From coast to coast, each Province in Canada is home to unique wonders. From wildlife and wilderness escapes to Provinces filled with cultural and sightseeing expeditions, there is much to explore.
If you have ever wondered what your local Province offers, here are a few compelling places you must visit.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park- Saskatchewan
Image courtesy: socialcanadatripsstudies.com
If you want to learn more about Canada’s indigenous culture Wanuskewin Heritage Park is worth visiting. Welcoming guests from all over the world, the park boasts hiking trails, robust interpretive programs, including guided hikes, and traditional cultural dance performances. The park’s name comes from the Cree language, which means “being at peace with oneself.” Considered a non-profit cultural centre Wanuskewin Heritage Park is also the longest-running archeological dig site in Canada. Situated on Saskatoon’s northern edge the park has 6,000 years of indigenous cultural history featuring a host of relics, including a medicine wheel, tipis, and buffalo jumps located along seven kilometers of walking trails.
Image courtesy: https://www.byward-market.com/
Being one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets, ByWard Market has a host of shopping, dining, art, and entertainment venues. Ever changing, the market is considered one of the liveliest in Ottawa, with many restaurants and specialty food stalls recently opening. During the peak summer months, the market averages 50,000 visitors on weekends. Since its inception in 1826 ByWard Market has garnered the interest of local and international visitors. The market is always buzzing with activity and features an outdoor farmer’s market with stalls selling Canadian specialty cheese and maple syrup. It also has several nondescript eateries serving shawarma sandwiches, treats, and sweet pastries that look Beaver tails.
Image courtesy: Filipe Freitas on Unsplash
The CN Tower was once of the world’s tallest free-standing buildings until the title was taken by the Burj Khalifa of Dubai in 2007. To feel the tower’s impressive height, take a stroll on the tower’s EdgeWalk, which allows you to tread 116 storeys above Toronto’s skyline hands-free with nothing but a harness to secure you. Considered one of a kind lifetime adventure, the EdgeWalk isn’t for the faint-hearted. Before you embark on your adventure, you are securely strapped to a sturdy harness onto the rail. A guide will lead you around the circumference of the building before completing the daring experience. Once you are done, you will receive a certificate of achievement, a video, and two printed photos to document your adventure.
Image courtesy: chandlervid85 on Freepik
Vancouver has a wealth of sites to explore, with marine life being among the most remarkable. To explore the island’s unique wildlife, take a tour on Vancouver’s Whale Watch boat tour. Established in 1998, the tour departs from the historic village of Steveston with professional onboard wildlife guides. A typical tour lasts three to five hours and takes you around an extensive spotting network focusing on magnificent humpback whales and other marine life like Porpoises, Sea Lions, Seals, and Bald Eagles. Each vessel is specifically designed for viewing and features a zodiac-style hull for a smooth ride over the water.
Image courtesy: Quebecgetaways.com
Located13 kilometers away from the heart of downtown Quebec, Montmorency Falls is a sight to behold. At 83 meters high, the waterfall is one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls. The area surrounding the falls is protected within Montmorency Falls Park and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The park has several hiking trails. Adventure seekers can hike on one of the three most popular trails with unique views providing ample opportunities for exceptional photos and adventurous zip line crossings across the falls. With a host of activities, Montmorency is open all year round. If you only get to visit the Falls in the winter, you can still find plenty of activities, including guided ice-climbing expeditions, ice-canyoning, and snowshoeing.
Wapusk National Park- Manitoba
Image courtesy: travelmanitoba.com
Established in 1996, Wapusk National Park stretches 11,475 square kilometers along the vast expanse of the Hudson Bay coast. The name Wapusk comes from the Cree word meaning polar bear. The park is one of the world’s most exotic spots to watch polar bears and cubs explore their snowy surroundings. Wapusk National Park is also home to other wildlife, including exotic birds, moose, wolves, arctic foxes, and caribou. Polar bears usually arrive in late October after spending much of their summer lingering around the sub-arctic forest. The park is only accessible via helicopter for guided tours and wildlife spotting. Trained escorts with firearms must accompany all hikers to keep an eye on wandering polar bears.
Aaron Levinson | Staff Writer
