Galaxyland

Originally known as Fantasyland, West Edmonton Mall changed the name of the park to Galaxyland in July 1995 after fighting a case with Disney. This indoor amusement park has 24 rides and attractions, which include 8 beginner rides, 9 intermediate rides, 7 thrill rides, and 5 other “pay at site” rides and games. Among these rides is the “Mindbender ride,” the largest indoor triple loop roller coaster. Other attractions include the TurboRide 3D Theatre, the Haunted Castle, and the 3D Fun House.

World Waterpark

The World Waterpark is also a favorite tourist spot for people visiting Alberta. Built in 1985, it is the world’s largest indoor waterpark and covers over 20,000 square meters. Apart from its sheer size, the water park also has the biggest indoor wave pool in the world. The “Sky Screamer,” a high-speed water slide and the “Twister,” the highest slide in the park are two of the most well-known rides in this water park.

Theme Areas in the Mall

There are several themed areas in the mall, including Bourbon Street, Europa Boulevard, and Chinatown. Bourbon Street has a lot of clubs and restaurants in a setting that is heavily influenced by New Orleans. Some of the restaurants you can see her are Boston Pizza, Hooters, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Tony Roma’s Ribhouse, Jungle Jim’s, and Albert’s Family Restaurant. Europa Boulevard has been designed like a European streetscape, while Chinatown has a miniature koi pond with a bridge.

Other attractions included in this mall are the Fantasyland Hotel, an indoor shooting range, a petting zoo, a troop of ring-tailed lemurs, the Nightclub Empire Ballroom, an inter-denominational chapel, and four Radio Stations.

The West Edmonton Mall is a place around which you can plan a whole day. Even if you are not interested in shopping and spending money, many attractions here are bound to catch your fancy. You could simply come here to spend time at the World Waterpark or have some great food in one of the many restaurants here; or maybe, you are genuinely looking to buy something. Whatever your reasons may be, you are sure to find something to your liking here, something that will catch your eye and pique your interest.

Nearly $3,500,000 was spent on its construction and it opened its doors to the public in June 1968. Three years later it was re-christened Calgary Tower and it held the prestigious position of being not only the tallest structure in Calgary but also the tallest structure in Canada, outside of Toronto. Since it was one of the first towers of its kind, it’s not surprising that that Calgary Tower was the founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

Calgary Tower is an important entry on any tourist’s itinerary and a trip to Calgary is wasted if you don’t take out the time to ascend the heights of this very famous tower. And don’t make this trip without your camera. Apart from the panoramic views of the entire city, you also get to see a rare sight that not many other towers are likely to offer you – the majestic Rocky Mountains, the prairies and the surrounding foothills just 50 miles to the West.

If you are brave enough and not likely to panic at the illusion of standing mid air, 525 feet above the ground, make sure to visit the Observation Deck. Take tiny, baby steps into virtual nothingness (as it seems from up there) and watch the entire city dwarfed in front of your eyes, and cars and trucks whizzing around like something in the land of Lilliput. The whole city spreads out in front of you like a toy town and you experience the thrill of calling yourself the “King (or Queen) of the World”.  Don’t worry about the glass floor giving way under you; it’s strong enough to accommodate a herd of elephants. There are binoculars on the observation, if you wish to fine tune your vision and play the game of “Oh, there’s our hotel,” or “Isn’t that our car parked over there?”

The Calgary Tower holds yet another record – of being the largest Olympic Torch in the world. The 1988 Winter Olympic Games saw a flame burning at the top of the tower throughout the whole period of the event. The torch is lit occasionally even today on special events like Canada Day celebrations.

And the end of the trip, visit Sky 360, a revolving restaurant located at the top of The Calgary Tower. The food is great, the wine list impressive and the décor contemporary. The 360 Degree Corporate Lunch Menu available Mondays through Fridays is a huge hit where, for less than $25, you can take your pick from the soups, salads & pastas, and sandwiches. You have a long ride down. Might as well make it on a full stomach!



Here, you can see the locations of some the first fur trading posts, see how a beaver hat is made, see an old fashioned soda fountain, and have a picture of yourself taken in the back drop of an old fashioned setting.

There are four areas in the park corresponding to different periods in the history of Edmonton and many of the structures you get to see in the park are originals. The park is operated by interpreters who wear period costumes. You can enjoy free steam engine train rides from the entrance of the park to the Fort and free street car rides, period rides in wagons, stagecoaches, ponies, and buggies.

1846 Fort – Fur Trade Era

The first phase in Edmonton park is the Hudson’s Bay Company fort, which represents the fur trade era. The fort has been rebuilt using a scale plan diagram drawn by Mervin Vavasour, a British Lieutenant. There are several notable features in this section such as the replica of a York Boat and an aboriginal camp just outside the palisade of the fort. This Cree camp represents the indigenous First Nations, who traded in fur and provisions.

