There’s a small, remarkable town in Ontario that is home to one of the most photographed landmarks in North America. Curious to learn more? Wawa, Ont., is one of those towns that deserves a visit this summer and here’s why.
Located just north of Sault Ste. Marie is Wawa, Ont. – a lovely town surrounded by the most scenic natural areas, outdoor experiences, local dining gems, and oddities.
According to Destination Ontario, the town was originally named Michipicoten after the Michipicoten River. Its history spans back to the “fur trading days, more recently serving as a hub for forestry, mining and boat-building industries.”
Now, it’s known as the township of Wawa. “In the Ojibway language, the word ‘wawa’ means ‘wild goose,’” shares Destination Ontario.
Which is why this next part will make A LOT of sense.
Wawa goose
There’s a giant goose statue in the town that is perched on a large rock, “welcoming visitors at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 101.”
According to Northern Ontario Travel, Wawa Goose has welcomed visitors from around the world since 1963. It’s the largest of its kind in Canada, standing at 28 feet tall, 22 feet long, and a wingspan of 20 feet.
Now that’s a big one.
And it just so happens to be one of the most photographed landmarks in North America. “The first goose was made of plaster and didn’t stand up to the weather,” shares Northern Ontario Travel. “The goose is now made of steel.”
Though this alone may convince you to make the 10-hour trip from Toronto, or 11 from Ottawa, we think the abundance of surrounding waterfalls is a must-see.
Chasing waterfalls
Thanks to its proximity to Lake Superior, the Wawa area has a ton of lakes and rivers, including some of the most scenic waterfalls around, according to the town’s site.
Sand River Falls is an easily accessible waterfall; Scenic High Falls towers 75 feet high and 125 feet wide; an easy 100-metre trail can reach Silver Falls, and Wawa Creek Falls is an overlooked gem with picturesque falls.
Whichever cascade you decide to explore, you can only imagine how stunning they’ll look this summer.
Now, who’s ready for a summer road trip? We know we are!
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