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I've heard the life in Canada is boring..
- Thread starter milenss
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I've only been to Vancouver and Whistler, but it was pretty legit
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Here is my Top 10 things by Province to do when visiting Canada focusing on the Province of Quebec and West from there since that is where I know best. I will let others like @Clippy add for East of Quebec. Please note that my recommendations are geared at first time visitors only and therefore a little more 'touristy' than I might otherwise suggest for those who might like getting more off the beaten path.
Quebec: (I can only speak to summer activities as I am not a winter person so maybe @Loiosh would have some insights for that?)
1. Visit Quebec City. A piece of Old Europe in Canada. Tons of charm and open air cafe's and patios. Some of the best restaurants in N.America. Just do the tourist thing and visit all the sites.
2. Montreal : Visit during one of the festivals. Jazzfest is my favorite but I've been during the Comedy festival, Fringe Festival and for the Grand Prix weekend. All are awesome fun. Stay in Old Montreal and walk the old quarters. Not quite as charming as Quebec City but still some amazing cafe's, patios and restaurants.
Honorable mention : Montreal Strip clubs. At least when I was younger they were the best in N.America.
Ontario:
3. Visit Toronto - ya some get offended by this comparison but it is like NYC light. there is really nothing you can do in NYC that you do not find on a smaller scale in Toronto. Just do not try to drive in the city as starting out that way is sure to make you hate it. I find so many of my Canadian friends who hate the city but love NYC try to drive into Toronto and around it and they are angry due to horrific traffic and then they pay over priced parking or get towed and they start off hating the city due to that. When they go to NYC they fly in and therefore never have that terrible first start. Once in Toronto just like with NYC, I suggest getting out to the neighbourhoods and not sticking to the downtown. I mean sure, check out the CN Tower if you must but all the cool stuff happens where the people actually live, just like in NYC. Go to Yorkville and walk around the fancy shops and roof top bars to see where the celeb's stay. Go to Roncevalles, Liberty Village, Ossington, Kensington Market, the Danforth, The Beaches, the Distillery District. I always find that most people critical of Toronto have never visited many, if any of the neighbourhoods and only stick to the stodgy business oriented and touristy trap downtown. A big mistake. Like going to NYC and never visiting the Meat Packing District or Soho, etc and only sticking to Time Square.
4. Visit Cottage Country - whether it is the Muskoka's or if you really like off the grid Algonquin Park or head east to Thousand Islands area, Ontario is the land of lakes. And that is big water lakes and some of the best smaller fishing lakes and rivers. If you are a fisherman then you need to hit northern Ontario and take on the legendary Musky. They are reputed to be one of the best fighting lake fishes and you will always hear stories of Jingles the Musky who is about 20 years old and who likes to taunt the fisherman at night by lifting his head out of the water and shaking his head to make all the hooks he has snapped jingle that he now wears as proud piercings to taunt the fisherman. Tons of golf as well. Best guys weekend for golf and fishing.
Manitoba:
Ya, i got nothing from my one visit there. Ok go visit the Shark Club and say hi to the waitress Stormy (actually all the waitresses were hot) as this was were the hockey team used to hang out and so it attracted every hot young gal to work there. I found little redeeming in the city that has struggled for an identity since it was the most important rail hub for East/West traffic in Canada before trucking and Airplanes took that title. For decades their economy has been in decline or flat. But maybe someone who knows it better than me can help.
Saskatchewan :
Similarly I got little. Been to Regina twice. Saskatoon is supposed to be the nicer town. If you are there go to neighbouring MooseJaw and do the Al Capone tour and learn about the hidden under ground city that was created to service the Bootleg industry of shipping booze into the US during Prohibition. It is pretty interesting but understand a lot of legend has intermingled with the fact and no is trying to de-romanticize it.
the running joke in Saskatchewan is that 'when you dog runs away you can see him going for 5 days' as it is prairie province and flat and featureless and you can see across it forever.
Alberta:
5. Calgary - Canada's banking town for the Oil industry. Lots of wannabe cowboys. Even the bankers think they are cowboys. Lots of Texans in Calgary too. Just over a million people so enough bars, restaurants, night life to be fun but without the big city feel or issues. and only 45 Minutes to the Mountains.
