Best New or Improved Attractions in Canada for Summer 2015: A shot of Banff’s winner
Get summer-vacation inspiration with Canada’s Best New or Improved Attractions, as selected by the regional editors of Where. This annual awards program celebrates the most exciting brand-new or significantly improved attractions—or existing attractions observing major milestones—in 10 cities or regions across the country.
This year’s winners offer many appealing diversions for travellers exploring the Great White North—from hands-on activities like bobsledding on an official Olympic track, mountain climbing in Banff, and trying your hand at prospecting to intellectually stimulating institutions detailing early Ukrainian pioneers, Muslim culture, human rights and more.
Discover the winners of the Best New or Improved Attractions Awards for 2015 »
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- <h2>The Royal BC Museum</h2><br /> Ever endeavouring to shine new light on British Columbian history, the Royal BC Museum’s fresh take on programming is captivating locals and visitors alike. This summer’s blockbuster exhibition, Gold Rush! El Dorado in BC, allows visitors to step into the role of prospector and adventurer with hands-on activities, games and interaction. Visitors can also take part in the the Gold Rush Book Club, featuring both online and in-person discussions, join a Gold Fever Walking Tour or enrol the kids in Gold Rush summer camp.<br /> <br /> <em>Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville St, Victoria, 250-356-7226, <a href="http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/" target="_blank">royalbcmuseum.bc.ca</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: Bill Reid Gold Box/Photo courtesy the Royal BC Museum</em>
- Best New Attraction in Victoria
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- <h2>Vancouver Biennale</h2><br /> Imagine an entire city converted into an outdoor art gallery—that’s what the Vancouver Biennale aims to do, popping up huge pieces of art in unexpected locations. Running through to 2016, this third instalment of the wildly popular expo has the theme of Open Borders/Crossroads Vancouver. Our favourite pieces include Love Your Beans by Cosimo Cavallaro and Trans Am Totem by Marcus Bowcott—not to mention Giants, a mural by the identical twin brothers known as OSGEMEOS that covers six huge cement silos on Granville Island.<br /> <br /> <em>Vancouver Biennale, 604-682-128, <a href="http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/" target="_blank">vancouverbiennale.com</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: KK Law</em>
- Best New Attraction in Vancouver
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- <h2>Whistler Sliding Centre’s Rolling Thunder</h2><br /> Do you feel the need for speed? At the Whistler Sliding Centre, built for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, you can pretend you’re part of Team Canada on the newest attraction, Rolling Thunder. From June 27 to September 6, hop in a bobsleigh on wheels and hurtle down the world’s fastest track, which reaches speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour. Time sure flies when you’re moving that fast—but the bragging rights last a lifetime.<br /> <br /> <em>Whistler Sliding Centre’s Rolling Thunder, 4910 Glacier Lane, 604-964-0040, <a href="http://www.whistlerslidingcentre.com" target="_blank">whistlerslidingcentre.com</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: Coast Mountain Photography</em>
- Best New Attraction in Whistler
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- <h2>Via Ferrata Mountaineer Route at Mount Norquay</h2><br /> The new "Mountaineer" guided climbing route at Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata (Italian for “iron road”) traverses an alpine ridge leading to the mountain’s east summit (2,450 metres). The course is composed of fixed anchors, cables, ladders, two suspension bridges over impressive chasms, and incredible views. The tour includes all equipment, an ACMG guide, a chairlift ride to mid-mountain, an alpinist lunch on the summit, snacks along the way, and après-climb charcuterie and wine or beer at Norquay’s historic Cliffhouse Bistro. <br /> <br /> <em>Via Ferrata Mountaineer Route at Mount Norquay, Mount Norquay Road, Banff, AB,<a href="http://summer.banffnorquay.com/" target="_blank">banffnorquay.com</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: Mount Norquay</em>
- Mount Norquay's Via Ferrata
- Best New Attraction in Banff
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- Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata
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- <h2>The Brainasium at TELUS Spark, Calgary's Science Centre</h2><br /> TELUS Spark, Calgary's Science Centre has added to its impressive collection of science-based activities and exhibits with a new outdoor park called The Brainasium. This play area features a giant 63-foot slide and other unique play structures that allow kids—and kids-at-heart—to stimulate their body and mind while exploring concepts of sound, physics, and simple machines in a fun and active way. New phases are in development; a second, opening this August, will include seven new structures, including molecule-shaped climbing walls and a teeter-totter swing. <br /> <br /> <em>The Brainasium at TELUS Spark, Calgary's Science Centre, 220 St. George's Dr. SE, <a href="http://www.sparkscience.ca/explore/Brainasium" target="_blank">sparkscience.ca/explore/Brainasium</a></em>
