british columbia tourist info

British Columbia

Canada’s only west coast province, British Columbia, occupies the country’s entire border with the Pacific Ocean, stretching from the Alaskan panhandle in the north to the American state of Washington in the south.

Thanks to its unique location, B.C. (as most call it) is the most temperate part of a country otherwise known for cold weather, and houses many of the iconic symbols of natural beauty — giant evergreens, sky-high waterfalls, jagged, snow-capped peaks — that have long formed the popular postcard image of “Canada” around the world.

The third-largest province in terms of population, British Columbia is located over three thousand miles from Canada’s major cities of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and has evolved a somewhat distinct culture as a result. The large coastal city of Vancouver and its surrounding suburbs are British Columbia’s dominant population centres, while the interior and north remain far more rural.

Note: This chapter provides a broad overview on British Columbia. For information on things to see and do in British Columbia, see the British Columbia tourism  chapter.

Walking amid flowers and evergreen trees on the Selkirk Mountains in Revelstoke , British Columbia.

Geography of British Columbia

B.C.’s geography is so unlike the rest of Canada it’s classified in a distinct category all its own. The province occupies what is known as the country’s Cordillera region, a vast, thickly forested area of enormous mountain ranges, deep valleys and long rivers. A largely rainy climate has helped contribute to a diverse mix of vegetation, most notably a wide array of evergreen trees which once formed the backbone of the province’s historically lumber-based economy.

The coast of British Columbia is a jagged mess of fjords, rocky coves and sandy beaches, with numerous islands crumbling off the edges. The largest of these is the massive Vancouver Island in the south, home to the provincial capital of Victoria , followed by the more remote, but still populated, Haida Gwaii archipelago to the north (previously known as the  Queen Charolette Islands ). Between the Coast Mountains on the west coast and the Columbia and Rocky Mountains in the east (which form the province’s border with Alberta ), much of B.C.’s interior plateau is comprised of flatter terrain used for farming.

Mainland British Columbians usually speak of their province in terms of two broad regions: the Lower Mainland , containing the southwestern  Vancouver peninsula and its surrounding suburbs, and the Interior , which is everywhere else. Northern British Columbia is usually considered a distinct area as well, and like most parts of northern Canada tends to be the most sparsely populated. The vast majority of citizens dwell in the Lower Mainland.

The "last spike" of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, hammered on November 7, 1885, in Craigellachie, British Columbia.

21st Century Treaties

Unlike other provinces, British Columbia's white settlers never signed treaties with Canada's aboriginal peoples, and simply displaced them without compensation. Only in recent years has the treaty-making process began, with the B.C. government signing agreements with the Nisga'a (2000), Tsawwassen (2009), and Maa-nulth (2011) nations. Seen here, the 2011 signing ceremony between B.C.'s minister of aboriginal relations and Maa-nulth chiefs.

History of British Columbia

What we now know as “British Columbia” was originally two distinct colonies; the British colony of Vancouver Island , which was discovered by English and Spanish navigators in the late 18th century, and the mainland territory of New Caledonia , which was colonized around the same time by fur traders who had either migrated west from Britain’s eastern Canadian colonies, or north from the United States. An enormously difficult place to visit before the advent of airplanes or railroads, for decades the two colonies housed only a very small number of white settlers, and much of the population remained indigenous . An 1858 gold rush flooded the land with newcomers, however, and many stayed to become full-time miners or loggers.

After a brief period of joint U.S.-British rule, during which the region was known as the Oregon Territory , in 1866 the Island and mainland were merged into a single political unit called British Columbia . After Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick merged to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, both British and Canadian elites quickly put pressure on B.C. to join as well. British Columbia agreed to become Canada’s sixth province in 1871, with the promise of a  trans-Canadian railroad to unite east with west helping seal the deal.

The 19th and 20th centuries saw advancements in industry and transportation that allowed British Columbia to become one of North America’s natural resource hubs, trading lumber , minerals and fish across the continent. A booming economy spawned dozens of new cities and drew thousands of immigrants from all over the world, including many from Asia, which is relatively nearby. In modern times, B.C. has mostly abandoned its resource-based economy in favour of service industries like retail, tourism and software design, though 25 per cent of the provincial GDP is still drawn from logging or mining.

• Concluded Modern Treaties in British Columbia, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Chinese-Canadians

New Year's revelers at the gate to Vancouver's historic Chinatown , at one time the largest concentration of Chinese people in Canada. These days Chinese-Canadians are dispersed all over the city and its surrounding suburbs. B.C.'s fourth-largest city, Richmond now has a majority Chinese-Canadian population.

Most British Columbians claim to come from Vancouver , but the city itself is not terribly large. Housing less than 600,000 people, it’s only the country’s eighth-largest city, behind less renowned places like Winnipeg and Mississauga. It’s only when you include the population of Vancouver’s surrounding cities, like Surrey , Burnaby and Richmond that the population of “ Greater Vancouver ” climbs to over a million.

A scenic, oceanfront city, Vancouver is the epicenter of Canadian trade with Pacific nations, as well as a popular destination for Asian shoppers, American cruise ships, Australian skiers, and other eclectic types of tourist. Proximity to Asia has also contributed to the city’s racial diversity, and Vancouver’s Chinese , Korean and  Indian populations have visibly skyrocketed in recent years, giving the city a unique multicultural character that can be seen in Vancouver’s rich food scene and numerous ethnic festivals. Like Toronto , Vancouver’s visible minority population is now over 40 per cent, and in some neighbourhoods the English language may be rarely seen or heard.

Banking, real estate and software design have come to play a large role in the Vancouver economy, allowing the city to aggressively market itself as a hip haven for international investment. Waterfront / mountain views do not come cheap, however, and the city is easily the most expensive place to live in Canada. Some studies claim it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the whole world , in fact.

The orb-like Telus World of Science dates to Vancouver's hosting of the 1986 World Epxo. Dan Breckwoldt/Shutterstock

Vancouver protestors rally against various things on Earth Day, 2012.

British Columbia Culture and Politics

Sitting so far from Canada’s major population centres of Ontario and Quebec, British Columbians can feel alienated from the goings-on in other parts of the country, which has led to a somewhat obsessive culture of contrasting “ East vs. West .” The standard stereotype is that British Columbians tend to be more laid-back and easy-going than Eastern Canadians, but also less ambitious and successful. Neither trope is without some basis in reality; historically, “moving west” has been a popular journey for easterners eager to escape the rat race of Toronto or Montreal, while the opposite trek has been equally popular with British Columbians seeking big jobs and big money.

Home to so much picturesque nature, British Columbians have a tradition of environmentalism that often manifests in the form of so-called “green” politics and fads, such as organic gardening or “off the grid” living. The province’s controversial embrace of marijuana is sometimes said to be an outgrowth of this, and the popularity of homegrown “B.C. Bud” and household grow-ops, or indoor hydroponic gardens, have formed cultural clichés that have proven hard to shake.

Across the country, B.C. politics have something of a reputation for being wacky or erratic, a stereotype that probably comes from the larger stereotype of British Columbians as goofy bohemian hipsters. Historically, the province’s politics have been dominated by a sort of exaggerated, stylized class conflict between aggressively left-wing labour unions, particularly the public sector teacher, nurses and government employees unions (who back the provincial New Democratic Party ), and a more libertarian-minded business community (who originally backed the long-lived  B.C. Social Credit Party , and now support the B.C. Liberals ). British Columbia is the only part of Canada where the Green Party has enjoyed much political success.

More About British Columbia

• British Columbia Tourism
• Government of British Columbia
• Newcomers' Guide to British Columbia

Quick Facts

• British Columbia is the most mild and temperate region of Canada, with a uniquely mountainous landscape.
• Due to its vast forests, lumber has historically been one of B.C.'s most important industries.
• The majority of British Columbians live in or around the coastal city of Vancouver.
• Common B.C. stereotypes include laid-back attitudes, environmentalism, and marijuana.

Point Roberts

The Canada-US border cuts through a peninsula on southern British Columbia, meaning the city on it, Point Roberts , is legally part of the United States. Being such a small town, Americans living there have to drive across the Canadian border to do much of anything.

British Columbia Stats

• Joined Canada: July 25, 1871
• Population: 4,751,600 (2016 est.)
• Capital: Victoria
• Biggest Cities: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford

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Travelling in B.C.

Learn about b.c..

Thinking about visiting British Columbia? You won't be disappointed. B.C.'s culture and history is as diverse as its landscapes and geography. The food is excellent, nature is abundant, cities are vibrant, and there's warmth and hospitality to welcome all visitors. There's really so much to see and do in B.C.

Before you visit, learn about B.C.’s:

• Climate and weather
• Culture and history
• Winter driving
• Visa and passport requirements
• Visitor Centres

Plan Your B.C. Vacation

If you want to plan a trip to B.C., visit Destination British Columbia's official tourism and travel website www.HelloBC.com .  Here you can book your accommodations and travel excursions in advance and get ideas on things to do, and places to go. #Explore BC.

Provincial Parks

B.C. is known for its spectacular national and provincial parks. The breathtaking scenery and inspiring natural surroundings in our parks provide the perfect setting for tuning into nature, learning about it, appreciating it and respecting it.

• BC Parks offer campsites, day-use areas, and thousands of kilometres of trails.
• Parks Canada  offers campsites, day-use areas, and hiking including the famous multi-day west coast trail.
• Recreation sites and trails offers a backcountry experience like no other, with simple, rustic camping, generally located in remote areas and accessed by gravel forestry roads.

Getting Around B.C.

Whether travelling by land, water, air or rail, B.C.'s transportation network provides safe and reliable service.

• Travel by Air
• Travel by Train
• Travel by Water
• Bus / coach / shuttle travel
• Campers / RV travel
• Car / truck / motorcycle travel
• Limo / taxi travel
• See road events, driving conditions and plan your driving route
• BC Transit provides public transportation for Victoria, Kelowna, Whistler, and dozens of other communities in B.C.
• TransLink is Metro Vancouver's public transportation system
• Find maps of B.C.

Check out www.HelloBC.com , Destination BC's consumer website providing travel information and trip planning ideas.

Travel from the mainland to the islands with BC Ferries.

Driving info enroute. 

Get the latest info on border delays, inland ferries, road conditions and so much more.

Contact information

Contact HelloBC's travel experts .

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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British Columbia

Visitors to Canada's westernmost province should pack a long list of superlatives to deploy here; the words 'wow,' 'amazing' and 'spectacular' will only go so far. Luckily, it's not too hard to wax lyrical about the mighty mountains, deep forests and dramatic coastlines that instantly lower heart rates to tranquil levels.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Stanley Park

One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, Stanley Park is revered for its dramatic forest-and-mountain oceanfront views. But there’s more to this…

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve & Haida Heritage Site

Haida Gwaii

This huge Unesco World Heritage site encompasses Moresby and 137 smaller islands at its southern end. It combines a time-capsule look at abandoned Haida…

Sea to Sky Gondola

Squamish & Around

On a warm summer’s evening, with a 7.5km ascent under your belt and a pint of craft beer on the table in front of you, there are few better places in…

Bowron Lake Provincial Park

Forming a natural circle with sections of the Isaac, Cariboo and Bowron Rivers, the park's 116km canoe circuit (permits $30 to $60) is one of the world’s…

Butchart Gardens

Vancouver Island

Far more than just another pretty flower arrangement, Butchart is a national historic site and a triumph of early-20th-century gardening aesthetics. With…

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

One in a magnificent seven of BC national parks, Pacific Rim is replete with wave-whipped beaches and brooding forests, most of them far from civilization…

Garibaldi Provincial Park

This 1950-sq-km park is justly renowned for hiking trails colored by diverse flora, abundant wildlife and panoramic vistas. Summer hikers seem…

Royal BC Museum

Arguably the finest museum in British Columbia and carrier of a ‘royal’ prefix since 1987, Victoria’s flagship sight mixes the cream of BC’s provincial…

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British Columbia and beyond

British Columbia

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 Visitor information
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.4 By boat
• 6.5 By train
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.2.1 Winter driving
• 7.3.1 Public transit
• 7.3.2 Intercity buses
• 7.3.3 Intercity tour buses
• 7.4 By ferry
• 7.5 By train
• 13.1 Smoking, vaping and cannabis

British Columbia (BC) is the westernmost province of Canada , between the Pacific Ocean, and the Rocky Mountains . BC has great scenery along the coast and inland, and is a rewarding destination for outdoor life , especially downhill snowsports and wilderness backpacking .

British Columbia is truly massive at nearly one million square kilometers (larger than every U.S. state except Alaska and four times the size of the island of Great Britain). Within this landmass, several north-south mountain ranges cross through the province, such as the Rockies , the Selkirks, the Purcells and the Coastal Range. Because of this rough terrain, however, B.C. has only five million inhabitants: less than a tenth of Britain's population or just two thirds as much as next-door Washington state. The majority of British Columbians live in just a few densely-populated valleys sandwiched between the mountain ranges or along the sea.

In each of these valleys a very different climate, lifestyle, and culture can be found. The coastal metropolis of Vancouver is the ultra-urbane playground of Hollywood stars and Chinese billionaires, for example. But across each mountain range the scene changes: Williams Lake and Chilcotin Plateau are cowboy country, and the Okanagan Valley (Canada's warmest region) hosts fruit orchards and wineries, and on it goes. Across the entirely of province one will find diverse First Nations : the indigenous peoples of British Columbia.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

Listed below are nine of the province's most notable urban destinations. Links to others will be found in the various regional articles.

• 49.260833 -123.113889 1 Vancouver – a city of steel and glass condominiums and outstanding natural beauty, frequently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
• 48.422151 -123.3657 2 Victoria – the provincial capital, on the south tip of Vancouver Island.
• 50.6761 -120.341 3 Kamloops – the tournament capital of Canada.
• 49.8801 -119.4436 4 Kelowna – the largest city in the British Columbia interior.
• 49.5 -117.283333 5 Nelson – the "Queen City" of the Kootenays, renowned for its tourism, culture and outdoor activities.
• 49.491111 -119.588611 6 Penticton – a popular summer destination on Okanagan Lake.
• 53.916944 -122.749444 7 Prince George – the largest city in Northern British Columbia and the centre of the BC Forest Industry.
• 54.312194 -130.327083 8 Prince Rupert – Canada's rainiest city, is the hub of the North Coast.
• 50.120833 -122.954444 9 Whistler – a summer and winter outdoor destination and the site of many events in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Other destinations [ edit ]

With its abundance of mountains, coastline and wilderness, British Columbia has many destinations outside of its cities and towns. Listed below are nine of the province's most notable other destinations.

• 51.3 -117.519 1 Glacier National Park — high peaks in the Columbua Mountains, large, active glaciers, and one of Canada's largest cave systems
• 52.3892 -131.471 2 Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve — historic villages of the Haida First Nation, deep fjords, rugged mountains, salmon spawning streams, sub-alpine tundra
• 50.8831 -116.049 3 Kootenay National Park — includes parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges, the Kootenay River and the Vermilion River
• 49.066667 -120.783333 4 Manning Provincial Park — a wide range of summer and winter recreational opportunities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking & canoeing
• 53.0339 -119.232 5 Mount Robson Provincial Park — includes Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies
• 48.983333 -125.666667 6 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve — rugged coasts, lush temperate rainforests, and the famous West Coast Trail
• 48.8333 -123.5 7 Salt Spring Island — the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, replete with artist studios, hiking, kayaking, climbing, yoga
• 59.65 -137.333333 8 Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park — part of the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northwestern corner of British Columbia
• 51.3953 -116.487 9 Yoho National Park — in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the western slope of the Continental Divide of the Americas in southeastern British Columbia

Understand [ edit ]

The multicultural nature of British Columbia is a byproduct of its history. BC is the homeland of many indigenous nations whose ancestors were here for thousands of years, and has subsequently been influenced by settlement from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in North America.

The indigenous peoples of BC have formerly been called Indians, Native Canadians, or Aboriginals, but now the generally accepted terms are indigenous or First Nations.

