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All Canada

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Canada

617 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Canada

Updated September 21, 2023

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Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
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Unusual Attractions in Canada

The Bilio-Mat

Toronto, Ontario

The Monkey's Paw

A book collector's dream, this Toronto bookstore has the world's first "Biblio-Mat," a random book vending machine.
The Winter Garden Theatre.

Toronto, Ontario

Winter Garden Theatre

A botanically themed auditorium blooms within the world’s last operating double-decker theater.
View of Casa Loma from the garden

Toronto, Ontario

Casa Loma

A 98-room castle in the middle of Toronto that bankrupted a 19th century electricity multimillionaire.
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

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.
Maze

Vancouver, British Columbia

VanDusen Garden's Elizabethan Hedge Maze

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

Malakwa, British Columbia

The Enchanted Forest

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

Montreal, Québec

Biosphere of Montreal

Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this relic of the 67 Expo survived fire and ice.
This peacock was part of the 2017 holiday show. Its tail feathers are made from kalanchoe and echeveria.

Toronto, Ontario

Allan Gardens Conservatory

The Victorian-era greenhouse is stuffed with tropical plants, and open 365 days a year.
See All 617 Things To Do in Canada

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Canada

Maple season at the Marche

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.
Exterior

Wayne, Alberta

Last Chance Saloon

This ghost-town bar has bullet holes and plenty of stories lurking within its walls.
See all 10 Places to Eat in Canada
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Canada

Architectural Oddities 44
Animals 42
Nature 40
Water 40
Parks 35
Geology 35
Abandoned 34
Statues 33
Museums And Collections 32
Ecosystems 32
Art 30
Plants 29
Unique Restaurants & Bars 10
Places To Stay 10

Canada Leaderboard

Places Added

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Places Edited

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Places Visited

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Recent Canada Activity

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    cpgill100

    has been to 'Pollution'

  • I

    ianbrown3

    wants to go to The Candy Church

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    nandi

    wants to go to Dead Man's Pond

  • A

    amsherwood95

    has been to Eisenhower Tower

  • A

    amsherwood95

    wants to go to VanDusen Garden's Elizabethan Hedge Maze

Stories About Canada

A herd of Hereford cattle roam a lush green pasture in Australia, home to several of the world's largest private landholdings.

What Do King Charles III, the Pope, and the Canadian Inuit Have in Common?

Meet the world's largest landowners.
by Frank Jacobs, Big Think
August 11, 2023
Isaac Day and Deborah Aaron, owners of Giizhigat Maple Products, at the 2020 Planet IndigenUs event in Toronto.

Indigenous Maple Syrup Makers Tap Into Tradition

This sweet revolution reclaims an ancient craft.
by Courtney Edgar
February 27, 2023
During the last ice age, people moved across Beringia, a massive landform connecting Asia and North America. Seasonal hunters left behind a trove of valuable evidence of their presence at the northern Canadian site known as the Bluefish Caves.

Investigating Ice Age America’s Ancient Abattoir

Scientists know people were in Yukon 24,000 years ago. But what were they doing there?
by Devon Bidal
January 30, 2023
A lobster caught off Prince Edward Island, where Bait Masters is located.

The Race to Make Alternative Lobster Bait

As the fishing industry grapples with declining herring and mackerel, could sausage be their savior?
by Moira Donovan
December 6, 2022
Laurier University scientist William Quinton and a group of Indigenous Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ walk through a bog near the Scotty Creek Research Station in the Northwest Territories.

Canada's First Indigenous-Led Research Station Is a Symbol of Hope—And Our Climate Crisis

The Scotty Creek facility was part of an unprecedented First Nations effort to study and save the Arctic. Then the fire came.
by Ed Struzik
November 28, 2022
The Arctic hare BBYY traveled more than 240 miles during a seven-week period in 2019.

What Energized This Arctic Hare to Keep Going and Going and Going?

The animal known as BBYY traveled hundreds of miles, breaking records and shattering expectations.
by Gemma Tarlach
February 1, 2022
Residents across southwestern British Columbia and Vancouver Island are going to great lengths to keep Anna's hummingbirds safe during an unusual cold spell.

Saving Canada's Hardiest Hummingbirds Requires Extreme Care

Bird-loving volunteers are going to great lengths to help the animals survive a cold snap in British Columbia.
by Rochelle Baker
January 17, 2022
Don't let its appearance fool you: Eggnog can be badass.

The Wild and Weird History of Eggnog

The cozy cocktail has fueled prison parties and West Point riots.
by Sam O'Brien
December 21, 2021

Lists Featuring Canada

Fierce little cat.
Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.
Oh, hello!
Little Spotted Kiwi

10 Ethical Animal Places to Visit in 2019

Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

12

Including Cat Island, Elephant Nature Park , and India's Giant Technicolor Squirrels

Rats of Karni Mata Temple
Paxton Gate Exterior
Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois

A Rat Lover's Tour of the World

15 places where rodents are celebrated, feared, preserved, and studied.

15

Including Karni Mata Temple, Nutty Narrows Bridge, and Paxton Gate

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

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