1885 Street – The Settlement Era

The1885 street represents the beginning of a town in Edmonton and the development of self-sustaining farms. In this section you can see the establishment of the printing press media and the telegraph and also references to the North-West Rebellion of 1885. Visitors get to see covered wagons, reproduction of the Jasper House Hotel, and the original structure of the McDougall Methodist Church.

1905 Street – The Municipal Era

In this section you get to see instances that verify the economic boom experienced by the Edmonton. However, since it lacked housing facilities for the large influx of newcomers, it lead to the development of the tent city, which is also shown in the park.

Yet another notable display is the house of Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first Premier of Alberta. This house was moved to this location from its current one in south Edmonton.

1920 Street – The Metropolitan Era

This street shows life in Edmonton during the First World War and the times that followed. You get to see a replica of Blatchford Field which was the first ever “Air Harbor” in Canada. Also in this section is The Mellon Farm, which is the only structure that is original to the park site.

The Granville Island was a major industrial center in the 1917 and was later on used as a ship building center during WWII. It soon fell into disuse around the sixties and the site became totally run-down. In the beginning of the 70s, the federal government encouraged new and people friendly developments and Granville Village was turned into a multi-use facility, which included industry, commerce, and entertainment. It was decided that this unique town would maintain its original look and as a result, buildings that were formerly factories and warehouses were turned into galleries, restaurants, artist studios, and theaters.

The best way to describe Granville Island is to call it a huge playground with a lot of things that will catch your fancy. There’s a Kids Only Market that has an indoor play area for … well, children, along with shops where you can buy toys, kits, art supplies, and several other things that will keep your little angel happy.

If you have some time, you can rent a kayak and go for a row around the island and explore water creek. If you don’t feel confident enough to do that alone, you can opt for a guided tour, and those who are keen to learn can opt for lessons. A 3-hour kayak lesson will teach you some basic strokes, which will be enough to get you started.

For those with a cultural bent of mind, the Granville Island Museum is the hot destination. You can check out their collection of miniature trains and model boats. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm, the Museum is sure to have some exhibits that will intrigue you.

Do what your heart desires here or do nothing at all, it’s your call. Browse through the popular Granville Island Market, considered to be one of the best all-around markets in North America, sample delicacies at the various food stalls, watch a theater performance, stroll along the waterfront under the moonlight, have some home brewed ale, pick up mementos for your friends, or simply take in the character of the village by walking about it. Like we mentioned before, Granville Island is best explored at your own pace and you are free to chart your own itinerary here. That’s just the best way to do it.

In the 18^th century Halifax held the reputation for being one of the four important overseas naval stations in the British Empire. It was to defend Halifax that this citadel was built in the 19^th century and it took 28 years to build. However, it never got to see any action and it has never had to fire a weapon in aggression. The Halifax Citadel was designated as a National Historic Site in 1951.

Today, Halifax Citadel is looked after and operated by Parks Canada and is a major tourist attraction in this area. The Citadel is a great example of what 19th-century bastion fortification was all about and visitors get to see ramparts, defensive ditch, musketry gallery, signal masts, and powder magazine here.

Visitors to the Citadel can take part in guided tours which are conducted for free. You will be taken around the compound, into the barracks and even into the walls of the fortress. There are even audio-visual presentations and you can also see several modern exhibits in the Citadel. Every day at noon, the gun in the Citadel is fired, and it can be heard throughout the city. The people you spot wearing period clothes in the Citadel and conducting guided tours are actually soldiers of the 78th Highlander regiment.

Even though the grounds are open throughout the year, the Citadel is only open from May to October. Tourists who arrive in the winters will find that there are no services available for them in this season. The only exception is for Christmas, when the Citadel hosts a Christmas celebration in the Victorian style. Yet another big day is the Canada Day on July 1, when the fortress is free and there are several activities to celebrate this day.

The Halifax Citadel definitely merits a trip, even during the off-seasons. The view from the Citadel is breath taking and the walk up the hill is also pleasant. The military museum also has a lot of interesting exhibits and you can spend some time at the library here. Should you feel a little hungry, you can head towards the coffee bar and for souvenirs of your memorable visit, there’s always the gift shop.

So, ladies and gentlemen, if you are in Toronto and in the mood for some shopping, where do you go? The Toronto Eaton Centre, of course. Unarguably, it is the place to be. The Eaton Centre is more than just a shopping centre. To begin with, it is the third largest mall in Canada and it serves as an architectural inspiration to other shopping malls. More than one million customers pass through its doors every day, making it an extremely popular destination for Torontonians and tourists alike.

And for very good reason, too! Under the glass galleria that rises spectacularly over all the shops, one can find all that a shopaholic’s heart can desire and money can buy. One can safely say that shopping at the Eaton Centre is a truly world class experience as there are more than 285 shops, restaurants, and other establishments offering the best possible services to the shoppers. Here, you can find exclusive brands and retail outlets like Hollister, Mango, Bebe Sport, Lululemon Athletica and Pink Paw.

