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The Best Things to Do in Canada

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Hiking Near Montreal

By Darren Penney Leave a Comment

Looking for the best hiking near Montreal? You’ve come to the right place!

Hiking near Montreal: La Roche Lookout in Mont Tremblant National Park.
Hiking near Montreal: La Roche Lookout in Mont Tremblant National Park.

Infused with European vibes, Montreal is home to some seriously charming sights such as the Old Montreal neighbourhood and the Old Port of Montreal. But while the city is packed with plenty to keep you entertained, sometimes you just need to escape the daily grind. What better way to do that than to plug into nature, right? 

Well, the good news is that Montreal offers easy access to some truly epic hiking trails. Plus, you don’t need to be super experienced since the city is surrounded by hiking trails for all fitness levels. Whether you’re just looking for a relaxing nature walk, a full-on mountain challenge, or a more moderate hike punctuated by scenic views, there is lots of spots to go hiking near Montreal for everyone.

So, pack a picnic, grab your best hiking shoes, and get ready to hit those trails. These are the top places to go hiking near Montreal!

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How to Enjoy Banff in the Winter

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Banff in the Winter - Matthew Bailey of Must Do Canada

As one of Canada’s most popular destinations, Banff needs no introduction. Not only was it Canada’s first national park but also the world’s third. It’s home to some of the best scenery in the world and is a true paradise for anyone interested in outdoor adventure. Although it’s busiest during the summer months, Banff in the winter is about as spectacular as winter in Canada gets.

Banff in the winter is like stepping into a winter wonderland with snow-capped mountains, a snow-dusted forest, charming streets, and all sorts of winter attractions ranging from ice castles to world-class skiing and more. As much as we love Banff in the summer, we actually prefer it in the winter. Not only are hotels cheaper and easier to come by, but nothing can quite compare to a town like Banff covered in white sparkling snow. Even my mother-in-law who hails from Mexico prefers the winter months, despite the often bone-chilling temperatures. Imagine yourself inside a snow globe. That’s Banff in the winter.

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Calgary to Banff

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Calgary to Banff Downtown

Last updated: April 2nd, 2023

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

Calgary’s National Music Centre Offers Backstage Pass Tour

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Studio Bell Calgary
Looking up at Studio Bell, Calgary, Alberta.

Since opening its doors in 2016, the National Music Centre’s Studio Bell has been one of Calgary’s hottest attractions. Housed in one of the cities most stunning buildings, the NMC brings musical education to the masses, including Canada’s Music Hall of Fame, interactive educational programming, artist incubation, and over 2,000 rare instruments and artifacts such as the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and one of Elton John’s pianos.

For those who want more, the National Music Centre also offers the Backstage Pass Tour, an incredible way to experience the studios where musicians record, a variety of musical instruments from this century and many before it, and even an up close and personal look at the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio, a unique setup that was used by some of the worlds most famous bands and Canadian musicians, including Dire Straits, Deep Purple, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden. [Read more…] about Calgary’s National Music Centre Offers Backstage Pass Tour

Welcome to MUST DO CANADA!

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Welcome to Must Do Canada, a site dedicated to the ultimate best adventures one should experience north of the border. Canada is a massive and diverse country ranging from the deserts of southern B.C. to the near 24-hour darkness of the Northwest Territories winters. You can go world-class scuba diving off the Vancouver coast and gaze at bright green northern lights in the mighty Yukon. You can test your french in Quebec City or become a cowboy at the one and only Calgary Stampede. You can watch for polar bears in northern Manitoba or follow Cabot Trail in beautiful Newfoundland. You can also take part in skiing many of the world’s best mountains in western Alberta.

The adventures are endless in Canada and that’s why we’ve come together to display the very best of the best. An easy way for you to see what’s available in this amazing country and the inspiration to get your involved.

We hope to complete a 90-day cross-country road trip from June to September 2013 to literally try as many of the coolest experiences out there and write about them personally to give you an in-depth perspective as to what it was like. We want to capture the beauty and contrast of it all by taking stunning photographs and displaying them for all to see and to share. We also want to create a fun community where you can come out and enjoy the adventures with us as well as recommending some local favourites along the way.

The site is just as much for Canadians as it is for world travellers who are coming to visit. For Canadians who want to see just what’s offered in their backyard and for the distant traveler who has always dreamed of visiting this northern frontier.

Whether your arriving in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, or St.Johns; Whether your looking to go up north to the Yukon or Nunavut; Whether your looking to ski the Rocky Mountains or try Montreal’s famous smoked meat or poutine; You’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to Must Do Canada!