Can you call yourself a true Canadian? In Canada, there are just certain essential experiences a person needs to have in order to be a true Canuck.
From visiting iconic national parks and tourist attractions to tasting legendary foods, these quintessentially Canadian activities deserve a spot on your bucket list if you can't say you've done them already.
We've created a list of some of the top activities every Canadian should do at least once, minus the ones you constantly hear about, like Niagara Falls and Banff National Park.
How many can you cross off? Here are 14 bucket list activities every Canadian should try.
Head to the top of the CN Tower
Location: 290 Bremner Blvd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Have you ever been to the top of the CN Tower?
Standing at 1,815 feet, the CN Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere and one of Canada's most iconic tourist attractions.
It's truly an icon of Toronto that every visitor and local alike should experience at least once.
You can get tickets for the tower's Main Observation Level, a classic spot to take in views of the city, or the Main Observation Level and Sykpod, which is the highest observation platform in the Western Hemisphere.
If you're brave enough, you can also walk along the edge of the tower on the EdgeWalk.
Be sure to also check out the rotating 360 Restaurant for incredible views and tasty Canadian cuisine.
Shop at Canada's largest mall
Location: 8882 170 St. N.W., Edmonton, AB
Why You Need To Go: Canada's largest mall, which also claims to be the biggest in North America, can be found in Edmonton, Alberta.
The West Edmonton Mall, which spans 48 city blocks, is an iconic attraction, with tons to see and do besides just shop.
Some of the must-visit spots in the mall include an indoor ice rink, an underground aquarium, an indoor amusement park and a multi-level race track.
The mall is also home to an indoor waterpark that features the world’s largest indoor wave pool. With the addition of movie theatres and mini golf courses, there's truly an endless amount of things to do here.
Eat a Montreal bagel in Montreal
Location: Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Can you say you've been to Montreal if you didn't eat a Montreal bagel? The Montreal bagel is arguably the city's claim to fame, and is an iconic dish to eat in the city.
Unlike other bagels, the Montreal bagel is made by hand and poached in honey water before being baked in a wood-fire burning oven, a cooking process that gives the bagel its distinctive chewiness, golden colour and crust, according to Tourisme Montreal.
As for where to get a Montreal bagel, there's possibly no spot more iconic than St. Viateur Bagel, which has multiple locations in the city, including its flagship on St-Viateur Street West.
However, you can also visit places like Fairmount Bagel, Bagel St-Lo, and MTL Bagel to enjoy the baked good.
Search for dinos at Dinosaur Provincial Park
Location: Dinosaur Provincial Park, AB
Why You Need To Go: A visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park should definitely be on your bucket list.
A part of the Canadian Badlands, the area features otherwordly landscapes and 70-million-year-old fossil beds where dinosaurs once roamed.
Here, you can see the iconic Hoodoos, unique sandstone pillars formed over millions of years.
You'll find over 20 kilometres of walking trails here to explore, as well as fossil display houses where you can see the complete skeleton of a dinosaur.
See the northern lights in Churchill
Location: Churchill, MB
Why You Need To Go: While there are plenty of places across Canada that offer opportunities to see the northern lights, only a few regions of the country offer almost guaranteed aurora views.
Located in Manitoba, Churchill is a small town on the shores of the Hudson Bay, and is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora.
The town offers incredible opportunities for catching the northern lights and is said to be one of the top three places in the world to witness the aurora borealis, with the lights visible up to 300 nights each year, on average.
The lights most often appear in green hues here, but can occasionally shine in hues of red and purple.
See high tides at the Bay of Fundy
Location: 131 Discovery Rd., Hopewell Cape, NB
Why You Need To Go: Nestled between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is a natural wonder unlike any other.
It's renowned for having the highest tides in the world, with tidal ranges that can reach a staggering 50 feet and are a wonder you have to experience.
One of the best places to do this is at the iconic Hopewell Rocks, a natural wonder in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, about 30 minutes from Moncton.
Here, you can marvel at the towering seak stacks, and walk along the ocean floor and explore sea caves when the tide goes out.
Visit Peggy's Cove lighthouse
Location: Peggys Point Rd., Peggys Cove, NS
Why You Need To Go: Canada is home to hundreds of picturesque lighthouses, but one of the most iconic has to be Peggy's Cove.
Found in Nova Scotia, the lighthouse is said to be one of the province's most well known, and may also be the most photographed in Canada.
