150 Reasons Canada Is Great in Honor of Its 150th Anniversary

You can see a different side of the Rocky Mountains. British Columbia is home to the northernmost area of the notable mountain range, complete with crisp lakes and snow-capped peaks. Nakiska ski resort in the Canadian Rockies was also home to the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Yoho National Park practically has it all when it comes to getting into nature. Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the park offers both scenic waterfalls as well as sites where dinosaur fossils were discovered. The park is also home to a natural rock bridge, which is quite a rare site.

Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories are some of the few places in the world where you can see the legendary Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Visitors in Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories have a 90 percent chance of seeing the lights in wintertime.

Banff National Park has over 2,000 campsites for enjoying the country's natural assets. You can access Banff, as well as 16 other Canadian national parks and historic sites for free in 2017 in honor of the country’s 150th anniversary by ordering a Discovery Pass online.

Near Alberta, Canada, you’ll find Dinosaur Provincial Park, where you’ll find the world’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils. Some fossils date back over 75 million years and over 40 dinosaur species have been discovered there.

Joggins Fossil Cliffs in west Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, also has a rich source of dinosaur bones. It was here that the earliest known reptile was discovered, dating back more than 300 million years. The cliffs are so famous, they are even mentioned in Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.

See the other side of Niagara Falls. The western side of the falls, located in Ontario, overlooks Horseshoe Falls, the most expansive side of the cascade. While you’re there, you can enjoy the cliffside promenade and the 520-foot-high Skylon Tower, with an observation deck.

It’s home to some of the highest tides in the world. If you visit Hopewell Rocks, in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, the difference in high tide and low tide will surely amaze you. At high tide, you can kayak to your heart’s content. At low tide, you can literally walk on the ocean floor.

The Bay of Fundy’s high and low tides also lend itself to another natural phenomena: watching the waterfalls in reverse. The Reversing Falls can be seen only in particular times during the day, about every 12 hours. If visitors are lucky enough, the strong pull of the tides will cause the falls to flow in opposite directions.

This is where you can truly get away from the city. Mountain climbing and camping in Canada’s mountains, especially the Yukon territories, will make you feel like you’re truly exploring uncharted land. It’s the perfect place for an adventurer.

Churchill, Manitoba, is hailed at the polar bear capital of the world. The majestic and endangered creatures still live in their natural habitat in this chilly area in Canada’s northern province. This area is one of the few natural places where humans can observe polar bear within a safe distance.

If you can’t get all the way to Churchill, Polar Bear Provincial Park in Ontario is also a place to see the great white bears in their natural habitat. As many as 200 polar bears are inhabiting the coastal areas of the park at certain times. While there are no visitors facilities, potential visitors can obtain permits to land in one of the parks four airstrips.

You can sample a unique Canadian sweet called the Nanaimo bar. The delicious, no-bake dessert, named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, is a layered bar made up of a wafer crust, custard-flavored butter icing and chocolate.

While you’re devouring as many baked goods as possible, a Canadian butter tart is like nothing you can get in the U.S. (or anywhere else in the world). The simple dessert is made with butter, sugar, syrup, eggs and even more butter in a pastry shell. If you can enjoy it with a hot drink on a icy, Canadian day and that will probably complete your trip.

If you’re really craving something fried, say hello to a Beavertail. It’s fried dough, with toppings like chocolate spread, bananas, and cinnamon. It’s like funnel cake but better. There are rumors that Beavertails may expand to certain states in the U.S. and possibly Japan, but for now, the Beavertail is a strictly Canadian sweet.

Speaking of sweets, tourists in Canada should also sample a bit of Crispy Crunch while they’re north of the border. The Cadbury-owned “exclusive” treat is just another candy that people just can’t get in the States. It has a peanut and wafer center, making it something of a cross between a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and a Kit Kat Bar.

If you think the best Hershey chocolate is in Pennsylvania, think again. In 2013, Hershey’s debuted a creamier, milkier chocolate bar only in Canada. The new bar was made with simpler ingredients to appeal to Canadian consumers, who preferred a “less gritty” taste. More proof that Canadians get the best stuff.

Not a chocolate fan? Not a problem. The North American Swedish Fish Factory has you covered. The factory is housed in Hamilton, Ontario, so you don’t have to fly all the way to Sweden to taste freshly “caught” gummy fish. About 13 million fish are produced per day.

Hamilton is also nicknamed the Waterfall Capital of the world. Located along the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton boasts over 130 waterfalls within its city limits. The city celebrates its watery heritages with plenty of festivals, books, artwork, a waterfall fan group, Facebook pages, and waterfall-themed hikes, walks and adventures.

Don’t forget about one of the best cuisines Canada has to offer: poutine. Poutine, traditionally, is French fried potatoes smothered in cheese curds and light brown gravy. And there are plenty of places across the country where you can dig into the delicious dish. Among the favorites include Belgian Fries in Vancouver and Whistle Stop Café in Petersborough, Ontario.

The freezing temperatures in Canada aren’t all bad. They’ve actually lead to some incredible culinary innovation. Canadian ice wine is made with frozen grapes, which makes a delicious dessert wine that all visitors must try.

If you’re a skier, you must stop at Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, British Columbia. The famous ski resort is open for business from November to May, which is one of the lengthiest ski seasons on the continent. That leaves plenty of time to explore the slopes.

