Currently, there are about 56 species of amphibians and reptiles, about 30,000 invertebrates, and 300 species of fish in the Vancouver Aquarium. In addition, it is home to three Pacific white-sided dolphins and six beluga whales, not to mention around 60 mammals and birds. Spread over 100,000 square feet, the aquarium uses 2.5 million gallons of water for its 150+ aquatic displays.

Tourists are captivated by the sights of performing dolphins, captivating otters, white whales, powerful sea-lions, sea stars, soft corals, and sea urchins and the different pavilions in the aquarium have different and interesting aquatic exhibits.

The Pacific Canada Pavilion is the central exhibit inside the aquarium and it has a huge tank that has 260,000 liters of water. You can’t miss it since it is right next to the entrance. Here you can see aquatic life from the Strait of Georgia is displayed in the exhibit. If you are interested in the beluga whales, the Arctic Canada gallery is your destination

The Wild Coast Pavilion is located outside the aquarium and on permanent display here are harbor porpoises and sea otters. This pavilion also has quite a few “touchpools” where you are allowed to actually touch and feel invertebrates from British Columbia. You can also spot other species like harbor seals, northern fur seals, and Steller’s Sea Lions but they displayed in turns. When they are not on display, they are transferred to their habitats which are not accessible to guests.

Treasures of the BC Coast is a gallery that recreates the habitat found on the coast of British Columbia and among the animals housed here, you will find octopi, anemones, and rockfish. The Tropic Zone treats you to the sights of blacktip reef sharks and green sea turtles while the Amazon Rainforest pavilion introduces you to snakes, caimans, fresh water fish, birds, sloths, and other creatures native to Amazon environs.

Also worth a mention is the Canaccord Exploration Gallery which has a children’s play area “Clownfish Cove.” There are also several classrooms for groups from various educational institutions, including the wet lab education room. Children are sure to enjoy their classes at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Whether your purpose is brush up some educational facts about aquatic life or to simply have fun looking at fish and dolphins swimming around freely in their habitat, Vancouver Aquarium offers you both. A trip to this place is an eye opening experience since you learn so much about life underwater, something you may not usually spare much thought too. However, this is an interesting way to know about a whole new world

The section of the park that lies north of Wellesley Street is designed in the style of a typical English landscaped garden and the dominant factor is the huge trees that provide a shady and welcome cover in the warmer months. Right in the center of the northern section of the part is an equestrian statue of Edward VII, which was located in India at some point of time. After 1969, when India became a Commonwealth republic, it was moved to Canada.

Apart from this notable statue of Edward VII, there are several other landmarks and statues in the Queen’s Park. Among the places to visit are the Ontario Veterans Memorial, the Northwest Rebellion Memorial, and the War Memorial of the 48th Highlanders. Statues include likenesses of King George V; John Sandfield Macdonald – first Premier of Ontario; Sir John A. MacDonald – first Prime Minister of Canada; Sir James Pliny Whitney – sixth Premier of Ontario, and Sir Oliver Mowat – third Premier of Ontario.

The Ontario Legislative Building (also known as the Parliament building) was erected in 1886-92. Built at a cost of $1.4 million, this building is made of sandstone. It is quite an imposing structure and for more than a century, it functioned as the meeting place for Ontario’s Parliament. The architectural style of the building is Richardson Romanesque and even though some people are of the opinion that the structure looks a bit too American, nothing but the best Canadian materials were used to make this structure. Pink Sandstone was brought in from various parts of the country, while over 10 million bricks used in this building were made by the inmates of the Central prison in the province.

As you climb the grand staircase in the center of the interior, you will notice that there is a visible difference in the east and the west wing. This is because in 1909, a fire destroyed a large part of the Legislative Building’s west wing. Therefore, while the east wing has extensive use of dark wood, including wooden columns and railings, the west wing has more of white Italian marble. Both the wings have stained-glass ceilings that allow a flood of sunlight to fill the wide-open hallways.

From the historical and cultural point of view, the Legislative Building makes for an interesting tour. In the hallways on the first floor, you can find exhibits from various community museums in Ontario. However, if your aim is to take a casual stroll or read a book in peace, there is no other place more inviting than the Queen’s Park.

Originally the site of an old cargo pier, the Canada place was rebuilt for the 1986 Expo that was held in Vancouver. Vancouver officials realized the beauty and tourist potential of the site and turned the pier into an attractive and unique structure. Today, this building that resembles the sails of a boat is home to several Vancouver businesses and attractions.

