Road Trip in Canada - where would you go?

[Meaghan McLeod 179664]

If you were going, or have gone, on a road trip in Canada - what are the must see places? Places you wish you had gone to see, places you have seen and would love to go back to.

 

I personally love lakes, wildlife, hiking, the outdoors, rodeos, small quaint towns. Hate the big cities, so not really into that whole thing. However, I will be stopping in some of the cities, but for the vacation part, I want to get out into nature.

 

Will be driving through almost all of the provinces - from BC to NB. So, what areas do you think I should visit to enjoy my road trip? I've driven this many times, so I know the route, but this time, I am going to take the time to detour off the beaten path to explore Canada. Where should I go? The main areas that interest me are BC and Northern Ontario. Thanks!

[Regent 35404]

SK: Manitou Beach is a really unique and amazing experience. It's a small resort town on a lake that's saltier than the dead sea. You can swim in the lake or at the large pool/spa that's fed with lake water. They also have a historical dance hall that hosts many fun events.

 

MB: If you enjoy food, while you're in Winnipeg, eat at Segovia even if you do nothing else. It's one of the best restaurants I've ever been to.

 

Wellman Lake campground in Duck Mountain is gorgeous, and is right on Glad Lake, which is one of the clearest lakes I've ever seen.

 

You'll probably be coming through too late, but on the off chance the season is still on, going to the snake pits at Narcisse is an incredible sight. It's the world's largest gathering of snakes - thousands (millions?) of garter snakes gather twice a year in giant mating balls.

 

Gimli, MB is a very charming Icelandic town on Lake Winnipeg. Lots of small touristy and historical things and just lovely scenery. It gets quite busy and full of people during the summer weekends.

 

Nopiming Provincial Park is just wonderful if you like being outdoors. Lots of lakes and paddle in camp sites and such. Parts of it may be on fire right now.

 

ON: Kakabeka Falls just outside Thunder Bay is spectacular.

 

In Thunder Bay is the Cascades Conservation Area. It's an easy hike to a stretch of rapids with some spots where you can swim.

 

Eagle Canyon has Canada's longest suspension bridge and zip line.

 

Ouimet Canyon Provincial park is beautiful - the canyon itself has some beautiful rock formations and a micro arctic ecosystem at the bottom.

[Luckyme 41401]

I assume that you'd be using the TransCanada Highway starting in BC. One of the most scenic spots that you'd come across and which you'd probably know already is Banff National Park area. Apart from skiing in the skiing season, a visit to a hot spring should be part of your agenda if you have not done so.

 

If you prefer a less commercialized touristy area like Banff, a short detour to Jasper National Park will be a fantastic choice. In that case, you'll be heading North on HW93 which is also popularly known as Icefields Parkway and voted as one of the most beautiful highways in the world. Along the way, you'll come upon the magnificent Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier which you must stop and hike out to visit. Coming upon wildlife such as a herd of rams is a common occurrence while on the Icefields Parkway (HW 93).

 

This area brings back a lot of unforgettable and fond memories...

[conquistador 18487]

Def do the drive to Jasper and then can go on to Edmonton from there. The Columbia icefield is really cool to see... Lots of lakes on the way. Maybe do Banff park itself too, beautiful.

[Hondius 1151]

Side trip from Revelstoke down through the Slocan Valley to Nelson.

[Ice4fun 78407]

Well the only province I have not visited is Saskatchewan so for me it would be a great roadtrip plan.

[Reuben Sandwich 13841]

Side trip from Revelstoke down through the Slocan Valley to Nelson.

 

Yes this is a beautiful drive. Do a side trip to Kaslo on your way to Nelson

Actually from Vancouver taking the southern route on the Crowfoot you go a bit more off the beaten path. When you hit Osoyoos just head north and take in the Okanagan Valley before connecting to the T Can

 

Dinosaur Provincial park is just 40 minutes north of Brooks, Alberta on the Red Deer River. Badlands and bones without having to go all the way to Drumheller.

 

Stop in Dryden, Ontario at Kokom's Bannock shack for a great lunch or supper. They have a fantastic Reuben Sandwich on bannock

[Guest]

If you're going through Ottawa to go to Montreal, don't forget to see the other sites of Quebec. First of all Gatineau is right beside Ottawa and it's beauty rarely gets mentioned. A couple of places that are so close to Ottawa are:

 

1) Jean Cartier Park: You could also go to the Hilton Lac Leamy casino and in the back the Jean Cartier trails start, or you can walk to the casino through the trails and you can enjoy the Lac Leamy beach.

