Jody Robbins - 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit

Copyright 2017 by Jody Robbins

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For more information, contact the publisher at Touchwoodeditions.com.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of the authors knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author or the publisher.

Edited by Rene Layberry

Proofread by Cailey Cavallin

Design by Pete Kohut

Cover and interior photo credits listed on

LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

Robbins, Jody, author
25 places in Canada every family should visit / Jody Robbins.

Includes index.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-77151-201-5

1. Family recreationCanadaGuidebooks. 2. CanadaGuidebooks.

I. Title. II. Title: Twenty-five places in Canada every family should visit.

FC38 R63 2017 917.104 C2016-908152-4

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the province of British Columbia through the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

The interior pages of this book have been printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, processed chlorine free, and printed with vegetable-based inks.

PRINTED IN CANADA AT FRIESENS

17 18 19 20 21 5 4 3 2 1

For Dan and Eve, who make coming
home the best part of any trip

Contents

DESTINATIONS

TRAVEL TIPS

Introduction

I caught the travel bug early. In fact, it may have been hereditary. When I was growing up, our family would scuttle back and forth between our home on the prairies and Lake Erie, where extended family lived. Then wed mosey over to New Brunswicks Miramichi Bay. Im amazed my parents made this trek each and every summer. I certainly wouldnt be up to the task of taking a sulking child (that was me) to a historic boarding house with no running water, heat, or electricity.

Now that Im a parent myself, I prefer an easier road. I look for spots that offer something for all members of the family, not just those that cater to adult tastes or kiddie favourites. Still, those summers taught me invaluable lessonsin particular, an appreciation for diversity. It opened my eyes to all that was different and precious across this vast country of ours. My imagination soared as I was forced to get creative and entertain myself in new and unfamiliar places.

Those early years taught me that travel is about more than your destination. Yes, its a discovery of parts unknown, but its also about you. Horizons expand both geographically and personally; when discovering new destinations, you discover more about yourself. Why? Because travel tests you. How do you react when things go belly up? Can you take flight delays in stride or do they ruin your day? Youre guaranteed to have countless teachable moments when travelling with children as they watch you deal with unexpected situations. From problem solving to patience to the importance of preparedness, travel introduces and refines valuable life skills in ways that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

Our perceptions of the world are based on what weve experienced. Taking children out of their little worlds and opening them up to new experiences and ways of life lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Travel can change a person. Its about more than geographyits a journey of self-exploration that can make you more tolerant, more interesting, and better able to adapt to new situations. It fosters a curiosity that inspires creativity, joy, and discovery. If I can impart this to my daughter, Ive done my job.

Fortunately, you dont have to go someplace exotic or fly thousands of kilometres away to learn these lessons; you can engage minds and cultivate rich experiences close to home. 2017the 150th anniversary of Confederationis an ideal time to explore Canada: from coast to coast, north to south, community events and celebrations will mark this momentous occasion.

The memories indelibly inked on my brain are those that have shown me the world through a childs eyes. We all lead busy lives; kids and adults alike are overscheduled. But when we remove ourselves from our everyday environment and mindfully participate in new, shared experiences, real and profound bonding occurs. So disconnect from the daily grind and find the best connection of all. If not now, when?

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

As much as Id love for you to read this book from cover to cover, I suspect most folks will flip to a destination of interest and go from there. And thats OK. Flip away, skip ahead, and read what tickles your fancy to get inspiration for your next family vacation.

In writing the bonus chapters, I interviewed parents across Canada, plus North Americas top travel bloggers and writers, so I could share their travel secrets with you. I wanted to know: How do you plan a trip with children thats easy and enjoyable (and not regrettable)? Many inspiring ideas came forth, and I encourage you to read those additional chapters and share the findings with your friends and family.

DISCLAIMER

Writing tourist attraction, hotel, and restaurant reviews for national magazines and newspapers is challenging. Not the writing bit, but staying current. And when writing a book, a year (or more!) can pass between the time a writer submits their manuscript to their publisher and when it appears in bookstores. A lot can change in that time. Prices go up, companies go out of business, and new ones emerge. Also, ownership changes can dramatically affect visitor experience.

Wethe publisher, fact-checkers, editors, and Ihave gone to great lengths to ensure the information provided in this book is accurate at the time of publishing. Even so, I want to encourage you to remember that change can happen at any time. If a destination, tour outfitter, hotel, or restaurant mentioned in this book has piqued your interest, its still a good idea to confirm rates and details directly with the provider of that experience.

Canada is such a diverse country; it was a real challenge to narrow this list down to only twenty-five destinations for fabulous family travel experiences. So Id love to hear your thoughts on the ones you visited and how your family enjoyed the journeyand, by the way, do let me know if I missed anything in this book, because I undoubtedly did. You can find me on Facebook (Facebook.com/TravelswithBaggage) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Jody_Robbins). Im looking forward to hearing all about your adventures!