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2018-2019 Explore Nanaimo Section on Pages 14-19
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Victoria Harbour @VisitorTips
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
Contents / Visitor Information
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Welcome to Victoria & Vancouver Island
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The Essential Victoria
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Six Ways to See Victoria
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Golf on Vancouver Island
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Outdoor Adventure
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Victoria Culture
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Victoria Dining & Nightlife
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Sidney Map
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Sidney and Saanich Peninsula
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Saanich Peninsula & Sidney Map
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Downtown Victoria Map Explore Nanaimo
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Vancouver Island Map
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Visit Nanaimo
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Up Island: Campbell River and North Island West Coast & Ucluelet Cowichan and Comox Valleys
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HelloBC.com
Destination British Columbia
TourismVictoria.com
Victoria British Columbia
VancouverIsland.travel DistinctlySidney.ca
Sidney Nanaimo
Border Crossing Information U.S. residents need a passport to cross into Canada and return to the U.S. American Custom Regulations After 48 hours stay in Canada, Americans are allowed $800 duty-free merchandise once every 31 days for personal use. Less than 48 hours stay, the allowance is $200 of merchandise. Canada Border Services For detailed information, call (800) 461-9999 (while in Canada) or (204) 983-3500 (from the U.S.). VICTORIA & PENINSULA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Bus Lines Airport Shuttle
YYJAirportShuttle.com
BC Transit Bus Information
BCTransit.com
CVS Sightseeing
CVSTours.com
Wilson’s Transportation – Gray Line
SightseeingVictoria.com
Ferry Services
TOURIST INFORMATION
Vancouver Island
Fishing Tidal and fresh water sport fishing licenses are required and must be carried on your person while fishing. Full regulations and licenses can be obtained from most sporting goods stores and fishing outfitters.
TourismNanaimo.com
Campbell River
CampbellRiver.travel
Canada Border Service Agency
CBSA-ASFC.GC.ca
U.S. Consulate (Vancouver)
CA.USEmbassy.gov
BC Ferries Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho) V2V Empress Victoria Clipper Ferry Service Washington State Ferries EMERGENCY SERVICES BC Auto Association
BCFerries.com CohoFerry.com V2VVacations.com ClipperVacations.com WSDOT.WA.gov/ferries 911 888.268.2222
FEARN’S 2018-2019 VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE PUBLISHER: Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. VICTORIA OFFICE: 225 Russell Street, Victoria, BC, Canada V9A 3X1 phone: 250.382.4207 fax: 250.382.4264 CertifiedFolder.com Neither Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. or the Victoria & Vancouver Island Visitors’ Guide make any representation expressly or implied as to the performance of the advertisers herein, or the accuracy of the facts herein. Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. and the Victoria & Vancouver Island Visitors’ Guide jointly and severally disclaim any responsibility for acts or omissions of these advertisers. Copyright 2018 by Certified Folder Display Service Canada, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Visitors’ Guide may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. VVG5/18.
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
HOSPITALS Royal Jubilee Hospital
250.370.8000
Victoria General Hospital
250.727.4212
Saanich Peninsula Hospital
250.544.7676
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VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND Welcome to
The historic seaport city of Victoria surrounds its Inner Harbour on the southeastern shores of Vancouver Island. As a provincial capital of more than 360,000 in the region, the city is one of Canada’s most vibrant. Its temperate climate and world-class attractions make Victoria a favorite of visitors all year. Besides major airlines that fly in and out of Victoria International
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Victoria experience.
VICTORIA
Vancouver Island, at nearly
Victoria’s vast back yard.
and flight services, and easy access to all points of Vancouver Island.
The south island – the areas
Traveling farther afield from
immediately bordering
Victoria or Nanaimo, other
Victoria – offer plenty of
island regions include the rich
attractions and outdoor recre-
agricultural valley of Cowichan
ation. These include: Saanich
and Comox, the West Coast’s
Peninsula, stretching north from
rugged Pacific Rim, the island’s
Victoria; and Sooke, a scenic
central core with small coastal
town west of Victoria.