Visiting Canada Place is the most inexpensive fun thing you could do in Vancouver. It doesn’t cost you any money to explore this place and all you have to do is shell out money for the parking, or maybe the fare for the Skytrain or Seabus. Once you reach Canada Place, visit the Welcome Centre in the Main Plaza. Canada Place Ambassadors are ready with answers to all your questions and they will provide you all the information you need about this facility.

Then, travel along the walkway at the “Promenade into History” and go on a self-guided tour that will take you into Vancouver’s past, told with the help of photos and anecdotes. On the West Promenade you will find an eclectic collection of musicians from Canada who make the most mesmerizing music that seems to bring to life the beauty of the water front. All the visitors also enjoy a visit to the IMAX Theatre at the Canada Place which shows a wide variety of 2D and 3D films. If you are planning a trip to Vancouver between May and October, there will be another treat waiting for you at Canada Place. Several cruise ships dock at Canada Place dock at this time of the year on their way to Alaska. They do make a magnificent sight!

The walkway christened the “Canada Place Pier” is perhaps one of the most beautiful areas at Canada Place. It’s a great place for a stroll and you can take in the sights of the harbor front, the mountains in the backdrop, and the trees that dot the horizon. Its panorama is indeed breathtaking! From the Canada Place Pier to the North End Pointe, you will find many stunning view points that you’d love to capture on camera.

If you have the time, don’t miss the Sails of Light – a visual event that illuminates Canada Place and narrates the story of Canada. The iconic sails of Canada Place burst into extravagant colors and animations and displays keep the visitors enthralled. Starting from spring 2010, the Canadian Sails of Light will be featured every night. Some of the prime locations to view the Sails of Light are the Coal Harbor Seawall, Stanley Park, the North Shore and waterways, and the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

The collection at AGO holds more than 79,000 works covering the 1^st century to the present. The gallery’s collection of Canadian art is the largest in the world tracing the nation’s heritage and development since its pre-Confederate days. More than half of AGO’s collection is made up of the work’s of Canadian artists and includes notable artists like Lucius O’Brien, Cornelius Krieghoff, Tom Thomson, James Wilson Morrice, David Milne, the Group of Seven, Paul-Emile Borduas, Emily Carr, and Kenojuak Ashevak.

The museum’s collection of European art is just as impressive since it has masterpieces of Medieval and Renaissance decorative arts. Outside Europe and the United States, this collection is probably the most important collection of its kind in the world. You will find works of celebrated artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Anthony van Dyck, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, Rembrandt van Rijn, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Emile Antoine Bourdelle, Pablo Picasso, and René Magritte.

The AGO also has one of the most comprehensive collections of African art in North America and contemporary art collection spanning from 1960 to the present, including works by Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, David Altmejd, Claes Oldenburg, Francoise Sullivan, Shirley Wiitasalo, Mona Hatoum, Doris Salcedo, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman, Tino Sehgal, Richard Serra, and Kara Walker.

Finally worth a mention is the collection of works by the British sculptor Henry Moore, which also happens to be the largest public collection of his work on this planet. In fact, his bronze work, titled “Two Large Forms” (1966–1969) can be seen at the north façade of the museum at the intersection of McCaul and Dundas Streets.

Since it is one of the leading art museums in Canada, it also hosts a large number of important and prestigious exhibitions. Some of the major exhibitions it has presented over the years are “Emily Carr: New Perspectives on a Canadian Icon, 2007,” “Andy Warhol/Supernova: Stars, Deaths and Disasters 1962–1964, 2006,” “Catherine the Great: Arts for the Empire – Masterpieces from the Hermitage Museum, Russia, 2005,” and “Voyage into Myth: French Painting from Gauguin to Matisse, from the Hermitage Museum, 2002.”

Recently, the AGO has been given a facelift by celebrated architect Frank Gehry and the museum seems to have acquired almost 50 percent more gallery space. There is also a new restaurant on site, “FRANK,” and a casual café as well for visitors. Towards the end of your trip, you can browse through the new multi-level shop that has interesting books, jewelry, and prints, and buy some unique gifts for your friends and family.

