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Charmed by Saskatoon

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Saskatoon-title

This place is awesome!” My son happily declares as we survey the beautiful banks of the South Saskatchewan River from aboard the Prairie Lily river boat. The city of Saskatoon is weaving its spell over him. “Why did you ever leave?”

At 12 years old I had little to do with my parents’ decision to move from Saskatoon, a fact my son seems to care little about. Who cares about maternal family dynamics when you can see the spray park we just splashed in near the river’s edge, or the blackboard wall painted under the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge where my sons and I wrote something we hope to do before we die (meet Batman, dance all night, travel travel travel, respectively.)

Charmed by Saskatoon

I might not state it as emphatically as “Before I die…” but I have wanted to revisit Saskatoon for a while now, but somehow other trips kept pre-empting my plans.  This summer finally presented the perfect opportunity for me to bring my kids and show off the city where I grew up.

In our kitchen cabinet, circa 1984 Saskatoon, there was a mug. A mesmerizing mug that filled my heart with wonder. When it was filled with warm liquid, the words “Saskatoon is Magic” appeared like, well, like magic! I would trace the letters with my little fingers and recite the words like a mantra: Saskatoon is magic!

The Delta Bessborough

A hand coloured memory of Saskatoon at The Delta Bessborough

When we left Saskatoon to move to Edmonton (a similar city on a bigger scale, many assured me) I was suitably devastated, in the dramatic fashion of pre-teen girls. “Nothing will ever fill the void of the magical city I love!” I cried, shrilly and often. Eventually I grew to love my icy adopted home; traveling, but always returning, choosing to start and raise a family in Edmonton. But recently I have begun to wonder about the enchanted city of my childhood. I had such happy memories of the City of Bridges, could the reality measure up?

What I found was not quite the handcoloured magic of memories, but a fun, vibrant charm. The iconic Delta Bessborough Hotel still stands beside the river, and glimpses of things I half remembered shine through, but in many cases they have been touched by the boomtown wand of prosperity and growth.

Charmed by Saskatoon

Boomtown Street at the Western Development Museum credit: Tourism Saskatoon

A fitting place to start my “Running Back to Saskatoon” tour (a Guess Who joke reference that missed the mark every time I trotted it out) was the Western Development Museum. Lots of elementary school field trips came rushing back. The re-creation of a typical prairie town in 1910 forms the backbone of the museum, and the new interactive exhibit “Winning the Prairie Gamble” that follows a farming family from the early days right through to the present. My companion and I loved seeing the toys we used to play with on display (Rainbow Brite anyone?) the kids loved the 1920s funhouse. They went through it only about 15 times.

Charmed by Saskatoon

Riversdale: Walking the trail along River Landing on the South Saskatchewan, the cold pressed juice at Thrive, a spacey climbing apparatus at the playground, Cappanna pizzas.

From Saskatoon’s humble beginnings we did a whirlwind fast forward through time to one of the most happening spots of today: Riversdale. From its previously sketchy roots, the magic of hipster gentrification is transforming Riversdale into a fun funky neighbourhood. We started our day juicing up at THRIVE Cold Pressed Juice (tip: our kids were not fans of the piquante ginger, but the other flavours were a hit!) before hitting the playground and walking on the riverside trail to a prairie themed splashpark. From there we headed back to Riversdale proper and one of its gems: The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. As it was a Wednesday (the farmers are there Wednesdays and weekends) and bit of a slower day compared to the weekend, not all the vendors were out, but the ones that were offered a glimpse at what a great place it is. And of course the best part of any farmers market is the samples…the kids were delighted! There are also many trendy locally owned cafes and restaurants, like Cappanna Pizzeria.  The less-than-a-minute cooking time meant the delicious pizzas (margarita with buffalo mozzarella and river trout with arugula) were on the table quickly. Important considerations when travelling with a herd of kids!

Charmed by Saskatoon

The rides and adjacent playground at PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park

And seriously, what nostalgia tour would be complete without a carousel? The downtown Kinsmen playpark was always fun, in a small town kind of way. The miniature train would chug around the park, the little ferris wheel would raise its few passengers up and bring them gently back, and the carousel turned slowly, showcasing its whimsical menagerie. By sheer force of luck, we were there for the grand opening of the newly retrofitted park. The three rides remain (on a larger scale for the train and ferris wheel) but again, the transformative magic has cast a shiny spell over the place, replaced and reopened as Potash Playland at Kinsmen Park: the small town coziness has been replaced by a vibrant cosmopolitan feel. Additionally there is an enormous playground on the grounds with a teepee inspired slide, massive zipline and lots of cool obstacle courses and apparatuses to climb. My kids have begun advocating for a riverside park for Edmonton!

If you go experience the Magic of Saskatoon:

Charmed by Saskatoon

The waterslide at the Sheraton, snacks from the bus, racing at Auto Clearing Raceway

Where to stay:

The Sheraton Cavalier is in a prime location across the street from the river in downtown Saskatoon. The Sheraton Club level includes hot breakfast and appetizers in the evening (which served for supper one evening after a particularly large and late lunch.) It is also home of the newly renovated River Country Waterpark, where you can easily spend a happy afternoon slipping down the giant waterslide and splashing in the kiddie or big pool, or relaxing in one of the two hot tubs.

Where to eat:

Kid friendly fare and “artisanal burgers” are abundantly on hand at Jerry’s (with handmade gelato in amazing flavours!); a fun 50’s vibe and burgers for years are part of the treat at Pink Cadillacs Malt Shop, tableside food prep at the teppanyaki Samurai Japanese Restaurant in the Delta Bessborough is a cool special occasion spot. And because it’s a Delta restaurant, kids 6 and under eat free from the kids menu or half price entrees. For frozen yogurt, ice cream treats and assorted snacks served from a double decker bus, Bus Stop Refreshments (right across the street from the Bess’) is hard to beat…plus great photo ops!

Your kids will also love:

Apex Trampoline: if you saw Amazing Race Canada in Saskatoon, you saw all the bouncing fun you can have at Apex!
Auto Clearing Motor Speedway: Kids 12 and under get in free for a great summer night activity!
Museum of Natural Sciences: Visit the stunningly beautiful University of Saskatchewan campus and search out the free dinosaur exhibits. Don’t forget to bring this scavenger hunt with you (here are the answers!)

Many thanks to Tourism Saskatoon for hosting our family.

The post Charmed by Saskatoon appeared first on Family Fun Canada.


So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!

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So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!

So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!If the results of the recent US election have you feeling a bit apprehensive about travelling south of the border, rest assured that you do not need to leave the peaceful, politically sedate confines of Canada to experience holiday bliss. You can stay close to home and indulge in some Hometown Tourism or if you’d like to venture further afield, yet still safely north of the 49th, here’s our round up of remarkable destinations right here at home, from coast to coast.

Starting on the Left Coast, where Hillary supporters feel most at home, there are amazing escapades to be had including these 6 Kid-Friendly Adventures on Vancouver Island.

As you head inland, stop in the interior of BC and drown your sorrows in BC wine Country. Osoyoos is a dreamy spot, with plenty of wine, sunshine and beaches to explore.

Wine Food and Fun in Osoyoos BC

You can find Zen in Alberta with Heli Yoga or go visit the oldest relics in the country; Discovering the past in the Badlands and visiting Drumheller where the dinosaur bones will reassure you that at least something else has been through more drama than this election.

Bucket_List_Heliyoga_Group_Yoga

The undulating hills of the prairies are soothing and if you allow yourself to be charmed by Saskatoon, we’ll all get through this together.

Moving east, the kids can have an Experiential Learning Vacation of Dynamic Proportions in Sudbury Ontario. Yes, Sudbury. And visiting Toronto, perfect for a Big City Getaway, never fails to remind us that Canadians do big cities pretty darn well!

View of Toronto skyline from the ferry

If you prefer your political fireworks homegrown, how about Quebec? Politics in la belle province are never boring! You can’t miss out on Manoir-Papineau in Montebello, Quebec, one of Canada’s treasured National Historic Sites, visit Historic Quebec City to see why it is so kid friendly, and if you head there in the summer, there are at least 10 Awesome Things to do in Montreal with Kids.

kid friendly quebec city header

Farthest east, and most pragmatic, the Atlantic provinces are a no-nonsense but fun-loving and spectacular destination for all families, from north or south of the border.

Charlottetown with Kids

From Family time in Fredericton New Brunswick to Family Fun in The Historic City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island you can immerse yourself in our country’s history.

The Colours of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (Family Fun Canada)

Cape Breton Island, In Living Colour provides some of the most stunning scenery you can possibly imagine, and if cheeky Newfoundland town names don’t soothe your nerves, we may be beyond hope!

Newfoundland Place Names That Will Make You Blush

Blow Me Down Provincial Park

Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

I’ll leave you with one last suggestion, if you’re feeling continent locked – don’t despair! You don’t have to look far for some of the most amazing winter activities to see that Canada is unique and special. The 12 Most Canadian Things To Do This Winter will keep you from falling into a post Trump hibernation.

12-canadian-things-to-do-this-winter

 

 

The post So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered! appeared first on Family Fun Canada.

Manitou Springs, the Dead Sea of Saskatchewan

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Manitou Springs the dead sea of saskatchewan
manitou springs

Photo courtesy of Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa

Fun, busy, frustrating at times, and occasionally a little bit crazy—these are a few words I would use to describe our holidays as a family. There’s five of us, three under the age of seven, so noise, chaos, and energy are in abundance anytime we hit the road. I’m good with that—it’s just that season in our lives—but occasionally, just once in a super-moon, I wouldn’t mind adding a bit of ‘relaxation’ into that mix! That’s why our family trip to Manitou Springs on a cold, Saskatchewan weekend in November came as a bit of a welcome surprise!

manitou springs

Photos courtesy Watrous Bakery & Coffee Shop

We hopped in the van on Saturday morning and headed east on the Yellowhead from Saskatoon to the harried sounds of Kid 2 singing loudly, “This is a song that never ends, it goes on and on my friends…” interspersed with the even louder shouts of “STOP SINGING!” coming from our oldest son. My husband and I were silently thankful for the short commute (just over an hour) to Watrous where we stopped for a quick bite at Watrous Bakery & Coffee Shop. I was even more thankful for the first-class latte and fresh apple fritter served to me by friendly mom & pop owners, Marla and Ray Suik. The kids had their fill in this vintage-charm cafe and we were on our way!