cities and interior mountains,
About 1.5 hours north of Victoria on the eastern shore, is Nanaimo, the island’s second largest city. Visitors to this former coal mining hub discover history, outdoor recreation, a first-rate culinary scene, ferry
and the north island with
300 miles long and 80 miles wide at its broadest point, is
rugged coastlines and small fishing villages.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com TourismNanaimo.com VancouverIsland.travel
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
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Surrounding the Inner Harbour are the historic Empress Hotel (a Fairmont property) and the British Columbia Parliament Building. Whether staying at The Empress or not, many visitors explore the newly refurbished 1908 chateau-style structure with its ivy-clad façade and enjoy Victoria’s most famous traditional afternoon tea. At the British Columbia Parliament Building, visitors can take a free guided tour to learn the history of the late-19th-century building topped with 33 domes as well as the workings of the parliamentary government. Victoria’s downtown retail core runs north from the Inner Harbour along Government Street, where The Bay Centre and several boutique stores and restaurants keep shoppers entertained. Crossing Government Street, Lower Johnson Street (LoJo) is a popular, walkable hub for contemporary shops, antiques and dining. Beyond the Chinatown Gate on the northern edge of downtown, visitors can explore Canada’s oldest Chinatown. This must-see neighborhood is a mélange of traditional Chinese restaurants and shops, contemporary West Coast dining and enticing tea rooms.
The harbour ferries in the Inner Harbour take passengers to James Bay, home of Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf. At this working harbour wharf, visitors find food kiosks, unique shops and can even take an eco-tour adventure. From the Inner Harbour, double-decker buses whisk visitors to one of Canada’s most spectacular attractions, Butchart Gardens, to explore the renowned gardens.
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DOWNTOWN TO DOWNTOWN
CRUISE IN STYLE BETWEEN VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER
Victoria’s largest city park, Beacon Hill Park, is an easy stroll from the Inner Harbour. This historic, 62-acre gem on the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca was established in 1882 and has been Victoria’s elegant urban garden ever since. On a jaunt to Oak Bay, visitors find a waterfront district with a small village feel. Art galleries, an array of dining options and plenty if interesting shops to browse make Oak Bay a pleasant discovery away from the downtown core.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com ButchartGardens.com
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Essential VICTORIA
Victoria is a crown with many jewels. While the Inner Harbour is the city’s heart and soul, Victoria’s other distinctive districts are worth the time to explore as well.
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E hello@v2vvacations.com
HOP-ON HOP-OFF
CitySights Six Ways to See
VICTORIA
Whether on foot, by double-decker bus, bicycle or kayak, Victoria is a sightseer’s (and photographer’s) paradise. Guided tours showcase the best, tastiest, most adventurous and even quirkiest parts of Victoria. A popular way to take in Victoria’s city sights is on a double-decker bus with an open second tier for best viewing. Narrators know the city well and, by the time the tour is over, guests will too. There are several operators. Two of the most popular are: Gray Line Sightseeing and CVS Tours. Hop on at the Fairmont Empress. For those who prefer to see the city on foot, Discover the Past Walking Tours takes guests on narrated tours of Chinatown, on an exploration of the city’s historical sites, and on a journey to Victoria’s most haunted places. Hike Victoria Tours picks guests up at their hotel and takes them on an expert-guided hike. Guests can choose from moderate to easy hikes and can opt for a lunch stop at a local cidery. Visitors who prefer a twowheeled tour take a guided bicycle tour around Victoria (in partnership with Cycle BC). Cyclists choose from among
four different tours, each revealing a different aspect of the city. Victoria is surrounded by water. What better way to see the city than by kayak? Ocean River Tours offers guided kayaking in and around Victoria, complete with instructions for novice kayakers. Paddlers can explore downtown and the Inner Harbour or head out to Oak Bay.
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st e B s ria’ urs! o t c i V ty To Ci
Look for our red umbrella in front of the Empress Hotel • sightseeingvictoria.com
Victoria is perhaps best explored through its diverse and delicious food scene. Visitors can sample their way through the Inner Harbour, Old Town and Chinatown on up to eight tasting stops with A Taste of Victoria Food Tours.
MORE INFO SightseeingVictoria.com
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DiscoverThePast.com HikeVictoria.com Victoria.CycleBC.ca OceanRiver.com ATasteofVictoriaFoodTours.com
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
Free Parking. Free WiFi. Free Fresh Air
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GOLF on VANCOUVER ISLAND Stunning scenery plus a year-round temperate climate are the raw ingredients that make Vancouver Island a world-class golf destination. Forty courses define the island’s exceptional golf scene that entices visitors to carve out time for a few rounds in their travel itineraries. With everything from municipal to resort to semi-private courses catering to the visiting golfer, a handful of courses should be on every golfer’s itinerary. The Vancouver Island Golf Trail is a string of 13 courses that covers the 250km eastern shore from Victoria north to Campbell River. Arranging a Vancouver Island golf getaway is easy – courses along the Vancouver Island Golf Trail are clustered into five distinct regions. From south to north, they are Greater Victoria, Cowichan, Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River. Known for its panoramic vistas, the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa, minutes from Victoria, offers luxury lodging and modern amenities for the golfer on two spectacular, Nicklaus-designed courses: the challenging Mountain Course and the less-challenging Valley Course. Another notable course is award-winning Arbutus Ridge, located in the Cowichan Valley town of Cobble Hill only 40 minutes from Victoria. This
course is known for three of the most demanding finishing golf holes on Vancouver Island. Other Victoria courses popular with visiting golfers are Olympic View Golf Club and Cedar Hill. Golf packages make Vancouver Island travel for the golfer especially attractive, offering value along with other perks.
