RSS FeedsWhat do you think of these places in Canada…?
I'll be leaving to Canada tomorrow, and I was just wondering what do you think about all these places? I've never been to Canada before, and this will be my first time, and these will be some of the places I'll be going to while I'm there, so I was wondering how they are 
Old Town Vancouver
(Gastown, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, Expo86)
Howe Sound Bay - Whistler.
Taking a ferry to Vancouver Island and go to Butchart Gardens.
Kamploops for famouse Ginseng Production?
Glacier National Park
(to see "The Last Spike" and "Roger's Pass)
Natural Bridge
Peyto Lake and Bow Falls then Colombia Icefield
Lake Louise + Morine Lake
Then to Kelowna for the "Ice Wine"
I don't know any of these places but I know most of them are all nature places and not really going into the citie, but I enjoy nature So let me know what you think of some of these places if you know anything. Your opinions will be much appriciated. Thank you.
Kamloops has an excellent world class spa, they use gingseng products. I havent been there myself but have heard good things about it. see link below
Kamloops is the tournamet capital of BC or is it Canada? There are some nice parks, music in the park in the evenings in the summer - lots of great golf courses. An hours drive takes you to Shuswap lakes, and thats really a nice area. Closer are Paul Lake and Lac Le Jeune lake. Water slides and a zoo east of the city.
Ice wine is really sweet, best to eat chocolates and drink it. Thats a real treat. Kelowna has some great beaches, have you arranged a winery tour? Peach cheese cake, hmmmmm
The ferry ride is spectacular, watch for whales and dolphins, you can sit outside in the sun, its a ship actually so enjoy your cruise. It takes about two hours. Dont believe the signs on the freeway that say ferries 30 kilometers, you will find it takes you an hour to get there. There are often waits for sailings, try to sail on weekdays - and avoid holidays and Friday evening.
Buchart Gardens can be dry in the late summer, watering restrictions. There is so much to take in and see in Victoria, be sure and go down to the Inner Harbour and Parliament bldgs.
Too bad you dont have more time on Vancouver Island, there are spectacular beaches, Long beach is 20 miles of white sand. Miracle beach is pretty spectacular too, Cathedral Grove, its a great place for a holiday. We went sailing on the tell ship The Dorian, it was $30 and we were out for close to 4 hours, a wonderful experience.
Whistler is IMO a money grab but thats my opinion.
If you are driving you will find the highway from Whistler to Lillooet and on to Cache Creek a tad nerve racking. FYI the speed limit is 80 not 40 kph.
If you go that way Pavilion Lake is an amazing colour but I am a bit leery about the "mysterious microbes" found in the lake that arent found anywhere else on earth - who knows what they could do to you? Marble canyon, some amazing scenery there.
Glacier National Park is great, Lake Louise is beautiful, scenery on the Rogers Pass is beautiful. If you stop in Salmon Arm to eat go down to Ricks, which overlooks a wetlands, bird sanctuary - coming that way you go right past the Shuswap lakes, you turn off at the Squilax bridge and drive about 40 minutes, Captains Marine you can rent seados and it has a nice restaurant, swimming is free, thats where I go. Scotch Creek is a provincial campground and the last time I was there they charged for parking.
While there you might want to check out indian pit house.
If you would like to see photos of some of these areas in BC email me, I have thousands on My Space
August 1st, 2007
Old town Vancouver is lovely. Queen E not much but you can always bring a picnic basket and just lay around the grass. Stanley Park is also a beauty, you might want to try to walk the entire seawall which is 10 kms. Whistler is expensive but lovely too. Butchart Gardens, you need at least 3 hours to run around, I suggest you go to downtown Victoria too. Lake Louise is wonderfula and Morraine Lake. You might want to go to Banff too and just stroll, lots of good bars too if your into it. In Vancouver, I suggest you visit Granville Island too. Have a nice trip!
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August 1st, 2007
You will have a great time,it's one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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August 1st, 2007
Well, I've lived in Toronto, Canada for 2 years now. The only nature stuff I know of is the Harbour front and Niagara falls. There are a few parks I think, but that's basically it. Other than, I would explore the city and different marketplaces. If you want, go to CN tower, you can see the whole city from up there. Take a ride in the Harbour front. Definitely stop by Eaton Centre. I'm sure your friends who live there can you around to more places.
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August 1st, 2007
Kamloops has an excellent world class spa, they use gingseng products. I havent been there myself but have heard good things about it. see link below
Kamloops is the tournamet capital of BC or is it Canada? There are some nice parks, music in the park in the evenings in the summer - lots of great golf courses. An hours drive takes you to Shuswap lakes, and thats really a nice area. Closer are Paul Lake and Lac Le Jeune lake. Water slides and a zoo east of the city.
Ice wine is really sweet, best to eat chocolates and drink it. Thats a real treat. Kelowna has some great beaches, have you arranged a winery tour? Peach cheese cake, hmmmmm
The ferry ride is spectacular, watch for whales and dolphins, you can sit outside in the sun, its a ship actually so enjoy your cruise. It takes about two hours. Dont believe the signs on the freeway that say ferries 30 kilometers, you will find it takes you an hour to get there. There are often waits for sailings, try to sail on weekdays - and avoid holidays and Friday evening.
Buchart Gardens can be dry in the late summer, watering restrictions. There is so much to take in and see in Victoria, be sure and go down to the Inner Harbour and Parliament bldgs.
