Things To Do in Nanaimo
This Vancouver Island a vacation playground is serviced by BC Ferries, linking it to Mainland BC. Service between Departure Bay, in Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay on the North Shore of Vancouver and from Duke Point in Nanaimo and the Tsawassen Ferry Terminal, in south Vancouver it is easily accessible for tourists and residents. Nanaimo is also linked by Ferry to Gabriola Island, Newcastle Island in Nanaimo Harbour.
Nanaimo’s name derives from a Coast Salish word, Sney-ny-mo, the “meeting place”. Nanaimo was once home to five native villages
Live, Work, Play, Vacation.
Nanaimo is a great place to live, do business, visit for a golf weekend, a romantic get-away, holiday destination, or a place to retire. Boasting more than 1,000 hotel and motel rooms and a variety of Bed and Breakfasts there is accommodation for every taste and budget.
Sightseeing in Nanaimo:
The Nanaimo Bar originating at the Scotch Bakery on Commercial Street is a featured treat for any trip or outing in Nanaimo.
The Nanaimo District Museum features the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo’s coal-mining history, and Nanaimo’s rich history.
Historic Buildings, including The Miner’s Cottage (1897), the brick-faced Earl Block (1888-1890), the Nanaimo Courthouse (1896), and the Palace Hotel (1889).
A paleontology exhibit including 72-million-year-old palm leaf tree fossil.
Nanaimo offers many trails for walking and hiking. Westwood Lake trail is 6 km.
For an opportunity to see sea lions, Neck Point Park, Ammonite Falls and Benson Creek Trail offer easy walks to the water.
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park offers 15 km of interpretive trails, showcasing the areas natural beauty.
For Mountain Bikers who enjoy a blend of serious mountain terrain and jumps, teeter-totters and other adventure features, Westwood Lake offers an opportunity. For a less rigorous walk or bike ride, another option, for bikes and walkers is the E & N trail.
Swim at Westwood Lake or Long Lake.
Snorkel with the seals at Snake Island.
Nanaimo River offers a home to motorboats, water skiers, the Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club and swimmers.
Scuba dive from the HMCS Saskatchewan, sunk in 1997 to create an artificial reef, is a great experience.
The Hudson’s Bay Bastion, a fortified tower erected on the waterfront in 1853 and oldest structure of its nature remaining in North America
The Port Theatre, an 800-seat state of the art performing arts theatre, is host to international, national and local talent.
The Nanaimo Art Gallery at the Malaspina University-College features ninety-four permanent works by local and international artists.
Art galleries include Malaspina University College, Art 10, First Nation’s galleries, the Arts Council gallery and many more galleries. Featuring contemporary, First Nation’s Arts and Crafts, doll makers, weavers, and pottery shops featuring works from and a rare Tozan wood-fired kiln.
Recreation parks, such as Bowen Park provide opportunities for hiking, swimming, and a variety of family activities. Beban Park, recreation centre offers swimming, skating, lawn bowling, tennis, playgrounds, basketball, golf, multi-use trails, and playing fields.
The Festival of Banners features street banners by local artists displayed on lamp standards throughout Nanaimo.
The Dinghy Dock Pub, a very nautical floating bar off Protection Island, is accessible by a short ferry ride.
Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, off Bastion Street, offers coffee bars, restaurants, an art gallery, boutiques, an international specialty food store, home-decorating items and giftware emporia.
Harbourside Walkway extends four kilometers the BC Ferries Terminals, past Nanaimo Yacht Club, the modern seaplane terminal, through Swy-A-Lana Lagoon Park. Along the walkway art galleries, craft shops and restaurants make for interesting pit-stops.
Each July Nanaimo Marine Festival, hosts the world-famous The Cadillac Van Isle 360 Yacht Race. This two-week, 580-nautical-mile race around Vancouver Island begins and ends in Nanaimo.
Public beach access along Departure Bay and from Maffeo Sutton Park and Swyalana Lagoon Park.
Day Trips: Pacific Rim National Park offers surfing, hiking, surfing, kayaking and shopping in Ucluelet or Tofino. During ski season Mount Washington Alpine resort is a great ski get-away.Visit Chemanius, Cowichan Valley, and the Gulf Islands.
Nanaimo is an place for private boater, and visitors who wish to rent a boat or go on a tour.
Golf: Nanaimo and area features twenty golf courses. Choose the Nanaimo Golf Club, a world class 18-hole course with picturesque views of the Strait of Georgia or a two 9-hole course such as Pryde Vista Golf Club and the Eaglequest Golf Centre.
Visit www.tourismnanaimo.com to for a full list exciting things to do in Nanaimo, BC.