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VICTORIA, BC 90-MINUTE CROSSING D A I LY A U T O A N D PA S S E N G E R F E R R Y DUTY FREE SHOPPING H O T E L PA C K A G E S A N D D AY T R I P S
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PORT ANGELES Seattle
The ultimate indulgence for the golfer who can’t get enough and who has two weeks to dedicate to nothing but the game is the “Two-Week Golf Trail” package that includes 12 different courses in 14 days. Golfers stay in Victoria, Parksville and Crowne Isle, a great way to take in some of Vancouver Island’s best destinations. Book this package through Golf Vancouver Island. For those with less time on their hands, other packages allow for shorter golf getaways, while still taking in some of Vancouver Island’s most stunning destinations.
MORE INFO GolfVancouverIsland.ca
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURE With a year-round temperate climate and stunning scenery, Victoria is a hub for outdoor adventurers. Many visitors appreciate the city and its surroundings by adding an outdoor activity to their itinerary. This can range from guided fishing to whale-watching to a rails-to-trails cycling trip to adrenaline-charged thrills on a zip line. Spending a day trying their luck at the legendary fishing on the south end of Vancouver Island is a must for Victoria visitors seeking adventure on the water. Foghorn Fishing Charters, located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, specializes in guided salmon and halibut fishing excursions. They operate all year and run half- or full-day charters. Orcas and humpbacks rule the seas around Victoria, making whale-watching a must. The expert guides at Prince of Whales know where the wales are, and offer three distinct viewing areas on two elevations. Back on land, visitors wanting some exercise rent a bicycle and head to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a former railway bed converted to a multi-use trail. It runs through 60km of scenic landscape, lush forests and over breathtaking
trestles. This popular trail makes perfect for a day trip. A number of bicycle guides and rental shops are in Victoria, but an electric bike takes the strain out of cycling; Ride the Glide (RTG) E-Bike Rentals will deliver your e-bike rental to your hotel. For adrenaline-filled forest adventures, exploring the canopy on a zipline is the way to go. Adrena LINE Zipline Adventures in Sooke offers eight ziplines and guided ziplining tours high above a temperate rain forest with great ocean and mountain views. Noctural guests can even don a headlamp and ride the ziplines at night under a full moon.
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MORE INFO FoghornCharters.com PrinceOfWhales.com RideTheGlide.ca AdrenaLINEZip.com
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Open every day of the year butchartgardens.com VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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VICTORIA CULTURE Victoria is a cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural scene, from visual and performing arts to museums and heritage sites. Including a performance or cultural attraction in a Victoria itinerary is a must for many visitors. No cultural exploration of Victoria is complete without a visit to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, which serves as the city’s premier art museum and includes a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The works of Victoria’s best-known artist, Emily Carr, are represented at AGGV; Carr fans should also visit the Emily Carr House, the artist’s family residence, now an important heritage site. Many private, commercial galleries pepper the city as well, and are worth seeking out. One could easily do nothing else in Victoria but visit the city’s numerous museums, parks and heritage sites. The Royal British Columbia Museum is a must-see on the Inner Harbour, with its world-class First Nations artifact collection, compelling exhibits about British Columbia’s natural and cultural history and an IMAX theatre. The Maritime Museum of British Columbia celebrates the city’s and the province’s deep maritime roots, a fascinating experience for anyone interested in early marine exploration
of the region and events that followed. A tour of Craigdarroch Castle is a captivating glimpse into the opulent trappings of Victoria’s social elite in the 1890s. And finally, The Hatley Park National Historic Site boasts 565 acres of lush gardens, old-growth forests and an impressive 1908 Edwardian castle.
s n io t a in t s e D S S A P Day
BC TRANSIT
An evening of music, dance or theater caps off any Victoria visit in style. The city is a locus of professional-level performing arts. Visitors enjoy some of the city’s best live theater at the intimate Belfry Theatre and the 772-seat McPherson Playhouse. Visitors can catch a performance of the Victoria Symphony or Pacific Opera Victoria at the Royal Theatre.
* 5 $ LY N O r fo a ri Explore Greater Victo DayPASS! t with your BC Transi
Available on board only!
