Museums, Theaters, Architecture, Canada

The CN Tower is Toronto’s tallest and most defining landmark. Photos of Toronto are often defined by the building, which stretches more than 550 metres into the sky. Today, aside from serving as a hub for telecommunications across the city, the CN Tower has become a major tourist destination. Visitors can test their courage by walking across the glass floor 113 stories above the ground. The first of its kind in the world, the glass floor gives you that dare-to-walk-on-air experience, with only 2.5 inches of glass holding you 342 metres in the air. The glass floor is actually stronger than most commercial floors and has the strength to hold 38,556 kg (85,000 lbs) or 14 hippos! Or, if you dare, travel higher up the tower to the Sky Pod, another 33 storeys above ground. The latest features at the tour is EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full-circle, hands-free walk. Visitors are attached through safety rails and harnesses and walk along the Tower’s ledge, 116 storeys above ground, to experience breathtaking views of the city below. EdgeWalk is open from spring through until fall, and is closed for the winter. Get more details at the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk site. http://www.toronto.com/things-to-do/attractions/cn-tower/

No trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum — Canada’s largest museum showcasing art, culture, and nature from around the globe and across the ages. The ROM is home to a world-class collection of more than six million objects and specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. Explore special exhibitions, as well as the Museum’s permanent collections of dinosaurs, South Asian art and culture, gems and minerals, ancient Egyptian treasures, biodiversity, and much more. http://www.seetorontonow.com/listings/royal-ontario-museum/#sm.0017houyxdtier210nr1h126u6a73

The world’s one and only! Experience the game that defines Canada and a sport that has been adopted by over seventy countries. Spread across 65,000 square feet, the Hall of Fame offers something for everyone: the finest collection of hockey artifacts at all levels of play from around the world; simulation games that challenge shooting, goalkeeping and broadcasting skills; themed exhibits dedicated to the game’s greatest players, teams and achievements; theatres; a replica NHL dressing room; an unrivalled selection of hockey-related merchandise and memorabilia within our gift store; and NHL trophies including, best of all, hands-on access to the STANLEY CUP. http://www.seetorontonow.com/listings/hockey-hall-of-fame/#sm.0017houyxdtier210nr1h126u6a73

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) Collection features more than 100,000 great works of art, from cutting-edge contemporary to classic European masterpieces. View iconic paintings by the well-known Group of Seven as well as amazing art by established and emerging Indigenous, Inuit and Métis artists, sculptures, photographs, prints & drawings and so much more are on display in a beautiful building that itself is a work of art, with design details created by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. http://www.seetorontonow.com/listings/art-gallery-of-ontario/#sm.0017houyxdtier210nr1h126u6a73

Experience the elegance and splendor of the Edwardian era at Casa Loma, the only full sized castle in North America and Toronto’s premier historic attraction brought to you by the Liberty Entertainment Group. Explore secret passageways, elaborately decorated rooms with authentic period furnishings or take in the breathtaking view of Toronto from one of the towers. The five acres of lush flora surrounding Casa Loma showcase ornate sculptures and fountains as well as meticulously tended displays of perennials and a wooded hillside filled with wildflowers and decorative grasses. http://www.seetorontonow.com/listings/casa-loma/#sm.0017houyxdtier210nr1h126u6a73

Toronto’s newest centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment. This national historic site includes 44 heritage buildings and numerous brick-lined courtyards. Explore the district’s many restaurants, art galleries, artisan boutiques, specialty retail stores and more. https://www.seetorontonow.com/listings/distillery-historic-district-the/

This massive Toronto Eaton Centre shopping complex in the heart of downtown Toronto is more than a mall — it’s a major tourist attraction. Almost 50 million visitors come here every year. Shop at more than 250 stores, including the Apple Store, Uniqlo, Hudson’s Bay, Indigo, the Disney Store and Sephora. The Eaton Centre is also the first Canadian shopping centre to feature both a Nordstrom and a Saks Fifth Avenue. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is located steps from several Toronto attractions, including Toronto City Hall, Nathan Philips Square and Yonge-Dundas Square. http://www.toronto.com/things-to-do/attractions/toronto-eaton-centre/

