While Canada is such a huge country, the population is quite small with fewer than 40 million residents. This means there’s a lot of room to roam without having to fight the crowds. These are some of the most interesting and relatively unknown locations to visit.
1. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta
This interesting museum is ideal for visitors of all ages as it features the study of palaeontology. There are numerous different programs, with one of the most popular enabling visitors to make their own fossil cast.
2. The Maritime Museum, Vancouver, British Columbia
Situated on Canada’s west coast, the museum is rich in historical artifacts and exhibits. It also features a two-mast schooner called the St. Roch, which was the first ship to circumnavigate North America.
3. Red Deer River Ranches, Alberta
This is a working cattle ranch that features log cabins and adventures on horseback. You can also try your hand at whitewater rafting and helicopter fly-fishing. If you’d rather just relax you can sit on the porch with a refreshment and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
4. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia
This lovely garden is situated in the city’s Chinatown district. It’s a tranquil spot in the middle of the bustling city and has a calming effect on visitors. The plants are Chinese and each one is supposed to set off a particular mood.
5. Penticton, British Columbia
This lovely region offers hiking, skiing, biking, and wine tasting. It also boasts the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, the Canadian Ironman Triathlon, the Elvis Festival, and the Okanogan Wine Festival.
6. Iqaluit, Nunavut
This area is culturally rich and you can learn about the local traditions and history by visiting the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum. Just to the west you’ll find the Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park Reserve and the river. There’s a point at the top of the hill that offers an excellent view of the park’s spectacular waterfalls.
7. Baffin Island
This is Canada’s biggest island and is filled with a wide variety of wildlife. You’ll be able to see Arctic fox and hare, lemmings and polar bears. It’s also an ideal spot for base jumping as it’s home to some 3,000-foot cliffs.
8. Stanley Glacier Hike, Banff, Alberta
This is situated close to Banff National Park. It’s a wonderful location for hiking and getting a good look at the Stanley Glacier. There’s a serene waterfall on the hike where you can stop and soak the atmosphere in.
9. Webster’s Falls, Hamilton, Ontario
It’s not as famous as Niagara Falls, but it’s just as interesting and pretty. There are two overhanging drops at the falls as well as a cobblestone footbridge. This will take you across Spencer Creek where the view is fantastic.
10. Churchill, Manitoba
This is a sparsely-populated town that’s next door to Hudson Bay. This means there are quite a few polar bears in the region. You’ll also get a good look at the Aurora Borealis at the end of August and between December and late April.
11. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
This scenic area is filled with majestic mountains as well as a freshwater fjord named Western Brook Pond. The waters are crystal clear and pure and much of the area was formed by ice-age glaciers.
12. The Cat Sanctuary, Ottawa, Ontario
This location is close to Parliament Hill and it’s where people come to feed a colony of stray cats. They’ve all been neutered and a local veterinarian clinic provides the furry animals with free care.
13. Val Marie, Saskatchewan
This is a charming and small village that some people refer to as a ghost town because of the grain elevators that aren’t in use anymore. One of the best places to visit is Little Brick, which is a museum, gallery, and shop all under one roof.
14. Highland Links, Nova Scotia
This is one of the nation’s top golf courses. It’s located inside a national park along North Cape Breton’s rocky shoreline and just off of the famous Cabot Trail.
15. Barrhead Centennial Museum, Alberta
This museum takes you back to the time of the region’s early settlers. You’ll see some antique wooden furniture and cabinetry as well as handmade violins that were built by local craftsmen.
