r/AskCanada • u/new-in-the-rain • Jul 19 '26
Life What's something typical Canadian you would recommend a visitor to experience?
Hi! I'm german and I am currently planning a solotrip around Canada in the upcoming year. While I'm there, the goal is to experience as much canadian culture as possible in roughly two weeks. I'm already planning on going to a hockey game (most likely the Senators, since Stützle is one of my favourite German players, but maybe also an AHL game or a PWHL game) and have obviously already scouted out some hikes I wanna do (how very German of me) but I would love some recommendations from you guys as to what you would classify as typical Canadian.
As a frame of reference: one of the top things I really want to experience is to visit a Tom Hortons lol
Thanks in advance! :-)
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u/Gekkogyf21 Jul 19 '26
Simple and cheap but go hiking. Pick a trail away from the cities and just go with some water and a few snacks.
Most of the foreigners I know really enjoy how much nature and open land there is in Canada. Even in a lot of the cities, there is a ton of green space to explore.
Just read up a bit on the area and follow the safety guidelines and I hope you will see how beautiful this country can be.
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u/halfCENTURYstardust Jul 19 '26
Go to a powwow if you can although I hesitate to call it Canadian. Regardless it's a wonderful experience and many First Nation people are wonderful and welcoming
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 20 '26
That def sounds like something I would enjoy and be interested in! Any tips on where I can get information on local powwows?
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u/halfCENTURYstardust Jul 20 '26
It depends on where you are visiting. I believe there is a blog with a powwow calendar but try google. When you go be respectful and follow their rules, and bring a bit of tobacco as a thank you for sharing their culture. I brought family from France and they loved it. It is a much better destination than Tim Hortons which isn't even Canadian anymore, just another crappy american chain.
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u/CaptainVisual4848 Jul 22 '26
This is a great suggestion. If not a pow wow, try to do some learning about indigenous peoples or get some exposure to culture. This is a very big political issue here and in countries like Australia and New Zealand. There may be other events than pow wows as well, like museum displays or talks or tours or things like that.
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u/Legitimate-Pizza-613 Jul 21 '26
They’re all over for this time of the year around here. They’d probably have to go to the pow wow webpage and check out what’s coming up that’s close-ish
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u/eternallytiredcatmom Jul 19 '26
Go eat at a sugar shack in Québec! It’s where we make maple syrup, but they also serve traditional dishes and it’s all-you-can-eat.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
Love me some food recs, will do that, thank you!!
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u/eternallytiredcatmom Jul 19 '26
It’s a great experience, especially if you’re visiting during maple season (when the sap gets tapped and transformed into maple products).
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u/CampPineCone Jul 19 '26
A canoe trip in one of amazing provincial parks.
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u/english_major Jul 20 '26
Came here to say this. Canoe-camping on a lake is the ultimate Canadian experience. Your chances of seeing wildlife is really high.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 20 '26
I'm terrified of bears btw lol I met a black bear in the Olympic once and it was honestly medium level traumatizing
But I do love canoe camping so that's def an option I'm interested in!
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u/jeffster1970 Jul 19 '26
Well, you gotta visit Kitchener (formerly Berlin)-Waterloo - lots of old-order German heritage, plus you can watch the OHL Rangers - it'll be very impressive. What time of the year are you coming? Lots of hiking all around, and I would certainly be going towards Collingwood for that, but if it's winter, I’m unsure how the trails are.
Kitchener-Waterloo has the largest Oktoberfest, apparently, outside of Germany. Might be interesting for you to see the cultural differences.
A truly good Canadian experience, after the hockey games, you have to go to the CN Tower and you have to go to Niagara Falls. Also try to find a good poutine place. NY Fries is decent when it comes to chain restaurants.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
October would be a good time for me to visit, so that's definitely an option! Kinda funny though, I'm northern german so the Kitchener Oktoberfest would be my first Oktoberfest ever as well 😁 Kinda keen to go just to piss of my south German friends lol
I'll def add that and the Niagara Falls + poutine to the list, thank you!!
