Canada is so big and different that it often combines incompatible things: French ease and English stiffness, icy deserts and ocean beaches, flat lakes and mountain waterfalls. Canada has a huge number of places worthy of attention, many of which can be visited by the whole family.
1. Niagara Falls
The world-famous waterfall is, in fact, a complex of waterfalls located on the border of Canada and the United States, on the Niagara River. “American Falls”, “Horseshoe” and “Bridal Veil” are not high, falling from 53 meters, but among all similar ones they stand out due to the width and volume of falling water. The waterfalls attract so many tourists that thanks to them, two cities called Niagara Falls, which were formed near the waterfall on the American (New York State) and Canadian (Ontario) sides, flourish. The view of the seething streams of the Canadian Horseshoe opens from observation platforms, from the board of boats sailing to the foot of the waterfall, as well as from the tunnel passing under it. But fabulous pictures are revealed to tourists not only during the day. In the evening, on the American side, the waterfalls are illuminated by powerful multi-colored spotlights, and on the Canadian side, near the Horseshoe, fiery fireworks are launched. The ticket price depends on the chosen observation deck and entertainment, from 11 to 18 CAD (452 — 740 ₽).
2. Royal Ontario Museum
Canada’s largest museum opened in Toronto in 1912 and combined the collections of several museums. Historical, ethnographic, archaeological, art exhibitions will interest all their visitors: children will be interested in the exhibition of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles, ladies will be interested in the exhibition of precious stones, paintings or national clothes, men usually linger for a long time in the archaeological hall or at the exhibitions dedicated to the countries of the Mediterranean. Tickets cost from 15 to 20 CAD (617 — 822 ₽).
3. Banff National Park
A large Canadian national park is located 110 kilometers from Calgary, where planes fly in with tourists heading to the ski resorts of the Rocky Mountains. One of these ski centers is located near the town of Banff. The city has all the necessary infrastructure: cheap hostels and luxury hotels, laundries, restaurants. Several sports centers are equipped with cable cars – using them, adults and children can go skiing and snowboarding. Walking through the vast forested areas of the park on foot and alone is not recommended (especially with small children),
After all, wild animals live here in the reserve: deer and elk, cougars and coyotes, bears and wolves. In summer, you can rent a car, moped or bicycle for mountain and forest walks. There are rental locations in Calgary, Lake Louise and Banff. In the city you can rent a gondola and ride around the lake, play golf on the courses among the picturesque mountains. Until 2016, a family ticket cost 20 CAD; in 2017, entrance to Canada’s national parks was declared free in honor of the country’s anniversary.
4. Peyto Lake
Banff National Park is adjacent to another natural attraction of Canada – glacial Peyto Lake, surrounded by hills and forests. Melt water from the snowy slopes fills the lake with clear, azure-colored water. To see this beauty, you can come to the lake for one day with an excursion group or stay for several days at one of the tourist centers located nearby. Access to the observation deck of the lake is free.
5. Stanley Park Aquarium
The Vancouver State Aquarium is considered a must-see if you’re traveling to Canada with your family. The aquarium is already more than half a century old. The building houses expositions and thematic exhibitions, for example, you can see a collection of butterflies, get acquainted with the underwater world of Canadian oceans, tropical rivers and forests. Through the glass walls of a huge aquarium you can observe the life of sharks, dolphins and seals, sea lions and sea otters. Children are allowed to touch anemones and sea sponges in small outdoor pools. To enter you need to pay from 13 to 21 CAD (535 — 863 ₽).
Vancouver also attracts tourists with the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which stretches over the river and dense forest at an altitude of 70 m. Tourists take stunning pictures from this bridge. Ticket costs from 12 to 32 CAD (493 — 1315 ₽).
6. Canadian War Museum
The Military History Museum in Ottawa brings together all the information about Canada’s centuries-long military history from Indian times to modern conflicts. Here you can learn about all military operations in which Canadian soldiers or diplomats took part. The exhibition includes weapons, medals, uniforms, and military documentation. Separate rooms are reserved for army transport, ship guns and large weapons. The cost of a single visit is 9 and 15 CAD (370 and 617 ₽) for children and adults, respectively.
7. Biodome in Montreal
The Biodome, a combination of an ecological zoo and a science center, is located next to the Olympic Stadium. The building with a transparent roof originally served as a velodrome, and now its area accommodates five halls dedicated to different ecosystems: tropical and mixed forests of South and North America, as well as Antarctica and the Arctic. Here they give lectures and show films about nature and the need to preserve it. An insectarium, an aquarium and a zoo are available for visiting, where animals are kept not in cages, but in free enclosures, in the most familiar habitat for them. Child ticket price – 10 CAD (410 ₽),
adult – 18 CAD (740 ₽).
8. Botanical Garden in Montreal
The territory of a huge garden with greenhouses and themed gardens has recently been considered a historical monument in Canada. The green park is divided into thematic zones dedicated to a particular country or style of landscape design. So, the whole family will find it educational and interesting to take a walk through the Japanese, English and Chinese gardens, through the garden of medicinal or poisonous plants, etc. In total, the botanical garden has 30 separate zones and 10 greenhouses, which are separated by paths or artificial slides. You can see squirrels in the park, and ducks and herons on the pond. Child ticket price from 10 CAD (410 rubles),
adult – 20 CAD (822 ₽).
9. Montreal Underground
The metro will no longer surprise anyone, but such a huge underground city as here can hardly be found anywhere else. A special life unfolds near Montreal: on the underground street Reseau Pitonnier Souterrain (RESO) or La Ville Souterraine, 32 kilometers long, trains, buses run, there are several metro stations, restaurants, cinemas, shopping and entertainment centers, offices and hotels. All tourists consider it necessary to go down into the dungeon, wander through its streets and labyrinths, buy souvenirs or just stop by for a snack.
10. Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Three buildings, built in the neo-Gothic style, house the Parliament of Canada, the highest legislative body in the country. Tourists are attracted to Parliament Hill by the most recognizable symbol of Canada – the Peace Tower. It is especially noisy here in the mornings, during the changing of the guard of honor at the Eternal Flame. A tour of the Parliament grounds is free, but requires an entrance ticket.
When traveling with your family around Canada, you can find many interesting and memorable places. It is their visit that helps to develop a complete image of the real Canada, with its centuries-old history, archeology and unique landscapes.
