Great Places in Canada

Visitors to this site say that these are great places in Canada. What is your favourite place in Canada? Search the nominations submitted so far, and place your vote!

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  • Queen Street

    Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON

    Street

    Noted for its beautifully maintained heritage buildings, the town is the site of the province's first newspaper, the first lending library, the first parliament of the region, and the first historical museum . It is now a favorite tourist destination, not only for such historic sites but also for the world-renowned Shaw Festival , the lovely parks, and the area's vineyards and wineries...More

  • West Montrose Covered Bridge

    Waterloo, ON

    Public Space

    The bridge was built in 1881 and underwent major repairs in 1999. Light traffic is still crossing the bridge daily including horse and buggies. The bridge is often referred to as "The Kissing Bridge" because it is enclosed and the soft light provides a feeling of intimacy for the romantic...More

  • Miller Point Peace Park

    Dayspring (near Bridgewater), NS

    Public Space

    Along the LaHave River is a beautiful park for strolling, sitting, having a picnic or walking your dog, Beautiful trees, flowers and river scenery...More

  • Nathan Phillips Square

    Toronto, ON

    Public Space

    Nathan Phillips Square is an outdoor plaza located immediately in front of Toronto City Hall, on the northwest corner of Queen and Bay Streets. The square opened in 1965.The square is paved with concrete surrounding a reflecting pool that serves as a skating rink in winter months. It is a free gathering place for leisure and community events...More

  • Lake Koocanusa

    BC

    Public Space

    It is a lake in British Columbia where the waters are clean and crisp. It is a great place to camp with the kids and is full of memories for many people. It is called Koocanusa because it is a river that is dammed, the Kootney river, hence the KOO part of the name; it is partly in CANada and the other part is in the USA.. That is why it is called KOO CAN USA...More

  • Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park

    Vancouver, BC

    Public Space

    The Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, Vancouver is the best-kept "secret" in Canada. Thousands of people walk, run, stroll, bike, and rollerblade along the seawall of Stanley Park, yet many go past the Lost Lagoon without even knowing it exists! For those of us who enjoy its serenity and beauty, we can't wait to get back there whenever we visit...More

  • Cultus Lake Park

    Cultus Lake, BC

    Public Space

    Cultus Lake Park is the lower mainland of BC's best-kept secret! It is only about one hour away from Vancouver, yet you are in the country...More

  • Beacon Hill Park

    Victoria, BC

    Public Space

    The crown jewel in Victoria's park system, Beacon Hill Park is an oasis of both natural and landscaped beauty. The park is a spectacular, publicly owned 183-acre property. Wildlife abounds in Beacon Hill Park. More than a hundred bird species occur here, along with a number of mammals such as river otters, raccoons, and squirrels. Sunfish, painted turtles, and crayfish make their homes in the waterways. The park is a perfect blend of natural and recreational features...More

  • Heartland Forest

    Niagara Falls, ON

    Public Space

    This location is deserving of an award as it is a barrier-free (fully wheelchair accessible) nature trail with a wheelchair accessible treehouse AND playground. It is also FREE ... there is absolutely no cost to visit and walk amongst the protected forest and wetland areas. At any time you can see a variety of animal and plant species. It is just gorgeous there...More

  • Victoria Park

    Truro, NS

    Public Space

    A true gem in the heart of Truro! Victoria Park is one of Truro's greatest assets – a natural woodland park of roughly 400 acres in the centre of town. Lepper Brook, with its two sets of waterfalls, flows through a steep tree covered rocky gorge. Several walking trails follow along the brook, allowing a close view of this unique setting. The first set of falls is named after the distinguished Joseph Howe who admired them during a visit in 1830. The next are the Waddell Falls, named after Susan Waddell Stevens, who donated the first land in 1888 containing the falls and gorge, thus beginning this park for the enjoyment of Truro citizens...More

  • Beauty Bay

    Kenora, ON

    Neighbourhood

    Nestled alongside Black Sturgeon Lake in beautiful North-Western Ontario, Beauty Bay is located 15 minutes from downtown Kenora. Having originated in 1972 with the establishment of a golf course, Beauty Bay has grown into a residential community where families and retirees can live seasonally or year-round. This intimate and quaint community is home to approximately 125 individuals...More

  • Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden

    St. John's, NL

    Public Space

    Established in 1971, the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden is located at 306 Mount Scio Road, situated on the north side of St. John’s. The Garden encompasses 110 acres, mostly a managed and interpreted nature reserve featuring a large natural pond, fens, streams, mature boreal forest, and an old forest-fire regeneration area. The Garden also has 5 acres of cultivated gardens including heritage gardens, wildlife friendly gardens, shade gardens, medicinal gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, vegetable gardens, and alpine house. The Garden’s field centre features indoor interpretive displays about various aspects of gardening and natural history as well as hosting a variety of art shows featuring local artists’ images of nature. Their gift shop and café will complete any visit to this great place...More

  • Bronte Creek Provincial Park

    Oakville, ON

    Public Space

    Bronte Creek Provincial Park is conveniently located between Oakville and Burlington just north of the Queen Elizabeth Highway (QEW). Established in 1974, it boasts over 10 km of walking trails, 144 campsites, an outdoor swimming pool, children's farm and play barn, nature centre, 1900s living history museum, and 11 picnic shelters and picnic areas. In the winter, you can ice skate on the Olympic-sized outdoor surface or toboggan down any number of slopes...More

  • Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market

    Halifax, NS

    Public Space

    The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market opened in August 2010 along the city's waterfront, in a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly building. It has more than 4000 square metres, almost double the size of its previous location. In addition to the spacious vendor areas and storefronts, the Market boasts harbour views, a rooftop garden, a “living wall” (a wall of plantlife for air filtration), wind turbines, and outdoor meeting and shopping areas...More

  • Chinatown

    Ottawa, ON

    Neighbourhood

    Located moments from Parliament Hill and Downtown, Chinatown is a charming neighbourhood where east meets west in the heart of Canada's multicultural capital. Home to the award-winning Chinese imperial style arch. Ottawa's Chinatown welcomes visitors 365 days a year...More

  • Main Street

    Warkworth, ON

    Street

    Warkworth is a small, rural town nestled in the rolling hills of Northumberland, approximately 90 miles east of Toronto, Ontario. Although Main Street is less than a mile long, it features a vibrant community of unique stores, boutiques, studios, and a stylish coffee shop. Over the past few decades, it has grown from a simple farming community into a thriving artistic and social location that showcases many seasonal events...More

  • Clare Street

    Victoria, BC

    Street

    Clare Street is short, sweet, one block long and made up of 24 single family homes. It is located at the edge of the City of Victoria and the District of Oak Bay. It is home to seniors, families with children, home businesses, and a child care centre. It is a stone's throw from a busy main street, and a short walk to all the amenities. The original street was probably built 100 years ago, however most of the homes were built in the 40s...More

  • White Rock Beach

    White Rock, BC

    Neighbourhood

    White Rock Beach is the waterfront area of the City of White Rock in the southwest corner of the lower mainland of British Columbia, bordering Washington State. The White Rock Beach district runs along Marine Drive and overlooks the warm, shallow waters of Semiahmoo Bay. The borders of this area are defined somewhat informally by approximately 8 km of sandy beach, with a 2.5 km waterfront promenade. The actual city of White Rock is 45 minutes from Vancouver, BC and minutes from the Canada/USA border. The city dates back to the turn of the 20th century (1900) and has a population of 18,250...More

  • Prince Arthur's Landing

    Thunder Bay

    Public Space

    Prince Arthur's Landing is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the City of Thunder Bay. The newly renovated waterfront now includes an outdoor skating rink that becomes a splash pad in the summer. The historic CP Rail Baggage Building was renovated to become an artisan space that will be used as a workshop for artists and a place to sell their wares...More

  • Bowen Park

    Nanaimo, BC

    Public Space

    Bowen Park is located just north of downtown Nanaimo, BC. The 36-hectare parcel of land is minutes away from downtown and could be called the heart of the city. The land was a gift to Nanaimo back in 1855. It was officially registered as a park in 1931, but development of amenities in the park didn't really begin until the early 50s. Throughout its history, Bowen Park has had the support of local citizens. It was the Nanaimo Rotary Club that dedicated itself to improving the park in the early days. Members raised funds, in-kind donations of supplies, equipment, and manpower to clear roadways and build picnic shelters. It was the site of many civic events in what was back then the 4th largest city in BC...More

  • The Lunenburg Heritage Society Bandstand

    Lunenburg, NS

    Public Space

    The Lunenburg Heritage Society Bandstand sits in the centre of the Town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The current bandstand is an exact replica of the original built in 1889 and was rebuilt in 1987 by the Lunenburg Heritage Society. It is located at the junction of Cumberland and King Streets – next to the Town Hall. The great wooden structure was re-created with great attention to detail and is a favorite of townspeople and visitors to the town...More

