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81 Fun and Interesting Ontario Facts

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Things to do in Toronto

If you’re looking for some cool Ontario facts, you’ve come to the right place.

Thanks to the huge city of Toronto, the capital city of Ottawa, and the stunning natural wonder of Niagara Falls, Ontario is one of the most famous provinces in Canada. But the province is much more than major cities. The varied landscapes of Ontario include the mineral-rich Canadian Shield, a tremendous amount of forests, and more than 250,000 lakes. It’s also the second-largest province in Canada with Quebec to the east and Manitoba to the west. 

Ontario is also the economic powerhouse of Canada with industries ranging from cultivating crops, mining minerals, manufacturing automobiles, designing software and leading-edge technology, and much more. It’s also one of the most multicultural places on Earth and is home to many festivals such as Caribbean Carnival, Oktoberfest and the Canadian Aboriginal Festival. It’s also home to more than one-third of Canada’s population.

Almost everyone has heard about the city of Toronto and the beauty of Niagara Falls, but after learning about these unique, cool, and interesting facts about Ontario, you’ll know more than almost anyone about this massive Canadian province. So whether you’re looking for facts about Lake Ontario or about one of its major cities, we’ve got you covered! [Read more…] about 81 Fun and Interesting Ontario Facts

89 Fun and Interesting Alberta Facts

By Matthew G. Bailey 9 Comments

Siffleur Falls Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
The stunning scenery in David Thompson Country, just east of the Icefields Parkway.

Interested in some really cool, insightful, and interesting Alberta facts?

Last year, I wrote an article about more than 200 interesting facts about Canada and it instantly became a hit. It turns out that I’m not the only one interested in the cool and fun facts about this massive country. But why stop there! 

Having lived in Alberta for 36 years, I’ve learned a lot about this province. But when it comes to cool Alberta facts, I know about as much as the average Albertan and Canadian – next to nothing. So I wanted to search far and wide to find out some of the coolest, weirdest, most unusual interesting facts about Alberta. Some of them I knew just by growing up here. Some I learned by travelling so much around the province. Others came from books, websites, and the wide web of Google. It’s mind-boggling how deep the rabbit hole can go when it comes to Alberta facts. 

There are a lot of interesting, strange, and super cool Alberta facts out there. I found so many that I actually struggled with how to lay them out to be read easily. In the end, I think I found a way, separating them into various categories, including general history, parks and wildlife, cities, small towns, natural disasters, and more. 

I hope you enjoy learning about Alberta and please feel free to leave a comment, whether it’s about something I missed or something you know that I don’t. I also want to make a note that facts can change over time. For example, West Edmonton Mall used to the world’s largest mall but is now only North America’s largest mall. That may change again. If something is outdated, please let me know in the comments or by sending us an email.

But enough chit-chat, let’s get into it!

[Read more…] about 89 Fun and Interesting Alberta Facts

How to Enjoy the Summer in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Crescent Falls Alberta

Last updated: September 1, 2020

Summer in Canada might be short, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. Whether you’re looking to get outdoors or explore one of Canada’s world-class cities, the summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Summer in Canada is also the most popular time to visit, not only due to the pleasant weather but also due to the wide range of activities, including city tours, water sports, hiking, road trips and more.

However, this also means that summer in Canada is the busiest time to visit. Even though winter in Canada is remarkably beautiful, it’s also a much more difficult time to visit, due to the cold weather and the slippery roads. Most tourists visit during the summer to avoid the harsh weather and enjoy the super long days of a Canadian summer. This means that accommodation prices are often higher, tourist attractions are busier, and costs are generally more expensive all across the board.

Either way, a summer in Canada should not be missed. Whether it’s kayaking one of our millions of lakes, exploring our vibrant downtown cores, or simply enjoying a bright sunny day that doesn’t end until close to midnight, there’s a reason why both Canadians and visitors can’t wait for the warmer months to arrive. [Read more…] about How to Enjoy the Summer in Canada

201+ Weird, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 10 Comments

Fun facts about Canada at the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Learning RCMP facts about Canada while dressing up as mounties at the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina.

Facts about Canada Updated September 1st, 2021

This article was inspired by Canada’s 153rd birthday. Really, it was inspired by Canada Day in general, but because the 153rd celebrations were cancelled due to Covid, it gave us a chance to do some research and think of another way to shine a light on this massive country. So, I got out some books, made friends with Google, and searched far and wide to find some of the coolest, weirdest, most unusual, and just pure awesome interesting facts about Canada. I thought this would be a great way to celebrate July 1st and just a really cool read for anyone interested in Canada, whether you’re local or not. [Read more…] about 201+ Weird, Fun, and Interesting Facts About Canada

Calgary to Jasper in 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

best things to do in alberta
An aerial view of Jasper National Parks reveals the beautiful colours of the fall.

Last updated: December 3rd, 2020

For those visiting or living in Calgary, you’re in an incredible place. There are so many epic road trips that start from Calgary, and quite possibly the best one of them all is the drive from Calgary to Jasper.

