Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure. Today we are going to go on another adventure to our next country. Can you guess where we are going? We are going to visit the lovely country of Canada and our stop this week will be the beautiful province of the Northwest Territories
1.) Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre located in Yellowknife opened daily from 10:30-5pm Situated in the capital of the Northwest Territories, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) produces exhibitions that tell stories about the land, people, and history of the NWT. However, the PWNHC is "more than a museum". In addition to its exhibits, education, collections, and conservation programs, the PWNHC houses the NWT Archives, provides technical, logistic, and financial support to individuals and organizations involved in cultural activities and the arts, and authorizes archaeological studies in the NWT.
2.) Cameron Falls Trail Cameron River Falls Hiking Trail is located just 47 km east of Yellowknife, along the Ingraham Trail. The Cameron Falls Trail and Day Use Area are within the Hidden Lake Territorial Park. Upon entry to the Park there is a small parking lot with washroom facilities and the hike along the well-marked trail to Cameron Falls takes about 20 minutes. In winter the falls are frozen right over. In spring, melt-waters roar under the ice. Attractions & Points of Interest: It is possible to hike upstream from Cameron Falls to the Cameron River Ramparts Waterfalls, a distance of 8 or 9 km. The trail is not well developed, but the river is relatively easy to follow and the route is obvious. If you choose to follow the north (far) side of the river, there is a foot bridge at Cameron Falls, which also offers access into the rest of Hidden Lake Park. The park offers access for canoeists to the Lower Cameron River Canoe Route, one of the Ingraham Trail Canoe Routes.
3.) Nahanni National Park Reserve opened weekdays from 8:30-5pm Running for approximately 70 miles along the length of the South Nahanni River, this dramatic landscape features deep canyon walls lining much of the length of the mighty river.
4.) Prelude Lake Territorial Park Prelude Lake is a water lover’s dream. The largest developed park on the Ingraham Trail, it has numerous facilities to enjoy and 79 campsites to choose from (67 non-powered and 12 tent pads). There is a sandy beach where you can enjoy a wide range of water activities: swimming, canoeing, wind surfing and water skiing. The park’s trail system offers a short stroll to a panoramic view or a longer, interpretive hike. You have to book ahead for this park, it is very popular with the locals and sites fill up during the summer months.
5.) Twin Falls Territorial Park The spectacular Twin Falls Territorial Park is located on NWT Highway 1, at km 80 after you enter the Territory. This iconic Park includes Alexandra Falls Day Use Are, Louise Falls Campground and Escarpment Creek Group Campsite. The Alexandra Falls Day Use Area is a dramatically beautiful spot to view the 32 metre Alexandra Falls, enjoy a picnic, and stroll the boardwalk to Louise Falls. There are two viewing platforms in the park to capture a 'selfie' and view the magnificent falls. The nearest campsite is at the Louise Falls Campground which offers powered and unpowered campsites surrounded by jack pines, spectacular flora and 400 million year old limestone formations along the Hay River gorge. A unique 138 step spiral staircase leads you down the embankment to a viewpoint overlooking the three-tiered Louise Falls.
6.) Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary Google Maps said the drive may take as long as 5 hours from Yellowknife, but it turned out to be less than 3.5 hours. You start to see a few of the wanderers of a few bison off the road. Well worth the drive and plan to spend the day. Also pack some food and drinks as there is nothing between Yellowknife and Fort Providence. Quite the experience - but lots of flies late in the summer.
7.) Fred Henne Territorial Park Fred Henne Territorial Park is conveniently located at the edge of the city, with 62 powered sites, 39 non-powered sites and 12 tent pads; this is the North’s biggest Park. At the Park you camp, picnic, canoe, swim or simply enjoy the amenities and attractions of Yellowknife, located away. Make sure you take the time to hike the 4 km/2.5 mile Prospector’s Trail, and notice the gold bearing geology along the way. Across the highway from the park, a hiking trail leads through a wilderness area to connect to a trail system winding around Yellowknife lakes and linking different parts of the city. Stop in at the Park Gatehouse before and inquire about guided tours. Yellowknife is only a short drive down Highway 3, with shopping , restaurants, several hotels and all of the modern amenities.
8.) Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park is a must see during your trip to the NWT. To get to the Park take NWT Highway 1 towards Yellowknife and you will find it just outside the community of Kakisa. Turn off the highway onto an access road to the south that leads 6.8 km/4.2 miles to the park. There are 23 powered campsites, shower facilities, a boat launch and beautiful hiking trails. The Kakisa River is a warm and boulder-strewn river with many lovely spots for wading and swimming. The fishing is excellent! Northern pike, pickerel/walleye and Arctic grayling can be caught by casting with small spoons into the pools at the base of the falls. A short trail from the campground leads to Lady Evelyn Falls. The falls form a giant curtain of water, as the Kakisa River spills over a limestone escarpment. This is a beautiful spot to relax and explore.
9.) Jàk Territorial Park This park, located just outside of the community of Inuvik, has 11 powered and 25 non-powered campsites. The Parks observation tower offers excellent views of the surrounding scenery and prime bird watching opportunities. Watch for falcons, eagles, ducks and more. Jàk Park is named because of the abundance of berries at the park; look for cranberries, blueberries and cloud-berries while you are there. Jàk means “berry” in Gwich’in, the local indigenous language. Camping reservations at Jàk Territorial Park can be made online at NWTParks.ca.
