Happy Birthday Canada! 150 Things to See & Do!

Thank you to USA Today 10best for inviting to write about 30 amazing adventures in Canada. 15 lists of 10 were combined to create 150 things to see and do in Canada

Did you know Canada turns 150 this year?  To help celebrate, we’ve created a list of 150 things to see and do – one for each year – all within the borders of this vast nation.  From exploring its great outdoors, to sampling its fantastic food and drink scene, and experiencing culture that’s unique to Canada, there’s something for everyone.

If you’d like to see more about a specific interest, click into its corresponding article, linked below each section.

Outdoor activities

Camping at Kluane Lake — Photo courtesy of Government of Yukon/Derek Crowe

Adventure

1. Go heli-hiking in Banff, Alta.
2. Take a 5-day otter kayak tour in Kyuquot, B.C.
3. Adventure at Glacier National Park
4. Watch grizzly bears at Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia
5. Get away on a multi-day horse pack trip in Big River, Sask.
6. Canoe down the Churchill River
7. Go on safari at Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill, Man.
8. Face your fears on a CN Tower EdgeWalk in Toronto
9. Kayak at sea for several days in Cape Broyle, N.F.
10. Explore the wilderness surrounding Rapid Lake Lodge in Quebec

Lakes

11. Visit the largest lake in Gros Morne National Park, Western Brook Pond
12. Take in the turquoise hues of Lake Louise
13. Check out the trails around Lake O’Hara
14. Climb 2,500 feet to see the majestic Garibaldi Lake
15. Choose from over 50 lakes in Killarney Provincial Park
16. Go fishing at Kluane Lake
17. See the 10th largest lake in the world, Great Slave Lake
18. Marvel at autumnal colors surrounding Lake Memphremagog
19. Float in Canada’s version of the Dead Sea, Little Manitou Lake
20. Enjoy the white sand beaches at Lake Winnipeg

Wildlife

21. See the free-ranging bison herd at Prince Albert National Park
22. Visit Grasslands National Park, the only place in Canada to see black-tailed prairie dogs
23. Go on a two-hour safari at Banff National Park
24. Watch deer frolic against the magical backdrop of Lake Louise
25. Observe elk at Jasper National Park
26. Enjoy an unbelievable view of polar bears at Churchill, Man.
27. Scope out the waters in Sidney, B.C. for whales
28. Explore the nation’s largest enclosed park, Elk Island National Park, for a variety of hoofed animals
29. See bald eagles, fox, bears and more at Waterton Lakes National Park
30. Be amazed by the sea animals that thrive at Gwaii Haanas National Park

Leisure

31. Take a scenic cycling route in Quebec’s Eastern Townships
32. Have an authentic dude ranch experience in British Columbia
33. Play a round of championship golf at Fox Harb’r Golf Resort and Spa in Nova Scotia
34. Soak in the picture-perfect views from a CTMA Cruise in Montreal
35. Enjoy the scenery as you tee off at Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course in Huntsville, Ont.
36. Explore Ottawa, Canada’s capital city
37. Go skiing at Mont-Tremblant, Montreal’s playground
38. Chill out among the snow at Canmore, Alta where you can go dog sledding
39. Get out on the water in Kingston, Ont.
40. People-watch at Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto

Food & drink

Pasta at Little Grouse on the Prairie — Photo courtesy of Bob Deutscher

Amazing restaurants

41. Try fresh wild game at Raymonds
42. Treat yourself to the indulgent fare at Joe Beef
43. Explore the foie gras section of the menu at Au Pied de Cochon
44. Enjoy a six-course tasting menu at Alo
45. Savor Scandinavian-inspired eats at Dandylion
46. Sip a cocktail alongside a canned seafood specialty at Bar Raval
47. Delight in classic Italian cooking at Little Grouse on the Prairie
48. Dine on delectable veggie-focused dishes at Pigeonhole
49. Taste the local and seasonal ingredients on the menu at Hawksworth Restaurant
50. Sample the unique combination of Japanese and Italian cuisine at Kissa Tanto

Regional foods

51. Try Nanaimo bars (and items inspired by them) while following the eponymous trail in British Columbia
52. Sample poutine, one of Canada’s most famous dishes
53. Indulge in butter tarts, a gooey and buttery treat
54. Savor tourtiere, a French-Canadian meat pie
55. Enjoy an authentically Canadian beaver tail
56. Treat yourself to a hearty bannock
57. Chow down on smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal
58. Have a Montreal bagel
59. Get some maple syrup to take home with you
60. Order a sandwich with peameal bacon

Doughnuts

61. Sample scrumptious varieties like the Madagascar bourbon vanilla at Jelly Modern Doughnuts
62. Enjoy unique offerings using Fair Trade ingredients at Oh Doughnuts
63. Indulge in creative flavors like a cold brew cruller at Lucky’s Doughnuts
64. Grab a yummy doughnut from Doughnut Party before they sell out
65. Try one of the seasonal menu items from Glory Hole Doughnuts
66. Customize your own doughnut creation at Maverick’s Donut Company
67. Savor a smaller take on the traditional doughnut at DoughNats
68. Head to the farmers’ market to pick up a fresh flavor from Queen B Doughnuts
69. Delight in warm doughnuts crafted by the Ol School Donuts food truck
70. Taste the many unique varieties, like malt vinegar, on offer at Von Doughnuts

