ingenuity!

Get into Nature

Hiking and Fishing are two activities that you need to experience in or around Yellowknife. There are various trails suitable for walking, jogging, and biking. However, be prepared to see wildlife, including black bears!

Fish are also abundant but make sure to get your fishing license before you go fishing and follow the catch limits for each type and area. There are a number of experienced fishermen in Yellowknife and surrounding areas that can take you out on their boat. You can also join a guided hiking tour with a local, if you’re not quite sure where to go.

Where to Stay

We always love to stay central and the Days Inn & Suites fit our style perfectly. Located right in the heart of downtown, this is a great option for people without a car. Not only are you walking distance to all the amenities you could possibly need but you’re also close to bars and clubs if you want to partake in the nightlife.

The rooms were clean, comfortable, and spacious. They also include free high-speed internet, a fitness centre, sauna, meeting space, and more.

For those arriving by air, the Day’s Inn & Suites also include a free airport shuttle.

Learn more at www.daysinnyellowknife.com

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Note: We visited Yellowknife during our 150-day multimedia road trip, which was sponsored by hundreds of companies coast to coast to coast. Some of the activities mentioned above, as well as the accommodation, was sponsored during our stay. However, all views are our own.

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Best Things to Do in Victoria BC – A Two Day Itinerary

October 19, 2017 By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

Known for its beautiful natural scenery, Victorian architecture, and world-famous gardens, Victoria is one of Canada’s top places to visit. It’s the capital of British Columbia and is also one of the few places in Canada that gets very little snow.

We toured Victoria during our 150-day road trip across Canada and instantly fell in love. We’ve even considered moving there. It’s such a beautiful city and so close to many outdoor adventures around the island.

While you could easily spend weeks soaking in the atmosphere of BC’s capital city, this Victoria itinerary below will help you make the most of two full glorious days in this beautiful Canadian coastal city.

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Canada Road Trip | Our 150-Day Schedule

May 14, 2017 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

10 Must Do Activities in British Columbia

January 30, 2017 By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

With Canada’s 150th upon us, a lot of people have Canada on their mind. From coast to coast, there are so many things to do. Let’s start with British Columbia. After asking a lot of travel bloggers what they feel are must-do activities in BC, this is what they said…

Ten Awesome Things to Do in British Columbia

West Coast Trail

Hike the West Coast Trail

(Recommended, written, and photographed by Emily of www.seehertravel.com)

The West Coast Trail is famous for so many reasons. The 77km trail along Vancouver Island’s South Western shoreline takes the adventurous hiker through old growth forest, rocky headlands, sandy beaches, and the rainforest BC is well known for. But the hike is not easy! 7 days of mud, roots, beach walking and ladders will have your body hurting but your soul full.

Every day on the trail is different, you never really know how the day will turn out. Maybe you will see breaching whales or spot soaring bald eagles high above. Maybe you will swim in Tsusiat Falls and wash your weary feet while enjoying the afternoon sun. Maybe you will get to eat a homemade burger at Chez Moniques!

Whatever the trail brings you, you may never totally be the same after reaching the end. After experiencing the harshness of the ocean weather and the terrain of the trail, successfully surviving the WCT makes you feel like you can now conquer anything. Physically you are done, but mentally and emotionally you are so charged up by the beauty of the backcountry that you feel like you can take on anything!

The beauty of British Columbia’s West Coast can be seen by anyone from a boat, car or a plane. But by hiking the WCT, you will truly become one with this pristine land and you will have a tremendous appreciation for the animals, the plants and the legends of this very special part of the world. [Read more…] about 10 Must Do Activities in British Columbia

Summer

Niagara Falls Facts

These five Newfoundland hikes are some of the best in the province…

One Day Itinerary for Exploring the Best of Yellowknife

Stroll Through Old Town Yellowknife

Peer Out Over the City from Bush Pilot’s Monument

Get an Education at Prince of Wales Heritage Centre

Get into Nature

Where to Stay

Ten Awesome Things to Do in British Columbia

Hike the West Coast Trail

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