The Resort Village of Manitou Beach is just a hop, skip, and a 5-minute jump from Watrous, and the view of Little Manitou Lake as you enter the town is not too shabby! Some cool facts about this unique ecosystem which can be easily gathered from the signage around town:

  •  Little Manitou Lake was formed by receding glaciers during the most recent ice age
  • the lake is fed by underground springs and precipitation
  • it is a what’s known as a ‘terminal lake’, meaning that there is no outflow to external bodies of water. Drainage, therefore, only occurs through evaporation or seepage
  • these qualities all work to create a unique ecosystem known as an Endorheic basin
  • the water in Little Manitou is high in (salty) minerals such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium which have given rise to its nickname, ‘The Dead Sea of Saskatchewan’
  • since the 19th century, natives to the area have come to Little Manitou for the healing power and health benefits of the waters
manitou-springs

Photo courtesy Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa

The main attraction in the village during the winter season is definitely the Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa which can be easily found by following the road signs. The kids were excited for the swim we’d promised them, so we rushed in, got into our suits, and they eagerly ran to the pool. THIS is where the usual harried pace of our family holiday changed. Imagine that swimming area where you take your kids for a swim on the weekend—the splashing sounds, the smell of chlorine, the intermittent crashes that come from the bottom of the waterslide, the high-decibel din of children’s screams and laughter—now imagine that same place minus the chemical smell and waterslide, with clean, warm waters and the blissful sound of QUIET! Hello Relaxation! I don’t know if it’s the minerals or the fact that pools range in heavenly temperature from 94 to 102, but my husband and I couldn’t stop talking about how blissfully QUIET the place was—our noisy brood included!

manitou-gManitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa is an award-winning facility that has several shallower pools (from 0 depth to 3ft) which all interconnect to the deepest at 9ft. There are a few kiddy items including floaties, noodles, and a (very) small slide in one of the shallow areas. Information on the mineral content and the waters, sourced from Little Manitou Lake, are posted on the walls, but the highlight for our family was definitely the buoyancy of the waters!! Imagine the weight of your body and limbs suspended in warm, relaxing waters! BLISS! It is still vital to stay near weak swimmers, but our kids relished the ease of floating about on their backs in the pool, as did I.

manitou-springsWe finished up in the pool and had a late lunch at the Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge which offers stunning views over Little Manitou Lake. Our kids, presumably still subdued from the waters, were wonderfully behaved in the restaurant, and enjoyed items off the kid’s menu while my husband and I dined on what I would describe as standard fare, well-prepared! The staff brought a complimentary white chocolate chai dessert to my husband for his birthday, and we left satiated and ready for an afternoon of exploration!

manitou-springsImmediately in front of the spa is the lake itself and we chose one of the several walking paths where we cooled off with an afternoon of exploring the area on foot. At present, there are a number of buildings below water level thanks to a string of high-precipitation years which made for some interesting sight-seeing! Otherwise, the area around Little Manitou is a beautiful, prairie-meets-hilly landscape reminiscent of a more gentle Qu’Appelle Valley. Our kids relished this chance to get a breath of fresh (salty!) air and to use some of that boundless energy!

The journey home was quiet to the point of eerie until we noticed the three snoozing bodies in the back of our van! Apparently, the waters are also famous for their powers to bring tranquil sleep to those who bathe in them! We relished the peace and welcome-change relaxation and found ourselves wishing we’d stayed the night! Oh well! Next time we look forward to maybe checking out the summer attractions, going for a dip in the lake, or maybe even pampering ourselves with a massage at the spa!

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Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers’ Guide to Camping in Western Canada

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Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada

Many would call me crazy but my ideal camping trip involves eating breakfast in a tank top, biking sun-baked trails with sweat pouring down my face, and then jumping in the nearest lake to cool off. I don’t want to pack fleece sweaters with me, I don’t want to bundle up in a blanket while I sit in front of the campfire at night, and I certainly don’t want to be wearing mittens or a toque in the middle of summer.

Fortunately, some of the hottest places in Canada can be found in the Southern Interior of British Columbia and in the Southern Prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Within a few hours’ drive of Calgary I can be in my happy place, unleashing my inner sun goddess.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Playground in Okanagan Valley

Some like it Hot! Unleash your inner sun goddess in BC’s Okanagan Valley

 

Canada’s “Desert” – the Okanagan Valley

While not a true desert by scientific definition, sun lovers will find it plenty hot enough in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley with average summer temperatures resting in the high twenties. Often referred to as the “Okanagan Desert,” this semi-arid area is located in the Southern Interior region of BC and boasts Canada’s lowest annual amount of precipitation (good news for those who hate camping in the rain!)

The community of Osoyoos in the South Okanagan owes its dry climate to the Cascade Mountain shadow that it resides in.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Biking the International Hike and Bike Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos

Biking the International Hike and Bike Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos

Reasons to Camp Here:

Osoyoos Lake is Canada’s warmest fresh water lake (a Rocky Mountain polar plunge this isn’t!)

You’ll be camping on the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert (extending from Mexico into Canada.) – And that’s kind of neat, right?

World class wineries, fresh fruit, and local produce (Daily meals are a feast down here!)

100+ kilometres of family-friendly biking on the Kettle Valley Railway converted rail trail between Kelowna and Osoyoos

Visit a spotted lake! This mineral lake near Osoyoos has to be seen to fully comprehend that a lake can be covered in multi-colored polka dot circles

 

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Spotted Lake in Canada's "Okanagan Desert"

Spotted Lake in Canada’s “Okanagan Desert”

 

Exploring our Southern Prairies and Badlands

Two small towns in Southern Saskatchewan get to claim the highest temperature officially recorded in Canada at 45 degrees Celsius.  (Better have air conditioning in your trailer if your summer camping trip gets that hot!)

While Osoyoos has higher average temperatures, the southern prairies, (Canada’s sunbelt,) are where it’s at for the classic “summer scorcher.”

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Exploring the Southern Prairies and Badlands of Alberta in Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Exploring the Southern Prairies and Badlands of Alberta in Writing on Stone Provincial Park

 

Where to Camp in the Southern Prairies:

Dinosaur Provincial Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks, Alberta. Visit or camp in this park to enjoy hiking through the badlands landscape on one of five self-guided trails, sign up for a guided hike, bus tour, or fossil safari, or spend a day paddling down the Red Deer River. Comfort camping is offered in this park and it’s a great destination for autumn visits as well when the temperatures start to cool off.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Hiking in the Badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park

Hiking in the Badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park

Writing on Stone Provincial Park, National Historic Site set in the prairie grasslands of Southern Alberta, located 90 minutes south of Lethbridge. This park contains the largest amount of First Nation rock carvings and paintings on the great plains of North America. Spend a day hiking through the badlands on the Hoodoo Trail or paddling down the Milk River with sandstone cliffs bordering the river banks. There is also a small sand beach in the popular provincial park campground.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Paddling down the Milk River through Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Paddling down the Milk River through Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Canada’s only interprovincial park, stretching across Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Cypress Hills Plateau rises 200 metres above the prairie below, and from the top of Alberta’s “Head of the Mountain,” you’ll be at the highest point in Canada between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Labrador Peninsula.  There are provincial park campgrounds on both the Alberta and Saskatchewan side with hiking or biking trails in abundance. Beach lovers can spend their time at Elkwater Lake (Alberta,) or Lock Leven Lake (Sask.)

 

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - The Cypress Hills Plateau on the Saskatchewan side of the Interprovincial Park

The Cypress Hills Plateau on the Saskatchewan side of the Interprovincial Park

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The CP Canada 150 Train – The Party-Train is Coming to City Near You!

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The CP Canada 150 Train is coming to a city near you!

Celebrate Canada’s History - and its Future – with the CP Canada 150 Train

Celebrate Canada’s History – and its Future – with the CP Canada 150 Train

 

If you are familiar with Canadian history, you will know that the railway that linked Canada from sea to sea was a very important part of how Canada came to be. Canadian Pacific Railway wants to celebrate Canada’s big birthday this summer with a very special cross-Canada tour, the CP Canada 150 train. Like CP’s Holiday Train, the CP Heritage Train will consist of a 1958 engine pulling more than ten beautifully restored Royal Canadian Pacific heritage cars. Big names from Sir John A MacDonald and John F Kennedy to Maurice Richard and Queen Elizabeth have ridden the rails in these cars!

The iconic F-unit locomotive CP 1401 will begin its epic journey in Port Moody on July 28th and pull into its final destination in Ottawa on August 20th bringing with it a party like no other! For 3 hours, while the train is in each town, there will be plenty of activities for everyone including complimentary treats, a fun photo wall, and the opportunity to learn about the history of CP and its role in how the railway connected Canada.

But that’s not all! Families attending the event will have the opportunity to decorate the ‘Spirit of Tomorrow’ where kids are encouraged to write their hopes for the country on a commemorative card which will be affixed to this special railcar as it continues its journey across the country. In addition, entertainment for the event will include performances by Dallas Arcand, champion hoop dancer and the Juno award-winning Dean Brody. Add to that a photo wall, and a chance for kids to design their own conductor’s hat, and you have a recipe for truly chug-tastic Canadian experience!

The CP Canada 150 Train Schedule

Port Moody
Friday, July 28 | 5:00-8:00pm
Port Moody Recreation Complex soccer fields,
300 Ioco Road

Revelstoke
Saturday, July 29 | 3:00-6:00pm
CP Revelstoke Yard,
420 Victoria Road

Calgary
Sunday, July 30 | 3:00-6:00pm
Anderson C-Train station,
South parking lot

Edmonton
Monday, July 31 | 5:00-8:00pm
South of CP Edmonton Yard,
7935 Gateway Boulevard

Saskatoon
Tuesday, August 1 | 5:00-8:00pm
William A. Reid Park,
319 Pendygrasse Road

Regina
Wednesday, August 2 | 5:00-8:00pm
Mosaic Stadium parking lot,
Railway Street

Winnipeg
Friday, August 4 | 5:00-8:00pm
Southdale Community Centre,
254 Lakewood Boulevard

Thunder Bay
Sunday, August 6 | 3:00-6:00pm
Marina Park,
Bobby Curtola Drive

Sudbury
Tuesday, August 8 | 5:00-8:00pm
Sudbury Train Station, 233 Elgin Street

Hamilton
Wednesday, August 9 | 5:00-8:00pm
Gage Park,
1000 Main Street East

Toronto
Friday, August 11 | 5:00-8:00pm
CP Lambton Yard,
750 Runnymede Road

Montreal
Sunday, August 13 | 3:00-6:00pm
Old Port of Montreal, St-Pierre Square

Ottawa
Sunday, August 20 | 3:00-6:00pm
VIA Rail Station,
200 Tremblay Road

See www.cpr.ca/en/community/canada-150/ for more information.

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A Journey Across Canada’s Provinces and Territories in 13 National Parks

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Canadian National Parks

Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

From the grandeur of Rocky Mountains in Jasper to the salmon-filled streams of Gwaii Haanas, Canadian National Parks are natural treasures that draw visitors from around the country and around the world. This year, in honour of Canada 150, Parks Canada is offering free entry into all of these gems. It’s a wonderful offer, but with so many fantastic parks across our vast nation, choosing which park to visit can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve invited you to journey with us across Canada as we highlight 13 of these fantastic Canadian National Parks—one for each province and territory.

 

Canadian National Parks

Courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism ©Richard Stapleton

Terra Nova National Park  – NEWFOUNDLAND

The sun rises on our great nation at Terra Nova National Park! This, Canada’s most easterly national park, is a paradise for campers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts alike! With over 80km of boreal trail, tranquil Atlantic inlets, and towering headlands, Terra Nova is a place you won’t soon forget.  Take an unforgettable ride in a sea kayak alongside seal pups and whales or camp with comfort of nearby amenities at Newman Sound Campground. The land, the sea, and the sky are your oyster at Terra Nova.