- Best New Attraction in Calgary
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- <h2>Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village</h2><br /> This incredible outdoor living museum tells the story of Ukrainian immigrants and their settlement history in Central Alberta from 1892 to the 1930s. Costumed role players re-create the lives of authentic pioneers among relocated and restored buildings, including a newly refurbished post office, schoolhouse, teacherage, granary, and even a barn that dates back to the 1920s! Visitors can try their hand at working in the fields, making horseshoes, feather stripping, and grain grinding. Nor will you want to miss the high-energy dancing demonstrations, beautiful handcrafted goods, and delicious handmade perogies and cabbage rolls.<br /> <br /> <em>Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Hwy. 16 E., 25 minutes east of Edmonton along the Yellowhead Highway, 780-662-3640, <a href="http://www.ukrainianvillage.ca" target="_blank">ukrainianvillage.ca</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: Courtesy Travel Alberta</em>
- Best New Attraction in Edmonton
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- <h2>Canadian Museum for Human Rights</h2><br /> The first museum dedicated solely to the concept of human rights and the first national museum built outside of Ottawa, the CMHR is cementing Winnipeg’s role as a champion of human rights and a leader in education. The stunning design incorporates 400,000-year-old Manitoba Tyndall stone, glowing alabaster ramps, and an enormous curved glass facade inspired by the wings of a dove. Engaging multimedia exhibits draw visitors through important historical and contemporary injustices, finally leading to the uplifting “Inspiring Change” gallery and the impressive “Tower of Hope.” This is not a museum of artifacts and bones, but of stories and ideas, with the power to change the world.<br /> <br /> <em>Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way, <a href="https://humanrights.ca/" target="_blank">humanrights.ca</a></em>
- Best New Attraction in Winnipeg
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- <h2>Aga Khan Museum</h2><br /> It might take a little extra effort to visit the Aga Khan Museum; rest assured your trip to the 17-acre site northeast of downtown will be fully worth it. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Fumihiko Maki, Toronto’s newest cultural attraction is a lovely, light-filled space that melds modern style and Islam’s age-old visual motifs. Within its galleries you’ll find a permanent display of art and artifacts representing more than 1,000 years of Muslim civilization, as well as special exhibitions that speak to a history of fruitful exchange between cultures and peoples throughout the world. Visitors can also get a literal taste of Islamic culture at Diwan, the museum’s intimate dining room, which serves meticulously crafted dishes reflecting the cuisines of Turkey, Iran, North Africa and elsewhere.<br /> <br /> <em>Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Dr., 416-646-4677, <a href="https://www.agakhanmuseum.org/" target="_blank">agakhanmuseum.org</a></em><br /> <br /> <em>Photo Credit: Gary Otte Photography</em>
- Best New Attraction in Toronto
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- <h2>TD Place</h2><br /> After a multi-million dollar renovation completed earlier this year, TD Place is a world-class destination for concerts and home to three sports teams. Grab a seat in the refurbished, open-air stadium to cheer on the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks or the Ottawa Fury FC, one of only two Canadian teams competing in the North American Soccer League. The city’s OHL hockey team, the Ottawa 67’s, plays in the arena that’s built into the side of the stadium stands. In the mood for music? Major bands such as Def Leppard have played here. Afterwards, you can stop by one of the surrounding restaurants for a bite and a pint.<br /> <br /> <em>TD Place, 1015 Bank St., <a href="http://www.tdplace.ca/" target="_blank">tdplace.ca</a></em>
- Best New Attraction in Ottawa
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- <h2>Halifax Central Library</h2><br /> Hailed by CNN as one of the world's “10 eye-popping new buildings” before it even opened, Halifax's new Central Library is a draw for visitors and locals alike: its unique cantilevered design makes a bold architectural statement. The rooftop patio is a must-visit for photographers, offering sweeping vistas of South End Halifax and the harbour beyond. Inside (in addition to a huge collection of books and periodicals), you'll find free Wi-Fi, a café, a special-event space and much more.<br /> <br /> <em>5440 Spring Garden Rd., 902-490-5700, <a href="http://halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/branches/locations/halifax-central-library.html" target="_blank">halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/branches/locations/halifax-central-library.html</a></em>
- Best New Attraction in Halifax
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