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com AGGV.ca EmilyCarr.com
Visit bctransit.com for trip planner and schedule information
RoyalBCMuseum.BC.ca MMBC.BC.ca HatleyPark.ca TheCastle.ca Belfry.BC.ca
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RMTS.BC.ca
www.bctransit.com 250∙382∙6161 *Subject *Subject to to change change
Victoria Regional Transit Commission
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VICTORIA DINING and NIGHTLIFE Victoria is a place for both serious foodies and those who simply eat for fuel. Great choices from a list of the world’s cuisine is what dining in Victoria is all about, and diners don’t have to splurge to enjoy a satisfying meal. The list of Victoria restaurants is constantly growing, and each new addition is often a crowd pleaser. An acclaimed addition to Victoria’s culinary offerings is 10 Acres Commons, where sustainably harvested seafood and organic produce from the restaurant’s farm are the main attractions. For unsurpassed views, hungry visitors ride the elevator to the rooftop of the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites to nab a table at Vista 18 Westcoast Grill & Wine Bar. For an elegant evening, no venue tops Q at the Empress, which serves up artfully crafted fare in a sophisticated setting. OLO Restaurant is celebrated for contemporary, locally sourced West Coast cuisine in a casual atmosphere. For fish & chips, it’s Barb’s Fish & Chips at Fisherman’s Wharf. When it comes to after-dark entertainment, Victoria has no shortage of nightlife venues. A mainstay is Clive’s Classic Lounge, where craft cocktails are elevated to an artform. For local color and crowd-pleasing live performances, visitors head
out for the evening at one of Victoria’s local pubs, like Bard & Banker Public House, Darcy’s Pub or Irish Times. Relatively new on the entertainment scene are game venues. At Quest Reality Games players tap their wits to solve their way out of an escape room. Comedy clubs, dance clubs and cabarets round out Victoria’s nightlife scene. Upstairs from Darcy’s Pub in downtown’s Bastion Square, Upstairs Cabaret is a hot spot for live music, DJs and dancing. Distrikt at the Strathcona Hotel is a popular, state-of-the-art nightclub.
MORE INFO TourismVictoria.com BardAndBanker.com
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DarcysPub.ca/downtown IrishTimesPub.ca UpstairsCabaret.ca StrathconaHotel.com
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OPEN DAILY FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS THECASTLE.CA 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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Sidney offers the perfect get-away for a day, a week or longer. Enjoy delicious culinary offerings, unique accommodations, outdoor recreation, and a diverse shopping district with over 300 shops and services. As the gateway to Vancouver Island, Sidney is located only five minutes from the Victoria International Airport and the Washington State and BC Ferry terminals. With something for everyone, Sidney is the ideal vacation destination!
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Our Gift Shop has great gifts for aviation enthusiasts of all ages!
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(Next to Victoria Int’l Airport)
(250) 655-3300 • www.bcam.net
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SIDNEY and SAANICH PENINSULA Sidney-by-the-Sea is a charming town near the north end of Saanich Peninsula, about 26 miles from Victoria. The ferry to and from Anacortes, Washington, arrives in Sidney, making it the first destination many Americans see when visiting Vancouver Island. Sidney Booktown is a locally famous district in downtown Sidney with a concentration of bookstores. For literary visitors and book collectors, this is a main attraction. One of the region’s top attractions and a family favorite, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is Canada’s public aquarium and learning centre for the Salish Sea Bioregion. There, visitors come face to face with 160 species of marine life that live in the local waters. Visitors learn about the region’s wildlife, waters, land, culture and people. The renowned Butchart Gardens is a popular destination for a day trip from Victoria. The gardens occupy a former family estate and abandoned limestone quarry. They include a lavishly landscaped sunken garden, rose garden, concert lawn, Japanese garden, Mediterranean garden and Italian garden. Butchart Gardens has fine dining in the former family residence; visiting the gardens and staying for Afternoon Tea (in spring or summer) or
High Tea (in fall and winter) is a lovely way to experience Butchart Gardens. At Victoria Butterfly Gardens (near Butchart Gardens), visitors walk among more than 3,000 butterflies and several species of tropical birds in an environment of tropical vegetation. Gray Line Sightseeing and CVS Tours both operate tours to Butchart Gardens and Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Another reason to visit Saanich Peninsula is to experience its winery-cidery-spirits trail on your own or with a guide. Tasting rooms worth a stop are: Church & State Wines, de Vine Vineyards, Victoria Spirits and Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.
Sidney Fish Market
MORE INFO SidneyBooktown.ca SalishSeaCentre.org DistinctlySidney.ca ButchartGardens.com ButterflyGardens.com SightseeingVictoria.com CVSTours.com ChurchAndStateWines.com DevineVineyards.ca SeaCider.ca VictoriaSpirits.com
Amenities to smile about.
