The north is full of surprises. Some dearly beloved and some that are totally up for interpretation.
While there are a ton of universally enjoyed things to do from coast to coast, we believe that it’s also important to showcase some of the country’s more ‘alternative’ destinations as well – after all, beauty and fun are in the eye of the beholder!
If you’re like us and can also appreciate those darker, more peculiar attractions and activities offered by each province, here are 9 unique and unusual places in Canada that you have to add to your ‘must-visit’ list.
THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL
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Fancy a drink? If you ever find yourself in Dawson City, Yukon, you have to check out The Downtown Hotel, home of the world-famous ‘sour toe cocktail.’ A shot of whisky garnished with a REAL human pickled toe, this stomach-churning drink has been “enjoyed” by many over the years. As the story goes, Dick Stevenson, the inn’s bartender was a man with a sick sense of humour and, after finding a frostbitten toe, had the wonderfully awful idea to serve it to customers.
Who knew it would be such a been a hit, still served nearly 50 years after it was first served.
Where: Corner of Second and Queen, Dawson City, Yukon
THE GOPHER HOLE MUSEUM
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This is certainly not your run-of-the-mill exhibition, folks. Located in Torrington, Alberta – this World Famous Gopher Hole Museum has nearly 50 scenes set up featuring stuffed gophers doing very human things like barbecuing, getting married, and more. Wholesome.
Where: 208 1 St SW, Torrington, Alberta
NARCISSE SNAKE DENS
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An absolute nightmare destination to many, The Narcisse Dens of Manitoba are home to thousands upon thousands of red-sided garter snakes, which all head to the location’s surface to mate every spring.
Where: MB-17, Narcisse, Manitoba
THE OLD COUNTRY MARKET
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Have you ever wondered if food tastes better when eaten under a roof of hungry goats? At the Old Country Market in Coombs, you can actually find out! Opened in the 70s, this family-owned market was originally just that, a market, but as the years passed and different family members inherited the property, they got more and more creative – one day “unwittingly building the most famous sod-roof building in the world” and “borrowing” goats to mow the grass. Now you can grab a bite knowing that a few four-legged creatures are doing the same above you.
Where: 2326 Alberni Hwy, Coombs, British Columbia
OAK ISLAND
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Pirates, treasure maps, riddles, and subliminal clues? While this might all sound like something out of a Hollywood script, many actually believe that Oak Island in Nova Scotia sits on millions of dollars in diamonds and gold buried by the pirate Captian Kidd in 1701. Over the years, and even now, MANY have and will travel to the island in hopes of finding something – going to extremes to do so.
Where: Oak Island, Nova Scotia
THE LAKE MINNEWANKA GHOST TOWN
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Though it might look like just your regular Alberta lake, this could not be farther from the truth. Hidden under the surface is an entire ghost town that you can actually scuba dive through – if you’re experienced and qualified to do so. Not ready to put your head below the water? They also have a cruise made just that much better by the fact you know what’s hidden under the boat.
Where: Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
TREMBLE ISLAND
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Located on the Nakwakto Rapids you’ll find Tremble, a tiny Isaland that actually moves with the current. According to one land surveyor who was there on a day where the tides were at their peak, he actually had to stuff grass in his ears and lay flat on the ground with a grip on some nearby grass to keep from flying all over the place. Is this true? Well, there’s only one way to find out – though it’s probably not worth it.
Where: Seymour Inlet, Mount Waddington A, British Columbia,
MOUNT THOR
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Considered to have the Earth’s greatest vertical drop, this is not one that we’d recommend checking out if you’re afraid of heights. Named after the Norse Thunder God (Not Chris Hemsworth), the peak of Mount Thor towers 4,101 ft above the ground and is only 15 degrees from being a perfect 90 drop. Wild.
Where: Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut
HAPPY WOODLANDS PET CEMETARY
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Established as Canada’s first and only pet cemetery in 1933, Happy Woodlands (sometimes referred to as Woodlawn) still sits, totally abandoned, with several gravesites dedicated to beloved cats and dogs. Luckily though, in order to preserve the area, this bizarre destination has since been granted heritage status.
Where: 14253 Yonge St, Aurora, Ontario
There you have it, friends. The most unusual places you can visit in Canada. Let us know what your favourite northern oddity is if we missed it – we want to hear from you!
