Americans too often think of Canada as our cold neighbor to the north. While the northern part of Canada is quite sparsely populated, the southern part of the country contains a number of metropolitan areas, such as Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary that offer a number of cultural opportunities. If you are fortunate enough to visit any of these or any other major Canadian city, rest assured that there is much to see and do.
Theater
Many Americans may not realize that Canada is the home to a lively theater community. The city of Edmonton alone is home to several important theatrical companies and houses the Citadel Theater Complex. The Citadel has showcased many prize-winning productions.
The Winnipeg Jewish Theater produces several shows each season, all depicting Jewish culture and Jewish life, especially Canadian Jewish life.
Nightlife
Jazz clubs, dance clubs and casinos all contribute to Canada’s flourishing nightlife. You can find reviews here. The Niagara Fallsview Casino and Resort is a huge casino with slot machines, gaming tables, and poker rooms, all right at Niagara Falls, near the United States border. Many famous performers appear here.
The Frequency nightclub in Toronto hosts many famed DJs and special events. If you are in the Toronto area and want to party, this 17,000 square foot club is the place to be. The Frequency often hosts themed parties, so look out for these exciting occasions.
Museums
There are literally hundreds of museums spread across Canada. Many of them feature historical events, artistic and cultural achievements, and scientific discoveries related to Canada and the Canadian people.
The Textile Museum in Toronto showcases a variety of textile works, some from indigenous Inuit peoples, other from a variety of cultures around the world.
The Glenbow Museum in Calgary houses the largest art collection in Western Canada. It contains unrivaled collections of Inuit art and pieces by a number of contemporary Canadians, including Sybil Andrews and Walter J. Phillips.
Architecture
Canadian cities contain a wide array of interesting architectural pieces. The CN Tower in Toronto was the largest structure on earth when it was built in 1976.
Habitat ’67 in Montreal was originally constructed as a pavilion for the 1967 World’s Fair. It is now a housing complex, architectural landmark, and one of Canada’s most significant architectural pieces.
Festivals
Canada’s many cities host a number of fascinating festivals throughout the year. The Toronto International Film Festival runs in September and features more than 300 films. It’s highly prestigious.
The Quebec Winter Carnival, or the Carnaval de Québec, has been held annually in Quebec City since 1955. It is the largest winter festival in the world. It includes a masquerade ball and a number of free outdoor public banquets.
Canada’s Vibrant Art Scene
Many from the United States fail to realize that Canada has a lively, vibrant, and diverse art scene. From museums to performances to nightlife, there is much to see and do in Canada, especially in the metropolitan areas. Maybe for your next trip, you should consider going north. Between the West Coast, the Canadian Rockies, and French Canada, there’s much diverse culture.