Our full-service hotel features 100 luxuriously furnished guest rooms and suites offering superb amenities such as queen beds, top of bed, 42” Flat Screen HD TV’s, microwaves, mini fridges and free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms. Heated seasonal outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, on-site restaurant and lounge. Close to The Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, BC and WA State Ferries, and Victoria International Airport. Free guest parking. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1.866.300.4656 HOWARD JOHNSON HOTEL & SUITES VICTORIA 4670 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria, BC V8Z 5M2
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/sidney
250.704.4656 • www.hojovictoria.ca
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#ExploreNanaimo
Fresh Air. Lush Green.
Adventure in your Soul Nanaimo is your gateway to Vancouver Island - at the centre of everything you want to see and do. A warm and welcoming community at the heart of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is where you’ll find the perfect blend of small-town hospitality and big-city amenities. Name-brand retailers and world-class restaurants, unique boutiques, hotels, motels, campgrounds and quaint B&Bs all within minutes of our beaches and back country. With beaches and forests, islands and mountains everywhere you look, we’re the best place to get yourself back on track. Conveniently accessed by float plane and helicopter harbour-to-harbour from Vancouver, via plane to our airport, and via boat on BC Ferries to the mainland, Nanaimo is a short drive from Victoria, Tofino and Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
1. The Nanaimo Bar Trail So you’ve got a sweet tooth, do you? Follow a self-guided tasting trail to discover all the secret variations of the legendary Nanaimo Bar dessert.
2. Snorkel with Harbour Seals Take a boat charter from the harbour to meet these playful pups in their natural habitat. No experience or gear required – just a swim suit.
3. Cultural Tour of Saysutshun Explore Saysutshun, traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. A cultural tour will allow you to immerse yourself in the history and importance of this land just a short passenger ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo.
4. Craft and Culinary Tour Book a culinary, craft beverage and/or estate winery tour with one of our fun and knowledgeable local guides to treat your palate to the Island’s finest. Learn more about the BC Ale Trail.
5. Historic Cannon Firing Did you know that Nanaimo was originally established as a
Hudson’s Bay Company trading hub? These 19th century cannons were part of the original defenses, and are still functional! You can watch the daily cannon firing ceremony – accompanied by bagpipes – on the waterfront at 12 noon, May through September.
6. Discover Downtown Find quaint shops, heritage buildings, culinary experiences and attend an event in Diana Krall Plaza or the Old City Quarter historic district.
7. Artisan Trail Drive the Cedar Yellow Point Artisan Trail loop. There’s plenty of beautiful stops along the way, providing a chance to visit farms, meet local growers, and chat with artists who are famous for crafting one of a kind creations!
8. Fishing and Crabbing Charter Whether you are an experienced fisherman or have yet to feel the thrill of catching a meal on a hook, Nanaimo & Region’s fishing and crabbing charters will not disappoint! One of our local guides can get you out on the water, where you’ll be able to catch fresh seafood and bring it ashore for a feast.
Saysutshun Interpretive Walking Tours, Salmon BBQ’s, watersports, hiking, camping, beaches, a Saysutshun Bistro, camping, boating, weddings and special events. Traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation this island jewel is just a short passenger ferry ride from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo. Contact: Newcastle Island Ferry Service Ltd. 250-741-0158 www.newcastleisland.ca 1145 Totem Road, Nanaimo
#ExploreNanaimo
Top 8 Things To Do
#ExploreNanaimo
Beaches and Islands Saysutshun, traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, is a popular spot for locals and visitors and one of the many islands just off the coast of Nanaimo. Kayak or cruise to Protection Island, one of the smallest Gulf Islands, where the locals use golf carts to get around. Look for Brother XII’s hidden gold, thought to have been hidden on De Courcy Island in the 1920s. Enjoy the scenery off the shores of Mudge Island, where the night sky is clear enough that you can almost touch the stars. Explore the Malaspina Galleries of Gabriola Island for an entirely different perspective of these sandstone giants shaped by the ocean, one grain at a time.
rugged and teaming with action, as ferries dock, seaplanes float in for landing and driftwood kisses the shore. Discover Departure Bay Beach, Pipers Lagoon Beach, or wait until the tide goes out and discover the sandiest of our beaches, Blueback Beach, and walk Lantzville to Nanaimo along the shore.