Appreciate nature from three breathtaking perspectives - Capilano Suspension Bridge, Treetops Adventure and the exciting new Cliffwalk. The 450 ft (137m) long, 230 ft (70m) high Capilano Suspension Bridge has thrilled visitors since 1889. While the wobbly bridge and stunning location is a Vancouver landmark, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers an all-encompassing BC experience. History, culture and nature are presented in unique and thrilling ways with knowledgeable staff and interpretive signage providing as much, or as little, information as guests want. 1890's costumed staff provides entertainment, conducts guided tours through the Story Centre and eco-tours in the rainforest. Guests interact with First nations staff either at the Big House or in the rainforest. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has the world's largest private collection of totem poles, including early 1900's local Coast Salish in the Totem Park and Haida, Tsimshian and Tlingit poles that have been carved on-site over the past 20 years in Kia'palano. The 100 year-old Trading Post, which retains its early 1900s mercantile flavour, sells Canadian gifts and take home memories. Seasonal events like Raptors Ridge birds of prey June to October and Canyon Lights in December enhance the many experiences at this year-round destination. https://www.tourismvancouver.com/listings/capilano-suspension-bridge-park/17604/

The First Nations Totem Poles in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia are the most visited attraction in Vancouver, British Columbia, and possibly all of Canada! There are a number of beautiful totem poles in Stanley Park at 2 different locations within the park. http://stanleyparkvan.com/stanley-park-van-attractions-totem-poles.html

Where else can you enjoy a 360º aerial view of Vancouver, “the most beautiful city in the world”? Start your Vancouver adventure here, with a 40-second glass elevator ride, whisking you 553.16 ft (168.60 m) skyward to our panoramic observation deck. Enjoy intimate views of cosmopolitan Vancouver, historic Gastown and bustling Coal Harbour. Look beyond for enchanting views of our stunning natural landscape including world famous Stanley Park, the Pacific Ocean, the majestic North Shore Mountains and the Olympic Peninsula Mountains. Past. Present. Future. Multi-lingual guest service members provide complimentary guided tours with fascinating facts about Vancouver’s history, infrastructure, local community, current trends and future expansion. Or explore at your own pace and read our interpretive displays. Test yourself and try to identify unique Vancouver attractions and landmarks. http://vancouverlookout.com/

Bloedel Conservatory is a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop the City of Vancouver’s highest point. More than 120 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants and flowers thrive within its temperature-controlled environment. Constructed through a very generous donation from Prentice Bloedel, Bloedel was dedicated at its opening in 1969 “to a better appreciation and understanding of the world of plants." Designated as a heritage building, it is jointly operated by Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Botanical Garden Association. Together, these partners also operate VanDusen Botanical Garden. http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown harbourfront, Canada Place is an iconic national landmark welcoming local residents, visitors and ships to the West Coast. Canada Place is a multi-use facility that includes FlyOver Canada, Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Hotel, Port Metro Vancouver cruise ship terminal, World Trade Centre office tower and VINCI Park parkade. Canada Place hosts Canada Day at Canada Place, the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa, and well as a number of other community events including National Aboriginal Day, the Canada Place Summer Series and Christmas at Canada Place. https://www.tourismvancouver.com/listings/canada-place/18115/

Gastown is an historical part of Vancouver's downtown and was rejuvenated in the 1970's. Today it gives visitors a glimpse of what Vancouver would have been like a century ago with its cobbled streets, lined with shops and restaurants. A popular attraction here is the Gastown Steam Clock. http://gastown.org/

Just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC houses one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations arts in a spectacular Arthur Erickson designed building overlooking mountains and sea. See magnificent carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks inside the soaring glass and concrete structure of the Museum’s Great Hall. Admire the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, including his famous cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men. Explore the Museum’s Multiversity Galleries where more than 9,000 objects from around the world are displayed. Visit the award-winning Koerner Ceramics Gallery, displaying a collection of European ceramics unique to North America. Stroll the Museum’s grounds, where monumental Haida houses, poles and Musqueam house posts capture the dramatic beauty of traditional Northwest Coast architecture and design. Enjoy a wide range of special exhibitions and public programs, including free guided gallery walks, visit the MOA Shop and relax in Café MOA. https://www.tourismvancouver.com/listings/museum-of-anthropology-at-ubc/17853/

In the 1970’s, Granville Island began its successful transformation from an industrial wasteland to one of the most beloved public spaces in Vancouver. As Vancouver’s premier artistic and cultural hub, located in an urban, waterfront location and steeped in a rich industrial and maritime heritage, this unique destination attracts millions of visitors each year from Vancouver and around the world. The charm of Granville Island lies in its unexpected mix of uses. The famous Public Market, open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, is home to more than 50 independent food purveyors and contributes to the Island’s appeal as a renowned culinary destination. In the Net Loft Shops and Railspur District, many of Canada’s best artists and designers can be found. Granville Island is home to many cultural venues and hosts numerous performing arts and cultural festivals year-round. https://granvilleisland.com/

Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver’s horticultural jewel, is a major draw for floral display enthusiasts and view-seekers, and as a popular backdrop for wedding photos. At 152 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore. The 52-hectare park is home to the stunning Bloedel Conservatory. There is also a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden, the arboretum with its collection of exotic and native trees, sculptures including one by internationally renowned artist Henry Moore, and diverse recreational offerings such as tennis, lawn bowling and pitch & putt. The park is also the perfect setting for fine dining at Seasons in the Park, a picnic or stargazing! http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx

Malkin Bowl is the outdoor performance stage in Stanley Park and has hosted Canadian musicians such as Broken Social Scene, Blue Rodeo, and The Tragically Hip. Malkin Bowl is located in Stanley Park. The entrance to Malkin Bowl is opposite to the Stanley Park Pavilion. http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/malkin-bowl.aspx

Jericho Arts Centre (JAC) is a 135-seat performance venue located off NW Marine Drive near Jericho Beach in the heart of Vancouver’s West Side. It is operated by the Friends of Jericho Arts Centre Society (FoJACS), a non-profit society made up of the users and volunteers who work on JAC. FoJACS leases JAC from the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. http://www.jerichoartscentre.com/

Experience a guided tour of this 40-room Italianate-style villa built in the 1830’s on Burlington Heights; the former site of a fortified military encampment established by the British in 1813. Once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, railway magnate, lawyer and Premier of the United Canadas (1854-1856) and his family, today Dundurn Castle tells the story of the family who lived above stairs and the servants who lived and worked below stairs to support their affluent lifestyle. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is the museum’s Patron and the great, great, great granddaughter of Sir Allan MacNab. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Founded in 1914 the Art Gallery of Hamilton is the oldest and largest art museum in southwestern Ontario with a permanent collection that is recognized as one of the finest in Canada. Embracing Canadian historical, international and contemporary art, the collection consists of more than 10,000 works. You can see superb pieces by Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, James Tissot, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Gustave Doré, Norval Morrisseau, Keith Haring, Edward Burtynsky, Kim Adams, or Tyler Tekatch, to name a few. Whether you’re looking for a specific artist or spending time in one of our galleries, you’re sure to find works that inspire, intrigue, challenge and engage you. The AGH is renowned for presenting outstanding exhibitions and complementary programming for visitors of all ages. There is so much to see and do! In addition to AGH Tours and AGH Talks, the Gallery offers studios for adults and kids , family activities, school programs, film programming, performances and more. https://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/about-the-agh/from-the-director/

Fieldcote is a cultural heritage centre with an emphasis on the collection, preservation and exhibition of local history, the promotion of fine arts and the celebration of natural heritage through beautiful landscaped gardens and walking trails. Explore ‘Stories From the Edge’, an exhibition celebrating the history of Ancaster. Set on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, with a bounty of water and resources, Ancaster has attracted humans since the retreat of the last glacier over 10,000 years ago. Using 31 stories and artifacts, one for every year the museum has been open, this exhibition offers snapshots of Ancaster’s history from the earliest human occupants to present day. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/fieldcote-memorial-park-museum

Burlington Heights, where Dundurn Castle and the Hamilton Military Museum now stand, was occupied by the British military from 1813 -1815. Built as a gate house by Sir Allan MacNab in the late 1830s atop a battery from the War of 1812, This building known as Battery Lodge, now houses The Hamilton Military Museum. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/hamilton-military-museum

Witness the social and mechanical life of Canada’s early industrial revolution. Housed in a 150-year-old Waterworks, this National Historic Site preserves two 70-ton steam powered water pumping engines, perhaps the oldest surviving Canadian-built engines. The historic Hamilton Waterworks is a Civil and Power Engineering Landmark. The museum offers guided tours, various permanent and changing exhibits, and features special events for the whole family https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/hamilton-museum-steam-technology-national-historic-site