Breweries

71. Imbibe at Canada’s first craft brewery and gastropub, Spinnakers
72. Pop in for a pint at Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
73. Sip local beer while taking in lake views at Microbrasserie Du Lac Saint-Jean
74. Sample beers with hyper-local ingredients at Yukon Brewing
75. Check out the grain-to-bottle operations at Farmery Estate Brewery
76. Tour the farm and sample ale at Meander River Farm & Brewery
77. Enjoy homemade pizza and farm-fresh beer at Persephone Brewing Company
78. Indulge in sustainable suds at Beau’s All Natural
79. Try a shrimp po’ boy and Beach Chair Lager at Prince Edward Island Brewing Company
80. Have a taste of the subversive offerings at Rebellion Brewing

Distilleries

81. Sample local, handcrafted spirits at Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
82. Get a taste of Scotland at Glenora Distillery
83. Sip craft cocktails made with Odd Society Spirits
84. Enjoy the unique flavors found in grain-to-glass spirits at Lucky Bastard Distillers
85. Try gin and vodka filtered through charcoal and gold nuggets at Yukon Shine Distillery
86. Taste award-winning Parlour Gin at Eau Claire Distillery
87. Experience the world’s only organic potato vodka at Pemberton Distillery
88. Savor the woodsy alchemy of Cirka Distillery spirits
89. Sample the four varieties of Canadian whisky on offer at Still Waters Distillery
90. Get out of the vineyards and into the fruit liqueurs at Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

Culture

Victoria Symphony Splash — Photo courtesy of Deddeda Stemler/Tourism Victoria

Festivals

91. Savor delicious deals during Canada’s largest annual dining celebration, Dine Out Vancouver
92. Attend the International Ice Carving Competition during Ice on Whyte
93. Enjoy Devour!, a tribute to food, film and wine
94. Revel in the vibrancy and joy of Pride Toronto
95. Get your fill of amazing eats at the BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival
96. Experience a bit of Scottish culture at Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
97. Take in the daily chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede
98. Delight in traditional tunes performed in a tranquil setting at Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival
99. Get out on the water and enjoy an evening with the Victoria Symphony orchestra during Symphony Splash
100. Listen to an eclectic mix of live music at CityFolk Festival

Music

101. Explore Studio Bell, a must-see hub of music history and live music
102. Check out the oldest tavern in Nova Scotia, Split Crow Pub
103. Go to a concert at Métropolis, one of the top live music venues in the world
104. Visit one of Canada’s most important venues for concerts, Massey Hall
105. Rock out at Commodore Ballroom
106. Catch an intimate performance at Alix Goolden Performance Hall, a former church sanctuary
107. Revel in Ottawa’s thriving music scene at House of Targ
108. Enjoy the sensational acoustics at Winspear Centre
109. Take in a live show set against a breathtaking backdrop at Mission Hill Family Estate
110. Hear awesome bands, drink cheap beer and have a good time at Foufounes Éléctriques

TV & Film

111. Check out the Bay Adelaide Centre where Suits is filmed
112. See the setting where Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 was filmed: Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
113. Tour the University of Toronto, which served as the backdrop for Good Will Hunting
114. Go to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, a crucial part of Blades of Glory
115. Follow in Ennis and Jack’s footsteps in the Canadian Rockies where Brokeback Mountain was filmed
116. Visit Rocko’s Family Diner, or as Riverdale fans know it, Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe
117. Cruise through Coal Harbour and see if you recognize any locations from The X-Files
118. Walk through The Distillery District where films like Chicago and X-Men were shot
119. See the Manitoba Legislative Building, where Capote was filmed
120. Take to the sea in Halifax Harbour to experience the location where Titanic was filmed

Hidden gems

121. Search for fossils at Dinosaur Provincial Park
122. Go for a dip at Sooke Potholes
123. See First Nation petroglyphs at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
124. Enjoy watching goats on a roof at the Old Country Market in Coombs, B.C.
125. Check out the world’s largest moose statue in Moose Jaw, Sask.
126. Learn about dinosaurs at the T.rex Discovery Centre
127. Be amused by the 47 gopher dioramas at Gopher Hole Museum
128. Glimpse into the mystical past at the Niagara Daredevil Exhibit
129. Explore  the Aga Khan Museum, the only North American museum for Islamic art
130. Get up close and personal with insects (both alive and dead) at the Insectarium

Art

131. Check out the works of B.C. artists at Vancouver Art Gallery
132. Marvel at the snazzy Art Gallery of Alberta building, and the works housed inside
133. See the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art at Winnipeg Art Gallery
134. Wander among the tranquil outdoor paths and sculpture garden at McMichael Canadian Art Collection
135. Enjoy works by the famed Group of Seven on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario
136. Witness a spectacular collection, including works by Andy Warhol, at the National Gallery of Canada
137. Explore the 41,000 works of art housed at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
138. Be inspired by the idyllic landscapes of Charlevoix, Que.
139. View the stunning Pre-Raphaelite paintings at Beaverbrook Art Gallery
140. Go inside the spectacular Maud Lewis House on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

History

141. Explore L’Anse Aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
142. Experience the past at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
143. Learn about Montreal’s history at Pointe-a-Calliere Museum
144. Enjoy hands-on educational activities at the Canadian Museum of History
145. Tour Casa Loma, also known as Toronto’s Majestic Castle
146. Learn about the heritage of the first settlers of Manitoba at the New Iceland Heritage Museum
147. Get educated about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at RCMP Heritage Center
148. Attend the Calgary Stampede and Rodeo with roots that go back to the 1800s
149. Explore what was once the largest copper mine of the British Empire at Britannia Mine Museum
150. See the historical sights and explore the Aboriginal history museums of British Columbia

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