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Ten Reasons to Travel to Canada
Happy Canada Day! Bonne Fête du Canada! Today's the day that we celebrate that time when the Canadians 1. It's close. So close you can drive there. Getting to Canada is simpler than driving to Disneyworld and a heckuva lot more interesting. Also, did you know that 75% of all Canadians (that's around 400 people, haha, JUST KIDDING!) live within 200 miles of the US border? Well they do. So you don't actually have to go THAT far if you don't want to (although a lot of the most interesting and beautiful spots are far, far away).
2. Food. Canadian cuisine is quite different and most delectable. The fact is, Canadians were all local, organic foodies long before the trend took off on Bravo TV. If you like to eat, go eat in Canada. Try the lobster in Nova Scotia, wild blueberries or poutine in northern Québec, buffalo tenderloin in Alberta, the Chinese food in Vancouver, real maple syrup in Ontario, and Tim Horton's just about everywhere else.
3. It's clean. You've heard the cliché and it's so true. Canada is super squeaky clean. The air even tastes cleaner. It's about time you were reminded the real color of water and the smell of a pine forest. Canada's so clean it will make you feel dirty.
4. We Lost. Remember how they creamed us in hockey? What's worse, it's not even Canada's national sport. Oh no, hockey is not the national sport of Canada. Any guesses? (Clue, it's not baseball either). Anyhoo, Americans need to travel to Canada to understand this strange sport and learn how to beat 'em at their own game. We shall overcome.
5. They're multi-cultural. Remember how in America we're this big old melting pot and we're all middle class? In Canada, they don't put up with such illusions. Everyone gets to be hyphenated (e.g. French-Canadian, Croatian-Canadian, etc.) or capitalized (e.g. First Nations) and everyone gets to have multiple identities. In fact, Canada is probably the most post-modern destination on the planet, although that's relative.
6. History. Canada and the USA have a huge and fascinating shared history. Head across the front lines to find out all about the other side in those touching 18th century wars. Visit some of the of forts in the Great Lakes and find out how much of Canada used to be America and vice versa. It's mind-boggling.
7. Nature. It's hard to give the nod to another country's natural wonders when our own country is filled with such rapacious national parks that make us feel so patriotic. Just know that Canada has some fairly amazing sites as well, starting with the Canadian Rockies (Oh My!), the coast of Newfoundland, the Arctic, about (ABOOT) five million lakes, and a few national parks that are bigger than the state you live in. If you like being the only one with nature and the only person for several hundred miles, Canada does that.
8. I forgot what 8 was for. Oh, yeah. MUSIC! All of our greatest singers are Canadian. It's true. The independent music scene (and the film scene and art scene and theatre scene) are all so vibrant and healthy, just like a rosy-cheeked Canadian child. You'll be surprised by some of the bands and music festivals you find among Canada's big cities (Winnipeg, anyone?)
9. It's foreign. So many of us dream of visiting a different country, going beyond our border to new exotic climes. Canada is one of the places. You might not think it because their dialect is so similar to that of Minnesota and so on, but Canada actually is another country with lots of exotic, different, foreign things to enjoy. Parts of Canada feel like old-time Europe, and other parts of Canada feel like Jurassic Park, so before you wait your whole life saving up to go on safari to Africa, go on safari in Canada. Grizzly bear and beluga whales may not be what you had in mind, but it's a lot different than what you have living in your backyard.
10. Eh. Yes, "EH" is totally a reason to go to Canada. What are you waiting for, a personalized invitation with your name in calligraphy? It's Canada Day, so, like, Go to Canada, eh?
5. They're multi-cultural. Remember how in America we're this big old melting pot and we're all middle class? In Canada, they don't put up with such illusions. Everyone gets to be hyphenated (e.g. French-Canadian, Croatian-Canadian, etc.) or capitalized (e.g. First Nations) and everyone gets to have multiple identities. In fact, Canada is probably the most post-modern destination on the planet, although that's relative.
6. History. Canada and the USA have a huge and fascinating shared history. Head across the front lines to find out all about the other side in those touching 18th century wars. Visit some of the of forts in the Great Lakes and find out how much of Canada used to be America and vice versa. It's mind-boggling.
7. Nature. It's hard to give the nod to another country's natural wonders when our own country is filled with such rapacious national parks that make us feel so patriotic. Just know that Canada has some fairly amazing sites as well, starting with the Canadian Rockies (Oh My!), the coast of Newfoundland, the Arctic, about (ABOOT) five million lakes, and a few national parks that are bigger than the state you live in. If you like being the only one with nature and the only person for several hundred miles, Canada does that.
8. I forgot what 8 was for. Oh, yeah. MUSIC! All of our greatest singers are Canadian. It's true. The independent music scene (and the film scene and art scene and theatre scene) are all so vibrant and healthy, just like a rosy-cheeked Canadian child. You'll be surprised by some of the bands and music festivals you find among Canada's big cities (Winnipeg, anyone?)
9. It's foreign. So many of us dream of visiting a different country, going beyond our border to new exotic climes. Canada is one of the places. You might not think it because their dialect is so similar to that of Minnesota and so on, but Canada actually is another country with lots of exotic, different, foreign things to enjoy. Parts of Canada feel like old-time Europe, and other parts of Canada feel like Jurassic Park, so before you wait your whole life saving up to go on safari to Africa, go on safari in Canada. Grizzly bear and beluga whales may not be what you had in mind, but it's a lot different than what you have living in your backyard.
