Gone With The Family

Adventures in Family Travel

This is My Canada

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This is My Canada – favourite Canadian experiences from a family’s perspective – the 7 places or experiences that my kids have enjoyed most.

I’m on a mission to show my kids the world – one trip at a time – and a big part of that goal is to have them explore as much as possible of Canada. I want them to grow up to be proud Canadians who appreciate everything that we have here and share that love of country with friends they meet around the world. 

So when Pamela from Savoir Faire Abroad organized a group of Canadian travel bloggers to share what they love about Canada in a “travel blog roulette”, I was excited at the prospect of sharing some favourite experiences from a Canadian family’s perspective. I have Corinne from Have Baby, Will Travel to thank for tagging me in her post on Favourite Canadian Destinations for Families.

Since the vast majority of my travels, both within and outside of Canada, have been with my children (now 16 and 9), I thought it would be fun to feature the places and attractions that they have enjoyed the most. To date we have visited the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Québec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland as a family and were even briefly in the Yukon Territory while on an Alaskan cruise yet we have hardly made a dent in all that there is to see in Canada. We were supposed to pick our 5 favourite things about Canada but it was so difficult trying to narrow down the choices that we ended up with a list of 7 instead.

Feeling the Spray from Niagara Falls

We have more than our fair share of natural wonders in Canada and one of the best is close enough for our family to make regular day trips. The Niagara Falls area is chock-a-block with attractions that appeal to kids of all ages but the falls themselves eclipse everything else. Sailing into the basin of Horseshoe Falls on the Maid of the Mist, hearing the deafening roar as millions of gallons of water rush over the 170ft falls and squealing as the “mist” soaks passengers in their plastic ponchos is an unforgettable thrill ride that every Canadian and visitor to Canada should experience at least once in their lifetime. My younger daughter didn’t stop grinning during the entire boat ride and when we disembarked the first words out of her mouth were “can we do it again?”!

Niagara Falls-on the Maid of the Mist
Getting wet on the Maid of the Mist

Day Trips to Toronto

Both my husband and I grew up in Northern Ontario but we were long-time Toronto residents until moving outside the city when our older daughter was a toddler. One of our favourite things about Canada is definitely living so close to this amazing family-friendly city and the endless list of activities that we can enjoy there. Both of my girls have always loved our regular day trips into the city (especially by GO train) to the theatre, Blue Jays games, the CN Tower, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre – and I could go on and on. Toronto is a world-class city and a great place both for families to live and to visit.

Toronto-at a Blue Jays game
Cheering for the home team

Walking the Ocean Floor – Hopewell Rocks

Hands down one of the coolest Canadian experiences is visiting the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. Both of my kids think that walking around on the ocean floor (even if it’s a bit squishy in places), playing with sea weed and then coming back later to see how deep the water is when the Bay of Fundy’s tide comes rushing in is one of the coolest things that they have ever done. We have been twice and the next time that we visit we will definitely be paddling a kayak at high tide.

New Brunswick-Hopewell Rocks
Low Tide and High Tide at Hopewell Rocks

Lazy Summer Days on Manitoulin Island

Lazy summer days playing in Lake Huron at Granny and Grampy’s cottage in Kagawong on Manitoulin Island has made for many great childhood memories. Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world but not many people are familiar with this nature lover’s paradise. The island has extensive hiking trails, inland lakes for water-sports, boating or fishing and even a large aboriginal community happy to teach visitors about its culture but what my daughters really love is the greater freedom they have on the island to run and play in the great outdoors – well that and Granny’s chocolate chip cookies.

Manitoulin Island-Kagawong-dock
Cousins at the Cottage on Manitoulin Island

Chillin’ on Prince Edward Island

We have made numerous trips to PEI over the last 15 years and the island means three things to my daughters – playing on the red-sand beach, Cows Ice Cream and Anne of Green Gables. We have traveled there so often that it feels like arriving home when we cross the Confederation Bridge and it’s the one place to which my kids would be happy to return again and again and again. I’m fairly certain that one day they will travel to PEI with their own children and reminisce about childhood vacations spent there.