Discover one of the finest examples of an intact historic home in Canada during a guided tour with a costumed interpreter. Three generations of the McQuesten family lived at Whitehern from 1852 until 1968. Among the last generation were six children who never married. In 1959 the three surviving members of the family bequeathed the home to the City with all its original contents. It contains elements from many time periods – Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian – dating up to 1939 when the Honourable Thomas McQuesten was Minister of Highways. Explore the heritage of Victorian ideas and possessions that influenced life at Whitehern on the eve of World War II. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/whitehern-historic-house-garden-national-historic-site

Visit this preserved early 19th century home, set on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Dundas Valley. Explore the history of Enerals Griffin and other early Black settlers, and enjoy a walk along nearby trails. Griffin House host a variety of events, workshops and exhibitions throughout the year. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/griffin-house-national-historic-site

More than a hotel, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a Québec City icon. For over a century, it has perched atop Cape Diamond overlooking Dufferin Terrace and the St. Lawrence River. You can come inside and admire the recently renovated lobby along with historical artifacts going back 400 years displayed in specially designed cases. The Château was the brainchild of William Van Horne, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, who wanted to build a hotel to draw travellers as a way to promote luxury train travel. Many famous people have made the Château Frontenac their residence during their time in Québec City. From Queen Elizabeth II to Céline Dion, via Princess Grace of Monaco, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney and Charlie Chaplin, celebrities have made the Château Frontenac their home away from home. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/quebec-city-and-area/chateau-frontenac/

A UNESCO World Heritage treasure, Old Québec is the only fortified city north of Mexico. Bask in the European charm as you stroll through the old quarters and take in over 400 years of history in the birthplace of French North America. https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/old-quebec/

The most popular museum in Québec City. A visitor-oriented museum with a participatory and interactive approach for stimulating wonderment and encouraging discovery. Magnificent exhibits of international calibre about Québec culture and history. Take part in the family workshops on current, historical or sometimes unusual topics. Guided tours available for some exhibits. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/attractions/museums/musee-de-la-civilisation/

Rue du Petit-Champlain, one of the oldest commercial streets in North America, is lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques and restaurants. The Petit-Champlain district isn’t just illuminated for the holidays—it stays decorated all winter long, much to everyone’s delight. It’s the ideal place to bundle up for a winter evening stroll in an enchanting atmosphere straight out of a Christmas fairy tale. The French influence is evident everywhere you look in Place Royale and along Rue du Petit-Champlain. The two—and three—storey plastered stone homes with their dormer windows, gabled roofs, large chimneys and firewalls rising above the rooftops make it hard to believe you’re not in France. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/shopping/shopping-centres-and-commercial-streets/commercial-streets/quartier-petit-champlain/

A perfect balance between bourgeois and bohemian, the Montcalm neighbourhood attracts epicureans, sports fans, and art and culture lovers in a magnificent historical environment. Head to the Upper Town for a highly entertaining and tasty experience! Stroll down avenue Cartier in the heart of the Art District and you’ll pass a hundred or so places of business. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, gourmet food shops, and fashionable and specialty boutiques of this less-touristy area. Bookstores, theatre, museums, movies, art galleries: in Montcalm there's something for culture lovers of every stripe. Don't forget to visit the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ), a real architectural gem showcasing both Québec and international art. To keep up with the latest films, head to Cinéma Cartier, the only movie theatre downtown; it can get pretty busy on weekends. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/shopping/shopping-centres-and-commercial-streets/commercial-streets/quartier-des-arts-de-quebec-sdc-montcalm/

A creative chocolate shop and a quaint small chocolate museum. Learn about the history of chocolate from Mayan times to this day. Ancient and modern accessories, chocolate-making techniques (video and view on the kitchen), and more. For chocolate lovers: little pieces of chocolate, a handmade selection of pure original chocolate bars cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes and hot chocolates. Summer: homemade ice cream dipped in chocolate, yogourt and sherbet. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/attractions/museums/erico-chocolaterie-patisserie/

The Huron-Wendat Museum presents one of the rarest collections emphasizing the wealth of the culture and the know-how of the Huron-Wendat. The Museum shares the same entrance as the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/attractions/museums/musee-huron-wendat/

Located in Old Québec, the Monastère des Augustines occupies the historic wings of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery (1639), the site of the first hospital on the continent, north of Mexico. The onsite museum has 1000 items from its collection of 40 000 artefacts on display. The exhibition traces the history of the Augustinian Sisters, their social involvement and their work caring for the sick, as well the evolution of medicine through the ages. https://www.quebecregion.com/en/businesses/attractions/museums/le-monastere-des-augustines/