Haunted hotels. Majestic mountains. Historic sites of import. Certain landmarks should be on every Canadian’s bucket list, especially if your goal is to fully travel the country and experience its wide range of wonders. Here are just a few historically significant vacation destinations in Canada that you won’t want to miss!
L.M. Montgomery’s Home – Prince Edward Island
If you’ve ever read Anne of Green Gables, you’re probably familiar with a certain green-shuttered house sitting amidst the farmlands of Prince Edward Island. But did you know that you can actually visit it?
Home of author L.M. Montgomery, this storybook tourist attraction is actually a sprawling complex that includes both the author’s original home and an Anne of Green Gables-inspired farmstead. You can visit all kinds of iconic destinations from the series, including Lover’s Lane and the Haunted Wood. Just put on your pinafore and get to exploring!
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse – Nova Scotia
You can see Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse for miles across the horizon. That’s the whole point. Since 1915, it’s served as a beacon for sailors and other seafarers, and it’s still welcoming tourists from all across Canada to this day.
You’ll love the utterly picturesque landscape. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the lighthouse has a white tower topped with a bright red roof, and it’s located at the end of a narrow islet ending in rocky, wave-tossed shores. There’s a reason why Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is one of Nova Scotia’s most popular photography spots. Take your camera and capture the beauty for yourself!
Hopewell Rocks – New Brunswick
Another fantastic photography destination, Hopewell Rocks are located in the Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Cape. They’re famous for the high tides that rise up the sides of the rocks, some of the highest in the world, but they’re a stunning sight at any time.
In fact, part of the magic of Hopewell Rocks is experiencing both the high and low tide. In the morning, you can walk sandy ocean floors; by noon, those same shores will be covered in four stories of water. It’s an experience that showcases the true might and marvel of nature, so it’s a must-do for Canadian globetrotters.
Fort Garry Hotel – Winnipeg
The Fort Garry Hotel towers almost 200 feet above downtown Winnipeg, but that’s only the start of its architectural achievements. It’s also a century old and built with a grandiose, chateau-esque style. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that it’s housed everyone from Louis Armstrong to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
As for modern travelers, your stay can be quite royal, too. The hotel offers all kinds of modern luxuries, including a spa. Just be sure to avoid the haunted room 202!
Dawson – Yukon Territory
Not every Canadian makes it all the way north to Dawson, but that’s exactly why it’s a hidden gem. Filled with geological wonders ranging from mountains to river-winding forests, the Yukon is a great destination for nature lovers, outdoor sports fans, and general thrill seekers. You can go hiking, climbing, kayaking, and more. You can even seek gold like those who traveled to Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush!
When you’re done adventuring, just head back to Dawson. It’s a quaint little town filled with colorful crackerjack houses and friendly locals, so you’ll be readily received for a little R&R.
L’Anse Aux Meadows – Newfoundland, Labrador
If you enjoy Viking history and lore, you won’t want to miss L’Anse Aux Meadows. It has the only known settlement site of Vikings in North America. It dates all the way back to the 11th century!
Its legacy is just one of the reasons why L’Anse Aux Meadows has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything from its thatched roofs to its picket fence farmlands speaks to a different time. When you walk through “Grassland Bay,” you’ll feel like you’re following the same footpaths that European settlers once did when they first discovered the New World.
Saskatchewan Legislative Building – Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is as beautiful as it is functional. Still an active place of government, it’ll let you take a peek behind the curtain of Canadian politics while also enjoying a scenic and historic destination.
Tours are available for both the building and the grounds. Notable attractions include the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens that are filled with flowers, fountains, and art. For example, there’s a statue of Queen Elizabeth on her Saskatchewan-raised horse. There’s also a Trafalgar fountain that you might recognize from London’s Trafalgar Square: It was moved to Saskatchewan in the early 1900s.
Did we leave your favorite Canadian landmark off our list? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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