9 Offbeat Towns to Visit in British Columbia
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most fascinating and priceless provinces, renowned for its eclectic blend of cultures, landscapes, and history. When it comes to exploring the state in search of these elements, the usual favorites for many are Tofino, Vancouver, and Whistler. However, these destinations are not alone in terms of outdoor allure, rustic charms, and history and cultural richness. They are just on the front line, and tourists who dare to look beyond them will find more than a handful of enchanting, offbeat towns to explore. From Nakusp to Tumbler Ridge, uncover nine towns in British Columbia that should be on your bucket list.
Rossland
Rossland is a beautiful town nestled high in the Monashee Mountains, known for the nearby Red Mountain Resort and Old Glory Mountain. Year-round, these mountains provide activities such as mountain biking and hiking in the summer, and skiing in the winter. Nature and tree enthusiasts will appreciate the 100-acre Wood Old-Growth Forest just outside town, where they can hike among towering trees and rest on benches along the trails to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
In town, visitors can uncover the area’s iconic past at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Center, featuring exhibits and outdoor events like culture festivals and tours. For art aficionados, Stephanie Gauvin Art Gallery is a must-visit to see impressive landscape art.
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is a charming town on the banks of the majestic Columbia River, with ever-changing scenery and year-round recreation. Visit this town and start an adventure by visiting the Revelstoke Dam Visitors Center to explore exhibits and proceed to the dam with a camera to capture its magnificent sights. Next, take on the best trails in the area, like the Asulkan Valley Trail and Jade Lakes Trail. Proceed to SkyTrek Adventure Park for thrilling zipline adventures, and afterward, visit the Enchanted Forest.
Catch up on the town’s history later at the Revelstoke Museum & Archives, or learn about its railway roots at the Revelstoke Railway Museum, which features old train cars and antiques. Before leaving town, enjoy tasty treats at The Village Idiot Bar and Grill or Chubby Funsters Kitchen and Cocktails.
Fernie
Fernie is a small, lovely town framed by the iconic Rocky Mountains and lavish with scenic attractions and landscapes that will make visitors consider extending their stay. For starters, hikers can always explore the nearby 4.6-kilometer trail that leads to Fairy Creek Falls to behold the splendid natural views of this cascading beauty. Maiden Lake is another scenic spot in town to enjoy picnics and stroll around the water, with lovely views of Three Sisters Mountain and Mount Proctor.
For more outdoor activities, visitors can just a few minutes away to Mount Fernie Provincial Park to fish in the Elk River, hike, camp, bike, picnic, and enjoy views of a stunning waterfall. Meanwhile, the Fernie Museum is also a must-see in town for delving into the area’s interesting history. To conclude, visitors can relax at Vogue Theatre with exciting movies or enjoy tasty meals at the Brickhouse Bar and Grill.
Golden
Golden is a lovely town in the Rocky Mountains Trench with great scenery and plenty of draw cards. Here, visitors will be met with attractions like the Golden Skybridge, which runs over a deep canyon and features picturesque mountain views. Kicking Horse River is another great attraction in town, where one can admire more natural scenery and see a Pedestrian Bridge representing the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada. Meanwhile, the town is also home to Cedar Lake, a picturesque waterbody for swimming and picnicking.
Nearby, visitors are encouraged to hike a short mountain trail to the alpine Gorman Lake for relaxing dips in the shimmering waters. Art enthusiasts can unwind at the Art Gallery of Golden-Kicking Horse Culture, exploring its collection of captivating paintings. When it's time to eat and drink, The Wolf’s Den is a superb choice.
Nakusp
Nakusp is a charming offbeat town on Upper Arrow Lake surrounded by the Selkirk and Monashee mountains and close to several hot springs. Once here, visitors can start with a therapeutic soak at the Nakusp Hot Springs before heading out to Arrow Lake to enjoy boat cruises, kayaking, canoeing, and sunbathing.
