Canada is the second largest country on Earth, encompassing vibrant cosmopolitan cities and an incredibly rich assortment of natural landscapes and wildlife spread across six time zones. Deciding where to go and what to do can be overwhelming for families, but here are some experiences not to be missed when visiting.
Renowned the world over for their beauty, these magnificent falls are one of Canada’s top tourist attractions. While they’re not the tallest falls in the world, the amount of water that thunders over them is truly staggering – about the equivalent of one million bathtubs full every minute. The falls are located on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA, two hours’ drive from Toronto.
Edmonton is home to the West Edmonton Mall – North America’s biggest shopping complex. With over 800 stores and covering 48 city blocks, it has the world’s largest indoor wave pool, an amusement park with over 25 rides and attractions, an indoor triple loop roller coaster, indoor lake, bungee tower, underwater world and everything you could possibly imagine to excite and entertain the whole family. It attracts around 28 million visitors every year.
Canada is one of the most popular overseas snow destinations for Australians with its spectacular scenery, challenging terrain and hundreds of excellent ski resorts to choose from. Plenty of ski holiday packages are available that offer outstanding value for money. Popular ski resorts for families include Big White and Whistler in British Columbia, and the villages near Calgary, Alberta including Fernie and Banff.
Located in one of the highest points in the city, this beautifully landscaped park has splendid views of the city, mountains and sea. As well as formal gardens and plenty of room for the kids to run around, Queen Elizabeth Park is also home to the Bloedel Floral Conservatory. This Triodetic dome contains a tropical environment with over 500 species of plants from lush rainforest ferns to desert cacti. Over 100 exotic birds fly overhead and tropical fish swim in streams and pools.
Science World is a hands-on science centre aimed primarily at kids, although it’s great fun for adults as well. Housed in an impressive dome-shaped building, it features entertaining and educational exhibits, many of which are interactive. The OMNIMAX Theatre which gives the building its shape shows science and nature films on an enormous wrap-around screen.
A glass elevator launches visitors up 169 metres in 40 seconds, where an observation deck affords an incredible 360-degree view of Vancouver. After you’ve exhausted your camera’s memory card, enjoy a snack and buy a souvenir at the Lookout gift shop, or watch a multi-image show about the city in the onsite theatre.
This excellent aquarium offers the opportunity to observe thousands of fish and marine animals in a variety of different habitats, and marine mammals in outdoor pools with underwater viewing windows. Set aside at least a couple of hours for this aquatic adventure.
Completed in 1976 and standing just over 553 metres, the CN Tower was the tallest freestanding structure in the world for many years and remains towards the top of the list. Its primary function is radio and TV communications but it’s also a must-see on every tour of the city, as an elevator whisks you to the glass observation deck near the top where the entire city is spread below your feet.
A curious mock medieval castle, the “house on the hill” is a step back in time to European opulence, complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful five-acre estate gardens.
Experience Canada’s premier amusement park and water fun park with attractions, entertainment and over 60 rides including the record-breaking roller coaster dubbed the Yukon Striker.
The original part of the city is beautifully preserved at historic Old Montreal. The cobblestone streets are lined with historic grey stone buildings, museums, galleries, shops and restaurants. The area is also home to the Vieux Port, lively public squares like Place Jacques-Cartier and the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame. The whole family will love the chance to ride around town in a traditional horse and buggy.
Originally built as the Velodrome (cycling stadium) for the 1976 Olympics, this impressive spherical building allows visitors to walk through replicas of the four ecosystems found in the Americas: tropical rainforest, Laurentian forest, marine ecosystem and an Arctic environment – all complete with a thriving array of plants and animals.
NB: The Biodome is closed for major renovations until the end of summer 2019.
This excellent theme park is a great way to break up a few days of sightseeing, shopping and museum-hopping. La Ronde is home to a sailing lagoon, an “Enchanted Forest” with costumed storytellers, and a Western town with a saloon. There are also Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, carnival booths and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Held over 10 days during chilly February, the Winter Carnival has been a tradition since 1954. The streets of Quebec City come alive with parades, ice sculptures, dances and winter sporting events.
Each year in late July/early August, Toronto’s Caribbean community celebrate their heritage with this lively, colourful festival. Highlights are the fantastic Caribbean music and a street parade complete with wild costumes and dancing.
This is Canada’s largest annual event and the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. It takes place over ten days every July and features an internationally recognised rodeo competition, rides, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuck wagon races, First Nations exhibitions and pancake breakfasts around the city. An unmissable family event if you’re headed for Calgary in July.
Built for Expo ’86, Canada Place – in the heart of busy Vancouver Harbour – is a stunning building with a row of five white sails (somewhat resembling the Sydney Opera House). Home to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, Canada Place also houses the Cruise Ship Terminal, Pan Pacific Hotel and CN IMAX Theatre.
With vast tracts of largely untouched wilderness between its borders, it’s no wonder Canada is one of the world’s premier destinations for wildlife watching. A wildlife expedition on Vancouver Island will take you to see magnificent orcas and humpbacks at play in the ocean and grizzly bears roaming the shores. If it’s bears you love you can brave the cold and make the journey to Manitoba in the Arctic Circle to see the biggest of them all, the polar bear. And there are great hikes and wildlife watching opportunities in many of Canada’s more accessible national parks like Banff and Jasper National Parks in Ontario and Glacier National Park in BC.
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