Canada Day is the perfect opportunity to visit some of the country’s most iconic parks and historic sites for free.
Admission will be waived all day July 1 in celebration of the country’s birthday, giving Canadian and foreign visitors alike the chance to check out the national historic site, park, or marine conservation area of their choice without having to open their wallets.
“I hope you will spend this day with family and friends creating your own stories against the backdrop of inspiring national historic sites or breathtaking national parks and national marine conservation areas,” he said.
National Parks
It’s easy to enjoy what nature has to offer at any of Canada’s national parks. Here are five of the most popular sites in Canada.Banff National Park
If you have a park bucket list, Banff National Park should be on it. Located in Alberta, it is Canada’s oldest national park and is home to spectacular views, thanks to its towering pines, clear blue lakes and, of course, the Rocky Mountains.Jasper National Park
Also located in Alberta is Jasper National Park, which is part of UNESCO’s Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and offers attractions like Maligne Lake and Angel Glacier.Yoho National Park
British Columbia’s Yoho National Park is home to one of the world’s most significant fossil sites and features diverse landscapes from mountains, to rivers, to glaciers. It is also Canada’s second-oldest national park.Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
In Eastern Canada, Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec is one you won’t want to miss. The marine protected area is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, making it an ideal place for families to visit.Prince Edward Island National Park
Prince Edward Island National Park is another popular spot in the eastern section of the country. Known for the Robinsons Island Trail System, it features a variety of lookouts over beautiful coastal terrain.Historic Sites
If you’d rather play tourist, visiting some of the country’s most famous historical sites could be up your alley.History buffs can visit Canada’s early military installations from Fort George National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., to Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site in Victoria, B.C.
Have an interest in old-fashioned farming practices? Head on over to the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site near Longview, Alta.
Other popular sites include the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site in Nova Scotia, The Forks National Historic Site in Winnipeg, Man., and Signal Hill National Historic Site in St. John’s, Nfld.
