The 2022 Jimmy Awards: Top Travel Experiences in Canada

I didn’t get out to British Columbia as I had planned, but I did manage to spend time this year in Calgary, Banff, Quebec and several places in Southern Ontario. Here are some of my fave experiences in Canada this year.

MOST SURPRISING ARCHITECTURE: I had never heard of the Thomas Foster Memorial in Uxbridge, Ontario, but it’s a beautiful building both inside and out. Definitely worth a visit.

MOST UNUSUAL SPA: The Muskoka Beer Spa is a fun spot south of Bala, Ontario, with a nice pool, hot tubs, saunas, a beach and cottages that you can have equipped with a keg of beer.

BEST FARM VISIT, QUEBEC: We had a wonderful tour at Fromagerie La Station de Compton in Compton, Quebec, followed by a tasting out on the patio. A terrific spot in the Eastern Townships.

BEST ANIMAL EXPERIENCE: Hanging out with cute critters at Forget-Me-Not Alpaca Farm in Beaverton, Ontario.

MOST INTERESTING CANADIAN INTERVIEW: For a story on distilling in Calgary and the role women play, I sat down for a half hour with Manjit Minhas, who helps run a company with distilleries and breweries across Canada and the United States and who appears on the popular TV show Dragon’s Den. We had a fascinating chat about the business, and a very, very intelligent, interesting person.

MOST SURPRISING CONCERT: We loved seeing The Dreamboats play at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. Great musicians and terrific showmen.

NEW CANADIAN NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY: I’ve lived in Toronto for 41 years but this past summer marked my first trip to Georgian Bay Islands National Park and Beausoleil Island, a short ferry ride from Honey Harbour. It’s a gorgeous place to enjoy classic Georgian Bay nature, with rounded, golden rocks, shallow lake water and deep green, sweet-smelling pine trees.

BEST KAYAK EXPERIENCE: We picked up kayaks from the North Hatley Marina in North Hatley, Quebec and cruised around the Massawippi River for an hour. It’s an easy, relaxing trip.

BEST VALUE FISH AND CHIPS: Mrs. H’s Fish and Chips, located on the Wahta Reservation west of Bala, Ontario. We paid $25 for three good-sized pieces of halibut and a small mountain of fries. Haddock is a little less.

BEST THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE: Maud of Leaskdale is an engaging, powerful play put on most years at the Leaskdale Church, just a short drive from Toronto. Jennifer Carroll does an outstanding job as Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the cherished Anne of Green Gables books. You can take tours of the Leaskdale Manse, the home she lived in for many years.

FAVE QUEBEC HOTEL: We got to stay at Auberge West Brome in the Eastern Townships again this year, and I loved it just as much as I did a few years ago. Great units, an indoor pool, lovely management and outstanding food.

BEST BOAT RIDE, ONTARIO: An afternoon trip on the Wenonah II on Lake Muskoka this summer. The restored RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Segwun should be back on the water next year.

COOLEST ONTARIO HOTEL I STAYED AT: 124 on Queen is a new, modern place in Niagara-on-the-Lake. NOTL is famous for old-fashioned luxury, so it’s a smart move to offer up something with a new, sleek feel to it. The spa and hydrotherapy pools are sensational.

COOLEST ONTARIO HOTEL I ONLY VISITED: The new W Hotel at Yonge and Bloor in Toronto is a beauty, with a terrific rooftop patio and a sexy lobby level bar.

MOST UNUSUAL CITY TOUR: A motorcycle sidecar tour in Calgary with Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures was a fun and educational trip in July.

BEST CN TOWER PHOTO: Taken from the Rogers Centre during a Blue Jays game. I like the angle on this one.

BEST PHOTO SITTING ON A COW: Couldn’t resist this pic at Springridge Farm in Milton, Ontario.

BEST MONTREAL EXPERIENCE: A ride on Le Grand Roue de Montreal (The Big Wheel), on the city’s waterfront. Terrific views of the city and surrounding area.

BEST SPA EXPERIENCE: The Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt Hotel in downtown Toronto has been given a marvelous facelift. It’s a beautiful, urban retreat, and the relaxation massage I had was pure heaven.

BEST GARDEN DISCOVERY: I’d somehow never visited the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington until tis past summer. They’re absolutely stunning and highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and beautiful flowers.