If shopping gets a little too hectic for you, take a breather and walk over to the famous fountain in the Centre’s Court or gaze at Michael Snow, the famous Canadian sculptor’s ‘Flight Stop’, depicting Canadian geese in flight. After shopping, if there’s time to spare, you can visit The Canon and the Elgin and Winter Garden theatres. They are within walking distance of the Toronto Eaton Centre.

Hunger pangs, after shopping? Well, there are several eateries inside the Eaton Centre for you to choose from. But, should you choose to explore outside the shopping mall, Yonge Street, the gastronomic paradise for foodies, is nearby. Street vendors will dish out some scrumptious Canadian street food which you can enjoy while watching buskers and bands perform on the street.
Predictably, parking can be a bit of a problem here, especially during weekends. In order to make it a little more convenient for you, the Toronto Eaton Centre has provided its customers the convenience of pick-up and drop-off facilities, that too right at the front door. The Albert’s Way entrance is the designated bus pick-up/drop off area.

Whatever your reasons may be for going to the Toronto Eaton Centre, be it to admire its architecture, to lighten your wallet or to bask in the urban and cosmopolitan feel of the mall, you will be sure to have a good time.

When you consider the history of The Forks, you are immediately intrigued by it. To begin with, what is a major tourist attraction now used to be actually a railway repair facility. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Effort has gone into restoring and revamping the buildings of this facility and when you stroll along the shopping arcade, you will find hardly any evidence of its connection with locomotives of any sort. There is a lookout point in one of the buildings and from there you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire area.

There are walking trails along the riverfront and one of them leads to the Legislative Buildings of Winnipeg, yet another crowd puller in this area. Give yourself another 5 minutes and you will reach the Osborne Village, a tourist spot in its own right. Finally, if you have the time to spare and if you are a baseball enthusiast you can make a trip to the Can West Stadium, the place where the Winnipeg Goldeyes play minor league baseball.

The first floor of The Forks Market has a lot of food shops, and you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables along with various other specialty items. On the second floor, the craft store and the ballet conservatory are two places definitely worth a visit. And, in the basement bits and pieces from history can be bought from the large antique store looked after by the cooperative.

The skatepark near The Forks is a relatively new addition. It is one of the biggest skateparks in Canada. The size of this skatepark isn’t the only noteworthy feature. It is also known for its diversity and pleasant style. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk chose this place to shoot scenes in 2006. The skatepark encompasses a skate plaza that spans close to 30 000 square foot along with a 8,500-square-foot bowl complex. All the artwork in this skatepark is well, ‘skateable’. After all, nothing should be allowed to come in the way of the enjoyment of skateboarders and bikers.

Finally, The Forks is also mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as it is home to the ‘Longest skating rink in the world’. The ice rink on the Assiniboine River and the Red River is over 8 kilometers long, 8.54 kilometers to be precise. Keep that in mind when you slip on your skating shoes and step onto the rink for some fun with your friends and family.

White Meadows Farms is located in Pelham, on the rolling hills of Effingham in the Niagara escarpment. Run by Murray and Ann Bering, this 600 acre farm specializes in maple syrup and has a range of interesting products made from it, such as maple butter, maple candies, maple BBQ sauce, and maple red pepper jelly.

Prior to its foray into the maple syrup business, the White Meadows farm was a fully functional dairy farm. Even though their primary income is from maple syrup and related products, they still have assorted beef cuts and freezer beef for their customers.

White Meadows has become an agricultural tourism destination of great renown. It’s most popular attraction is the Pancake House that opens on the weekends from January to mid-April. During this period, all day breakfasts are served, and most of the items include maple in some form or the other. Apart from the regular fare of eggs, sausage, coffee, and pancakes (obviously!), they also offer maple baked beans, French toast, home fries, fruit pancakes, Bagels with chive, maple muffins, tarts, maple cream cheese, maple apple crisp, and maple cheese cake. Are we drooling already?

Another popular attraction at the White Meadows Farm is the Sugar Bush Adventure that is organized from the end of February to the end of March. This period is considered to be the sugaring off-season. You begin with a ride in one of White Meadows’ sheltered hay wagons, and once you reach the sugar bush, you can stroll and look around at your own pace. When you enter the forest, a self guided tour begins where the staff of the farm, dressed up in period costumes, take you through the history of maple syrup.

Children also have a great time during this event, where they are taught to measure the wing span of birds and calculate the size of maple trees to judge how many “taps” each tree can support. At one point, they even show you how to tap maple trees the old fashioned way – with the help of a hand drill.

As you go deeper into the trail through the forest, you will notice that some trees have been labeled. These trees are indigenous to the area, and White Meadows Farm has taken the pains to add some interesting information about them. There’s no fear of losing yourself in the forest as the trail has been marked carefully. If you feel nippy, you can warm yourself at the cozy fires blazing in several stations along the trail.

A trip to this quintessential farm is something you are going to cherish forever, and the taste of the maple syrup will linger on long after it’s gone.