Travel Canada's capital cities: Yellowknife, N.W.T.

Whether you're planning a family road trip or a weekend staycation, check out our list of things to do in Canada's capital cities.

Favourite indoor activity: Much more than just a swimming pool, Ruth Inch Memorial Pool has a wave machine, a climbing wall overhanging the deep end and a large outdoor deck overlooking Frame lake for relaxing after your swim. yellowknife.ca

Favourite outdoor activity: Folk on the Rocks is a four-day music and cultural festival with programming for all ages. Savour local and international cuisine and peruse Northern arts and crafts at “the North’s biggest party under the midnight sun.” folkontherocks.com

Best-kept Secret: The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre holds a large collection of objects that represent the people and culture of the NWT, and mounts exhibits about its land, people and history. Join them for Amazing Family Sundays every Sunday afternoon, with different fun activities each week. pwnhc.learnnet.nt.ca

Great Place to Eat: Touted by Reader’s Digest as Canada’s best fish and chips, Bullocks serves its fresh daily catch out of Great Slave Lake. Entrées average $30, but it’s worth the experience.

Great Place to Stay: Overlooking beautiful Great Slave Lake, Bayside Bed and Breakfast offers prime views of the Northern Lights. A fabulous all-day brunch on weekends accompanied by live music awaits in its café, the Dancing Moose. baysidenorth.com

Worth the Drive: About 47 km east of Yellowknife is Cameron Falls Trail. A 20-minute hike along the trail leads to the picturesque Falls; in the summertime, the water levels are often low enough that you can walk across the Falls above the overhang. iti.gov.nt.ca/tourismparks

Originally published in ParentsCanada, July 2012