6. Edmonton - The Gateway to the North. Edmonton grew up as a service centre for Northern commerce. At first the Fir Trade and then Big Oil and Gas. Just under a Million people and far more blue collar than Calgary but also far more diverse as they need to bring in workers from all over the world to meet the demand. A big gay culture and also lots of gov't and healthcare jobs which really diversifies the blue collar mix. At times McDonalds jobs have paid $20/hr due to worker shortages when Oil and Gas is booming. When Oil prices are high Edmonton truly is a restart type of town for anyone with a strong back or a good mind who is leaving prior troubles behind. You will make money hand over fist here and the areas is full of entrepreneurs so it is a great place to start businesses and get investors. So many franchises and businesses start here. the River Valley,a s I mention upthread is the crown jewel for me. Also the summer Farmers Market is ranked by National Geographic as the worlds best. There is also that West Edmonton Mall thing that @TheWorm mentioned up thread which is one of the world's biggest malls but since I hate malls i have little to say about it. But i know it has everything from a full Vegas style shooting range, to a full amusement park with RollerCoasters, to a giant Waterpark and Casino and more inside it.
7. Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper - the Canadian rockies are really something special. Every time I go, I could stay and never move back to a big city. I have traveled to mountain ranges in many countries around the world and while they all have their beauty and features I would say none compare to the Canadian Rockies. Majestic is the word I use every time I go.
British Columbia
8. The Interior - Visit Canada's wine country in the Okanagon Valley with the town of Kelowna at its heart. In the midst of mountains and centred around a few lakes this is a mix of cottage country and wine and craft beer country what could be a better mix?
9. Vancouver - As mentioned up thread probably Canada's most highly ranked livable city. Ocean, Mountains, Nature, Hippy stuff, cafe culture. I love this town and it will probably end up being my final home in Canada. So many mountain ranges and hikes I cannot even begin to recommend. And less than 2 hours via the scenic Sea to Sky highway to Whistler means you can often golf and sky in the same day.
10. Victoria on Vancouver Island - you might as well visit the entire island while there but Victoria is where i recommend for first time tourists.
i do love this country so I am happy to promote it.
Quebec: (I can only speak to summer activities as I am not a winter person so maybe @Loiosh would have some insights for that?)
1. Visit Quebec City. A piece of Old Europe in Canada. Tons of charm and open air cafe's and patios. Some of the best restaurants in N.America. Just do the tourist thing and visit all the sites.
2. Montreal : Visit during one of the festivals. Jazzfest is my favorite but I've been during the Comedy festival, Fringe Festival and for the Grand Prix weekend. All are awesome fun. Stay in Old Montreal and walk the old quarters. Not quite as charming as Quebec City but still some amazing cafe's, patios and restaurants.
Honorable mention : Montreal Strip clubs. At least when I was younger they were the best in N.America.
Ontario:
3. Visit Toronto - ya some get offended by this comparison but it is like NYC light. there is really nothing you can do in NYC that you do not find on a smaller scale in Toronto. Just do not try to drive in the city as starting out that way is sure to make you hate it. I find so many of my Canadian friends who hate the city but love NYC try to drive into Toronto and around it and they are angry due to horrific traffic and then they pay over priced parking or get towed and they start off hating the city due to that. When they go to NYC they fly in and therefore never have that terrible first start. Once in Toronto just like with NYC, I suggest getting out to the neighbourhoods and not sticking to the downtown. I mean sure, check out the CN Tower if you must but all the cool stuff happens where the people actually live, just like in NYC. Go to Yorkville and walk around the fancy shops and roof top bars to see where the celeb's stay. Go to Roncevalles, Liberty Village, Ossington, Kensington Market, the Danforth, The Beaches, the Distillery District. I always find that most people critical of Toronto have never visited many, if any of the neighbourhoods and only stick to the stodgy business oriented and touristy trap downtown. A big mistake. Like going to NYC and never visiting the Meat Packing District or Soho, etc and only sticking to Time Square.
4. Visit Cottage Country - whether it is the Muskoka's or if you really like off the grid Algonquin Park or head east to Thousand Islands area, Ontario is the land of lakes. And that is big water lakes and some of the best smaller fishing lakes and rivers. If you are a fisherman then you need to hit northern Ontario and take on the legendary Musky. They are reputed to be one of the best fighting lake fishes and you will always hear stories of Jingles the Musky who is about 20 years old and who likes to taunt the fisherman at night by lifting his head out of the water and shaking his head to make all the hooks he has snapped jingle that he now wears as proud piercings to taunt the fisherman. Tons of golf as well. Best guys weekend for golf and fishing.
