Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

Summer

Three Day Jasper Itinerary

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Our trip began under a blanket of clouds but it wasn’t long before they opened up to reveal the mighty peaks that make the Icefields Parkway so famous. Known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, it didn’t take long to understand why. Snow-capped mountains, lush pine valleys, sparkling glaciers, and turquoise-coloured lakes are just some of the attractions that make the drive so spectacular.

Although the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper only takes three hours, you’ll want to double that for the many scenic stops you’ll be making along the way. While it’s incredibly easy to keep busy for weeks in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, we only had three days and decided to pack them with as much activities and scenery as possible. [Read more…] about Three Day Jasper Itinerary

Mountain Biking and Grizzly Bears at Kicking Horse Resort

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Kicking Horse Resort Panorama Photo

I’ve been riding mountain bikes ever since I was a kid but this was the first time I rode one down an actual mountain. For those looking for a mountain-rush during the summer, I can’t think of a better way. For me, going downhill with a bike versus ski’s is much more terrifying…but I was up for the challenge.

First, my wife Karla and I wanted to see Boo, the resident Grizzly bear. Since Karla wasn’t going to be joining me for the mountain biking, we decided to explore the Grizzly refuge in the morning. Plus, this is when Boo is more active. I don’t blame him. With 25ºC weather and a thick fur coat, I wouldn’t want to be under the sun either. [Read more…] about Mountain Biking and Grizzly Bears at Kicking Horse Resort

Exploring Kicking Horse Resort Via Ferrata

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

suspension bride kicking horse resort

There’s something special about looking down at the Columbia Valley from 7,700 feet. The blue-tinged river snaking its way around the lush green valley and the seemingly endless array of mountains surrounding my 360-degree view. Then again, I’m actually hanging off one of the mountains as I make my way up to Terminator Peak via Ferrata.

New to Kicking Horse Resort (created in 2015), the Via Ferrata is a great activity for thrill-seekers looking for a chance to experience mountain climbing with few of the risks. I love trying new things so it wasn’t hard to convince myself to go. My wife, Karla, joined as well.

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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

Exploring Wainwright | Small Town Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Wainwright Trestle Bridge

Wainwright is not normally a town I’d pass through. Situated in east-central Alberta, it’s quite far from the typical star attractions such as Banff National Park, Jasper, and Calgary. However, in the last few years, I’ve acted in a couple of live military role-play training exercises, which just so happen to be at the Wainwright military base. Since I was going to be in the area anyway, I thought I’d take the opportunity to explore the town deeper and to really experience a piece of small-town Alberta.

Exploring Wainwright, Alberta

Normally I research, plan and book my trips myself but this time I decided to contact the town of Wainwright who put me in touch with the Buffalo National Park Foundation. This lead me to Nichole Leitheiser, the executive director of the foundation, who graciously offered to show my wife and I around. This worked out great because when it comes to small towns, it’s often the people who make the place special.

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Experiencing Humanity at Winnipeg’s Museum for Human Rights

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

Human Rights Museum Winnipeg

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

I was told that the most impressive feature of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights was the building itself but this couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, the building is gorgeous. It was carefully and thoughtfully designed by Antoine Predock, who incorporated meaning into every facet of the facility. From the darkness of humanity simulated by beginning the museum partially underground to the beacon of light symbolized by reaching the top floor with expansive views of the city, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an architectural marvel.

However, the museum itself is equally fantastic. I thought that one 3-hour morning would be enough but that wasn’t the case. If you really want to dive into everything, you’ll need longer. I decided to jump on the 1.5-hour tour, which is a great way to get oriented with the museum and its different floors. The tour gives you insight into the building, the layout, the galleries and the intention of the museum. Unlike most museums that layout artifacts and historic items, this museum is designed to provoke discussion and inspiration into the movement of humanity.

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Finding True Music at the Winnipeg Folk Fest

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

It was my first folk fest and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Actually, I had never camped at a music festival before. I have been to Burning Man, which is absolutely amazing, and I’ve been to one-day music festivals as well but this would be my first time at a true music festival.

Winnipeg Folk Festival Tickets

I had heard something about the Winnipeg Folk Fest being one of the best folk festivals on the continent and that was enough to peek my interest. It’s a festival. It’s camping. It’s music. Count me in.

