Celebrate your geekiness when visiting some of Canada’s most fascinating cities with these recommendations of the places to see and the things to do.
Science World (Vancouver)
“Science World at Dusk” (CC BY 2.0) by Sworldguy
Science World will further feed your curiosity for how things work, where stuff came from, and where civilization is going. Fascinating exhibits and well-designed shows treat visitors to insights about the human body, space exploration, history, geology and the time of the dinosaurs amongst other aspects of science and discovery. The OMNIMAX Theatre is also worth seeing, offering immersive films courtesy of one of the largest screens in the world and a 28-speaker surround sound environment.
The Canadian War Museum (Ottawa)
You’ll be struck by the striking architecture of The Canadian War Museum before you immerse yourself in the wonderful presentation of Canada’s rich military history. An internationally renowned venue you won’t forget quickly, the museum is also an exhaustively detailed treasure trove of photographs, personal stories, military tech and equipment, memorabilia, and interactive presentations. There are also great permanent and temporary exhibitions such as a fascinating look at Canada’s involvement in the Cold War to the present day.
The Rec Room (Toronto)
A destination that puts food first, The Rec Room’s two restaurants serve the very best in wood-fired, Canadian-inspired cuisine that has the perfect pairing for any occasion. (CNW Group/Cineplex)
An entertainment complex with a difference. The recently opened Rec Room is a gamer’s delight with lots of interactive experiences such as the fun Ghostbusters-inspired reality game VOID in which you fight an assortment of pesky poltergeists and other ghouls with your friends inside a virtual world. After all the fun, you can unwind in Three10 which serves barroom favorites from burgers to wood-fired pizzas.
Casino Montreal (Montreal)
Revival of the Casino of Montréal / Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux + Provencher Roy Architectes
If you’re in the mood for gambling while in Montreal there’s no better place to play than Casino Montreal. There’s everything you could wish to find here, including poker and blackjack, roulette and slot machines. But the place is more than just a casino with its own cabaret club, restaurants, bars and live shows. You can check out what’s on here. Of course, if you’re bitten by the casino bug you don’t have to worry about having to eventually go home, particularly with all the great online casino bonuses you can make use of like LeoVegas’ $1,000 bonus and 222 free spins for new customers.
AnimeXtreme (Toronto)
Toronto’s Nerdiest Spots: AnimeXtreme
For those with a love of Japanese anime, there’s no better place to be when in Toronto than AnimeXtreme. Located in the city’s Chinatown, this unassuming store (that you’ll easily miss if you don’t keep a lookout) comes into its own when you step through the door. This is a surprisingly well-stocked shop with everything from memorabilia, statues and toys to the sought-after Gunpla section (featuring plastic model kits that are hugely popular in Japan).
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (Vancouver)
“H.R. MacMillan Space Centre – Night HDR” (CC BY 2.0) by Torben Bjørn Hansen
If you loved the space exhibitions at the Science World in Vancouver then you’ll probably want to check out the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The exhibition centre caters for all interest levels from the casual observer to the astrophysicist, with a wonderful adjoining observatory for you to gaze at the stars. You can also check out the galaxy’s various constellations in the planetarium while the venue plays host to an immersive history of space exploration.