  • Rainbow Stage Theatre in Kildonan Park

    Winnipeg, MB

    Public Space

    Rainbow Stage is an outdoor theatre situated in the heart of Kildonan Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theatre has been around since 1953, making it the oldest of its kind in Canada. It seats over 2,000 patrons who are protected from the elements by a large triodetic dome that covers the seating area. In 2011, a mural was designed and painted along the building’s exterior to provide the venue with a fresh new look. The finished product was spectacular and received raved reviews from its visitors.Rainbow Stage Theatre is used primarily to provide Winnipeg with professional musical theatre productions during the summer. It is also used for a number of other community-related events during the year, which typically focus on the arts and culture...More

  • Marysville

    Fredericton, NB

    Neighbourhood

    Marysville was a planned community developed at the height of the industrial revolution when it was becoming not only fashionable to provide industrial workers with better living accommodations, but also proven to be more economically efficient and profitable. Industrialists were finally realizing that providing workers with better housing resulted in more productivity from them. Alexander “Boss” Gibson planned the community so that his mansion was the epicentre of the community and was located on the west side of the Nashwaak River overlooking the cotton mill on the east side of the river. The cotton mill workers all lived in 58 duplex brick tenements beside the cotton mill. There were a number of local names to describe certain areas of the community like Brick Hill, Mud Alley, Punkin Centre, Front Row, etc. The managers, including Gibson, lived on the west side of the Nashwaak in a long row of houses locally known as Nob Hill...More

  • Wascana Park

    Regina, SK

    Public Space

    Wascana Park is a large public park in Regina, Saskatchewan. It has existed for as long as I can remember -- an early, albeit not my first, memory of it is attending wonderful birthday parties that were held at some of its numerous BBQ or picnic spots. It is one of the largest urban parks and is broken down into many areas, some of which are still not developed...More

  • Samson Trail

    New Glasgow, NS

    Public Space

    The Samson Trail, located along the banks of the picturesque East River, is a 4 km groomed trail built along the bed of Canada's first iron railroad. The trail is lined with Victorian style lampposts providing visitors and residents alike with a scenic vista that offers the freshness of nature's blooms in spring, spectacular sunsets in summer, a tapestry of color in autumn, and a serene winter beauty. A walk along the Samson Trail is sure to nourish your spirit, no matter what the season...More

  • Officers' Square

    Fredericton, NB

    Public Space

    For 230 years and counting, Officers’ Square has been Fredericton’s main public gathering space. Back in its heyday, it started off as the soldiers’ training grounds and was located adjacent to the military barracks. Gradually, it has come to form a part of a whole row of public, civic, and institutional uses along Queen Street, the historic core´s main axis. Officers´ Square lies in the centre of this historic and cultural area, equidistant from City Hall to the west as it is to the Provincial Parliament Building to the east...More

  • Botanical Beach (in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

    Near Port Renfrew, BC

    Public Space

    Botanical Beach is a beautiful spot to explore. You must first walk along a gorgeous path where the sights, sounds and smells stimulate your every sense. Once you've reached the beach, you can hear and see the waves crashing against the rocks creating huge splashes. You can enjoy a sunrise, a sunset, or simply an afternoon escape. While you're there, don't forget to explore all of the tide pools sculptured in the sandstone, which is home to many living organisms such as Purple Sea Urchins, fish, sea cucumbers, clams, and so much more. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins during their migration...More

  • Algonquin Provincial Park

    Ontario

    Public Space

    The most scenic trajectory through the park is on Highway 60 between Barry's Bay and Huntsville. The park is readily accessible from major urban centres such as Ottawa and Toronto. You can see the boreal forest and its inhabitants, including many Canadian animal icons like the beaver, spotted loon, moose, timber wolf, and the black bear without much exploratory effort...More

  • LaHave River

    Near Bridgewater, NS

    Neighbourhood

    This neighbourhood is located near the beautiful town of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. There have been people living here and fishing for a living for many, many years. At one time, there was a fish plant here but it has since closed. This area is a favourite spot for tourists because it is so picturesque and there is much history here. I grew up about 80 miles from here so it has always been one of my favourite parts of Canada, and that is saying a lot. I have travelled by plane and motor vehicle across this scenic country more times than I can remember...More

  • Victoria Row (on Richmond St.)