Canada is the go-to place for yoga lovers to find inner peace. Take a trip to Lake Louise at any point in the year and you’ll find something to do, but the Banff Yoga Festival is a one-of-a-kind event for people who are looking to perfect their downward dog with the added bonus of being next to a crystal clear lake in the mountains.

Yoga lovers can also gather on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario for free yoga on the lawn every Wednesday in summer. The tradition was started by an instructor from a local Lululemon store and has morphed into a free, one-hour class that has reached over 1,000 participants for nearly every class.

You can see a really giant nickel. The 30-foot Big Nickel in Sudbury, Ontario was created in 1964 by Ted Szilva, a Sudbury fireman, who decided the monument was a good way to honor Canada’s Centennial. The twelve-sided, super nickel sits at the intersection of Municipal Road 55 and Big Nickel Drive at the westernmost end of the Gatchell neighbourhood. There’s also a big dinosaur statue next to it. It’s a motherload of roadside attractions.

Canada holds the record for the world’s largest dinosaur. Surprisingly, it’s not a fossil. The giant T-rex in Drumheller, Canada is 86 feet high, nearly four times larger than what a real T-rex would be. Still, the monument earned itself a Guinness World Record. It’s even surrounded by smaller statues of other dinosaurs, just in case you didn’t realize how big it was.

If giant lizards don’t impress you, perhaps a giant crustacean will. The World’s Largest Lobster in Shediac, Canada is a massive concrete, steel, and fiberglass sea bug that serves as a mascot for the town. Shediac, the self-proclaimed “lobster capital of the world” built the 35 foot long statue to honor their most beloved industry.

If you haven’t had enough of roadside attractions, Canada also paid tribute to eastern European cuisine with a statue of a giant perogy (and fork). In 1993, Glendon, a village in Alberta north of St. Paul, unveiled its giant tribute. The perogy stands 27 feet tall, weighs approximately 6,000 pounds, and is considered one of the “Giants of the Prairies,” a collection of sculptures that can be found across North America.

Two words: Tim Horton’s. There’s a reason this convenience store/restaurant has gained both cult status and international fame. You can get anything from a humble (but very good) cup of coffee from a delicious breakfast that will get your day started off the right way. No 7-11 can do that for you.

If you think Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme have a monopoly on donut making, you’re wrong. Canadians will swear by Timbits, the adorable donut holes you can only get a Tim Hortons. The deliciously doughy treat comes in all kinds of flavors from classic cruller to perfectly inventive like apple cider and sour cream glazed.

You can visit one of the most livable cities in the world. Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver all have been named some of the world’s most livable cities by The Huffington Post. With their low crime rates, amazing cultures and beautiful views, it’s no wonder why. Just try not move in.

You can see a truly walled-in city. You might think a city with walls are a thing out of medieval times, but Québec City is the only place north of Mexico where city walls still exist. Québec City is also built near the water, so the city looks absolutely stunning, especially at night.

Québec City is also home to the famous Ice Hotel. The Hôtel de Glace features beautifully carved ice sculptures, bars, ice chandeliers, and 44 rooms and suites. Montreal also built a similar hotel, so you have more chilly destinations to choose from. If you’re not sure about staying for the night, you can always schedule a day trip instead.

You can literally go to the best vacation spot in the world, according to National Geographic. In 2011, the magazine named Muskoka Cottage Country the best place to take a vacation. Tourists can visit lakes, waterfalls and wander through 17 historic villages. Not a bad way to spend the summer.

Nothing says Canada like real maple syrup. 80% of the world’s syrup is produced in Canada, and there are 8,000 businesses that bring that syrup to the consumer every single day. Not only can you find this liquid gold in the grocery store, you can also tour a maple syrup farm.

You can drink straight from the tap. While this might seem like a hum-drum activities while you’re exploring America’s northern cousin, you might be amazed at the water quality you can get right inside your hotel. Studies have shown that no other North American bottled water is better than what comes from a Canadian tap.

Also amongst the clean resources of Canada is the cleaner air. Sure, you can get a breath of fresh air anywhere, but Canada’s air quality is particularly cleaner than many other places on earth. According to a study done in 2011, Canada was reported as having the 3rd cleanest air out of any other country.Also amongst the clean resources of Canada is the cleaner air. Sure, you can get a breath of fresh air anywhere, but Canada’s air quality is particularly cleaner than many other places on earth. According to a study done in 2011, Canada was reported as having the 3rd cleanest air out of any other country.

You can savor the controversial pizza flavor, Hawaiian Pizza, in its real birthplace. Love it or hate it, the infamous pineapple pizza, with ham and sometimes mushrooms, was actually invented in 1962 by Sam Panopoulos in his pizza joint, the Satellite Restaurant, in Chatham, Ontario.

Canada actually has lower gravity than you’ll find in the U.S. According to a study in National Geographic, underlying mantle rocks that are slowly flowing downward are the reason for part of the Hudson Bay region cause a slight difference in gravity. “It's like being aboard a raft in a rapids,” said lead study author Mark Tamisiea. So, you might not float, but you’ll weigh slightly less.

Winnipeg, Manitoba is literally the Slurpee Capital of the World for the seventeenth year in a row as of 2016. 7-Eleven stores across Winnipeg sell an average of 188,833 Slurpee drinks per month, whereas the rest of Canada only sells sells an average of 179,700 per month. Now you know where your summer drink stop is.

