2017 was in our laps, and my heartmate and I had a decision to make on where we would next vacation. Europe, South America, Australia?
To be honest, we’d been itching to visit Japan for a WHILE, but we figured, in honour of Canada’s 150th, we would order our parks passes and set for the west.
I’ve always been partial to the west coast (re: the best coast), and shared a piece not long ago on living an east coast life with a west coast vibe.
To maximize the value of our (free) national parks passes for Canada 150, we originally planned for a week in Alberta and a week in British Columbia. But one week in each, just wouldn’t cut it.
So going big in BC, or going home it would be.
We got out our spreadsheets, took to google, and put out a PSA to all our friends looking for recommendations. We referenced, cross referenced, read and searched all the best places to visit in British Columbia, and here they are:
Vancouver [west end, downtown, and north Vancouver]
- Exploring and dining in Vanouver’s Gastown + Yaletown districts
- Visit Granville Island (just south of Downtown Vancouver
- Dr Sun Garden (personally, I’d give it only one thumb up)
- Run/Bike the Stanley Park Seawall
- Van Dusen Gardens
- Visit the night market in North Vancouver (one sea bus ride away)
- Kitsilano Beach
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
Victoria, BC
- Walk along the Victoria inner harbour
- Stroll through Canada’s narrowest street in Chinatown
- Visit the Royal British Columbia Museum
- Spend an afternoon at the Butchart Gardens (a national historic site)
- Visit Craigdarroch Castle
- Explore and tour Parliament
- Stay at + tour the Fairmont Empress Hotel
Tofino, BC
- Take surfing lessons
- Visit the Canso bomber crash site
- Hike the west coast trail
- Stroll through Muraltown
- Visit the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Whistler, BC
- Bike the Whistler biking trails
- Visit the Whistler Olympic Plaza
- Ride the Whistler gondola from peak to peak
- Visit the Whistler Train Wreck site
- Explore the Mushroom House
Nick Joly | Inspired by Nick
Stay inspired.
what a fabulous trip,good way to inspire me/ others to visit the beauty in our own back yards of our beautiful country. Thank you for sharing.
Well thanks very much Nella!
I’m so glad you liked the writeup! Canada is one beautiful country, it’s hard not to capture its beauty!
Happy weekend!
Keep easy,
Nick