PEI-dressing as Anne of Green Gables
Dressing up as Anne of Green Gables

The View at Ferryland, Newfoundland

We visited Newfoundland for the first time last summer and were blown away by the rugged beauty of the province. We had an amazing week but the one day that stands out for the girls is the afternoon that we spent at the Ferryland lighthouse having a picnic lunch and enjoying the breathtaking view. When a teenager is impressed by the scenery then you know that you have stumbled upon something truly spectacular.

Newfoundland-view at Ferryland
Enjoying the view at Ferryland, Newfoundland

Feeding Elk at Omega Park, Montebello, Quebec

We have visited Omega Park in Montebello in the summer and the winter and regardless of the season the kids love feeding carrots to the elk out of the car window. Nothing is guaranteed to bring on a fit of nervous giggling like one of these majestic beasts eating carrots from your hand through your (slightly) rolled-down car window.

Quebec-Montebello-Omega Park elk
Feeding Omega Park elk in Montebello, PQ

So there you have it – 7 of my daughters’ favourite things to do in Canada. We could go on about speaking French in Québec, snacking on BeaverTails in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, or eating lobster for the first time in Halifax but I had to draw the line somewhere. We still need Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the other two territories in order to complete our family’s coast-to-coast Canadian bucket list so I’m sure that one day they will have an even longer list of favourite Canadian experiences to share with friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Arienne

    I love this roulette! I’ve seen more of the world than my own country and every post is inspiring me to get out and see more of Canada. I love your choices! And Go Jays Go!

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  2. Steve

    That’s a pretty serious sized elk outside your car window. I totally understand the nervous giggling. Love your choices, although there definitely seems to be a lack of west coast activities. You’d better come spend some more time out west.

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  4. Lisa Wood

    It all looks so gorgeous. I love the idea of feeding the elk carrots out of the window, and the canoe ride through Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick (at high tide) sounds like it would make for a great adventure.

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  5. Leigh

    Lisa – Thanks for tagging me. You’ve done some great things over the years with your kids. I have Hopewell Rocks in my sights this summer – and a whole lot of other places as I’m actually working on a book – 100 Quintessential Canadian Outdoor Adventures. Love your elk photo and I have yet to visit Montebello. Your kids are lucky to have you take them on so many great adventures.

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  7. Lisa Goodmurphy

    You’re right, Steve, we do need to get out west more! My husband has been to all of the provinces and I’m missing Manitoba and Saskatchewan but the girls haven’t even been to Alberta yet. We spent a day in Vancouver with them prior to our Alaska cruise but it wasn’t enough time to really count. Hoping to maybe get to Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper this summer (if I can ever get Katie’s schedule sorted out). 🙂

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  13. budget jan

    I do love Canada, but I am not Canadian. I agree that Toronto is a fabulous place to visit and the people are so friendly, and the Maid of the Mist was just like a theme park ride – so exciting. Of the rest of your selection (where I have not been) I would like to see MANITOULIN ISLAND, visit Newfoundland and feed the elk.

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  14. jenny@atasteoftravel

    Showing the kids their own country is so important. There’s still many places in Australia I am yet to visit but I have a feeling I may get to Canada before I see them! We have been to Vancouver,Whistler ,Toronto and Niagara Falls but I’ve just added a few more places you have been to onto my list!

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  15. Nancie

    Even though I haven’t lived in Canada for a while, it is still home. I will always be a proud Canadian. I was lucky enough to see most of the country when I worked in Corporate Canada. The only province I haven’t been to is Saskatchewan. Maybe I’ll remedy that some day. You photos are wonderful. Eating lobster in my hometown, Halifax..,,,mmm. I would never say no to that experience 🙂

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  18. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    What a great post, Lisa! It’s as important to show the kids their own countries as well as the world. I’ve learned so much about Canada from you and Leigh 🙂 I clearly need to see more of Canada. I’ve only been to 2 provinces. I would love to see Hopewell Rocks!

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  20. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    All your blog posts about PEI make it sound so wonderful. I can see why it’s in your top 5. I really need to make to it Niagra Falls someday, and that Ferryland lighthouse sounds great, too. My kids have only been to Vancouver, and hubby and I visited Banff when Baby #1 was on the way.

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  22. eileen at FamiliesGo!

    we love traveling in canada. great landscapes, manageable cities, nice people and lower prices than the US for comparable destinations. Perfect!