Too bad you dont have more time on Vancouver Island, there are spectacular beaches, Long beach is 20 miles of white sand. Miracle beach is pretty spectacular too, Cathedral Grove, its a great place for a holiday. We went sailing on the tell ship The Dorian, it was $30 and we were out for close to 4 hours, a wonderful experience.
Whistler is IMO a money grab but thats my opinion.
If you are driving you will find the highway from Whistler to Lillooet and on to Cache Creek a tad nerve racking. FYI the speed limit is 80 not 40 kph.
If you go that way Pavilion Lake is an amazing colour but I am a bit leery about the "mysterious microbes" found in the lake that arent found anywhere else on earth - who knows what they could do to you? Marble canyon, some amazing scenery there.
Glacier National Park is great, Lake Louise is beautiful, scenery on the Rogers Pass is beautiful. If you stop in Salmon Arm to eat go down to Ricks, which overlooks a wetlands, bird sanctuary - coming that way you go right past the Shuswap lakes, you turn off at the Squilax bridge and drive about 40 minutes, Captains Marine you can rent seados and it has a nice restaurant, swimming is free, thats where I go. Scotch Creek is a provincial campground and the last time I was there they charged for parking.
While there you might want to check out indian pit house.
If you would like to see photos of some of these areas in BC email me, I have thousands on My Space
References :
http://www.totabc.com/trellis/specialty_shops/573
August 1st, 2007
Natural bridge sucks, there's not much to the last spike, mostly just a rest stop along the highway. Instead of natural bridge take the 10 minute drive off the transcanada highway to Takkakaw falls in Yoho national park ( as long as your not in an RV or you're towing a trailer ). All the lakes in Banff national park are awesome, lake loiuse, morraine lake and peyto lake are all must sees - peyto lake is a 5 min hike from the parking lot ). if you want to do a really nice, but short hike i'd suggest hiking johnson canyon in Banff national park, just hike to the first falls, it will take 20 minutes or so , but it's great scenery and there is a natural groto at the first falls ( the second falls is nothing special in my opinion ). Butchart gardens is really nice and whistler is really nice too. The enchanted forest is another attraction along the transcanada highway which you will be taking from vancouver to banff that a lot of families enjoy. As a fellow nature lover though i highly recommend all three lakes ( peyto, Louise and Morraine ) johnson canyon, takkakaw falls and the drive up to the icefeilds on the icefeilds parkway is amazing
Have fun
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August 1st, 2007
You are going to have the trip of a lifetime. I hope you come back to this site and let let us know what you think. If anyone in your party is a golfer, about 45 minutes east of Lake Louise in Kananaskis country. There are 2 of the most gorgeous golf courses they will ever golf and well worth the time to go just for the scenery. One of the responders also pointed out taking the Columbia Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, go for a walk on the athabaska glacier, it is awesome . Have a great trip and take lots of pictures to show your friends back home.
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August 1st, 2007
I have been to all of these places you have mentioned and more. They are all very beautiful and worth seeing. People very helpful and easy to talk to. All these places have places you can camp at or near to. Also will have most services near to these places. Have a greattime while you are visiting my beautiful country
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August 1st, 2007
I noticed you mentioned both Lake Louise (Banff National Park) and Glacier National Park (The U.S. side of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park). I live in between these places so I'll make a few recommendations on what to see in Alberta. Sorry if I'm long winded here.
Anyway, part way between these places, near Fort Macleod Alberta, is a place called "Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump".
Since you'll be passing by it, you should really check it out. It's a very important part of North American natural history, and one of many UNESCO world heritage sites in Canada. They have a great interpretive centre there.
About an hour west of there, in the Crowsnest pass, you can go to Frank Slide, also known as the Hillcrest mine disaster, and check out the interpretive centre, and there is also another old mine nearby that offers tours. Along the way you will also see one of the world's biggest wind-electicity farms, with some of the world's biggest windmills.
If you are coming up through the Milk River area (South of Lethbridge) then you might want to check out Writing-on-Stone. I believe it is also a UNESCO site. Very cool.
Calgary, which is near Banff, has some great museums and a zoo.
When in Banff, you should really check out the townsite. Lots of really cool little shops, plus there is a Gondola ride to the top of a mountain which has spectacular views. The cave tour is a waste of time, but the hot spring pool is kind of cool. There is even a restaurant that serves alligator and rattlesnake if you're brave… I can't remember what the place is called, but it has a steep, triangular roof over the front doors. You'll know it when you see it.
Oh - and I almost forgot - check out the Banff Springs Hotel. (there are only 2 bus routes in Banff and I think they both go there). When you get to the townsite, just park somewhere. The bus is cheap and way more convenient. Plus it takes you to almost all of the best places to go.
Lake louise is absolutely beautiful, definately check it out, and take the self-guided walk. There's fossils and information about the local wildlife.
The Columbia Icefield tour in Jasper Nat'l Park is pretty expensive but it is worth it just to get a break from the heat here. Definately spend the money and take the snow coach tour. Make sure you bring a winter jacket. I wouldn't bother going north of there to the Jasper townsite, instead head back south.
Anyway hope this helps and have fun on your trip! And by the way "Ice Wine" is NASTY! LOL
OK - this is an edit - I just want to mention that you should check out the Golf course in Banff townsite. You are almost guaranteed to see tons of wildlife. Moose, elk, maybe even bears.
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Personal experience