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British Columbia

Victoria

The capital of British Columbia, it is a popular tourist destination. Located on Vancouver Island, across the Puget Sound from Seattle, it has many things to offer a tourist. A few must see sites include the Butchart Gardens, afternoon tea in 19th century hotel Fairmont Empress, the narrowest street in Chinatown, and whale watching tours. Just north of Victoria is the Pacific Rim National Park. Available to tourists here is Long Beach a great place to surf, as well as West Coast trail, a multi-day hike across the reserve. In addition, Pacific Rim has many kayaking areas to adventure in.

Vancouver

Called Hollywood North by Americans, this city has become the third largest film center in North America. An urban center just north of the Canadian-United States border, it is a must see city. Stanley Park is a large park just north of Vancouver proper, a park larger than New York City’s Central park. Also visit historical Gastown, Granville Island for the public market, Robson Street famous for its shopping, Capiliano Bridge and Grouse Mountain skyride.

Whistler

North American’s # 1 resort, there is always something to do year round. During the winter it is a hub of winter sports-- skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing-- but in the summer there is mountain biking, golfing, and hiking. Across two mountains is the Peak 2 Peak gondola, giving great views of the mountains. Driving back to Vancouver is the stunning Sea-to-Sky highway.

Okanagan Valley

Famous for its wine, this valley is home to many vineyards and a lot of golf courses. There are two different historic railways in the two main towns of this area: Kamloopa and Kelowna. Here there is fishing, mountain biking, and resorts.

Prairie Provinces

Edmonton

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. Here you can experience 18 hours of sunlight in the summer. And during the night look for the Northern Lights. Experience Canadian Finals Rodeo, a large westernized rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing. Western history is alive at Fort Edmonton Park with costume actors in the 1800s fort. Just the west of Edmonton is Jasper National Park where you can camp, hiking and explore nature.

Calgary

Home to the Calgary stampede, a 10 day event full of rodeos and races. Also visit the Olympic park where the 1988 Olympics were held. Heritage Park Historical Villa is a walk down Canadian history, with preserved homesteads and antique vehicles.

Banff

Banff was the first National Park in Canada, and is home to all sorts of wildlife, mountains, and glaciers. Lakes made from glaciers dot the mountainsides, with clear blue water. There is the town of Banff, a quaint town with local culture and boutiques. Banff also has skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Saskatchewan

There is many things to do in Saskatchewan Province, including touring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage site in Regina, harness and mush dogsleds with Sundogs Excursions, eat a Saskatoon pie in Saskatoon, and visit two National Parks: Prince Albert and Grasslands.

Manitoba

Want to see polar bears? Go to Churchill, a city in Northern Manitoba on the Hudson Bay. Here you can actually see live polar bears in the wild. In Winnipeg, visit the Royal Canadian Mint, and see the Olympic gold medals for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Also see the Museum of Human Rights, a museum dedicated to human rights awareness and education, including the Holocaust and other genocides. Winnipeg is home to many other museums and art galleries.

Ontario

Toronto

The largest city in Canada, it is the capital of Ontario. This city is always bustling with festivals and art shows. They have the CN Tower, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. You can walk on the edge of the tower if you have no fear of heights. Other places to visit include the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Distillery District with historical buildings for pedestrians only, and the hockey hall of fame. Toronto also boasts the only full sized castle in North America-- the Casa Loma. This includes a large library and 100 rooms.

Ottawa

The capital of Canada, this city is on the border between English speaking Ontario and French Speaking Quebec. The famous Rideau Canal goes from Lake Ontario to the St Lawrence River. Also home to Le Cordon Bleu, the French culinary arts institute, Take a cooking class or eat at the restaurant. The Canadian Museum of Nature can be perused by day, but on the last Friday night of the month turns into a nightclub. Tour parliament buildings during the day and see how Canadian government is run. Just across the border in Quebec is the Canadian Museum of History, the most visited museum in Canada.

Niagara Falls

One of the most famous waterfalls in the world, there are two sides to this natural landmark. The United States side and the Canada side. Only on the Canada side can you ride down the falls in a barrel, but this is not recommended. Many wineries are near here, as well as Canadian food.

Algonquin Park

A nature park just three hours from both Toronto and Ottawa, this is a great place to hike and camp. You can canoe on many of its waterways. Watch out for the howling wolves in this here park, where groups gather to hear howling sequences-- and where the wolves might respond. You can fish, cross-country ski and dog-sled in the park.

Thousand Island

Thousand Island salad dressing was named after this area. Located in Lake Ontario to the St Lawrence River, this spot borders New York State and Ontario. A place where you can fish, sit in a boat and sun tan or just relax. This area was the resort place for millionaires of the Guilded Age (1880s) and has many mansions and fairytale castles.

Quebec

Quebec City

Capital of Quebec, this is a francophone city, meaning you must speak French. Visit the Old City, a UNESCO heritage site filled with old historical buildings that give off a French city far away from France. The Quartier du Petit Champlain is also a really old section of Quebec, with narrow cobblestone streets. Also see the Hotel de Glace, a hotel entirely made of ice!

Montreal

Montreal is a surprising mixture of old culture and new hip. Old Montreal is a neighborhood of Montreal that was built in 1642. Yet many shops line the streets are new and fashionable boutiques. On the to-do list is the Botanical Gardens with over 22,000 different plant species. Mount Royal is a mountain in the middle of Montreal, nature in the middle of the city, famous for Tam-tams, a music festival of drummers, dancers, and vendors.

Atlantic Provinces

Halifax

For two centuries, the Citadel in Halifax defended the city. Now it’s a Historical Site, with museums and the changing of the guard, or even some ghosts. Visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, a museum full of ships and sailing history. Not too far away is the Peggy’s Cove lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouse ever. Lastly, explore the town of Lunenburg, an hour outside Halifax, for an 18th century colonial city.

Cape Breton

Cape Breton Highlands National Park sits at the easternmost tip of Nova Scotia. Home to the Cabot Trail, a scenic highway stretch filled with dramatic coastlines, perfect for a road trip. There are opportunities to hike, kayak, and whale watch all along the way. Don’t forget to stop in Louisbourg, the preserved 18th century French colony town.

Charlottetown

Capital of Prince Edward Island, this city is the perfect homebase to explore PEI. Thirty minutes to the north we have the Green Gables Historic Site. If you’re a fan of the book, this is a must-see. Victoria Row in Charlottetown has Victorian houses lining its streets with shopping local boutiques. West Point lighthouse is a lighthouse and a hotel all in one. Stay here to experience living in a lighthouse. Confederation Bridge, an 8-mile long bridge, connects PEI to the rest of Canada.

The Territories

White Horse

On the Yukon River, Whitehorse is a city in Yukon Territory. Home to the Miles Canyon, a place where prospectors failed and died crossing. Visit the Macbride museum where you can pan for gold and experience the history of the region. You can view the S.S. Klondike, a ferry boat that used to transport people from Whitehorse to Dawson City, home of the Klondike Gold Rush. Takhini hot springs are natural mineral pools 18 miles from Whitehorse.

Watson Lake

Sign Post Forest makes its home in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. Started as a U.S soldier was repair road signs, and added his home sign of Illinois. Now this is home to over 77,000 different road signs.