For over a century, 2020 Rue William was the location of the Marine Works shipyard. Nowadays, the industrial complex is a groundbreaking gallery, which hosts exhibitions of works by Canadian and international contemporary artists in an 80,000-square-foot space. The vast venue houses an exhibition room, commercial gallery, studio and private collection, and has been host to events like Sotheby’s auction previews and Montreal Fashion Week shows.

Architecture buffs won't want to miss Frank Gehry's transformed AGO with its iconic Douglas fir-hewn spiral staircase. The $276-million redesign of the historic gallery, completed in 2008, was the Toronto native's first-ever project in Canada. AGO houses the world's largest Canadian art collection, from early 20th-century wilderness landscapes by the Group of Seven to contemporary Inuit sculptures, as well as a polished museum restaurant offering exhibit-inspired tasting menus.

Housed in a former Olympic stadium, the Biodome is an iconic Montreal attraction and a must visit for families. The sprawling complex is divided into four exhibits, each dedicated to one of the ecosystems found in the Americas (Tropical forest, Laurentian forest, Saint Lawrence Marine Eco-system, Polar). Animals roam each habitat, but the penguins in the Polar facility are a highlight, especially for younger children.

Set in a refurbished ferryboat docked at the Old Port, Bota Bota is a Scandinavian-inspired spa that champions the health benefits of its Water Circuit. The treatment has spa-goers alternate between hot and cold plunge pools and sauna and steam rooms with the aim of improving circulation and eliminating toxins. While one can simply enjoy the benefits of the pools and the stunning views of the St. Lawrence River, the spa menu offers traditional services like massages, manicures and facials for those looking for a more pampering experience.

Note: Bota Bota does not permit children under the age of 18.

Buffalo Bills proudly calls itself “a party spot for everyone,” playing mainstream music and classic tunes for a slightly older crowd than at Whistler’s other clubs

The Notre-Dame Cathedral has been a Québec City landmark since it was built in 1647 as the first cathedral in North America. Today it is the primary church of Canada. Featuring an opulent Rococo interior, grand stained-glass windows and a magnificent gilded altarpiece, the structure has had a significant influence on Québec City architecture. Having barely withstood several fires and bombardments, the current building is a replica of what it was in the 17^th century.

When completed in 1976, the Toronto skyline's quirky centerpiece was the tallest freestanding structure on earth. Though this title was surrendered to the Burj Khalifa in 2010 (the CN Tower still claims the Western Hemisphere), the panoramic views from 1,815 feet continue to draw some two million visitors to the observation deck every year. On clear days, kids will love soaring above the cityscape in glass-walled elevators and squinting across Lake Ontario to glimpse the vapor rising above Niagara Falls.

Whether or not you’ve spent the day on the slopes, taking an hour to skate ski through quiet woods and circle a frozen lake is a privilege. You could head out to the Olympic venues south of town, but the easiest option is to walk the short distance from the village to Lost Lake Park. At the Cross Country Ski Center there, rent traditional cross-country skis, newer skate skis or snowshoes. Over 20 miles (32km) of trails offer options for beginner to advanced Nordic skiers, although note that even the beginner tracks here do have some elevation change. Two and a half miles of trails are lit for night skiing, and seven and a half miles of snowshoe trails allow you to go deep into the forest on your own.

During its heyday in the 19th century, Gooderham and Worts was the largest whisky distillery in the world. After shuttering for good in 1990, the 13-acre Victorian landmark lay abandoned for nearly a decade, until civic-minded developers proposed a plan for its restoration. The revitalized district reopened in 2003 as a mixed-use pedestrian "village," its industrial buildings newly occupied by independent boutiques, galleries and culinary artisans. The former cannery, reenvisioned as a creative incubator, now serves as studio and performance space for a community of emerging artists and designers. The neighborhood's wide, red brick lanes are ideal for an urban ramble. Be sure to stop into Hoi Bo, whose waxed canvas totes and simple linen dresses are handmade on-site, and book a tasting at Ontario Spring Water Sake (the only producer of locally brewed, unpasteurized sake in eastern North America). The legendary SOMA Chocolatemaker is also a must for hot cocoa and Douglas fir truffles.

If traveling with children—or chocoholics—a fun activity is to visit the museum attached to famed chocolatier Érico. The exhibition hall details the history of the cocoa plant and the use of chocolate from the Mayan times to today. Don’t miss the viewing window that overlooks the factory, where one can often see the chocolatiers at work.

If you are comfortable on black diamond runs and are ready for more excitement, let the guides at Extremely Canadian expand your perception of what skiing is all about. You can take steep skiing clinics, or take a guided Backcountry Adventure tour to explore the unbelievable, untracked terrain just a stone’s throw from Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Hop on one of the ferries that brings commuters back and forth between Québec City and Lévis on the opposite bank of the St. Lawrence River. The view from the water puts the city in stunning perspective. In warm weather, it is worth spending some time on the Lévis side exploring the fort built by the British and other historical sites.