Prince Edward Island National Park

Photo Credit: Parks Canada- Stephen DesRoches

Prince Edward Island National Park  – PEI

Unleash your inner child at Prince Edward Island National Park. Build a sand castle, frolic in the surf, or have a hot dog roast! There will never be a dull moment. Families can choose from hiking, fishing, bird-watching, cycling, golfing, geocaching, and more. This park also highlights the spectacular wildlife of Prince Edward Island. Here you can spot a heron in the famed red cliffs or take a stroll through the woodlands to find a red fox and waterfowl. PEI National Park also offers a plethora of interpretive programs which help build an understanding of the natural and cultural world of this unique province.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Sable Island National Park Reserve – NOVA SCOTIA

Welcome to the wild! Horses roam free on the vast and variable sand dunes of Sable Island National Park Reserve, and if you’re lucky you might stumble upon the world’s biggest breeding colony of grey seals! To find this unique gem, just head far out into the North Atlantic to one of Canada’s most remote offshore islands. Here you will find the definitively crescent-shaped Sable Island. Those who are searching for a bit of solace and isolation will find it on this sandy island which is famous for both its unique wildlife and its dubious distinction as the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic.’ Over 350 vessels have been wrecked on the shores of Sable over four centuries thanks to the island’s unpredictable weather and submerged sand bars.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Fundy National Park – NEW BRUNSWICK

The water goes WAY up, the water goes WAY down! You’ll notice that at Fundy National Park—home of the world’s highest tide! Paddle the pristine waters in kayak as the waters rise up in excess of 12m, or experience a walk on the ocean floor at low tide! But the tide isn’t the only thing going on at Fundy! Hike through the Acadian forest to discover waterfalls, wildlife, and true natural tranquility or set up camp for the night in one of the many campgrounds offering, among other things, a unique chance to spend the night in a yurt!

National Parks

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada / Éric Lajeunesse

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve – QUEBEC

It’s not hard to understand why Mingan was chosen to be a National Park Reserve! This Archipelago of grandiose, even whimsical, limestone monoliths is like nothing you have ever seen! Add to that, spectacular wildlife from whales and puffins to seabirds and seals, and you have a recipe for one of the most fascinating national park experiences in the country! Mingan Archipelago, which includes over 1000 islands and inlets, is vast but discoverable by sea expedition, nature trails, and camping!

National Parks

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada / Tim Forbes

Thousand Islands National Park – ONTARIO

You’ve heard of the salad dressing, but did you know that legend connects the name to this fantastic area? Thousand Islands National Park is comprised of 21 islands (of the over 1800 in the area) and numerous small inlets much of which can only be accessed by boat. These granite islands are actually thought to be the tips of worn-down ancient mountains, and as if that weren’t enough to capture the imagination, this park is also home to extremely rare species of turtles and birdlife! Many visitors to Thousand Islands love the experience of overnighting in the unique oTENTik accommodation!

Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba

Wapusk National Park – MANITOBA

What’s a list of Canadian national parks without some polar bears?! You’ll find plenty in the vast, northern Manitoba Wapusk National Park! At over 11, 000 square kilometres, this is a beast of a park and includes awe-inspiring Canadian tundra, boreal, and arctic landscape. Commercial tour operators in Churchill are ready to usher visitors on an unforgettable expedition to see arctic foxes, hares, wolverines, caribou, countless birds, and, of course, the illustrious polar bear!

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Parks Canada/ Kevin Hogarth

Grasslands National Park – SASKATCHEWAN

Wildlife is king at this Saskatchewan gem! The bison at Grasslands National Park are thankful to call one of the country’s last remaining areas of undisturbed prairie grassland home! But they are not the only ones—Grasslands is home to many rare and endangered fauna including pronghorns, grouse, burrowing owls, swift foxes, ferruginous hawks, wolverines, brown bears, and even prairie rattlesnakes! Camp at this national park in a teepee, serviced campground, or go back-country style if you don’t mind some animal company nosing around your tent!

Photo Credit: Brian Lasenby. Alpine Hike in Jasper via Shutterstock

Jasper National Park – ALBERTA

Banff’s bigger cousin, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Warm up at this fantastic Alberta park in hot spring lakes or cool down in a waterfall of at the impressive Columbia Icefield. The majestic Canadian Rockies are the perfect backdrop for whatever activity visitors may choose in Jasper. From site-seeing to an endless choice of physical exploits such as hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, biking, and more, it is truly an adventurer’s paradise!

Canadian National Park

Photo Credit: Parks Canada

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve – BRITISH COLUMBIA

Nature meets culture and history at Gwaii Haanas! Discover the ancient carvings and fallen longhouses of the Haida people among the lush rainforests of this national park. Let your imagination soar with the bald eagle high among the towering cedar and spruce trees, ground yourself in the greenery of the forest floor, or get swept away by the majestic waters teeming with whales, sea lions, and salmon. This natural paradise is located 130km off the mainland of BC on the former Queen Charlotte Islands now known as Haida Gwaii.

Canadian National Park

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Nahanni National Park Reserve – NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Step aside, Niagara! Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park plunges more that 90m (over double the height of Niagara) around the awe-inspiring Mason’s Rock! This is just one of the spectacular features of this park which protects a 30,000 square kilometre expanse of the rugged Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region. The whitewater Nahanni River runs through spectacular canyons and natural labyrinths lending inspiration to not only the physical landscape but the culture of the region. Dehcho First Nations call the Nahanni region home and welcome visitors with aspirations of climbing, hiking, flying, or paddling in pursuit of the rugged treasures in this park.

National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Kluane National Park and Reserve – YUKON TERRITORY

Home to the elusive grizzly bear and the sky-scraping Mount Logan, Kluane is overflowing with all-Canadian grandeur. Tundra and forest speckle the landscape of this park which is dominated by the Saint Elias Mountains. Explore the largest ice field in Canada and some of the most rugged and remote scenery on the planet. Visitors to Kluane come in search of adventure and find it in day hikes, glacial rafting experiences, backcountry exploration, and alpine passes.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Auyuittuq National Park – NUNAVUT TERRITORY

Spot an Inuksuit (inukshuk) on the craggy landscape of Auyuittuq! This national park boasts 24 hour daylight during the summer, and it is a true northern treasure. With granite mountain peaks that tower over tundra valleys and pristine glaciers among rugged fiords and winding water systems, Auyuittuq is a landscape like no other. Ringed seals, narwhal, snow geese, and arctic foxes call this park home and can be spotted by visitors willing to brave this remote and unforgiving wilderness.

Hope you have enjoyed your journey. Happy 150 to our great nation! Take some time to celebrate at a fantastic Canadian National Park!

The post A Journey Across Canada’s Provinces and Territories in 13 National Parks appeared first on Family Fun Canada.

Learn to Camp with Saskatchewan Parks this Summer

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Learn to Camp Saskatchewan

I went to summer camp every year as a child but we never camped as a family because my mother, not much of an “outdoor woman”, found the idea daunting. My dad borrowed a friend’s trailer and took us out once but that was the extent of my camping experience growing up. Fast forward to today, and my son goes camping at least a couple of times a month. We have a fancy new trailer and we’re committed to at least 40 nights camping this summer.

My personal story aside, where do you start when you want to “get into” camping? I honestly can’t recommend buying a tent, sleeping bags, and all of the necessary equipment without trying it once or twice to see if you even enjoy camping. Maybe you’ll love it, but you may discover you prefer cabins, resorts, or even comfort camping options a whole lot more!

You won’t know if camping is for you and your family until you try it. And thanks to Saskatchewan Parks, you can try camping this summer with no real commitment, no gear purchases, and no knowledge required. Just show up and give it a whirl!

Camping in Good Spirit Park (photo: Melanie McDonald)

 

The Learn to Camp Experience

You can choose your two-day overnight experience at one of three participating parks. Saskatchewan Parks supplies all of the camping equipment you will need (for a maximum of five participants including children) while you just supply your own food, bedding, and personal items. And for a first time out, most of us know somebody we can borrow sleeping bags from. Alternately, pop on down to a department store and invest in some affordable bags that will always come in useful, even for sleepovers or school overnight trips.

And note, this is not equipped camping as offered byParks Canada where you show up to find your site assembled for you. You will be “learning to camp” with the Saskatchewan Parks program. You’ll come away from the experience ready to head out on your own next time with perhaps a rented tent and stove for a weekend.

Before your trip, you’ll receive “a detailed information package including a schedule for your overnight program, list of supplies for you to bring, list of supplies that we provide and information on planning meals” (Saskatchewan Parks)

 

Learn to camp this summer and build the required skills for future family trips

 

Experiences you will learn while camping:

  • Learn to set up your campsite (including putting up your own tent)
  • Learn to prepare meals on a camping cook stove
  • Learn how to start a campfire
  • Enjoy spending a night in a tent
  • Enjoy  some of the programs that Saskatchewan parks offers including interpretive activities in your campground
  • Participate in applied learning sessions and family-friendly activities led by camp leaders. Scheduled activities will include a guided tour of your campground, sessions on how to set up a camp kitchen and campsite (including a tent and screen shelter,) a guided nature hike, a lesson on building a campfire, and tips for what to expect your first night.

 

During your trip you will have access to flush toilets (yes, breathe a sigh of relief here) hot showers, and clean drinking water. You’ll be provided you with one bag of ice to get you started (you can buy more while you’re at camp to fill your cooler,) firewood, and a parking permit for one vehicle. (Inquire directly with Saskatchewan Parks if you’ll need a second permit.)

You’ll also have plenty of recreation time to enjoy your chosen park’s facilities and activities which could include fishing, swimming, hiking, boating or paddling, and cycling.

 

Canoeing in Saskatchewan’s Parks (photo: Melanie Mcdonald)

 

Participating Saskatchewan Parks

Pike Lake Provincial Park – 29 km southwest from Saskatoon. Here you’ll find desert like sand dunes, a beach, nature trails, and opportunities for water sports.

Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park – 55 km northwest from Yorkton and 32 km southwest from Canora. Here you’ll find a beach, mini golf, tennis and beach volleyball courts, a nearby golf course, and hiking opportunities on the Trans Canada Trail.

Echo Valley Provincial Park – 70 km northeast from Regina. Here you’ll find beaches, lakes, and rolling hills that will make you feel as if you’re another world away from the city of Regina. Recreation opportunities are plentiful including mini golf, volleyball, and water sports.

Sand dunes in Good Spirit Park (photo: Melanie McDonald)

 

Want to Participate?

“The Learn to Camp programs are open to families how have never camped before or want to start tent camping.  The program can accommodate up to five people per site, with a maximum of three adults per site.” (Saskatchewan Parks)

Note that pets are not permitted in the program and that consumption of alcohol is also not permitted. All programs are offered in English.

For more information and to register your family, please visit the Saskatchewan Parks website and reserve a spot in this popular program soon.

The Learn to Camp program costs $30 per group. Payment is due upon arrival at the park on the day of your registered program. Payment can be made by cash, debit, credit card, or cheque.

Explore Saskatchewan with your family this summer (photo: Shelley Cyr)

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Our Greatest Assets – Canada’s Nicest Buttes!

