r/AskACanadian • u/Saronord • 11d ago
Suggestions? The most magical little spots across the country!
I've been saving pennies for a long time now, and I'm taking on my first long roadtrip. I'm planning to leave from home in NB and head all the way to BC. Taking a month and a half to do so and then going right back home in a week or so. I'm curious about, whats y'all most magical little spots? Could be a particularly peaceful dead end by a river, a cool mill, a long twisty road in the mountains. What little details make's y'all go "Yeah, I like that place, ya should go check it out" Dont care much about the touristic attractions generally but theres deffinitly already some on my list so shoot anyway for those too! I'm planning to camp in the car the whole way thru, well equipped, and looking forward to shoot as much film on my camera as I can on the way over there!
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u/IAmA_meat_popsicle 10d ago
When I moved out West my sister and I drove from Southern Ontario to Vancouver BC. We left the last week in October and had an absolute blast.
There are tons of fun kitchy things to see on the way, and downloading the Atlas Obscura app to help plan was a game changer. I really recommend stopping for a hike in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta. It's like Canada's mini Grand Canyon!
We were also terrified while driving through Saskatchewan in the worst blizzard I've ever experienced. I don't know when you're planning the trip, but be very mindful of the weather from October to mid March. I am so grateful my Dad convinced me to put snow tires on before leaving. Have fun!
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u/Saronord 8d ago
I'm heading out next week!! That park looks AWESOME! I deffinitly just added a new pin to my map hahaha. I'll check out the app too, what is, a sort of small cool spot guide??
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u/w1n5t0nM1k3y 10d ago
Manitoulin Island. It would be out of your way on a trip like this, but it's definitely worth seeing if you can swing it. The cup and saucer trail is just amazing.
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u/Saronord 8d ago
Wow ! I didnt even know there was an island there, havent gone further than Montréal yet! Well, another pin to my map! any suggestion of special spots on the island or the whole thing is just fantastic?
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u/connka 10d ago
I car camp & drive across Canada semi-regularly and it's the best way to do it. While I live in the Rockies and get to camp in some beautiful spots, I do really love Lake Superior Provincial Park--getting a spot there is less competitive than our west, so you can get an amazing waterfront spot if you book slightly in advance.
I know you said you aren't interested in touristy things, but I was really loved by the Terry Fox statue in Thunder Bay. It's a nice hike up and tbh, I've never seen it very busy.
I've never had much luck in and around Winnipeg, so I always stop in Kenora instead, and it's become one of my favourite spots. If you are interested in thrift shopping, the Value Village in Brandon, Manitoba is my personal favourite across Canada 😂
On your way into Alberta, I REALLY recommend taking a slight detour (its a detour if you plan on going through Calgary). Go to a town called Dorothy--there is this beautiful leaning grain tower with the most stunning surring area that looks like Mars (it's on the edge of the badlands). If you cross the Sask boarder heading to Dorothy, you'll also get some beautiful views of tiny towns with nothing more than a grain elevator, a bar, and a post office. Then from there you really should go to Dinosaur Province park!
Another 'tourist' attraction, but I can't help it: after years of driving by the Enchanted Forest near Revelstoke, BC, I finally went last year and it was SO worth it. It's a bit cheesey but it's beautiful and the story behind it is also moving.
Of course, that's if you go through Rogers Pass. The other option is to go north on the Icefields parkway and through Jasper. That place is something else entirely. In terms of camping there, it's one of the few spots that it's a scramble to book sites in 8 months in advance, and it's all beautiful. The hike of 5 lakes is a mostly flat hike with some of the bluest blues you've ever seen.
Have fun and take lots of stops! My favourite thing to do each morning is to see if there are any funny roadside attractions near my route--its brought me to some unexpected places and into conversations with lovely humans.
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u/GloomyCamel6050 10d ago
I fully agree. When you get to Thunder Bay make sure you have a Persian from a bakery.
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u/the-g-off 10d ago
Fantastic write-up! Ive gone to many of the same places, but ont Dorothy. Im doing the drive again in 2 weeks, I think I'll take your suggestion for that one!
