Experience our Northwest Territories family travel blog and discover a land teeming with Northern Lights, Wildlife, and incredible culture.
Big, Bold, and Beautiful. Our Guide To Family Travel in the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories stretch across the top of Canada from British Columbia to Manitoba and deep into the Arctic Circle. This vast land is sparsely populated. But what it lacks in urban living, it more than makes up for in natural beauty. Its core urban center is the city of Yellowknife on the shores of Great Slave Lake, the 11th-largest lake in the world.
Northwest Territories is dotted with beautiful and remote indigenous towns and villages. And contrary to popular belief, travel in the Northwest Territories is not limited to the long days of summer. In fact, there is plenty to do here, even in the winter! Our Northwest Territories Guide will help you wrap your head around what’s involved in traveling to this exciting destinations.
Discover the Beauty of the Northwest Territories
Check out some of our most popular Northwest Territories blog posts.
Tips For Family Travel in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories travel isn’t like travel to most destinations in Canada. This blue-collar city may only have 20,000 residents, but it is the hub of all activity in the territory. The flood of tourists coming through to witness the Northern Lights during the winter months or experience the stunning wilderness during the summer makes Yellowknife seem WAY bigger than it is.
Our Northwest Territories guide will help you understand what you need to know about travel to Yellowknife and beyond. If you’re new to international family travel, I highly recommend checking out our well-researched trip planning resources. It’s full of proven family travel hacks.
- Capital
- The capital of the Northwest Territories is Yellowknife. Yellowknife has a population of just under 20,000 people.
- Indigenous culture
- A large portion of the population in the Northwest Territories is indigenous. Many of the villages, including towns such as Dettah, are only easily accessible during the winter when lakes freeze over and ice roads are built.
- Food and Culture
- Yellowknife is a melting pot of fascinating people, from those who have moved north to escape the pressures of big city life to the constant stream of mineworkers who breeze in and out of the city to incredible artists and chefs who have embraced this unique city as a place to create something unique. Yellowknife is no less than fascinating. And it is an absolute art and food lovers paradise.
- Dealing with the seasons
- Because of the extreme location of the Northwest Territories, the region goes through periods of frigid cold and nearly 24 hours of night during the winter. During the summers, the temperatures reach the low to mid-20s (C) paired with near 24-hours of daylight.
- Northwest Territories with Kids
- Believe it or not, family travel to the Northwest Territories is amazing! The people are warm and welcoming. The food is scrumptious. And for nature-loving families, the wilderness is absolutely breathtaking.
- Cellular
- The Northwest Territories has an excellent cellular system in its major cities. You may find service spotty in the north and more remote regions of the province. I have used the Airalo eSim app for all of my international travel.
How To Stay Connected And Get Internet And Phone Service In Canada
Most major cities throughout North America have excellent cellular service. If you have an older phone, I highly recommend purchasing a sim either at the airport or as one of your first stops on your travels.
If you have a newer eSim capable phone, you can save yourself time by purchasing an eSim ahead of time and having it activated before you arrive.
There are many companies that offer this service. I have used Airalo for years. It has been seamless in over ten countries. They have World, Regional, and Country-Specific eSims available. The price goes down the more specific you get. The regional sims allow for easy country-hopping if you are visiting multiple destinations.
Read Our Latest Northwest Territories Family Travel Blog Posts
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