Heritage, Culture & Gardens
Japanese gardens at Hatley Castle, Victoria, Vancouver Island
Discovering the rich heritage and culture of the Vancouver Island region is an exciting journey into the past and full of insight into our modern culture.
Our heritage attractions bring history to life in amazing ways: steam train rides through an outdoor forestry museum, a restored heritage mill where actors demonstrate their trades, tea parties in the gardens of heritage homes, a replica coal mine, the haunting story behind a significant collection of First Nations ceremonial regalia, the history of a town depicted in murals, and First Nations artisans demonstrating the skills of their ancestors.
The museums here are keepers of a tremendous wealth of historic treasures: the ancient traditions and culture of the First Nations, stories of pioneer hardships and the people who built our communities, heroic tales of marine exploration, and the early days of forestry, fishing, mining, agriculture, aviation, and the military.
And don’t forget our world-famous gardens. From small oases in the wilderness to expansive gardens of international renown, demonstration gardens to heritage properties, and native plant gardens to formal English-style gardens — this is truly a gardener’s paradise!
Destination Nanaimo
From the protected picturesque harbour and outdoor adventures, to vibrant city amenities, Nanaimo offers countless options for visitors. Relax in a rural setting sampling cranberries, herbs, honey and visit tucked away gardens and galleries. Downtown Nanaimo offers a 5-km walkway along one of the prettiest harbours on the West Coast. While strolling, visitors can browse the shops, take in free concerts during the summer, or buy fresh fish and crabs from the Fisherman’s Wharf.
1-800-663-7337
Nanaimo
Central Island
Central Island
CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum
The Museum is part of a National Historic District, with heritage buildings dating from the 1890s. Features include life-like mannequins, children’s gallery/play area, and recreations of historic scenes.
The museum also houses an archive with thousands of photographs & documents.
Museum tours by arrangement - contact staff @ 250-363-4312
250-363-4312
Victoria
South Island
South Island
BC Forest Discovery Centre
This museum tells the story of the logging industry in coastal BC. Exhibits of logging machinery, camp life and the role of the B.C. Forest Service are found throughout the 100 acre site. Depending on the season, visitors can ride a ride in either “Samson” the Centre’s 1910 steam train or the “Green Hornet” the gas powered locomotive.
250-715-1113
Duncan
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
District of Ucluelet Parks & Recreation Dept.
Ukee Days (July 27-29, 2012) in Ucluelet, B.C. is 72 hours of action-packed festivities for the entire family! Our sleepy seaside town explodes in a summery haze of Live Music, Logger Sports, beer gardens, and tons family fun!
250 726-7772
Ucluelet
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
AlberniHeritage:Maritime Discovery Centre
Port Alberni’s Maritime Discovery Centre, constructed from an actual coastal lighthouse, invites you to experience the rich history of the Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound and Vancouver Island's rugged west coast. Get up close to the working harbour and envision the many changes over time; explore the history of west coast lighthouses and tales of their keepers; learn about the 1964 tsunami that hit Port Alberni and how current research tells us more about the activity of the ocean floor.
250-723-2181
Port Alberni
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge
A nature based, oceanfront property offering privacy and seclusion with an 1100 acre forest on the southern tip of Quadra Island, just a 10 minute ferry from downtown Campbell River. Tsa-Kwa-Luten's ocean front location offers spectacular views of historic Discovery Passage and the upper reaches of the Beaufort mountain range from all main lodge or beachfront cottage accommodation. West Coast seafood cuisine abounds in the casual yet elegant atmosphere of the seaside dining room.
250-285-2042
Quadra Island
North Central Island
North Central Island
AlberniHeritage:McLean Mill National Historic Site
Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the old days as the steam donkey hauls logs from the woods and the 1925 steam mill cuts them into lumber. Original camp buildings are yours to explore, vintage equipment is working on site and a theatre troupe tells tales from the past. The Steam Pot Café, special mill shop and childrens activities add to the experience. Site is accessible by steam train, vehicle or bicycle.
250-723-1376
Port Alberni
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
AlberniHeritage:Steam Train
Board our 1929 Baldwin steam locomotive at the historic Port Alberni Railway Station and experience the romance of live steam on a 35 minute ride to the McLean Mill National Historic site. The sound of steel wheels on rail serenades you as you pass through the town and its friendly inhabitants, by fields and forest and along side a vineyard and winery.
250-723-1376
Port Alberni
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
Wya Point Resort
The stunning new Wya Point Resort offers the only beach front camping south of Long Beach National Park. With over 1 km of private beaches the resort offers up 40 camping sites and 15 glamping sites in fully furnished beach front Yurts. The resort also provides surfing lessons and rentals with a 10% discount offered to guests at the Wya Point Surf Shop Cafe.
250-726-3435
Ucluelet
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community
Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community located in the heart of the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Full Resort including 2 restaurants, 90 Guest Rooms, Car Museum, Pro Shop, Conference facilities and of course our Master Planned golf course. Come for a tee time, stay for a lifetime.
250-703-5050
Courtenay
North Central Island
North Central Island
Butchart Gardens
Breathtaking 22 ha (55 acres) show gardens near Victoria offers spectacular beauty in every season. Spring dazzles with more than 300,000 bulbs. Summer is magnificent with colour everywhere you look, plus there’s entertainment in July & August, Night Illuminations and Saturday Fireworks. Autumn delights, and Christmas becomes a magical wonderland.
250-652-5256
Brentwood Bay
South Island
South Island
Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
First Nations cultural experience- Open June thru September. Let a Cowichan Tour Guide tell you stories passed from generation to generation, see the Authentic Cowichan Knitters display and purchase hand carved art pieces and jewelry. Try Authentic Native cuisine in the Riverwalk Café- along the banks of the Cowichan River.
250-746-8119
Duncan
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
Milner Gardens & Woodland
Milner Gardens & Woodland offers visitors a beautiful old-growth forest walk, a delightfully wild artist's garden highlighted by more than 400 Rhododendrons, and a magnificent view of the Strait of Georgia. Enjoy afternoon tea and views in the 1930's cottage style Milner House where the Queen once stayed.
250-752-6153
Qualicum Beach
Central Island
Central Island
I-Hos Gallery
I-Hos Gallery presents a collection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork. Masks, prints, gold and silver jewelry and wood carvings produced by First Nations artists are displayed on the Comox First Nation band lands.
250-339-7702
Courtenay
North Central Island
North Central Island
Tourism Chemainus
Chemainus is one of the most beloved places by visitors to Vancouver Island. An Arts & Cultural Destination that is famous for its well over 40 murals painted on the towns various walls. Golf, diving, shopping and exploring our natural surroundings in this seaside village.
250-246-3944
Chemainus
Cowichan Region
Cowichan Region
AlberniHeritage: Alberni Valley Museum
Excellent community museum with visible storage display system for maximum public access to collections. Explore First Nations culture, early settlement, industrial and maritime history and see unique local folk art and archival photographs. A highlight is the fine examples of local contemporary art. 2012 features special exhibit on the community’s centennial with hands- on childrens’ component.
250-723-2181
Port Alberni
Pacific Rim Region
Pacific Rim Region
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