Things to Do in Canada 288

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Canada's 10 Record-Breaking Wonders

Canada is the second-largest country on Earth, so perhaps it's no surprise that it's home to some of the biggest, oldest, longest, and most extraordinary places you'll find anywhere. Some hold world records. Others are the largest or oldest in Canada. All of them offer an unforgettable travel experience and prove that sometimes the journey really is bigger than life itself.

1. The World's Highest Tides

Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia

Twice each day, more than 160 billion tonnes of seawater rush in and out of the Bay of Fundy, creating the highest tides on Earth. The difference between high and low tide can exceed 16 metres (52 feet)—roughly the height of a five-storey building. It's one of the few places in the world where you can walk on the ocean floor at low tide and return just a few hours later to kayak over the very same spot. Whether you explore the iconic Hopewell Rocks, take a guided tidal bore rafting adventure, or simply watch nature transform the landscape before your eyes, it's an experience unlike anywhere else.

👉 Learn more in our travel guides for New Brunswick’s Fundy Parkway and Nova Scotia's Noel region.

2. The World's Longest Freshwater Beach

Wasaga Beach, Ontario

Stretching more than 14 kilometres along the shores of Georgian Bay, Wasaga Beach proudly holds the title of the world's longest freshwater beach. With soft sand, warm summer waters, spectacular sunsets, and endless opportunities for swimming, paddling, and cycling, it's easy to see why millions of visitors flock here every year. Beyond the beach itself, nearby trails, restaurants, and historic sites make it an easy weekend getaway.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Ontario

3. The World's Largest Dark Sky Preserve

Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta & Northwest Territories

Spanning more than 44,000 square kilometres, Wood Buffalo is Canada's largest national park, but it's also home to the world's largest Dark Sky Preserve. Thanks to virtually no light pollution, it's one of the best places on Earth to witness the northern lights, photograph the Milky Way, or simply marvel at a sky filled with countless stars. Add in free-roaming wood bison, vast salt plains, and one of the planet's largest inland freshwater deltas, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site feels wonderfully wild.

👉 Learn more in this travel guide to Wood Buffalo National Park

4. Canada's Most Powerful Waterfall

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Thundering over the brink at a rate of more than 2,400 cubic metres of water per second during peak flow, Niagara Falls is Canada's most powerful waterfall and the most powerful in North America. Straddling the border between Ontario and New York, it's one of the world's most iconic natural attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year to experience its incredible roar, mist, and unforgettable views.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Niagara Falls

5. Canada's Largest Provincial Park

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, British Columbia

Covering nearly one million hectares, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is Canada's largest provincial park. This immense wilderness protects glaciers, turquoise rivers, alpine peaks, old-growth forests, and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and salmon. Despite its size, it remains one of British Columbia's least-visited treasures, making it perfect for travellers seeking true wilderness adventures.

👉 Learn more in this guide to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park

6. Canada's Oldest National Park

Banff National Park, Alberta

Established in 1885 after the discovery of natural hot springs, Banff became Canada's very first national park and only the third national park created anywhere in the world. More than 140 years later, it's still one of Canada's crown jewels, drawing visitors from around the globe with turquoise lakes, soaring mountain peaks, incredible wildlife, world-class hiking, and scenic drives like the Icefields Parkway.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Banff National Park

7. The World's Largest Naturally Frozen Skating Rink

Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario

When winter arrives, Ottawa's historic Rideau Canal transforms into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink. Stretching nearly eight kilometres through the heart of the nation's capital, it's more than just a place to skate—it's a uniquely Canadian tradition. Glide beneath bridges, warm up with a famous BeaverTail pastry, and experience Winterlude as locals have for generations.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Ottawa

8. The World's Largest Freshwater Island

Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Floating in Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island on Earth. But what makes it even more fascinating is its geography: the island contains more than 100 inland lakes, some of which have islands of their own. Add scenic lookouts, waterfalls, charming communities, Indigenous culture, and miles of hiking trails, and you'll quickly discover why it's one of Ontario's most unique destinations.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Ontario