Prior to arrival of Europeans, this region was able to support a variety of cultures based around different ways for gathering food. On the coasts and near major rivers, people were sedentary and had complex social hierarchies: this was largely due to the abundance of salmon. Inland people were nomadic hunter gatherers who lived in much smaller communities. More than thirty languages belonging to seven different language families were spoken in what is now BC when Europeans began to document them. To learn about indigenous cultures in British Columbia in the past and today, visit the islands of Haida Gwaii , the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria , ' Ksang village near New Hazelton , the village of Kitwanga , and numerous other small museums and historic sites across the province.

The arrival of Europeans began with trading, and may have even been a positive relationship for the indigenous peoples as first. However, the Europeans brought smallpox and other diseases, which decimated the indigenous populations.

For many years, what was to become BC was claimed by each of Spain, Russia, and the United States. But ultimately, it became part of the British Empire in 1846 when the U.S. gave up its claim to the area. Britain didn't try to settle the area with colonists, but rather just gave the Hudson's Bay Company a monopoly here to trade with the indigenous peoples for furs, and since many of those HBC traders were French-Canadian there was a French-speaking population here at one time, but it is now mostly assimilated. Fur trade related historic sites in BC include Fort St. James National Historic Site near Vanderhoof , Fort Langley National Historic Site in Langley , and Fort McLeod National Historic Site near Prince George .

Soon, however, more English-speaking settlers began to arrive to looking for gold, which some did find, and so the British government decided to give them their own local colonial governments in the hope that they wouldn't rebel against the HBC and try to the join the United States, starting with Vancouver Island in 1849. Eventually all of these smaller colonies were merged into a single one called British Columbia, which gained its current borders in 1866. Sites from the gold rush and colonial days include Fort Steele Heritage Town near Cranbrook and Barkerville Gold Rush Town .

BC's population was still small and mostly indigenous at this time, when the Canadians came calling offering membership in their newly created federation. BC was the sixth province to join the Confederation of Canada, in 1871. This was done at least partly on the basis of a promise by the Canadian federal government to build a railway linking BC to the rest of Canada. Significant geographical barriers and political feuding delayed the completion of this railway until 1885 when the last spike was driven home at a place called Craigellachie near Sicamous . Following the completion of railway, many more arrivals from Eastern Canada arrived and the character of much of the rural BC interior is typically English-Canadian as a result.

With a few exceptions, the First Nations of BC (unlike the rest of Canada) have never signed treaties or ceded their territory to Canada. Almost one third of the First Nations communities in Canada are in BC, and there are more different tribes in BC compared to other areas in Canada. Therefore, the official ownership of much of the province is contested as the First Nations claim much of the province as their territory. The courts have generally acknowledged that there is a basis for the claims based on historical use of the land and have urged the governments to negotiate a settlement to these claims. Settling these land claims has been a complex issue that is still ongoing. The first modern treaty signed was by the Nis'ga in Northern BC in 1999 (their capital is at Gitlaxt'aamiks north of Prince Rupert ). In 2007, the Tsawassen First Nation (reserve near Delta ) and the Maa-Nulth First Nations (a confederacy of five First Nations on Vancouver Island ) signed treaties with the province and the federal government.

During the early to mid 20th century, First Nations people were legally required to send their children to Church-run boarding or day schools. The primary intent of the schools was to assimilate the First Nation population, though it is now recognized that this was cultural genocide. Children were taught that their culture was backward and evil and were not allowed to speak their native languages, physically punished if they did not follow the rules, and many were sexually exploited by school staff and other students. This systemic problem is finally being addressed and discussed openly, particularly after a large unmarked graveyard was identified at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops in 2021. Hundreds of students were buried over the school's existence, in part due to the poor health conditions in the schools. Similar graves have been subsequently identified at other former residential schools across Canada. Many of the First Nation communities have been trying to revive their culture and are now often the center of much of the ecotourism industry.

During much of the 20th century, BC's economy boomed based on exports of lumber and minerals. This attracted many new waves of immigration. Americans began to have large influence on BC, especially during Second World War, when thousands of them arrived to build the Alaska Highway , and though most didn't stay long, after the war most of BC exports were mostly going to the US and much of BC's then-still-young tourism industry relied on American clients.

After Canada's immigration reforms of 1967 removed the preference for Europeans, the new arrivals were increasingly from Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, and, especially, Asia.

Some Chinese men had already arrived in the early part of the 19th century to work in the gold rush of that era and later many more worked on the construction of the railway through the mountains. A much larger Chinese migration began after 1967, much of it initially from Vietnam and Hong Kong, and later from Mainland China. Chinese history can be glimpsed in the Fan Tan Alley in Victoria 's Chinatown (Canada's oldest, and second oldest in North America) and discovered at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver's Chinatown . The present-day Chinese community mostly doesn't live in Chinatown-style urban ghettos and instead lives in standard Canadian-style housing in Vancouver South or Richmond , but East-Asian-style shopping can still be found in the Golden Village shopping district of Richmond

There was also a Japanese community in Coastal BC before the Second World War until they were evicted and sent to camps in the interior. This story of the community as it once was can be learned at the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre in Burnaby , and internment can be learned about at the Langham Cultural Society in Kaslo .

There was also a community from British-ruled India (including Pakistan and Bangladesh), primarily made up of Punjabi Sikhs; there is no major South Asian museum in BC as yet, though one was promised in the 2020 election. Nevertheless, the Punjabi Market in Vancouver South is the place to do South Asian shopping.

The early 21st century has also seen BC has become a major hub for Canadians relocating from other provinces, especially retirees seeking milder weather (for example in the town of Sidney ), but also hippies and other free spirits (notably around Ucluelet ) and those looking for gig work in the booming film industry.

Visitor information [ edit ]

• hellobc.com (official tourism website)

Talk [ edit ]

Although Canada is officially a bilingual French/English country, you would be hard pressed to find many French-speaking people in B.C.; they are in fact far outnumbered by speakers of Mandarin , Cantonese or Punjabi in the province. Services are available in English and French at offices of the federal government. Provincial and municipal governments operate in English only. Some businesses, especially in Vancouver and Victoria offer services in a number of languages (primarily Asian ones). Banks sometimes indicate by a sign in the window which languages are offered. Publications of the provincial government are often available in Chinese and Punjabi, while depending on the demographics of the area, provincial and municipal government services may be available in Mandarin, Cantonese or Punjabi.

With the migration of people from all over Canada into British Columbia, most citizens here speak with a general Canadian accent while in rural areas, people may speak with a slight twang. At one time Chinook Jargon , a bridge language for trading between English, French and First Nations peoples in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was common and almost became the official language of BC. Now there are very few speakers of the language, but many terms from the language are common slang terms in rural parts of BC.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Vancouver International Airport ( YVR  IATA ) is the province's major international airport and the second busiest airport in Canada, which is served by most major international airlines and has direct flights from much of North America , and larger airports in Asia and Europe . Victoria , Abbotsford , and Kelowna also have international airports that have service to some locations within Canada , and may offer some flights to the United States of America , Mexico , or the Caribbean , though mostly on a seasonal basis in winter months. Some flights from Alberta travel to Comox , Cranbrook , Kamloops , Kelowna , Nanaimo , and Prince George .

By car [ edit ]

There are a number of land border crossings from the United States into BC from Washington (state) near BC's west coast. See the Lower Mainland (BC) and Northwest Cascades ( WA ) articles for details in those areas. In addition, some car ferries cross from the United States into BC, see "By boat" below. There are also land border crossings into BC from Idaho , Montana and Alaska . Below are some notable highways to enter BC.

• Interstate 5 (Washington) / Highway 99 (BC), connecting Seattle via Bellingham with Vancouver . This is the busiest international crossing into British Columbia.
• Highway 97, connecting Wenatchee with Kelowna via Osoyoos .
• Highway 395 (Washington) / Highway 22 (BC), connecting Spokane via Colville with Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) about 18 km east of Grand Forks .
• Highway 95 connecting Coeur d'Alene via Bonners Ferry to Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) for travel to Cranbrook .
• Highway 93 connecting Missoula via Kalispell to Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) for travel to Fernie .
• Highway 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway ), connecting Calgary via Banff to Vancouver via Kamloops
• Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway), connecting Lethbridge to Hope via Cranbrook and Castlegar . Highway travels close the Canada-United States border.
• Highway 16 ( Yellowhead Highway ), connecting Edmonton via Jasper to Prince Rupert via Prince George .
• Highway 43 (Alberta) / Highway 2 (BC) connecting Highway 16 west of Edmonton via Grande Prairie to Dawson Creek
• Highway 93, connecting Lake Louise to Radium Hot Springs . This is an alternative to Highway 1, if traveling from Alberta to areas south of Highway 1.
• Highway 7 (Northwest Territories) / Highway 77 (BC), connecting Highway 1 ( Mackenzie Highway ) with Fort Nelson
• Highway 1 (Yukon) / Highway 97 (BC), parts of the Alaska Highway , connecting Whitehorse and Watson Lake with Dawson Creek via Fort Nelson
• Highway 37 ( Stewart-Cassiar Highway ), connecting near Watson Lake with Kitwanga via Dease Lake

By bus [ edit ]

From Alberta

• Cold Shot , ☏ +1 587-557-7719 , [email protected] . Bus service from Monday to Friday between Fort St. John and Grande Prairie with stops in Dawson Creek , Hythe, and Beaverlodge. Also offers bus service between Grande Prairie and Edmonton . ( updated Feb 2021 )
• Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service , ☏ +1-778-382-7729 , [email protected] . Once per week bus service between Nakusp and Calgary via Nelson , Cranbrook , and Lethbridge . ( updated Mar 2022 )
• Rider Express , toll-free: +1-833-583-3636 . Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between Calgary and Vancouver . Connecting services from Calgary enable travel to Edmonton (Alberta), Regina (Saskatchewan), Saskatoon (Saskatchewan), and Winnipeg (Manitoba). ( updated Apr 2022 )
• Thompson Valley Charters , ☏ +1 877-769-3287 . In partnership with Ebus, operates twice per week service between Kamloops and Edmonton . ( updated Mar 2022 )

From United States of America

• Cantrail ( Amtrak Thruway ), ☏ +1 604-294-5541 , toll-free: +1-877-940-5561 . Operates express buses between the Seattle King St Station (Amtrak) and Vancouver. ( updated Mar 2022 )
• Quick Coach , ☏ +1 604-940-4428 , toll-free: +1-800-665-2122 . Express bus between SeaTac Airport and Vancouver via downtown Seattle and Bellingham Airport . Northbound buses going to Canada only pick up passengers in the U.S. while southbound buses going to Seattle only drop off in the U.S. ( updated Apr 2022 )

By boat [ edit ]

There are ferries from Washington into Victoria and Sidney , and from Alaska into Prince Rupert . Except the Victoria Clipper all the other ferries do take vehicles onboard:

• 48.42231 -123.37358 4 Victoria Clipper , Belleville St, Victoria ( Belleville St just west of Oswego St ), ☏ +1 206-443-2560 , toll-free: +1-800-888-2535 . Direct passenger only ferry between Victoria harbour and Pier 69 at the Seattle waterfront. Some of the sailings make an additional stop in Friday Harbor, going both directions. Crossing time is 2.75 hours. ( updated Aug 2022 )

By train [ edit ]

• " The Canadian ", runs along a historic and scenic railway into British Columbia. turning south at Ashcroft and along the Canadian Pacific track to Mission, and on to Vancouver . Other stops in British Columbia include several cities in the Fraser Valley , as well as Boston Bar , Kamloops , Clearwater , and Valemount . Notable and major cities along the route outside of British Columbia include Jasper , Edmonton , Saskatoon , Winnipeg , Sudbury , and Toronto. Two to three departures per direction per week.
• "The Skeena", from Jasper to Prince Rupert including stops in McBride , Prince George , Vanderhoof , Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers , New Hazelton , Kitwanga , and Terrace . The train stops overnight stop in Prince George, where passengers must disembark for the night and make their own arrangements for accommodations. There is a connection with BC Ferries' Inside Passage and Queen Charlotte routes at Prince Rupert. Three departures per direction per week.

Get around [ edit ]

BC is a large province. The most convenient way to get to much of the province is by plane. However, this can be quite expensive. It is often more expensive to fly to some point in BC than it is to fly to Europe. Vancouver International Airport is the regional hub for most air service within BC. Float planes can also be convenient for accessing many coastal locations.

Getting around here is not always easy. Many worthwhile destinations are outside of the cities and not accessible by public transportation options. This makes renting a car quite a popular option for getting around, although there is some bus service to be found. Bear in mind when travelling by car that headlights should be used both day and night, regardless of conditions. If driving during the winter, plan your route carefully as British Columbia experiences some hazardous weather.

If you drive or rent a vehicle, be aware that provincial law requires fuel to be prepaid before filling up. If you use a "pay-at-pump" interface, the station may place a hold on an available amount in your account which may last for a few days. It is wise to ensure you have adequate funds or credit limit room on your payment cards before visiting.

For north-south travel within BC, the main highways to take are:

• Highway 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway ) and/or Highway 19 on Vancouver Island , which enable travel between the south end and north end.
• Highway 5 ( South Yellowhead Highway ) traveling diagonal from southwestern BC heading northeast
• Highway 97 traveling north-south.
• Highway 37 ( Stewart-Cassiar Highway ) running north into the Yukon to connect with the Alaska Highway

For east-west travel within BC, the main highways to take are:

• Highway 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway ) in southern BC.
• Highway 3 (Crownest Highway) near BC's southern border with the United States.
• Highway 16 ( Yellowhead Highway ) in northern BC .

Winter driving [ edit ]

Each year, between October 1 and April 30, vehicles must have winter tires or chains on most highways, other than coastal areas of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island . In addition, between mid-fall and mid-spring, mudslides or snowfall can temporarily close highways. DriveBC provides information on current road conditions, including any closures.

Itineraries :

• Sunshine Coast-Vancouver Island Circle Tour - a good way to see Vancouver , the neighbouring Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island
• Driving between the Pacific Coast and the Rockies

Public transit [ edit ]

Intercity buses [ edit ].

