Sights in Canada
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Winnipeg Railway Museum
Winnipeg's gorgeous and underused Union Station (opened in 1911 and designed by the same firm that did New York's Grand Central Terminal) houses a small collection of historic Canadian railway cars, gear and model trains.
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Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
The century-old Whyte Museum is more than just a rainy-day option. There is a beautiful gallery displaying some great pieces on an ever-changing basis. The permanent collection tells the story of Banff and the hearty men and women who forged a home among the mountains. Attached to the museum is an archive with thousands of photographs spanning the history of the town and park; these are available for reprint. The museum also gives out leaflets for a self-guided Banff Culture Walk.
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Whitehorse Fishway
Stare down a salmon at the Whitehorse Fishway, a 366m wooden fish ladder (the world's longest) past the hydroelectric plant south of town. Large viewing windows let you see chinook salmon swim past starting in late July (before that it's grayling). Outside, amidst the thunderous roar of the river's spillway, there's usually a tent where you can learn about the ingenious aboriginal fishing methods. Note that salmon counts and average sizes are decreasing, a feared result of climate change.
The fishway is easily reached on foot from town.
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Whistler Farmers Market
If you're here in summer, head to the Upper Village and the plaza in front of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for the lively Whistler Farmers Market, where you can peruse the arts and crafts and stuff your face with seasonal fruits and bakery treats.
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Western Development Museum
If you only go to one museum in Saskatchewan, this branch of the WDM should be it. With stunning detail and nothing overlooked, this is a faithful re-creation of Saskatoon c 1910. On the longest indoor street of any museum in Canada you can roam through the buildings – from a dentist's office that looks like it was taken from a horror film to the pharmacy where hundreds of vintage bottles line the shelves – and find countless treasures. There are trains, steam tractors, a sod house, buggies, sleighs and even a jail. Beyond the street is the excellent exhibition 'Winning the Prairie Gamble,' chronicling the rise from hardship that gave birth to the province. The museum is…
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Western Development Museum
If you can drive it, fly it, pedal it or paddle it, odds are you'll find an example of it at this branch of the WDM. Dedicated to transport within Saskatchewan, it has planes, trains, automobiles and even the odd wagon.
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West Edmonton Mall
A kitsch lover who is tired of Vegas could still have a field day in West Edmonton Mall. Not content to simply be a shopping mall, this urban behemoth has the world's largest waterslides, an equipped indoor wave pool, a full-sized amusement park, a skating rink, two, yes, two minigolf courses, a fake reef with real seals swimming around, a petting zoo, a hotel and 800 stores thrown in as a bonus. Stroll through Chinatown, grab a meal on the delightfully unauthentic Bourbon St, or go for a skate or bungee jump. Then dive into the sea of chain retail shops.
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West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative
Though many Inuit communities now generate world-class artworks, Cape Dorset's remain the most revered. Just around the corner from the hotel, the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative has a fine gallery plus an intriguing studio where you can watch artists work. (In summer, though, the place is pretty empty and sometimes closed, so call ahead.) The Kingnait Inn also sells sculptures, and you can often find artists carving outside their homes.
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Wawa Goose
A trip through Wawa would be incomplete without seeing the notorious Wawa Goose located in front of the visitor information center. There are actually two other giant geese in town: a noticeably decrepit (and anatomically incorrect) goose lingers just up the street on the opposite side of the road, and the third bird flaps its wings above the Wawa Motor Inn.
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Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park offers a stunning view of the tidal mudflats, Minas Basin and the red cliffs of Cape Blomidon. Displays explain the tides, dikes, flora and fauna, and history of the area. This is an easy spot to start a walk or cycle on top of the dikes.
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Waterfront
One look at the majestic Yukon River and you'll understand why the waterfront is being reborn. The beautiful White Pass & Yukon Route Station has been restored and anchors the area.
At the north end of the waterfront, Shipyards Park has a growing collection of historic structures gathered territory-wide and a skateboard track and toboggan hill. Linking it all is a cute little waterfront trolley .
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Wascana Centre
The geographic and cultural center of Regina is Wascana Centre. Where once a small river flowed, the creation of Wascana Lake in 1908 gave birth to the focal point of this prairie town. This enormous park is a great place to be on a nice day, with walking trails, a bandstand and heaps of green space. A huge project in 2004 deepened the lake and banished foul-smelling weeds. Now the clear waters provide mirrored accents to vistas that include the stunning Provincial Legislature. Look for animals such as mink, hare, beaver and even the odd moose.
Wascana Place has some park information and useful maps. Marina Rentals rents canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. Spruce Island is a…
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Ward's Island
At the western end of Ward's Island is an 18-hole Frisbee Golf Course. An old-fashioned boardwalk runs the length of the south shore of the island, passing the back gate of the Rectory cafe.
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Victoria Park
Escape Truro's busy streets at Victoria Park, 400 hectares of green space in the very center of town, including a deep gorge and two waterfalls. The park attracts dozens of bird species.
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C
Urban Shaman
A noted gallery displaying contemporary Canadian aboriginal art.
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Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts
The town is famous for tapestries, prints and woven hats, all available at the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, opposite the interpretive center. Artists in the printshop and weaving studio often show off their techniques and wares; ask first before snapping photos.
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Ukrainian Museum of Canada
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Ukrainian Heritage Sites
With a huge Ukrainian population and a long history of immigration, there are a few places around town to learn about the culture of the old country and its transplantation in Canada. These sites are found north of downtown and can be combined into a single outing: St Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral,Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum of Alberta, and Ukrainian Museum of Canada.
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Ukkusiksalik National Park
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Ucluelet Aquarium
Tucked in a little waterfront cabin is this excellent small attraction, often crammed with wide-eyed kids. The emphasis is on biodiversity education using pinkie-finger touch tanks teeming with colorful local marine life, including purple starfish and alienlike anemones – the octopus is the star attraction, though. All the critters are here temporarily on a catch-and-release program. Bold plans are afoot for a much bigger facility – watch this space.
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UBC Museum of Anthropology
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Twillingate Museum
Housed in a former Anglican rectory, the museum tells the island's history since the first British settlers arrived in the mid-1700s. It also displays articles brought back from around the world by local sea captains. Another room delves into the seal hunt and its controversy. There's a historic church next door.
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Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
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