Next, walk along the Waterfront Walkway for views of Arrow Lake and the imposing mountains framing it. Proceed to explore the history of the town's hot springs, railroad, Arrow Lake, early traditions, and several wars through exhibits at Nakusp and District Museum. Don’t miss the chocolates at Jennifer's Chocolates, and taste delectable wines at Valley of the Springs Winery before leaving.
Clearwater
Clearwater is a natural haven in British Columbia, situated in the North Thompson River Valley where the Clearwater River joins the North Thompson River. The town is surrounded by the majestic Trophy, Raft, and Dunn Mountains. It is also the nearest town to the impressive Wells Gray Provincial Park, functioning as its gateway. Visitors are encouraged to explore the park's main attractions, including Spahatas Falls, Helmcken Falls, Dawson Falls, Clearwater Lake, and Myrtle Lake.
Within the town, visitors can swim, sunbathe, kayak, canoe, boat, and enjoy picnics at Dutch Lake Park or embark on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Clearwater River. Weekend visitors can always head to the Farmer’s Market to shop, wine, dine and socialize with locals.
Ladysmith
Ladysmith is a seaside town where tourists will be spoiled with enchanting attractions and picturesque scenery. On the outdoors, the town is home to several parks like Transfer Beach Park and Gourlay-Janes Park, both offering opportunities for picnicking, and swimming. Additionally, Transfer Beach Park has live music events in summer and kayaking. Hikers can explore the nearby 5.8-kilometer loop Holland Creek Trail that runs along the banks of Holland Creek and through lush forests.
History buffs can check out the Ladysmith Museum to see artifacts and exhibits reflecting the town's heritage and roots. Elsewhere, shopping enthusiasts can purchase antiques as souvenirs at the Antiques Post Office Mall or beautiful pottery items at Mary Fox Pottery shop.
Hornby Island
Hornby Island is one of the Islands in the northernmost part of the Gulf Islands near the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island, where nature and culture intertwine. Once here, enjoy stunning beach beauty at the Tribune Bay Provincial Park and also kayak, snorkel, and swim in the water. Proceed to Fossil Beach Farm to enjoy more water scenery and explore interesting geological formations and fossils. Afterward, head to Helliwell Provincial Park for more water sports and to hike around bluffs and Douglas-fir trees.
More great outdoor attractions in this town worth a visit include Sandpiper Beach Park and Helliwel Provincial Park. Away from the outdoors, Hornby Island invites visitors to enjoy delicious pizza at Hornby Island Bakery & Pizzeria, shop for arts and crafts at Ringside Market, and dine with ocean views at the Breeze Restaurant.
Tumbler Ridge
Tumbler Ridge is an outdoor paradise in the Rocky Mountains, situated at the confluence of the Murray River and Flatbed Creek. Here, visitors will find it hard to leave due to the town's many captivating attractions. One of the most popular sites is Kinuseo Falls, a 60-meter waterfall along the Murray River in Monkman Provincial Park. There are also other waterfalls nearby, including Barbour Falls, Nesbitt’s Knee Falls, Quality Falls, and Bergeron Falls.
The town is also home to the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark, a UNESCO-designated park with 34 sites, including mountain peaks, caves, glaciers, lakes, alpine meadows, and canyons. Explore one of the park’s finest trails, the Murray Canyon Overlook, for the most scintillating views. Get away from the outdoors and soak up history at the Tumbler Ridge Museum, featuring dinosaur and local area exhibits. Satiate hunger pangs later at Kinuseo Café and Dining Room or Twisted Seasons Bistro.
British Columbia is blessed with a treasure trove of gem towns that can rival the big cities in terms of attractions. All it takes is a look beyond the cities, and these offbeat towns will reveal themselves, offering everything from exotic food to bustling markets and unspoiled natural gems. Even better, tourists avoiding the crowd will find solace in these towns all year round. Whether you are seeking thrilling adventures or a laid-back experience by the shore of a picturesque lake, these offbeat towns have much to make you happy and satisfied.