• Between Prince George and Fort St. John with stops in Mackenzie, Chetwynd , Dawson Creek , and Taylor. There is also a weekly trip between Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson , allowing passengers to travel between Prince George and Fort Nelson over two consecutive days.
• Between Prince George and Prince Rupert with stops in Vanderhoof , Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers , New Hazelton , Kitwanga , and Terrace , and Port Edward.
• Between Prince George and Valemount with a stops in McBride and Tete Jaune Cache .
• BC Ferries Connector , toll-free: +1-888-788-8840 . Offers an express coach service between Vancouver and Victoria . ( updated Mar 2022 )
• Daily between Kamloops and Vancouver with stops in Merritt , Hope , Chilliwack , Abbotsford , and Surrey .
• Daily between Kelowna and Vancouver with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
• Daily between Kamloops and Kelowna with stops in Chase, Sorrento, Salmon Arm , Enderby , Armstrong , and Vernon .
• Three days per week per direction between Kamloops and Prince George with stops in Savona, Cache Creek , Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House , Lac La Hache, Williams Lake , Quesnel , and Hixon.
• IslandLink Bus , [email protected] . Operates daily using a hub and spoke bus service with hubs in Nanaimo and Buckley Bay. Trips run non-stop from the hub to the destination area. Using this service, the hubs connect to Campbell River , Oyster River, Comox , Courtenay , Cumberland, Bowser , Parksville , Nanaimo , Duncan , and Mill Bay, and Victoria . As of January 30, 2023, service is also available to Port Alberni , Tofino , and Ucluelet , though trip frequency ranges from 3 days per week in the winter to daily in the summer. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• Between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour , Nelson , Castlegar , Christina Lake , Grand Forks , Greenwood , Rock Creek, Osoyoos , Keremeos , Princeton , Manning Provincial Park , Hope , Chilliwack , Abbotsford , Langley , and New Westminster . Operates two trips per week per direction.
• Between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks , High River , Claresholm , Lethbridge , Fort Macleod , Pincher Creek , Sparwood, Fernie , Cranbrook , Creston , Salmo , Nelson, and Balfour. Operates one trip per week per direction.
• Rider Express , toll-free: +1-833-583-3636 . Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between Calgary and Vancouver with stops in Canmore , Banff , Lake Louise , Golden , Revelstoke , Sicamous , Salmon Arm , Sorrento, Chase, Kamloops , Merritt , Hope , Chilliwack , Abbotsford , and Surrey . ( updated Apr 2022 )
• Sunshine Coast Connector , toll-free: +1-844-613-8222 , [email protected] . Operates a bus service four days per week between the Langdale ferry terminal and the Earls Cove ferry terminal, including stops in all the major communities lower coast of the Sunshine Coast , such as Gibsons and Sechelt . The Sunshine Coast Connector is coordinated with transit BC Transit's service in Powell River , to allow travelers to ride ferries and buses to travel the upper and lower coasts, and to connect to TransLink's public transit network including connections to Vancouver . As of 2022, $60 per person between Langdale and Earls Cove ferry terminals . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• Thompson Valley Charters , ☏ +1 877-769-3287 . In partnership with Ebus, operates twice per week service between Kamloops and Edmonton with stops in Barriere, Little Fort, Clearwater , Avola, Blue River, Valemount , Mount Robson Provincial Park , Jasper , Hinton , and Edson . ( updated Mar 2022 )
• Tofino Bus ( Vancouver Island Connector ). Seasonal service operating between May to October with routes daily between Victoria and Tofino , and between Victoria and Campbell River . Both routes travel between Victoria and Parksville with stops in Langford , Duncan , Ladysmith , and Nanaimo . The route to Tofino continues with stops in Coombs , Port Alberni and Ucluelet . The route to Campbell River continues with stops in Qualicum Beach , Bowser , Courtenay , and Oyster River. ( updated Jan 2023 )
• Waivin Flags Taxi , ☏ +1 250-956-2355 . During parts of the year, operates a bus service between Campbell River and Port Hardy with stops in Woss and Port McNeill. ( updated Mar 2022 )

Intercity tour buses [ edit ]

• Moose Travel Network , ☏ +1 604-297-0255 . Runs a unique service on less travelled routes that is a combination between "just getting you there" and a tour of some very worthwhile destinations. They have a number of quite flexible packages available, many of them connecting the coast with popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies like Jasper, Banff and Calgary. There is also tours to Vancouver Island and Whistler. ( updated Aug 2022 )

By ferry [ edit ]

• Inland Ferries . Operated under contract for British Columbia's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, inland ferries are vehicle ferries that connect roads across rivers and lakes. Routes operate throughout the year, but some river ferries may not operate during parts of the Spring due to river conditions. Free .  

See By train under Get In for additional options.

Tourist/railfan railway operations, which allow passengers to ride on restored train from decades ago:

See [ edit ]

Vancouver , as the province's largest city, has the biggest concentration of cultural institutions, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology, and Science World. It has live theater, shopping, nightlife and casinos, in a spectacular setting. Vancouver's massive Stanley Park, which covers a peninsula attached to the city's downtown, is not just your average urban park! You can stroll through the park on the seawall, check out the aquarium, take a look at the totem poles, and stop at various historical points of interest.

Victoria , a smaller city that is the seat of the provincial government, trades on its English charm, is home to the Royal British Columbia Museum, and the beautiful Butchart Gardens, which offer over 50 acres (22 hectares) of gardens and floral display.

In Richmond , a southern suburb of Vancouver, is the International Buddhist Temple, the most authentic example of traditional palatial Chinese architecture in North America. It is an edifice straight out of the Chinese past, as it resembles any authentic temple that can be found along the banks of the Yangtze River, where one of the world's oldest civilizations originated. Come explore traditional Chinese art, culture, and the Buddhist philosophy inside this magnificent place. Free admission.

The history and culture of British Columbia's First Nations (Indigenous) peoples can be explored all around the province. The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver , the Royal BC Museum in Victoria , and the U'mista Cultural Society in Alert Bay are excellent places to start.

British Columbia's spectacular scenery is the main reason many visit come to the province, whether it's for the rugged coastline, or the majestic peaks of the Coast Mountains and Rocky Mountains range, the vine and orchards of the Interior, or the canyons of its many rivers.

Do [ edit ]

British Columbia has an abundance of riches when in comes to outdoor activities in every season.

Go skiing at Whistler-Blackcomb , North America's largest ski area, or the other excellent ski areas throughout the province in destinations near Kimberley , Fernie , Nelson , Kelowna or Rossland . If skiing's not your thing, there's winter surfing in Tofino .

Backpackers should head to the West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve , the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail closer to Victoria , or the BC sections of the Trans Canada Trail . As hiking is a popular pastime residents, most cities and towns have ample ell-marked and well-maintained hiking trails .

Kayakers will be thrilled by Desolation Sound , Telegraph Cove , the Broken Islands, Haida Gwaii , and opportunities to kayak among orcas (killer whales).

Rock-climbing opportunities abound in the Rocky Mountains, and the Stawamus Chief in Squamish is world-famous among rock climbers .

Roam the open range on horseback or try world-class fly-fishing in the Cariboo-Chilcotin .

Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park in North Vancouver and hike the many forest trails in the area.

Explore British Columbia's many national , provincial and local parks . Yoho National Park in eastern BC bordering Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway, and Glacier National Park , which takes in part of the Selkirk Mountain Range where the Trans Canada Highway crosses the range through Roger's Pass, are among the highlights. Vancouverutes take their parks so seriously, they hold elections for their parks board!

Canada's most popular river for whitewater rafting is the Kicking Horse River in western B.C. near that Alberta border that passes through Yoho National Park.

Eat [ edit ]

Due to British Columbia's diverse population, the province has a large variety of food available. BC's extensive coastline is home to some of the freshest fish in the world and the province's main specialties are salmon and geoduck.

Vancouver is home to diverse, cosmopolitan dining options and one can find Japanese and Chinese restaurants on practically every commercial block. Vancouver's southern suburb of Richmond has became a foodie hotspot with many travelling to one of its many East Asian malls which are home to some of the best affordable Chinese restaurants in Canada and the town's annual (Apr-Oct) Asian night market is the largest such market outside of Asia.

Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is famous for its Nanaimo Bar, a dessert made of chocolate and coconut.

Drink [ edit ]

The legal drinking age in BC is 19 .

Beer, wine and spirits are available from the government liquor stores (BCL). They are also available from private beer and wine stores which are usually associated with pubs or bars. Most BCL stores close at 8PM while most private liquor stores are open until 11PM. You cannot buy alcohol in grocery stores.

BC is home to a number of breweries, including the Columbia Brewery in Creston which brews Kokanee, the Granville Island Brewery in Vancouver and Nelson Brewing Company in Nelson . Most breweries offer tours.

BC is also well-renowned for its wine and the Okanagan Valley is the centre of the wine industry in the province. It's a perfect area to visit during the Autumn grape harvest. Many wineries are open for tastings. Due to its temperate climate Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of wineries and most Southern Gulf Islands are home to at least one winery.

Sleep [ edit ]

Accommodation throughout BC can always be arranged in the usual motels, hotels and B&Bs. BC Provincial Parks have had a good reputation over the years and most have very nice campgrounds. Camping in BC is an experience you shouldn't miss.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Outside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is pretty remote. The more remote the area, the better prepared you need to be. Expect any town with a population of at least 1000 residents to have cellular service, but cellular service on highways in rural areas may have dead zones or there may be no cellular coverage at all. Cellular coverage is less likely to be consistently available along roads in rural areas that are mountainous.

If you are thinking of travelling off designated ski or snowmobile trails always take an avalanche safety course. Travel with experienced guides, talk to locals, look at the Canadian Avalanche Centre's forecast. Or best of all, just play it safe and ski at one of BC's great ski resorts.

Outside the winter months always inform yourself about local concerns with carnivorous wildlife , i.e., bears and cougars. If you're in the BC woods, you can assume that there are likely bears and other wildlife in the area. You're in their territory and it's good practice to make noise and keep your eyes (and ears) open. Knowing how to avoid wildlife encounters is a good idea.

Petty property crime is a problem in the major cities, as it is in most, so don't leave items visible in a vehicle. Violent crime is relatively infrequent. Simple precautions will normally preclude a brush with crime. A problem area for tourists to avoid is the infamous East Hastings area of Vancouver.

Experiments with late bar/nightclub closing times (4AM) have also led to increased problems and violence on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver (especially on weekends).

Close to 20 women have been killed or are missing along the " Highway of Tears " (Highway 16) between Prince George and Prince Rupert since about 1970. Young women should not hitch-hike along this highway, especially if they are alone.

Smoking, vaping and cannabis [ edit ]

British Columbia has strict anti-smoking and anti-vaping regulations that prohibit smoking and vaping in any indoor public space or workplace including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The only indoor places where smoking and vaping may be ok is within hotel rooms, if smoking is permitted, or private residences. Smoking and vaping outdoors is not permitted within 6 metres (20 ft) of a building's doors, windows, and air intakes.

In British Columbia, the legal age to obtain, possess, and use marijuana is 19 . While the use and possession of recreational marijuana is legal throughout Canada, it is generally a criminal offence to transport marijuana into Canada or to other countries, including the United States of America , even if it is legal to obtain and use marijuana in the other country.

Pot cafes in Vancouver often provide a smoking room where you can safely and discreetly indulge; however, unlike their Amsterdam counterparts, they will not sell you marijuana.

The province of British Columbia is the first jurisdiction in the world to decriminalize possession of hard drugs. Possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine (crack and powder), methamphetamine, MDMA, and opioids (including heroin, fentanyl and morphine) is no longer a criminal offence. The exemption is scheduled to last until until Jan 31, 2026.

Driving while under the influence of drugs is a crime. Anyone caught selling drugs or trafficking them will still face criminal penalties. Possessing hard drugs at airports and many other locations remains illegal.

Cope [ edit ]

• Emergencies , ☏ 911 . 24/7 . For serious police, fire, or medical emergencies requiring immediate action. ( updated Apr 2023 )
• HealthLink BC , ☏ 811 . Offers free health information and advice. ( updated Apr 2023 )
• Suicide Crisis Helpline , ☏ 988 . 24/7 . Mental health and suicide prevention support. Available across Canada. ( updated Dec 2023 )

Go next [ edit ]

To the south is the border with the United States of America with the following states bordering British Columbia from west to east.

• Washington is home to the Olympic Peninsula , Mount Ranier National Park , the North Cascades mountain range, a highly developed agricultural region and the vibrant cities of Seattle - Tacoma on the Pacific coast.
• Idaho contains Craters of the Moon National Monument , the western sliver of Yellowstone National Park , and Boise the state's largest and capital city.
• Montana contains Glacier National Park (unrelated to British Columbia's national park with the same name) and the northern sliver of Yellowstone National Park .

To the east is the province of Alberta which is home to a beautiful mix of prairie, boreal forest and mountains and an economy that fluctuates with the price of oil. It is also home to the cities of Edmonton (the provincial capital) and Calgary (a self-styled cow-town). The mountain towns of Banff , Lake Louise and Jasper are popular and busy in all seasons.

To the north are is vast, sparsely-populated wilderness within two territories of Canada.

• Yukon Territory is adjacent to most of British Columbia's northern boundary including the western end of this boundary. It can be accessed Dease Lake on Highway 37, but is more commonly accessed on the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) via Fort Nelson . Either way, travel will likely lead to Whitehorse , the largest and capital city of this territory.
• Northwest Territories is adjacent British Columbia's northern boundary near the east end of this boundary. It can be accessed from Fort Nelson on Highway 77. The most notable city to reach is Yellowknife , which is the largest city and capital of this territory.

To the northwest is Alaska , though with the exception of the isolated community of Hyder , reaching this state requires travel by ferry from Prince Rupert or by road via the Yukon.

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24 Best Places to Visit in British Columbia

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 19, 2024

British Columbia is Canada’s four-season playground. With mild winters and balmy summers, BC is filled with beautiful places to visit from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast it has an endless supply of outdoor adventures, world-class vineyards, and beautiful scenery. If you are planning a trip to Canada’s West Coast, these are the best places to visit in British Columbia to add to your travel bucket list.

We’ve been lucky enough to have lived in British Columbia and even though we aren’t BC residents anymore, we make a point of going back regularly. In fact, I think we travel more to British Columbia now that we don’t live there anymore. We have explored all corners of the province and these are some ideas to spark your wanderlust to explore Canada’s West Coast.

Table of Contents

Places to Visit in British Columbia

1. Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the best cities in Canada that offers the perfect blend of urban and outdoor adventures. When planning your travels to British Columbia, chances are you will start in Vancouver . This beautiful city has everything you would want in an urban center yet, it is filled with outdoor activities. Stanley Park is home to the famous sea wall that is perfect for cycling and hiking. There’s the Vancouver Aquarium which is a top attraction in Stanley Park and there are plenty of walking trails, a marina, and the Stanley Park Totem Poles.

Granville Island is a not to miss destination in Vancouver with art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and exhibits on a bustling island in the heart of the city.

Read More About Vancouver

• Where to Stay in Vancouver – Best Hotels & Vacation Rentals By Area
• 26 Best Things to do in Vancouver, BC

2. Whistler

It’s Canada’s winter destination, but Whistler is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia in summer too. Make your way to Whistler Village to enjoy the great outdoors of the coastal mountains. Home to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Whistler is an outdoor lover’s playground with World Cup ski hills, a bobsleigh track, and endless cross country ski trails.

In the summer, there’s fantastic hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing and Whistler Village is a year-round retreat filled with restaurants, cafes, and plenty of activities.

Read More About Whistler

• 30 Awesome Things to Do in Whistler, BC
• Snowmobile Whistler – Into the Backcountry, We Go
• First on the Mountain – Fresh Tracks in Whistler
• Everything You Need to Know to Go Skiing in Whistler

3. Squamish

Located between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish is often overlooked as a quick stop on the Sea to Sky highway road trip, but this town is worth spending a few days. It’s a rock climbing Mecca with professional climbers flocking to tackle the Squamish Chief (Stawamus Chief Mountain ).

The Britannia Mine Museum is a fascinating walk through time and there are plenty of waterfalls and hiking trails and whitewater rafting around Squamish. If you don’t want to hike or climb to the top of Squamish Chief, you can take the Sea to Sky Gondola up for high views of Howe Sound, where you can test your nerves by crossing the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. There’s excellent dining and Squamish is one of the best places in British Columbia to see bald eagles.

• 14 Amazing Things to Do in Squamish BC
• Vancouver to Whistler – Best of the Sea to Sky Highway

4. Sunshine Coast

This drive up the rugged and remote stretch of the BC coast is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. The Sunshine Coast is located north of Vancouver along the Straight of Georgia. Located on the mainland of BC, one would think it is an easy drive, but the only way to access the Sunshine Coast is by taking a ferry, helicopter, or plane. Taking the ferry from Horseshoe Bay transforms you to one of the most beautiful coastlines in BC.

As you drive north, you’ll come into Gibsons Landing, home to the filming location of the legendary Canadian TV Show, the Beachcombers before you begin the drive up to Lund where you can jump on excursions to Desolation Sound. The Sunshine Coast is also known for some of the best mountain biking in British Columbia.

Read More About The Sunshine Coast

• Ultimate Things to do on A Sunshine Coast Road Trip

4. Desolation Sound

Lund is the jumping-off point for Desolation Sound and it is easy to book tours from the  Lund Resort at Klah a Men  or from Terracentric Coastal Adventures in the Marina. From here you can go out to Hernando and Savory Island which are known as the Hawaii of the North thanks to its sandy beach and Major Rock which is home to a colony of sea lions and to see a large colony of sea birds as well.

It is easy to book water taxis to the islands around Desolations Sound. Prices start at $12 per person one way.  Check rates and times here. Or if you want a real adventure, you can hike all the way up to Desolation Sound as part of the Sunshine Coast Trail.

If you visit Lund, a great place to stay in the   Lund Resort at Klah ah men . This boutique resort is the first of fully-run Indigenous resort on the Sunshine Coast and it was named the Most Outstanding Indigenous Accommodations by Indigenous Tourism of Canada.

6. Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s premier wine-producing regions. Located in Southern British Columbia, it is a year-round vacation destination. It’s also one of the premier places in Canada to retire. Consisting of Kelowna and Penticton and Vernon BC, there are plenty of things to keep you busy as you explore this expansive valley that is 200km long and 20 km wide. Okanagan Lake is the main lake of the region.