One of the most exciting ways to see Vancouver and its diverse landscapes of city, mountain and sea is by floatplane, a single-prop, six-seater plane that takes off and lands on water. There are a variety of tours available from the passenger docks in Burrard Inlet below the Vancouver Convention Center. Harbour Air (www.harbourair.com) operates daily floatplane flights over Stanley Park and all around the metro region, giving you an unparalleled bird’s-eye view of the magnificent terrain; other tours will take you to Whistler, Victoria, glacial lakes, and prime fly-fishing and whale-watching spots.

With so many real outdoor adventures and activities to be had in Vancouver it might seem strange that I would recommend a simulated flight over Canada, but it is so well done and so visually exciting (for all ages), that I think you might want to consider it. Housed in the former IMAX theater at Canada Place, the Disneyesque ride-adventure is an easy way for thrill-seekers to get a breathtaking tour of Canada in nine minutes. You’re ushered to “plane” seats, buckle up, the lights go down, the seats move forward into space, and the show begins. Filmed from a helicopter (the seats mimic the copter’s twists and turns) in super high-definition projected on a huge curving screen, this aerial tour from Newfoundland to British Columbia, along the St. Lawrence River, across the plains, over the Rockies to the Pacific, is an experience that’s both hair-raising and exhilarating—and completely safe.

Powder diehards will love this opportunity to carve the first turns on newly fallen snow. With a special ticket, skiers can out early, arriving at the Whistler Gondola by 7:00am. Only 600 skiers are allowed up, so you need to get in line early. Up top, the Roundhouse Lodge serves a buffet breakfast of freshly made pancakes, eggs, sausages, house baked breads and fresh fruit., but don’t linger over breakfast. Eat quickly, because as soon as the bell rings, it means the slopes have been cleared for skiing.

Whistler’s top live music venue has seen well-known bands and DJs perform on its stage. A young crowd throngs the club on Thursday nights to see skateboarders catch air on the indoor skate ramp, before the DJ takes over at 11:00pm. Fridays and Saturday nights you’ll hear a mix of electronic dance music, house and classic indie tunes.

In summer, Whistler is a golfer’s paradise. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler course challenges golfers with a 400 feet elevation gain, but offers spectacular views as a payoff. The Nicklaus North Golf Course lies at the edge of scenic Green Lake, which really is green, the result of mineral-rich glacier run-off. The course at the Whistler Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, allows you to take in the magnificent vistas as you await your turn to swing.

Part crafts fair, part farmers market, part artist’s workshop, part mall, and part industrial site, Granville Island is hard to describe. But everything you could name is here: theaters, pubs, restaurants, artists’ studios, bookstores, crafts shops, an art school, a hotel, a cement plant, and lots and lots of people. One of the most enjoyable ways to experience Granville Island is to take a water taxi from False Creek over to the huge Granville Island Public Market with its stalls and booths selling produce, meats, fish, wines, local specialties, cheeses, and arts and crafts. The market is open daily 9am to 6pm. Order a latte and an enticing snack from one of the unique food counters and then stroll around the lively streets around the market, enjoying the view of the boats on False Creek, the buskers, the galleries and shops, and the kids chasing flocks of squawking seagulls. It’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

The erstwhile Olympic Medals Plaza for the 2010 Winter Games has been converted into a lovely outdoor skating rink. The rink is open from the late morning to the evening, with an afternoon break from 4:00-6:00pm.

In the warmer months, biking around Québec City is a scenic way to take in the dramatic landscape. One of the best spots to ride is along the Promenade Samuel-De-Champlain, which abuts the river and was a gift from the federal government for Québec City’s 400^th anniversary in 2008. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to set up a guided tour.

Dating back to the early 19^th century, the Citadelle of Québec is part of the Ramparts, and is the current official home of the Governor General and Monarch of Canada. It is the largest British fortress in North America, and offers spectacular views from its perch atop Cape Diamond. To fully understand the history of the fortress, visitors can explore the Royal 22e Régiment Museum, located at the entrance to the fortress. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to set up a guided tour.

Montreal has a long culinary tradition and was the birthplace for many dishes that are now found around the world. Among the “Montreal-style” offerings the city is known for are bagels, smoked meat, poutine and nearly every itieration of foie gras. A food tour of the Mile End neighborhood hits all the classic spots, but tours of the Atwater and Jean-Talon markets can also be arranged to sample regional specialties like maple butter and cheese curds. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.

Old Montreal transforms at night, when its cobblestoned streets are quiet and deserted, populated mostly by group ghost tours discovering the secrets and mysteries of the historic city. From haunted buildings to the abodes of notorious criminals, these guided tours are a spooky delight for the whole family. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.

Fuse New York City’s West Village with Brooklyn, and you might get something akin to Montreal’s vibrant Mile End neighborhood. Artistic and youthful, the area northeast of downtown is one of the city’s most lively. This is mainly due to the lighthearted spirit that floats throughout the hip coffee shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques and intimate restaurants that line Mile End’s leafy streets. A number of Montreal’s most iconic restaurants are located here, and a food tour is a fun way to explore the diverse neighborhood. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.