Last week, we asked fellow Canadians what they thought were the country's truly hidden — and widely overlooked — gems.
Here are some of their favourite "secret" spots:
(that deserve more international love)
1. "Wawa, Ontario"
First of all, the name "Wawa" will instantly bring a smile to your face. The township sits off of Lake Superior, giving its residents beautiful water-side views, but the most charming fact about Wawa is that it is most known for its ginormous Goose statue (see above left). The goose is made of metal and stands to be over 8.5 meters tall.
One Facebook commenter added "the place so nice they named it twice!"
Submitted by Susan Mawhiney and Sheryl D Silva.
2. "North Bay, Ontario."
The city straddles several masses of water (Ottawa River, Great Lakes Basin, Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake) which means serene sceneries and and breathtaking views. One user claims it has "the best fall foliage in Ontario–by far," while another says it's their "favourite place in the world."
Submitted by LindsayChechak.
3. "Northern Ontario" in general.
Much of Ontario gets overwritten by its southern cities (Ottawa and Toronto), but the northern regions of the province are truly beautiful.
4. "Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick"
New Brunswick is home to some of the world’s tallest tides and rock formations. Each of these wonders stands about four stories high.
Submitted by courtneyk9 (and multiple users!)
5. "Cavendish Beach in P.E.I."
6. "P.E.I" in general.
We got countless shout-outs for Prince Edward Island — and for very good reason. The Maritime province is as magical as it looks: lighthouses, boardwalks, ocean coves and rolling pastures are just some of its most charming and romantic features. Heaven is a place on Earth.
7. "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta."
"Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump" (yes, that is the name) was first (and continually) used by aboriginal peoples 6,000 years ago. The preserved landmark is also an archeological insight into native hunting practices, buffalo jumps, and the remarkable lifestyles of North American Plains People.
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has placed it among the world's greatest heritage monuments, like the pyramids, Stonehenge and the Galapagos Islands.
Submitted by Twitter user @gepose.
8. "Haida Gwaii, British Columbia."
9. "Kamloops, British Columbia."
10. "Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia."
Blue Rocks is a cute, village-sized community in Nova Scotia known for its fishing culture. From the looks of it, life seems pretty easy and breezy.
Submitted by kristicolleen.
11. "Nova Scotia" in general.
Nova Scotia is the second smallest province in Canada and largely underrated (for whatever reason we still don't quite understand). One of our users has taken and shared some truly stunning images of her hometown — some even in her own backyard.
12. "Dempster Highway in Yukon/Northwest Territories."
13. "Dawson City, Yukon."
Its population sits around 1,500, but it draws about 60,000 visitors a year. Whether that's due to its charming architecture, or the old-town feel (reminiscent of its 1800s gold-mining days), or the annual International Sled Dog Race that runs through town, Dawson City is a cute northern community you'll really have to visit to believe.
Submitted by CanadianDot.
14. "Whiteshell regions in Manitoba."
The areas within and outside of Whiteshell Provincial Park (located along the Manitoba/Ontario border) hosts all sorts of natural sites: lakes, forests, granite ridges. But its most famous and mysterious feature is its petroforms, AKA geometric rock formations and arrangements that were created by native peoples for certain astronomical, religious, sacred, and teaching purposes.
The region is described, plain and simply, as "absolutely gorgeous."
Submitted by kristau.
15. "The cultural coasts of New Brunswick."
16. "Jasper, Alberta. And the drive from Jasper, AB south on Highway 93."
We got a ton of love for the town and municipality of Jasper, Alberta but one commenter noted that the drive through and around Jasper is the only way to fully appreciate, and take in, all the wonders of your surroundings. They suggested embarking on the "drive from Jasper, AB south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway), to Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) all the way to Waterton National Park."
Submitted by Karly Savoy (and multiple users!)
17. "Saskatoon, Saskatchewan."
18. "Tablelands in Newfoundland."
Newfoundland & Labrador's geological Gros Morne National Park is a clutch-your-heart kind of sight, and its "tablelands", AKA a mountain of flat-topped rock found in the deepest parts of earth’s mantle, is truly stunning.
Submitted by HapaxLegomenon.
19. "Twillingate, Newfoundland."
20. "Newfoundland" in general.
The most frequent response we received was a shout-out to the entire province (and island) of Newfoundland & Labrador:
One user described Newfoundland as "a rugged place with amazing geological sites," while another had a pretty general compelling argument:
"Newfoundland. Just all of Newfoundland. But mostly Gros Morne. And Twillingate. And St. John’s. And Bonavista. And… oh screw it, just all of it!! Everyone go!"
...and Dildo Island, Newfoundland. Yes, it exists.
The most underrated place in all of Canada is, unofficially but deservingly, Dildo Island. We hear they have great *wink wink* adventure tours.