Who knew that shoes could be so culturally stimulating? I must have passed by this shoe museum at least a hundred times and never once felt the desire to go inside. Some places you just assume are “tourist traps” and you avoid them at all costs; this was one of them. I recommend going an hour before closing when it’s quiet and calm because as we discovered, the Bata Shoe Museum is a rad little place to go when no one’s there and you have the time to geek out on shoes.

Entry free is a little pricey at $14 a ticket, but exhibits are well laid out and their permanent shoe collection is vast (4500 years of footwear). In addition to the historical wares, you’ll find Justin Beiber’s purple kicks, Elton John’s sparkle platforms, and my favourite pair of shoes from their collection – Shaquille O’neal’s Air Nikes (double the size of my head!).