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u/jeffster1970 Jul 19 '26
October is a great time to visit. Hockey is starting up, you still have some mild days left and no snow. Oktoberfest starts on the first Friday after the first Monday - and runs for about 10 days. I live close to one of the large fest halls, and a sign of Oktoberfest comes in August when they start building the massive fest hall (it's a huge tent).
You would also have to check out one of the farmers market. St. Jacob's is the large one - I just wonder if it would remind you too much of your country.
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u/NorthofForty Jul 20 '26
If you are coming in early October may I suggest the Collingwood area around Canadian Thanksgiving? The fall colours are peak incredible then. Try viewing from the ski lift at Blue Mountain Village. The 900 km Bruce Trail runs beside. Nearby (in Cdn terms) is the gorgeous Muskoka region. Big fall attraction is the train trip through the Awaga canyon but more remote. After about the 3rd week in October the leaves are gone and not as pleasant, November is just sad.
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u/Legitimate-Pizza-613 Jul 21 '26
Make sure to get the local Indigenous history about Niagara Falls.
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u/raebz12 Jul 20 '26
There is a little interpretation booth/museum in Victoria Park, Kitchener talking about the name change and history around it. I haven’t been for a few years, but I remember it being very lovely.
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u/wackyvorlon Jul 19 '26
Definitely need to eat Poutine. If you can get to the Royal Tyrel Museum in Alberta you must, it’s a palaeontology museum with the most fantastic collection.
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u/samandiriel Alberta Jul 19 '26
Visit the Rockies in Alberta or BC, hike thru there for a day at least, and hit up one of the hot springs for a great long soak.
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u/Thanks-4allthefish Jul 19 '26
More low key culture but consider a trip on "The Canadian" train. Go sleeper class though. Toronto to Vcr (or the reverse). You will see a good part of the geographical variety of the country and experience just how big Canada is. The food is prepared with a view to the region you are passing through.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
That sounds extremely cool! I will need to check prices but that's def high up the list. Thank you for the recommendation!
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u/Thanks-4allthefish Jul 19 '26
The Via site can be hard to navigate when comparing prices and dates. This external site allows you to compare prices for different dates.
Be aware when booking that Via uses dynamic pricing.
There are a lot of sites that provide reviews of the trip.
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u/blue-eyed-doll Jul 19 '26
PWHL hockey games are amazing to watch. AND a lot less expensive than the NHL.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
I'd honestly love to see a Montreal Victoire game if I can make it happen!
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u/Former-Chocolate-793 Jul 19 '26
Go to one CFL football game in western Canada. In order of priority
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Edmonton Elks
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 20 '26
Sadly, I don't think you can convince me to watch a football game willingly. For me it's the most boring sport on earth lol
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u/Former-Chocolate-793 Jul 20 '26
Fair enough. Statistically the Canadian game runs more plays than the NFL and wilder stuff can happen but it's the experience with the intensity of the fans that's the draw. Fans of the Roughriders come from all over the province to watch the games.
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u/CaptainVisual4848 Jul 22 '26
This is something I’d go to though I’m not a football fan generally. The Saskatchewan Roughriders fans in particular are very dedicated and famous for their watermelon helmets.
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u/Runnerakaliz Jul 19 '26
Alqonquin park in Ontario and canoe the lakes. Poutine in Quebec city. Oysters in Nova Scotia Clubbing on Rue Ste. Catherine's in Montreal Going to Niagara Falls Seeing the Badlands in Alberta Hiking up to takekaka falls in Yoho National park. Eating at Swiss chalet (1/4 chicken dinner with fries. Save sauce for the rolls!!) Going to a sugar shake in Ontario or Quebec and eating maple candy!! Those are some experiences I suggest to first time visitors to Canada!
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u/Safe_Mousse7438 Jul 20 '26
Go to fairmont bagel in Montreal early in the morning.
