Cornelius | 18 Jan 2017 11:40 a.m. PST |
Hi, we are visiting Canada in May. We are mostly in the Eastern provinces (NB, NS and PEI, with a day in Quebec City) – any military sites I should try to visit? |
Alcibiades | 18 Jan 2017 11:43 a.m. PST |
The fortress at Louisbourg, NS is well worth the visit. |
Jakar Nilson | 18 Jan 2017 12:35 p.m. PST |
Louisbourg, Fort George in Halifax (no actual battles, but it's a nice Victorian fortification), the Old City in Quebec City (and the Plains of Abraham). |
David Manley | 18 Jan 2017 12:53 p.m. PST |
If you are in Halifax then HMCS Sackville is worth a visit (if she's open, might be limited during winter) |
BlackJoke | 18 Jan 2017 1:07 p.m. PST |
I second Louisbourg (Cape Breton), the Citadel (Halifax), Maritime Mueseum of the Atlantic & HMCS Sackville (Halifax). Also Fort Beauseour (NS/NB border) and Fort Anne (Annapolis Valley NS) as smaller sites, I believe both Halifax has other military museums in addition to the citadel and Gagetown has a military museum. |
vtsaogames | 18 Jan 2017 1:29 p.m. PST |
Quebec citadel worth a visit although guides peddle myth about Montcalm had 1,000 troops vs. Wolfe's 3,000 (more like 4500 to 4800 at the Plains). Downtown Quebec has a diorama of the 1759 campaign link I quite liked it. And of course Plains of Abraham. Nearby is the Ste Foy battlefield, really a park. |
Toronto48 | 18 Jan 2017 1:57 p.m. PST |
You need an extra day in Quebec to see the city properly |
Cornelius | 18 Jan 2017 2:48 p.m. PST |
Thanks guys, excellent response. The hotels are already booked so no flexibility on days but we have two days in Quebec City (one already allocated to a guided tour), and finish in Halifax so HMCS Sackville will be on the list. Louisbourg is a possibility as we have a few days at Baddeck. Fort Beauseour is also do-able. I will be with wife and younger daughter (not the gamer) so have to limit museums to days when they can do something else but a scenic fort should be permissible. |
boy wundyr x | 18 Jan 2017 6:03 p.m. PST |
At that time of year there should be short walking tours of the Halifax Explosion available, and I think there's a small museum on the harbourfront too (where the tours start), though that might be the Maritime Museum Blackjoke mentioned. Come to think of it, this is the 100th anniversary. And while this may not work depending on how young your daughter is (though they may be all-ages over lunch and dinner), one of the coolest bars in the world is the Lower Deck Pub at Privateer's Wharf. The downstairs pub in particular, if you can catch local live music, is a little piece of heaven. Quebec City is fun too, I once rented a B&B in old downtown rather than stay at a hotel for a conference and it was great. One day for a tour and if you can wander around on your own the other day I think you'll have a good time. Lots of interesting streets, and uh, pubs. They seem to dominate my internal maps of cities for some reason. My first trip to Halifax was in 1994, and it took me until 2008 before I remembered where we'd gone out one night. There are some cool, sort of cliffside, restaurants overlooking the St. Lawrence too. |
Berzerker73 | 18 Jan 2017 6:27 p.m. PST |
I've been to both Louisbourg and Quebec City and they both terrific! Quebec is one my favorite cities in North America, a lot of historical flavor. |
Frederick | 19 Jan 2017 6:12 a.m. PST |
The Citadel in Halifax is certainly worth a visit – plus since this is Canada's 150th and as the site is a National Park I think admission might be free link |
Cornelius | 20 Jan 2017 2:12 p.m. PST |
Daughter 2 is 21 this June – she knows what alcohol is but hardly partakes. My wife has developed an intolerance for alcohol. It is unlikely we'd go to pubs, but we do like good food. I saw that about National Parks being free – an excellent incentive – well done Canada. Incidentally, I have been turning my attention to Canada in Normandy '44. Just bought a book on 4th Cdn Armoured Div yesterday (may save it for the trip). |
Oiler72 | 22 Jan 2017 12:03 p.m. PST |
Having just drove through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this past summer, you would be surprised the number of small county museums that have military sections. They are very small museums, usually have a couple of pieces of hardware out front, and can be difficult to spot from afar. There are some great sites already listed. Have a great trip. |
Cornelius | 29 Jan 2017 2:43 p.m. PST |
Thanks Oiler – I am sure we will. I will keep a look out. |
Chazzmak | 01 Feb 2017 9:32 a.m. PST |
Go to the Parks Canada website. You can order a Discovery Pass for free entry to all sites managed by Parks Canada. One pass per vehicle is sufficient. Depending on which park, some fees for parking, tour guides etc may apply. Enjoy your stay. |
Cornelius | 21 May 2017 9:09 a.m. PST |
Back from Canada – quite a damp country this year. Got to walk round the walls of Quebec, Fort Beauseour, and the Halifax Citadel. Also did the Halifax Maritime Museum but the Sackville was, sadly, away. Thanks to all those who offered advice. We had a great time and learnt how big Canada is. I even saw a black bear (80m away fortunately) and got its photo. Maybe we will be able to return one day – would love to see more of NS and go west of Toronto. |
Oiler72 | 24 May 2017 6:38 a.m. PST |
Glad you had a great trip…one of my buddies has a gaming table very accurately depicting Fort Beausejour. I have to ask, where did you see the black bear? Cheers. |