PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
Chilliwack Visitor Centre - 44150 Luckakuck Way
604-858-8121 1-800-567-9535
1. Adventure Tourism – come explore the “Great Outside!” There are many opportunities for outdoor adventure here! Rush down the roaring rapids in river rafting or pick up the Chilliwack Hiking Guide and get a view from the top. There is plenty of fishing and golfing opportunities so get ready for a day outdoors!
2. Cultus Lake in its splendor has something to offer people of all ages. From hiking to camping, golfing to waterslides, renting a boat to lying on the beach, you won’t run short of things to do.
3. Bridals Falls is a must see! The falls themselves cascade almost 400 feet and claim the distinction of being the sixth-highest waterfall in Canada. A short hike from the base is all it takes to see these falls up close and personal. The surrounding area is also home to paintball, a dinosaur adventure park, waterslides, a honey bee farm, and golf courses. Set up a picnic at the Cheam Lake Wetlands and wander the trails. Keep your eyes open for the various birds that call the wetlands home. Make sure you visit Minter Gardens, 32 acres of beautiful gardens designed to dazzle the senses. While you’re in the area, look up, way up to the skies as this is also a popular area for paragliding!
4. Agri-Tourism – spend some time visiting the local farms on the Circle Farm Tour. See everything from a cheese processing plant to a showroom of unique pottery. Pick up the different Circle Farm Tour brochures at the Chilliwack Visitor Centre.
5. Festivals & Events – Chilliwack has many annual events that take place at Heritage Park. Don’t miss out on Arts Month in May or the annual Exhibition & Rodeo in August. Take your eyes to the sky for Flight Fest, our local air show. Get a good start on your Christmas shopping at the Christmas Craft Market, usually held in November.
Hope Visitor Centre - 919 Water Avenue
604-869-2021 1-866-467-3842
1. Othello-Quintette Tunnels – An extremely popular Hope area attraction, located in the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. These abandoned railway tunnels, built from 1911 to 1916, form a stunning setting, impressive enough to attract film crews to the area. Because of the gentle grade, this makes for an easy stroll and wonderful respite from the road. Bring a flashlight along as the tunnels are dark!
2. Chainsaw Carving Showcase – For over a decade Hope has established its reputation as the Chainsaw Carving Capital. Take a walking tour of this amazing outdoor collection of unique carvings scattered throughout the town.
3. Off Road Touring – Have a 4x4 and tired of miles of steady asphalt? You’ve come to the right place! This area has some great rugged roads like Squah Lake, an hour in length. Or head to Herrling Island where there’s some great beach driving (seasonal due to river levels).
4. Hope Slide – In the early morning of January 9th, 1965, Johnson Peak collapsed sending tons of rock, mud and trees onto the Crowsnest Highway #3 just southeast of Hope. The extent of the damage is still clearly visible. A pullout off the highway gives travelers an awesome view of the damage caused by the slide. The portion of the mountain that remains standing is a bald, dreadful reminder of Mother Nature’s power.
5. Manning Provincial Park – Continue east of Hope along Highway #3 and you’ll find yourself in the oasis that is Manning Provincial Park. Lightning Lake is a beautiful picnic spot and is the access point for many spectacular hikes into the sub-alpine region. Floral displays are at their best mid-July to early-August. Manning Park is a year-round outdoor playground with lots of winter activities to keep everyone entertained.
Osoyoos Visitor Centre - 9912 Highway #3
250-495-5070 1-888-676-9667
1. Desert Centre – Osoyoos is Canada’s only “arid” desert environment and is home to over 100 rare plants and 300 rare invertebrates. This extraordinary habitat is home to one of North America’s most fragile and endangered ecosystems. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is an ecological interpretive centre on a protected portion of this habitat and has a carefully placed boardwalk around the area where visitors can learn about desert ecology, ecological restoration, and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South Okanagan.
2. Rattlesnake Canyon – An amusement park where there is something for everyone! This western mining town amusement park offers themed mini golf, an exciting go kart speedway, bungee tree & rides, a 35 foot climbing wall, bumper boats, and more!
3. Spotted Lake – This medicine lake is located 8 km west of Osoyoos. View it from the road and see the 365 different rings that are sacred to the Osoyoos Indian Band for their healing properties. Historically the Indian Band used the healing mud and waters to alleviate aches and pains. It has one of the world’s highest concentrations of minerals: magnesium and sodium sulphates, calcium, and others. With the summer heat, the lake dries out, forming colourful mud circles.