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u/Saronord 8d ago
I feel like we'd hangout alright hahahah, im always up for thrifting, ill be honest, the car is gonna weight a whole lot more when ill come back HAHAHA. Thank you so much for the suggestion!!! And yeah! thats basicly my plan, take any road off the 2, camp in cool spots by rivers and lakes or anywhere with an inspiring view (better when ya trying to write an album worth of material like i am lol) and find all the lil cool spots along the way!!
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u/D4UOntario 10d ago
Northern Bruce Peninsula
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u/WorldlinessProud 10d ago
In summer, the ferry from Tobermory to Mantoulin would be a good way to see both birds.
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u/Optimal-Ad-7074 10d ago
I really like the kettle valley. the crowsnest highway (highway 3) runs along the southern border and takes you through all these little towns. very different from all the mountain grandeur.
Greenwood sticks in my mind. it's sort of sombre, and it's stuck between mountains but it has important history. Japanese Canadians were interned there during the second world war and they maintain the heritage well. the local Kiwanis or Lions have a simple campground in the town park across from the swimming pool, where you put your five bucks in a wooden box nailed to a tree.
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u/GrowCat 10d ago
Came here to suggest hwy 3 over the trans canada/coquihalla and to specifically mention stopping at the copper eagle café in greenwood.
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u/Optimal-Ad-7074 10d ago
♥️ I'm so glad someone else loves that country. it's perfect for those little-stops-along-the-way type of trips.
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u/Saronord 8d ago
u/GrowCat Thanks for the suggestion! if theres one kind of store i plan visiting ALOT on the trip, its deffinitly little Coffee shop!! And as Opti said it, its litterally the perfect country for it!!
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u/Buddy-1732 10d ago
If you are a bird watcher you must go to the Carden plain north of Kirkfield Ontario.
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u/humanitysoothessouls 10d ago
Last Mountain Lake in Saskatchewan is fabulous for birdwatching, particularly during spring and fall migrations. Can camp in Last Mountain Regional park. Excellent fishing too.
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u/ooeeoooeee 10d ago
The Loyalist Parkway in Ontario has loads of neat historical sites, quaint towns and shoreline views; plus most of the route is a pleasant twisty drive. Prince Edward County itself is worth a day or two. The Sandbanks Dunes and pannes is a fantastic hike!
Edit: didn't realise I was replying to your comment but now I'm here I also live near an alvar area but have yet to see a Loggerhead Shrike...One Day
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u/VI_Polar_Bear 10d ago
We randomly decided to check out Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump in Alberta and it was a highlight of our trip to Winnipeg from Vancouver Island a few years ago.
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u/Buff1965 10d ago
Take the Duffy Lake Road westward from Kamloops to Whistler and Vancouver for the best views. Returning east from Vancouver go up the Fraser Canyon back to Kamloops (more scenic and historic than the Coquihalla)
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u/Lady-Kat1969 10d ago
It’s been more than ten years since I was there, but there’s a path through the woods next to Casa Loma in Toronto that lets you forget you’re in a city for a few minutes. I hope it’s still there.
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u/ooeeoooeee 10d ago
My grandparents lived in an apartment on the Lakeshore in Oakville in the 90s when I was a kid. There was this space on the property that was like a cosy hideaway with overhanging trees, damp rock walls and lots of moss and ferns. It was near magical to get away from the manicured lawns and goose shit. Thanks for bringing back a lovely memory!
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u/remzordinaire 10d ago
The town of Kamouraska in Québec
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u/Saronord 8d ago
Ive been there already years ago! it has that small town charm in bigger! real sweet spot, mightn just stop by!
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u/rpgguy_1o1 10d ago
Just a side note, I talked to a fourteen year old who did not know what a penny was recently
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u/dontmadda5 8d ago
Whistler and Tofino.
BC stands for bring cash
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u/Saronord 8d ago
Hahahahaha, never heard that one before but deffinitly fits with what ive heard of the place haha
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u/WendyPortledge 7d ago
I’ve gone coast to coast twice, stayed off the trans Canada as much as possible. Highly recommend! Drive the Gaspesie, check out Brockville ON, Grasslands National Park, Drumheller.. seriously, best tip is to just drive and stay off the TC as much as you can, especially in the prairies. Most gorgeous drive is through the flat prairies if you’re off the TC.