In a quaint fishing village just an hour from Halifax, the lighthouse is a great place to take in views of the ocean and explore the surrounding rocks.
Drive the Cabot Trail
Location: Cape Breton, NS
Why You Need To Go: Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail is an iconic Canadian road trip that every Canuck should take once in their life.
The 298-kilometre trail is a mix of roads, paths and stairs that takes you past incredible natural sights and quaint fishing villages and delivers spectacular coastal views.
It's said to be "one of the world's most scenic drives," and as you pass enchanting valleys and rolling hills, the Cabot Trail may make you feel like you've gone abroad to the Scottish Highlands.
One must-visit spot along the route is the Skyline Trail, an easy hike that offers incredible views of the ocean and a place to spot whales, moose, bald eagles and lots of other wildlife.
Go beach hopping in Tofino
Location: Tofino, BC
Why You Need To Go: With kilometres of vast beaches, rainforest hikes and views that will take your breath away, it's not hard to see why Tofino has been called one of the best vacation spots in Canada.
Home to five stunning white sand beaches with incredible surf, Tofino is a great getaway spot for the summer located on Vancouver Island.
Beaches to explore here include Chesterman Beach, where you can explore tidepools and come face to face with marine life, and the well-loved Long Beach, where you might spot humpback whales.
The area is known as a surfing hot spot, with lessons available for beginners.
While you're here, be sure to snag a taco at Tacofino, an OG spot to grab a bite between surfing waves or hitting the beach.
Stay at this iconic (haunted) hotel
Location: 405 Spray Ave., Banff, AB
Why You Need To Go: Canada's "Castle in the Rockies" is an iconic destination all on its own located in the heart of Banff National Park.
The hotel has been providing service to guests for more than 130 years, offering a luxurious escape where you can unwind surrounded by nature. But it also has a haunted history that may send a chill down your spine.
Since opening in 1888, there have been many stories of guests who never left the hotel, and "staff who came back."
Guests have reported seeing a "ghost bride" dancing in the hotel's ballroom, as well as the spectre of a bellman who is said to still be assisting guests -- despite dying in 1975.
With its haunted history and location surrounded by wilderness, many have compared the hotel to the Overlook Hotel from The Shining. Further cementing the similarities, the Fairmont even has a room that was sealed shut after "countless bone-chilling experiences."
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, at least one visit to this landmark hotel should definitely be on your bucket list.
Become a ride warrior at Canada's Wonderland
Location: 1 Canada's Wonderland Dr., Vaughan, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you're a thrill-seeker and haven't been to Canada's Wonderland, this spot should be first on your list.
The amusement park, which is the largest in Canada, features more than 200 attractions including 18 thrilling roller coasters, including some of the tallest and faster coasters in the world.
Brave souls can try out Leviathan, Canada's tallest and fastest roller coaster. And if you really want to prove your stuff, you can prove you're a ride warrior by braving every ride in the park.
For those not into thrills, the park offers tons of other attractions and things to do that make it well worth a visit.
Get down at the Calgary Stampede
Location: 650 25 Ave. S.E., Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: The Calgary Stampede, which takes place every summer, is a must-see, especially for those with a penchant for cowboy hats.
Happening this year from July 5-14, the unique event transforms not only the official grounds but the whole city into a western village and is known as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth."
With a rodeo featuring the world's best competitors, a parade, a midway with rides and games, and live music, it's truly a wild time that every Canuck should experience at least once.
Have tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria
Location: 721 Government St., Victoria, BC
Why You Need To Go: A visit to Victoria, B.C., which is known as Canada's most British city, wouldn't be complete without stopping at an iconic hotel to partake in a British tradition.
At the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, you can enjoy a classic afternoon tea that'll make you feel like royalty.
The hotel has been serving afternoon tea for over 115 years, becoming an iconic part of a stop in this charming Canadian city.
Go hiking in B.C.
Location: British Columbia
Why You Need To Go: With incredible lakes, mountains, valleys, and forests, it's no wonder B.C. is a top spot for hiking in Canada.
The province offers a diverse range of trails, with something for every level. Whether you want an easy day hike or a more intense back-country trail, you'll likely find what you're looking for in B.C.
If you haven't trekked through the province's natural wilderness, consider it another item to add to your list.
One popular spot to hike is Vancouver's Lynn Canyon Park, which offers trails that take you past waterfalls, through forests and to an emerald pool.
Happy travels!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