If you’re on the east coast of Canada during the summer, you’ll more than likely be able to run into McDonald’s version of the lobster roll: the McLobster. Fast food connoisseurs can’t possibly pass up the chance to sample such an exclusive dish. Not to mention, the chance to compare it to the classic New England and Connecticut versions, stateside

Though it may not be for the faint of heart, snake and reptile enthusiasts might love a trip to the the Narcisse Snake Dens in Narcisse, Manitoba. During the winter, red-sided garter snakes stay underground in their dens, but as soon as it gets warm, tens of thousands of the slithery creatures come up into the sunshine and, well, make another generation of slithery creatures.

Canada isn’t just great for a winter ski vacation, it’s also an amazing destination for summer. The reason: some of the longest summer days on the planet. Since Canada rests on such a Northerly latitude, summer days normally last well past 10:30pm and the weather is not unbearable. Which means more time to spend on the lake.

Canada is one of the few places where you can kayak next to ice bergs. In Newfoundland, you can take a tour boat or take a guided kayak adventure and see icebergs up close and personal. Many of these icebergs have broken off glaciers from the coast of Greenland and traveled to Canada through an area known as Iceberg Alley.

Not only can you paddle by icebergs, you can also walk on the world’s most accessible glacier. The Icefields Parkway, a stunning 232 kilometer (about 144 miles) route of icy glacier that cuts through the Rockies between Banff and Jasper is accessible by off-road vehicle from mid-May until mid-September.

Vancouver Island is home to the world’s longest mammal migration. Whale-watchers can witness the majestic migration of about 20,000 gray whales every spring in Canada, where they swim north near the coast of Vancouver toward their summer home in the Bering Sea. While the some whales can be seen from shore, there are plenty of boat tours available. Every March, Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve celebrate with the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival.

You can also go snorkeling with beluga whales. Western Hudson’s Bay is home to about 27,000 white beluga whales, which tourists can view or even take a swim with. Additionally, up north, 3,000 belugas gather each summer off the eastern coast near the community of Churchill, Manitoba. Remember to bring your cold water swim gear.

Canada is a haven for hikers. The Trans Canada Trail is 21,500 kilometers (about 13,359 miles) of 400 recreational trails in Canada’s gorgeously picturesque landscape. At the moment, the trail network is 91% connected, with a goal of 23,000 kilometers (about 14,291 miles) of trail that connects both coasts of Canada by the end of 2017. Hikers and bikers rejoice!

Hikers who are also train enthusiasts can also find interesting places to discover, like the Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla River Canyon, near Hope, Canada. The tunnels drive through solid rock and are remnants of the old Canadian Pacific Railway. Nearby, there are plenty of campgrounds as well as water activities, gliding, a golf course and even gold panning.

If you’re more of a water bug, kayakers and canoers can take part of the world’s largest kayak and canoe race in late June and early July. Starting in Whitehorse and spanning 444 miles to Dawson City in the Yukon, the annual Race to the Midnight Sun, paddlers are challenged to race against the daylight. The race is so far north that the sun doesn’t actually set until early midnight, hence the name of the race.

Ever wanted to be so famous that you got a commemorative stamp? Well, you may not be the Queen or the President (or a Looney Toon) but Canada Post can still put your face, your logo, or even your own original artwork on a stamp for you. You can even design your stamps online, using their website.

In August and September, wolf enthusiasts should head to Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada for the annual Wolf Howl. Each year, park rangers call out to the area’s wolves with their best howls and everyone heads out in guided caravans to catch a glimpse at the wolves up close. Public howls are also free.

Ever wanted to walk amongst Vikings? At L’anse aux Meadows, a national historic site in Newfoundland, you’re not far off. Discovered in 1960, the archeological site is believed to be the one-time home to Eric the Red’s son, Leif. Visitors can also head to Norstead, a recreated Viking village to watch history come to life.

While you’re exploring the same territory as Vikings did hundreds of years ago, you can also take one of Canada’s most scenic drives: The Viking Trail. The 489 km (303 miles) drive takes you to ancient native burial grounds, and the thousand-year-old Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.

Canada isn’t just scenic vistas, there’s also a bit of magic in those gorgeous views. The Enchanted Forest in Malakwa, Canada, is like a fairytale forest come to life with over 350 fairy folk figurines hidden amongst 800 year-old cedars. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a fairytale hero or a character in The Lord of the Rings, there’s no better way to spend a hike.

Another forest with a hidden gem happens to be in Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Suspended from the trees, you’ll find large, wooden orbs connected to spiral staircases. The Free Spirit Spheres are made of fiberglass and feature fold-out tables and mirrors, curved loft beds and benches, and tiny appliances.

Near Lake Huron, there’s a small island that’s nicknamed Flowerpot Island. The island is named after its two, unusual pillar formations that look like flower pots. Old legends say the pillars are the petrified bodies of two lovers, kind of like Romeo and Juliet, who were frozen in time by the island’s spirit. Lots of visitors, especially couples, like to pose with the pillars, but also hike the island’s cliffs, caves and forests.

In Speers, Canada, you can see the Twisted Trees of Alticane, a grove of Quaking Aspen, apparently mutated from a single source, giving them a twisted and unnatural appearance. The slighted breeze causes the entire grove to shudder due to its interconnectedness, which is both spooky and magical for any outdoors person to behold.

