Secondary Cities

Make time for Canada’s Secondary citieS

Canada’s ‘lesser-known’ cities pack a punch with their array of attractions and should be recommended to second-time visitors, says Peter Ellegard

Ottawa

Canada’s capital city offers a wealth of great architecture and some of the country’s most important cultural institutions, including seven of the nation’s nine national museums. The ‘must-visits’ are the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum and the glass-walled National Gallery of Canada. Among notable landmarks, the imposing Gothic-revival buildings of Parliament Hill are the seat of government: the daily ceremonial, Changing of the Guard will return in 2022.

The Rideau Canal is full of pleasure craft in summer, while in winter it morphs into the world’s longest ice rink and is the setting for some of the Winterlude carnival activities. Other must-sees include foodie hub ByWard Market and the Canadian Tulip Festival, which will see its 70th running in May 2022. ottawatourism.ca

Halifax

Steeped in maritime history, Nova Scotia’s provincial capital is dominated by the starshape, hilltop Citadel fort, one of Canada’s most popular national historic sites. Open year-round, the best time to visit is from May to October, when all exhibits are open and special events and activities are staged.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada’s largest maritime museum and featuring a permanent Titanic exhibit, is located in the historic waterfront. Almost a million immigrants landed here from 1928 to 1971 and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 highlights the story of d how the newcomers helped shape Canada. The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market is adjacent. Suggest clients take a harbour cruise, visit Georges Island on a shuttle boat or by kayak, and take a day trip out to several nearby wineries. discoverhalifax.com

St. Johns

The capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, St John’s belies its small size with its vibrant cultural scene, music, shops, galleries and its many seafood restaurants serving up fresh-from-the-boat catches.

North America’s most easterly city has a history dating back 500 years – Its harbour was settled by the British in the 1600s – and its colourful heritage neighbourhoods, such as the brightly-painted clapboard houses of Jellybean Row in downtown, are eye-catching. Top sights include Signal Hill, where the first transatlantic wireless signal was received, and rugged Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. See the world’s largest concentration of humpback whales, Atlantic puffins and towering icebergs on guided boat tours from the heart of St John’s. destinationstjohns.com

Victoria

British Columbia’s graceful capital is a blaze of floral colour in spring and summer, notably at the celebrated Butchart Gardens.

By day, the city’s harbour buzzes with activity in front of BC’s Parliament Buildings, which are open for free tours. In the evening the Inner Harbour comes alive with its microbrew pubs, clubs and the waterfront restaurants of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Enjoy afternoon tea in the Fairmont Empress Hotel and take to the water on a guided boat tour to see humpback, minke and orca whales. And explore the Royal BC Museum’s collections of natural and human history including BC’s indigenous heritage.

Half an hour north of Victoria, the Malahat Skywalk opened in July 2021, offering stunning views over the Saanich Peninsula, Mt Baker and the Coast Mountains. tourismvictoria.com

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