Best Roadside Attractions in Canada (With Exact Locations!)
Planning a Trans-Canada Highway road trip? Along the way, you’ll find some of the most unique and quirky roadside attractions in Canada—from giant statues to historic landmarks and unexpected oddities that make for the perfect road trip stops.
This article highlights some Canadian roadside attractions along the Trans-Canada Highway. Even if you’re cruising through Ontario and the Prairies to hit the Canadian Rockies as fast as possible, there is always time for a quick road pit stop.
1. Gateway to the North in Lee Park (North Bay, Ontario)
The Gateway to the North sign is a must for a quick family photo. It’s located at the entrance of Lee Park in North Bay.
The park itself is spacious, with a large playground, picnic areas, and lots of open green space for kids to run around. If you’re travelling with younger kids, the playground has plenty of climbing structures and swings to burn off energy.
2. Big Nickel (Sudbury, Ontario)
Few roadside attractions are as iconic as Sudbury’s Big Nickel. Standing 9 metres tall, this giant replica of a 1951 Canadian nickel celebrates Sudbury’s history as a major mining town. It’s a fun and free stop, perfect for a quick family photo and a stretch during the drive to Sault Ste. Marie.
The Big Nickel is right outside Dynamic Earth. It’s a hands-on science museum all about mining and geology. If you have time, the museum is worth visiting — especially if your kids are curious about rocks, fossils, and how things work underground.
3. Chippewa Falls – Halfway Point of the Trans-Canada Highway (Ontario)
Chippewa Falls is more than just a scenic waterfall — it also marks the official halfway point of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s the perfect place to pause and celebrate how far you’ve come (or how far you have left!) on your drive to Western Canada.
It’s a good reminder to take a family photo — halfway across Canada is a pretty big milestone! Whether you stay for five minutes or half an hour, Chippewa Falls is a classic road trip stop.
4. Wawa Goose – A Must-See Canadian Roadside Attraction (Ontario)
There’s no mistaking you’ve arrived in Wawa when you spot the Wawa Goose — a giant, 8.5-metre tall statue of a Canada goose perched proudly on a hill near the entrance to town. It’s one of Canada’s most famous roadside attractions and a fun piece of road trip history.
The goose has been watching over travellers since 1960, welcoming anyone driving the Trans-Canada Highway. There’s plenty of space for parking, so you can get out and take a family photo under the giant bird.
It’s a quick but memorable stop — and one of those quirky “only in Canada” moments your kids will love talking about later.
5. Winnie the Pooh Statue in White River(Ontario)
For families travelling with young kids (or anyone who grew up loving Winnie the Pooh), a stop in White River is a must. This small town is the real birthplace of Winnie the Pooh — the actual bear cub that inspired A.A. Milne’s famous stories was bought here by a soldier heading off to World War I.
Today, White River proudly celebrates its connection to the world’s most famous bear with a Winnie the Pooh statue along the highway. The statue stands in Winnie the Pooh Park, where you’ll also find interpretive signs that explain the story.
There’s also a small playground, picnic tables, and public washrooms,.
6. Terrace Bay Lighthouse (Terrace Bay, Ontario)
Terrace Bay Lighthouse offers one of the best views on the North Shore of Lake Superior, especially if you time your visit for sunset. This replica lighthouse, standing at 50 feet tall, was built to honour the town’s maritime history and offers panoramic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding forest.
Though it’s important to know that the Terrace Bay Lighthouse is part of Simcoe Plaza, where you’ll find shops, cafés, and picnic areas, it’s actually right in the centre of the plaza, not by the lakeshore (which was a bit of a surprise when we first saw it!).
But it’s still worth a stop, especially if you take the time to climb to the top of the lighthouse. You’ll have beautiful views. Plus, there are interpretive signs that explain the local history.
7. Terry Fox Memorial Lookout (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
The Terry Fox Memorial Lookout in Thunder Bay isn’t just a scenic roadside attraction — it’s also one of the most meaningful. The memorial honours Terry Fox, a Canadian hero who ran across the country in his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research.
The site offers beautiful views over Lake Superior, with a statue of Terry Fox and interpretive panels explaining his story.
