Top Ten Places to Visit in BC

From the rainforest to mountain tops and the cities in between, British Columbia is full of wonders sure to take your breath away.

Haida Gwaii

This remote and rugged archipelago is steeped in the ancient culture of the Haida First Nation. Here glorious old-growth rainforest is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine environment, both home to unique subspecies found only on these magical islands. Gwaii Haanas, a highly protected area overseen jointly by Parks Canada and the Haida Nation, is home to extraordinary natural scenery and cultural treasures, including ancient totems that are slowly decaying and being reclaimed by the land. Allow yourself time for contemplation, and leave with a renewed sense of wonder.

Don’t miss:

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay
Gain some historical perspective at the Haida Heritage Centre
Watch for marine life as you kayakthrough Burnaby Narrows
Stroll along 100 km of beaches at Naikoon Provincial Park

Vancouver

In Vancouver, Mother Nature beckons. Whether you’re strolling along the seawall, shopping on Robson Street or exploring historic Gastown, you can catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean or the rainforest-covered Coast Mountains from almost anywhere in the city – so close you can practically reach out and touch them. Rent a kayak and paddle scenic waterways, hike or ski in the North Shore Mountains, or just chill at the beach. At the end of the day, gaze out at the scenery over a locally inspired meal on a waterfront patio, and find inspiration for the next day’s adventure.

Don’t miss:

Cyclethe nine-kilometre Stanley Park seawall
Browse artisanal food vendors, fresh produce stalls and original artwork at the Granville Island Public Market
Get elevated on the Capilano Suspension Bridgeand the Grouse Mountain Skyride
Learn about BC’s First Nations at the Museum of Anthropology
Kick back in the sand at Kitsilano Beach

Canadian Rockies

The Rockies evoke images of towering, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense evergreen forests. In BC, that jaw-dropping, Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that stays with you long after you’ve returned home – stretches the entire length of the province. UNESCO established the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Sitealong the BC/Alberta border, in part because of this spectacular beauty. The area is also globally significant because of the Burgess Shale fossil site, which shows in amazing detail what the Earth was like more than half a billion years ago.

Don’t miss:

Gaze at stunning Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies
Hike in Yoho National Parkfor a couple of hours or a couple of days
Keep an eye out for wildlifealong the highway
Immerse yourself in luxurious hot springsat Radium and Lussier
Experience the thrill of raftingthe Kicking Horse River

Great Bear Rainforest

The planet’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest, the Great Bear is a revered and protected wilderness area. This section of BC’s Central Coast is remote and there are few roads within its boundaries, which contributes to a feeling of peace and serenity — of truly being in nature — for all who visit. BC’s First Nations have called this stretch of coastline home for thousands of years, and their influence is strongly felt. It is also home to an abundance of marine life, from whales to dolphins to sea otters. Add the fact that it is the only place in the world to see the rare white Kermode (Spirit) bear, and a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest is an experience unlike any other.

Don’t miss:

Book a sailing tourin search of the magnificent spirit bear
Hiketo a waterfall in the Bella Coola Valley
Explore the Big House and learn about First Nations culture in the coastal village of Klemtu
Cruise the Inside Passage with BC Ferries

Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb is consistently named North America’s #1 resort, and it’s not hard to understand why. Skiers and boarders can explore more terrain here than anywhere else on the continent, with the summits of two legendary mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – connected by the spectacular PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. In summer, the pedestrian village is alive with hikers, mountain bikers, golfers, and people watchers. Even the drive will make your heart skip a beat: access from Vancouver is via the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which follows a stunning coastline for much of its length.

Test your endurance along the ultra-scenic Peak to Creek downhill skirun
Unleash your inner Olympian as you fly along the bobsleigh and skeleton tracks at the Whistler Sliding Centre
Take in one of Whistler’s renowned festivals and events
Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centreto learn about the area’s Aboriginal people
Ride the world-record breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

This magnificent park on the west coast of Vancouver Island consists of three sections: Long Beach, home to flawless beaches and a thriving surf culture; the West Coast Trail, an epic, multi-day hike along what was once a rescue trail for shipwrecked sailors; and the Broken Group Islands, a kayaker’s paradise made up of more than 100 islands and islets. In summer the area is alive with thrill seekers, families, and everyone in between enjoying the beach and hiking through the old-growth rainforest. Fall and winter months bring dramatic storm watching, and in the spring tens of thousands of grey whales migrate through these waters.

Don’t miss:

Sample fresh-off-the-boat seafood and admire the work of local artists in the hip community of Tofino
Hike Ucluelet’s rugged coast on the Wild Pacific Trail
Sign up for a surflesson on Long Beach
Hop on a boat or a seaplane bound for restorative Hot Springs Cove
Take a water taxi or paddle a kayakto Meares Island and hike among some of the biggest, oldest trees on the planet

Alaska Highway

Driving the Alaska Highway is a significant undertaking, to be sure, but the payoff is huge. Literally. First there’s the distance covered – almost 965 kilometres of this historic route are in BC alone. Then there’s the scenery – the towering Rocky Mountains and kilometre after kilometre of pristine wilderness virtually untouched by humans. And the wildlife – chances are excellent that you’ll see herds of massive bison roaming alongside the road, bighorn sheep sampling the highway’s mineral licks, and possibly mountain goats, moose, and bears. Oh my. Add to this the unique history of the road’s construction, and adventurous travellers can’t resist the call of the wild.

Don’t miss:

Stop at Liard River Hot Springsfor a soak
See everything from antique cars to historic buildings to a stuffed albino moose at the eclectic Fort NelsonMuseum
Explore Dawson Creek, Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway
Take a break from the long drive at picturesque Muncho Lake

Victoria

Situated on Vancouver Island, Victoria is a dynamic city that offers a seamless mix of the past and the present. The charismatic Inner Harbour serves as the hub of BC’s capital city, whether you’re looking to linger over an ocean-view meal at one of many innovative restaurants, or heading out on the water in search of resident pods of Orcas. Victoria is well known for its beautifully maintained gardens, and it boasts more cycling paths than any other Canadian city.

Don’t miss:

Book a whale-watchingadventure departing from the Inner Harbour
Check out the Royal BC Museum’s many fascinating exhibits
Visit the Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site
Stroll Canada’s narrowest street in Victoria’s vibrant Chinatown

Okanagan Valley

No place in BC says summer quite like the Okanagan Valley. The sun shines brightly on sparkling lakes surrounded by soft sandy beaches, providing the perfect backdrop for an endless array of activities for the young and the young at heart. Hike or bike in the mountains, tee off at one of many championship golf courses, or splash in the lake. Need a little sustenance? Okanagan Valley wineries have won major national and international awards, and many offer lake-view dining inspired by the valley’s agricultural riches. Winters here come with lots of soft, fluffy snow, and plenty of ways to enjoy it.

Don’t miss:

Sip stellar wines with an equally impressive view along the Naramata Bench
Stick ‘em up on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway’s Great Train Robbery
Take a detour to Keremeos, the self-described “Fruit Stand Capital of Canada”
Cycleover Myra Canyon’s towering trestle bridges

Kootenay Ski Towns

Looking for the ultimate ski vacation? Succumb to the lure of the Kootenay Rockies, where the snow is soft and deep, lift lines are short, and a free-spirited counterculture prevails. Locals here are by and large outdoorsy, creative types who are quick to chat you up – whether on the hill or over an après-ski pint – and make you feel welcome. The mountains, most of which are within shouting distance of town, are renowned for an annual snowfall of up to 12 metres of perfect powder. Summer brings stellar hiking and mountain biking, and local museums tell the tales of how these colourful towns came to be.