Nanaimo’s borders are touched by the Salish Sea, a thriving west coast eco-system of wildlife and salty waters inviting you for a swim. Our beaches are walkable,
Clean, comfortable, convenient with on-site restaurant, indoor pool and hot tub. 100% non-smoking. 1-877-754-8171 info@nanaimohotel.com www.wyndhamhotels.com 809 Island Highway South
Wooded paradise with large sunny/shaded sites. Private sandy beach perfect for swimming and fishing. 1-866-756-0404 brannenlake@shaw.ca www.brannenlake.com 4220 Biggs Road Nanaimo
#ExploreNanaimo
Coolest Hikes and Top Biking Trails Hike to the top of Mt Benson - on an 8km (5 mile) loop - and discover 360° of scenery when you take in all of Nanaimo from the summit. There are multiple trails to choose from, making the hike accessible to most skill levels. Ammonite Falls is a local favourite for rock hounds, photographers and everyone that likes an easy hike with a spectacular finish. The area is named for the ammonite fossils embedded in the rocks around the riverbed. Stop at Petroglyph Provincial Park, on the southside of Nanaimo, to find prehistoric rock carvings made by the region’s First Peoples over 1,000 years ago. Nanaimo is a bike-friendly community, with plenty of paths and trails to get your heart racing, no matter your
pace. Bring your own or rent a ride from one of the local providers, then head out to one of the many popular cycling and mountain biking locations. Take the Outer-By-Pass, a fast and flowy track that connects Westwood with Witchcraft Lake Park, Mount Benson Regional Park, Benson Creek Falls Park and Doumont. Or stretch your legs on the 20km Parkway trail, a paved and tree-lined route. Nanaimo is home to the Stevie Smith Bike Park, featuring 3 dirt jump lines, 2 asphalt pump tracks, and a mulch jump.
Design your ideal adventure on and off the trails at TourismNanaimo.com
Spotless Channelview suites & studios await at friendly, family owned inn. Closest to Departure Bay Ferry. 1-877-282-6337 sleepwell@buccaneerinn.com www.buccaneerinn.com 1577 Stewart Avenue Nanaimo
Connect Nanaimo and Vancouver in the speed and comfort of an 18 minute helicopter flight. 1-800-665-4354 www.helijet.com
passengerservices@helijet.com 100 Port Way Nanaimo
#ExploreNanaimo
Festivals and Events Come to Nanaimo for year-round entertainment! In spring, we celebrate Maple Sugar Festival with performances and events that feature this delicious treat. Festival Nanaimo is a month-long community event in March featuring Pirate Fest, whiskey tasting and more. Summer in Nanaimo is busy with festivals and events like our iconic International World Bathtub Race, featuring a 58km course off the shores of Nanaimo. Marine Festival in July also features Dragon Boat Festival. Summer brings the blues, Blues Festival that is, and the right combination of beer and tunes at Longwoodstock. In the fall we celebrate our connection to jazz: Come to Diana Krall Plaza and more downtown venues to listen to world-class jazz. During our mild winters, we take in the spirit of the holiday season with craft and artisan tours and shows like the Kris Kringle Craft market and the Cedar Yellow Point Country Christmas Tour.
Celebrate with us in Nanaimo.
Access a complete calendar of events at TourismNanaimo.com
Art - History - Culture Immerse yourself in Nanaimo’s vibrant culture: catch a live theatre performance at the Port Theatre, experiment in the Art Lab at Nanaimo Art Gallery, listen as the Vancouver Island Symphony performs classical favourites and visit other outdoor art pieces in Maffeo Sutton Park. Explore Saysutshun with a guided cultural tour, learning the Snuneymuxw First Nation history for the region, followed by an easy nature walk that examines some of the traditional medicines used by Snuneymuxw families today.
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Discover the OCQ, Nanaimo’s destination shopping, business and dining district. Life in the OCQ is hard to resist! Featuring unique products, diverse dining experiences and outstanding services offered by our proud local business owners. 250-754-8787 www.oldcityquarter.com info@oldcityquarter.com
#ExploreNanaimo
Eat, Shop and Stay in Nanaimo Make Nanaimo your homebase for adventure, experience our vibrant culinary scene and take home a treasure from any number of our unique shops.
member properties: Best Western Dorchester Hotel Best Western
The perfect accommodation is waiting for you at one of these Nanaimo Hospitality Association member properties.
To book your stay visit TourismNanaimo.com
#ExploreNanaimo
Northgate Inn Buccaneer Inn
Diplomat Hotel Harbour Light Motel Inn On Long Lake Island View Bed & Breakfast The Marinaside Resort
Howard Johnson Harbourside Hotel
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
The Grand Hotel
Port-O-Call Inn & Suites
Coast Bastion Hotel
Ramada Inn
Bluebird Motel
Royal Motel
Castaway Motel
Travelodge Nanaimo
Colonial Motel
Waterfront Suites & Marina
Days Inn
Westwood RV, Camping & Cabins
Departure Bay Motel
Everything you need for Cooking, Living & Giving... Gadgets galore, custom-made sofas, handcrafted jewellery, fashion-forward clothing and gifts as unique as you are. Flying Fish... ‘The heart of Downtown in so many ways!’