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Canada's nicest buttes

Butte noun \ˈbyüt\ (noun) :  an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides or crevices usually having a small summit area

Canada's nicest buttesCanada is a natural wonderland! With more miles of coastline than anywhere on the planet, grandiose mountain ranges, vast expanses of unspoiled tundra, majestic plains, and more water and rock than we know what to do with, our country is a haven of diverse and breath-taking landscape. It’s every sight-seers dream, but, even with all these visual treasures at our fingertips, there’s nothing quite as pleasing to the eye, quite as head-turning, as a really nice butte! And Canada is full of them! From the remote Nahanni Butte in Northwest Territories to Castle Butte, Saskatchewan which rises boldly from the plains, our nation can hold its head high with the knowledge that we are home to some of the nicest buttes on the planet! That’s why, in honour of Canada 150, we’ve decided to pay tribute to some these–our country’s finest assets…

Canada’s Nicest Buttes

Lone Butte, British Columbia

Who said buttes are useless? The towering volcanic plug located southeast of 100 Mile House, BC, doubles as an access point for Broadband Internet distribution! Here’s to betting this six million year old basalt formation could never have predicted its destiny in the technological age! Lone Butte rises more than 4000 feet above sea level and peaks attractively above craggy rock and spruce trees.

Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan

For a province that is too-often overlooked in the scenery department, Saskatchewan really holds its own when it comes to fine buttes! One such formation, located in 15 km East of the provincial capital, is Pilot Butte. This flat-topped hill sits right in the town site, and it is a natural monument of sorts to the history of the area. The butte was used by indigenous people as a camp and lookout area for hunting buffalo.

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Douglas E. Walker

Castle Butte, Saskatchewan

What’s this? Ayre’s rock, Australia? Utah? Arizona? No, It’s Castle Butte, Saskatchewan!  Composed of sandstone and clay, Castle Butte is a relic to history! Formed during the ice age and nearly 60m high, this grand, reddish formation served as a landmark for indigenous peoples and later early prairie settlers. To set your sights on this butte, head to the Big Muddy Badlands of Southern Saskatchewan where Castle Butte sits among impressive badland terrain.

Bald Butte, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan may not be as flat as you think! Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park boasts some of the highest elevations of the Canadian provinces. One of the parks most notable features is Bald Butte located in the Central Block the park which peaks at over 1300 ft above sea level. This butte is accessible to hikers and beautifully situated amidst the rolling hills of southwestern Saskatchewan.

Nebogwawin Butte, Manitoba

AKA Merry Dance Hill or the Star Mound, Nebogawawin Butte is situated in southern Manitoba west of the town of Snowflake. It dramatically rises 100 ft from the surrounding prairie and is known to be an ice-age moraine. Visitors to Nebogwawain won’t want to miss the beaver-shaped burial site that can be found on top of butte which is thought to have historical ties to pre-1700’s Aboriginal village.

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada

Nahanni Butte, North West Territories

A stately butte near a NWT town bearing the same name, Nahanni Butte is remote and accessible only by river taxi in the summer or ice road in the winter. This stunning butte is hike-able and offers picturesque views of the South Nahanni River and the Dehcho village below. This butte is near the stunning Nahanni National Park.

Mud Buttes, Alberta

In the badlands of Alberta, home to herds of cattle, is Mud Buttes. This geological formation is a spectacular display of whimsical outcroppings that protrude from grassy plains 13km east of the town of Consort. Unique to Mud Butte is a landscape marked by coal seams, deep fissures, and not even a hint of a tourist amenity! Hiking the exposed earth of Mud Butte is not advisable due to the unstable soil conditions and plethora of cacti native to the area!

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography

70 Mile Butte, Saskatchewan

If long a nice, long and proud butte is your thing, you’ll want to catch sight of 70 Mile Butte in Grasslands National Park! This is the literal high-point in the park where sightseers will enjoy vistas of unspoilt prairie grasslands dotted with beautiful wild flowers. To get to the butte, hikers will need to be prepared to undertake a 5km hike on a rustic and scenic path through the grasslands where, if you’re lucky, you might catch glimpse of a wild buffalo or another of the many endangered animals that call the park home.

Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan

There’s something a little… how you say… je ne sais quoi about a Frenchman Butte! In the case of Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan, that little something is enough to qualify this beautiful butte as a national historic site! This site in west-central Saskatchewan is a relic to the 1885 Northwest Resistance between the Wandering Spirit Cree and General Strange’s army. If you fancy an up close and personal tour of this fine feature, guided tours are available featuring, among other things, guns pits, paddle-wheeled steam boats, and Fort Pitt.

Happy 150 to Canadians near and far! How will you celebrate this fine land of ours?

 

 

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KartSTART | Driver Education for Kids is Coming to a City Near You in 2018

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kartSTART Gift Cert Promo

 

kartSTART Gift Cert Promo

Be the holiday hero this year and give the gift of the season with a gift certificate to kartSTART! Kids will experience the exhilaration of driving a motorized vehicle while ensuring a foundation for the basics of safe driving.

KartSTART, presented by Toyota Canada is an educational, entertaining driver orientation program that helps young drivers understand how a vehicle works. The program was designed to provide an opportunity for kids to operate a motor vehicle before turning 16 and heading out on the roads. The half-day course is available to kids 10 years of age and older and their families.

KartSTART’s experienced instructors show the kids the basics of how the cart operates and leads the youngsters around the track. The kids learn to operate a motor vehicle that is more proportionate to their size than a car and they learn the basics of operation, including, the steering, throttle, brakes and most importantly, how these components work together.

“The kartSTART program is very unique in several ways,” says owner, Russ Bond. “The key is we teach youngsters in vehicles that fit them: our karts. What we teach here is how a vehicle works. What makes it go, what makes it stop, and what makes it turn.  We teach our students what is happening to the vehicle as they drive down the road. Every journey starts with a first step; our job is to make sure that our families’ first step is in the right direction.”

Parents are also encouraged to participate in the session and continue the journey of safe driving preparation through discussion of the experience. A light meal will be provided for everyone in attendance, and family photographers are welcome to document the memories, though it’s sure to be an experience the kids will NEVER forget!

New this year, kartSTART will be offering GIFT CERTIFICATES for purchase that can be used towards the 2018 event passes. The download is emailed to you immediately after purchase, ready for printing or emailing to the recipient. The recipient can then book their session immediately or closer to the session if they prefer.

And kartSTART GIFT CERTIFICATES are not just for stocking stuffers and holiday gift giving – they are great to give for any occasion including, birthdays and graduation! And the best part? Family Fun Canada readers can take advantage of DISCOUNT CODE: FAMILYFUN to enjoy a special price of $59 + tax, that’s a 25% savings on all event passes and gift certificates!

Book now at www.kartSTART.ca/reservations with their secure and easy checkout and don’t forget to use DISCOUNT CODE: FAMILYFUN

Gift Cards are also available in several denominations and can be used to purchase kartSTART hats, jackets and hoodies. Check out www.kartSTART.ca/giftcards for all the information.

Will kartSTART be coming to my city?

2018 Tentative Tour Schedule (subject to change)

Chilliwack Area – Greg Moore Raceway – June 30 to July 3 – Chilliwack, BC

Red Deer Area – Westerner Park – July 6 to 8 – Red Deer, AB

Saskatoon Area –  Martensville Speedway – July 13 to 15 – Saskatoon, SK

Winnipeg Area – MTS Iceplex – July 19 to 21 – Winnipeg, MB – (July 19 -evening)

Hamilton Area – Flamboro Speedway – July 25 to 27 – Millgrove, ON – (July 26 – evening)

Toronto Area – Sunset Speedway – August 5 to 8 – Innisfil, ON

Ottawa Area – to be announced – August 11 to 13 – Ottawa, ON

Montreal Area – Autodrome – August 15 to 17 – Saint-Eustache, Québec

Trois-Rivières – SC Performance – August 20 to 22 – Saint-Célestin, Québec

Halifax Area – Scotia Speedworld – August 25 to 27 – Goffs, NS

How do I register?

Participants must be age 10 or older, between 60 and 220 lbs, and physically able to control the go-kart. Adults are welcome to participate, but pre-registration is required due to limited seating.

Register online at www.kartstart.ca

Discount code: Save $20!

Our discount code can be used for any national tour location. Simply enter FAMILYFUN in the coupon code box on the payment screen and save $20.

KartSTART Schedule 2018

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Which Canadian Prairie City is All The Rage in 2018?

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Saskatoon is all the rage

Last year it was featured in Vogue and then USA Today. This year, a certain understated city is the only Canadian destination to be named in the New York Times 52 Places to Go list! That’s right, ladies and gentleman, you heard it here! The humble, prairie city of Saskatoon is all the rage! The bridge city is making a splash on the world scene… and it ain’t so humble anymore.

Saskatoon

The Remai Modern on Riverlanding (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon)

But what’s got everybody talking about the ‘Paris of the Prairies?’ Aside from a rapidly developing riverfront and a thriving arts and culture scene, this surge in buzz can be attributed in large part to the likes of  Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and a number of other well-known 20th-century artists!  8000 world-renowned pieces including works from these masters have found a home in the heart of Saskatchewan at the newly opened Remai Modern Museum.

Saskatoon is all the rage

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

This museum, though undoubtedly world-class in its appeal, is truly a home-grown treasure. The movement to build a gallery of this magnitude in Saskatoon got the momentum it needed when, in 2011, local philanthropist and entrepreneur, Ellen Remai, announced one the largest private donations in Canadian art history. A sum from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation literally got construction off the ground, and the museum, itself a feat in world-class modernist architecture, will seek to support international exhibits for the next 30 years with the continued support of this foundation. The museum’s hallmark collection, 405 Picasso linocuts, were also donated by the Remai’s in 2012. In true understated prairie style, Ellen Remai’s explanation for this generosity was simply,  “A great city deserves great art.”

Saskatoon is all the rage

Drift Café in Riversdale (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon/ Carey Shaw Photography)

But art is not the only thing happening in the bridge city! The award-winning (and recently expanded) airport is ready to receive visitors in search culture, world-class cuisine, and plenty of sunshine. Over the past 15 years, Saskatoon has experienced an unprecedented season of growth and diversification, an urban existential crisis of sorts, which has given rise to a whole host of items never before known to the city. WinterShines and Nuit Blanche join a whole host of other well-established events on the festival scene and are undoubtedly fueled by the palpable growing sense of optimism surrounding the life and culture of Saskatoon. Evidence of gentrification is everywhere but never more significant than in the core neighbourhood of Riversdale which has become a hot-bed for hipsters and foodies. Then there is the development of Riverlanding, a large portion of the South Saskatchewan River bank which is now home to a water feature, picnic areas, a riverside café, and an outdoor gym, and which frequently plays host to outdoor sporting and cultural events.

Saskatoon is all the rage

Nuit Blanche Night Time Arts Festival (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon/Nick Biblow)

When you consider that sunny Saskatoon is full of green spaces, caters to families, sits idyllically on a beautiful riverbank and is affordable to boot, the question becomes not why Saskatoon is all the rage, but how it kept itself a secret for so long!

The post Which Canadian Prairie City is All The Rage in 2018? appeared first on Family Fun Canada.