 

2) Gatineau Park: this is a great place to go biking, again a lot of beautiful trails and great scenery.

 

Now if you are going to Montreal don't forget to go to Mont Tremblant. It is known for it's skiing, however, there's a lot of summer activities, the food is lovely and I really loved dancing at their little chalet club.

 

Montebello is one of the oldest hotels in Canada and is close to Mont Tremblant. This is a wonderful place to brunch.

 

Another beauty is Quebec City. You will love this charming little town with cobble roads, yummy food and again great trails surrounding this city.

 

Of course Montreal...you have to go to Mount Royal, the peer and of course some of the clubs. If you plan your trip right, you may hit the burlesque festival they have every year. They also have a really good market full of fresh delicious foods.

 

Anyways, there's a lot of beautiful places in Quebec.

 

I hope you find this helpful and good luck.

[Luckyme 41401]

Now if you are going to Montreal Don't forget to go to Mont Tremblant. It is known for it's skiing, however, there's a lot of summer activities, the food is lovely ....

 

So true! Hiking on the mountainous trails, mountain biking, and of course, golfing are some of the wonderful summer activities. Don't forget too, to stop by the Spa on the way for the wonderful cold and hot baths and duo therapeutic massage. Wonderful memories! ;-)

[Sherlock 707]

There is beautiful scenery, and a lake cruise to Montana, in Waterton Lakes National Park in SW Alberta.

 

In NB, Sackville, especially the Waterfowl Park, and Grand Manan Island for the whale watching and coastal scenery are highlights.

[fortunateone 156618]

If you haven't done so yet, drive up island. Go to Long Beach, Tofino, Ucluelet. See some whales, check out that big park there.

 

http://www.longbeachmaps.com

 

Further north, you'll be able to stop for fresh (i mean right out of the water) oysters around Fanny Bay, then in the Comox Valley could probably go up to Forbidden Plateau area and check out the glacier there? People hike on the other side of the mountain, also can't remember what that is called lol. http://www.keira-anne.com/2009/09/01/island-profile-forbidden-plateau/

 

Between Fanny bay and there, you could hop 2 ferries and get to Hornby Island, and go to the rather interesting Tribune Bay http://hornbyisland.com/discover-hornby/beaches-parks/

[Guest S****r]

Just outside Gatineau, in Chelsea, is a wonderful outdoor spa called Nordic. Plan to spend a few hours there!

 

https://www.lenordik.com/en/homepage/

[Regent 35404]

Oh, Winnipeg has one of these too. It's lovely. http://www.thermea.ca/

[cinelli 22184]

If you are near Banff and Lake Louise you should check out Moraine Lake.

The turnoff is on the road to Lake Louise. Moraine Lake is far nicer and less touristy.

 

The Burgess Shale is nearby in Field, right on the border between BC and Alberta. You can go on guided hikes but they are tough! The Burgess Shale is one of the most important fossil discoveries of all time.

For any kind of science geek it is a true must see.

[JessyCeleste 14078]

Thank you OP for making this thread. From now on, when I travel I will use this as a ref to see whats nearby that one should check out!

 

Places I've been I would say are must-sees.

When I was a child I spent 3 weeks in the Canadian Rockies (AL side)... Castle mountain specifically, which earns its moniker by looking like a windowless castle. Everyone should have this experience!

 

Of course Ottawa ON! Every Canadian NEEDS TO visit the nation's capital! There's way too much to list here. The people are incredible. It has everything you'd want in a big city, with a small town mentality, in terms of friendliness and common respect. Best of both worlds.

 

Montreal QCfor its European flavor and its extreme sexual-liberation. It also has a TON of history, beautiful architecture, fire-work contests twice a week in the summer, the finalles of which literally light up the sky so it seems day-time for a few seconds while also making you feel like you are in a war-zone, and an amusement part 5min from downtown!

