Top Things to do in Canada
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What to do and see in Canada, Canada: The Best Historic Sites
World class skiing, decadent European style cuisine, ornamental cathedrals, peaceful island life…Canada is a patchwork of thriving cities and majestic wilderness. Montreal beckons travelers with its French charm and booming cultural landscape. In Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is a vision of Frank Gehry architecture and national artistic treasures. The gleaming mountain ranges of Banff set a stunning backdrop for an exploration of the Canadian Rockies.
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1. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,717 reviews
Experience an exciting part of Canada's history by visiting this 19th-century fort with a sweeping view of downtown Halifax. Between May and October, the Citadel is brought to life by two historic regiments of the British Army - the pageantry of the 78th Highlanders and the precision of the Royal Artillery thrill visitors daily with live re-enactments. The skirl of the bagpipes mixes with the crack of a rifle and the assembly of recruits for the next foot drill. There's no shortage of authentic experiences to view and participate in! Kids will love the Xplorers Program - an activity book just for them. When the sun sets, it's time to experience the other side of the Citadel - join the Citadel Ghost Walk and experience the dark and errie lore from the early 1800's. Tours start mid-July and run every Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8:30pm until the end of October. Cash at the front gate.
Reviewed By SophiaIneson - Exeter, United Kingdom
I visited the Citadel as a solo traveller. I went on a free guided tour which was very informative and interesting, they have demonstrations throughout the day of shooting the rifles and the canon which goes off at noon. I would advise people to visit in the morning to make the most of it. They also have many exhibitions you can visit to warm up a bit of the weather is poor. The whole site is well maintained and all of the staff are in traditional costume which is really cool.
2. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,880 reviews
The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is located in the national historic site at the Halifax seaport where nearly one million immigrants landed in Canada from 1928 to 1971. Today, as Canada’s sixth national museum, we share the ongoing story of immigration to Canada—past to present, and coast to coast. Our exhibits immerse visitors in the immigration experience and allow for a deeper understanding of how newcomers shape our country. Our staff and collections provide opportunities for visitors to discover the countless journeys to Canada and find their own family’s connection to the story. Countless Journeys. One Canada.
Reviewed By rayp775 - Ipswich, United Kingdom
Visited here on our first full day in Halifax and a short walk from our stay. Would certainly recommend the guided tour and our guide George, an immigrant who passed through Pier 21 added immensely to our enjoyment, being able to bring to life the process and hopes and fears of all those who journeyed to a new world. With many artefacts donated by families this offers a great insight into the development of both Halifax and wider Canada and its multi-cultural make-up today. Great visit.
3. Heritage Park Historical Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,133 reviews
When you have the choice of everything from a thundering steam train to antique midway rides to beautifully preserved heritage buildings and homesteads, deciding what to do first isn't easy. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Heritage Park is Canada's largest living history museum, with hundreds of exhibits, rides, shops, restaurants and daily demonstrations and activities to keep the young and the young-at-heart captivated in the past. No two days at the Park are the same, so come back as often as you like for a history lesson you won't find in any textbook. Our operating season is from mid-May to early October each year.
Reviewed By U8385FQmarys
Our tour started with a delicious pancake breakfast in gasoline alley followed by an interesting tour provided by our guide, Kate. There is so much to see and do. We loved travelling by the paddle wheeler across Glenmore Reservoir, travelling on the train and sampling freshly baked cinnamon buns from the bakery. The staff and volunteers were great at role playing and made the experience fun. The amusement park circa 1910 was astonishingly advanced and we sampled a couple of the rides. We were limited to 3 hours which passed by very quickly. We hope to return with family members to Heritage Park sometime soon.
4. Fort Edmonton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,740 reviews
Park featuring recreations of Edmonton in different stages of its history.
Reviewed By alexaC1970UJ
Always a great adventure for the whole family :) I’ve cream, riding the old train and more... it’s a great place to have fun, and beat value to buy an annual pass
5. Parliament Hill and Buildings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,514 reviews
Three Gothic Revival-style buildings, located on a 170-foot bluff overlooking the Ottawa River, house the offices of the members of Parliament, the House of Commons and the Senate. Free guided tours delve into Canadian history and explain the workings of the political system.
