It’s not surprising that Americans choose their northern neighbor, Canada, as a convenient and attractive holiday destination. However, the attention tends to gravitate towards Vancouver, Quebec or Montreal and not towards Ottawa, the country’s capital city. Even though it may seem unexciting at first, the truth is that it’s a wonderful place to visit. 

    Ottawa offers an interesting combination of history, culture, art and outdoors. Whether you’re interested in museums, visiting historic sites or being in touch with nature, the city won’t disappoint you at all! It’s also a clean, compact city and the biggest attractions and landmarks are not far from each other. 

    Located in the SE of Ontario and in close proximity to Quebec, Ottawa is Canada’s hidden gem. Those interested in exploring the country or visiting its more important cities should not leave Ottawa out. If a road trip across Canada sounds tempting, don’t forget to consider insurance if you’ll take a rental car across the border. With so many options available in the market, Bonzah offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable ones.

    Are you ready to discover what you can’t miss in Ottawa? Go on reading then!

Visit Parliament Hill

    If there’s a place you have to see while in Ottawa, that is Parliament Hill, home to the Gothic Revival-style Parliament Buildings and Canada’s federal legislature. The area attracts thousands of visitors every year who come to admire the most important democratic institutions in the country: the Senate, the Library of Parliament and the chambers of the House of Commons. Parliament Hill is the focal point, the star in Ottawa as the three neo-Gothic parliamentary buildings sit alongside the Ottawa River and are home to the country’s national government. 

    When the weather is nice, it’s really a pleasure to spend some time near the Centennial Flame and taking in the beautiful sights. Perched high above the Ottawa river, the Parliament buildings are stunning both on the inside and on the outside. 

    The Central Block, with the imposing Peace Tower, is home to the Canadian House of Commons. It closed in February 2019 for decade long renovations but it has been relocated close by to its new temporary wing in West Block and it is open for free public tours.  The tour would be particularly interesting for older children as a way to peep inside the country’s democratic institutions. 

    The Peace Tower is 92 meters tall and it’s home to the first inclined elevator in Canada. It contains a time capsule in its cornerstone that was laid in 1919 and it features almost 200 sculptures including gargoyles and grotesques. Although the original clock no longer works, it’s on display in the observation deck. The Peace Tower is a memorial to those who served and died for Canada in WWI. You can climb to the top of it for breathtaking views over Canada. Access to the tower is free but you must get a ticket beforehand and check when it’s open for visitors. Inside the tower there’s a 53-bell carillon that chimes every 15 minutes. You can see the huge bells as you ride the elevator on your way up. The Dominion Carillonneur also does some memorable tunes occasionally. 

    The Parliamentary Library, at the back of the building opposite the entrance, is a wonderfully finished octagon. It’s a true architectural gem! Beneath the formidable Gothic rotunda there’s an almost goddess-like marble statue of Victoria surrounded by the early prime ministers of the country.  The area is decorated with coats of arms, each reflecting the provinces of Canada. 

Visit the National War Memorial

    The National War Memorial was built in 1939 as a reminder of the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers in WWI and it’s now a shrine for all Canadians who gave their life for their country. It’s the focal point of the Confederation Square and it can be found just a short distance from Parliament Hill. 

    It’s 21 meters tall and it’s granite arch is adorned with striking sculptures that represent various branches of the Canadian forces. These bronze figures can be seen emerging from the arch, allegorically passing from war to peace and liberty. Lying at its foot is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and ceremonial sentries who perform the Changing of the Guard every hour. 

    The National War Memorial is also known as “ The Response” and it’s a very peaceful and quiet place. Each year, on Remembrance Day, Canada’s veterans march past the memorial laying wreaths of flowers before observing two minutes of silence. 

Enjoy the Rideau Canal

    The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America. It is used mainly for recreational purposes including pleasure boating and it’s one of the main attractions in Ottawa both for locals and tourists. It connects Ottawa with Kingston on Lake Ontario; it’s 200 kilometers long but only 1.6 meters deep. You can’t miss a visit to the locks, an engineering marvel that allows boaters to travel up or downhill without having to traverse rapids. 

    It doesn’t matter if you visit Ottawa in summer, spring, autumn or winter; whichever season you come to town, you’ll discover plenty of opportunities to have a great time here.

 In winter, the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest naturally frozen ice rink. Visitors can rent skates or explore on foot and indulge in the city’s favorite sweet treat: the Beavertail (a long, flat deep-fried pastry). Passing through downtown Ottawa ice skating is one of the best ways to enjoy winter in the city! 

