# What to see in Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107 "2005-02-27T03:05:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bernard\_Marx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@Bernard\_Marx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bernard_Marx)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/1 "2005-02-27T03:05:32Z")
I’m thinking of taking a trip to Canada later this year. I’ve only been once before - to Vancouver - but I was pretty young and don’t remember much of it. At this stage I’m planning a holiday of about two weeks. What are your suggestions for places I should go and things I should see? ---
**Author:** ![DWToml815](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DWToml815](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWToml815)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/2 "2005-02-27T03:24:05Z")
Sorry, can’t offer anything more serious… [Ohhhh Canada](http://www.nationallampoon.com/nl/08_features/Canada/Canada.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/3 "2005-02-27T03:34:30Z")
Well, where are you thinking of going in Canada? There are lots of places to visit all over, I can recall one summer my parents and I went on a trip around the Maritimes where we stopped to visit various museums (Alexander Graham Bell & Miners museums) and historical sites (Lunenburg). Alberta has lots of places as well, there’s Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise… if you like dinosaurs there is Drumheller, Edmonton has the (formerly) world’s largest mall and Fort Edmonton, Calgary has the Tower and Heritage Park or Fort Calgary… And that’s just places I’ve been, there is so much more! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/4 "2005-02-27T04:47:18Z")
Canada is a pretty big place. Could you narrow it down to a province or two? ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/5 "2005-02-27T04:48:45Z")
Canada is a huge place and offers almost anything a tourist might want (leaving baking hot deserts, coral reefs and such things aside). With just two weeks, you’ll need to narrow it down a bit. From many possibilities, my choice would probably be the mountains of British Columbia and western Alberta. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/6 "2005-02-27T06:13:46Z")
Be careful. Crime is worse there than in America. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/7 "2005-02-27T06:24:38Z")
> [@Flutterby](#): > > … Edmonton has the (formerly) world’s largest mall and Fort Edmonton, West Edmonton Mall is no longer the largest? Guinness World Records still says it is: [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/](http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/) . What mall is larger? /Ms Cyros ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/8 "2005-02-27T06:26:52Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > West Edmonton Mall is no longer the largest? Guinness World Records still says it is: [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/](http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/) . What mall is larger? > > /Ms Cyros Oops, type “Mall” in search at Guinness. (Also was in the printed Guinness World Records 2005 I got for Christmas). ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/9 "2005-02-27T06:31:11Z")
I thought they had built a larger one in America somewhere? Unless I am just thinking of an article mentioning they _planned_ to… or the Mall of America which is the biggest in America… Okay, I guess we still are the largest _scribbles out the formerly_ My mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/10 "2005-02-27T06:43:38Z")
Come to Saskatoon. If you get up on a stepladder, you can see both Alberta and Manitoba from here. Think of all the time you’ll save! ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/11 "2005-02-27T07:02:29Z")
I almost married a man on Vancouver Island so that I could renounce my American citizenship and stay there the rest of my life. That’s how beautiful it is there. Visit Nanaimo for the bathtub races and beer gardens; Victoria for the gardens; Port McNeill and Port Hardy for the people, and the **fishing.** We fished at tiny, remote little lakes teeming with trout tucked way back in the forest. We canoed down the Nimpkish River and I saw salmon nearly as big as my boat. We went horseback riding along the coast where a bear and her cub crossed our path. As we sat on the beach, the biggest eagle I’ve ever seen in my life flew right by. Ah, Canada. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/12 "2005-02-27T07:14:43Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Be careful. Crime is worse there than in America. Yes, but only if you count beaver rustlin’, igloo melting, and moose trafficking. ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/13 "2005-02-27T13:55:47Z")
