Best budget activities
COAST TO COAST: Canadian destinations offer up experiences and sights that won’t break the bank
Sure, you can blow your life savings on a posh, five-star hotel in one of Canada’s big cities. But there are tons of inexpensive ways to enjoy both big cities and smaller destinations across this great country of ours. Here are a few budget-friendly options.
Montreal
A bird’s-eye view, and a serious rush for $19.99. That’s a good deal for a fantastic city like Montreal, where the folks at Montreal Zipline will send you on a 366-metre-long zip line over the water down at the city’s glistening waterfront. They also have a “quick jump” over a 24-metre tower. If that’s too ambitious, you can always scarf down a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s for less than $10. mtlzipline.com/en/.
Whitehorse
One of my favourite things to do is to take the easy but dramatic walk along Miles Canyon. It’s a deep, rocky chasm lined with orangebrown rock and a fairly fast-flowing Yukon River. There also are biking trails and great spots for a picnic. The Yukon Conservation Society offers free guided walks. yukoninfo.com/whitehorse-yukon/whitehorse-info-miles-canyon/.
Twillingate, N.L.
The icebergs may not be around this late in summer, but a walk among the headlands of Twillingate is about as wonderful an experience as you’ll find in this great province. The nearby town of Crow Head has a small park called Sea Breeze Municipal Park, with old machinery scattered about and magnificent scenery. twillingatetourism.ca/welcome_to_town_ of_crow_head.htm
Toronto
Folks tend to be surprised to find a lovely, old-style farm a few blocks from bustling Bloor Street. But that’s what you’ll get at Riverdale Farm. It’s a free (although with donations encouraged), cityrun farm with horses and chickens and pigs and baah-ing sheep that will delight the kids. There’s a lovely park next door for a picnic, and a nice shop for ice cream, too. toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/345/
Vancouver
The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is great, but it can be costly for families. The bridge at nearby Lynn Canyon is free, and there’s also a lovely waterfall nearby and great hiking trails all around. All you’ll need to spend is bus fare or a bit of gas to get you there from downtown. lynncanyon.ca/
East Point Lighthouse, P.E.I.
Prince Edward Island has more than a few lighthouses, but I like this one as it’s quite pretty and less crowded than some of the lighthouses you’ll find near Charlottetown. The lighthouse sits near a pretty series of cliffs where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Northumberland Strait. Admission is just $6 for adults and $15 for a family. eastpointlighthouse.com.
Regina
We Canadians love our Mounties, and there’s no place better to celebrate their work and legacy than the RCMP Heritage Centre in this Saskatchewan City. Adult admission is just $10, but you can get a family pass for two adults and up to five kids for $30. The centre features self-guided audio tours, an RCMP Musical Ride virtual reality show and much more. rcmphc.com.
Halifax
The Citadel is one of the most historic fortifications in Canada. Built in 1856, the military fortress is officially called Fort George. You’ll get excellent views of the city from here, too. It’s said the Citadel is haunted. It costs just $11.70 for adults and $5.80 for kids. No charge for ghosts. pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index.aspx.
Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a minor league team playing in a truly wonderful stadium (Shaw Park) on the edge of downtown. With tickets priced from just $10, you should have plenty of cash left over for some peanuts and Cracker Jack. They have pre-game picnics, too, with hotdog or hamburger meals or even chicken and ribs. The season goes until Sept. 5. goldeyes.com.