Considered the fruit basket of British Columbia, there are plenty of vineyards and fruit farms that grow cherries, plums, pears, peaches, and apples. Read more about this region on Best British Columbia Road Trip – Vancouver to Revelstoke

One of our favourite cities to visit in the Okanagan Valley is Kelowna.  This town not only has a glorious wine scene but there’s also a fabulous food scene, distilleries, and outdoor activities galore. One of the best things to do in Kelowna is to hike or cycle the Kettle Valley Railway trail at Myra Canyon.

The trestle bridges of the Kettle Valley Railway in Myra Canyon offer one of the most spectacular views in British Columbia, let alone the Okanagan Valley. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail itself runs from Hope to Castlegar and is actually 650-kilometers long, but the most beautiful views are located just outside of Kelowna in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park.

Located on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, there are plenty of watersports in the summer and you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and jet skis to explore the gorgeous scenery from the beach in downtown Kelowna. Read more at Best Things to do in Kelowna British Columbia

8. Penticton

Another major city in the Okanagan Valley, Penticton should also be added to your list of places to visit in British Columbia. Surrounded by mountains and located between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, Penticton is a nature lover’s dream. This lovely Okanagan Valley city has lakeside promenades, beaches, hiking trails, and skiing at nearby Apex Mountain. Apex was the first place Dave and I went skiing in British Columbia. Like Kelowna is in the heart of wine country with vineyards and orchards to visit nearby. Watch our flight over the beautiful countryside.

9. Kamloops

When looking for places to visit in British Columbia, Kamloops doesn’t pop at the top of mind, but it is a popular stop on the Rocky Mountaineer so many people may have heard of it. As with so many places in British Columbia, Kamloops has plenty of outdoor activities and it should definitely be added to your list. Stay at the Sandman Signature Hotel on the waterfront.

Another nature-lovers escape, Kamloops has everything you could want to get outside. Hiking through its desert-like valleys is a unique experience with Hoodoos and sandstone canyons lining the way. There are 100 lakes nearby, endless hiking and biking trails and you can learn about BC wildlife at the Wildlife Park which rescues and rehabilitates local wildlife. Check out more at The Rocky Mountaineer Experience – Vancouver to Banff

10. Revelstoke

Revelstoke is often overlooked for Whistler, but this mountain playground is a great alternative to the more popular ski resorts of British Columbia and Alberta . Revelstoke Mountain Resort houses North America’s longest vertical descent at 1713m (5,620 feet) and has some of the best ski conditions in Canada with an average of 10.5 meters (34 feet) of powder each winter. Make sure to stay at The Sutton Place Revelstoke Mountain Resort right in the village next to the hills for optimal adventure and luxury in Revelstoke.

While Revelstoke is known for its exceptional skiing and snowboarding, it is also an amazing place to visit in the summer too. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has adventures for everyone from downhill mountain biking, hiking, an aerial adventure park, and a mountain coaster. But there are plenty of things to do in downtown Revelstoke with an aspiring food scene, shopping, museums, and outdoor adventures in Mount Revelstoke National Park.

Read more about Revelstoke

• The Best Things to do in Revelstoke, BC – Besides Skiing
• Best British Columbia Road Trip – Vancouver – Kelowna – Revelstoke
• 15 Top Ski Resorts in Canada For Winter Fun

11. Glacier National Park

Yes, Canada has its own Glacier National Park and it is located near Revelstoke National Park. Located just 35 minutes from Revelstoke, you can tick off two Canada National Parks while making a base in Revelstoke. It is a year-round adventure paradise. One thing not to miss in Glacier National Park is to hike the Canadian Pacific Railway Line. The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is a national historic site that has a replica of a historic railway building with a theatre, and an avalanche exhibit and you’ll also learn about the history and wildlife of the area.

12. Yoho National Park

British Columbia is blessed with parks and wide-open spaces and Yoho National Park is another beautiful place to visit in BC. Located in the Canadian Rockies, it offers exceptional hiking and biking and stunning scenery with crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Yoho National Park creates a Rocky Mountain triangle with Kootenay National Park to the south and Banff National Park to the East in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canadian Rocky Mountains Park. Check out: Where to Stay in Banff, The Best Areas

The top sights to see here are the natural bridge, emerald lake, Wapta Falls, and Burgess Shale Fossil Site. As with all of the national parks in Canada, you can go camping in the backcountry (with a permit). Permits and passes can be purchased at Parks Canada. One of the more unique things to do at this Canadian National Park is taking a guided fossil hiking tour to see the fossil remains of an ancient sea. Read: The Rocky Mountaineer Experience – Vancouver to Banff

13. Kootenay National Park

Another place to visit nearby is Kootenay National Park. Joining Yoho National Park with Banff National Park this trio makes up the UNESCO-designated Canadian Rockies. Located in the town of Radium, it is snuggled alongside the Alberta border. It’s known for its abundance of hot springs. (including Radium Hot Springs where you can enjoy the hot pools in luxury) and abundance of wildlife. A highlight of Kootenay National Park is Marble Canyon where you can hike through the narrow gorge.

14. Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

We can’t leave out British Columbia’s Provincial Parks and this Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is one of the oldest provincial parks in Canada. Located in Southeastern British Columbia, it houses two glaciers, Kokanee and Woodbury that feed 30 lakes including Kootenay Lake. Located in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is unique in the fact that most of the park sits above  1,800 meters in elevation. Be prepared when visiting this provincial park, with the high elevation, weather conditions can change frequently.

Make a base in the city of Nelson, British Columbia where you’ll be able to view the peaks of the Kokanee glacier from downtown. Located on the shores of Kootenay Lake, Nelson is a historic downtown is filled with restored heritage homes helping to contribute to it being referred to as the Queen City.

15. Fraser Canyon – Hells Gate

When taking the Rocky Mountaineer through the Canadian Rockies from British Columbia to Alberta, our train journey weaved along the Fraser River through Fraser Canyon. This was our first time witnessing Hells Gate in Fraser Canyon. Located in the heart of Gold Rush country, Hell’s Gate can be visited by taking a gondola down into the Fraser Canyon. The rapids of Hell’s Gate are furious with over 200 million gallons of water squeezing through the narrows of Fraser Canyon each minute. There are observation decks, a cafe, a suspension bridge, and a gift shop so it is well worth the visit.

Taking the Rocky Mountaineer was an amazing way to witness the stunning scenery of British Columbia while taking in its natural beauty from the comfort of a train.

Hope was once famous for being the filming location of Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood, but what makes visiting this town in British Columbia worth it is the Hope Tunnels. The Othello Tunnels in hope are one of the top tourist attractions in interior BC. Similar to the Trestles of Kelowna, the tunnels of hope are a series of trestle bridges and tunnels cutting through the mountains. This was a feat of engineering as the 5 tunnels were blasted and built-in 1914. It is just a 3.5 km round trip, but completely worth stopping to see.

Tofino has become someone of a magical destination in British Columbia. A surfer’s paradise, UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region is a biodiverse ecosystem with old-growth rainforests and dramatic coastlines. Its coastal beaches attract sun lovers and surfers in the warmer months and storm chasers in the winter.

Located just north of the Pacific Rim National Park Tofino’s sandy beaches stretch to wooden boardwalks and stairs winding through ancient, moss-covered cedar and hemlock trees, making you feel as if you’ve reached the end of the earth. Take a kayaking trip to Clayoquot Sound, learn to surf, or head out to view some of the spectacular wildlife. Take a whale watching tour to see as Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, and Killer Whales, frequent these waters. You’ll see grey wolves, sea otters, black bears, and countless bird species.

18. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Speaking of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, this is an adventure lovers’ playground. Located on Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim National Park is home to the 100 sheltered islets of the Broken Group Islands and the famous 75-kilometer multi-day West Coast Trail this is the place to go for outdoor adventures. You can make a base in Tofino or Ucluelet, or you can head into the backcountry for camping, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Read more about adventures in the Pacific Rim at Kayaking to the Broken Group Islands – How to Survive as a Family

19. West Coast Trail

There are few epic trails that can compete with British Columbia’s West Coast Trail. It is Canada’s most iconic hiking trail and is on every hiker’s bucket list. The 75-kilometer (47-mile) backcountry trail is as rigorous as it is beautiful. During this multi-day trek, hikers need to carry everything in and out while climbing more than 100 ladders and navigating through waist-deep flowing rivers. If you want the ultimate hiking bragging rights, book a trip to the West Coast Trail. Reservations are mandatory at Parks Canada. Read more: Best Hikes in Canada to Add To your Bucket List

20. Victoria

The Capital City of British Columbia is located on Vancouver Island and is named after Queen Victoria with tudor-style buildings lining its waterfront. This beautiful city is British Columbia’s provincial capital but has a population of fewer than 100,000 people making it feel like a small town, with all the amenities you’d need. Victoria is one of the prettiest cities in Canada with the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel dominating the picturesque Inner Harbour.

Victoria is the second oldest city in the Pacific Northwest and here you can enjoy afternoon tea and feel like the royalty it was named after for a few hours. There is truly a historic feeling with the parliament buildings, Canada’s oldest China town, and the narrowest street in Canada. Its mild year-round temperatures have made Victoria a popular retirement destination for decades.

21. Vancouver Island

Despite its name, Vancouver Island is two hours away from the city by ferry and is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia. Vancouver Island is filled with gorgeous scenery. The two-hour journey features a ferry ride from the city and ends at the largest island on the Pacific Coast of North America. Must-see spots include Victoria, the Pacific Rim National Park in Tofino (also great for surfing), and the impeccable Butchart Gardens.

Book this  Vancouver to Victoria tour   that includes a ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia and through the Gulf Island to Vancouver Island to explore the beautiful Butchart Gardens followed by a sightseeing tour of downtown Victoria. Butchard Gardens is a 55-acre garden where you’ll be able to peruse its Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and nearly 1000 plan varieties.

22. Barkerville Historic Town

While Dawson City in the Yukon may be the most famous Gold Rush Town in Canada, Barkerville Historic Town is another legendary historic town that you must visit in British Columbia. There are 125 heritage buildings that transport you back to the 1800s. This Canadian National Historic Site is a fun place to visit spread across more than 1000 acres. Actors and street performers dressed in historic costumes walk the streets putting on performances and storytelling presentations. There is accommodation and camping nearby so you can make a weekend out of it!

23. Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)

Located off the coast of British Columbia, Haida Gwaii was briefly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. After the 2010 Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act, they were changed from the colloquial Queen Charlotte Islands to their traditional name for the people who have inhabited these islands for 2000 years.

Haida Gwaii is a system of 150 remote islands in the Pacific Ocean that take you well off the beaten path. Haida Gwaii is a wildlife lover’s dream with an abundance of bald eagles inhabiting the islands. They are often called the Galapagos of the north with unique wildlife species endemic to the islands. From whale watching to indigenous experiences, this is a destination in BC that is not to be missed.

24. Great Bear Rainforest

British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest is a massive chunk of land lining the Pacific Ocean for 400 km up the west coast of BC. This is one of the premier places to go on a grizzly bear safari. The annual salmon run from August to September is the best time to visit the Great Bear Rainforest for grizzly viewing and there are several companies that offer adventures from Bella Bella, Klemtu, and Prince Rupert. There is whale watching in the Great Bear Rainforest as well with Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago being one of the best places in the world to see orcas. This area has an abundance of wildlife and you’ll also be able to witness bald eagles in their natural habitat.

So there you have it from the Pacific Ocean to the Canadian Rockies, these are some of the best places to visit in British Columbia. BC is a massive province with an area larger than France and Germany combined. It could take a lifetime to see it all, but that is all the more reason to visit British Columbia again and again. Where should we go next?

Read more about British Columbia

• Best Things to do in Kelowna British Columbia
• 14 Best Hikes in Vancouver to Enjoy the Great Outdoors

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20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in British Columbia

Written by Lana Law and Michael Law Updated May 26, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

British Columbia's mountains, lakes, islands, rainforests, beautiful stretches of coastline, picturesque cities, attractive towns, and world-class skiing make it one of the most popular destinations in Canada .

Most visitors to BC begin in Vancouver , which makes a great starting point for touring the province. A short flight or ferry trip from here will take you to Vancouver Island and the provincial capital, Victoria . Less than a two-hour drive from Vancouver is the resort town and ski destination of Whistler . In the interior of BC, the Okanagan Valley is another year-round hot spot, with the beaches on the shores of Okanagan Lake, golf courses, and numerous ski resorts.

For a more complete overview and to help plan your itinerary , see our list of the top tourist attractions in British Columbia.

1. Whistler

2. vancouver island, 3. okanagan valley & kelowna, 4. tofino and pacific rim national park reserve, 5. vancouver and stanley park, 6. victoria & the inner harbour, 7. yoho national park, 8. old-growth forests, 9. butchart gardens, 10. haida gwaii, 11. glacier national park, 12. salt spring island, 13. kootenay national park, 15. emerald lake, 16. mt. robson provincial park, 17. barkerville historic town, 18. hell's gate airtram in the fraser canyon, 19. squamish, 20. revelstoke, map of tourist attractions in british columbia.

At the foot of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains , Whistler is the center of the biggest winter sports area in Canada. In 2010, this world-class ski resort attracted much international attention when it hosted the downhill ski events for the Winter Olympic Games.

While it is closely associated with skiing and snowboarding in Canada , Whistler is a year-round destination with hiking trails , mountain biking trails, golfing, and beautiful scenery to explore in the summer. Visitors don't even need to ski or be active to enjoy this lovely town. One of the main attractions is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which joins Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The distance covered is a record breaking 4.4 kilometers. The ride takes only 11 minutes and offers spectacular views of the area.

Whistler Village is a modern, upscale town with luxury hotels, high-end shopping, and fine dining. Although, you can still find casual restaurants and regular retail and grocery stores.

The town's close proximity to Vancouver, only a two-hour drive from the city, means it is also easily accessible. The drive to Whistler from Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway is beautiful. Popular stops on this route include the community of Squamish and Shannon Falls.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Whistler

On Canada's far western coast, Vancouver Island is home to some spectacular coastal scenery, mountains, lakes, and other natural attractions, as well as lovely small towns and the provincial capital of Victoria . Coastal beaches provide year-round surfing, particularly near the popular tourist town of Tofino and nearby Pacific Rim National Park .

Vancouver Island is the largest island on the Pacific coast of North America. Much of it is very remote with limited access. If you take the time to explore the island, you'll find some incredible hiking trails , including the epic multi-day West Coast Trail , one of the best hikes in Canada . Campers can find a variety of excellent campgrounds spread around the island.

Vancouver Island is located west of the city of Vancouver and reached either by a short flight or a ferry ride. Ferries or flights will take you to the Victoria area or into Nanaimo , another popular town on the Island.

Found in the interior of the BC, the Okanagan Valley, most often referred to simply as the Okanagan, is a lush, sunny valley with lakes, beaches, rolling mountains, and orchards. At the heart of the region is the 120-kilometer-long Okanagan Lake and the city of Kelowna on the eastern shore of the lake. Other popular towns in the area include Summerland , Peachland , Penticton , and Vernon .

The Okanagan has hot dry summers and mild winters making it a popular retirement destination and a prominent summertime retreat for people from across British Columbia and neighboring Alberta. Some of the most common summertime activities are houseboating, golfing, and spending time at the beach.

In winter, many people come here to enjoy some of the best ski resorts in British Columbia , including Big White Ski Resort and SilverStar Mountain Resort.

This tiny tourist town on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is the perfect place for nature lovers looking for a coastal retreat. Endless stretches of beach attract surfers year-round, but most people come here simply to stare out at the waves, storm watch in the off season, or walk for miles on the hard-packed sand.

Off the beach, visitors can hike through old-growth forests or camp along the oceanfront in some of the most stunning coastal scenery in British Columbia.

Couples often come here for a romantic getaway and to relax at one of the luxury seaside resorts and charming lodges . A variety of tours are also offered in the area, from kayaking on Clayoquot Sound to whale watching.

Tofino has an extremely remote feel to it, but it's relatively easy to access from places like Victoria or Nanaimo. Nearby, Ucluelet is another small town that makes a nice day trip from Tofino.

