Brian’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Fantastic beach and lake area for picnics, swimming, kayaking and fishing. If you are adventurous you can float out to the island. The perfect place to set up camp for the day!
16 locals recommend
Spider Lake
Fantastic beach and lake area for picnics, swimming, kayaking and fishing. If you are adventurous you can float out to the island. The perfect place to set up camp for the day!
If you dare to explore tight spaces and adventure through the rocks this could be the challenge for you. Bring your flashlight! Also this area in known for advanced rock climbing only ten minutes away.
102 locals recommend
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
3905 Horne Lake Caves RdIf you dare to explore tight spaces and adventure through the rocks this could be the challenge for you. Bring your flashlight! Also this area in known for advanced rock climbing only ten minutes away.
The most gigantic Douglas Fir trees you will ever see! Beautiful easy walking trails.
163 locals recommend
Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4The most gigantic Douglas Fir trees you will ever see! Beautiful easy walking trails.
Stunning water falls, swim spots and easy walking trails. Definitely a site to see. Bring your camera!
140 locals recommend
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
2245 Errington RoadStunning water falls, swim spots and easy walking trails. Definitely a site to see. Bring your camera!
Drive to the bigger city of Nanaimo to enjoy the harbor and watching the sea planes fly. Stop at a restaurant on the ocean shoreline or adventure on a whale watching tour. You can also take a 10 min boat ride to Protection Island and have fish and chips at the Dinghy Dock Pub. There is a playground for the kids and simply a lot to see.
80 locals recommend
Maffeo Sutton Park
100 Comox RoadDrive to the bigger city of Nanaimo to enjoy the harbor and watching the sea planes fly. Stop at a restaurant on the ocean shoreline or adventure on a whale watching tour. You can also take a 10 min boat ride to Protection Island and have fish and chips at the Dinghy Dock Pub. There is a playground for the kids and simply a lot to see.
Adventurous Excursions
Fantastic skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter. Spring and summer offer golf, chairlift rides with panoramic views, zip lining, mountain biking and dining.
133 locals recommend
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
1 Strathcona PkwyFantastic skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter. Spring and summer offer golf, chairlift rides with panoramic views, zip lining, mountain biking and dining.
Beautiful swim spots and walking trails with suspension bridge. Amazing eroded rock formations from the river. Definitely a hidden gem on Vancouver Island!
8 locals recommend
Top Bridge
Top BridgeBeautiful swim spots and walking trails with suspension bridge. Amazing eroded rock formations from the river. Definitely a hidden gem on Vancouver Island!
Make it a challenge or choose an easy but exciting course. Wildplay offers many obstacle courses for all ages where you can climb among the trees or if you dare you can literally jump off the bridge...bungeed of course!
95 locals recommend
WildPlay Nanaimo
35 Nanaimo River RdMake it a challenge or choose an easy but exciting course. Wildplay offers many obstacle courses for all ages where you can climb among the trees or if you dare you can literally jump off the bridge...bungeed of course!
Family Fun
Fantastic large park on the ocean. Has volleyball, skatepark, waterpark, playground, food trucks and lots of sandy beach when the tide is out. Large events take place here like the annual Sandcastle competition. Viewing is usually around July 15 to Aug 15.
94 locals recommend
Parksville Community Park and Skate Park
193 Beachside DrFantastic large park on the ocean. Has volleyball, skatepark, waterpark, playground, food trucks and lots of sandy beach when the tide is out. Large events take place here like the annual Sandcastle competition. Viewing is usually around July 15 to Aug 15.
A really fun place to challenge the family in mini golf on two different courses. There are also bumper cars and ice cream. A short walk will bring you to the Rathtrevor Provincial park on the Ocean.
37 locals recommend
Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf
1000 Resort DrA really fun place to challenge the family in mini golf on two different courses. There are also bumper cars and ice cream. A short walk will bring you to the Rathtrevor Provincial park on the Ocean.
Enjoy a little history of the farm, watch the cows feed and pet live animals. Shop for some local jams and homemade flavored cheese. There are always free samples!
52 locals recommend
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
403 Lowrys RdEnjoy a little history of the farm, watch the cows feed and pet live animals. Shop for some local jams and homemade flavored cheese. There are always free samples!
Challenge the family to see who can get the best score around the track. These cars will surprise you....they go quite fast!
12 locals recommend
Go Karts
1460 Springhill RdChallenge the family to see who can get the best score around the track. These cars will surprise you....they go quite fast!
Shopping
Step back in time while exploring the quaint shops on 2nd Ave in the beautiful town of Qualicum Beach. Although the shops are unique, remember to visit the expansive beach at the bottom of Memorial Drive.
108 locals recommend
Qualicum Beach
Step back in time while exploring the quaint shops on 2nd Ave in the beautiful town of Qualicum Beach. Although the shops are unique, remember to visit the expansive beach at the bottom of Memorial Drive.
Here you will love browsing the eclectic shops that show a little old world charm. There are so many unique things to see that even the kids will love it. There is a fabulous ice cream shop with choices galore! Don't forget to look up and see the goats on the roof.
151 locals recommend
Old Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni HwyHere you will love browsing the eclectic shops that show a little old world charm. There are so many unique things to see that even the kids will love it. There is a fabulous ice cream shop with choices galore! Don't forget to look up and see the goats on the roof.
Food scene
Delicious Food! This is an all time favorite among locals and you can carry on for a walk down the beach after your meal.
26 locals recommend
Deez Bar & Grill
3353 Island Hwy WDelicious Food! This is an all time favorite among locals and you can carry on for a walk down the beach after your meal.
Driftwood
332 Island Highway WestA great place to get a huge Chinese food assortment. You won't leave hungry!
Beautiful and relaxed Italian restaurant with amazing food! Best seafood Alfredo with homemade pasta. For added ambiance, enjoy your meal in the cobbles stone garden under the lights. Be sure to make a reservation and carry on to enjoy the shops in the Old Country market where you will see the goats on the roof!
72 locals recommend
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyBeautiful and relaxed Italian restaurant with amazing food! Best seafood Alfredo with homemade pasta. For added ambiance, enjoy your meal in the cobbles stone garden under the lights. Be sure to make a reservation and carry on to enjoy the shops in the Old Country market where you will see the goats on the roof!