Charmed by Saskatoon

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Saskatoon-title

This place is awesome!” My son happily declares as we survey the beautiful banks of the South Saskatchewan River from aboard the Prairie Lily river boat. The city of Saskatoon is weaving its spell over him. “Why did you ever leave?”

At 12 years old I had little to do with my parents’ decision to move from Saskatoon, a fact my son seems to care little about. Who cares about maternal family dynamics when you can see the spray park we just splashed in near the river’s edge, or the blackboard wall painted under the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge where my sons and I wrote something we hope to do before we die (meet Batman, dance all night, travel travel travel, respectively.)

Charmed by Saskatoon

I might not state it as emphatically as “Before I die…” but I have wanted to revisit Saskatoon for a while now, but somehow other trips kept pre-empting my plans.  This summer finally presented the perfect opportunity for me to bring my kids and show off the city where I grew up.

In our kitchen cabinet, circa 1984 Saskatoon, there was a mug. A mesmerizing mug that filled my heart with wonder. When it was filled with warm liquid, the words “Saskatoon is Magic” appeared like, well, like magic! I would trace the letters with my little fingers and recite the words like a mantra: Saskatoon is magic!

The Delta Bessborough

A hand coloured memory of Saskatoon at The Delta Bessborough

When we left Saskatoon to move to Edmonton (a similar city on a bigger scale, many assured me) I was suitably devastated, in the dramatic fashion of pre-teen girls. “Nothing will ever fill the void of the magical city I love!” I cried, shrilly and often. Eventually I grew to love my icy adopted home; traveling, but always returning, choosing to start and raise a family in Edmonton. But recently I have begun to wonder about the enchanted city of my childhood. I had such happy memories of the City of Bridges, could the reality measure up?

What I found was not quite the handcoloured magic of memories, but a fun, vibrant charm. The iconic Delta Bessborough Hotel still stands beside the river, and glimpses of things I half remembered shine through, but in many cases they have been touched by the boomtown wand of prosperity and growth.

Charmed by Saskatoon

Boomtown Street at the Western Development Museum credit: Tourism Saskatoon

A fitting place to start my “Running Back to Saskatoon” tour (a Guess Who joke reference that missed the mark every time I trotted it out) was the Western Development Museum. Lots of elementary school field trips came rushing back. The re-creation of a typical prairie town in 1910 forms the backbone of the museum, and the new interactive exhibit “Winning the Prairie Gamble” that follows a farming family from the early days right through to the present. My companion and I loved seeing the toys we used to play with on display (Rainbow Brite anyone?) the kids loved the 1920s funhouse. They went through it only about 15 times.

Charmed by Saskatoon

Riversdale: Walking the trail along River Landing on the South Saskatchewan, the cold pressed juice at Thrive, a spacey climbing apparatus at the playground, Cappanna pizzas.

From Saskatoon’s humble beginnings we did a whirlwind fast forward through time to one of the most happening spots of today: Riversdale. From its previously sketchy roots, the magic of hipster gentrification is transforming Riversdale into a fun funky neighbourhood. We started our day juicing up at THRIVE Cold Pressed Juice (tip: our kids were not fans of the piquante ginger, but the other flavours were a hit!) before hitting the playground and walking on the riverside trail to a prairie themed splashpark. From there we headed back to Riversdale proper and one of its gems: The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. As it was a Wednesday (the farmers are there Wednesdays and weekends) and bit of a slower day compared to the weekend, not all the vendors were out, but the ones that were offered a glimpse at what a great place it is. And of course the best part of any farmers market is the samples…the kids were delighted! There are also many trendy locally owned cafes and restaurants, like Cappanna Pizzeria.  The less-than-a-minute cooking time meant the delicious pizzas (margarita with buffalo mozzarella and river trout with arugula) were on the table quickly. Important considerations when travelling with a herd of kids!

Charmed by Saskatoon

The rides and adjacent playground at PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park

And seriously, what nostalgia tour would be complete without a carousel? The downtown Kinsmen playpark was always fun, in a small town kind of way. The miniature train would chug around the park, the little ferris wheel would raise its few passengers up and bring them gently back, and the carousel turned slowly, showcasing its whimsical menagerie. By sheer force of luck, we were there for the grand opening of the newly retrofitted park. The three rides remain (on a larger scale for the train and ferris wheel) but again, the transformative magic has cast a shiny spell over the place, replaced and reopened as Potash Playland at Kinsmen Park: the small town coziness has been replaced by a vibrant cosmopolitan feel. Additionally there is an enormous playground on the grounds with a teepee inspired slide, massive zipline and lots of cool obstacle courses and apparatuses to climb. My kids have begun advocating for a riverside park for Edmonton!

If you go experience the Magic of Saskatoon:

Charmed by Saskatoon

The waterslide at the Sheraton, snacks from the bus, racing at Auto Clearing Raceway

Where to stay:

The Sheraton Cavalier is in a prime location across the street from the river in downtown Saskatoon. The Sheraton Club level includes hot breakfast and appetizers in the evening (which served for supper one evening after a particularly large and late lunch.) It is also home of the newly renovated River Country Waterpark, where you can easily spend a happy afternoon slipping down the giant waterslide and splashing in the kiddie or big pool, or relaxing in one of the two hot tubs.

Where to eat:

Kid friendly fare and “artisanal burgers” are abundantly on hand at Jerry’s (with handmade gelato in amazing flavours!); a fun 50’s vibe and burgers for years are part of the treat at Pink Cadillacs Malt Shop, tableside food prep at the teppanyaki Samurai Japanese Restaurant in the Delta Bessborough is a cool special occasion spot. And because it’s a Delta restaurant, kids 6 and under eat free from the kids menu or half price entrees. For frozen yogurt, ice cream treats and assorted snacks served from a double decker bus, Bus Stop Refreshments (right across the street from the Bess’) is hard to beat…plus great photo ops!

Your kids will also love:

Apex Trampoline: if you saw Amazing Race Canada in Saskatoon, you saw all the bouncing fun you can have at Apex!
Auto Clearing Motor Speedway: Kids 12 and under get in free for a great summer night activity!
Museum of Natural Sciences: Visit the stunningly beautiful University of Saskatchewan campus and search out the free dinosaur exhibits. Don’t forget to bring this scavenger hunt with you (here are the answers!)

Many thanks to Tourism Saskatoon for hosting our family.

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So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!

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So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!

So the Trump Victory Means You’ll Take Your Vacation in Canada? We Got You Covered!If the results of the recent US election have you feeling a bit apprehensive about travelling south of the border, rest assured that you do not need to leave the peaceful, politically sedate confines of Canada to experience holiday bliss. You can stay close to home and indulge in some Hometown Tourism or if you’d like to venture further afield, yet still safely north of the 49th, here’s our round up of remarkable destinations right here at home, from coast to coast.

Starting on the Left Coast, where Hillary supporters feel most at home, there are amazing escapades to be had including these 6 Kid-Friendly Adventures on Vancouver Island.

As you head inland, stop in the interior of BC and drown your sorrows in BC wine Country. Osoyoos is a dreamy spot, with plenty of wine, sunshine and beaches to explore.

Wine Food and Fun in Osoyoos BC

You can find Zen in Alberta with Heli Yoga or go visit the oldest relics in the country; Discovering the past in the Badlands and visiting Drumheller where the dinosaur bones will reassure you that at least something else has been through more drama than this election.

Bucket_List_Heliyoga_Group_Yoga

The undulating hills of the prairies are soothing and if you allow yourself to be charmed by Saskatoon, we’ll all get through this together.

Moving east, the kids can have an Experiential Learning Vacation of Dynamic Proportions in Sudbury Ontario. Yes, Sudbury. And visiting Toronto, perfect for a Big City Getaway, never fails to remind us that Canadians do big cities pretty darn well!

View of Toronto skyline from the ferry

If you prefer your political fireworks homegrown, how about Quebec? Politics in la belle province are never boring! You can’t miss out on Manoir-Papineau in Montebello, Quebec, one of Canada’s treasured National Historic Sites, visit Historic Quebec City to see why it is so kid friendly, and if you head there in the summer, there are at least 10 Awesome Things to do in Montreal with Kids.

kid friendly quebec city header

Farthest east, and most pragmatic, the Atlantic provinces are a no-nonsense but fun-loving and spectacular destination for all families, from north or south of the border.

Charlottetown with Kids

From Family time in Fredericton New Brunswick to Family Fun in The Historic City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island you can immerse yourself in our country’s history.

The Colours of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (Family Fun Canada)

Cape Breton Island, In Living Colour provides some of the most stunning scenery you can possibly imagine, and if cheeky Newfoundland town names don’t soothe your nerves, we may be beyond hope!

Newfoundland Place Names That Will Make You Blush

Blow Me Down Provincial Park

Photo Courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

I’ll leave you with one last suggestion, if you’re feeling continent locked – don’t despair! You don’t have to look far for some of the most amazing winter activities to see that Canada is unique and special. The 12 Most Canadian Things To Do This Winter will keep you from falling into a post Trump hibernation.

12-canadian-things-to-do-this-winter

 

 

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Manitou Springs, the Dead Sea of Saskatchewan

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Manitou Springs the dead sea of saskatchewan
manitou springs

Photo courtesy of Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa

Fun, busy, frustrating at times, and occasionally a little bit crazy—these are a few words I would use to describe our holidays as a family. There’s five of us, three under the age of seven, so noise, chaos, and energy are in abundance anytime we hit the road. I’m good with that—it’s just that season in our lives—but occasionally, just once in a super-moon, I wouldn’t mind adding a bit of ‘relaxation’ into that mix! That’s why our family trip to Manitou Springs on a cold, Saskatchewan weekend in November came as a bit of a welcome surprise!

manitou springs

Photos courtesy Watrous Bakery & Coffee Shop

We hopped in the van on Saturday morning and headed east on the Yellowhead from Saskatoon to the harried sounds of Kid 2 singing loudly, “This is a song that never ends, it goes on and on my friends…” interspersed with the even louder shouts of “STOP SINGING!” coming from our oldest son. My husband and I were silently thankful for the short commute (just over an hour) to Watrous where we stopped for a quick bite at Watrous Bakery & Coffee Shop. I was even more thankful for the first-class latte and fresh apple fritter served to me by friendly mom & pop owners, Marla and Ray Suik. The kids had their fill in this vintage-charm cafe and we were on our way!