• Read More: Top Things to Do in Tofino

Stanley Park is one of the great features of Vancouver that sets it apart from other major cities across Canada. This huge green space on the edge of the downtown core offers a beautiful nature retreat for visitors and locals.

The park is home to ancient cedars and huge Douglas fir trees. The seawall is one of the main attractions, offering miles of scenic paved path for walking, jogging, or biking. Trails also run through the forest. Within the park is the Vancouver Aquarium , as well as various other attractions, including totem poles, gardens, and beaches.

• Things to See and Do in Stanley Park
• Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Vancouver

Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and one of Canada's most scenic cities. Removed from the mainland, this city has the feel of a small town, but is home to a wealth of attractions and things to do . The city is considered by many locals and tourists alike to be one of the best places to visit in BC.

You'll find a mix of people living here, from retirees fleeing the cold in one of Canada's warmest cities to young tech workers and a large segment of the population working for the provincial government. Somehow it all works, and the people of Victoria tend to be relaxed and friendly, always happy to point you in the right direction should you get lost.

At the heart of the city for both locals and tourists is the Inner Harbour , dominated by the grand Empress Hotel , built in 1908 for the Canadian Pacific Railway. This area is always alive with visitors and locals enjoying the waterfront, particularly in the summer when restaurants open their patios for outdoor dining and street performers take to the sidewalks.

If you are looking for things to do, take in the incredible mountain and ocean views from hiking trails in and around Victoria . For something a little less strenuous, consider High Tea at the Empress Hotel or wander by the Parliament Buildings.

Read More: Best Campgrounds near Victoria

Yoho National Park is home to some of British Columbia's most rugged and scenic mountain terrain. Snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, rivers, and crystal-clear lakes, including spectacular Lake O'Hara , draw large numbers of visitors to this park during the summer months.

Incredible hiking trails allow easy access to the backcountry, but even a drive through the park offers enough exposure to appreciate the landscape. If you are touring Yoho National Park by car, one of the highlights is Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest falls in North America .

• Read More: Exploring the Top Attractions of Yoho National Park

BC has some of the world's most intact old-growth forests, these giant trees have stood as sentinels over the millennia. A visit to one of the stands of trees is a humbling experience that makes you feel small and insignificant.

The old-growth stands are located around the province, but the most accessible locations are on Vancouver Island. The most popular and easiest place to see the trees is at Cathedral Grove on Highway 4 between Qualicum, near Parksville , and Port Alberni. Here, you'll find walkways throughout the giant trees along with informational exhibits.

Another great spot to see the old growth trees is in the Pacific Rim National Park near Tofino. Excellent trails with raised boardwalks wind their way through the trees, up and down small valleys and over burbling brooks.

If you truly want to see the trees in their natural environment and have a sense of adventure, head to the logging roads north of Sooke in the small town of Port Renfrew. Up here are groves of majestic trees, some of which are threatened by logging. The main groves are Avatar Grove and Eden Grove . You'll find short walks through the forest along some stretches of boardwalk in both areas.

You'll need a high clearance vehicle to see the ones at Eden Grove, as the road gets very rough at one point. Most people drive to this point and walk along the road to the grove. Of all the groves in BC, this is the one most in danger of being cut down. See it before it's gone.

Set in an old quarry, Butchart Gardens offers a fabulous display of plants, trees, and flowers. Located just outside Victoria, the mild climate is perfect for changing seasonal displays. Spring through fall is outstanding, when the spring blooms come out and the fabulous display of summer color peaks.

Fall brings the changing leaves of autumn and a burst of color from a wide variety of trees and blooming plants. Extensive walkways wind their way around themed gardens and water features over the 20-hectare property.

Official site: https://www.butchartgardens.com/

Haida Gwaii is one of Canada's undiscovered treasures. These remote islands provide a wealth of culture and natural beauty, but are often overlooked by tourists. Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii is an isolated group of more than 150 islands in the Pacific Ocean at the western edge of the continental shelf. The two main islands, Graham and Moresby , are located about 50 kilometers and 150 kilometers respectively off the coast of British Columbia.

The native inhabitants, the Haida people , are thought to have lived on these islands for at least 8,000 years. They were known as proud warriors and daring navigators. With their awesome 20 meter-long war canoes, they traversed the length of the Inside Passage as far south as Puget Sound.

Today, they are more famous for the skill and artistry of their carving. Their totem poles and elaborate argillite carvings can be found in every ethnographic museum on the Canadian Pacific coast.

Glacier National Park, along with Mount Revelstoke National Park a few miles further west, is a scenic area and a favorite with climbers and hikers. The parks lie in one of Canada's most inhospitable mountainous regions, the almost inaccessible northern Selkirk Range of the Columbia Mountains .

The landscape is one of jagged peaks, steep descents, and narrow valleys cut deep into the rock. There are approximately 400 glaciers in and around Glacier National Park. At lower levels, up to about 1,300 meters, the dense forests are home to some enormous old trees - western red cedars, hemlocks, and firs - as well as a ground cover of ferns. Mountain goat, woodland caribou, black bears, and grizzly bears are some of the wildlife that can be found in the park.

Most visitors simply drive through, but there are numerous hiking trails and camping facilities. Rogers Pass National Historic Site is also located within Glacier National Park.

Official site: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier

In the Gulf Islands between Victoria and Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island has a small population and is known for its laid-back Bohemian lifestyle. Around this scenic island are artists' studios and farms selling cheese and homemade products. Funky shops sell clothes and trinkets you might expect to find in Southeast Asia.

The main town on the island is Ganges , where visitors will find ice cream shops, cafes and restaurants, and more traditional retail establishments and souvenirs. There is a provincial park on the oceanfront with walking trails, camping facilities, and day use areas. The island also offers inns and other accommodation options.

Ferries run from Tsawwassen on the mainland (Vancouver), Swartz Bay (Victoria), or Crofton (Nanaimo).

• Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do on Salt Spring Island

Kootenay National Park, in southeastern British Columbia, adjoins Banff National Park and Yoho National Park , and takes in the magnificent western flank of the Canadian Rockies. The main mountain range in Kootenay National Park reaches heights of over 3,000 meters, and the landscape features rugged rocky ridges and sawtooth peaks, snow and ice-covered mountains, cirques, glaciers, hanging valleys, and narrow gorges cut deep into marbled limestone.

Numerous day hikes in the park pass some of these unique sites and natural features. Key highlights in Kootenay are the narrow gorge of Marble Canyon , hiking around Sinclair Pass , and Stanley Glacier .

Official site: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay

Nelson lies in a beautiful spot on the western arm of Kootenay Lake , surrounded by the snow and ice-covered peaks of the Selkirk Mountains . This former mining town grew up at the end of the 19th century and quickly developed into a tourist center and one of the best cities in British Columbia . The town still has many carefully preserved Victorian buildings, which give it a charm all of its own. Nelson is also known for attracting artists and young adults interested in alternative lifestyles.

Nearby is the wild country of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park , containing numerous picturesque mountain lakes. Most of this pristine mountain region lies at a height of more than 2,100 meters above sea-level. Kokanee Peak , at 2,774 meters, towers majestically above the rest of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Also nearby is Kokanee Creek Provincial Park with sandy beaches and campsites.

Emerald Lake is one of the most spectacular lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Its green hues and glass-calm waters never fail to win the hearts of the casual visitor and amateur photographers. This lake is near the Alberta border but is considerably less busy than Moraine Lake or Lake Louise, and if you only have time for a quick look and don't want to take shuttles, this is the place to visit.

An easy, level gravel trail runs along one side of the lake for 5.2 kilometers and offers walkers incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers. Another popular pastime here is canoeing on the clear waters of the lake. Rentals are available at the concession stand near the lakeshore.

If you work up an appetite or thirst, stop in at the historic Emerald Lake Lodge . Dine inside the building and admire the architecture dating from 1882, or grab a patio seat and soak up the surroundings. If you want to spend the night here, be sure to book well in advance.

Near the BC-Alberta border, north of Jasper , Mt. Robson Provincial Park is home to Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies , at 3,954 meters. The magnificent mountain landscape is dominate glacier-capped peaks and huge waterfalls.

One of the most popular hikes here is the 25-kilometer trail through the " Valley of the Thousand Falls " to the lovely turquoise lake at the foot of Mt. Robson. On rainy days, the name "thousand falls" becomes obvious as the streams of water pour off the cliff walls.

The area was designated a provincial park in 1913. Even in those days, mountaineers and tourists were drawn to the area, undeterred by the distances involved. Today, the remoteness of this park means that it does not see the great numbers of tourists seen by parks to the south.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mt_robson/

Barkerville Historic Town has an interesting history. In 1858, when news spread that gold had been found in the fluvial sand of the Fraser River, there were soon thousands of men panning for gold all along the river and its tributaries. In the summer of 1862, Billy Barker made his sensational find here at Williams Creek and a typical gold-digging town of simple wooden huts, tents, saloons, and shops sprang up almost overnight. Until it burned down in 1868, Barkerville was the "largest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco".

Although the town was immediately rebuilt, the end of the gold boom was already apparent. The introduction of machinery meant there was a need for fewer men. Following the end of the gold-rush, Barkerville continued, but was inhabited by settlers and lumberjacks.

Today, visitors will find a restored gold-mining town with about 75 historic buildings making this a fun destination and one of the best places to visit in BC. In summer, costumed interpreters dressed in period costume act out "living history," making it possible to visit a printing-works or smithy, a typical general store, a barber shop, or the "Barkerville Hotel" and feel completely transported back to the times of the gold-rush.

In winter , visitors can participate in snow and cold weather activities, like skating and tubing, or simply enjoy a hot chocolate and some time outdoors.

Official site: http://www.barkerville.ca/

A three-hour drive east of Vancouver is one of Canada's most impressive gorges. Here, the raging torrents of the Fraser River force their way through a narrow pass, known as Hell's Gate, between rocky walls towering almost vertically above the river.

The Hell's Gate Airtram is the best way to view this part of the Fraser Canyon. In days gone by, the Indians found a perilous way across by using ladders. Today, a funicular railway , with impressive views of the wild gorge below, leads down to the lower bank 150 meters below. At the base, are souvenir shops, a restaurant, and a small information center. A climb of a few minutes takes visitors down a reasonable path to the white, foaming river below. The opposite bank can be reached by means of a swaying suspension bridge .

Official site: http://www.hellsgateairtram.com/visit/

Once a sleepy town with an industrial economy, Squamish today is a fast growing, bustling community. Filled with an eclectic mix of those fleeing Vancouver, longtime locals, and a transient population made up of skiers and climbers, Squamish has a vibe all its own.

The city is located at the far end of Howe Sound and is spread out along Highway 99. Downtown is a collection of interesting and functional stores and, of course, a good number of coffee shops. Although the town is nice, the main draw here is the scenery, with the 700-meter-high Stawamus Chief rock face and Shannon Falls both located nearby.

One of the popular things to do when visiting Squamish is to ride the Sea to Sky Gondola. This incredible sightseeing experience allows you to access areas that would normally take long hours, if not days, of hiking to reach. At the top, a suspension bridge extends to a fantastic lookout.

In the summer you used to see kiteboarders and their colorful kites racing across the water. Unfortunately with the closure of the road to the launching site due to environmental concerns, this spectacle is now much, if not completely, diminished.

Read More: Top-Rated Hikes in Squamish, BC

The small town of Revelstoke, more commonly referred to as "Revy," is one of the best places to visit in the interior of BC. Roughly halfway between Banff and Kamloops, Revelstoke is known as one of the premier destinations in Canada, if not the world, for heli-skiing. Towering peaks stuffed with powder snow surround the town, and people come from far and wide to make fresh tracks in the untouched wilderness.

If heli-skiing isn't in your budget, the local ski hill, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, is a good option. The resort gets its fair share of the legendary snow falling on the nearby peaks. The town itself is a decent place to stay, with a cute main street and an excellent railway museum.

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

48 of the Best THINGS TO DO in British Columbia

June 1, 2020 By Matthew G. Bailey 99 Comments

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Updated: January 31st, 202 2

There are so many incredible things to do in British Columbia. From lush rainforest to high mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia is an incredible province to explore. Living next door in Alberta , we’ve been to BC many times and have experienced it from north to south and from east to west.

Although British Columbia is home to the mildest climate in Canada, it’s also about as diverse as it gets. From being able to go surfing and skiing (possibly during the same day) to being able to hike some of Canada’s tallest mountains or exploring one of North America’s most dense cities, BC is a treasure trove for tourists and locals alike.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the mountains, the ocean or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Things To Do in British Columbia

Whether you love cities or the great outdoors, there is so much to do and see in British Columbia. From hiking in the rainforest to visiting wineries to walking around the streets in one of the most densely populated cities in North America, BC is truly one of Canada’s great treasures.

We’ve been to British Columbia many, many times. Living in Calgary, BC is our next-door neighbour, and considering it’s the #1 tourist destination in Canada, there are lots of fun things to do. From swimming in wild hot springs in the North to getting splashed by humpback whales in the South, this travel guide will help you plan your next trip to Canada’s wild west coast.

What To Do In Vancouver

Vancouver is a world-famous city and for good reason: It’s beautifully situated right between mountains and oceans while enjoying some of Canada’s mildest weather. It’s also one of the most densely populated cities in North America, which brings thousands of incredible restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant life that can’t be found in many cities. However, it’s also surrounded by nature, creating a nice balance between the concrete jungle and the real outdoors.

Explore Stanley Park

No matter how many times we visit Vancouver, we always visit Stanley Park. It’s Vancouver’s first urban park and remains the largest with over 400-hectares of natural West Coast rainforest. It’s filled with beautiful beaches, local wildlife, historical landmarks, and the Vancouver Aquarium, which we’ll talk about below.

Visit the Vancouver Aquarium

While visiting Stanley Park, you may want to check out the Vancouver Aquarium as well. This is Canada’s largest aquarium with more than 70,000 beautiful creatures, including dolphins, anacondas, sea otters, sloths, and more. The Vancouver Aquarium is also well respected for its research and marine stewardship and is a great place to learn about the region’s marine life.

Grab a Bite to Eat on Granville Island

Located in the heart of the city, this little peninsula has become a popular hub for food and drink. Granville Island has a wonderful food market, a famous brewery, and a variety of cool shops. In the summer, it’s also alive with boat taxis, paddle-boarders, and kayakers.

Grouse Mountain

As Vancouver’s top outdoor attraction, Grouse Mountain is a great place to go for gruelling mountain hikes or, for those less inclined to work out, an easy gondola ride to get jaw-dropping views of the city and the surrounding mountains. In the winter, it’s also popular for skiing and snowboarding.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 

Capilano Suspension Bridge sits 140 metres over a river, crossing towering evergreens and a cedar-scented rainforest. It’s also home to the Treetops Adventure, seven suspended footbridges offering views 110 feet above the forest floor, and a new Cliffwalk attraction. It’s one of the top attractions in Vancouver, attracting close to one million visitors every year. If crowds aren’t your thing, another option is the free but smaller Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge .

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours 

If you’re looking to learn about Vancouver’s past in a fun and entertaining way, we highly recommend a walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver. We learned so much about Vancouver’s “dark history” and our views of Vancouver will never be the same.

Museum of Anthropology

This research and teaching museum, located at UBC, is renowned for its displays of world arts and culture. Most notably, they have an excellent permanent exhibition on the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. With over 535,000 archaeological objects, this place can easily fill a day.

Vancouver Whale Watching

British Columbia is a fantastic province to experience whale watching and you don’t even have to go far from the major city.  Vancouver whale watching takes place just 20-minutes away in the historic fishing village of Steveston. We’ve had spectacular whale watching experiences around Vancouver and also out in Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. While nature can be unpredictable, your chances of seeing them are very high.

Looking for more info? Don’t forget to check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the best things to do in Vancouver . 

What To Do in Victoria and Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is an adventurer’s paradise. It’s truly incredible how many things you can do on one island. From whale watching to hiking the rainforest to surfing, this is one of the best spots in all of Canada.

