From Coast To Coast
Stretching from St. John's to Victoria (or St. John's to Prince Rupert, depending whether you head north from Winnipeg), the Trans-Canada Highway doesn't just connect a country, it's the perfect roadtrip itinerary! Since the TCH goes through all 10 provinces, we've selected two from each, heading east to west. Enjoy the beauty of nature with some Canadian quirkiness thrown into the mix.
1. Terry Fox Memorial
Our road trip begins at "mile zero" in St. John's. Specifically, we're starting at the Terry Fox Memorial. The larger-than-life statue shows Terry dipping his prosthetic leg into St. John's Harbour; as good a place to start as any.
2. Gros Morne National Park
The first of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites on our list, Gros Morne can take up a whole day of your trip. These awe-inspiring fjords are the result of North America & Africa colliding some 3 billion years ago! Hike to the top of Gros Morne Mountain, go whale watching on the water, or check out the Earth's inner soul at the Tablelands.
3. Fortress of Louisbourg
From Newfoundland, you'll take the ferry to Cape Breton, where you can check out the Fortress of Louisbourg. In the early 18th century, Louisborg was one of the busiest harbors in the New World before it was besieged, captured, and then destroyed by the British less than 50 years later. In the 1970s, the fortress and town were partially reconstructed as a living history museum, the largest reconstruction project in North America.
4. Peggy's Cove
Lighthouse fans may take umbrage with our inclusion of Peggy's Cove on this list instead of their more off-beat favorite, but, what can we say? Peggy's Cove is the most iconic lighthouse in Canada and one of the busiest attractions in the Maritimes. Just be careful on those black rocks.
paul (dex) bica from toronto, canada on Wikimedia
5. Anne Of Green Gables Museum
You can't drive through PEI without visiting at least one Green Gables-related spot! While you could visit the actual Green Gables house in Cavendish, we think that the museum in Park Corner deserves some love too. Built by L. M. Montgomery's relatives (and still run by descendants), the museum features artifacts from the author's life along with breathtaking scenery.
6. The Bottle Houses
Constructed over the course of three years using 30,000 bottles, these three buildings were the brainchild of one man with a plan. If you stand inside when the light is just right, you'll be treated to a kaleidoscope of stained glass. The Six Gabled House, Tavern, and Chapel are more than just art structures, they're a reminder to clean up after yourself.
A Disappearing Act on Wikimedia
7. Moncton Magnetic Hill
Can cars really roll uphill? In Moncton they can. The magnetic hill is actually an optical illusion known as a gravity hill, occurring when the lack of a horizon tricks your brain into thinking down is up and vice versa. The area also features a zoo, water park, and more.
8. Hartland Bridge
We know what you're thinking: how exciting can a covered bridge be? Well, Hartland Bridge, which crosses the Saint John River, just so happens to be the longest of its kind at 1282 feet. Covered bridges have a longer lifespan than their uncovered counterparts and if you're an Edwardian teen in a horse-drawn carriage, they're a great spot to do some heavy petting.
9. Château Frontenac
The most photographed hotel in the world, according to Guinness World Records, the Château Frontenac is one of the most beautiful buildings in Canada. Perched on a hill in Old Quebec, it's easy to understand why Alfred Hitchcock shot much of I Confess here. Even if a stay is out of your price range, a tour is definitely worth it.
10. Habitat 67
Habitat 67 started off as a master's thesis in architecture, was a display at Expo 67, and now is one of the most sought-after zip codes in Montreal. This Brutalist hodgepodge seeks to bring a bit of the suburbs into the city through gardens, fresh air, and multilevel units. Don't worry, you don't have to be a tenant to peek inside; tours are offered daily.
Ari Novem Harwan Ambarita on Pexels
11. Bonnechere Caves
Eganville is an unincorporated community about an hour outside of Ottawa whose biggest tourist attraction lies underground. About 500 million years ago, the Bonnechere Caves were home to a tropical sea; today you can take a tour and see some prehistoric fossils. Make sure you bring a light jacket; it gets cold down there!
12. The Big Nickel
You don't have to be a coin collector to enjoy the Big Nickel. The Big Nickel is an ode to history as a mining town, the largest coin in the world, and a must-see for anyone passing through the north. The Big Nickel is part of a larger science complex, Science North, which is worth a weekend.
Mysudbury.ca Ouisudbury.ca on Wikimedia
13. Centre Of Canada
Need to stop and stretch your legs after a long drive through Northwest Ontario? The Centre of Canada in Taché, Manitoba has it covered. This is exactly what it sounds like: the longitudinal centre of Canada with a giant billboard for your scrapbook.
14. Riel House
Located in the St. Vital neighborhood of Winnipeg, the Riel House commemorates both the life of Louis Riel and the history of the Red River Métis. Riel himself only lived in the house for two years before his exile, though it was also where his body lay in state for two days. The house is frozen in time in 1886 in the wake of Riel's death, when 11 members of the family lived in a 600 sq ft home.
15. Tunnels Of Moose Jaw
Locals may call the Tunnels of Moose Jaw a tourist trap, but consider us trapped. The tunnels offer three guided tours: Chicago Connection, about Al Capone's (very brief stint in Saskatchewan) and the dangers of bootlegging; Bunker 24, about the Cold War and nuclear arms race; and Passage to Fortune, about early Chinese immigration to the area. Visitors should be advised that while Passage to Fortune includes accurate information on the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act, it also perpetuates misinformation about Chinese workers being forced to live underground.
daryl_mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on Wikimedia
16. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
What's better than a Provincial Park? An Interprovincial park! Cypress Hills has the highest point between Labrador and the Rockies, one of the best Dark Sky Preserves in the world, ziplining, and a cross-country ski area (weather permitting).
17. Dinosaur Provincial Park
While Drumbeller may have a better museum, Dinosaur Provincial Park gives visitors a better chance at finding their own fossils. Canada's largest badland is a and breathtaking landscape filled with hoodoos, sandstone hills, and lots of fossils. 58 dinosaur species have been discovered so far, who knows, you may make it 59!
18. Calgary Tower
Forget the CN tower, make sure you check out the Calgary Tower on your trip. Soaring over the city's downtown core, this tower comes with a revolving restaurant and glass-bottomed observation deck not for the faint of heart. Not only will you get a eagle-eyed view of the city's landmarks, but you can see all the way to the Rockies.
19. Glacier National Park
No, we're not suggesting you hop the border to Montana when British Columbians have glaciers in their own backyard. GNP's history is tied closely with the Trans-Canada, so it's only right that we pay homage to it before the end of the route. Of course, the mountains, cave systems, wildlife, and, of course, glaciers, don't hurt either.
20. Stanley Park
Congratulations on reaching the end of the Trans-Canada Highway! Now, you can kick back and relax in relax in Vancouver's massive Stanley Park. Stanley Park is larger than Central Park with no shortage of things to do from walking tails and carriage rides to totem pole viewings and Canada's largest aquarium.