Canada’s best attractions aren’t only reserved for outdoorsy visitors either. If you’re visiting Toronto, be sure to find The Monkey’s Paw, a bookstore that’s home to the world’s first “Biblio-Mat”, a book-only vending machine that sits on Bloor St. The rest of the store also has plenty of rare and old books to peruse.

If your rare book curiosity goes further than a vending machine, the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library has one of the world’s most incredible collections. The library holds around 700,000 volumes and 3,000 meters of manuscripts, including a 1551 edition of Cicero’s Book of Natural History, Ulyssis Androvandi’s Monstroum Historiae (1642) and Palfijn’s version of Licetus’ Book of Monsters (1708).

One of the only places you can find an Elizabethan hedge maze in North America happens to be in Canada. In Vancouver, VanDusen Garden's Elizabethan Hedge Maze is one of only six Elizabethan style hedge maze. Built in 1981, the maze is made of 3,000 pyramidal cedars and the gardens cover 55 acres.

Also in Vancouver, a traditional 15th century Chinese garden awaits travelers who are looking to find some zen. Located below the city’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a collaboration between Canada and the People’s Republic of China. The garden plays host to year round events such as the Vancouver Storytelling Festival in June, the Fiddles Around the World Concert in October, and the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival.

Canada isn’t just frozen tundra, there’s a little bit of the tropics for the visitor looking to get warm as well. The Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver maintains a variety of tropical jungle ecosystems in the middle of the highest point of Queen Elizabeth Park. The conservatory is comprised of three different biodomes: a tropical rainforest, a subtropical rainforest and a desert. Each dome is stocked with lush plant life and acts as an aviary for over 100 birds who are free to fly under the domes.

If you’re not afraid of heights, try taking a hike across the Capilano Suspension Bridge in West Vancouver. The 459-foot bridge is suspended about 230 feet in the air across the Capilano River. Originally, it was built in 1889 with ropes and wooden boards but has since been replaced with cable wire. The bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Vancouver area.

Environmentalists can marvel at Montreal’s Biosphere, which has been standing since the 1967 World’s Fair Exposition. The 20-story-tall Geodesic dome was built with a steel frame and originally fitted with a clear, acrylic covering, making it look like giant, round jewel. Unfortunately, a fire in 1976 destroyed the acrylic covering, though the frame remained. The dome still houses an environmental museum today.

McGill University in Montreal is home to one of the oldest museums in Canada: the Redpath Museum. Built in 1882, the beautiful Redpath Museum has been exhibiting Natural History and Ethnography to curious visitors and locals alike. The main attraction is, of course, in The Evolution Exhibit, which features a massive Albertosaurus skeleton. It’s very fitting, considering Canada’s rich history with dinosaurs.

If you’ve been binge-watching Anne with an E on Netflix, you can see the real place that inspired the book Anne of Green Gables in Canada. Avonlea on Prince Edward Island captured the imagination of author Lucy Maud Montgomery so much that her writing became a successful book and TV series twice over. The Campbell House is open to visitors, where they can see how Montgomery lived in real life and how it compares to her fictional character, Anne of Green Gables.

You can see wild horses roam on their own private island. About 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada, Sable Island is home to about 500 wild horses. The island is protected as a national park and only a small group of scientists who live there to observe the wildlife currently go there, however, that is slowly changing.

Canada has one of the most unique lakes in the world. The Spotted Lake, or Kliluk, is a strangely-patterned lake located between the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in British Columbia. The lake is also rich in minerals such as magnesium sulfate, calcium, and sodium sulfates, and traces of silver and titanium. In the summer, water evaporates and the minerals are revealed in the “spots”.

You can find some of the purest fresh water on Earth in Canada. Pingualuit Crater Lake, which is smack dab in the middle of the frozen tundra of Québec, is a perfectly clear, circular lake formed by a meteorite. It is covered with ice nine months out of the year, and with it’s low salinity level, is considered one of the clearest lakes in the world.

One of the most beautiful places to stay in Canada is the Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the Castle of the Rockies. Styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, The Banff Springs Hotel, is a national historical site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled within the national park itself, it’s a luxurious getaway and spa for guests who need a rest from days filled with the great outdoors.

Canada’s own Château Frontenac in Québec City, Québec, is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. The Gothic style luxury resort, built in the 1800’s, rests on top of a cliff, giving it an imposing, castle-like feel. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for Most Photographed Hotel.

Canada can cater to the tiniest of obsessions as well. Miniature World, housed within the famous Empress Hotel in Victoria, Canada, is home to over 85 stunningly detailed, miniature scenes, including castles, a circus, a scene from Camelot, a Dickensian London, the Great Canadian Railway and a futuristic scene of the year 2201.

Canada is home to North America’s very own Notre Dame. The Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal is a stunning cathedral covered in colorful stained glass and stone carvings. It also houses the famous Casavant Frères pipe organ - 92 air-pressure controlled action stops, 4 keyboards, and a sound-bending 7,000 individual pipes.

The Bruce Peninsula Grotto, one of Bruce County, Ontario’s most popular attractions, is considered one of “Mother Nature’s crown jewels.” If you’re going on a hike in Bruce Peninsula Park, you can pop into the slightly out-of-the-way attraction, inside a natural sea cave where the water is almost always a perfectly turquoise blue. It’s like looking at an undersea wonderland.