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  23. Karen Dawkins

    I grew up in Ohio and always considered Canada to be our neighbor. We got to vacation on an island in Lake Erie, visit Niagara Falls and a few other places growing up. Canadians are the nicest people on the planet! Thanks for sharing these great memories.

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  24. Sere@Light of World Photography

    I would love to go back to Canada. I have been to Ontario but that was forever ago and I barely remember it. Nova Scotia is on my list as well and I want to see the famous ghost bears or at least attempt to. I have been to Niagara Falls on the US side and loved it. But I went in the winter and there was nothing going on. I have heard the Canadian side is prettier and I would like to go during slightly warmer months. When I was there the mist would freeze in the air haha. Thank you for showing me all these great places to visit in our neighbor to the north.

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  25. Terri @ Travel 50 States with Kids

    Love this post. By 2015, we’ll have visited all 50 states and we pondered what’s next. One suggestion was we tackle all the Canadian provinces. I’ve been to Niagara Falls several times. In fact, the Maid of the Mist is my earliest vacation memory. My husband proposed to me in Toronto. We also visited Waterton Lakes park on a trip out west a few years ago. I really want to visit Montreal and Nova Scotia someday too. And I’d love to do one of the train rides through the Rockies.

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  30. Lisa Goodmurphy

    I make a conscious effort to try and balance visiting places at home with visiting other countries. Canada is such an amazing country and I want the girls to appreciate that! Hopefully I’ll get them to Australia someday too – there’s a lot that we would like to see there!

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  31. InsideJourneys

    The only place I’ve been is to Niagara Falls and that was so long ago, I need to return. I’m planning to do some travelling after TBEX in June and will add a few of these places to my list.

    Reply

  32. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Thanks, Mary! I really think you should plan an east coast trip – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI – you would be able to see a lot in a couple of weeks and your kids would love it!

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  34. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Michele, there are so many wonderful places to visit and just not enough time! We haven’t been to Banff since before our older daughter was born – I’m really hoping to get back there this summer!

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  36. Marisol

    Your kids are lucky; they started their travel life so young. I’m yet to explore more of Canada. Your post made me learn of places I have not heard about. Montebello sounds interesting.

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  37. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Thanks, Karen – it’s good to know people still think we’re nice! I grew up near the border with Michigan in Northern Ontario so I know what you mean about feeling like neighbours. You will have to travel back to Canada soon to explore a bit more!

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  40. Lisa Goodmurphy

    A lot of people enjoy Niagara Falls in the winter but I prefer it spring through fall when I can walk around without shivering – mind you I’m a bit of a wimp as far as Canadians go! 😉 You should definitely plan a return trip – there’s so much to do and definitely head out of town to Niagara-on-the-Lake – it’s one of my favourite Canadian towns.

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  42. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Thanks, Marisol – I hope that they realize that they are lucky – sometimes I think they take it for granted! Montebello is a great place to visit no matter the season. We stay at Château Montebello which is a resort that is actually the largest log cabin in the world and they have more activities available than you will ever find time to do.

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  44. Cheryl @ KidsOnAPlane

    The Hopewell Rocks look amazing. I would have never have thought something like that could be found in Canada. We haven’t started exploring Canada yet but hope to do so in the next few years. I have only been to BC, QC and of course ON as I am a fellow Torontonian (born and raised along with my husband and kids).

    I hope my kids won’t be afraid of the elk! 😉

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  45. Danielle (Bubs on the Move)

    I have been to Canada once – as a six year old. The thing I remember is snow coming up to the top of a backyard swing set. My brother works in Canada (Calgary) for much of the year and I am really hoping to visit him in 2014 if not 2013. I am not sure if we will ever get to visit any of these beautiful places you have featured but I hope to.

    Reply

  46. Freya

    I haven’t made it to Canada yet but it is very high on my list, so maybe next year.
    I would love to go to the Niagara falls as well and I’m thinking of combining this with a city trip to New York, lets see. Great post and photos.

    Reply

  49. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Danielle, I hope you are able to visit your brother in Calgary – from there you will be able to see some amazing parts of Canada. I haven’t been to the Rocky Mountains since my kids were born but we are hoping to get there this year.

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  50. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Freya, if you make it to New York and Niagara Falls then definitely come across to the Canadian side as well. You get a completely different view and there is a lot to do on our side of the falls.

    Reply

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