The Resort Village of Manitou Beach is just a hop, skip, and a 5-minute jump from Watrous, and the view of Little Manitou Lake as you enter the town is not too shabby! Some cool facts about this unique ecosystem which can be easily gathered from the signage around town:

  •  Little Manitou Lake was formed by receding glaciers during the most recent ice age
  • the lake is fed by underground springs and precipitation
  • it is a what’s known as a ‘terminal lake’, meaning that there is no outflow to external bodies of water. Drainage, therefore, only occurs through evaporation or seepage
  • these qualities all work to create a unique ecosystem known as an Endorheic basin
  • the water in Little Manitou is high in (salty) minerals such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium which have given rise to its nickname, ‘The Dead Sea of Saskatchewan’
  • since the 19th century, natives to the area have come to Little Manitou for the healing power and health benefits of the waters
manitou-springs

Photo courtesy Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa

The main attraction in the village during the winter season is definitely the Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa which can be easily found by following the road signs. The kids were excited for the swim we’d promised them, so we rushed in, got into our suits, and they eagerly ran to the pool. THIS is where the usual harried pace of our family holiday changed. Imagine that swimming area where you take your kids for a swim on the weekend—the splashing sounds, the smell of chlorine, the intermittent crashes that come from the bottom of the waterslide, the high-decibel din of children’s screams and laughter—now imagine that same place minus the chemical smell and waterslide, with clean, warm waters and the blissful sound of QUIET! Hello Relaxation! I don’t know if it’s the minerals or the fact that pools range in heavenly temperature from 94 to 102, but my husband and I couldn’t stop talking about how blissfully QUIET the place was—our noisy brood included!

manitou-gManitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa is an award-winning facility that has several shallower pools (from 0 depth to 3ft) which all interconnect to the deepest at 9ft. There are a few kiddy items including floaties, noodles, and a (very) small slide in one of the shallow areas. Information on the mineral content and the waters, sourced from Little Manitou Lake, are posted on the walls, but the highlight for our family was definitely the buoyancy of the waters!! Imagine the weight of your body and limbs suspended in warm, relaxing waters! BLISS! It is still vital to stay near weak swimmers, but our kids relished the ease of floating about on their backs in the pool, as did I.

manitou-springsWe finished up in the pool and had a late lunch at the Water’s Edge Restaurant and Lounge which offers stunning views over Little Manitou Lake. Our kids, presumably still subdued from the waters, were wonderfully behaved in the restaurant, and enjoyed items off the kid’s menu while my husband and I dined on what I would describe as standard fare, well-prepared! The staff brought a complimentary white chocolate chai dessert to my husband for his birthday, and we left satiated and ready for an afternoon of exploration!

manitou-springsImmediately in front of the spa is the lake itself and we chose one of the several walking paths where we cooled off with an afternoon of exploring the area on foot. At present, there are a number of buildings below water level thanks to a string of high-precipitation years which made for some interesting sight-seeing! Otherwise, the area around Little Manitou is a beautiful, prairie-meets-hilly landscape reminiscent of a more gentle Qu’Appelle Valley. Our kids relished this chance to get a breath of fresh (salty!) air and to use some of that boundless energy!

The journey home was quiet to the point of eerie until we noticed the three snoozing bodies in the back of our van! Apparently, the waters are also famous for their powers to bring tranquil sleep to those who bathe in them! We relished the peace and welcome-change relaxation and found ourselves wishing we’d stayed the night! Oh well! Next time we look forward to maybe checking out the summer attractions, going for a dip in the lake, or maybe even pampering ourselves with a massage at the spa!

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Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers’ Guide to Camping in Western Canada

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Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada

Many would call me crazy but my ideal camping trip involves eating breakfast in a tank top, biking sun-baked trails with sweat pouring down my face, and then jumping in the nearest lake to cool off. I don’t want to pack fleece sweaters with me, I don’t want to bundle up in a blanket while I sit in front of the campfire at night, and I certainly don’t want to be wearing mittens or a toque in the middle of summer.

Fortunately, some of the hottest places in Canada can be found in the Southern Interior of British Columbia and in the Southern Prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Within a few hours’ drive of Calgary I can be in my happy place, unleashing my inner sun goddess.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Playground in Okanagan Valley

Some like it Hot! Unleash your inner sun goddess in BC’s Okanagan Valley

 

Canada’s “Desert” – the Okanagan Valley

While not a true desert by scientific definition, sun lovers will find it plenty hot enough in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley with average summer temperatures resting in the high twenties. Often referred to as the “Okanagan Desert,” this semi-arid area is located in the Southern Interior region of BC and boasts Canada’s lowest annual amount of precipitation (good news for those who hate camping in the rain!)

The community of Osoyoos in the South Okanagan owes its dry climate to the Cascade Mountain shadow that it resides in.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Biking the International Hike and Bike Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos

Biking the International Hike and Bike Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos

Reasons to Camp Here:

Osoyoos Lake is Canada’s warmest fresh water lake (a Rocky Mountain polar plunge this isn’t!)

You’ll be camping on the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert (extending from Mexico into Canada.) – And that’s kind of neat, right?

World class wineries, fresh fruit, and local produce (Daily meals are a feast down here!)

100+ kilometres of family-friendly biking on the Kettle Valley Railway converted rail trail between Kelowna and Osoyoos

Visit a spotted lake! This mineral lake near Osoyoos has to be seen to fully comprehend that a lake can be covered in multi-colored polka dot circles

 

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Spotted Lake in Canada's "Okanagan Desert"

Spotted Lake in Canada’s “Okanagan Desert”

 

Exploring our Southern Prairies and Badlands

Two small towns in Southern Saskatchewan get to claim the highest temperature officially recorded in Canada at 45 degrees Celsius.  (Better have air conditioning in your trailer if your summer camping trip gets that hot!)

While Osoyoos has higher average temperatures, the southern prairies, (Canada’s sunbelt,) are where it’s at for the classic “summer scorcher.”

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Exploring the Southern Prairies and Badlands of Alberta in Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Exploring the Southern Prairies and Badlands of Alberta in Writing on Stone Provincial Park

 

Where to Camp in the Southern Prairies:

Dinosaur Provincial Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks, Alberta. Visit or camp in this park to enjoy hiking through the badlands landscape on one of five self-guided trails, sign up for a guided hike, bus tour, or fossil safari, or spend a day paddling down the Red Deer River. Comfort camping is offered in this park and it’s a great destination for autumn visits as well when the temperatures start to cool off.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Hiking in the Badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park

Hiking in the Badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park

Writing on Stone Provincial Park, National Historic Site set in the prairie grasslands of Southern Alberta, located 90 minutes south of Lethbridge. This park contains the largest amount of First Nation rock carvings and paintings on the great plains of North America. Spend a day hiking through the badlands on the Hoodoo Trail or paddling down the Milk River with sandstone cliffs bordering the river banks. There is also a small sand beach in the popular provincial park campground.

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - Paddling down the Milk River through Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Paddling down the Milk River through Writing on Stone Provincial Park

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Canada’s only interprovincial park, stretching across Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Cypress Hills Plateau rises 200 metres above the prairie below, and from the top of Alberta’s “Head of the Mountain,” you’ll be at the highest point in Canada between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Labrador Peninsula.  There are provincial park campgrounds on both the Alberta and Saskatchewan side with hiking or biking trails in abundance. Beach lovers can spend their time at Elkwater Lake (Alberta,) or Lock Leven Lake (Sask.)

 

Some Like it Hot! Sun-lovers' Guide to Camping in Western Canada - The Cypress Hills Plateau on the Saskatchewan side of the Interprovincial Park

The Cypress Hills Plateau on the Saskatchewan side of the Interprovincial Park

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The CP Canada 150 Train – The Party-Train is Coming to City Near You!

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The CP Canada 150 Train is coming to a city near you!

Celebrate Canada’s History - and its Future – with the CP Canada 150 Train

Celebrate Canada’s History – and its Future – with the CP Canada 150 Train

 

If you are familiar with Canadian history, you will know that the railway that linked Canada from sea to sea was a very important part of how Canada came to be. Canadian Pacific Railway wants to celebrate Canada’s big birthday this summer with a very special cross-Canada tour, the CP Canada 150 train. Like CP’s Holiday Train, the CP Heritage Train will consist of a 1958 engine pulling more than ten beautifully restored Royal Canadian Pacific heritage cars. Big names from Sir John A MacDonald and John F Kennedy to Maurice Richard and Queen Elizabeth have ridden the rails in these cars!

The iconic F-unit locomotive CP 1401 will begin its epic journey in Port Moody on July 28th and pull into its final destination in Ottawa on August 20th bringing with it a party like no other! For 3 hours, while the train is in each town, there will be plenty of activities for everyone including complimentary treats, a fun photo wall, and the opportunity to learn about the history of CP and its role in how the railway connected Canada.

But that’s not all! Families attending the event will have the opportunity to decorate the ‘Spirit of Tomorrow’ where kids are encouraged to write their hopes for the country on a commemorative card which will be affixed to this special railcar as it continues its journey across the country. In addition, entertainment for the event will include performances by Dallas Arcand, champion hoop dancer and the Juno award-winning Dean Brody. Add to that a photo wall, and a chance for kids to design their own conductor’s hat, and you have a recipe for truly chug-tastic Canadian experience!

The CP Canada 150 Train Schedule

Port Moody
Friday, July 28 | 5:00-8:00pm
Port Moody Recreation Complex soccer fields,
300 Ioco Road

Revelstoke
Saturday, July 29 | 3:00-6:00pm
CP Revelstoke Yard,
420 Victoria Road

Calgary
Sunday, July 30 | 3:00-6:00pm
Anderson C-Train station,
South parking lot

Edmonton
Monday, July 31 | 5:00-8:00pm
South of CP Edmonton Yard,
7935 Gateway Boulevard

Saskatoon
Tuesday, August 1 | 5:00-8:00pm
William A. Reid Park,
319 Pendygrasse Road

Regina
Wednesday, August 2 | 5:00-8:00pm
Mosaic Stadium parking lot,
Railway Street

Winnipeg
Friday, August 4 | 5:00-8:00pm
Southdale Community Centre,
254 Lakewood Boulevard

Thunder Bay
Sunday, August 6 | 3:00-6:00pm
Marina Park,
Bobby Curtola Drive

Sudbury
Tuesday, August 8 | 5:00-8:00pm
Sudbury Train Station, 233 Elgin Street

Hamilton
Wednesday, August 9 | 5:00-8:00pm
Gage Park,
1000 Main Street East

Toronto
Friday, August 11 | 5:00-8:00pm
CP Lambton Yard,
750 Runnymede Road

Montreal
Sunday, August 13 | 3:00-6:00pm
Old Port of Montreal, St-Pierre Square

Ottawa
Sunday, August 20 | 3:00-6:00pm
VIA Rail Station,
200 Tremblay Road

See www.cpr.ca/en/community/canada-150/ for more information.

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A Journey Across Canada’s Provinces and Territories in 13 National Parks

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Canadian National Parks

Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

From the grandeur of Rocky Mountains in Jasper to the salmon-filled streams of Gwaii Haanas, Canadian National Parks are natural treasures that draw visitors from around the country and around the world. This year, in honour of Canada 150, Parks Canada is offering free entry into all of these gems. It’s a wonderful offer, but with so many fantastic parks across our vast nation, choosing which park to visit can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve invited you to journey with us across Canada as we highlight 13 of these fantastic Canadian National Parks—one for each province and territory.

 

Canadian National Parks

Courtesy Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism ©Richard Stapleton

Terra Nova National Park  – NEWFOUNDLAND

The sun rises on our great nation at Terra Nova National Park! This, Canada’s most easterly national park, is a paradise for campers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts alike! With over 80km of boreal trail, tranquil Atlantic inlets, and towering headlands, Terra Nova is a place you won’t soon forget.  Take an unforgettable ride in a sea kayak alongside seal pups and whales or camp with comfort of nearby amenities at Newman Sound Campground. The land, the sea, and the sky are your oyster at Terra Nova.