You can literally play in the Playground of the Gods. The art structure of wooden totems in Burnaby, British Columbia, was created by Toko Nuburi, an Ainu woodcarver, in 1990. The larger animal totems represent the different gods who created the world, while the smaller surrounding poles represent the Ainu’s relationship with the divine.

Visitors can also see historic, carved totem poles of the Haida people on Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, off the coast of British Columbia, which is now a World Heritage site. The island, most accessible by plane, is known as Canadian Galápagos for its diverse wildlife.

Canada is where you can find Earth’s longest vertical drop. In Auyuittuq National Park, Mount Thor features a purely vertical drop at 4,101 feet, with an average angle of 105 degrees. Climbers especially love the challenge of Mount Thor, even though the glacial ice make it incredibly hard to get to.

Even Canada has its own Badlands. The Hoodoos of Drumheller Valley are naturally eroded land formations that stand about 20 feet tall near Alberta, Canada. The pillars were naturally shaped by wind and water, carved over millions of years into unique shapes.

Vancouver is home to one of the most unique public art installations: the Digital Orca. As part of the Vancouver Convention Centre Art Project in 2009, artist Douglas Coupland created a ‘pixelated’ killer whale, like it came from a video game or a Lego set, that looks to be leaping out of the water.

If you’re obsessed with footwear, there’s no better place to go than Canada’s own Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. The museum houses more than 12,000 shoes and the building is even shaped like a shoebox. And if you’ve ever wondered where Elvis Presley’s “blue suede shoes” ended up, you can take a look for yourself. They’re on display for anyone to see.

You can literally live long and prosper in Canada. “Canada’s Quirkiest Town”, Vulcan, Alberta, may not have literally been named for Dr. Spock, but the town exerts a profound love of everything Star Trek. Attractions around the town include “Spock’s Bar,” the “Scrapbook Cafe,” which only serves food and beverages with Star Trek-themed names, and a replica of the Starship Enterprise outside of the tourist center.

Bigfoot conspiracy theorists don’t need to look far for a little adventure. The Sasquatch caves in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, although it’s mostly a children’s play area, is advertised as the home of Bigfoot himself. There have been 130 Bigfoot sightings in B.C. alone between 1924 and 2013, so it’s considered a hotbed of activity.

If you want to believe in UFO’s, Canada is leading the race by opening the world’s first UFO landing pad. The pad was built in 1967 in St. Paul, Alberta, to welcome any and all extra terrestrials to our humble planet and contains a time capsule to be opened on the pad’s 100th anniversary. The site also has an information center and museum pertaining to UFO memorabilia.

Toronto’s neighborhood watch signs are cooler than anywhere else in the world. Artist Adam Lamb spruced up (and cleaned up) the entire city by adding pop culture icons of the 80s and 90s to boring old neighborhood watch signs. Buffy, Agent Mulder, Mr. Rogers and the Incredible Hulk make these mundane street signs way more interesting on your Instagram feed.

Dine and shop with goats (on the roof). Coombs Old Country Market in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, is a huge market with plenty of places to buy gifts, groceries or stay for a meal. The market also has a sod roof, where the owners’ goats like to hang out and graze. Customers can graze too, the market restaurant has a perfect view from one of the decks.

Every October, the Adams River is teeming with Sockeye Salmon for the annual salmon run. For almost three weeks, people can see the beauty of nature as fish swim upstream from where they were living in the open oceans of Alaska, to their original home in the Adams River to spawn. Every fourth year, their return is so plentiful, the water itself seems pink.

Canada has color-changing lakes. Little Limestone Lake, in the chilly Manitoba Lowlands, is rich in marl is a calcium carbonate deposit. The deposit can change based on temperature, as calcite crystals dissolve the colder it gets. Throughout the course of the day, because of this deposit, the water changed from a milky gray to a crystal clear blue.

Charlevoix, Québec is good any time of year. Of course, the area if good for skiing and other outdoors activities, but foodies especially should book a trip along the Flavour Trail in the summer and fall, where you can tour producers of locally made cider, beer, meats, cheeses, chocolate and more.

You can see the best of the St. Lawrence River by driving the St. Lawrence Route in Québec. The route connects Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, and this 36-mile road will take you through the beautiful villages of Les Éboulements, Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and Saint-Irénée, with stunning views and several stops to visit along the way.

Canada is one of the best places to see the fall foliage. The forests around Agawa Canyon in Ontario begin to change from lush green during the summer to bright yellow, orange and red by late September. The incredible views inspired many Canadian modern artists in the 1920’s, nicknamed the Group of Seven.

Bat lovers can visit a real, government-protected bat cave in Québec. No, this isn’t where Batman lives. The Trou de la Fée in Saint-André-du-Lac-Saint-Jean is a three-cave chamber that looks pretty small on the outside, but is actually home to hundreds of the flying, nocturnal mammals inside the cave.

TV fans know that Vancouver, Canada is a well-known shooting locate for film and TV production. If you walk around the city, you might see a couple sites from your favorite shows. One particular site is The Marine Building, a gorgeous art deco building that opened in 1930. Most notably, the building has stood in for the Baxter Building in two Fantastic Four films and Clark Kent’s workplace, The Daily Planet, in TV’s Smallville.