10.) Norman Wells Historical Centre Loved this place. This museum is a great history lesson, on Norman Wells, and the North in general. Lots of local crafts and souvenirs, foods and jewellery.I had no knowledge of the Canol pipeline and trail from WWII. The video that was playing was absolutely fascinating and brought history to life; surprising in this isolated, out-of-the-way community. Then there were the displays of artifacts, traditional indigenous and from the more modern era, that were fascinating.
11.) Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park The Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park is a must see while in the NWT, with stunning waterfalls and hiking trails this hidden gem will not disappoint! Hiking trails take you to views of both Sambaa Deh and Coral Falls, with a new viewing platform that overlooks the gorge. The Park is situated on the Trout River, along NWT Highway 1 between Fort Providence and Fort Simpson. There is a campground in the park with 20 non-powered campsites, showers, and great fishing.
12.) 60th Parallel Visitor Information Centre Located at the gateway to the NWT, The 60th Parallel Territorial Park is a great place to stop and get that souvenir photo as you cross the Alberta/NWT border. The Park's visitor information centre,has a small campground and a scenic picnic area overlooking the beautiful Hay River. The friendly staff at the 60th Parallel are available to welcome you. The Visitor Information Centre is open from May 15 to September 15. Brochures, maps, fishing licences, camping permits, pay phone, drinking water, washrooms and fresh coffee area available. Northwest Territories First Nations arts and crafts are on display in the centre. Audiovisual presentations depict the northern way of life and what you might expect to see on your travels in the NWT. Come in and have a cup of coffee while you take a short break.
13.)Fort Smith Mission Heritage Park Fort Smith Mission Heritage Park is all that remains of the original 151 acre, Oblate Catholic Mission that operated in Fort Smith from 1876 to the early 1980’s. Located at what is now the centre of the community, the Oblate Mission maintained a Bishop's Residence, St. Isodore's Church, assorted sheds, repair shops, a hospital with associated nun's residence, a residential school, large fields for the growing of crops, and even an airstrip. Today, the sites of several buildings have been removed but you can still see, the Bishop's residence built in 1911, the Cathedral, the fields that were cultivated (some of which have been restored), the storage shed, carpentry shop, vehicle repair shop, the hospital building built in 1952 to replace earlier structures and The Grotto. The park has a quaint walking path, with a self-guided tour that describes the history and activities of the historic mission.
14.) Old Town Glassworks hours of operation are Tue-Fri 12-6pm Sat 12-4:30pm Old Town Glassworks (OTG) is a workers’ cooperative that consciously lives the 4 R's: rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle. We have been creating beautiful glassware from recycled bottles in Yellowknife, NWT, since 1994. Enjoy our 2-hour sandblasting workshops (ages 3+) offered twice daily, 5 days per week, browse our ever-evolving selection of glassware, or work directly with our graphic artists to fulfill the custom engraving service of your dreams!
15.) Fort Simpson Territorial Park Located near the entrance of Fort Simpson, where the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers meet, this park offers 20 powered and 12 non-powered campsites to visitors. All of the local amenities are conveniently within walking distance to the park. The park is also located near the historical Papal Site that commemorates the 1987 visit of Pope John Paul ll. A community trail around the perimeter of the community of Fort Simpson links several historic sites, and is readily accessible from the campsite. The trail is a great location for bird-watching and listening to the chorus of northern frogs. Many different species of birds have been documented here. The Sonye is a shallow wetland ecosystem located between the main portion of the community and the southern shoreline of the river. Migratory waterfowl may be seen here in season, including tundra swans and snow geese.
16.) North Star Adventures hours open daily from 9-5pm Welcome to Yellowknife! We are an 100% Indigenous owned tour company. We are from Yellowknife, we grew up here, we know Yellowknife. We offer fun and exciting summer and winter Day Tours and multi-day Packages, as well as Canada Goose winter clothing rentals. Our specialty is our Aurora Hunting™ tours! We are the world's FIRST Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora! In the summer season, experience the pristine beauty of Canada's north with our once in a lifetime multi-day Adventure packages! Enjoy the world famous Nahanni National Park, the mighty Mackenzie River, the mysterious Arctic, genuine Indigenous and Inuit cultures and communities and more! Also as a 100% Indigenous owned tour company, we can offer you a genuine Indigenous experience! If you are looking for a smaller, more personal tour experience with a local Indigenous tour company then North Star Adventures is for you! We welcome you to our home and we look forward to having you on our tours! :)
17.) Yellowknife River Territorial Park Day Use Area Located on the Yellowknife River, the park is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or fishing. For the more adventurous, boat up the river and into the string of lakes it connects to; or downstream into Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake.
18.) Hay River Historical Museum The museum was the best part of the trip to Hay River! The people there were so friendly and we had a gentleman walk with us through the exhibits, giving us a history of the town. There is no greater gift than someone who shares their passion and love for a place with you. We also got the history of the building, which was very interesting, and took a walk back in time with relics from different eras.