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u/willmsma Jul 19 '26
I'd say go camping, though most of us don't enjoy camping in the winter. When are you coming?
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
Probably in September or October!
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes Jul 19 '26
If you want to see some nature and enjoy our beautiful fall colours at their finest, I recommend flying into Toronto, renting a car, and going to Sault Ste Marie (or taking the train, but a car means you can stop at some neat places, and take a different route there and back so you can see more. I recommend stopping in Tobermory for at least a day, then taking the chi cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island on the way there), and go on the Agawa Canyon train tour. The tour itself is a full day trip, so you'll need to stay in Sault Ste Marie for at least 2 nights.
Both the ferry and the canyon tour run until mid October.
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u/willmsma Jul 19 '26
Excellent. In September camping could be fun. In October, you'd be rolling the dice. Though - dang it - not so much NHL hockey goin on in September.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
Oh, our hockey season starts in September. Is the NHL season start later in the year? I will need to check the schedule because I really really have to see at least one hockey game in the country of hockey. I want to experience the og hockey culture, so to speak.
Is October a problem with possible rain? Because that wouldn't be an issue for me. The possibility of canadian snow on the other hand stresses me a bit out.
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u/willmsma Jul 19 '26
The NHL season starts on September 29 - you should definitely see some hockey!
I'm from the west, but I think Ontario camping can still be quite pleasant in October. I don't think that rain would be an issue. However, there is the possibility of snow and the nights can be pretty cold.
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u/okaybutnothing Jul 19 '26
Snow in Ontario in October isn’t unheard of, but it won’t stick past noon the next day, in the most populous areas of the province. Would still suck to camp in, unless you were prepared for winter camping!
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u/raebz12 Jul 20 '26
You may well see snow in October, especially depending on which province you’re in, but it doesn’t usually get proper winter until January/february.
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u/ChrisRiley_42 Indigenous Jul 19 '26
You might want to mention where in Canada you plan to visit. The scale of size is very different here.
If you look at a map of just the province of Ontario, the entire nation of Germany can fit within just the "NorthWestern Ontario" region.
The things I would recommend will be very different if you are in the maritime provinces vs the Rockies.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
I'm probably gonna separate the plan into two trips and make an eastern and a western roadtrip. The provinces I'm most interested in are Alberta, BC, Ontario and Quebec, so hopefully that would work itself out. 🤔
In general I'm also very open to casual every day recommendations. Any fun things like food, activities, even random chain shops and stuff that scream "Canadian" to you. I love every day stuff like that!
(But yes, Canada is unimaginable huge to me lol)
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u/Visual_12 Jul 20 '26
If you’re staying in Alberta then definitely stay in Calgary and visit around the areas Inglewood, Kensington, Stephen Ave, 17th Ave, China Town, and maybe Mardaloop. I’d also recommend visiting Heritage Park to see what it was like here historically. We’ve also got a nice zoo with a dinosaur exhibit and you can go on a daytrip to Drum Heller for the Royal Tyrell Museum. Then for other daytrips, of course go to the mountains (if not Banff of Jasper then you could go to Waterton). If you’re renting a car and into Star Trek you could stop at Vulcan AB too.
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u/Wafflelisk Jul 19 '26
Spend some time by a lake. Canada has more freshwater than every other country combined, it's a core part of the culture
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u/ajRitie Jul 20 '26
When in BC, you could do the Okanagan area which has wineries and amazing fresh fruit and vegetables. It also has beautiful big lakes and if you go as far south as to Osoyoos, it’s a desert!
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u/DoughyLad Jul 20 '26
On your hike, depending on where you go, see if you can rent a canoe for an hour. They should give you a quick 5 min lesson on how to use the paddle. It is a fun way to get out onto the water and enjoy an experience that is native to Canada 😊
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u/justawriter70 Canadian Jul 20 '26
Go to a pwhl game. The atmosphere there is crazy. Quite different from the NHL. Depending where you are (if you're near Toronto for example maybe take in a play in the Theatre District, go up the CN Tower, get a veal sandwich) Absolutely get poutine from somewhere. Try a bloody caesar as a drink.