8. Kakabeka Falls – “Niagara of the North” (Ontario)
Kakabeka Falls is one of Ontario’s most impressive waterfalls, earning its nickname “Niagara of the North.” Standing 40 metres high, it’s the second tallest waterfall in the province, and its easy access right off Highway 11/17. It’s a perfect pit stop for road trippers.
9. Husky the Muskie (Kenora, Ontario)
No visit to Kenora is complete without seeing Husky the Muskie, a 12-metre tall fish statue that’s become a quirky local icon. Located in McLeod Park, right by the Lake of the Woods, this oversized muskellunge celebrates the region’s rich fishing history.
Make sure to take a few pictures under the giant fish. It’s a quick and fun roadside attraction that makes a perfect “we were here” family photo stop.
10. Welcome to Manitoba Sign
📍 Location: Trans-Canada Highway near West Hawk Lake, Ontario
As you leave Ontario and enter Manitoba, you’ll spot the Welcome to Manitoba sign along the Trans-Canada Highway near West Hawk Lake.
This is the perfect photo op to mark your arrival in Canada’s prairie region. If you’re travelling west, stop at the Centre of Canada Park, located just outside Winnipeg, for another great roadside attraction!
11. Centre of Canada Park (Manitoba)
Centre of Canada Park is exactly what it sounds like — the geographic centre of Canada, located along the Trans-Canada Highway just outside Winnipeg. It’s a quick, fun stop to grab a family photo at the sign that marks the spot.
There’s a small parking lot, picnic tables, and lots of open space if the kids need to stretch their legs. It’s one of those fun “we were here” moments that’s perfect for your road trip across Canada.
12. Welcome to Saskatchewan Sign
📍 Location: Near the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Border, Highway 1
This classic green and yellow sign welcomes you to Saskatchewan, known for its endless wheat fields and big skies.
Located just west of Moosomin, Saskatchewan, on the Trans-Canada Highway, this is a quick roadside stop with plenty of space to pull over for a photo safely. It’s also a good chance to stretch your legs before the long, open roads of the Prairies.
13. Chaplin Lake Salt Flats (Chaplin, Saskatchewan)
Chaplin Lake is Canada’s second-largest saline lake, and its bright, white salt flats stretch along the highway like a blanket of snow — even in summer. There’s a small interpretive centre where you can learn about the area’s unique ecosystem and the migratory birds that rely on the lake.
Kids will get a kick out of seeing the huge mounds of salt being processed nearby. It’s a quick roadside stop, but it’s a great chance to show your kids something truly unique to Saskatchewan.
14. World’s Largest Teepee (Medicine Hat, Alberta)
You can’t miss the World’s Largest Teepee when you pass through Medicine Hat. Standing at 20 stories tall, this massive steel structure was initially built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and later moved to Medicine Hat.
The teepee celebrates Indigenous culture, with painted panels telling stories of the local Blackfoot Nation. It’s a great photo stop with a small interpretive trail around the base. It’s a quick visit, but the size alone is worth the detour!
15. Brooks Aqueduct (Brooks, Alberta)
The Brooks Aqueduct is an engineering marvel from the early 1900s. It was built to carry water across a wide valley to irrigate farmland. This massive concrete structure stretches more than a kilometre and sits high above the prairie landscape.
Today, you can walk alongside the aqueduct, learning about its history from interpretive signs.
16. The World’s Largest Dinosaur (Drumheller, Alberta)
If your road trip takes you through Drumheller (which I highly recommend!), you can’t miss the World’s Largest Dinosaur—literally! Standing at 26.2 metres (86 feet) tall, this massive fibreglass T. rex towers over the town.
It’s one of the most iconic roadside attractions in Canada.
What makes this dinosaur even cooler? You can climb inside! A staircase inside the dinosaur leads up to its giant mouth, where you’ll get a fun (and slightly terrifying) view of Drumheller. Kids love pretending they’re inside a real T. rex, and it’s a perfect photo op for families.
Since Drumheller is known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World, this stop is a must-see before heading to the Royal Tyrrell Museum or exploring the nearby Badlands.
17. Banff Sign (Banff, Alberta)
No trip to Banff National Park is complete without a stop at the iconic Banff Sign! Located at the entrance to Banff, this massive, rust-coloured sign is one of Canada’s most photographed roadside attractions.
