British Columbia Travel Guide: How To Make The Most Of British Columbia
British Columbia, Canada’s western-most province, stretches from the coast of the Pacific Ocean east to the Rocky Mountains, from Vancouver Island’s southern tip, to the prairies of the north-eastern Peace River country. Settled amongst the breathtaking natural vistas, in the mountain valleys, and along the rugged coast, you will find a land ripe for exploration and teeming with culture.
With so much ground to cover, here’s a quick guide to making the most of British Columbia.
Adventure in British Columbia
If you’re looking for adventure, then British Columbia is the place for you.
Adventure in Winter
If you visit in the winter months, bring your snowshoes, skis, snowboard and, of course, a toque. The world-renowned Whistler-Blackcomb resort, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, boasts an incredible array of winter activities. The Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort has weeks worth of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels to enjoy. You can also find snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and dogsled tours through the breathtaking pristine mountain landscapes.
If you want to break your own trail, British Columbia is also home to one of the world’s largest heli-sking industries. Ride the fluffiest, deepest powder imaginable in various locations across the province, from the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing’s Lodge in the Rocky Mountains, to Nelson’s Baldface Lodge in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains.
Adventure in Summer
If you visit during the warmer months, British Colombia still has plenty to offer.
How about some of the best angling in the world? Senora Island Resort, the Long Beach Lodge, and the Fraser River Fishing Lodge are just a few of the world-class destinations for both unbelievable salt and fresh water fishing.
Go kayaking with the whales in Blackfish Sound, amazing multi-day camping and kayaking tours make for an unforgettable experience. Want to go a little deeper? Book some world class scuba diving and snorkeling trips with Sea Dragon Charters in Vancouver, or Sundown Diving in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
British Columbia is also home to an extensive and intricate network of hiking trails and camping locations. With over 800 maintained trails and parks throughout the province, including the world-renowned West Coast Trail, a getaway to the great outdoors is never far away. From full-service RV campgrounds, to hike-in backcountry lodges, everyone and anyone can explore the natural beauty of British Columbia.
History & Culture
If kayaking and skiing all sounds like a bit much for you, British Columbia has plenty to offer in terms of history and culture. The Coast Mountain Range isn’t just breathtaking landscapes, it’s been home to unique and iconic cultures for thousands of years.
The City of Vancouver hosts a robust collection of indigenous cultural showcases, from Stanley Park’s totem pole display at picturesque Brockton Point, to the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
Vancouver Island’s Ahtsik Native Art Gallery houses the art and history of the islands unique First Nations communities, and entering the traditionally carved and constructed longhouse that is the Eagle Aerie Gallery in Tofino transports visitors back to a time long before European arrival.
Venturing into the province’s interior you can find the unique Nk’Mip (in-ka-meep) Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, home to Canada’s only desert and the unique art and culture of its indigenous people. Further north, in a drastically different landscape and climate, the Museum of Northern British Columbia in Prince Rupert hosts unique indigenous glass artwork, carvings, and cultural artifacts.
Vancouver’s historic Gastown district is one of the oldest and most functional historical neighborhoods in the province, with buildings, streets and even a steam-clock preserved in their late 19th-century glory.
Victoria boasts the spectacular Parliament Buildings and historic harbour, featuring the splendour of the Parliament’s Romanesque/Baroque style and the Royal BC Museum is a stone’s throw away with its expansive galleries on natural history, indigenous culture, and modern history.
British Columbia was home to many boom-to-bust mining towns and mini-gold rushes, their legacies can be found in eerily vibrant ghost towns. Barkerville, in the central interior of the province, is the liveliest example, with historical re-enactments that will let you experience first-hand the life of a gold prospector in the 1860’s frontier.
Food & Drink
All this natural splendor and adventuring can work up quite an appetite, and you won’t be wanting for good eats in BC. Vancouver and Victoria are both culturally diverse metropolitan cities, bringing a world of culinary experiences right to your plate.
Oriental
Some of the freshest, finely crafted sushi in the world can be found here. While high profile restaurants like Vancouver’s Sushi Itoga, or Victoria’s Osaka Sushi provide a high-faluten atmosphere, don’t look past the mom-and-pop sushi bars that modestly boast some of the most delicious sashimi and innovative sushi rolls money can buy.
Vancouver has a huge array of culinary options, reflecting the diversity of the city’s population. Some of the best authentic Chinese dishes can be found at places like Peaceful Restaurant in Vancouver, or across the Fraser River at Shanghai Morning Restaurant in Richmond. Sula Indian Restaurant provides some of the best East Indian dishes in town, while the Banana Leaf serves up unique Malaysian masterpieces.
Local
But if you want a truly local taste, take a stroll down Vancouver’s historic Commercial Drive and south Main Street, where you will find a cacophony of restaurants, cafes, and tapas bars. Vegetarian comfort food, sushi burritos, gluten-free bakeries, micro-brewed craft beers, local wines, and much more can all be found just by taking a stroll down the streets of these culinary hubs.
In the Okanogan Valley, you can find the heart of BC’s booming wine industry. With almost 350 licensed wineries, you can find something for even the pickiest Oenophile. Beautiful vistas will accentuate a wine tasting and touring experience like no other.
If you find yourself in Victoria, head to the Fairmont Empress. The Empress is famous for its traditional afternoon tea, and is great for a lazy afternoon, drinking tea beside the harbour. It might be a welcomed chance to relax after all the sightseeing and adventuring!
Shopping in British Columbia
Vancouver is probably the one-stop-shop destination of British Columbia. It boasts major retailers, such as Holt-Renfrew and the newly opened Nordstroms, in the city’s downtown core on the entertainment and shopping thoroughfare Granville Street. Historic Gastown and Granville Island boast high-end fashion, local and international art, and unique boutiques for the savvy shopper.
Victoria has a humbler shopping experience. Market Square showcases local goods and wares in its open-air plaza, while the Esquimalt Farmers Market provides food, music and local handicrafts unique to Vancouver Island’s culture. Munro’s Books is one of Canada’s finest independent bookstores. Voted the third-best bookstore in the world by National Geographic in 2016! The collection of knowledge, art, and imagination kept in this historic bank-turned-Bibliotheque is absolutely world class.
No matter where you find yourself in the province, unique indigenous art can be found for sale, often directly from the artists. Soapstone and timber carvings, fine glass work, traditional jewelry fashioned with BC Jade, unique artwork and cultural icons are unique souvenirs and a great way to support the local communities and cultures.
British Columbia has all this to offer, and more.
