Family adventures await north of the US border
Canada offers American families a wide range of vacation opportunities. You’ll find history, culture and natural beauty — and polar bears. Here are three destinations to consider:
Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, Banff, Alberta:
This lavish castle-like resort, built in 1888, stands as a luminous landmark in a picturesque alpine town inside Banff National Park. Offering stunning mountain, valley and river views, the 745-room hotel is a destination in itself. Hiking, rafting, fly-fishing, championship golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor pool time and horseback riding are available. The Willow Stream Spa offers a full range of options within 27 treatment rooms for those seeking a relaxing stay. Choose from 14 on-site dining options, including an afternoon tea service. Ask about the Kids in the Castle program for the youngsters.
Prince Edward Island:
Published in 1908, the novel “Anne of Green Gables” has played a major role in drawing tourists to Canada’s smallest province.
Today, literature fans make their way to PEI to see the sites portrayed in the book and to learn more about author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Visit the old farmhouse, where much of the book was set, and take part in activities at the Green Gables Heritage Place, including ice-cream making demonstrations, carriage rides and tours offered by rangers dressed as characters from the book.
Churchill, Manitoba: If you yearn to see wild polar bears, this is the place to be. Located on the migration route between the bear dens and their feeding grounds, the town is ground zero for those
who want to glimpse the animals in their native environment. Tundra buggies transport visitors into the vast landscape outside of town to observe
the seal hunters. Helicopter tours are available, too. You can see the northern lights and go whale-watching for belugas in the summer months.