 

Niagara Falls ON One of my favorite places to visit!!! Not only is the strip like a mini Las Vegas but the falls themselves are breath taking. Id recommend buying one of the packages that includes a ride of The Maid of The Mist (They changed the boat motors and get you extremely close to the falls. Not for the faint of heart! The Journey Behind the Falls (caves that are behind the falls themselves) The Niagara Rapids (Highest class of Rapids in the world. No one is allowed to navigate them and with between 5-18ft rapids, you can see why) which also includes a visit to the Niagara Whirlpool which is responsible for creating the falls a mere 6000 yrs ago! This is one of the many fascinating things you will learn if you are kind enough to yourself to read the little plaques. Its really incredible! On the strip go to Ripley's Believe It Or Not

 

PS. When paying for ANYTHING in this region (and it often follows you to Mississuaga and even TO) beware of the 'Tourist's Bullsh*t Tax'!!! Not its official name but it should be. Its an optional tax that they tack on to everything whether its an activity, a hotel stay, a museum or a bloody ice cap at Tim's! They aren't allowed to point it out or volunteer the info that it IS in fact optional. Don't fall for it! You have to asked for it to be removed from the bill. Usually they will do so happily. If they fight you, ask for the manager. But most are aware it is optional and the person has every right not to pay it.

 

Places I want to go.

 

Someone I knew went to Fort MacMurry AL for work and told me about the amazing northern lights there. I am dying to go! I was actually planning a trip out there, you know via lyla, but given the recent tragedies I think I will give Fort Mac some healing time before I go to have my breath taken away.

 

 

Cape Breton NS. A friend of mine moved out there and sent me photo after photo after photo of this amazing, naturally gorgeous part of our country. I am finally going to visit late Aug/early Sept. That's the aim anyway.

 

Okanogan Valley. A couple I know went there for their anniversary. They said it was like being in the southern states. Desert, oasis, even rattle snakes. I can do without the snake bites, I'm just emphasizing how the climate there differs so much from the rest of Canada.

 

 

Finally, I would love to visit the most northern part of Canada. Id love to witness the steep curve of the planet first hand by watching the sun skim humbly along the horizon. I'm a nut for astronomy so Id find the experience very interesting. Plus... those northern lights!

 

I was actually lucky enough to see them once north of Saskatoon. There are no words! I can only imagine the intensity further north!!!

 

I'm visiting Calgary this Aug so when I return, I'll (hopefully) add it to this list of must see.

 

Additional Comments:

Just outside Gatineau, in Chelsea, is a wonderful outdoor spa called Nordic. Plan to spend a few hours there!

 

https://www.lenordik.com/en/homepage/

 

Oh MAN! I second this!!! I should've included it! I would especially recommend paying the extra money to use the underground salt bath. Its filled with more salt than the Dead Sea (along with other minerals and oils.. the salt is Epsom rather than sea-salt and for those who don't know, Epsom is used by athletes, dancers, recommended by Sports-Medicine Drs, Physio-Therapists and RMTs to bathe in for sore muscles and its works like a charm!) as you float around (use the pillows provided for optimal comfort) your ears under the water, you hear wonderful relaxing music from the under-water speakers. As u float around, different vents you pass under provide a different breeze at different temps, taking you on this crazy physical/spiritual journey. (sorry to sound all Kumbaya but its true!) I can go on and on about the other great features but I actually don't have the time at the moment. TRUST ME!!! GO!!! I've been about 5 times and I'm always dying to go back! Simply amazing! Thanks for mentioning this Summer! Good call! Man am I ever over-due for a visit. I highly recommend going in winter for the full experience! Oh and definitely book a massage first. What incredible is the price. A package that includes the massage and all day access to the baths (until 10pm I believe) is the same price as a regular massage from a RMT in downtown Ottawa. It is WELL worth the trip!!!! The salt-bath is half price is you add it to the package. I recommend bringing your own food and eating it in the car though. The food was expensive and, well maybe I ordered the wrong thing but, I wasn't impressed with the meal. Groan! Thanks a lot Summer! Now I wont be happy til I'm there again! LOL

[rollhay 1215]

Crossing the prairies take the yellow head route . Very diffent than theTCanada. And make some side trips north if you can .2/3 of Sask. is Canadian Shield with some fantastic fishing for pike and pickerel. Whatever have a great trip!

[tongue twister 842]

I see rodeos on your list hit the Calgary Stampede a great time. Also Calgary and surrounding areas are great.

[JessyCeleste 14078]

I see rodeos on your list hit the Calgary Stampede a great time. Also Calgary and surrounding areas are great.

 

Although I have never been myself, I MUST second this! Its world famous as far as rodeos go! People in TX have asked me excitedly when I tell them I'm from Montreal if Ive ever been to the Calgary Stampede *facepalm SMH* LOL