17 Things You Must Do in Canada Before You Die

After a long, cold winter an iceberg is probably the last thing you want to see. That is, unless you're in Newfoundland where boat rides out to 'Iceberg Alley' put your face-to-face with these spectacular blue monsters. Winter never looked this beautiful.

See another 20 things that make Canada the envy of the world.

You probably wouldn't expect to find shipwrecks while swimming in cottage country but each year hundreds of underwater aficionados make the trip to Tobermory, at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. From here you can explore what’s considered the best fresh water scuba diving in the world where at least 22 shipwrecks lurk beneath the turquoise blue waters. 

Summer vacation plans? Why not take a drive through this amazing country? We've got some ideas: 11 Canadian road trips you need to take at least once.

When you think of Calgary, one of the first things that comes to mind is the annual Stampede. Held every July, the massive rodeo attracts over a million visitors who come for the greasy festival eats—deep-fried mac 'n cheese balls, anyone?—midway , concerts and, of course, the horses. If you've ever wanted an excuse to break out your cowboy boots, this is the place to do it. 

If you grew up in Canada, you've likely read the classic tale by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. Set on a farm in Prince Edward Island, a trip to the smallest province in the country would not be complete without some sort of reenactment--or, at least a picture in front of a lighthouse!

Though you'll need to make sure you have your timing right, Canada's great north is one of the few places where you can witness Aurora Borealis--or, the Northern Lights. Prepare to have your mind blown by this spectacular light show.

Sure, you've probably seen a polar bear at the zoo but unless you've made the trip up to Churchill, Manitoba, you've never seen one in person. Though not as cuddly as they look, these majestic animals can be safely viewed from either a 'tundra buggy' in winter or on a boat in summer--also, keep your eyes peeled for beluga whales! 

If Montrealers are proud of one thing, it's their famous version of the bagel. Known across the globe as the sweeter, smaller and denser version of the New York standard, the Montreal-style is made in a wood-fired oven where the irregular flames give it a rustic (albeit, slightly burnt) finish. Famous places to try one are St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel. 

A trip to the west coast in wintertime would not be complete without a stop in Whistler. Home to the 2010 Olympics, this picturesque resort town is surrounded by some of the country's most spectacular snow-capped peaks. If you've never tried snowboarding, now is the time.

Get the true north experience when you travel to Canada's newest territory by taking a ride on a dog sled. A natural part of everyday life in Nunavut, these hardworking Huskies will put any city-dwelling lap dog right in it's place. 

One of the greatest Canadian past times, if you're going to go on a canoe trip, why not go to one of the most stunning lakes in the country. Everyone heads to Lake Louise but we prefer it's slightly off the beaten track counterpart, Emerald Lake. The biggest lake in Yoho National Park, you'll spend endless hours gazing in awe into these crystal clear waters. 

We had a hard time believing this was even a picture of Canada but in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence the Magdalen Islands form a breath-taking archipelago. Make the experience unforgettable by taking in the sights while learning how to kite surf with the locals. 

An UNESCO World Heritage site, a trip to Ottawa would not be complete without a visit to the Rideau Canal. To get the best experience, visit in the wintertime when the canal freezes over into a massive outdoor skating rink. 

Though far from being a surf capital, there are a surprising number of places along the coast where you can catch some descent waves. Those in the know head to Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island where Pacific swells attract those willing to brave the cold to the popular Long Beach. Surf's up!

Wine is made in a number of regions across Canada but one of our favorite stops is the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Beside growing some of Ontario's best vintages, the pretty little town also hosts the Shaw Festival with its well known theatrical productions and musicals. 

Sure, Toronto may be the largest city in the country but if you want to get your shop on you need to head to West Edmonton Mall, the biggest mall in North America. With over 800 stores and services, there's also a water park, roller coaster, skating rink, entertainment complex and shooting range.  

A desert full of sand dunes is probably the last thing you would expect to find in northern Saskatchewan but the Athabasca Sand Dunes will make you feel like you've landed in the Sahara. Protected by a provincial park, this portion of the boreal shield ecozone runs for around 100 kilometres along the shores of Athabasca Lake and are the only sand dunes this far north in the world.