In spring, the pathways alongside the canal are laden with tulips and, in summer, the canal is a great destination for those who love kayaking, canoeing and boating. It’s also a fantastic place for a bike ride or a hike! 

Admire Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica

    Located close to Rideau Canal and right across from the National Art Gallery, the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica will immediately catch your attention. It’s a beautiful and ornate cathedral in gothic style that is recognized by its twin spires. It’s another landmark in Ottawa and one that can’t be missed. It was consecrated in the mid 1840s and is the oldest and largest house of worship in Ottawa. 

    If you are interested in architecture then you’ll be delighted here! Notre Dame Basilica is a stunning example of Gothic Revival. It’s full of eye-catching design details, from its two silver tin-covered steeples to soaring arches, terraced galleries, wonderful stained-glass windows and the star-studded blue ceiling. There are guided tours available or you can visit the church on your own daily between services.  

    Notre Dame Cathedral is a beautiful Roman Catholic minor basilica that was once home to the small wooden St Jacques Church that was built in 1832. Take your time to admire the hundreds of sculptures of religious figures and carvings in its choir, which is particularly impressive. Don’t miss the huge pipe organ and the gorgeous altar will leave you mesmerized without a doubt with its intricately designed interiors that include carved mahogany!

Marvel at the National Art Gallery

    The National Art Gallery is a must-see museum for art lovers. Founded in 1880, it is home to an impressive collection of European and Canadian paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photos. It hosts the best collection of Canadian and indigenous art. It’s one of the most acclaimed art institutions in the world and it’s also a remarkable architectural piece. Families with young kids will be fascinated with  Louise Bourgeois’s Maman, the giant spider sculpture that looms outside of the gallery! Kids will love visiting the Gallery on Sundays when there are special themes focused on families. 

    The Gallery’s Great Hall, with its glass walls stretched tens of meters above your head, offers stunning panoramic views of Parliament Hill and Notre Dame Cathedral. 

    Alongside renowned names such as Michelangelo, Picasso and Da Vinci, you can also find exquisite artworks by the indigenous peoples of Canada. 

    While at the National Art Gallery, don’t miss Rideau Street Chapel, a XIX century place of worship that historians reconstructed piece by piece inside the gallery. It used to be part of a girls’ boarding school run by nuns, and its fan-vaulted ceiling was unique. It’s decorated with a Tudor-style-fan-vaulted ceiling, slim cast-iron columns, giltwood and colored glasses.

    Head for the Canadian Gallery for artworks from the New France era during the XVIII century, works by pioneering women artists such as Emily Carr and abstract paintings by groups of artists such as the Automatistes in Montreal, Painters Eleven in Toronto or Regina Five in Saskatchewan. The Indigenous galleries are also very interesting! With almost 100,000 pieces of art on display, you can find both classical and modern artwork. 

    Amongst the artists you can admire we can mention: da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso along with indigenous and contemporary pieces. You’ll also find some works by famous Canadian artists like Joseph Légaré and Antoine Plamondon. 

Travel Back in Time at the Canadian Museum of History

    The Canadian Museum of History is the most visited museum in Canada and it welcomes 1.2 million visitors annually and it’s home to many outstanding exhibitions that showcase Canada’s history, world history and the history of civilization. Exhibits include the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles! There are more than 3 million artifacts to admire and it offers a unique and memorable experience for people of all ages. 

    There are also several special exhibitions organized yearly and the high-tech exhibitions tell the history of Canada from the earliest human inhabitants to the present day. Visitors can also explore the Canadian Children’s Museum which is a place that immerses you in a great adventure by allowing you to travel the world through an interactive setting.

It’s located in Gatineau, directly across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill. There are three fantastic exhibition halls: the Grand Hall, the Canadian History Hall and the First Peoples Hall. The Grand Hall is the architectural marvel of the museum, featuring a panoramic wall of windows that provides views of Parliament Hill and the river. 

Opened in 1989, even the building is attractive with its undulating curves and cascades to mirror the shapes found in nature. 

The First People’s Hall is absolutely impressive with its ceiling designed to resemble a dugout canoe, a floor like a glistening pool and the largest indoor collection of XIX century totem poles in the world! It also includes life-sized recreations of Canadian settlements over the past 1000 years.

Large parts of the museum are devoted to Canada’s relationship with Britain, France and the other nations whose people came to the country as early settlers. 