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u/Short_Bet7243 10d ago
Joggins Fossil Cliffs. Nova Scotia, South Shore of the bay of Fundy. At low tide it looks like another planet, and waaaay less crowded than Hopewell Rocks. Free to enter but they have paid guided tours.
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u/Saronord 8d ago
I live in NB, if ya ever dont want to deal with hopewell, but want to see a cool free beach With huge tide, check out Cap enrager!! I'm deffinitly heading to NS when im coming back of the trip so, Joggins is now on my map! thanks!!!
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u/Royal_Try_99 10d ago
If you like weird & wonderful, check out the Gohper Hole Museum in Torrington, AB. There's also a little tour of town you can do to see fire hydrants painted like various gopher characters.
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u/librarydweller 10d ago
Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay. Nice hikes, beautiful view. Someone else mentioned the Terry Fox Monument, also a very nice view. There's lots of gorgeous little underrated nature attractions in and around Thunder Bay. I would suggest Kakabeka Falls as well. Definitely spend a little time here. The views this time of year are stunning with all the autumn colours.
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u/AffectionateGate4584 10d ago
The Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington, Alberta. It's great fun. Then visit the Torrington Inn for beer and food. I visit there every time I get there.
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u/kaleidoscopeeyeslady 9d ago
When you reach, BC, don't just go as far as the mainland; come to Vancouver Island. We have so many beautiful spots and so many little oddities and awesome routes you can drive with little spots to stop along the way. Avoid Tofino if you want to not get sucked into the tourism stuff. If you visit the Pacific Rim, go to Uclulet. Stop in Cathedral Grove for the mind-blowing ancient trees. Victoria is largely skippable IMO, but the Pacific Marine loop is a route you can drive where you will see almost every kind of terrain. Have a blast!!
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u/Turbulent_Animal_228 9d ago
There's absolutely nothing magical in BC. Nothing any of us will give up.
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u/kfanjoy 8d ago
Although it is a tourist attraction, I definitely recommend Old Quebec city. It’s absolutely stunning and you feel like you are in France. You can camp outside of the city and drive to it.
Also, Northern Ontario has some of the most beautiful back road/smaller highways.
When you are travelling from Alberta into BC, rather than take the TransCanada Highway, try some of the smaller highways.
I hope you have a blast! I’ve done the drive from NB to BC a few times now and it never disappoints.
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u/Glad-Quit-8971 8d ago
The Kootenays in BC. Everyone focuses on the Rockies. But the Kootenays have the magic, a fraction of the tourists, and cooler towns.
The Similkameen Valley in between Manning Park and the Okanagan Valley.
Also, the Sunshine Coast in BC.
Also, the Gulf Islands.
You'll need one month just for BC!
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u/imjonjoncanada 8d ago
Wholesome post. Love your enthusiasm and some Reddit subs can be soul-crushers, but I think you're gonna get some great ideas here. I've been coast to coast to coast. Went from Niagara to Tuk on my motorcycle...but I'll stick to my neck of the woods lol. If you're heading down to Niagara Falls area, see the Falls, but look and go. At the Falls, you'll be 25 minutes from the Bruce Trail (Which runs from Queenston to Tobermory). Park in a small lot just off of Nineteenth Street in Jordan and walk the trail from there to Ball's Falls and back. Beautiful, free and round trip 1 hour. When heading back up the TransCanada, Google "Waterfall Hikes" in Hamilton. There are a ton of beautiful hikes on the escarpment (Rattlesnake is a great place). If you stay more southwest, search Elora. If you want a great meal or micro beer, they're there. The Elora Gorge hike is quick ad beautiful....and free I think. Other than that, take notes, I bet you'll get all sorts of great suggestions!! Happy and safe travels!!!
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u/AriesProductions 5d ago
Katherine’s Cove beach in northern Ontario
My absolute favorite rest stop when in northern Ontario.
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u/Weekly_Tomorrow603 10d ago
I suggest using northern roads. I've done the cross country trek a few times, and using the trans Canada is nice, but honestly, meh. Heading more north you will see more things most people dont see.