250-754-2104 www.yingďŹ shnanaimo.com 180 Commercial Street Nanaimo
W E L C O M E T O VANCOUVER ISLAND pert, BC Ru es ce ri in er Pr C F B
Vancouver Island, off the coast of British Columbia, PORT HARDY 19
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is the largest Pacific island east of New Zealand. Rich with rainforests, rugged shorelines and beaches, mountains, fertile agricultural valleys, working fishing villages, dozens of Stubbs Island provincial parks and B.C.’s capital city of Victoria, Whale Watching the island ranks among North America’s most geographically diverse and scenic destinations to visit. SAYWARD
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Visit NANAIMO About 1.5 hours north of Victoria, the city of Nanaimo is the gateway to Vancouver Island’s communities along the eastern shore. And, as Vancouver Island’s second largest city, there are plenty of reasons to make Nanaimo a main destination. Nanaimo’s quaint downtown has a Main Street vibe with independent shops and cafes and a scenic waterfront. A delightful confection, the Nanaimo Bar, helped make Nanaimo a household name; today, visitors can indulge in a sugar rush by taking the self-guided Nanaimo Bar Trail, a map to dozens of establishments in the city, many serving their own variations of the treat. This is a sweet way to explore the city. A lower-calorie way to explore Nanaimo and surroundings is by sailing on a catamaran or cruising in a hovercraft with Island Marine Adventures. For the ultimate whale-watching experience, visitors board one of the vessels operated by Vancouver Island Whale Watch, which sails out of Nanaimo. Vancouver Island’s craft brewery scene is exploding, and Nanaimo is a hub of much sudsy action. A guided craft brewery tour with Canadian Craft Tours takes guests to three Nanaimo breweries – Wolf, Longwood and White Sails – for 3.5 hours of sampling,
Nanaimo Bastion
VANCOUVER ISLAND NORTH
WWW.STUBBS-ISLAND.COM RESERVATIONS 1-800-665-3066
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behind-the-scenes brewery tours and learning the secrets behind the craft beers. Attention shoppers: To round out the Nanaimo experience, many visitors make time for the Cedar Yellow Point Loop Artisan Trail. This is a district set among evergreen forests and the waterfront a few minutes from downtown Nanaimo, filled with galleries, crafts and culinary stops.
Nanaimo Waterfront
MORE INFO TourismNanaimo.com MarineAdventures.info VancouverIslandWhaleWatch.com CanadianCraftTours.ca
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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Driving north of Campbell River, visitors come to the tiny hamlet of Telegraph Cove, a historic fishing and cannery settlement on Vancouver Island. It’s since become a hub for ecotourism. Fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching are the main draws here. Stubbs Island Whale Watching, BC’s first, and an environmentally sound company, is an excellent choice for marine and wildlife tours.
North Island Kayak guides short, family-friendly kayaking tours, half- and full-day tours, and multi-day excursions for the more adventuresome traveler. Farther north, Port McNeil is the gateway to the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rain Forest, and PortHardy sits on the edge of Queen Charlotte Strait with access to the dramatic headlands on Vancouver Island’s northern end. Both are sport fishing and ecotourism centers with guides available to take visitors on the perfect north Vancouver Island adventure. The north island coastal region is rich in First Nations history and culture and is also known for resorts that offer fishing charters and guided adventure excursions. Cove Adventure Tours offers guided day-hike excursions from Port Hardy to San Josef Bay on Vancouver Island’s northwestern tip, a remote region of old-growth forests, sea caves, sea stacks and isolated beaches.
Explore more at VisitorTips.com/can/bc/victoria
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In and around Campbell River, Marine life is abundant and the wildlife viewing spectacular. Aboriginal Journeys leads wildlife watching tours out of Campbell River, with grizzly bear and whale sightings common. Several salmon fishing guides operate out of Campbell River; Coastal Wilderness Adventures and Coastal Island Fishing Adventures are two that are highly rated. For a unique adventure, the Ocean Rapid Tour that Campbell River Whale Watching offers takes passengers where the tides channel through narrow passages, creating the equivalent of white-water rapids.
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About 35 minutes north of Courtenay lies Campbell River. This small city is a sport fishing and adventure hub and gateway to the remote and sparsely populated northern half of Vancouver Island as well as numerous islands between there and the mainland, including the Discovery Islands.