10. Eh. Yes, "EH" is totally a reason to go to Canada. What are you waiting for, a personalized invitation with your name in calligraphy? It's Canada Day, so, like, Go to Canada, eh?
Filed under: North America, Canada
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Amy Widdowson Jul 1st 2010 11:53AM
LACROSSE! NATIONAL SPORT IS LACROSSE!
Sorry, that was the closest approximation to how loudly I yelled it at TBEX in the hopes of winning that via rail trip.
Great post, Andrew! A succinct and lovely introduction to travel in my home and native land.
Buzz Jul 1st 2010 12:42PM
Actually, since 1994, Lacrosse is the official summer sport and Ice Hockey is the official winter sport.
Originally, it was lacrosse. However, in 1994, there was a movement to make Ice Hockey the official sport. The First Nations groups objected and the government decided to split the official sport in two--Lacrosse and Ice Hockey.
Simon Jul 1st 2010 2:34PM
I'm Canadian and agree with everything said except Tim Hortons. I really don't think it has good food or coffee. It's just dirt cheap.
Andy Jul 1st 2010 3:35PM
Benevolus, shame on you for showing such ignorance and blatantly passing it off as "knowledge". You may want to stop off at some places and learn about such "freeloaders" as you call them.....
You can visit the Vietnam Wall in Toronto, yes there is one. Over 50,000 Canadians wore the stars and stripes and fought in Vietnam. More CDN's fought for the US, then draft dodgers went north.
You can stop off in Gander Newfoundland where all US bound flights on 9/11 were diverted to. You may want to google Gander and read up a bit on what that country did on your behalf.
You could also stop by any of numerous WW1, WW2, Korean War memorials where US & CDN's fought side by side.
Or perhaps stop at any of the numerous places where the cold war was fought from. (remember there were a few countries banded together to fight SOCIALISM).
The US & Canada have stood side by side in many conflicts and situations. The US will rely on those "terrible" people more and more (oil? clean water? resources? Common security?) as time goes on.
Benevolus, you should be ashamed of yourself.
phbl Jul 2nd 2010 8:36PM
ahahahah, Canadians as foodies? Ate "organic" before it was a fad? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Go to a grocery store here in Canaduh and tell me that Canadians have it right when it comes to food. With exception of the major centers (Van, Toronto, Montreal), the food here suuuuuucks. The only thing that makes culinary scenes of other smaller centers bearable is that there are immigrants that bring their food culture with them.
I also find it sad that French food served in casual bistros is not only more prevalent in the USA than in a half-french country, it is cheaper AND better. Seriously.
And if you think Canada is clean, talk to Torontonians about their waterfront. Ewww.
Chris Jul 2nd 2010 8:45PM
Nice shout out to The Violent Femmes!
chris Jul 4th 2010 8:23PM
What is local or organic about Tim Horton's? We have then in the USA also. Hate to tell you but most major American cities also have vibrant and thriving art and indie music scenes. This is the second article i have read by you and will be my last. Your beach article read like it was written by a college student on spring break (wow you can drink during the day at the beach and eat while almost naked) In this one you say it's great that so many canadians live close to America then you recommend to try the poutine in NORTHERN Quebec which is one of the most sparsley populated areas of the country. I'm surprised you didn't recommend Yellowknife for a Valentine's getaway. By the way i've been to Canada on numerous occasions and i love it (but Toronto is just the canadian version of NYC). Don't give people the false idea that Canada is some kind of utopia!
david@hittheroad.ca Jul 5th 2010 12:46AM
Here's another reason to travel to Canada:
Travel there for FREE. Deliver a car to Canada.
www.HitTheRoad.ca
david@hittheroad.ca Jul 5th 2010 10:05AM
LINK:
http://www.HitTheRoad.ca
Deliver a car. Travel for free. To Canada
bernergirl Jul 5th 2010 12:55AM
to benevolus: you're just showing your ignorance. you had better study up on what a socialistic economy is. canada has a capalistic economy just like the united states. it also is the u.s.'s largest economic trading partner in the world. over 1 billion dollars/day goes between the 2 countries over the detroit/windsor bridge alone! check your facts before you post again on a subject you obviously know nothing about.
Jaz Jul 5th 2010 12:00PM
I don't think this article was meant to be taken as seriously as so many people seem to have taken it. Maybe you have to be Canadian to fully appreciate the tongue in cheekness of this list?
It's quirky, it's funny, it doesn't always get the facts right (you'll have to do a lot of driving just to get poutine in northern quebec (and you probably won't find any easily) just go to Montreal or eastern townships! Go north to whale watch, be in the mountains...and we're not all foodies, especially in the suburban areas.) Really if you want to Canada, there are a lot of great wide open and culturally interesting places, but you would probably do more research than reading this article.
Like the beach article before it, it;s a fun way to get you thinking about a topic (i.e. going to Canada, going to beach). It's vacation reading, relax enjoy it!
Vivian, VIA’s virtual tour guide Jul 9th 2010 10:49AM
Loved your "Canada's so clean it will make you feel dirty" line. Fun piece!
Vivian is Virtual
VIA Rail's tour guide
www.ontario-travel-secrets.com Sep 8th 2010 7:56PM
Aw gee shucks.... Thanks. We like visiting you too.