Visit the Butchart Gardens

Visited by more than one million people each year, the Butchard Gardens has become an icon of Victoria, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. This breathtaking 55-acre garden is home to 900 plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! Whether you’re travelling solo, with your family, or on a romantic date with your partner, the Butchard Gardens is a must-do when visiting Victoria. It’s just a stunning place to walk around.

Explore the Royal BC Museum

Founded in 1886, the Royal British Columbia Museum is a great place to learn about BC’s natural and human history. There are three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. You can also watch educational films and commercial films at the IMAX Victoria theatre and it’s conveniently located within walking distance from the inner harbour.

Take a Victoria Food Tour

If you’re looking for a combination of food and history while walking around the beautiful city of Victoria, we highly recommend taking a Taste of Victoria Food Tour . While the food was delicious, we equally loved learning about the history of Canada’s oldest Chinatown as well as the many buildings while strolling around with our friendly guide.

Craigdarroch Castle 

Craigdarroch Castle is a definitively Victorian experience. It is a shining example of a “bonanza castle” — massive houses built for entrepreneurs who became wealthy during the industrial age. This legendary Victorian mansion has four floors of exquisitely stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and fabulous Victorian-era furnishings.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

This not-so-hidden treasure is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in his spectacular location.

For more things to do, check out our travel guide to the best things to do in Victoria BC !

Wild Renfrew

Within easy reach of Victoria, Port Renfrew is welcoming, affordable, and incredibly wild. Here, you can go hiking on some of Canada’s most famous hikes, visit numerous beaches, go whale-watching, and so much more. Best of all, it’s home to the Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages, which are rustically beautiful and open up to amazing views of the rugged coastline. There’s nothing quite like waking up, walking into the living room, and looking out at the sea.

Orca Spirit Adventures

Known worldwide for its whale watching and marine wildlife viewing opportunities, the small village of Port Renfrew is perfectly placed for eco-tourism, at the junction of the famous West Coast and Juan de Fuca Trails. While wildlife is never guaranteed, we had the best whale-watching tour of our lives here. We saw dozens of Orcas and dozens of humpbacks, all in the span of a couple of hours. In fact, the humpbacks came so close to the boat that we even got sprayed by their blowhole! This company also operated out of Victoria, BC, but there are many other whale watching tours as well.

Glamping at Brown’s Bay Resort

Outdoor enthusiasts can try a new way of camping! There are two different types of glamping tents available for individuals looking to relax in the campground. We stayed in a deluxe, luxury oceanfront tent, which was fully equipped with everything we needed. Our bathroom made us feel like we were in a 4-star hotel. Their cliffside tents, on the other hand, are for individuals looking for a more rustic camping experience. These tents only come with power but have easy access to a nearby-shared bathroom and shower building.  There’s a variety of options for waking up to Seaview vistas and you’re only 20-minutes from Campbell River!

Eagle Eye Adventures Grizzly Bear Tour

With a 99.9% success rate, it’s safe to say you’ll see some wildlife with Eagle Eye Adventures. Not only did we see humpback whales and orcas but we also joined them for a day of grizzly bear watching! It was such an incredible experience to see grizzly bears up close, eating salmon in the streams. They even have hydrophones so you can listen to the whales communicating under the water. Whether we were eyeing bears, whales, or eagles, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Snorkelling with Salmon 

Totally unique to the Campbell River area is the chance to go snorkelling with salmon! You can do this in a nearby canyon, swimming above tens of thousands of them or you can be more adventurous and go for a fun float down the Campbell River, flowing up and over rocks and by hundreds of big salmon. A very cool experience, which can be done by tour or by renting your own gear and going alone. We decided to rent our own gear from Beaver Aquatics, which was much cheaper to do. However, if you don’t have a car, this may not be an option.

Elk Falls Provincial Park

If you’re around the town of Campbell River, we highly recommend a trip to Elk Falls Provincial Park, even if just for a short hike into the impressive 25-metre (89-foot) waterfall. However, there’s also camping, salmon fishing, and a variety of hiking trails. In addition to the powerful waterfall, there’s also a suspension bridge surrounded by an old-growth forest, perfect for both the young and old. The hike to the falls is only about 30 minutes or less.

Go Surfing in Tofino

Whether you’re someone just wanting to try surfing for the first time or a pro looking to catch the next big break, Tofino is a surfing paradise. There are a variety of places to go and a variety of surfing schools to choose from. You can also just rent a board and go by yourself. During our visit, we partnered with the Surf Club at Long Beach Lodge Resort. With beautiful Cox Bay Beach right on their doorstep, this is an amazing place to learn surfing. We’ve participated in many surf lessons and this was by far the best. Plus, there is a free hot tub to use afterward.

Tofino is an incredible place so make sure you check out our full guide to the best things to do in Tofino !

Wildplay Nanaimo 

If you’re looking for a thrill, go to Wildplay Nanaimo. Not only is there a 150-foot bungy jump, but there are also zip lines, adventure courses, and a 140 km/h primal swing! This is the ultimate place to test your fears. I was so thrilled to find a bungy jump in Canada that’s done by the ankles. Despite it being my sixth time jumping off a bridge, it was no less scary. It’s the real deal and so much fun! Great for kids and adults!

Scuba Diving

Not a lot of people think of Canada when it comes to scuba diving, but Vancouver Island is actually known as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Of course, it’s a different scuba diving experience compared to the tropical areas it’s usually known for. The water is cold for starters, and the sea life is quite different. However, we did our diving just off Nanaimo, diving down to 60 feet while looking at colourful fauna, a variety of fish, wolf eels, and a swimming scallop! We also went snorkelling with seals, which was an equally special experience.

Stand Amongst Giants at Cathedral Grove

Another very special part about visiting Vancouver Island is the chance to stand among massive 800-year-old Douglas Fir trees, some of the largest in the world, in MacMillan Provincial Park. This 301-hectare park, located just 16 km east of Port Alberni, is famous for Cathedral Grove, where you’ll find trees that measure up to 250 feet tall (75 metres) and up to 29 feet (9 metres) in circumference.

What to Do in Kelowna

Kelowna is the heart of the Okanagan Valley and one of the warmest regions in Canada. This is where you’ll find one of Canada’s most famous wine regions as well as massive Okanagan Lake, a 135-km lake stretching all the way from Penticton to Vernon!

Go on a Kelowna Winery Tour

Whether you sign up for an actual tour or just go on your own self-guided wine adventure, Kelowna is a great place for trying a variety of delicious Canadian wines. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is one of the top three wine regions in Canada and a trip here would not be complete without enjoying some grape alcohol. There are dozens of wineries scattered in and around Kelowna as well as many more in Lake Country and Vernon. We only visited one winery during our stay and it was the famous Summerhill Pyramid Winery, which creates organic biodynamic wines. They gave us the complete tour of how they grow the grapes right up until they age them in an actual on-site pyramid, which they believe gives a unique energy to the wine!

Take a Helicopter Tour

We love getting high in the sky for aerial views of the places we’re visiting and Kelowna is a great place to get up in a helicopter. We went with Valhalla Helicopters as they brought us over vineyard, the city, Okanagan Lake, and the nearby canyon! Helicopter tours are a great way to get a different perspective of an area and something we highly recommend doing in Kelowna!

Go Boating on Okanagan Lake

With such a big lake surrounding the area, it makes sense to get out on the lake and take a boat tour. You can tour the city from the water, cruise to other areas, sit back and drink wine, or jump off the boat and into the lake. You can take a big boat, a little boat, or perhaps something like a kayak or a paddleboard. Whatever it is, get out on the water to really see what this area is all about. We went with Kelowna Water Taxi & Cruises, a friendly one-man operation that is just as entertaining as the location itself.

Okanagan Flyboard

If you’re looking for another unique opportunity to get on the water, then flyboarding is the answer. If the thought of hovering over the water on a board propelled by water pressure sounds exciting to you, give this a try. You’ll feel like a superhero once you get the hang of it!

Go Outdoors on the Kettle Valley Railway

We only saw this place by helicopter but it looked like an epic place to go for a bike ride or a long hike. With incredible scenery and views, the  Myra Canyon trestles  are a great place to get outdoors near the city. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Kelowna and is part of the Kettle Valey Railway, which happens to be the longest rail-trail network in BC, stretching all the way to Hope!

Go Skiing at Big White Ski Resort

If you happen to be visiting Kelowna in the winter months, then why not going skiing or snowboarding at Big White Mountain Resort. This is one of the most popular ski resorts in the province and also the third largest. Its mountain summit is 2,319 metres with a vertical drop of 777 metres. Home to more than 2,700 acres of skiable terrain and 16 lifts, it’s an awesome way to enjoy the mountains just a short drive from the city of Kelowna.

Looking for more info? Don’t forget to check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the best things to do in Kelowna !

What to Do in BC’s Rocky Mountain Region

Reflect at emerald lake.

Not far from the border of Alberta and the famous town of Banff is BC’s Yoho National Park. From waterfalls to lakes to epic hiking and camping, Yoho national park is one of the best in Canada. We didn’t have time to fully enjoy the park but we did take the time to at least visit beautiful Emerald Lake, where we got to see one of the most beautiful mountain reflections we’ve ever seen. Whether you stop for a couple of hours or a couple of days, Yoho national park is a real gem.

Pipe Mountain Coaster

Located in Revelstoke, this single-person coaster takes you for an exhilarating ride down the mountain! We’ve been wanting to do this for years and finally had the chance. You’ll travel up to 42 km/h over 1.4km of twists and turns while enjoying a 279m vertical drop.

White Water Rafting

Some of the best white water rating opportunities in the country are on the Kicking Horse River around the town of Golden BC . From mountain views to white water thrills, this is one of the best summer activities in the area. We LOVE white water rafting on the Kicking Horse. Whether you’re looking for exciting class 4 rapids or something less extreme, you’ll find it here. Our recommendation, however, is to go all out on the upper and lower Kicking Horse River adventure.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Another incredible mountain paradise just minutes from Golden is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort . In the winter, this place offers some of the best skiing in British Columbia whereas in the summer it’s home to epic mountain biking, hiking, and the Via Ferrata experience! It’s also home to Boo the Grizzly Bear. For outdoor adventure, this is a great place to stop!

Radium Hot Springs

Located south of the Trans-Canada Highway on beautiful Kootenay Highway, this is one of the most beautiful hot springs in the country. Located right next to a towering cliff, our favourite time to visit is in the winter when the hot springs are surrounded by icicles and sparkling snow, but it’s great any time of year.

Panorama Mountain Resort

In the summer, this place is great for biking and hiking, but in the winter, Panorama Mountain Resort is one of our favourite places to go skiing. Not only does it have really great ski runs, but it’s also home to an awesome ski-in-ski-out village with restaurants, bars, and their own big hot pools.

What To Do In Northern British Columbia

Since we were coming from the Yukon, we had to drive all the way from Northern BC to Vancouver. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to explore but we did stay two nights at Liard Hot Springs and a night in Prince George. One thing is for certain though! We will be back to see what Northern BC has to offer!

Liard Hot Springs

The second-largest known hot springs in Canada are quite incredible. We stayed in the nearby campground for two nights, allowing us to go early in the morning and late at night. The water can be incredibly hot in one corner and quite cool at the opposite end, which is really nice when you need a break. There are also areas that feel like a steamy jungle, which adds to the ambiance. These are a must-do if you’re on the Alaskan highway.

For more places to take a dip, check out our feature guide to the best hot springs in bc .

Muncho Lake Provincial Park

For those who love the outdoors, you don’t want to miss spending some time in Muncho Lake Provincial Park. This secluded 88,420-hectare park is a haven for horseback riding, fishing, rafting, scuba diving, and more. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains, the place is beautiful and unique. This is also a great place for camping.

Dawson Creek

For those beginning the Alaska Highway from the start, you’ll reach a town called Dawson Creek, which is rich in both World War II and pioneer history. To make the most of it, you can take a self0guided walking tour, picking up a map from the Visitor Centre, and spending a good hour or more exploring the downtown, including beautiful wall murals, the Alaska Highway House, the Train Station Museum, and more.

Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark

As the second Global Geopark in North America, Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark is rich in geological heritage. You’ll find an array of hiking trails leading to 21 different destinations and 41 different geosites, including waterfalls, canyons, lakes, meadows, and mountain vistas. There’s also a Dinosaur Discovery Gallery where you can see fossils found in the area.

Fort Saint James National Historic Site

Located just off Highway 16, in the area of Vanderhoof, you’ll find some of the most incredible heritage sites in the country. This seasonal site features the largest collection of original fur trade era wooden buildings and even offers the opportunity to spend the night in the 1896 luxurious Murray House or in one of the tents at the fort, a great experience for the whole family.

‘Ksan Museum and Historical Village

Located along the Skeena River in Haselton is the replicated indigenous village of Ksan. Used for centuries by the local Gitxsan’s tribe, this site is now home to a wonderful museum featuring close to 600 pieces of historical artifacts, totem poles, a carving area, traditional songs and dancing, and an incredible glimpse into what life was like in a traditional village. You can also take a guided tour or spend the night in the campground.

Gitanyow Totem Poles

Home to British Colombia’s largest collection of totem poles, some of which are the oldest known, the town of Gitanyow is well worth the visit. This town was made famous by Emily Carr, who painted many of these totem poles back in 1928. Each cedar pole tells a story, the history, and gives a glimpse into the spirituality of the people who carved them. To get here, find Dease Lake Highway, a short detour from Highway 37.

Meziadan Fish Ladder

For a province famous for its salmon, it makes sense to see them up close and personal via a fish ladder. At the Mediadan Fish Ladder, you’ll find sockeye and chinook salmon as they migrate back to the lake. This 670-foot-long ladder bridges both the upper and lower Victoria Falls, providing a public viewing to see these amazing creatures up close. You may even see bears, wolves, and eagles looking for a bite to eat.

Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park

Spatsizi, which means “red goat” in the native Tahltan First Nation language, is one of Canada’s largest parks and is an important habitat for the beautiful Woodland Caribou. Uniquely home to both the Spatsizi Plateau and the Skeena Mountains, this is an excellent place to see wildlife, as well as go canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Popular sightings include bears, wolverines, beavers, marmots, mountain goats, stone sheep, and more than 140 species of birds.

Nisga’a Museum and Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park

Not many people think of volcanic areas when they think of Canada, but Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park is a great place to experience volcanic areas. But that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. It’s also the first provincial park to be jointly managed by a First Nations tribe and the BC government. It’s a great place for a guided tour and offers an amazing viewpoint above the crater.

Museum of Northern BC

Well, since we’re talking about Nothern BC, how could we not mention the museum dedicated to the area itself. Located on the waterfront in Prince Rupert, the Museum of Northern BC houses a traditional cedar wood longhouse, and various artifacts and exhibits related to the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. Used as a trading centre for more than 9000 years, this a great place to see the culture of the coastal nations.

Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands)

Often referred to as the Galapagos of Canada, Haida Gwaii is about as unique as it gets. Voted as one of National Geographic’s Best Trips in 2015, the area is home to the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, the Haida Heritage Site, and the Sgang Gwaay UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the last authentic examples of a west coast First Nations Village.

Fun Facts about British Columbia

• British Columbia is FOUR TIMES the size of Great Britain but has less than 1/10th the population.
• BC’s coastline is longer than 27,000 kilometres!
• Half of BC’s population lives in the metropolitan area of Vancouver.
• BC has the mildest climates of any province and territory in Canada.
• Two-thirds of BC land is forest land, with more than half of that area having little or no human contact.
• British Columbia has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, six National Parks and over 400 provincial parks, recreation and conservation areas.

Getting to British Columbia

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to British Columbia, here’s some practical advice on how to get there.

Getting to BC by Car

If you’re planning to drive to BC, it’s sandwiched in-between Alberta, the Yukon, and Washington, USA. Most people arrive by driving in from BC through the Rocky Mountains from Alberta, from the border of Washington, or by plane. Although it’s a VERY large province, it’s fairly under-populated and easy to drive around. If driving from the US, please note that you will have to go through customs.

The Trans-Canada Highway, which goes coast to coast, cuts right through the Rocky Mountains and basically ends in Vancouver (or Victoria, officially). The most spectacular way to arrive in BC is the drive from Calgary to Vancouve r.