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MORE INFO CampbellRiver.travel CampbellRiverWhaleWatching.com AboriginalJourneys.com CoastWild.com CoastalIslandFishing.com TelegraphCove.ca Stubbs-Island.com AdventureWhaleWatching.com KayakBC.ca PortHardy.travel CoveAdventureTours.com VancouverIslandNorth.ca
WEST COAST: Tofino & Ucluelet Ancient forests, rugged Pacific coastal terrain, a vibrant aboriginal culture and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve are some of the wonders visitors discover on the 40-km. stretch between Ucluelet and Tofino. An array of lodging, food, guides and outfitters help both adventurers and casual vacationers get the most out of this wild coast. The 4-hour drive from Victoria takes visitors first to Ucluelet. Here, day hikers can embark on one or all three sections of the Wild Pacific Trail, affording views of rocky coastline, pristine beaches and deep forest. Those who prefer the view from
the water – where sightings of bears, whales and other wildlife are not uncommon – can launch kayaks on Ucluelet Harbour or experience a longer paddling trip into the protected waters of the nearby Broken Group Islands. In Ucluelet, Majestic Ocean Kayaking guides sea kayaking excursions. About 40 minutes north, the popular community of Tofino is in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Nature, numerous festivals, exceptional local food, wildlife watching, surfing and winter storm watching are the main draws in Tofino. Tofino Sea Kayaking guides paddlers out onto Clayoquot Sound. Jamie’s Whaling Station guides whale-watching tours with guaranteed sightings. Visitors can take surfing lessons, paddle a longboat with a First Nations guide, dine at some of Canada’s most acclaimed restaurants, indulge in a spa treatment and relax in an amazing natural setting.
MORE INFO Ucluelet.ca OceanKayaking.com TourismTofino.com TofinoSeaKayaking.com Jamies.com
COWICHAN and COMOX VALLEYS Two agricultural valleys grace Vancouver Island with small tourist-friendly towns, farm-fresh foods and quaint lodging and plenty of outdoor recreation. They are Cowichan Valley, between Victoria and Nanaimo, and Comox Valley, located north of Nanaimo. The towns of Cowichan and Duncan are the main towns in Cowichan Valley. This region is characterized by a climate that has been described as Mediterranean. A tour through this valley takes visitors face to face with artisan cheesemakers, bakers, farmers and winemaker s who welcome people curious about where wholesome food comes from. In the village of Cowichan, a waterfront community on Cowichan Bay, visitors flock to artisan culinary shops. In Duncan, visitors take a self-guided tour of the remarkable collection of 40 authentic First Nations totem poles erected throughout the town. A main attraction is approximately 20 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries that are sprinkled throughout the valley, most with on-site tasting rooms. Between Nanaimo and Comox Valley, the town of Coombs is home to the Coombs Country Market, a collection of farm stands, restaurants and artisan shops. A fun market attraction is the spectacle of goats grazing on a grassy roof. Continuing north, Comox Valley is home to the towns
of Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox. Cumberland has built a reputation as a mountain-biking destination. Quaint shops, a craft brewery and excellent farm-to table cafes pepper the few downtown blocks. Courtenay serves at the commercial and shopping hub of the valley, while Comox is a waterfront town that connects travellers to the Sunshine Coast on the mainland by B.C. Ferry. As in Cowichan Valley, small wineries, craft breweries and visitor-friendly farms blanket Comox Valley. Visitors are generally surprised to learn that Vancouver Island has more than 1,600 caves. Comox Valley is home to some of the most accessible at Horne Lake Caves. Guided cave tours are available for all levels of ability. A great way to explore the Comox Valley is by bicycle, and Island Joy Rides guides several themed, two-wheeled tours throughout the valley. Pedalers can opt for singleor multi-day tours.
MORE INFO TourismCowichan.com DiscoverComoxValley.com
Cowichan Bay Floating Houses
ETHICAL WHALE WATCHING SAFARIS & GRIZZLY BEAR EXPEDITIONS
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CAMPBELL RIVER, BC
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For your next adventure call:
1.877.909.2667 campbellriverwhalewatching.com Discovery Harbour Marina Floathouse - Dock E VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND VISITORS’ GUIDE
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Over 85 exciting miniature dioramas and displays RATED “GEM ATTRACTION” BY THE AAA®! OPEN DAILY
Located in the famous Fairmont EMPRESS HOTEL
Inner Harbour
Circus World
Battle of Britain
Land of Castles
London Town
Douglas St
The Greatest Little Show on Earth! ™
Miniature World
Government St
Hum bold t St
Belleville St
Gulliver’s Travels
British Columbia Sawmill
Classic Car Show
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