Plenty of people have heard of Big Ben, but Vancouver's Victorian Gastown has one of the world’s only working steam clocks. A system of steam pipes connected to a generating plant at Georgia and Beatty Streets powers the rare clock, which was built by built in 1977 by horologist Raymond Saunders and metalwork specialist Doug Smith.

The Marché Jean-Talon farmers market in Montreal is a foodie’s dream. It has 150-plus vendors and covers over almost 220,000 square feet, and in the summer the vendor numbers double. Even during harsh winters, the market stays open all year long, and maple-fiends can find the best and widest array of maple syrups and maple flavored products at the market.

While the Jean-Talon has the farmers market covered, the Marché Bonsecours, which was the city’s agricultural hub for over a century, now serves as a gigantic, two-story mall with dozens of boutiques featuring local artisans as well as outdoor cafés and restaurants. There are also plenty of art galleries, private offices and halls for rent, if you plan on hosting a big event and need a beautiful and historic space.

New Yorkers boast the best bagels, but Montreal has their own version as well. The sweeter, smaller version is a taste Canadians love, which could maybe cause some rivalries. Some popular places to hit up for bagels include Fairmount Bagel and St. Viateur.

Canadians enjoy some interesting flavors of chips. For example, Lay’s Potato Chips released a special “ketchup” flavor, only for Canadian consumers, and chip-lovers north of the border can’t get enough of them. Canadians, especially on the internet, frequently boast about their flavor — visitors can only truly know their deliciousness if they try them

Canadians are also all about “all dressed” chips. This cult favorite flavor is a staple for Canadian tastebuds, but no one can really put their finger on exactly what the flavor is. Apparently, it’s a mixture of several flavors — smoky, spicy and zesty — kind of like ketchup, vinegar and BBQ mixed together. Definitely uniquely Canadian.

While you’re snacking on your ketchup and all dressed chips, you can probably pair it with a donair. The Turkish-style kebab is rotisserie, spiced beef on a pita with tomatoes, raw onions and special sauce — kind of like a gyro. It’s a must-have for anyone traveling to Halifax and wants something quick, easy and on-the-go for lunch.

Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal is also the best place to find a delicious and authentic deli sandwich. Much like Katz’s Deli in New York, Schwartz’s is a legendary, traditional Jewish deli, as indicated by their moniker, “Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen.” The restaurant’s secret to the perfect sandwich is specialty spices and meat that’s smoked and marinated for 10 days before serving.

As if Canadians weren’t quirky enough, they also have a potato museum. Of course, what better food to pay homage to than the versatile potato? The Canadian Potato Museum in O’Leary, Canada has a huge collection of farm implements, machinery, and “the largest exhibit of potato artifacts in the world!” They also host the Potato Blossom Festival at the end of July.

Dover Island, Nova Scotia or Nova Scotia’s Granite Playground is a utopia for hikers, bikers, kayakers, bird-watchers, wave-catchers, rock climbers and basically anyone who wants to get outdoors. The island plays host to Boulderfest, a weekend long camping and climbing trip lead by Climb Nova Scotia in the summer. The rest of the year, the island is mostly uninhabited, except for its animal natives.

Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park is not only one of its largest parks, but also one of its most successful at conserving and protecting the last remaining herds of wood bison in the country. The wood buffalo also shares space with the whooping crane, geese, swans, ducks, bald eagles and other migratory birds.

Canada has its own Four Corners. While the U.S. version of the Four Corners has always been a tourist attraction, Canada’s version is just as appealing. In fact, the obelisk that marks the spot between four of Canada’s territories — Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut — is in the midst of the Canadian wilderness. It’s much more suitable for the adventurous tourist.

There are 27 beautiful wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, alone. You can take a day trip to the picturesque town to visit however many you wish, and taste test the best of local wines Canada has to offer. Each winery is unique, and the town is even host to the annual Icewine Festival every winter.

If you’re looking for a great place to relax on the water, Kouchibouguac National Park has calm seas for kayaking, salt marshes, sand dunes and sheltered lagoons for taking in a quiet and peaceful vacation. You can also access the park with the Discovery Pass for free for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Paris isn’t the only place to show your love. The Corktown Bridge in Ottawa is also a romantic destination for lovers to seal their affections with a love lock. The bridge is like a celebration of love.

You don’t have to be a professional dogsledder to lead your own team. Canada has tours that allow enthusiastic and adventurous visitors to drive their own dog sled pack on expert-lead expeditions, sometimes for retreats that can be almost a week long. It’s like riding in your own Iditarod.

Canadians know how to take your skiing skills to the next level. Heli-skiing is an exciting and adventurous way to hit the many slopes all over Canada. Once you’ve taken a helicopter up the mountain, a simple ski lift just won’t do. Whistler Ski Resort and Canadian Mountain Holidays have lots of heli-skiing packages for visitors ready to graduate from the bunny slopes.

The Mall of America has nothing on Canada. You can visit the largest shopping center in North America at the West Edmonton Mall, in Alberta, Canada. The gigantic shopping center is 5.3 million square feet, has more than 800 stores, two hotels, and over 100 dining venues.

You can see the best Shakespearean theater this side of the pond at Stratford Shakespeare Festival. The legendary spring and summer festival runs from April to Octover in Stratford, Ontario ever since 1953. Some famous actors to participate in the festival include William Shatner and Maggie Smith.