9. Canada's Highest Mountain

Mount Logan, Yukon

Rising 5,959 metres above sea level, Mount Logan is Canada's highest mountain and the second-highest peak in North America. Located within the remote wilderness of Kluane National Park, few people will ever climb it, but simply visiting the park offers breathtaking views of glaciers, rugged mountain ranges, and some of the most pristine landscapes anywhere in the country.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Yukon

10. The World's Largest Dinosaur

Drumheller, Alberta

Standing more than 25 metres (86 feet) tall, the World's Largest Dinosaur has become one of Canada's most recognizable roadside attractions—and yes, you can even climb inside its mouth for panoramic views of the badlands. But the giant T. rex is really just the beginning. Drumheller is one of the world's premier dinosaur destinations, surrounded by fossil-rich badlands and located just a short drive from Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for having one of the richest concentrations of dinosaur fossils ever discovered. It's also home to the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum, Canada's only museum dedicated exclusively to paleontology, where visitors can walk among towering dinosaur skeletons and discover one of the world's finest fossil collections.

👉 Learn more in our travel guide for Drumheller

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For the next 48 hours only, save 31% on all Must Do Canada Scratch-Off Adventure Cards. Whether you're looking for a unique gift or a fun way to discover more of Canada, now's the perfect time to scratch off your next adventure.

Shop now before the sale ends!

(Use Code “bday”. Sale ends Thursday at midnight)

Watch

See the World’s Highest Tides

We've experienced the world's highest tides from both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. While the iconic Hopewell Rocks is the most famous place to witness this incredible natural phenomenon, Nova Scotia is home to some spectacular—and far less crowded—viewpoints as well.

International Departures

Visit the World's Largest Salt Flat

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Stretching across more than 10,000 square kilometres, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat—and one of its most surreal landscapes. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water transforms the vast white expanse into the world's largest natural mirror, creating breathtaking reflections that seem to blur the line between earth and sky.

Whether you're chasing incredible photos or simply looking for a truly unforgettable destination, this Bolivian wonder deserves a spot on every travel bucket list.

Beaver Bites

• WestJet Strike Ends with Tentative Deal, which is great news for travellers. WestJet and the union representing more than 4,400 flight attendants reached a tentative deal, ending the strike that disrupted hundreds of flights over the long weekend. While the deal still needs to be ratified by union members, WestJet has begun restoring its schedule, though some delays and cancellations may continue as crews and aircraft are repositioned.
  
  

• Calgary's Inglewood Named One of Canada's Coolest Neighbourhoods, earning YYC some serious street cred. Inglewood, the city's oldest neighbourhood, earned its title thanks to a mix of historic charm, live music, independent shops, craft breweries, and a buzzing food scene. If you're planning a visit to Calgary, this is one area you won't want to skip.
  
  

• High-Speed Rail Hits a Political Speed Bump as Canada's proposed Alto high-speed rail project could face new uncertainty. The move comes after the federal government rejected plans to expand Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport for jet service, sparking a political dispute over transportation priorities. The Toronto–Quebec City rail line remains in development, but the disagreement could complicate the project's future.
  
  

• Quebec Town Gives Trees Their Own Rights. A small town west of Montreal has become the first municipality in Canada to officially recognize trees as living beings with rights. Terrasse-Vaudreuil unanimously adopted a resolution declaring trees have the right to life, natural growth, integrity, and regeneration, while committing to stronger protections for its urban canopy. Supporters hope it inspires other communities to rethink how nature is protected.
  
  

• Science Says You Should Take That Road Trip, so if you need an excuse to hit the open road, science has your back. Psychologists say road trips can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, spark creativity, and even help your brain form new neural pathways thanks to the novelty of exploring new places. Plus, unplugging from screens and soaking in awe-inspiring landscapes can boost your mood long after the trip ends.

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