It’s the perfect place to snap a family photo to mark your arrival in Canada’s first national park.
There’s parking nearby, and since it’s right off the Trans-Canada Highway, it’s an easy roadside attraction to check off your list. Just be prepared for a short wait during peak hours—everyone wants that perfect Banff road trip photo!
18. Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint (Yoho National Park, British Columbia)
The Spiral Tunnels are one of Canada’s most impressive engineering feats, built to help trains safely navigate the steep grades of the Rocky Mountains. Located in Yoho National Park, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, these tunnels allow trains to loop inside the mountains, reducing the steep incline that once made this section of track extremely dangerous.
At the Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint, you can watch trains enter one tunnel, disappear into the mountain, and then re-emerge at a different level—a fascinating sight, especially for kids who love trains!
19. Rogers Pass Discovery Centre (Glacier National Park, British Columbia)
The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is a must-stop located in Glacier National Park. This centre tells the dramatic story of Rogers Pass, a key section of the Canadian Pacific Railway, known for its avalanches and harsh winters.
Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits, historic railway artifacts, and a kids’ activity area. Outside, there are stunning mountain views and nearby short walking trails. It’s also one of the best places to learn about Glacier National Park’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
20. Hemlock Grove Boardwalk (Glacier National Park, British Columbia)
Stop at the Hemlock Grove Boardwalk for an easy, stroller-friendly walk in the middle of a BC rainforest. This 400-metre loop features a well-maintained wooden boardwalk that winds through towering old-growth hemlock and cedar trees.
It’s a quick and peaceful stop, perfect for young kids who need a nature break. Interpretive signs along the way share fun facts about the forest ecosystem.
This stop is a hidden gem along the Trans-Canada Highway and a great way to experience BC’s lush inland rainforest without a long hike.
21. Giant Cedars Boardwalk (Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia)
If you’re looking for a short but magical nature stop, the Giant Cedars Boardwalk in Mount Revelstoke National Park is a must. This 500-metre wooden boardwalk takes you through an ancient cedar forest, where some trees are over 500 years old.
The air is cool and fresh, and the towering trees create a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. It’s an easy walk that’s great for kids, with interpretive signs teaching about the ecosystem.
22. Great Big Truck (Sparwood, British Columbia)
If you take an alternative route from Banff to Vancouver, on the Crowsnest Highway instead of the Trans-Canada highway, you’ll pass in the small town of Sparwood as you cross from Alberta to British Columbia.
You’ll find the biggest truck in the world—a massive, lime-green Titan 33-19 mining truck. Built in the 1970s, this giant vehicle was once used in open-pit mining and stands 6.88 metres tall!
The kids will love posing for photos next to this record-breaking machine, and it’s a fun way to break up your drive with a unique roadside attraction.
23. Giant Paddle (Golden, British Columbia)
Also, on an alternative route, if you’re driving through the Golden Triangle, from Golden to Radium Hot Springs, you’ll pass one of the quirkiest roadside attractions in Canada—the Giant Paddle. Standing 13 metres tall, this oversized wooden canoe paddle is a nod to the region’s rich history of rafting, paddling, and river adventures.
24. Canada Sign (Victoria, British Columbia)
For the perfect “We made it!” photo at the end of your cross-Canada road trip, stop by the Canada Sign in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
This colourful red-and-white sign is a popular spot for visitors to take family photos, with the harbour, boats, and historic buildings in the background. It’s a great way to capture the end of your epic road trip.
25. Mile 0 Monument (Victoria, British Columbia)
At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, you’ll find the Mile 0 Monument. It marks the official starting point of the Trans-Canada Highway. This is where the famous coast-to-coast route begins, stretching to St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The monument is in Beacon Hill Park, a beautiful green space perfect for a picnic or a short walk.
If you’ve driven from Ontario, this is a great final stop to reflect on your cross-Canada adventure!
Ready to Hit the Road?
The best road trips are filled with surprises, and roadside attractions in Canada bring plenty of them. Giant roadside statues, historic landmarks, and quirky small-town treasures turn simple rest stops into memorable experiences.
These attractions add fun to long drives, give kids something to look forward to, and make for some great photos along the way.
Pull over, explore, and enjoy the little detours that make a cross-Canada road trip special. Some of the best moments on the road happen in the most unexpected places.
