Canada ranks second in the world in terms of area and is one of the most interesting countries on the planet, so the number of its attractions is simply enormous. There are 18 World Heritage Sites (from the list compiled by UNESCO). Among them:
- the historical and archaeological site of L'Ans aux Meadows;
- Dainosor park;
- Parks of the Canadian Rockies;
- old Quebec;
- Red Bay village.
But the list of tourist attractions in Canada is not limited to the sights protected by UNESCO! So what cities and parks, museums and temples to visit in this stunning country, what to see in Canada?
Top 15 attractions in Canada
CN Tower
CN Tower
One of the attractions of Toronto - the largest city in the country. This is a TV tower with a height of over 500 m. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Tourists love to be photographed against the backdrop of this landmark, as well as visit the observation deck with a glass floor, located in the building at an altitude of 350 m. In addition, the TV tower is famous for its revolving restaurant and stunning views from its windows.
Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
It is considered one of the most interesting museums not only in the country, but throughout the world. Located in Toronto. Founded in the middle of the 19th century. The museum has over 40 galleries and over 6 million exhibits. The museum's permanent exhibitions are dedicated to the culture of different countries and natural history. Here you can see an interesting collection of dinosaurs, get acquainted with African and East Asian works of art, learn more about the culture of the Middle East … You can talk about the museum expositions for a very long time. This amazing place is a must-visit for anyone interested in world culture and natural history!
Casa Loma
Casa Loma
Another attraction of Toronto. A neo-Gothic castle built at the beginning of the 20th century. The construction was ordered by a Canadian millionaire. He later went broke and sold the castle. A hotel was housed within the walls of a huge building, then it was used as a stage.
In the 30s of the XX century, the castle became the property of the city. The question was raised about the demolition of the building, the maintenance of which was very expensive. But a way was found to use the castle to attract finances to the city treasury: it was decided to make the building a tourist attraction.
The castle has 98 rooms, two floors are occupied by an organ. The building owner dreamed of creating a real fairytale palace full of secrets and surprises, so several secret passages were made in the building. The construction of a huge pool was also started, but it was never completed.
Boldwin Stairs
Boldwin Stairs
The city of Toronto is rich in sights, one of them is a concrete staircase that leads to the top of a steep hill (some call it a mountain), which was a lake terrace at the end of the last Ice Age.
The staircase has over a hundred steps. It was originally made of wood, but at the beginning of the 20th century it fell into disrepair and was replaced by a new staircase made of concrete.
Old Quebec
Old Quebec
In the oldest part of the city of Quebec, buildings of the 17th-18th centuries have been preserved, but there are especially many buildings from the 19th century. The entire historical center of the city is recognized as one of the World Heritage Sites.
The oldest buildings have survived to this day thanks to Count Frederick Dufferin, who at the end of the 19th century was the Governor General of Canada. At that time, the inhabitants of Quebec decided that the old military fortifications were interfering with the development of the city. Their destruction was started. The count, upon learning of this, was amazed and convinced the locals to stop. This is how buildings of great historical value were saved. Those of them, which were nevertheless partially destroyed, were ordered to be restored by the count.
One of the most interesting sights of the historical part of the city is the Chateau Frontenac hotel. Built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it is designed in the style of old French castles and is the most photographed hotel in the world.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre
Located near Quebec. The basilica, founded in the 17th century, is famous for the miracles that take place here. At the entrance to it there are crutches and walking sticks on special racks: these objects were left by those who previously could not walk without their help, but then were healed in the basilica.
In the past centuries, the temple has expanded several times, as the number of pilgrims who sought to get into it constantly grew. In the 20s of the XX century, the building was actually destroyed by fire, after which it was rebuilt.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park
One of the main attractions of the city of Vancouver. The area of the park is over 400 hectares. Here you will see artificial lakes and ponds, sports grounds and long walking trails, huge bicentennial trees … Millions of travelers visit the park every year.
There are several tourist sites that are especially popular. Among them:
- collection of Indian totem poles;
- a monument to the famous poet Robert Burns;
- summer open theater;
- rose garden.
It also houses the aquarium, which is not only a popular attraction, but also a center for marine research.
Historic town of Lunenberg
Historic town of Lunenberg
Founded in the middle of the 18th century as a British colonial settlement, this city is today protected by UNESCO as one of the greatest values of humanity (it is included in the list of World Heritage Sites).
In ancient times, this area was inhabited by Indians. After the founding of the city here, they often raided the area. To protect against the Indians (as well as from the French, whose warships posed a danger to the city), local residents built small fortresses. Many of the buildings from that period have been perfectly preserved to this day. Even some wooden buildings erected in the 18th century have survived.
Red Bay
Red Bay
A village in the north-east of the country, famous for being the center of whaling in the 16th and 17th centuries. You can still see the bones of whales, ancient fishing dwellings, devices for the extraction of whale oil, as well as the remains of ships that sank several centuries ago.
Recently, the historical site was recognized as part of the World Heritage and is included in the corresponding list compiled by UNESCO.
Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal
The canal, built in the 30s of the XIX century, connecting the capital of the country and the city of Kingston. The length of the structure is over 200 km. Due to the fact that this oldest North American canal is perfectly preserved to this day (it is still active!), In the 2000s, the site was included in the list of World Heritage Sites.
In winter, the canal locks are closed, and part of its territory turns into a skating rink, the length of which is almost 8 km!
L'Ans-o-Meadows
L'Ans-o-Meadows
Famous monument of history and archeology. In the 11th century, the first settlement of the Vikings (Scandinavian sailors) in the Western Hemisphere existed here. It was discovered by archaeologists in the middle of the 20th century and several decades later it was taken under the protection of UNESCO.
It was the Vikings, and not the members of the expedition of Christopher Columbus, who became the discoverers of North America. But the Scandinavian sailors lived here for only a few decades, and then left the continent. Today, at the site of their settlement, dugouts and a smithy, iron and bronze items have been found.
Guai Haanas
Guai Haanas
National Park, founded at the end of the 20th century. Thuja, pines and hemlock grow on its territory, beavers, raccoons, martens, squirrels, peregrine falcons, bald eagles are found … Here is the Indian settlement of Ninstints, where a magnificent collection of totem poles is collected. But you can only get to it by air or by water (from cities located at a relatively short distance).
The national park is one of the many landmarks of the country that are protected by UNESCO.
Dainosor
Dainosor
Provincial park. Another Canadian landmark protected by UNESCO. The park was created in the middle of the 20th century. During excavations in this area, the fossil remains of several hundred dinosaurs were discovered. These fossil animals belong to 39 different species. Provincial Park is one of the largest repositories of dinosaur remains in the world.
Archaeologists have also found skeletons of amphibians, reptiles, bones of freshwater vertebrates and fossilized teeth of mammals that lived here in antiquity.
Nahanni
Nahanni
National park. Its main attraction is Virginia Falls, which is almost 100 meters high. It is twice the height of the famous Niagara Falls.
There are also four picturesque canyons and several sulfuric thermal springs in the park. There are forests where spruces and poplars grow, and at some distance from them tundra begins.
In the 2000s, the state made a decision that the territory of the park would be expanded 6 times. In particular, it was decided to add the habitat of several hundred grizzly bears and two herds of reindeer to the park.
Wood Buffalo
Wood Buffalo
One of the largest national parks in the world. A unique natural landmark protected by UNESCO.
It is home to a huge wild herd of bison (the largest on the continent). Also in the park you can see reindeer, elk, wolves, beavers, pelicans, American cranes, musk kangaroos. The park has the largest inland river delta on the planet.
