Yellowknife offers a mix of northern cultural history, outdoor adventure, and the famous aurora borealis. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is the best place to start — it covers the deep human history of the Dene and Métis peoples as well as the gold rush era that shaped the city. Old Town, built on rocky outcrops along the lakeshore, is worth an afternoon for its preserved log cabins, houseboats, and the remarkable Bush Pilots Monument.
In summer, the surrounding lakes and boreal forest open up for canoeing, hiking, and fishing. In winter, the frozen landscape becomes a destination in itself — the Snowking Winter Festival builds an ice castle on the lake each February, and the Long John Jamboree celebrates the end of winter with dogsled races and outdoor festivities.