Prince Edward Island National Park

Photo Credit: Parks Canada- Stephen DesRoches

Prince Edward Island National Park  – PEI

Unleash your inner child at Prince Edward Island National Park. Build a sand castle, frolic in the surf, or have a hot dog roast! There will never be a dull moment. Families can choose from hiking, fishing, bird-watching, cycling, golfing, geocaching, and more. This park also highlights the spectacular wildlife of Prince Edward Island. Here you can spot a heron in the famed red cliffs or take a stroll through the woodlands to find a red fox and waterfowl. PEI National Park also offers a plethora of interpretive programs which help build an understanding of the natural and cultural world of this unique province.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Sable Island National Park Reserve – NOVA SCOTIA

Welcome to the wild! Horses roam free on the vast and variable sand dunes of Sable Island National Park Reserve, and if you’re lucky you might stumble upon the world’s biggest breeding colony of grey seals! To find this unique gem, just head far out into the North Atlantic to one of Canada’s most remote offshore islands. Here you will find the definitively crescent-shaped Sable Island. Those who are searching for a bit of solace and isolation will find it on this sandy island which is famous for both its unique wildlife and its dubious distinction as the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic.’ Over 350 vessels have been wrecked on the shores of Sable over four centuries thanks to the island’s unpredictable weather and submerged sand bars.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Fundy National Park – NEW BRUNSWICK

The water goes WAY up, the water goes WAY down! You’ll notice that at Fundy National Park—home of the world’s highest tide! Paddle the pristine waters in kayak as the waters rise up in excess of 12m, or experience a walk on the ocean floor at low tide! But the tide isn’t the only thing going on at Fundy! Hike through the Acadian forest to discover waterfalls, wildlife, and true natural tranquility or set up camp for the night in one of the many campgrounds offering, among other things, a unique chance to spend the night in a yurt!

National Parks

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada / Éric Lajeunesse

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve – QUEBEC

It’s not hard to understand why Mingan was chosen to be a National Park Reserve! This Archipelago of grandiose, even whimsical, limestone monoliths is like nothing you have ever seen! Add to that, spectacular wildlife from whales and puffins to seabirds and seals, and you have a recipe for one of the most fascinating national park experiences in the country! Mingan Archipelago, which includes over 1000 islands and inlets, is vast but discoverable by sea expedition, nature trails, and camping!

National Parks

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada / Tim Forbes

Thousand Islands National Park – ONTARIO

You’ve heard of the salad dressing, but did you know that legend connects the name to this fantastic area? Thousand Islands National Park is comprised of 21 islands (of the over 1800 in the area) and numerous small inlets much of which can only be accessed by boat. These granite islands are actually thought to be the tips of worn-down ancient mountains, and as if that weren’t enough to capture the imagination, this park is also home to extremely rare species of turtles and birdlife! Many visitors to Thousand Islands love the experience of overnighting in the unique oTENTik accommodation!

Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba

Wapusk National Park – MANITOBA

What’s a list of Canadian national parks without some polar bears?! You’ll find plenty in the vast, northern Manitoba Wapusk National Park! At over 11, 000 square kilometres, this is a beast of a park and includes awe-inspiring Canadian tundra, boreal, and arctic landscape. Commercial tour operators in Churchill are ready to usher visitors on an unforgettable expedition to see arctic foxes, hares, wolverines, caribou, countless birds, and, of course, the illustrious polar bear!

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Parks Canada/ Kevin Hogarth

Grasslands National Park – SASKATCHEWAN

Wildlife is king at this Saskatchewan gem! The bison at Grasslands National Park are thankful to call one of the country’s last remaining areas of undisturbed prairie grassland home! But they are not the only ones—Grasslands is home to many rare and endangered fauna including pronghorns, grouse, burrowing owls, swift foxes, ferruginous hawks, wolverines, brown bears, and even prairie rattlesnakes! Camp at this national park in a teepee, serviced campground, or go back-country style if you don’t mind some animal company nosing around your tent!

Photo Credit: Brian Lasenby. Alpine Hike in Jasper via Shutterstock

Jasper National Park – ALBERTA

Banff’s bigger cousin, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Warm up at this fantastic Alberta park in hot spring lakes or cool down in a waterfall of at the impressive Columbia Icefield. The majestic Canadian Rockies are the perfect backdrop for whatever activity visitors may choose in Jasper. From site-seeing to an endless choice of physical exploits such as hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, biking, and more, it is truly an adventurer’s paradise!

Canadian National Park

Photo Credit: Parks Canada

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve – BRITISH COLUMBIA

Nature meets culture and history at Gwaii Haanas! Discover the ancient carvings and fallen longhouses of the Haida people among the lush rainforests of this national park. Let your imagination soar with the bald eagle high among the towering cedar and spruce trees, ground yourself in the greenery of the forest floor, or get swept away by the majestic waters teeming with whales, sea lions, and salmon. This natural paradise is located 130km off the mainland of BC on the former Queen Charlotte Islands now known as Haida Gwaii.

Canadian National Park

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Nahanni National Park Reserve – NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Step aside, Niagara! Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park plunges more that 90m (over double the height of Niagara) around the awe-inspiring Mason’s Rock! This is just one of the spectacular features of this park which protects a 30,000 square kilometre expanse of the rugged Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region. The whitewater Nahanni River runs through spectacular canyons and natural labyrinths lending inspiration to not only the physical landscape but the culture of the region. Dehcho First Nations call the Nahanni region home and welcome visitors with aspirations of climbing, hiking, flying, or paddling in pursuit of the rugged treasures in this park.

National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Kluane National Park and Reserve – YUKON TERRITORY

Home to the elusive grizzly bear and the sky-scraping Mount Logan, Kluane is overflowing with all-Canadian grandeur. Tundra and forest speckle the landscape of this park which is dominated by the Saint Elias Mountains. Explore the largest ice field in Canada and some of the most rugged and remote scenery on the planet. Visitors to Kluane come in search of adventure and find it in day hikes, glacial rafting experiences, backcountry exploration, and alpine passes.

Canadian National Parks

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

Auyuittuq National Park – NUNAVUT TERRITORY

Spot an Inuksuit (inukshuk) on the craggy landscape of Auyuittuq! This national park boasts 24 hour daylight during the summer, and it is a true northern treasure. With granite mountain peaks that tower over tundra valleys and pristine glaciers among rugged fiords and winding water systems, Auyuittuq is a landscape like no other. Ringed seals, narwhal, snow geese, and arctic foxes call this park home and can be spotted by visitors willing to brave this remote and unforgiving wilderness.

Hope you have enjoyed your journey. Happy 150 to our great nation! Take some time to celebrate at a fantastic Canadian National Park!

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Learn to Camp with Saskatchewan Parks this Summer

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Learn to Camp Saskatchewan

I went to summer camp every year as a child but we never camped as a family because my mother, not much of an “outdoor woman”, found the idea daunting. My dad borrowed a friend’s trailer and took us out once but that was the extent of my camping experience growing up. Fast forward to today, and my son goes camping at least a couple of times a month. We have a fancy new trailer and we’re committed to at least 40 nights camping this summer.

My personal story aside, where do you start when you want to “get into” camping? I honestly can’t recommend buying a tent, sleeping bags, and all of the necessary equipment without trying it once or twice to see if you even enjoy camping. Maybe you’ll love it, but you may discover you prefer cabins, resorts, or even comfort camping options a whole lot more!

You won’t know if camping is for you and your family until you try it. And thanks to Saskatchewan Parks, you can try camping this summer with no real commitment, no gear purchases, and no knowledge required. Just show up and give it a whirl!

Camping in Good Spirit Park (photo: Melanie McDonald)

 

The Learn to Camp Experience

You can choose your two-day overnight experience at one of three participating parks. Saskatchewan Parks supplies all of the camping equipment you will need (for a maximum of five participants including children) while you just supply your own food, bedding, and personal items. And for a first time out, most of us know somebody we can borrow sleeping bags from. Alternately, pop on down to a department store and invest in some affordable bags that will always come in useful, even for sleepovers or school overnight trips.

And note, this is not equipped camping as offered byParks Canada where you show up to find your site assembled for you. You will be “learning to camp” with the Saskatchewan Parks program. You’ll come away from the experience ready to head out on your own next time with perhaps a rented tent and stove for a weekend.

Before your trip, you’ll receive “a detailed information package including a schedule for your overnight program, list of supplies for you to bring, list of supplies that we provide and information on planning meals” (Saskatchewan Parks)

 

Learn to camp this summer and build the required skills for future family trips

 

Experiences you will learn while camping:

  • Learn to set up your campsite (including putting up your own tent)
  • Learn to prepare meals on a camping cook stove
  • Learn how to start a campfire
  • Enjoy spending a night in a tent
  • Enjoy  some of the programs that Saskatchewan parks offers including interpretive activities in your campground
  • Participate in applied learning sessions and family-friendly activities led by camp leaders. Scheduled activities will include a guided tour of your campground, sessions on how to set up a camp kitchen and campsite (including a tent and screen shelter,) a guided nature hike, a lesson on building a campfire, and tips for what to expect your first night.

 

During your trip you will have access to flush toilets (yes, breathe a sigh of relief here) hot showers, and clean drinking water. You’ll be provided you with one bag of ice to get you started (you can buy more while you’re at camp to fill your cooler,) firewood, and a parking permit for one vehicle. (Inquire directly with Saskatchewan Parks if you’ll need a second permit.)

You’ll also have plenty of recreation time to enjoy your chosen park’s facilities and activities which could include fishing, swimming, hiking, boating or paddling, and cycling.

 

Canoeing in Saskatchewan’s Parks (photo: Melanie Mcdonald)

 

Participating Saskatchewan Parks

Pike Lake Provincial Park – 29 km southwest from Saskatoon. Here you’ll find desert like sand dunes, a beach, nature trails, and opportunities for water sports.

Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park – 55 km northwest from Yorkton and 32 km southwest from Canora. Here you’ll find a beach, mini golf, tennis and beach volleyball courts, a nearby golf course, and hiking opportunities on the Trans Canada Trail.

Echo Valley Provincial Park – 70 km northeast from Regina. Here you’ll find beaches, lakes, and rolling hills that will make you feel as if you’re another world away from the city of Regina. Recreation opportunities are plentiful including mini golf, volleyball, and water sports.

Sand dunes in Good Spirit Park (photo: Melanie McDonald)

 

Want to Participate?

“The Learn to Camp programs are open to families how have never camped before or want to start tent camping.  The program can accommodate up to five people per site, with a maximum of three adults per site.” (Saskatchewan Parks)

Note that pets are not permitted in the program and that consumption of alcohol is also not permitted. All programs are offered in English.

For more information and to register your family, please visit the Saskatchewan Parks website and reserve a spot in this popular program soon.

The Learn to Camp program costs $30 per group. Payment is due upon arrival at the park on the day of your registered program. Payment can be made by cash, debit, credit card, or cheque.

Explore Saskatchewan with your family this summer (photo: Shelley Cyr)

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Our Greatest Assets – Canada’s Nicest Buttes!