During summers, the Kitsilano Beach is a hip and happening spot. Sunbathers, swimmers, adventurers, laid-backers, volleyball players, tennis players, Frisbee players, and even non-players make a beeline for the beach. You can spot children making sand castles, families enjoying a cozy picnic, teens flirting with gorgeous hunks, and guys keeping a lookout for beautiful babes. Some work on their tans while others work on their bodies. Whatever it is you want to do or not do here, you will be sure to find a place for it.

This public beach was, once upon a time, a private property and was known as Greer’s Beach and Sam Greer, a non-native settler, owned it. He was unfortunate enough to challenge the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for rights to the land, a battle that he eventually lost. Much later, private citizens got together to raise money to buy back the land from the CPR. The Vancouver Park Board leased additional lots to create popular Kitsilano Beach Park, locally also known as the Kits Park. The heated seawater swimming pool forms the main attraction of this park. At 137 meters, it is the longest outdoor pool in Canada. This park is a delightful place to be, no matter what the season – great to soak up the sun in the warmer months and fun to walk around, cycle and walk your pet dogs in the cooler months.

Yet another attraction at Kitsilano Beach is the restaurant located on the beachfront “Watermark.” This upscale restaurant has been serving delicious food to its patrons for more a hundred years. Their wine cellar is extensive and the food is traditional and contemporary seafood. The patio can accommodate up to 180 people and it’s enclosed and heated to make it a great place to dine all through the year. However, having a meal at this restaurant means enjoying more than world-class cuisine. It means enjoying the “panoramic vistas of English Bay and beyond to the Gulf Islands and North Shore mountains.” One can imagine how romantic such a setting would be – the perfect place to impress that special someone.

Kitsilano Beach is the perfect place for families, kids, youngsters, teenagers and adults because there is something for everyone to do here.

Tourists who visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site located in the fishing village of Stevenson will get to see an introductory film, interactive exhibits and guided tours of the building. If a fishing village doesn’t conjure up pictures of a beautiful place, you have to visit Stevenson to put things in the right perspective for you. Home to Canada’s largest fishing fleet, Stevenson is a quaint and picturesque village and has its share of shops and restaurants for you to explore after your trip to the cannery.

A trip to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is as educational as it is interesting. As you enter the site you are greeted by mountains of fishing gear and nets. There is a model of a 1930s production line that has been set up and murals of trawlers and fish on the walls are sure to catch your eye. It’s difficult to conceive that not long ago, at the turn of the century, there were 49 active canneries on the Fraser River, of which fifteen were in Steveston alone.

As you explore this place, whether on a guided tour or alone you will understand what went into the development of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry. You can gape at machines that produced millions of cans of salmon and take a walk down history lane to see fishermen and plant workers putting in long hours and toiling away at the “monster cannery.” The highlights of this place include

• “Journey Through Time” – an introductory film on the fishing industry
• A restored salmon canning line
• A look at the “Herring Reduction Plant” – a massive piece of machinery that was involved in herring processing
• The Ice House Discovery Area that provides great activities for kids
• Fishing the West Coast Exhibit  which takes you through the various fishing methods, and
• The Cannery Gift Store  from where you can pick up gifts with a fishing and maritime theme

If you have some time left over from your trip to the Georgia Cannery National Historic Site you could also take a look at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard located in Steveston. You can walk around this yet another heritage site and take in the net lofts, canneries, residences, boatyards, and stores in this neighborhood. It’s not every day that you get to walk through a historic place and get a faint whiff from the days of the past.

The chateau was initially segregated into two distinct households, one for each brother. The Dufresne brothers were affluent twentieth century entrepreneurs who played a prominent role in the history of Montreal. They were also the founding fathers of the city of Maisonneuve. The palace was designed by the Parisian architect Jules Renard and modeled along the lines of the Versailles Palace in France. The chateau was declared a historic monument in 1976 and has now become a part of national heritage. A historical museum featuring beaux-arts architecture and furnishings, it is now open to the public.

Architecture buffs will enjoy traipsing around this magnificent palace. The interiors have Gothic tones and are embellished with exquisite murals and paintings, completed by Guido Nincheri in the 1920s. Nincheri was very inclined towards religion and spirituality. But the murals and paintings found in the chateau were of a secular nature and therefore, are something of an exception when compared with the rest of his artistic work. Watch out for his beautiful painting of the nymphs in the Petit Salon.