Getting to BC by Plane

British Columbia is home to five international airports. These five airports are the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Kelowna International Airport (YLW), Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), and the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC). Once you arrive, you can easily rent a car, take a taxi, hop on public transportation, or perhaps, jump on a tour. There are smaller regional airports in BC as well, but most people, especially those visiting from outside the province or country will arrive at one of the three airports mentioned above.

For convenience, Vancouver and Victoria are best for those exploring the coast whereas Kelowna and the Canadian Rockies airport is more convenient for both the Rocky Mountains, interior BC, and the wine region of the Okanagan Valley (Kelowna, specifically). However, for those on a road trip, it might not matter.

Getting Around British Columbia

British Columbia is a large province and is best explored by private vehicle. There are tours, especially for popular areas such as Vancouver, Kelowna, Whistler, and Victoria, and there are some buses as well, but those are very limited in destinations and convenience. Without a doubt, if your goal is to explore various parts of the province, the best way is to rent a car.

Best Time to Visit BC

One of the great things about British Columbia is that it’s a year-round destination for the most part. BC has the mildest climate in the country, which means the winters are much less harsh than other provinces and territories. However, the climate varies greatly on where you go. For example, the mildest climates will be found on the coast, including Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The winters here rarely go below 0 degrees and it will see much more rain than it does snow. On the other hand, the Canadian Rockies in eastern BC, as well as Northern BC will see much more extreme temperatures similar to the rest of Canada.

The busiest and most popular time to visit anywhere in BC is like the rest of Canada, the summer months between June and September. This is when the weather is very warm (or very hot in some areas) and there is much less rain. However, if you don’t mind the rain, even the spring or the winter can be good times to visit the coast, especially if you simply prefer fewer crowds.

In the winter, if you’re looking for snow, you can either head to Whistler, which is just 2 hours from Vancouver, or go east to the Canadian Rockies for some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Likewise, if you want to see epic winter storms, you could head to the far west coastal town of Tofino, one of the most famous surf spots in Canada. Depending on what you do will decide what time you come, but here are our personal recommendations.

Despite the crowds, we love the summer. The weather is hot, the skies are often blue, and all the activities are in full effect. However, the fall would be our second favourite season, as the weather is still warm, the colours are changing, and tourists are fewer in number (although still quite a few). The spring can be nice, especially in Victoria as the flowers start to bloom, but there’s certainly more chance for rain. The winter is the rainest time (January to March), but if you’re seeking snow, this is the best time to visit Whistler and the Canadian Rockies.

Road to 150 – British Columbia Road Trip

Back in 2017, we produced one of the largest independent media campaigns the country has ever seen. The Road to 150 was a 150-day road trip across Canada to produce a 12-part video series and mini-documentary about what makes Canada special. BC was our second-last leg of the trip and became the most popular video of our entire campaign. We had around 20 days to explore the province and came up with a perfect itinerary that can easily be shortened if you’re not capturing video all day long.

Coming from the Yukon, we started our trip off in the very Northern stretches of BC, soaking our tired muscles into the beautiful Liard Hot Springs. Despite the north being so beautiful, we had to skip most of it, as it took 3 entire days of driving to reach Vancouver Island. We spent an entire week here, exploring Victoria, Port Renfrew, Campbell River, and Tofino. We had the most epic whale watching tour of our lives, went surfing, went scuba diving, snorkelled with salmon, watched Grizzly Bears eat the salmon, and even went bungy jumping in Nanaimo.

We then moved on to the massive city of Vancouver, learning about its history and biking through one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world. We then continued east to the Okanagan Valley, tasting delicious wine at their very source, fly-boarding over on of the country’s most famous lakes, and taking a helicopter tour to see it all from the sky. We then pushed east, stopping to see the stunning vistas of Yoho National Park before entering Alberta and the town of Banff.

We highly recommend watching the video above and then heading over to our  Canadian Youtube Channel to see more videos about BC and about the country as well.

Looking For More Things to Do in BC?

We were so excited to explore this incredible province. We got to fly to see so much wildlife including orcas, humpbacks, and Grizzlies. We got to shower in waterfalls, go surfing, and scuba dive. We got to bungy jump off of a bridge, tour wineries, and take scenic helicopter rides. This might just be Canada’s most exciting province and we can’t wait to return and dig deeper!

For more, don’t miss our other travel guides:

• Things to Do Golden BC
• Things to Do in Fernie
• Things to Do in Nanaimo
• Things to Do in Kamloops
• Best Wineries in Osoyoos

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About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

March 18, 2018 at 1:54 pm

What a great post! Thank you so very much for sharing. Thanks to you I have so much inspiration now, just what I need! I’m currently planning a trip for my family and I as my parents have their 35 wedding anniversary and want to do a family trip. We plan to travel to British Columbia some time this year, probably in September. I was wondering if you could please let me know what time of year you were in BC?

Thanks and regards, Kimberley Alsemgeest (The Netherlands)

March 18, 2018 at 7:36 pm

Thanks for the kind words, Kimberley. We were in the Netherlands a couple of years ago but only for four days. We hope to come back 🙂 – As for BC, we were there in September. Approx Sept 6 – 27. The fall is a nice time. Less visitors (still lots) and the weather is still great. Fall colours in some areas. Some whale watching tours start to slow down towards the end of September but other than that, I think most tours and activities would be active. Are you coming this year?

August 18, 2021 at 11:26 am

B.C. is so amazing.

June 5, 2022 at 10:02 am

Wow so many great suggestions on here. I think Wild Play Nanaimo has been the most fun day I’ve had in ages. Highly recommend.

July 14, 2020 at 6:18 pm

I’m going to binge watch all your shows now and visit B.C. whenever possible. You guys create awesome videos and have terrific content. This should be made more discoverable to the world.

July 15, 2020 at 3:55 am

Thank you so much. That really means a lot 🙂

April 3, 2021 at 1:04 am

I live in BC and did not know there were so many fantastic things to do. Can’t wait to get outside and try them all.

April 3, 2021 at 11:08 am

For sure, BC is one of the top tourism locations in Canada 🙂

April 6, 2021 at 9:34 pm

I can’t wait to get outside and try these fun things to do in BC this year.

April 10, 2021 at 1:08 pm

April 16, 2021 at 9:52 am

amazing highlighting the beauty of BC! So much to do!

April 19, 2021 at 5:18 pm

Fantastic and I absolutely love these articles.

April 28, 2021 at 1:24 pm

This site will come in very handy again this year, giving us plenty of ideas for things to see and do, whether it’d be in our regions (because we are still confined to health areas) or hopefully when we get the go ahead to start exploring further!

April 28, 2021 at 8:50 pm

I’m just a BC girl, living in a Manitoba world… can’t wait to get back

May 7, 2021 at 4:52 pm

We can’t wait for travel restrictions to be removed so we can explore more of our beautiful province. We hope to make it to Vancouver island this summer and the Rockies.

May 9, 2021 at 7:34 am

It’s a beautiful province to live in and visit.

May 10, 2021 at 3:48 pm

I want to do all of these! I have had short stops in BC but I can’t wait for the borders to open up so I can properly explore our next-door Province!

May 12, 2021 at 8:46 am

Lucky to be so close to visit!

May 13, 2021 at 1:54 pm

This was sooo helpful! I plan to drive to BC very soon 😍 — thank you Must Do!

May 13, 2021 at 8:14 pm

There are so many great places to explore in BC. No need to travel south. Come see Beautiful BC!!

May 14, 2021 at 5:07 pm

BC is one of the most beautiful places on earth. They don’t call it Beautiful BC for nothing.

May 15, 2021 at 1:51 pm

I love exploring BC.

May 16, 2021 at 10:44 pm

Wonderful article thank you!

May 20, 2021 at 4:33 pm

I miss BC and all the opportunities to be outdoors in nature!

May 22, 2021 at 3:49 pm

Love British Columbia, favourite province!!

May 25, 2021 at 9:32 pm

Awesome article!!

May 26, 2021 at 1:27 am

Live in BC and haven’t done a lot of this! Need to catch up…

May 26, 2021 at 6:12 am

Next Destination 🙂

May 28, 2021 at 11:38 pm

Been to Victoria! Want to go again and spend more time on Vancouver Island. There are a few distilleries I want to visit!

May 30, 2021 at 9:27 am

Love Victoria beautiful Butchart gardens

May 31, 2021 at 10:48 am

BC is SOOOO beautiful. Hope to return soon.

June 10, 2021 at 7:54 am

This makes me want to move to BC today! Hoping to move there within the next year. I cannot wait !

June 10, 2021 at 12:47 pm

Love BC nature! Thank you for sharing , now I have more things to add to my must see list.

June 10, 2021 at 9:59 pm

Othello Tunnels in Hope is definitely on the list for me

June 10, 2021 at 11:03 pm

I would love to see this in person iv seen and heard some beautiful stories and pictures about living in BC but would live to see ut just because of the views

June 11, 2021 at 5:16 pm

Happened upon black bears while biking and a grizzly with three cubs while on an atv and I’m very happy to motor off in the opposite direction. Awesome experience but short lived!

June 14, 2021 at 9:05 pm

this article is really timely for me!

June 15, 2021 at 3:46 am

LOVE all these AWESOME IDEAS!

June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm

I would love to go the Fisherman’s Wharf 😛

August 19, 2021 at 12:35 am

September 1, 2021 at 5:11 am

The views and scenery are just amazing!

September 3, 2021 at 1:05 am

I agree – grabbing a bite to eat on Granville Island is a must-do.

December 7, 2021 at 2:17 pm

Lived in BC my whole life and only done a couple of these. Good inspiration for a summer road trip.

December 7, 2021 at 11:19 pm

Love bc! So much to do!!

February 16, 2022 at 12:40 pm

Come on over to the West Kootenays and enjoy some of our beautiful area. Hot springs, lakes, rivers, camping, skiing, fishing, word’s longest free ferry, golf courses, culture,……We’ve got lots to enjoy!

February 16, 2022 at 1:19 pm

We’re still waiting on the final go-ahead but we may be doing a video series there in the spring!

March 10, 2022 at 7:04 pm

Did Orca Spirit Adventures and Love Exploring British Columbia! Thanks for all the ideas we can do this SUMMER! We love going to Kelowna also and Vancouver!! So many Fun things to do! LOVE to win a PASS so we can explore more!

March 10, 2022 at 10:18 pm

Nice article. Great to see everything in one place.

March 12, 2022 at 8:23 am

BC in my home province and I so love learning more and more

March 13, 2022 at 7:06 am

Thank you for listing a lot of the amazing things to do and plces to see in BC. Im hoping to make trip out there this year.

March 15, 2022 at 11:24 pm

Wow! Fantastic article on B. C. sp many thing I did not know

March 16, 2022 at 2:55 pm

Gotta do some of these in Victoria!!

March 16, 2022 at 10:53 pm

The North Island of Vancouver Island is BY FAR the most beautiful part of BC!

March 18, 2022 at 1:19 pm

So many Wonderful things to do in BC LOVE LOVE LOVE

May 10, 2022 at 9:19 pm

I’ve always wanted to visit B.C. Hope I can go there one day.

March 19, 2022 at 8:46 am

West Coast is the best coast!! ❤️

March 19, 2022 at 9:28 am

Absolutely beautiful, now I have ideas for things to do in BC this year when we go!

March 20, 2022 at 11:00 am

I’m visiting BC right now so was pleased to read this article. The FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER WALKING TOURS is now on my list.

April 5, 2022 at 10:01 pm

I haven’t been to BC in over 20 years, think it’s time for me to go back!

April 8, 2022 at 4:40 pm

Going in Vancouver soon, this is a very good article of things to do and places to see! Thanks!

May 5, 2022 at 11:39 am

B.C. is such a fabulous place to live, I feel so lucky to be a Canadian

May 7, 2022 at 3:53 pm

I’ve always wanted to go whale watching!

May 9, 2022 at 2:24 pm

I’ve always wanted to go whale watching!!

May 10, 2022 at 2:05 pm

This is a great article! Really highlights some of the best stuff to check out here in BC! I recommend everyone in Canada try and get here once in their lives

May 17, 2022 at 11:40 am

Love it here! There’s really something for everyone.

May 18, 2022 at 11:35 am

This is great. We are newer to BC – nice to have some ideas.

May 18, 2022 at 1:38 pm

Wonderful post! Need to plan a vacation soon!

May 18, 2022 at 7:44 pm

I’d love to try out the Pipe Mountain Coaster one day!

May 23, 2022 at 11:05 pm

British Columbia is an amazing place to visit.

May 26, 2022 at 3:52 pm

Beautiful BC!

May 28, 2022 at 8:32 am

I love how diverse this article is in covering our beautiful province!

May 28, 2022 at 10:29 pm

Lucky to call this place home. From te North to the south it is an amazing place to live. You captured the essence of it well.

May 29, 2022 at 7:49 am

Amazing ideas! I’ll definitely be trying the ones I haven’t already.

May 29, 2022 at 8:52 am

Great list. We visited Rmerald Lake for the first time last summer. It’s magnificent!

May 29, 2022 at 5:41 pm

Great to see recommendations for my home city-Vancouver

May 31, 2022 at 7:50 am

Which route is best to take when driving to Vancouver from Alberta? There are several options. Not sure if one has less traffic or better views?

May 31, 2022 at 8:09 am

There are a few. We haven’t taken the one that goes near the US border, but really, Trans-Canada is the fastest and is super scenic. You’ll go through 4-5 national parks.

June 1, 2022 at 8:19 am

Great article, love BC ♥️

June 4, 2022 at 9:59 am

So lucky to have lived in BC most of my life! Best time to visit is May (before the rest of the herd and weather is still pretty good).

June 6, 2022 at 9:03 am

Just walked through Cathedral Grove. So beautiful!

June 6, 2022 at 5:51 pm

I would love to take my kids to Vancouver Aquarium!

June 6, 2022 at 6:55 pm

So many beautiful places to explore in BC! One of my favorites it the hike into Twin Falls in Yoho National Park. Your website is fantastic!

August 24, 2022 at 9:52 am

So much to see and to do in this beautiful province!

August 25, 2022 at 8:56 am

Love BC !!! So pretty!!

August 27, 2022 at 1:35 am

very interesting things to do and see for sure.

August 31, 2022 at 4:27 am

So many great places to visit

September 1, 2022 at 11:36 pm

Love it! Thanks for sharing so many great spots in BC!

September 2, 2022 at 6:18 am

BC is my home, has bn for generations, I haven’t done alot of the things on that list; simply because I am content with doing my own things, in specific places in my own Beautiful British Columbia world. I like to go places and do different things -when I choose, on my own time and terms.

September 2, 2022 at 7:03 am

Beautiful photos. BC is on my bucket list. Love to visit Victoria for the food.

September 2, 2022 at 9:19 am

I live in BC and some of these “things to do” I did not know about it! So thank you! Will check some of these cool spots out!

September 2, 2022 at 9:32 am

great staycation options to look forward to

September 2, 2022 at 11:12 am

Seen many bears and one cougar while atving in the Kootenays. Love this province!

September 2, 2022 at 11:50 am

Duuuuddddde…. I appreciate your passions but can you shorten it up a little bit? Like, think: snippets… digestible bites… pause and take a breath….

September 2, 2022 at 12:15 pm

After Manitoba my favourite province to visit is beautiful British Columbia.

September 2, 2022 at 9:29 pm

I love BC. Thankfully I’ve been blessed to do many of the things on your great list, but I’ve still got some to go! Thanks for a great post!

September 3, 2022 at 1:22 pm

Absolutely love beautiful British Columbia!! Was just out there last week, all the way from Nova Scotia!

September 6, 2022 at 2:23 pm

Loved the Kettle Valley Railway in the Okanagan. We did the steam train in Summerland & biked on some of the trail.

September 12, 2022 at 8:37 pm

I’ve lived in BC for almost 14 years, and I have seen very little of it. This will definitely give me some trip suggestions.

September 14, 2022 at 9:39 am

So many great things to do in BC. I haven’t seen some of the ones listed in this article. Thanks, I’ll have to check out some of them.