    The Museum is also home to the Canadian Postal Museum and an IMAX theater and it’s a must-visit landmark for families. 

    The Canadian History Hall is a walk through 15,000 years of history presented in an interesting format. There are displays of personal items, audio and visual presentations. From the Vikings to the Basque whalers from Spain and the French occupation to how English-speaking immigration changed the course of history for colonial Canada, there’s nothing you can’t learn about! 

    Make sure you allow plenty of time to explore this fascinating museum as it showcases Canada’s peoples and cultural diversity. There are very interesting collections related to ethnology, traditions, art, archaeology and folk heritage. Take time to fully appreciate the displays in the three permanent galleries and don’t miss the several temporary exhibitions that are organized yearly.   

What about going to a much colder place, though? It might not be that pleasant, but the sights can be breathtaking – the northern lights, seas filled with ice, and rare animals; who would not want to see that with their own eyes?

If that sounds interesting to you, this article is definitely for you! Here, you will find a list of arctic destinations you should definitely see before you die, including Prince Leopold Island, West Greenland, Svalbard, Northwest Passage, and Hudson Bay. Check it out, find a place that you like, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Prince Leopold Island, Canada

Prince Leopold Island is located in Nunavut, Canada. It is not that far from the mainland and can be reached by boat or plane. The island can be divided into two parts – the southern one, which is primarily flat, and the northern one, mountainous and rocky.

Prince Leopold Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary was established in 1992 and is classified Category IV by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Moreover, the island is a Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat site and is classified as a Canadian Important Bird Area.

West Greenland

The West Greenland region is known for its active ice caps, which flow into the sea. The ice flows cause the water to wash out minerals, which are replenished by the ice itself. That is why the water here tastes slightly salty and mineral-rich, making it very healthy and tasty. These unique properties make the west coast of Greenland a popular destination for tourists.

In addition to that, you should see the Scoresby Sund – a huge fjord system of the Greenland Sea, located between Jameson Land to the north and Knud Rasmussen Land to the south. This place is covered with ice for most of the year, but it opens up during the summer, making it an incredible sight. Also, West Greenland is one of the best arctic destinations for people who want to see polar bears in their natural environment.

Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard is located in Norway, in the Arctic Ocean, and is one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas. It is an archipelago composed of 9 islands and about three thousand citizens who reside in Longyearbyen. The name Svalbard is derived from the Old Norse words “svalr” and “barð,” which mean “cold edge.” It makes sense, right?

The islands are mostly low-lying, but there are a lot of glaciers and snowfields there. Visitors can see the northern lights, polar bears, reindeer, and arctic foxes. There is also a glacier cruise that you can take to see the local wildlife.

The Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage is a sea route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, passing through Canada’s Arctic islands. The route was discovered in 1851. It is a significant shipping route nowadays, but it is still dangerous due to the ice floating in the water.

One of the best ways to experience this route is to go on a cruise there. The ice floes are amazing to watch, and they will give you a true sense of how harsh the Arctic weather can be. Today, this route is used mainly by cruise ships that transport tourists to various arctic destinations. It is essential to mention that many shipwrecks are located in this area, making it popular among divers.

Hudson Bay, Canada

Hudson Bay is located in northern Canada and is surrounded by Nunavut and Manitoba. It is the largest bay in Canada and the second-largest bay in the world after the Bay of Bengal.

Many touristic routes are available for transportation throughout this bay, such as guided boat tours and canoe trips. The people who travel around these regions are in for a treat – they will be able to observe some rare species of animals, such as polar bears and belugas.

North Pole

The North Pole is located in the Arctic Ocean, on the northernmost point of the Earth’s surface. It is covered by ice most of the year, which is why you will need a special ship to reach it. Tourists come here to experience the subzero temperatures and take their pictures at the exact geographic North Pole.

There are not many animals in this area, but you can see them from the ship if they get close enough to it. Polar bears are a common sight in the area, as well as snowy owls and reindeer. It is also possible to spot whales and walruses, which can sometimes be seen from the ship, as well.

In Conclusion

That is it! This was our list of arctic destinations that you should visit before you die. As you can see, there are many different choices available for you – some of them might be easier to access than others, but all of them are definitely worth visiting. You will never forget the sights that you will see here – trust us on that!

Canada is undeniably one of the biggest countries in the world. With its size, it is pretty hard to decide which part you should explore next. The great thing about Canada is that it can offer different things for your holiday depending on your needs and preference. If you like mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, or simply to enjoy the countryside or the city, Canada can accommodate you easily.