As you explore the chateau, you’ll also come across pretty wooden panels adorned with carvings. Renaissance style ceilings, tiled marble floors and glass windows lend a touch of sophistication and grandeur to the décor. When you get to Marius’ side of the Palace, you’ll notice a marked masculine undertone as far as the rooms and styling is concerned. There is also a smoking room fitted with hookah pipes giving it a distinct Middle Eastern feel.

The building served as the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts between 1979 and 1997 and now also hosts many temporary art and history exhibitions. These exhibitions are held frequently and offer an insight into diverse aspects of early 20th century culture. The furniture, fittings and other artifacts displayed in the chateau are reflective of the lifestyle of Montreal’s well-heeled set during the period.

It’s always fascinating to take a trip back into history and learn about the culture and heritage of a particular landmark. When beauty and grandeur intermingles with history, it makes the learning even more interesting and enjoyable. The Chateau Dufresne is now open to the public and also offers tours. History, culture and beauty collide to create a memorable experience.

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.

For children, the easiest way to learn anything would be through the medium of an exploration. As they look and interact with the various exhibits in a museum, the mind works at figuring out tiny riddles and assimilating different kinds of information. Knowing this, the St. Catharines Museum in Niagara Falls has made it a mission to make their museum as appealing and innovative as possible for all the guests that pass through their gates, be they kids or adults.

St. Catharines Museum is less than 20 minutes away from Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is located at the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3 along with the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame & Museum. It is open all round the year and the hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The admission prices for adults are $4.25, for seniors $4.00, for students $3.25 and for children $2.50. If you go with your family, you can get a 15% discount and if you require a video presentation you need to shell out $1.00 more per person.

At the museum you will learn about history behind the Four Welland Canals and how a city grew around them. The video presentation, available in French and English, takes you through the past and present of the Welland Canals. In the Community Heritage Gallery there are select stories related to the history of St. Catharines and among the exhibits you will find the 1912 made in St. Catharines REO automobile.  Not to miss is the award-winning, exhibit “Follow the North Star”, which narrates the legacy of the African Canadians living in Niagara and the history of the Underground Railroad.

There is also a snack bar that serves light bites, ice creams, and coffee to revitalize you so that you can continue your journey through the museum. On your way out, pop into the museum’s gift shop “Merritt’s Mercantile” where you can find unique souvenirs, publications, educational items, and children’s gifts for you to take home as a keepsake of your informative and interesting trip to St. Catharine Museum. Not that you would need anything to remind you of the time you spent here. The experience of being here is something you won’t be able to forget in a hurry.

TELUS World of Science is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1976. It draws more than 300,000 eager learners every year. Its initiative is to foster and promote values like curiosity, innovation, inquiry, and collaboration among children and help them discover science beyond test books and classrooms.

The TELUS World of Science has three very interesting and interactive exhibit areas, but the fun does not stop there. There is an outside amusement park that is very aptly named the ‘Amazement Park’, and WOWtown, that does indeed, wow you. In addition to this, there is also a food kiosk for when your tiny tykes get hungry and a gift shop where you can buy all kinds of science-oriented gifts that will help you remember your fabulous experience at the TELUS World of Science.

However, the most notable exhibit at the TELUS World of Science is the Discovery Dome Theatre, where lifelike images are displayed on a dome screen and the experience is further enhanced by digital surround sound. A series of exhibition are designed to capture the imagination of the kiddy audience. The “Wild Ocean” takes you into the KwaZulu-Natal Wild Coast in South Africa where you can see whales, sharks, dolphins, and gannets, and a host of other underwater species. Children are explained the food chain within the ocean and shown how external influences have begun to disturb the delicate equilibrium of the ocean.

“Mummies – Secrets of the Pharaohs” is yet another fascinating documentary that takes you into the land of pyramids and pharaohs. Children follow archaeological clues and understand how the mysteries of the past are unraveled. They also gain a better understanding of the culture, religion, and science of the ancient Egypt.

Take a look at the other ‘Fun & Educative’ things children can do at the TELUS World of Science.

• Control the weather by controlling the movement of clouds over the sun.
• Freeze your shadows to a wall!
• Operate a crane, and play with other simple machines
• Make your own puppet show by using a video, monitor and costumes
• Go on a journey of exploration with microscopes, magnifying glasses, and video microscopes.
• Make your own music in the music area using drums, tubular bells, thunder sheet, rain stick, and a howler fan.

The journey of learning and discovery never ends at the TELUS World of Science.