    Charlottetown, PEI

    Street

    Victoria Row is one of downtown Charlottetown’s gems. It’s a pedestrian street located on Richmond St., between Queen Street and Great George St. The street is approximately 800m long and can be found here on the map...More

  • Roncesvalles Village

    Toronto, ON

    Neighbourhood

    Roncesvalles Village is located in west Toronto, just east of High Park. It has semi-formal boundaries due to local geography and urban features. Roncesvalles Village is bounded by High Park on the west, Lake Ontario/Queen Street to the south, Lansdowne/rail corridor to the east, and Bloor Street to the north. The neighbourhood is approximately 100 years old; many houses, churches and commercial buildings in this neighbourhood were built between 1909 and 1914. According to the 2006 census, Roncesvalles Village had a population of approximately 16,000. This has probably increased by about 1000 since then...More

  • Parkdale

    Toronto, ON

    Neighbourhood

    Parkdale is located in the southwest of downtown Toronto. It's a residential and commercial neighbourhood adjacent to the Roncesvalles and High Park neighbourhoods, and it includes the historic Sunnyside waterfront park. Currently home to about 50,000 people, Parkdale was founded as an independent settlement in 1850, eventually joining Toronto in 1889...More

  • City Market, Saint John

    Saint John, NB

    Public Space

    The City Market first opened for business in the heart of Uptown Saint John in 1876. It is an indoor space that occupies a full city block and is located on King Square, one of the City’s most important greenspaces...More

  • Assiniboine Forest

    Winnipeg, MB

    Public Space

    It is unusual to find a forest within a city, but Winnipeg has one, specifically 700 acres of forest, marsh, and wildlife...More

  • Bois-des-Esprits

    Winnipeg, MB

    Public Space

    This is an 80-acre outdoor space that incorporates river bottom, marshland, tall grass prairie, and forest. Wildlife including deer, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and birds live in this area. The Save our Seine organization lobbied hard in 2003 to keep this area as a natural habitat and was ultimately successful. Local wood carvers have carved dead trees throughout the space into representations of people and animals...More

  • St. Victor Petroglyphs

    St. Victor, SK

    Public Space

    St. Victor Petroglyphs are on the second highest spot in Saskatchewan, just south of the village of St. Victor. They’re in St. Victor Provincial Park and have been there for hundreds and hundreds of years...More

  • Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

    Kakabeka Falls, ON

    Public Space

    Kakabeka Falls is a waterfall on the Kaministiquia River, located beside the village of Kakabeka Falls in the municipality of Oliver Paipoonge, Ontario, 30 km west of the city of Thunder Bay. The name "Kakabeka" comes from the Ojibwe word gakaabikaa "waterfall over a cliff". The falls has a drop of 40 m, cascading into a gorge carved out of the Precambrian Shield by meltwater following the last glacial maximum. Because of its size and ease of access, it has been consequently nicknamed "the Niagara of the North"...More

  • Town of Ladysmith

    Ladysmith, BC

    Neighbourhood

    Ladysmith is located on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is an oceanside town with a great deal of character and has a rich history. Ladysmith is 112 years old, and the population of Ladysmith is around 7,500 people...More

  • City of Fernie

    Fernie, BC

    Neighbourhood

    Fernie was incorporated in 1904 and now has a population of over four thousand residents. The municipality of Fernie covers a smaller footprint than the social and economic community of Fernie, as many would consider West Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort and other outlying rural areas as part of our community...More

  • Niagara River Parkway

    Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie, ON

    Street

    I imagine the Niagara River Parkway has existed since the Niagara Parks Commission created it along with the help of Mother Nature. Its purpose is to display the beauty that naturally exists along the Niagara River. The cities and towns, along with their citizens, do a great job improving and maintaining the simple beauty of the Niagara Parkway. It is visited many ways: hiking, walking, running, cycling, buses, planes, trains and automobiles, helicopters, motor bikes. I have even seen a Penny Farthing. There are many trails down to the water’s edge where shore fishing is enjoyed. The waterway also has much activity from paddling in the water, and even the use of small to large water vehicles (canoes, paddle boats, motor boats, power boats, sail boats, sightseeing cruises) It would be nice to have quieter boats down the river, i.e., river cruises with dancing and dining...More

  • Cathedral Grove

    Near Port Alberni, BC

    Public Space

    Cathedral Grove is an interpretive forest located close to Port Alberni that shows the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. The story goes that while logging the area BC fallers came upon Cathedral Grove and because of the enormity of the trees, refused to fall them. It features some of the biggest trees in Canada, and is open to visitors 24/7. Parks Canada, as well as numerous community groups, help with maintenance and informative tours of Cathedral Grove. It’s a very big tourist draw, which helps the surrounding communitie...More