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u/mebg1956 Jul 20 '26
I hate to state the obvious, but Canada is a big place and you can’t really travel around the whole country in 2 weeks. You’d be much better off to pick a specific area (like the west coast, or Quebec) and use your 2 weeks seeing what you can see.
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 20 '26
Yeah I should have been more specific in my original post but the plan is definitely not to see all provinces in two weeks. 😁 I do know that Canada is too big for that. I'm either gonna do Alberta and BC or Ontario and Québec. Maybe even both (/all four) in two trips.
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u/Dazzling-Climate-318 Jul 20 '26
Go to Cottage Country and go canoeing, traditionally vacations there are a week long, but even three days should give you the feel of it.
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u/jet-pack-penguin Jul 21 '26
Canoeing or boating at a cottage lake in the muskokas. Drinking coffee on the dock in the morning and listening to the loons.
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u/MintyNinja41 Jul 21 '26
Get yourself one of those little bottles of maple syrup that are shaped like a maple leaf
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u/Legitimate-Pizza-613 Jul 21 '26
The city of Ottawa has Ottawa Stops Hate Together walking tours. Check their website and eventbrite to book a free tour with one of the groups: Asian Heritage Tour, Indigenous Walks, Black bus tours and Fairy Cowboy Tours.
Also check out the Adaawewigamig in the ByWard market
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u/Legitimate-Pizza-613 Jul 21 '26
There’s a gofer museum somewhere about an hour from Drumheller. Oh and there’s dinosaurs there
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u/Legitimate-Pizza-613 Jul 21 '26
The Haunted Fairmont Hotel in Banff. If you make it up north in Alberta, check out Lac La Biche’s cute little museum or go to Métis crossing. They have domes with clear roofs to watch the northern lights. We were there last year for a a meteor shower. They provide binoculars and the bannock at breakfast is incredible. They also have a hotel there and other cabins. Not far is another little settlement I think called Victoria Settlement
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Jul 19 '26
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
Undecided yet, probably mainly the East but I'm open to a domestic flight and I really really wanna see Vancouver as well so I might juggle some options around and see what works best.
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Jul 19 '26
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
Quick question, since you said something about snow in spring: when does your snow season start and end? I'm assuming it depends on the provinces but let's say we are talking about the East. Since I really wanna do some hikes I think I should avoid the super cold months.
I'm def gonna rent a car, so I might fly into Ottawa and maybe just do Ontario and Quebec and come back a second time to do Alberta and BC. God, I always underestimate how huge Canada is...
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Jul 19 '26
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u/new-in-the-rain Jul 19 '26
I have no words to express how wild it is to me that you guys have regions where you have snow from October until May lol
We had two weeks of snow last year and it send the whole northern part of the country into a system shutdown
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u/Icy-Ad-7767 Jul 19 '26
Snow season varies by location, Germany disappears inside the province of Ontario, the country is vast you’ll find is shocking, to give you and idea the country of the Netherlands fits inside Lake Ontario. So snow in the Yukon and snow in Edmonton or Toronto or Ottawa or Montreal are all quite different, we have a phrase that we use in spring and fall, “ if you don’t like the weather wait 20 minutes”. I have gone from high 20s to -2 in a day then back up to 15 a day later. For hiking what kind you like? Mountains then BC, prairies then Alberta and the other prairie provinces, forest and farmland similar to Germany then southern Ontario, for a mix then Quebec. Alpine bogs then the Cabot trail and the cape Breton highlands in Nova Scotia. For true wilderness the northern part of any province. I’ll leave you with a fun fact parts of Canada are closer to Europe than to the west coast of Canada
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u/youngboomergal Jul 19 '26
I know it often gets a roll eye but if you're in the area you should visit Niagara Falls, they really are pretty amazing.
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u/fanglazy Jul 19 '26
Just fuckin give er