One of the biggest summer destinations in Canada is Calgary Stampede, and you’d swear you’re in the Old West. Rodeos, stock shows, cowboys and and plenty of fun vendors gather for one week in July for families to enjoy the festivities. In addition to rodeo tournaments and races, there is also a competitive dog show.

If you’re a person who loves clams, Prince Edward Island is the place where you can get your favorite appetizer straight from the source. There are plenty of tours and adventures where visitors can dig up clams and fish on the famous island. And after the dig, you can steam them up that very day.

Canada is home to the world’s largest skating rink. Every winter, the Rideau Canal in Ottawa becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway. The Skateway stretches from downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake, a total length of about 4.8 miles. The public can access open sections of the Skateway 24 hours a day, but Skateway maintenance crews operate mainly overnight.

Canada isn’t all craggy mountain tops. Athabasca sand dunes in Saskatchewan is a unique side of the Canadian landscape, measuring 400 to 1,500 meters (1,312 to 4,921 feet) long, and their maximum height is approximately 100 feet. The sand dunes are only accessible by plane or boat, but you can take a canoe down the river so you can see the beautiful sands yourself.

No one can pub crawl like Canadians can. George Street, in downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland, has more bars per square feet than any other place in North America, and it’s the ultimate place for a night of bar hopping. Two blocks of solid bars and pubs makes it the entertainment center of the city.

Next time you get brunch in Canada, don’t bother with a Bloody Mary. In Canada, they choose to drink, The Caesar, a similar but altogether unique drink. The cocktail is made with vodka, Clamato (as opposed to tomato juice), Worcestershire, Tabasco, a variety of spices (typically the same ones in the Bloody Mary.) There’s just something about those clams.

Canada is a beer lover’s paradise. At the end of 2014, it was estimated that there were 520 breweries in Canada alone, and projected over 600 by 2016. While the numbers have not rolled in for 2017 yet, we’re sure they’ve already surpassed expectations. Victoria Beer Week in British Columbia celebrates all things brew every March, and it’s the ultimate destination for hops aficionados.

One of the best Canadian traditions is the sugar shack or sap house, where sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. Commercial sugar shacks also serve as reception halls and restaurants, as well as having outdoor activities. One chef, Martin Picard, is keeping the tradition alive with his venue, Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon, a traditional, commercial sugar shack filled with maple infused dishes.

Between the border of the U.S. and Canada are more than 1,800 islands known as the 1,000 Islands that line the St. Lawrence River. Not only do boat tours run through the expansive stretch of islands, there are several stops where one can explore historic sites, such as huge mansions like a German-style Boldt Castle on Heart Island, and Singer Castle on Dark Island.

Canada is heaven for cyclists. There are tons of places country-wide where outdoorsy visitors can go on day-long bike tours through the wilderness and take in the sites. Some day-long excursions can take you through various landscapes, from 1000 year old forests to colorful farmland.

You don’t need to go to Europe to see gorgeous castles. Craigdarroch Castle, which is actually Victorian mansion built for a Vancouver entrepreneur in the 19th century, is an impressive architectural destination. Rumor has it that the castle might also be haunted.

If you truly want to get to know about Canada’s history, look no further than the Bytown museum. The museum is the oldest stone building in the country, and explores the early history of Canada’s capital, when it was known as Bytown. The museum also pays homage to Lieutenant Colonel John By, who oversaw the construction of the Rideau Canal.

Ask any Canadian: hockey is life. While hockey can probably be seen just about anywhere in the country, one particular site you can cheer on your team, especially if you’re an Edmonton Oilers fan, is Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton. The impressive stadium features are a lower bowl of over 9,000 seats.

If you are a hockey fanatic, there’s no better place to visit than Canada. In particular, Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, where you can find exhibits in honor of hockey’s greatest players. In 2017, the NHL is celebrating its centennial year and is marking the occasion with a display dedicated to the NHL's 100 greatest players.

Everyone knows Canada is pretty cold. However, there are a few places, like the Liard Hot Springs, where you can stay in the great outdoors without braving the frozen temperatures. After a long day on the icy road, the hot springs are a popular place to warm up and relax your tired muscles the all natural way.

Canada has a lot of scenic drives, but one of the best is the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park, Ontario, which contains most of the developed part of the park space. The 35 mile stretch from the West Gate to the East Gate is particularly popular for people looking to see the beautiful fall foliage and spotting wildlife.

You don’t need to hop the pond to see Stonehenge. Canada has it’s own version. Inuksuk Point, small peninsula on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada, features over 100 small, stone inuksuit, or stacked piles of stones, that are made to resemble humans.

The Pacific Rim Highway, in British Columbia, gives adventurers the best of Vancouver Island in one 100 mile stretch. From Parksville to Port Alberni, one million travelers per year take this scenic drive to see the diverse landscape, from mountain valleys to beach towns.

The natural beauty of Cape Breton Island is a sight to behold, and it’s easy to do on The Cabot Trail. The popular road trip takes you through splendid hiking trails and fishing villages, showing you the best of the Highlands. Cape Breton also plays host to the Cabot Trail Writers Festival, the Celtic Colours International Festival, and the harvest-season Huckle Buckle Festival.