> [@Bernard Marx](#): > > I’m thinking of taking a trip to Canada later this year. I’ve only been once before - to Vancouver - but I was pretty young and don’t remember much of it. > > At this stage I’m planning a holiday of about two weeks. What are your suggestions for places I should go and things I should see? Are you interested in Nature of Culture? Travelling alone or with a family? Running around, climbing things, or relaxing? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/14 "2005-02-27T16:39:15Z")
If you’re in eastern Canada check out this: [Parliament hill](http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/visitors/indoor/center-e.htm) is nice if you’re into history (check it out anyway if you’re not, Ottawa is a beautiful city). Quebec city is absolutely stunning, beautiful area. There was a whale watching tour I once went on from that area that was pretty interesting, though we were on the boat for something like 8 hours (though it was a while ago, can’t remember how close we were to the city when we left the dock) Niagra Falls… Its a tourist trap, really… If you’re going to go there just go and check out the falls then head out… don’t spend all day there. Check out Maid of the Mist, though. The Planet Hollywood and the haunted houses are very expensive… and entirely bla. Check out Montréal, if you’re into the party scene, its there. If you’re into food, its there. If you’re into history, its there. The language is beautiful but don’t worry, you can survive if you don’t speak it. Summer activities: Ottawa, bike up and down the canal. Sit out in the sun on Parliament hill for a relaxing afternoon. Check out Canada Day (July 1st) in Ottawa. Lots and lots of fun, I’m there every year. If you’re into horses check out the events by the RCMP (can’t remember the name of their events) Tulip festival, Ottawa. I’ve never been there for it but I was once there right after and, while I’m not into flowers, what was left from the event looked pretty cool. winter activities: Ottawa, skate up and down the canal. Its awesome, trust me. Winterlude (combine with the skating) Montreal has some good skating too. Skiing, its Canada, after all. Thats all that comes to mind at the moment. If you’re ever in eastern Canada its worth checking some of those things out. ---
**Author:** ![Lockz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Lockz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockz)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/15 "2005-02-27T19:31:03Z")
I’d definitely have to second the Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec City route, although everything depends on when you want to travel. The West is also very nice, although I don’t have as much experience with it. ---
**Author:** ![Canadiangirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Canadiangirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadiangirl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/16 "2005-02-28T13:42:06Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Be careful. Crime is worse there than in America. Bwwaaaaaaahahaha!!! Um, where on earth did you hear that? Bernard - do you have a particular province in mind? If you’re coming my way, you’re welcome to stop in for a beer! Let us know more details and we’ll guide you! ---
**Author:** ![EmeraldGrue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dc4da7/32.png) [@EmeraldGrue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmeraldGrue)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/17 "2005-02-28T14:48:21Z")
:smack: It’s like saying, “I’m going to be in the States for two weeks, what should I see?”, only Canada’s _bigger_. (If you’re the outdoorsy kind, don’t want to see anyone for a fortnight, or want to get lost in part of our national identity, go north to the true boreal forest. It’s…indescribable.) ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/18 "2005-02-28T15:00:33Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Be careful. Crime is worse there than in America. Bzzzt! Sorry, but you’re dead wrong there. I’ll say what I always say in these threads: [Canmore](http://www.canmorealberta.com), and [Banff National Park](http://www.banffalberta.ca/). ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/19 "2005-02-28T16:33:04Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > > [@Mahaloth](#): > > > > Be careful. Crime is worse there than in America. > > Bzzzt! Sorry, but you’re dead wrong there. I think you and **Canadiangirl** got whooshed. Coincidentally, though, I was the victim of more crimes in 24 hours in Montreal than in 28 years in the States. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107/20 "2005-02-28T17:35:13Z")
If you’re going to Toronto, I recommend, especially if it is a clear, cloudless day, that you go to the CN Tower. Take the elevator up to the highest, outdoor observation deck. The view is so spectacular, you can see the steam rising from Niagara Falls. Toronto also has the Royal Ontario Museum, art galleries, the food of dozens of nations, a subway, streetcars… I miss it. (But not enough to move back!) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-in-canada/292107.md?page=2)