Tucked into beautiful Birds Hill Provincial Park, the festival makes its mark among wide open fields and trees. We opted to camp in the festival camping area so that we could be closer to the event and closer to the party. After arriving, we trekked over a kilometre with all our stuff (the only part of the event I wasn’t a big fan of) and found a great little spot in the middle of a patch of trees where we could pitch our tent. We were lucky because many campers arrived a day before us. Maybe they wanted to be out in the open field under the scorching sun? I wanted shade and I was already dreaming of an inflated air mattress and throwing myself onto it for a quick break.

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Walking through Historic Quebec City

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

quebec city wall mural

Quebec City is a magical place in Canada. First, it’s just different than the rest of the country. It feels like you’re in Europe more than North America. Secondly, it’s full of history. Whether your walking around the walled city of Old Quebec, taking a picture of the famous Fairmont Frontenac or strolling through the plains of Abraham, You’re bound to enjoy your time in this wonderful city.

My family and I were visiting Quebec City in late July as we drove across the country. I was excited to see Quebec City and walk the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec. We used Priceline to our advantage and scored the Best Western Plus, which was only a 20-minute walk from the heart of the city. For a room that was normally $170 per night, $80 was a great deal!

We had two days to wander around before we went up north to Tadoussac for some whale watching. Our days were packed full of activities. [Read more…] about Walking through Historic Quebec City

Three Moose and a Mountain | Hiking Gros Morne, Newfoundland

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Gros Morne National Park Hiking

It surprises me that after visiting Newfoundland more than a dozen times, I had never hiked their treasured UNESCO World Heritage site. When I look back though, I was never as adventurous as I am now. With a curiosity and passion to visit the most beautiful places on earth, it was without a doubt that I would hike Gros Morne National Park on my latest visit to the rock.

Located on the West coast of Newfoundland, Gros Morne is the provinces second tallest mountain, standing tall at 806 m. Created from eroded remnants of a mountain range formed more than 1.2 billion years ago, Gros Morne is an exquisite and rare example of continental drift, a process where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle are exposed.

In other words, it’s gorgeous and educational.

Gros Morne Summit

We were lucky to arrive on a hot sunny day, something rare in this “neck of the woods”. After purchasing our park ticket and getting some great advice from one of the friendly park rangers, we headed to the base of Gros Morne mountain to prepare for our climb. We packed plenty of water, some protein bars, and fruit and of course, a good camera.

The beginning of the climb was nice and shady with the trail taking us over freshwater streams and plenty of vegetation. We also took the time to read some information signs, where we learned that …

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Kayaking Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

hopewell rocks, new brunswick

Stunning.

The only word I could think of as I glanced out over the Bay of Fundy near Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick. The water was as smooth as glass, with a calming light-coloured background of blue hues.

Stunning.

Although I had gone to simple see the rocks and the rising tide, I was actually more amused by the hundreds of shorebirds silently flying across the bay just inches from touching the water. I really fell in love with these little birds, catching them in their annual migration down south. I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the absolutely majestic scenery. Everything was so silent and so smooth.

Then I looked beside me.

hopewell rocks new brunswick

 

Towering next to me was the equally impressive Hopewell Rocks; a series of wonderful rock formation caused by tidal erosion. The biggest attraction in this neck of the woods is the largest ocean tides in the world. This area in particular rises and falls an average of 35 feet, twice per day. [Read more…] about Kayaking Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick

Little Chicago – Learning About Scarface in the Tunnels of Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

 

tunnels of moose jaw

It’s not what I expected in the little town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Who would have thought that a gangster from Chicago, Al Capone, would be bootlegging alcohol in tunnels under Moose Jaw?

It must have been a big change for Mr. Capone, who was raised in New York and then controlled Chicago’s crime scene, to visit a town hundreds of times smaller.

My family and I arrived at 7 PM for the Chicago Connection Tour. We were guided across the street where we met Miss Fanny, otherwise known as the lady of the bar. The tour is an interactive show with a couple of actors who do a great job at entertaining, complete with old Chicago accents and lingo.

Gangster

We were shown a quick video in the bar that gave us some history of Al Capone and the alcohol bootlegging industry. We were then treated as bootleggers ourselves and brought into the tunnels to meet gangster Gus, who guided us through the rest of the tunnels. The accents were great. The way it’s all organized is great. There was suspense. Some people even got scared (like my mom).

All in all, it was a great show and if you ever find yourself passing through southern Saskatchewan, it’s worth the visit.

You can also enjoy a latte across the street where the tour begins.

Learn more at www.tunnelsofmoosejaw.com.

Have you been to the tunnels of Moose Jaw before?