Located in the foothills just next to the Canadian Rockies, Calgary is a great base for exploring some of Canada’s best scenery, including Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and so many others. Wow, that’s a lot of national parks.

What’s awesome about driving from Calgary to Jasper is that first, you have to drive from Calgary to Banff! Driving from Calgary to Banff is already an epic road trip in and of itself but now you get to extend it and go even deeper in the majestic Rocky Mountains.

There are so many things to do in Jasper and in Banff. Whether you’re interested in hiking, mountain biking, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fishing, or delicious restaurants, Jasper has something for everyone. While we certainly recommend taking some time to experience some of the awesome things to do in Calgary as well, the goal of this travel guide is to help you get from Calgary to Jasper. [Read more…] about Calgary to Jasper in 2021

Winter in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

things to do in panorama Bc

Last updated: February 2nd, 2020

Winter in Canada might be chilly, but it has plenty to offer both the adventure seeker and the city slicker. Travelers who visit Canada in the winter typically do so for winter activities like skiing and snowboarding, but even those who aren’t cold weather fans will find plenty of reasons to enjoy the winter in Canada. For one, the scenery is spectacular during the winter as it becomes covered in a layer of sparkling snow.

It’s also a great time of year for budget-conscious travelers as most places see a sharp discount on hotel prices and airfare. Even in popular towns like Banff, Alberta, hotel prices are often 50-70% cheaper than in the summer months. Plus, there’s lots of availability for you to pick and choose. [Read more…] about Winter in Canada

Christmas in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

best things to do in whistler
Whistler village at dusk – Photo provided by Tourism Whistler and taken by photographer Mike Crane.

Last updated: February 2nd, 2020

Despite Christmas taking place in many warm countries around the world, it’s often marketed everywhere as a white Christmas, full of snow, Christmas lights, and various decorations. Growing up in Canada, this is how Christmas actually is. However, I found it interesting that my family-in-law living in Mexico had never seen or experienced a white Christmas and yet, all the movies and commercials they watched advertised it this way. Then, when they spent winter in Canada one year, they finally got to see a white Christmas, with lots of snow, lights, and winter activities. They even cried when a snowflake landed in their hands.

Canada is a special place to experience Christmas. In fact, we wrote about the many places you can experience Christmas in Canada, but now we’d like to talk about what Christmas is like for most Canadians. [Read more…] about Christmas in Canada

Calgary to Lake Louise in 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

things to do in lake louise

Last updated: April 2nd, 2021

Lake Louise, which is also named Lake of the Little Fishes by the Stoney Nakota First Nations people, is a vibrant turquoise glacial-fed lake in Banff National Park and is one of the most visited destinations in all of Canada. In the summer, you’ll find people canoeing across the lake or hiking up one of the mountains whereas in the winter it becomes a frozen skating rink and home to the incredible Ice Magic Festival.

Living in Calgary, we drive to Banff and Lake Louise a lot. After all, it’s one of the most scenic destinations in the world and it’s only two hours away! There are so many things to do in Banff National Park and in Lake Louise, so whether you’re wanting to just admire the lake from the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or go for a hike into the thick pine forest, visiting Lake Louise is an absolute MUST-DO when exploring the Canadian Rockies.

In this article, we’re going to share with you all the different ways you can get from Calgary to Lake Louise, Alberta.

[Read more…] about Calgary to Lake Louise in 2021

What to Wear for the Winter Season in Canada

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

how to dress for winter in canada

Last updated: February 2nd, 2020

Oh, Canada. Massive, beautiful, and incredibly diverse, not only with its people but also with its nature and geography. It’s one of the wildest countries on Earth, and yet it’s such an easy place to travel around and explore. It’s home to four incredible and totally distinct seasons – Spring, summer, fall, and winter. It’s one of the few countries on Earth where summers can reach temperatures of 40 degrees Celcius and then switch to the exact opposite just a few months later, with temperatures reaching lows of -40 degrees Celcius in the winter. [Read more…] about What to Wear for the Winter Season in Canada

Calgary to Banff in 2021

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Calgary to Banff Downtown

Last updated: April 2nd, 2021

As Calgarians, we drive to Banff a lot. After all, it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth and it’s only 1.5 hours away! Banff is the main town within Banff National Park, Canada’s first, largest, and most visited National Park. For anyone travelling to this side of Canada, Banff and the Canadian Rockies, in general, are an absolute Must-Do!

There are so many things to do in Banff. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fishing, scenic road trips, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, or general sightseeing tours, Banff has something for everyone. While we certainly recommend spending some time to experience some of the incredible things to do in Calgary as well, the goal of many visitors is to make it out to this natural gem.

However, you might be wondering how to go from Calgary to Banff. In this article, we’re going to share with you all the different ways you can make it out to Banff, Canmore, and beyond. [Read more…] about Calgary to Banff in 2021