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Canada's nicest buttes

Butte noun \ˈbyüt\ (noun) :  an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides or crevices usually having a small summit area

Canada's nicest buttesCanada is a natural wonderland! With more miles of coastline than anywhere on the planet, grandiose mountain ranges, vast expanses of unspoiled tundra, majestic plains, and more water and rock than we know what to do with, our country is a haven of diverse and breath-taking landscape. It’s every sight-seers dream, but, even with all these visual treasures at our fingertips, there’s nothing quite as pleasing to the eye, quite as head-turning, as a really nice butte! And Canada is full of them! From the remote Nahanni Butte in Northwest Territories to Castle Butte, Saskatchewan which rises boldly from the plains, our nation can hold its head high with the knowledge that we are home to some of the nicest buttes on the planet! That’s why, in honour of Canada 150, we’ve decided to pay tribute to some these–our country’s finest assets…

Canada’s Nicest Buttes

Lone Butte, British Columbia

Who said buttes are useless? The towering volcanic plug located southeast of 100 Mile House, BC, doubles as an access point for Broadband Internet distribution! Here’s to betting this six million year old basalt formation could never have predicted its destiny in the technological age! Lone Butte rises more than 4000 feet above sea level and peaks attractively above craggy rock and spruce trees.

Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan

For a province that is too-often overlooked in the scenery department, Saskatchewan really holds its own when it comes to fine buttes! One such formation, located in 15 km East of the provincial capital, is Pilot Butte. This flat-topped hill sits right in the town site, and it is a natural monument of sorts to the history of the area. The butte was used by indigenous people as a camp and lookout area for hunting buffalo.

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Douglas E. Walker

Castle Butte, Saskatchewan

What’s this? Ayre’s rock, Australia? Utah? Arizona? No, It’s Castle Butte, Saskatchewan!  Composed of sandstone and clay, Castle Butte is a relic to history! Formed during the ice age and nearly 60m high, this grand, reddish formation served as a landmark for indigenous peoples and later early prairie settlers. To set your sights on this butte, head to the Big Muddy Badlands of Southern Saskatchewan where Castle Butte sits among impressive badland terrain.

Bald Butte, Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan may not be as flat as you think! Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park boasts some of the highest elevations of the Canadian provinces. One of the parks most notable features is Bald Butte located in the Central Block the park which peaks at over 1300 ft above sea level. This butte is accessible to hikers and beautifully situated amidst the rolling hills of southwestern Saskatchewan.

Nebogwawin Butte, Manitoba

AKA Merry Dance Hill or the Star Mound, Nebogawawin Butte is situated in southern Manitoba west of the town of Snowflake. It dramatically rises 100 ft from the surrounding prairie and is known to be an ice-age moraine. Visitors to Nebogwawain won’t want to miss the beaver-shaped burial site that can be found on top of butte which is thought to have historical ties to pre-1700’s Aboriginal village.

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: © Parks Canada

Nahanni Butte, North West Territories

A stately butte near a NWT town bearing the same name, Nahanni Butte is remote and accessible only by river taxi in the summer or ice road in the winter. This stunning butte is hike-able and offers picturesque views of the South Nahanni River and the Dehcho village below. This butte is near the stunning Nahanni National Park.

Mud Buttes, Alberta

In the badlands of Alberta, home to herds of cattle, is Mud Buttes. This geological formation is a spectacular display of whimsical outcroppings that protrude from grassy plains 13km east of the town of Consort. Unique to Mud Butte is a landscape marked by coal seams, deep fissures, and not even a hint of a tourist amenity! Hiking the exposed earth of Mud Butte is not advisable due to the unstable soil conditions and plethora of cacti native to the area!

Canada's Nicest Buttes

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography

70 Mile Butte, Saskatchewan

If long a nice, long and proud butte is your thing, you’ll want to catch sight of 70 Mile Butte in Grasslands National Park! This is the literal high-point in the park where sightseers will enjoy vistas of unspoilt prairie grasslands dotted with beautiful wild flowers. To get to the butte, hikers will need to be prepared to undertake a 5km hike on a rustic and scenic path through the grasslands where, if you’re lucky, you might catch glimpse of a wild buffalo or another of the many endangered animals that call the park home.

Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan

There’s something a little… how you say… je ne sais quoi about a Frenchman Butte! In the case of Frenchman Butte, Saskatchewan, that little something is enough to qualify this beautiful butte as a national historic site! This site in west-central Saskatchewan is a relic to the 1885 Northwest Resistance between the Wandering Spirit Cree and General Strange’s army. If you fancy an up close and personal tour of this fine feature, guided tours are available featuring, among other things, guns pits, paddle-wheeled steam boats, and Fort Pitt.

Happy 150 to Canadians near and far! How will you celebrate this fine land of ours?

 

 

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KartSTART | Driver Education for Kids is Coming to a City Near You in 2018

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kartSTART Gift Cert Promo

 

kartSTART Gift Cert Promo

Be the holiday hero this year and give the gift of the season with a gift certificate to kartSTART! Kids will experience the exhilaration of driving a motorized vehicle while ensuring a foundation for the basics of safe driving.

KartSTART, presented by Toyota Canada is an educational, entertaining driver orientation program that helps young drivers understand how a vehicle works. The program was designed to provide an opportunity for kids to operate a motor vehicle before turning 16 and heading out on the roads. The half-day course is available to kids 10 years of age and older and their families.

KartSTART’s experienced instructors show the kids the basics of how the cart operates and leads the youngsters around the track. The kids learn to operate a motor vehicle that is more proportionate to their size than a car and they learn the basics of operation, including, the steering, throttle, brakes and most importantly, how these components work together.

“The kartSTART program is very unique in several ways,” says owner, Russ Bond. “The key is we teach youngsters in vehicles that fit them: our karts. What we teach here is how a vehicle works. What makes it go, what makes it stop, and what makes it turn.  We teach our students what is happening to the vehicle as they drive down the road. Every journey starts with a first step; our job is to make sure that our families’ first step is in the right direction.”

Parents are also encouraged to participate in the session and continue the journey of safe driving preparation through discussion of the experience. A light meal will be provided for everyone in attendance, and family photographers are welcome to document the memories, though it’s sure to be an experience the kids will NEVER forget!

New this year, kartSTART will be offering GIFT CERTIFICATES for purchase that can be used towards the 2018 event passes. The download is emailed to you immediately after purchase, ready for printing or emailing to the recipient. The recipient can then book their session immediately or closer to the session if they prefer.

And kartSTART GIFT CERTIFICATES are not just for stocking stuffers and holiday gift giving – they are great to give for any occasion including, birthdays and graduation! And the best part? Family Fun Canada readers can take advantage of DISCOUNT CODE: FAMILYFUN to enjoy a special price of $59 + tax, that’s a 25% savings on all event passes and gift certificates!

Book now at www.kartSTART.ca/reservations with their secure and easy checkout and don’t forget to use DISCOUNT CODE: FAMILYFUN

Gift Cards are also available in several denominations and can be used to purchase kartSTART hats, jackets and hoodies. Check out www.kartSTART.ca/giftcards for all the information.

Will kartSTART be coming to my city?

2018 Tentative Tour Schedule (subject to change)

Chilliwack Area – Greg Moore Raceway – June 30 to July 3 – Chilliwack, BC

Red Deer Area – Westerner Park – July 6 to 8 – Red Deer, AB

Saskatoon Area –  Martensville Speedway – July 13 to 15 – Saskatoon, SK

Winnipeg Area – MTS Iceplex – July 19 to 21 – Winnipeg, MB – (July 19 -evening)

Hamilton Area – Flamboro Speedway – July 25 to 27 – Millgrove, ON – (July 26 – evening)

Toronto Area – Sunset Speedway – August 5 to 8 – Innisfil, ON

Ottawa Area – to be announced – August 11 to 13 – Ottawa, ON

Montreal Area – Autodrome – August 15 to 17 – Saint-Eustache, Québec

Trois-Rivières – SC Performance – August 20 to 22 – Saint-Célestin, Québec

Halifax Area – Scotia Speedworld – August 25 to 27 – Goffs, NS

How do I register?

Participants must be age 10 or older, between 60 and 220 lbs, and physically able to control the go-kart. Adults are welcome to participate, but pre-registration is required due to limited seating.

Register online at www.kartstart.ca

Discount code: Save $20!

Our discount code can be used for any national tour location. Simply enter FAMILYFUN in the coupon code box on the payment screen and save $20.

KartSTART Schedule 2018

The post KartSTART | Driver Education for Kids is Coming to a City Near You in 2018 appeared first on Family Fun Canada.

Which Canadian Prairie City is All The Rage in 2018?

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Saskatoon is all the rage

Last year it was featured in Vogue and then USA Today. This year, a certain understated city is the only Canadian destination to be named in the New York Times 52 Places to Go list! That’s right, ladies and gentleman, you heard it here! The humble, prairie city of Saskatoon is all the rage! The bridge city is making a splash on the world scene… and it ain’t so humble anymore.

Saskatoon

The Remai Modern on Riverlanding (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon)

But what’s got everybody talking about the ‘Paris of the Prairies?’ Aside from a rapidly developing riverfront and a thriving arts and culture scene, this surge in buzz can be attributed in large part to the likes of  Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and a number of other well-known 20th-century artists!  8000 world-renowned pieces including works from these masters have found a home in the heart of Saskatchewan at the newly opened Remai Modern Museum.

Saskatoon is all the rage

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

This museum, though undoubtedly world-class in its appeal, is truly a home-grown treasure. The movement to build a gallery of this magnitude in Saskatoon got the momentum it needed when, in 2011, local philanthropist and entrepreneur, Ellen Remai, announced one the largest private donations in Canadian art history. A sum from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation literally got construction off the ground, and the museum, itself a feat in world-class modernist architecture, will seek to support international exhibits for the next 30 years with the continued support of this foundation. The museum’s hallmark collection, 405 Picasso linocuts, were also donated by the Remai’s in 2012. In true understated prairie style, Ellen Remai’s explanation for this generosity was simply, “A great city deserves great art.”

Saskatoon is all the rage

Drift Café in Riversdale (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon/ Carey Shaw Photography)

But art is not the only thing happening in the bridge city! The award-winning (and recently expanded) airport is ready to receive visitors in search culture, world-class cuisine, and plenty of sunshine. Over the past 15 years, Saskatoon has experienced an unprecedented season of growth and diversification, an urban existential crisis of sorts, which has given rise to a whole host of items never before known to the city.

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WinterShines and Nuit Blanche join a whole host of other well-established events on the festival scene and are undoubtedly fueled by the palpable growing sense of optimism surrounding the life and culture of Saskatoon. Evidence of gentrification is everywhere but never more significant than in the core neighbourhood of Riversdale which has become a hot-bed for hipsters and foodies. Then there is the development of Riverlanding, a large portion of the South Saskatchewan River bank which is now home to a water feature, picnic areas, a riverside café, and an outdoor gym, and which frequently plays host to outdoor sporting and cultural events.

Saskatoon is all the rage

Nuit Blanche Night Time Arts Festival (Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon/Nick Biblow)

When you consider that sunny Saskatoon is full of green spaces, caters to families, sits idyllically on a beautiful riverbank and is affordable to boot, the question becomes not why Saskatoon is all the rage, but how it kept itself a secret for so long!

The post Which Canadian Prairie City is All The Rage in 2018? appeared first on Family Fun Canada.

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