Manitoba:
Ya, i got nothing from my one visit there. Ok go visit the Shark Club and say hi to the waitress Stormy (actually all the waitresses were hot) as this was were the hockey team used to hang out and so it attracted every hot young gal to work there. I found little redeeming in the city that has struggled for an identity since it was the most important rail hub for East/West traffic in Canada before trucking and Airplanes took that title. For decades their economy has been in decline or flat. But maybe someone who knows it better than me can help.
Saskatchewan :
Similarly I got little. Been to Regina twice. Saskatoon is supposed to be the nicer town. If you are there go to neighbouring MooseJaw and do the Al Capone tour and learn about the hidden under ground city that was created to service the Bootleg industry of shipping booze into the US during Prohibition. It is pretty interesting but understand a lot of legend has intermingled with the fact and no is trying to de-romanticize it.
the running joke in Saskatchewan is that 'when you dog runs away you can see him going for 5 days' as it is prairie province and flat and featureless and you can see across it forever.
Alberta:
5. Calgary - Canada's banking town for the Oil industry. Lots of wannabe cowboys. Even the bankers think they are cowboys. Lots of Texans in Calgary too. Just over a million people so enough bars, restaurants, night life to be fun but without the big city feel or issues. and only 45 Minutes to the Mountains.
6. Edmonton - The Gateway to the North. Edmonton grew up as a service centre for Northern commerce. At first the Fir Trade and then Big Oil and Gas. Just under a Million people and far more blue collar than Calgary but also far more diverse as they need to bring in workers from all over the world to meet the demand. A big gay culture and also lots of gov't and healthcare jobs which really diversifies the blue collar mix. At times McDonalds jobs have paid $20/hr due to worker shortages when Oil and Gas is booming. When Oil prices are high Edmonton truly is a restart type of town for anyone with a strong back or a good mind who is leaving prior troubles behind. You will make money hand over fist here and the areas is full of entrepreneurs so it is a great place to start businesses and get investors. So many franchises and businesses start here. the River Valley,a s I mention upthread is the crown jewel for me. Also the summer Farmers Market is ranked by National Geographic as the worlds best. There is also that West Edmonton Mall thing that @TheWorm mentioned up thread which is one of the world's biggest malls but since I hate malls i have little to say about it. But i know it has everything from a full Vegas style shooting range, to a full amusement park with RollerCoasters, to a giant Waterpark and Casino and more inside it.
7. Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper - the Canadian rockies are really something special. Every time I go, I could stay and never move back to a big city. I have traveled to mountain ranges in many countries around the world and while they all have their beauty and features I would say none compare to the Canadian Rockies. Majestic is the word I use every time I go.
British Columbia
8. The Interior - Visit Canada's wine country in the Okanagon Valley with the town of Kelowna at its heart. In the midst of mountains and centred around a few lakes this is a mix of cottage country and wine and craft beer country what could be a better mix?
9. Vancouver - As mentioned up thread probably Canada's most highly ranked livable city. Ocean, Mountains, Nature, Hippy stuff, cafe culture. I love this town and it will probably end up being my final home in Canada. So many mountain ranges and hikes I cannot even begin to recommend. And less than 2 hours via the scenic Sea to Sky highway to Whistler means you can often golf and sky in the same day.
10. Victoria on Vancouver Island - you might as well visit the entire island while there but Victoria is where i recommend for first time tourists.
i do love this country so I am happy to promote it.
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How is Canada boring? This thread makes no sense.
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Someone at national Geographic called the downtown market the best farmers market in the world? What the fuck? It’s not even the best one here. IMO both the Old Strathcona Market and the St. Albert market are better farmers market.
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Canadians, tell me some "hold my beer" moments.
I wanna know what y'all get up to that measures up to Freedom Failures
I wanna know what y'all get up to that measures up to Freedom Failures
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I go to both those other markets and they don't even compare to the 104st market IMO.
When is the last time you visited it as it has grown to take up basically all of 104 between Jasper and 103Ave and 102Ave from 105st to 103st.
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Maybe two years or so. It might be bigger than the Old Strathcona market, but the St. Albert one is larger than 104th.
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