19.) Tuktut Nogait National Park With rolling tundra, wild rivers, precipitous canyons, and a variety of unique wildlife and vegetation, Tuktut Nogait (‘young caribou’) is one of Canada’s undiscovered gems. This remote park is located 170 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is home to the Bluenose West caribou herd, wolves, grizzly bears, muskoxen, arctic char, and a high density of raptors.
20.) Fort Simpson Visitor Information Center This place has all the information you need to enjoy the area.must see the arbor. Several historical buildings. The highlight was the 90-minute walking tour showing off all the highlights of town. While you are here check out Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre
21.) Arctic Tours Canada opened Mon-Sat 10-4:30pm Arctic tours Canada is a Yellowknife registered tour operating company that offers aurora hunting tours, Yellowknife city tours, wildlife tours, Cameron falls hiking tours, snowshoeing tours, snow castle tours, ice fishing tours, snowmobile tours, dog sledding tours, Great Slave lake northern lights boat cruise tours, ice road tours, customized Yellowknife festivals packages and customized group tours in partnership with other licensed tour operators in Yellowknife.
22.) Aurora Village opened daily 10-5pm A place where traditional Aboriginal culture blends together with modern amenities for a truly remarkable experience discovering the mystery of the aurora borealis. We are the aurora-viewing destination of choice in Yellowknife, Canada, providing the utmost in comfort and absolute beauty. We also provide complete experience from the beginning to end of your visit to Yellowknife. During the winter months you can experience Dogsledding, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, giant ice slide and roasting marshmallows over the open fire. In the summer Experience our Cultural Hiking experience and see how the land and wildlife connect into our culture, take a cruise on Great Slave Lake, explore and hike Cameron Falls or a guided wildlife tour and see if you can spot Bison and other local wildlife.
23.) Northern Souvenirs & Gifts Stopped off here a few times as it was on the way back to our hotel. They have a great selection of gifts and even some sweets (maple syrup goodies). Lots of amazing postcards Really good selection of souvenirs!
24.) Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures opened daily from 9am-2am We offer half days and full day excursions, winter and summer. Winter activities, snowmobiling, dog sledding, aurora viewing on Great Slave Lake. Summer activities, trophy pike fishing, boat tours, Great slave lake dinner cruises and more...We deliver very personalized professional guiding services.
25.) My Backyard Tours - Day Tours opened weekdays 8-5pm weekends 24hrs See Yellowknife through the eyes of people who came for two years and stayed a lifetime. Enjoy learning about Yellowknife's history, meet local artisans or hike to Cameron Waterfalls. Want to experience more of the Northwest Territories? Our fly-out fishing and photography adventures will immerse you in the authentic splendour of the Northwest Territories and provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. Day tours range from 2 - 5 hours in length. Fly-out packages range from 4-8 days. Custom packages are available as well as step-on guide services. Our professionally guided tours offer personalized service and participants' interests are incorporated into City, Ingraham Trail and Northern Lights Tours.
26.) Jackpine Paddle Run by locals, our outdoor adventures explore the most spectacular places in the Northwest Territories. Paddle with us in the scenic Yellowknife Bay in a canoe or kayak, or follow one of our guides on a winter wilderness trek. For the most adventurous, join us on a remote 7-12 day expedition deep into the tundra, taiga, and mountains. Remember, life is better outside!
27.) Sundog Adventures opens daily 11-7:30pm Your adventure begins at the Sundog Adventures log cabin located in historic Old Town on Back Bay. We offer kicksled tours assisted by huskies during the winter and houseboat & heritage boat and fishing tours in our amazing summers.
28.) The Yellowknife Historical Museum opened Tue-Sat 10:30-5:30pm The Yellowknife Historical Museum is located on the shores of the Great Slave Lake and features local Indigenous, mining, and community history. The museum is available for lunches and for booking by community organisations for meetings, musical recitals, and other cultural events.
29.) Tugah Northern Experiences At Tugah Northern Experiences we strive to give tourists a personal and special experience by maintaining small group sizes that are individualized to each tour. As a small business, owned and operated by an Indigenous family, we believe our purpose is to promote an awareness, understanding and appreciation of Indigenous heritage and culture. A few tours we offer are dogsledding & aurora viewing.
30.) Wild Sky Originals Everyone is an artist at Wild Sky Originals. Our cozy studio in historic Old Town is the home of the silk art experience. Discover the magic of water marbling with us. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Choose your colours, float your paint, and design a 100% silk masterpiece (scarf/table runner/wall décor). You can choose to use our handy design tools or work freehand. Love the aurora? We can help you create your own personal version of the North's dancing skies - a unique souvenir of the NWT. The process is mesmerizing and the design is always beautiful. You will take home a true work of art. No experience needed. Suitable for all ages. Watch for other fun workshops featuring different specialty items. We look forward to marbling with you!
With so many things to do and see in the province I hope that you will take the time needed to dive into the rich nature that is available for you. I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious and you never know whose life you could save simply by being kind and when it comes to kindness sprinkle it everywhere the world needs more of it.
Written by: BeautifulChaos318
