I'm going to be driving from Vancouver to Toronto.. can anyone recommend anything I should stop to see?

Question

(I'm from Toronto and want to know what there is to see/do out West).

I know I'll be going to the West Edmonton Mall, but I'd like to know what else there is to see along the way?

Also, are there any good camping spots along the way (a good provincial park)?

Answer 1

You should stop at ROCKY MOUNTAINS, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. There you may visit the national parks of Banff, Jasper and Yoho.

Jasper National Park, established in 1907, is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies with 10,878 square kilometres of mountain wilderness.

Jasper is the wildest of the mountain parks, and contains a super backcountry trail system as well as the world famous Columbia Icefields, one of the only Icefields in the world accessible by road.

It is internationally-renowned for wildlife viewing, and is home to some of North America's rarest animals, including healthy populations of grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves.

Don't miss this variety of incredible opportunities for sightseeing: The Cavell and Maligne Roads, The Pyramid Lake Road and The "Old Banff / Jasper Highway".

It´s possible to drive the Icefields Parkway in 2.5 hours. A few highlights (amongst many) included:

- Bow Lake, Crowfot Glacier and Bow's Glacier

- Peyto Lake and Bo summit

- Parker Ridge

- Columbia Icefield

- Sunwapta Falls

- Athabasca Falls

Banff National Park is home to some of the most handsome scenery in Canada. Rundle Mountain, Lake Louse and Moraine Lake are world famous, but the region offers thousands of panoramas.

The TransCanada Hwy is the main rout through Banff National Park. The road passes the town of Banff, and continues another 58 km to Lake Louise.

The town of Banff is a glamorous place plenty of luxury shops, good restaurants and spas.

The Village of Lake Louise is on the Trans-Canada Highway fifty-seven kilometers (thirty-five miles) west of Banff. This quiet and small village offers a range of travel amenities, fabulous dining opportunities and accommodations.

THE CITY OF CALGARY. Calgary, just over an hour east of Banff National Park, offers the opportunity for an urban experience of attracctions, festivals, restaurants, parks, performances, shopping and nightspots. Calgary attractions and events offer cultural experiencies and Western heritage.

The high point in the city is the Calgary Tower: it rises 191 metres (627 feets) over downtown, providing a 360 degree mountain and city view. Step on the glass floor for a view down-way down. There is even a revolving restaurant.

History buffs can visit Heritage Park, Fort Calgary, Lougheed House, Glenbow Museum, Aero Space Museum, Museum of the Regiments, Calgary Police Interpretative Centre and Firefigther's Museum.

Answer 2

There is a tonne of stuff!  It really depends on what you like.

In BC/Alberta your going to drive through the Rockies.  There are several points of interest in this area including hot springs, glaciers, mountains (of course).  If you are going to Edmonton to the mall then you should go to Jasper National Park.  I believe it will be on your route.  Alberta also has one of the largest deposits of dinosaur bones and there is a great museum in Drumheller.

I'm not sure about the prairie provinces since I've never personally been there.

Ontario is beautiful.  In the west end there is Quatico Provincial Park - one of the best in Canada.  Great for canoeing/kayaking.  Drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior for some beautiful scenery.  You'll have to head South to Toronto at either Sudbury (hwy 69 South) or North Bay (hwy 11 south).  If you take highway 69 you could camp at Killarney Provincial Park or Kilbear.  Check out ontarioparks.ca for more info.  

There are many many cities and towns of interest along this route.  I would suggest planning your route and deciding where you will be sleeping each night.  Then look for attractions along the way or in the area where you overnight.  It depends on what you are interested in and how much time you have.  

Good luck and enjoy your trip!