Art Gallery

Cost: C$20.50; concessions C$15-C$16; 5-12s C$7
The Vancouver Art Gallery specialises in West Coast artists, with a remarkable collection by native Emily Carr and the 1920s Canadian movement the Group of Seven. The downtown gallery is located in an attractive early 20th-century building, Vancouv... Continue reading

History Centre

Cost: C$6; seniors C$5, students & 6-17s C$4; under 6s free
Housed in a former fire station, the Montreal History Centre's permanent exhibition traces the origins of Montreal, from first contact with the native Indians up to the present day. There are also temporary exhibitions and spectacular roof views.... Continue reading

Lookout

Cost: C$13; concessions C$11; 6-12s C$6
The 50-storey Vancouver Lookout tower boasts panoramic views of Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. Glass lifts whisk visitors up the outside of the downtown tower. Tickets are good all day; visit in the daytime and after dark.... Continue reading

Museum of Archaeology and History

Cost: C$15; concessions C$6-C$10; under 6s free
Built on the site where the original colony was established in 1642 (Pointe-à-Callière), the modern Museum of Archaeology and History engages visitors to Old Montreal with a multimedia show and artefacts displayed among the ancient building found... Continue reading

Museum of Contemporary Art

Cost: C$10; concessions C$6-C$8; under 12s free; Wed 5pm-9pm free
Part of downtown's Place des Arts complex, the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art shows highlights from its collection of post-1939 works and temporary exhibitions of international artists. Look for paintings by Québécois artists such as Jean-Pa... Continue reading

Museum of Fine Arts

Cost: Free; Special exhibitions C$15; concessions C$7.50-C$10; under-12s free; Wed 5pm-9pm half price
Downtown Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts excellent temporary exhibitions in two pavilions facing each other. The permanent collection ranges from medieval European painting to Inuit sculpture. Highlights include Canadian landscapes by the Group ... Continue reading

Tower

Cost: C$14; seniors C$12; 13-17s C$10; 4-12s C$6; under 3s free
Head to the Calgary Tower for breathtaking city and mountain views on its 360° Observation Deck, complete with glass floors, multimedia kiosks and high-powered binoculars. Opened in 1968, the tower is one of Calgary's most famous landmarks.... Continue reading

Zoo

Cost: C$16-C$18; concessions C$14-C$16; children free-C$10
Set on an island in the Bow River, Calgary Zoo houses everything from big cats to meerkats. The vast Prehistoric Park shows what western Canada would have looked like with replica dinosaurs hiding in amongst recreated ancient plant life and rock fo... Continue reading

Art Gallery of Ontario

Cost: C$18
One of North America's largest art museums, Art Gallery of Ontario recently completed a new building in Chinatown by architectural master Frank Gehry. The museum showcases pre-eminent Canadian artists, North American artistic movements and European... Continue reading

Barraca Rhumerie et Tapas

Cost: Not Specified
The Barraca Rhumerie et Tapas bar is located in the heart of the trendy Plateau. It serves tapas and excellent rum drinks to a fashionable but unpretentious crowd. DJs play Latin-inflected sounds. Sit out on the cute backyard terrace.... Continue reading

Bata Shoe Museum

Cost: C$12; concessions C$6-C$10; 5-17s C$4; under-5s free; Thu 5pm-8pm free
Bata Shoe Museum in The Annex is one of only two shoe museums in North America (the other is in Mexico). It displays 4500-year-old Egyptian sandals, Chinese bound footwear, the shoes of Picasso and Elvis and footwear from six continents.... Continue reading

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Cost: C$10; concessions C$7; 5-17s C$5; under 4s free
Head to the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in Vancouver for an inspirational journey through Canada's Aboriginal arts. Temporary exhibitions pass through and the permanent exhibition holds jewellery, a bronze frieze, a totem pole and othe... Continue reading

Bistro Le Porto

Cost: Not Specified
Bistro Le Porto, near the Village, serves Portuguese food and has a top-notch selection of port and Portuguese wines. Count on mouth-watering specialities like steak frites, grilled squid and sardines. There is no printed menu, just strategically m... Continue reading

Canadian Centre for Architecture

Cost: C$10; concessions C$7; children and students free; Thu 5.30pm-9pm free
The understated but handsome Canadian Centre for Architecture lies west of downtown. It hosts changing exhibitions on the art of architecture and its history, displaying architects' sketchbooks, elevation drawings and photography. The CCA bookstore... Continue reading

Casa Loma

Cost: C$18; concessions C$12.50; 4-13s C$10.50; under 4s free
Begun in 1911, Casa Loma is the estate home of millionaire financier Sir Henry Pellatt. The elaborate mansion in the Forest Hill neighbourhood is styled after a European castle, and includes 98 rooms, two towers, and lots of creepy passageways. Th... Continue reading

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Cost: Not Specified
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, at the University of British Columbia, showcases the work of university music and acting students as well as local classical musicians and internationally renowned performers. The performing arts centre boas... Continue reading