The Canadian Museum of History
The Canadian Museum of History is one of the country’s oldest museums, dating back to 1856. It also happens to be the most-visited in Canada, with 1.2 million annual visitors. So why do so many people stop by? The Gatineau museum’s four million items trace the history of Canada, and the world, starting 20,000 years ago. In the Grand Hall, discover the story, culture and beliefs of Canada’s Pacific First Nations, in a beautiful setting overlooking the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. Look up at spectacular totem poles alongside Native houses, before moving into the First People’s Hall for more insights into Canada’s Aboriginal roots. Make sure you see what travelling exhibits are on display, and swing by the CINE+ 3D theatre for a movie.
Quartier du Petit Champlain
Visitors to Quebec City always talk about its European charm, and nowhere is this more true than in the Petit Champlain district (Quartier du Petit Champlain)—one of the oldest neighbourhoods in North America. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets and pop into the many boutiques and shops for a fashionable souvenir. Let your nose guide you to one of the many restaurants and bistros, and be sure to make time to indulge your sweet tooth with local maple syrup treats at the La Petite Cabane à Sucre.
Mont-Tremblant
Located in Quebec’s picturesque Laurentian Mountains, Mont-Tremblant is one of the top ski destinations in the province. Lots of natural snow and one of the best snowmaking systems in the world make for a long and happy season for snowboarders and skiers of all skill levels. If you’re not big on flying down a mountain, there are a host of other year-round activities that are more than worth the trip. Grab your woolly hat (or ‘tuque’ as the locals call it) and go ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or dogsledding. Or, when it’s t-shirt weather, head up for a hike or a bike on the mountain, enjoy the view from the gondola, or relax with a round of golf on some of the best public courses in Quebec.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is appropriately named in one sense: it’s the oldest neighbourhood in the city, and contains the site where Montreal was first established in 1642. Its cobblestone streets bring to mind Europe and travellers and locals alike explore maze-like streets by foot and bike. And yet, the crowds that gather in Old Montreal bring youth and excitement to mind. The many local fashion boutiques and cafes are always full of life. People stream into the area to walk, bike, boat the beautiful waterfront (known as the Old Port) during the day, and to drink and dine at the many modern restaurants at night. And this doesn’t only happen in the summer. In January, thousands of people don snow suits and fill the harbour for Igloofest, an outdoor electronic music festival. OId Montreal is an incredible mixture of new and old that you won’t want to miss.
Hôtel de Glace
The only ice hotel in North America is located just steps from Quebec City. The fairytale-esque Hôtel de Glace has been hosting guests for 15 years, and every year it presents new, fresh features and ideas. Grab a drink or two at the Ice Bar to warm up, spend an hour in the outdoor spas and sauna, and then head to your room where the walls are ice, the ceiling is ice, and, yes, the bed is also ice. You’ll need to layer up to stay warm, but if you can deal with the cold, there really is no other experience quite like it. Between January and March, drop by for a visit or spend a night in this work of art.