The Fortress Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island is the best place to step into the past. The National Historic Site is a reconstruction of an 18th century French fortress and is currently operated by Parks Canada as a living history museum (complete with actors in 18th Century attire).

Canada is one of those special places where a 17-year-old kid with a dream can end up creating his own rock festival. Montebello Rockfest, or Amnesia Rockfest, which is held every year in Montebello, Québec, has become the largest rock music festival in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The annual festival will be held between June 22 and 25 for 2017.

Driving along the Long Sault Parkway, you can access more than 400 campsites across the 11 islands that the road stretches across. The islands were formed when the St. Lawrence river was flooded, and several villages were lost where the river now lies. Parts of the McLaren campground named five cabins after these lost villages.

Canada isn’t just about mountain climbing, camping and hiking. You can also go scuba diving. Texada Island, the largest island in the Strait of Georgia of British Columbia, has excellent dive sites on its northern tip for people who want to explore the ocean deep.

Canada is certainly not lacking in history, or fascinating ghost stories. Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is the oldest landmark in Toronto, has stood as a guide for ships coming home to the harbor for 150 years. It’s also rumored as haunted, since its first lighthouse keeper mysteriously died in 1815. While the lighthouse doesn’t really guide ships anymore, people can still visit and wonder about the mystery.

Rogers Pass in British Columbia is one of the places you can walk between mountains. The high mountain pass crosses through the Selkirk Mountains and is a National Historic Site of Canada. The pass is a shortcut across the "Big Bend" of the Columbia River.

You can find a little piece of France tucked away in Île d’Orléans, outside Québec. The gorgeous town is an agricultural paradise, filled with orchards, vineyards and farms for people to visit, as well as tons of local produce to sample. It’s like visiting the French countryside without crossing an ocean.

Winnipeg, the Chicago of the North, is one of North America’s fastest growing cities. Nowhere is this fact more apparent than the city’s Exchange District. Located in the downtown area, the district holds over 150 heritage buildings and is known for its intact early 20th century warehouses, financial institutions, and early terra cotta skyscrapers. It’s the main cultural center of Winnipeg and a must-go for anyone who wants to taste some Canadian city-life.

For 30 years, the Winnipeg Fringe Theater Festival has been bringing the best independent theater acts this side of the Atlantic to the people. Between July 19 and 30, people can see 31 venues, 90 shows and over 1000 performances of unique theater shows, musical acts as well as street performers.

Jazz is thriving north of the border as well at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival. For nearly 30 years, the festival has been one of the biggest music festivals in Canada, attracting both Canadian and international artists to its stage. Some past performers include The Roots, Booker T. Jones and Herbie Hancock.

Canada is home to the longest covered bridge in the world. The Hartland Bridge in New Brunswick is a grand total of 1,282 feet. It’s also known as a “kissing bridge”, which dates back to the years of horse and wagon traffic, when drivers “trained” their horses to stop about halfway across the bridge, wait while the couple in the wagon shared a kiss, and then continue.

Just like the U.S., Canada has a long heritage as a melting pot, and over 1 million immigrants passed through Pier 21, Canada’s Ellis Island. The ocean liner terminal was active between 1928 to 1971, and is now occupied by the Canadian Museum of Immigration, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Visitors can come to the pier to discover their history.

You can’t think about Canada without thinking about the Canadian mountie. The RCMP Heritage Center in Regina, Saskatchewan, is essentially a one-stop center and museum dedicated to the mountie and their role in Canada’s history and identity.

Reindeer may not be able to fly, but you can spot them migrating in Canada. IN the spring and autumn, arctic caribou (also known as reindeer) can be seen migrating in droves. There are many wildlife tours and safaris that can take travelers up to the Canadian arctic to see the majestic animals, so you can see the beautiful creatures up close.

Québec has its own Central Park, and it’s called the Plains of Abraham. The park is 247 acres of beautiful meadows, grassy knolls and plant life. It’s also steeped in history. The site was originally the scene of the 1759 Conquest, a battle between France and Great Britain.

Over 4,000 moose, the largest amount of moose per square kilometer, can be seen at The Matane Wildlife Reserve in Québec. Along with hunting, fishing and camping, the reserve also hosts educational activities about the local wildlife, including a moose interpretation centre, black bear watching in their natural habitat, a moose photo safari, and wildlife watching by kayak. You won’t find bigger animal lovers than in Canada.

Canada is filled with natural wonders, and natural phenomena. Magnetic Hill in New Brunswick is no exception. The “gravity hill,” a type of optical illusion created by rising and descending terrain, doesn’t actually pull cars uphill. Motorists are actually seeing the hill incorrectly, making them believe they need to accelerate when they reach the bottom. Still, the sensation is pretty spooky.

The Dead Sea isn’t the only place where you can find a saltwater lake. Little Manitou Lake in Saskatoon, Canada is fed by underground springs, and has a mineral content high in sodium, magnesium and potassium, and just like the Dead Sea, you can float like a buoy if you try to swim in it. The mineral waters have made it a popular tourist destination.

Everyone plays hockey in Canada. And if you can’t get to the rink, there’s always a nice, traditional frozen pond. Hence, Canada is home to the one and only Pond Hockey World Championship in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick. Not only is it free, but for three days, 20 ice surfaces of the lake are transformed to cold battlegrounds where more than 100 teams compete for the title. It’s the ultimate celebration of Canadian culture.