COOLEST CALGARY HOTEL STAY: The Westley is a terrific, trendy, boutique property that’s part of the Hilton Tapestry collection. Style to spare.

BEST CANOE TRIP: A great ride on the most iconic lake in Canada, set up by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

BEST RETAIL STORE NAME: There’s a small variety and cigarettes store on the Wahta Reservation in Muskoka called Smoke on the Wahta. I love it.

BEST NEW BAKERY/COFFEE PLACES: Underground Bake Shop and The Shortiss Café in Beaverton are both wonderful businesses that you shouldn’t miss.

WEIRDEST PIZZA: Dill pickle and bacon pizza at The Mash in Calgary. Interesting, but I don’t think I’d try it again.

MOST SURPRISING CITY: Sherbrooke, Quebec was a real eye opener. It’s got tons of cool architecture, painstakingly painted murals all around, and a river running through the heart of the city.

BEST CIDER EXPERIENCE: Banjo Cider in Uxbridge. Lovely people, tasty cider and occasional live music performances in a cool, garden setting.

BEST BANFF PATIO PHOTO: This one, taken at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. I could never get tired of that view. The hotel also serves up wonderful food. Try the

BEST AUTOMOBILE: The Mazda CX-50 I got to use for my trip to Calgary and Banff was a real beauty. It drove like a dream, and it has all the new bells and whistles to make driving safe. Great sound system, too.

FAVE QUEBEC REDISCOVERY: We got to visit the Lac Beauchene Reserve, about an hour from Nort Bay, Ontario. It’s a gorgeous spot with 40 lakes, seven species of fish and 50,000 acres of open space. You can take your boat for a two-hour ride and not see another soul.

BEST GOLF PHOTO: This one, at the Mount Nemo Golf Course in Burlington, Ontario.

BEST PHOTO POSING IN A JET ENGINE: This one, taken at this year’s Rendez-vous Canada meetings.

COOLEST FOOD/HOTEL EXPERIENCE: I had a cute cottage at Villa Vida Loca in Sunderland, Ontario this summer, and the owners showed off their culinary skills by inviting to a fabulous dinner on their patio.

BEST ART PLACES: Pat Cherrie (an old friend, by the way) makes spectacular pottery at Greenmantle Pottery in Uxbridge. Right next door you’ll find great paintings and woodworking items at Concession 6 Studio.

BEST QUEBEC BOAT CRUISE: We had a lovely ride on Lake Memphremagog with Escapades Memphremagog in the Eastern Townships, about an hour from Montreal. They serve very good food on board, as well.

COOLEST NEW MONTREAL FEATURE: The giant silver ring is a wonderful art installation in the heart of downtown Montreal.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE GARDEN: The Sunflower Farm in Beaverton. A terrific spot in north Durham Region. BEST PHOTO OF ME SITTING ON A COW: This one, at Springridge Farm in Milton, Ontario.

BEST FARM AND WINE TOUR, ONTARIO: A visit to the Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery in Bala, Ontario.

BEST CALGARY RESTAURANT: I quite liked Major Tom, which some food critics have labelled the best new restaurant in Canada. For my money, Calgary’s Orchard delivers a better meal. But that’s just me.

BEST SOUTHERN ONTARIO VIEW: You’ll be rewarded with a terrific view after a short hike at Mount Nemo Conservation Area in Burlington, Ontario.

BEST FARM EXPERIENCE, ONTARIO: Springridge Farm is a fine spot in Milton, Ontario, with adorable animals, slides, and other activities for kids. The fresh strawberries are deep red and delicious, and they also sell a vast array of prepared foods. We’ll take the grandkids next summer.

FAVE BANFF PHOTO: I like this one, taken along the Bow River.

BEST BEER TOUR: Siboire Depot in Sherbrooke, Quebec is located in an historic train station and gives a great, educational tour. Very good beers, too.

BEST HOTEL PATIO: The Pearle Hotel and Spa in Burlington has one of the best patios I’ve seen, with terrific views of Lake Ontario.

BEST ONTARIO SUNSET PHOTO: Taken at a friends’ place at Thunder Beach, Ontario.

BEST TOURISM SIGN: I love the hashtag for visitors to Magog, Quebec.