Reviewed By ephesians5 - Toronto, Canada
There is much to see inside and around Parliament Hill, especially during summer time. At 10:00 am is the Change of the GuardsCeremony. There are free tours for the Parliament building (Centre Block and East block tours), which require to line up fro tickets for a set time. The Parliament Hill building is Gothic Revival housing a beautiful library at the back of the building. This is the only room that survived the Parliament fire. The surrounding area around the Parliament Hill Buildings have many statues and offers a beautiful view of Ottawa National Gallery, the Cathedral, and the Canada Museum of History across the river, to mention a few sights. Ottawa is very green, clean and easy to walk. In the evening, the Northern Lights- Sound and Light Show presents the narrated Canadian History in English and French, projecting the lights and images on to the Parliament building. It was preceded by fireworks. The show was spectacular, very high quality images, well told history at a good pace. It was quite emotional at the end when people stands and sing the national anthem! This show will end on Labour Day. Bring a blanket or portable chair. There is free parking at Metcalfe street and Albert Street on the weekends, but it fills quickly, especially for the evening light show. A good paid parking is at the National Arts Centre.
6. Steveston Heritage Fishing Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,314 reviews
A 19th-century frontier seaport is reborn more than 100 years later into a picturesque working fishing village.
Reviewed By 6vivian - Vancouver, Canada
We went to Steveston Fishing Village for dinner at Pajo’s Fish and Chips, after a great time at Terra Nova Park playground In Richmond. Both are a great place to walk about. The Cannery Museum is an historically significant site, once one of the many salmon canneries on the BC Coast. Park on the north side of the Cannery Museum. You can’t park near Pajo’s as that is for folks who live nearby on their fish boats. In Fall there are the great pumpkin gardens and corn mazes to run in just East of highway 99 intersection with Steveston Highway.
7. Casa Loma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,568 reviews
Canada's majestic castle and Toronto’s premier historic attraction. In 1911, Sir Henry Pellatt engaged noted architect E.J. Lennox to help him realize a lifelong dream,the creation of an Edwardian castle on the top of a hill overlooking Toronto. It took 300 men nearly three years to complete the nearly to 200,000 square foot castle at a cost $3,500,000 (at the time). Situated on 5 acres, Casa Loma was the largest private residence in Canada. Sir Henry Pellatt with his wife Lady Mary enjoyed Casa Loma for less than ten years before financial misfortune forced him to abandon his home. The tour of the castle is self-guided. Visitors can experience the castle at their leisure with the aid of multimedia audio guides.
Reviewed By Amy_K-30229 - Chicago, United States
This was one of my favorite tourist attactions in Toronto. It's in the Annex District, the neighborhood where Margaret Atwood--author of The Handmaid's Tale--lives. The self-guided tour is very well done, you pick up a map and a telephone reciever-like device that can hang around your neck. The map shows you how to walk the property and each room has a number to type in to be able to learn about Sir Henry Pellatt and his fourtune then downfall, as well as the construction of his great castle. The basement has the movie posters of all the films/tv shows that were filmed there, as well as a tv playing the clips of each. It was great to walk through the whole castle, then make it down to the basement to recognize each room as the clips played on screen. My only disapointment was, they were setting up for a wedding in the conservatory, so we could not fully explore the room.
8. Signal Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,524 reviews
A hill overlooking St. John's Harbor which has been given "National Historic Site" status.
Reviewed By 992KarenH992 - Franklin, United States
Easy walk up to the top from the parking lot, 360 degree view from the top including St. John's harbor, Cape Spear Lighthouse and other parts of Avalon.
9. La Vieille Prison de Trois-Rivieres
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Part of the Musee POP, The Old Prison of Trois-Rivieres opened in 1822 and was classified a historic monument. The guides will tell you about life in this prison closed in 1986 for unhealthy conditions. The cells and insolation cells will surely make you feel happy to be free! Time required for the visit: 1h15. The visit is not recommended for children under 12. Last visit one hour and a half before closing time.
Reviewed By 688dianep - Vaudreuil-Dorion, Canada
very interesting and informative visit! All the guides where very good, only letdown the basement was closed because of covid....
10. Tunnels of Moose Jaw
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,176 reviews
The Tunnels is a year-round attraction where guests are entertained with unique theatrical presentations of Canadian history. Beneath the streets you relive Al Capone's bootlegging days on the Chicago Connection and experience first-hand the hardships of early Chinese immigrants on the Passage to Fortune. At the Tunnels we have intrigue and history all rolled into one fabulous time. For an unforgettable experience bring all the family to relive the past at The Tunnels of Moose Jaw.
Reviewed By joannep35
We had an unexpected visit to Moose Jaw, I had never been to the tunnels so we were lucky to catch the last show of the day. What a great surprise, our two hosts Fanny and Gus, were lots of fun and engaged with all of us. We all enjoyed it from beginning to end and likely urge anyone travelling through to take the time to enjoy!