However, if you are like me who really loves the outdoors and spends my holiday doing something outside, I think I just found the right place – Sun Peaks Resort, which is located in British Columbia. If you are planning to go somewhere else especially with your children, check this article about adventurous activities that you can do with your kids in British Columbia.

Now, this resort is not like any other resort you have been to and I will tell you why in this article. Whether you are going alone, with your partner, or your entire family, Sun Peaks is right for everyone.

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WHY SHOULD YOU SPEND YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY IN SUN PEAKS?

Sun Peaks offers a wide array of activities for everyone at any time of the year. From the beautiful Canadian summer to a magical winter. Sun Peaks is also a place that is family-friendly and pet-friendly.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO SUN PEAKS?

The great thing about this resort is that you can come and spend your holiday at any time of the year. From summer to winter, Sun Peaks is open to accommodate. Make sure to book in advance or give them a call to make sure they can accommodate you for your preferred time to arrive and length of stay.

WHAT TO DO DURING SUMMER?

If you decide to go to Sun Peaks during the summer, there are dozens of things you can do. There will be no same day, or a boring day, for you or your family.

The Top Activities to Do in Sun Peaks During Summer:

Biking, Hiking, and Alpine Sightseeing – Sun Peaks has set trails for all these activities where you can sweat out and appreciate the beautiful mountains of Canada. These trails are well maintained for you and your family.

Golf Course – For the golf enthusiast, Sun Peaks made sure you have the best golf course you will ever see during your vacation. They have the highest elevation course in BC surrounded by natural foliage and panoramic mountain views. You can also get a professional to teach you in case you have never played before.

Events – During the summer, Sun Peaks keeps their calendar busy with different events for everyone. From music festivals, yoga retreats, wine tours, and more.

Other Outdoor and Indoor Activities:

• Kayaking and Canoe Tours
• Tennis
• Stand-up Paddle Boarding
• Segway Tours and Pole Walking
• Local Market

WHAT TO DO DURING WINTER

Winter doesn’t have to be about staying home, drinking hot chocolate, and waiting for spring. Winter can also be fun and exciting with your family, kids or friends.

The Top Activities to Do in Sun Peaks Resort During Winter:

Skiing – Sun Peaks is the second-largest skiing area in the entire country. With 4,270 acres and three skiable peaks, each mountain is easy to access. You can ski on them all in the same day or enjoy one at a time. Annually, Sun Peaks get 6 metres of dry snow powder – just perfect for this activity.

Skating Rink – Put your skating shoes on and enjoy ice skating with a natural environment around you. If you forget to bring your own skates, Sun Peaks offers rentals as well.

Hiking – It is still possible to go hiking during winter in Sun Peaks Resort, however, you must get a permission from the management for your safety.

Other Outdoor and Indoor Activities:

• Dog Sledding
• Fat Biking
• Guided Ice Fishing
• Hockey Games
• Ski Biking and Snowmobiling Tours
• Tube Parks and Weekly Kids Activities

RELAXING ACTIVITIES

For more holiday-like activities, Sun Peaks also has spas, massages, and a hair salon. All these services are ready to cater to your needs and will be delivered and done by professionals.

WHERE TO STAY IN SUN PEAKS

This resort is very serious about delivering a great and relaxing holiday. Not only do they make sure that there will be enough fun things to do around, but also to offer you the best accommodation during your stay.

Depending on the season you are coming, Sun Peaks offers different options. From hotels, condominiums, townhouses, and even RV and Camping.

Hotels and Lodges

Located right in the middle of the resort is a village that offers various options for hotels. From budget-friendly to luxury ones. From lodges that are built with kitchen and living area, you almost feel like home here.

Condos and Townhouses

If you prefer a condo-style or townhouses, they can easily be found as well. A lot of them are very accessible to and from the resort, while some are a little farther out if you prefer a more quiet and secluded location.

WHERE IS SUN PEAKS AND HOW TO GET THERE

Sun Peaks is located in British Columbia, in the middle of the beautiful mountains of Canada, only 45 minutes northeast of Kamloops.

The most common way to reach Sun Peaks is to drive or fly, however, you may want to contact them directly, so they can assist you with finding the best options for transportation such as airport shuttle, resort shuttle, and more.

For any other information, you may contact Sun Peaks via:

• Website: https://www.sunpeaksresort.com
• Email address: info@sunpeakstourism.com
• Telephone number: 250.578.5474
• Address: 1280 Alpine Road, Sun Peaks, BC, Canada