529 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Canada - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Canada

Toronto, Ontario

The Monkey's Paw

A book collector's dream, The Monkey's Paw in Toronto has the world's first "Biblio-Mat", a random book vending machine.

Malakwa, British Columbia

The Enchanted Forest

An old world fairytale-land with over 350 fairy folk figurines hidden amongst 800 year old cedars.

Toronto, Ontario

Winter Garden Theatre

A botanically themed auditorium blooms within the world’s last operating double-decker theater.

Toronto, Ontario

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

One of Canada's most incredible rare book collections holds hundreds of thousands of gorgeous tomes that the general public can touch.

Vancouver, British Columbia

VanDusen Garden's Elizabethan Hedge Maze

This Elizabethan hedge maze is one of only six in North America.

Toronto, Ontario

Casa Loma

A 98-room castle in the middle of Toronto that bankrupted a 19th century electricity multimillionaire.

Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

Free Spirit Spheres

Sleep snuggled in a sphere suspended atop the forest canopy of Vancouver Island.

Montreal, Québec

Biosphere of Montreal

Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this relic of the 67 Expo survived fire and ice.

See All 529 Things to Do in Canada See All 529 Places

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Canada

Montreal, Québec

Marché Jean-Talon

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Japadog

Surprisingly Delicious Asian-Style Hot Dogs.

Montreal, Québec

Gibeau Orange Julep

The skyline of Montreal includes the silhouette of an unexpected fruit-shaped Canadian staple.

O'Leary, Prince Edward Island

Canadian Potato Museum

This sprawling collection hides many charms.

See all 25 places to eat in Canada See all 25 places to eat in Canada

Atlas Obscura Trips

Heart of the Arctic: Expedition Cruise

Journey with scientists, historians, Inuit artists, and culturalists to three distinct Arctic regions on this voyage aboard the Ocean Endeavour expedition ship.

Community Forums / Canada

Top Discussions in the Canada Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Crystal Beach Sugar Waffles	11 November 14, 2019	2850	November 14, 2019
One Hour in Vancouver	5 June 13, 2019	1338	June 13, 2019
Ceasars Clamato Chase	5 June 25, 2019	1131	June 25, 2019
Okanagan Sockeye Salmon	5 July 23, 2019	1835	July 23, 2019
Pick-Up Sports Games in Toronto	1 September 1, 2019	522	September 1, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Canada

Launch Map

Canada Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Canada Activity

fuzgar wants to go to North Toronto Station

papajoe75 wants to go to North Toronto Station

joyclaired wants to go to Lower Bay Station

Cococlash wants to go to Boswell Embalming Bottle House

brewcityjoe wants to go to Ragged Ass Road

Stories About Canada

Amid ice and tundra, the lighter Hayes River flows from the northeast (top right) into the dark Back River in Nunavut, Canada, but remains distinct from it for 10 miles.

Why Two Rivers Meet But Don't Mix in the Canadian Arctic

The Back River remains visually distinct from its tributary, the Hayes River, for several miles after their confluence.

by Charlene Pinckney Goldberg

Project coordinator Rosy Hartman found this child's shoe at a former school site Carcross, Yukon. It's now part of the Witness Blanket, wrapped in red medicine cloth and surrounded by sage and sweetgrass.

The Indigenous Canadian Work of Art with a Life of Its Own

The Witness Blanket, which honors survivors of cultural genocide, has the legal rights of a living entity.

California rolls: Not from Canada?

Not a Fan of Hawaiian Pizza, Processed Cheese, and California Rolls? Blame Canada

Fusion foods and innovations associated with the U.S. quietly have roots farther north.

by Emily Monaco

October 15, 2020

Thanks to Cold Garden Brewery, Cronk has entered the 21st century.

How a Viral Tweet Brought Back a Boozy Root Beer Called Cronk

Who said Cronk was dead?

by Isaac Schultz

Whisky writer Davin de Kergommeaux at the Highlander Pub in Ottawa.

Why the World Overlooked Canadian Whisky

A preference for blending put the Great White North on the wrong side of industry standards.

by Dan Nosowitz

The Man Who Went to War With Canada

For centuries, the United States and Canada’s only remaining land border dispute has been kept alive by a single family.

September 29, 2019

Every curling club in Thunder Bay includes a Chinese restaurant.

The Canadian Town Where Chinese Food Comes With a Side of Curling

Regional Chinese-Canadian cuisine is flourishing in some unlikely places.

A grape meets a hydrogel bead, and sparks fly.

These Physicists Finally Figured Out Why Microwaved Grapes Ignite

They're raisin hell.

February 20, 2019

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Lists Featuring Canada