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18 Pretty Towns To See In Canada's British Columbia

Travelers planning a trip to Canada may want to consider visiting British Columbia. This western province is teeming with stunning natural scenery, ample outdoor adventure, and rich indigenous culture. Undoubtedly, there are plenty of things one shouldn't miss doing in Vancouver , but this Canadian province is home to plenty of other breathtaking destinations too - particularly within its pretty towns . Curious (and adventurous) travelers will surely drop their jaws when discovering everything that beautiful British Columbia has to offer; here are 18 of the best towns to visit in BC this summer!

UPDATE: 2023/07/07 10:04 EST BY JAIMEE TERESE

Beautiful British Columbia: More of the Prettiest Towns In BC

There are so many amazing towns in British Columbia that this list has now been expanded to include 18 of the best towns to visit in BC. Ambitious travelers can visit them all and decide for themselves which one they would crown as the most beautiful place in British Columbia - the incredible landscapes of Canada's westernmost province won't disappoint!

Cowichan Bay

Cowichan is known for its incredible artisanal food and drink scene , lush forests, stunning orchards, and mesmerizing coastline, which offer something for everyone, whether one is looking for relaxation or indulgent experiences. But this is not it; there is more that makes this British Columbia town famous. The town hosts various entertaining concerts and festivals; it is also a mecca for thrill seekers, as there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy excitement, such as biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and many more. Travelers will find a plethora of things to do in Cowichan throughout the year.

• What to see & do: Mud Room Clay Works, Arthur Vickers Gallery, Bob and Sandy Vanderford, Cowichan Bay Estuary, Cow Bay’s Pirate Shack
• Noteworthy events : Cowichan Valley Wine Festival, Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival, Islands Folk Festival

Steveston is one of the best towns in BC to experience a laid-back vibe and take a break from the city's hustle and bustle. Once awarded the number one Metro Vancouver neighborhood, the town is a designated heritage zone and has plenty to do and see for travelers looking for fun. While strolling through its streets, they can explore various shops and architecture, and enjoy the village's historic ambiance. Foodies will also find a variety of local dishes, specifically seafood, to satiate cravings. Head to the dock at Steveston Spot Prawns and Seafood, or the Prawns on the Spot, to have some amazing seafood dishes.

• What to see & do: Boardwalk, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, Steveston Heritage Fishing Village, Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, Steveston Tram, Steveston Museum
• Noteworthy events : Big Pirate Run, Steveston Farmers and Artisan Market, Christmas Craft Fair, Steveston Salmon Festival

The British Columbian destination of Nelson is a true hippie town with a rich history and culture . Many believe that Nelson is one of British Columbia's gems due to its rich culture and stunning views of the Selkirk Mountains with the Kootenay Lake. Besides enjoying its lakeside views and refreshing nature scapes, visitors can discover its historical attractions, including its 350 heritage buildings and restored streetcar! With its diverse array of offerings, Nelson is definitely among the best towns to visit in BC.

• What to see & do: Nelson Classic Car Museum, Natureland Zoo, Broadgarden Historic House, The Suter Art Gallery
• Noteworthy events : Nelson International Mural Festival, Aug 11-13; Kootenay Film Festival, Sept 2023 exact dates TBD.

Osoyoos sits between Penticton and Omak in the southernmost end of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Known as "Canada's Warmest Welcome," Osoyoos is home to Canada's only desert and one of Canada's hottest locations. Like other Okanagan Valley communities, Osoyoos is also known as a premier wine-producing region . Otherwise, its natural landscape is a huge tourist attraction, especially its notable destinations like the Osoyoos Desert Center and the Osoyoos Lake.

• What to see & do: Rattlesnake Canyon, Osoyoos Lake, Osoyoos Desert Centre, Spotted Lake

Wine enthusiasts take note: there are several wine festivals held in Osoyoos annually in October.

Formerly known as Oyster Harbor, this quaint town can be found in the eastern portion of Vancouver Island, south of Nanaimo and north of Victoria. Visitors can enjoy small-town vibes at Ladysmith, home to only 8,990 residents. Tourists can learn about the town's history and its original inhabitants (i.e., the Stz'uminus First Nations) while exploring its miles of hiking trails with hillside (and harbor) landscapes.

• What to see & do: Ladysmith Museum, Hike through Holland Creek, Roberts Memorial Provincial Park

RELATED: Why British Columbia's Capilano Suspension Bridge Is Worth The Visit

Qualicum Beach

Set at the base of Vancouver Island's Mount Arrowsmith along the Georgia Strait, Qualicum Beach has cottages and coastal views. Due to its proximity to British Columbia's coast populous cities like Victoria and Vancouver, Qualicum Beach is also a popular retirement destination! While visiting this Vancouver Island town, travelers can enjoy a family-friendly beach day or soak up the province's lush temperate forests on a hiking trail.

• What to see & do: Venture to Heritage Forest, Explore the caves at Horne Lake, Millner Gardens

Sunshine Coast

Yup, British Columbia has its own Sunshine Coast ! Sitting on the southern coast of the province, adventure-seeking and curious travelers can truly appreciate the beauty of British Columbia here, which stretches from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound. Don't bother renting a car to get here either, because this BC region is only accessible by ferry, private boat, or plane ! Teeming with mountain and coastal scapes (which are perfect for activities like diving or boating!), this gem of a region also boasts a rich Indigenous history related to communities like the Homalco, Tla'amin, Klahoose Nations, and many more.

• What to see & do: Francis Point Provincial Park, Persephone Brewing Company, Sunshine Coast Museum, Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park

Adventurers will feel like they stepped into a painting when visiting Ucluelet. Meaning "People of the Safe Harbor" to the Nuu-chah-nulth's First Nation community, the rugged views of Ucluelet are nothing short of spectacular. A true nature's paradise, this coastal destination on Vancouver Island is blessed with miles of temperate rainforests and quiet beaches and is near the Pacific Rim National Park ( which itself spans 126,500 acres !)

• What to see & do: Ucluelet Aquarium, Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, Pacific Rim National Park, Journey the shore on the Wild Pacific Trail

RELATED: 10 Best Things To Do In Abbotsford, British Columbia

Oliver is a quiet town with over 5,000 people and sits in Southern Okanagan. Though Ontario's Niagara region is known as one of Canada's notable wine regions, Oliver has built its reputation as the Capital of Wine Capital of Canada! Besides its arable land for grape growing and agriculture, Oliver has other attractions worth admiring, including the McIntyre Bluff and Mount Baldy, both offering picturesque (and somewhat challenging) hiking opportunities. The town is also great for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and golfing.

• What to see & do: Sample the region's famous wine, McIntyre Bluff, Swiller's Pond Petting Farm, Inkaneep Provincial Park

Hester Creek Estate Winery, located in Oliver, was recently named the 2023 British Columbia Winery of the Year. Be sure to try their gold-medal winning Pinot Gris Viognier and Semillon.

Creston sits in the Kootenay region in southeastern British Columbia, offering visitors small-town vibes with plenty of nature-related excursions and travelers interested in agro-tourism. Creston is an excellent starting point to explore Creston Valley. Nearby, visitors can check out attractions like Kootenay Lake, the Selkirk (and Purcell) Mountains, local wineries, fruit farms, and much more!

• What to see & do: International Slekirk Loop, Kootenay Lake, Creston & District Community Complex, Creston Museum

RELATED: Mayne Island: The Complete Guide To One Of British Columbia's Most Beautiful Islands

While discovering Vancouver Island's Devil Bath and other attractions, consider visiting the island's communities like Tofino. Tofino is an eclectic mix of surf-town vibe and outdoorsy adventures, boasting popular attractions like Cox Bay, Chesterman Beach, and Long Beach. This beautiful British Columbia coastal town is also popular among tourists for its whale-watching excursions due to its long whale-watching season, running from March (or late February) to October.

• What to see & do: Cox Bay Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, Tonquin Park, Hot Springs Cove, Tofino Botanical Gardens
• Noteworthy events : Pacific Rim Summer Festival, July 1 - 21; Queen of the Peak surf contest held annually in October (dates vary depending on surf conditions)

Don't be fooled by the cold water - Tofino is home to excellent waves and is the capital of Canadian surfing. Novices can take a lesson at one of the several locally-owned surf schools in Tofino.

Haida Gwaii

Haida Gwaii is an archipelago off the west coast of British Columbia, boasting as an ideal getaway for the ultimate traveling nature (and outdoors) lover. Known as the Queen Charlotte Islands and home to the Haida Nation, prospective visitors who are keen on visiting Haida Gwaii must be mindful of the Haida ways and are encouraged to take the Haida Gwaii Visitor Pledge. Once they do so, they are invited to soak in the breathtaking sights of this British Columbian archipelago, which is best appreciated through kayaking, boating, surfing, and museum hopping!

• What to see & do : Gwaii Haanas National Park, See the totems at SGaang Gwaii, Skidegate Island, Port Clements Museum

To fully show respect to the people and their land, visitors are encouraged to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge upon arrival, as well as having the proper permits to set foot on the islands.

It's not all beaches and sunny lakes, British Colombia is also known for its idyllic resorts around the mountainous region . The town of Whistler is surrounded with mountains that are constantly covered in snow, making it one of the go-to destinations for adventurous travelers seeking a fresh escapade. During the winter, Whistler covers itself in snow and becomes one of the best spots for skiers and snowboarders in Canada, whereas summer makes the hiking trails available to traverse through.

• What to see & do: Ski during winter or hike in the summer, Lost Lake, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Audain Art Museum

Whistler's resorts aren't exactly cheap, but previous travelers say that if the budget's available, it's totally worth it.

Related: 10 Of The World's Best Hidden Family Vacation Spots To Visit In 2023

As a mix between vibrant displays of imposing mountains that offer all kind of activities accompanied by fresh air with blooming fields of wildflowers during the summer, the city of Revelstoke can grant both exciting adventures and relaxing experiences for anyone at a vacation in British Columbia. In 1914, Mount Revelstoke National Park was established, becoming Canada's eighth national park in existence.

• What to see & do: Mount Revelstoke National Park, Revelstoke Railway Museum, Wind down in one of the surrounding hot springs, Meadows in the Sky Parkway

With a population of only around 4,000 people, Invermere is undeniably a small community in eastern British Columbia, Canada, but its charm manages to greatly outweigh its size while being surrounded by picturesque locations and offering unique shops to browse around. Being right next to Windermere Lake also helps it gather a lot of tourist attraction during the summer.

• What to see & do: Windermere Lake, The Artym Gallery, Windermere Valley Museum

Welcome to the intrepid town of Squamish! Also known as the "outdoor-recreation capital of Canada", this British Columbia gem makes the most out of being in a valley surrounded by luscious forests, tall mountains, and clean lakes, with plenty of available hiking trails that perfectly frame the area's natural beauty. The lakes are also prime locations for kayakers wanting to challenge themselves against the elements, and anglers wanting to try their luck at catching the different species of trouts that inhabit the lakes and rivers.

• What to see & do: Squamish Adventure Centre, Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Alice Lake, Crooked Falls

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts: this British Columbia coastal town has tons to explore in its surrounding forests and ocean. Located on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, this quaint town is somewhat of a hidden gem. Adventure seekers can take try ziplining, fishing, and surfing in the nearby town of Jordan River. Those looking to relax can enjoy one of Sooke's day spas, or kick back at a charming café or microbrewery. There are also several picturesque walks that are suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

• What to do : The Boardwalk Loop scenic stroll starts and ends downtown, while winding through spectacular coastline and forest. More experienced hikers have no shortage of rugged rainforest or craggy coastal trails nearby.
• Recommended day trip : Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
• Noteworthy events : Sooke Fine Arts Show, July 29 - Aug 7

Hornby Island

Hornby Island may very well be the most overlooked and underrated British Columbia coastal town. This small Gulf island paradise is situated in between Vancouver Island and the mainland, and it is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in BC (not to mention some of the warmest water).

Hornby Island also retains a very distinctive identity, having been a counterculture hub for droves of artists, hippies, and intellectuals who arrived in the 1960s/70s. The Bohemian charm remains despite its growing popularity, and visitors can expect to find a palpable sense of community combined with a strong emphasis on nature, sustainability, and locally-produced goods.

• What to see & do : shop for unique items at funky local boutiques such as Island Potters, Hornby Creative, and Celestial Sphere. Sunbathe on Hornby´s white sand beaches, sample local wines and farm-to-table dining.

From Baja to British Columbia, these are the 101 best West Coast experiences

Logo animation by Jacky Sheridan; video editing by Li Anne Liew; Storyblocks

Walk the vast salt flats of Death Valley. Enter a den of magic and mystery on a Hollywood hilltop. Sidle up to a whale in a Baja lagoon. Tiptoe above a misty forest in Vancouver. Page through rare books under an open sky in Ojai. Though it rises, falls and sprawls for thousands of miles, this is our backyard. We’ll help you explore it. Here in these stories, find out what makes the West Coast, well, the absolute best coast.

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Of our 101 best West Coast experiences, these resonate most for travel writer Christopher Reynolds. Check out his ranked list of favorites.

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May long weekend travellers in B.C reminded to exercise caution

Emergency management minister bowinn ma says b.c. is open for tourists this weekend despite raging wildfires.

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British Columbians planning to travel over the Victoria Day long weekend are being urged to take precautions and stay informed about wildfire activity and road conditions.

In a press conference Friday,  B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma urged travellers to stay away from wildfire-prone areas, encouraging them to "explore" other parts of the province this May long weekend. 

"We want people to come here to British Columbia and we want British Columbians to explore the province ... all we are asking is if you are planning a trip, know before you go ... be aware of the hazards."

Crews are battling several wildfires in northeastern B.C., including the Parker Lake blaze near Fort Nelson and the larger Patry Creek fire, a holdover blaze from last year that's burning as close as 25 kilometres north of the city.

B.C. says it's open for tourists despite wildfires in northeast

"Now is not the time to visit the area around Fort Nelson, but there are plenty of other areas to explore," Ma said. 

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is also stressing the need for travellers to stay updated on the latest weather and road conditions as the Coquihalla Highway, or Highway 5, received a fresh round of snowfall early Friday morning. 

• All eyes on weather as fires burn west and north of Fort Nelson

An Environment Canada spokesperson told CBC News some slushy conditions are expected on the highway between Hope and Merritt.

The ministry is urging motorists to plan ahead and check DriveBC for travel advisories. 

Increase in impaired drivers and high-risk drivers: B.C. Highway Patrol

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) says  three people are killed and 455 people are injured in crashes in B.C., on average, over the Victoria Day long weekend, according to data collected from 2018 to 2022. Speed was a top contributing factor in those crashes.

• Potential for late-season snow flurries on B.C. mountain passes

In a statement  last week, B.C. Highway Patrol said it will join forces with ICBC to target impaired drivers and excessive speeders throughout the month of May, but especially during the long weekend.

"This May long weekend may also see an increase in impaired drivers and high-risk drivers, which could mean a higher number of collisions, including fatal collisions," the statement reads.

YVR and B.C. Ferries gear up for busy long weekend

Long weekend preparations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) moved into high gear on Friday.

According to the Vancouver Airport Authority, YVR is expecting more than 300,000 passengers between Friday and Monday, an 11 per cent increase compared to last year.

It says during peak travel times, staff will be stationed at information counters throughout the airport, and digital tools are also available to help people reach their gate on time.

The Victoria Day long weekend is the third busiest travel weekend of the year on B.C. Ferries, according to Reet Sidhu, the corporation's senior communications adviser. 

B.C. Ferries bracing for summer traffic after tumultuous year

Last year, the ferry service faced a number of challenges, including staffing shortages, last-minute cancellations and long sailing waits.

Sidhu said B.C. Ferries has increased sailings, reduced fees and made staffing changes.

She said 350 news sailings have been introduced, including a new early morning sailing from Victoria to Vancouver, and a 13 per cent increase in sailings from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast.

"We have also added 600 new staff for this summer," she added.

After public outcry over the number of cancellations, B.C.'s transportation ministry announced in October 2023 that it planned to fine the ferry service for cancelled sailings on major routes.

The ministry said it will charge a penalty of $7,000 per sailing on major routes and $1,000 per sailing on minor routes if service sailings are cancelled due to crew shortages. 

With files from Michelle Morton, Sohrab Sandhu and Isaac Phan Nay

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