  • Plateau Mont-Royal

    Montreal, QC

    Neighbourhood

    The Plateau is an inner city neighborhood in Montreal. To many, it is defined as a destination for Montreal's best restaurants and nightclubs, but knowing the history of over 100 years as a working class residential neighborhood for primarily French-speaking citizens of Montreal, today it is a vibrant place to live, work and play. Le Plateau Mont-Royal is a definite destination for all WestJet travelers visiting Montreal. It represents the true "Esprit" of what Montreal is, was, and will be...More

  • Parc Régional Éducatif Bois de Belle-Rivière

    Mirabel, QC

    Public Space

    Cette espace public est situé à Mirabel. Elle se trouve à l'extérieur et existe depuis 1997. Elle constitué d'une forêt exceptionnelle, un refuge de grande valeur pour la faune, Elle comprend plusieurs spécimens d'arbres et espèces végétales. En parcourant les sentiers il est possible d'admirer de nombreux couverts forestiers tout aussi différents les uns des autres. Deux grands jardins sont aussi aménagés afin de vous faire apprécier la splendeur de plusieurs grands arbres indigènes du Québec...More

  • Granville Street

    Vancouver, BC

    Street

    Granville Street is known as the entertainment district of Downtown Vancouver and is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. During the 1950s, Granville Street attracted many tourists to one of the world's largest displays of neon signs. In the middle of the 20th century, the Downtown portion of Granville Street had become a flourishing centre for entertainment, known for its cinemas (built along the "Theatre Row," from the Granville Bridge to where Granville Street intersects Robson Street), restaurants, clubs, and the Vogue and Orpheum theatres...More

  • Main Street

    Summerland, BC

    Street

    Located in the heart of downtown, Main Street is roughly four blocks long, with Rosedale Ave and Victoria Rd at either end. The street is over 100 years old...More

  • King Street

    Lunenburg, NS

    Street

    "UNESCO FRESCO" is the nickname of King Street, which is at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The street was established in 1753 as part of the town’s original British town plan of residential and commercial streets. King Street, along with the other streets in town, has remained unaltered since its early construction. With its colorful houses dating back to the 1830s, this street is cheerful and bright in almost any weather. Three blocks in length and the widest in the town plan, it stretches from Pelham St. near the harbor to Cumberland St., where it meets up with Lunenburg's historic parade square...More

  • Queen Street

    Fredericton, NB

    Street

    Queen Street has been Fredericton’s main East-West street since the city of Fredericton was founded in 1783. After the first buildings were erected along the Saint John River—namely those forming the Military Compound such as the officers’ quarters, barracks, guard house, and training grounds—a street was traced running parallel to the river behind the compound that joined these buildings and spaces with each other. On the other side of the street, houses and shops were built, creating a continuous row of two- to three-storey buildings establishing the beginnings of the economic life of the town. This was Queen Street...More

  • Komoka Provincial Park

    London, ON

    Public Space

    This provincial park straddles the municipal boundaries of the City of London and Municipality of Middlesex Centre. Land acquisition began in the early 1970s, and 198 hectares were regulated in 1989 under the former Provincial Parks Act. The park protects a portion of the Thames River, a Canadian Heritage River in addition to significant natural heritage features including species at risk...More

  • St. John's Ecclesiastical District

    St. John's, NL

    Neighbourhood

    This is a nationally recognized area in downtown St. John's (recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 2010). The national designation has formal boundaries, but the neighbourhood has more informal boundaries. The buildings date to the mid 1800s, but the area has been settled since the 1500s. There are several thousand people who live, work, and worship here...More

  • Old Port of Montreal

    Montreal, QC

    Public Space

    In the summer, this is a gathering and entertainment centre of Montreal. On the water of the St. Lawrence, there are piers with the Montreal Science Centre, a promenade stretching the length of the port adjacent to the old city that is a tourist destination...More

Landscape

See the winners

Queen Street

Streets

Queen Street

Fredericton, NB

Osborne Village

Neighbourhoods

Osborne Village

Winnipeg, MB

Cape Forchu Lighthouse

Public Spaces

Cape Forchu Lighthouse

Yarmouth, NS

Nomination Deadline

You can nominate great places until January 31, 2012. You can vote for your favourite place until February 29, 2012.