4. Orchards, Vineyards, & Fruit Stands – Osoyoos bears fruit earlier than anywhere else in Canada. Fruit harvest generally begins the last week of June beginning with cherries and continues into the summer. Stop at the numerous road side fruit and vegetable stands and savour the healthy goodness of authentic old fashioned shopping. The vineyards offer wine testing and tours, as do some of the specialty orchards. At some vineyards you will find tours and tastings during the day and then the chance to relax on a patio and enjoy a glass of wine with lunch.
5. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre – Discover the lands, the legends, and the people. With a spectacular new Firsts Nations cultural tourism experience, and a 20,000 square-foot interpretative centre featuring interactive and fun activities for the whole family, you won’t run short on things to do.
Greenwood Visitor Centre (Open May 1–October 31)
214 S. Copper Street – 250-445-6355
1. Greenwood Museum – Located in the Greenwood Visitor Centre, this is the place to experience the real Greenwood history and events. Incorporated in 1897, the museum is the place to get a taste of the exciting mining history, seen in the frequently revamped displays.
2. Walking Tour - Greenwood boasts some of the best preserved Heritage buildings in British Columbia. Step back in time and spend an hour or a day on the self-guided "Heritage Walk" through Greenwood's colourful downtown and historic residences. Enjoy the early 1900's architecture while perusing the shops or having a refreshment.
3. Lotzkar Memorial Park - This unique industrial smelter ruin is one of a kind. The massive ridge of slag with the 36m high smokestack stands as a memorial to past prosperity. Named after Leon Lotzkar, this park features building remnants and the unique "hell's bells"- Please use caution while exploring.
4. Trans Canada Trail – Stretch your leg and hike, cycle or walk the trail. The Trail wanders near abandoned towns and mine sites as well as Boundary falls and the Historic Dewdney Trail.
5. O'Hairi Park – Visit O’Hairi Park, dedicated to the Japanese-Canadian citizens of Greenwood, and take some time to learn a bit of history.
Grand Forks Visitor Centre - 7362- 5th Street
250-442-2833 1-866-442-2833
1. Rock Candy Mountain Safari – Take home a piece of Grand Forks history. The famous, award winning Rock Candy Mine, named for the colourful fluorite ore mined there long ago, offers family-friendly excursions. Visitors can collect sparkling green, purple, yellow and white crystals while learning about boundary mining history, wildlife, and ecology.
2. Trans Canada Trail – Grand Forks is fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, and trees! It makes for a perfect setting for biking, hiking, riding, camping, fishing, and many other things to do outside.
3. Grand Forks Agri-Tours – This is the boundary at its best! This self-guided tour will take you to 10 of the regions treasures. Visit active historic farm sites, show gardens, artisans in their studio, and productive farms where you can taste the difference, and fibre artists that grow their own medium.
4. Explore Grand Fork’s Art & History – Check out the self-guided walking tour, the Boundary museum, and the Grand Forks Art Gallery.
5. Discover the Doukhober Culture & Heritage – Explore the Hardy-Mountain Village, a 16.9 acre property containing what remains of the historic Makortoff Doukhober Village. Also take in the Grand Forks Milling Cooperative, established to serve the sect in 1915 and is still producing flour today.
Trail & District Visitor Centre - 200-1199 Bay Avenue
250-368-3144 1-877-636-9569
1. Get outside – Step off the beaten path and inhale the majestic countryside. A short drive in any direction will lead you to hiking, biking, fishing, and, during the winter months, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and more! After a day of adventure and recreational activities, enjoy a picnic by the Columbia River and unwind.
2. Teck Cominco Smelter – Go for a tour of “the giant on the hill” which is the largest lead/zinc smelter in the world.
3. Sports Hall of Fame – Located in the Trail Memorial Centre, the hall of fame is dedicated to the hockey heroes of the area. Filled with memorabilia from the legendary Smoke Eaters, you might even recognize a few familiar faces.
4. Rossland Historical Museum – Your visit to the Rossland Museum will not be complete without a guided walking tour into a restored section of the historic underground workings of the once famous Le Roi gold mine. Your guide will be waiting at the entrance to the museum to lead you into the strange and fascinating world of the hard rock gold miner - as it was at the turn of the century.
5. Historical Walking Tour – Enjoy hours of walking pleasures as you take a step back in time.
Castlegar Chamber of Commerce - 1995-6th Avenue
250-365-6313 1-888-365-6313
1. Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park – A visit to Castlegar is not complete without crossing the award-winning 473-foot suspension bridge that leads to historical Zuckerberg Island. Take a walk around the island park and discover a heritage of human and natural history unique within the Columbia River Valley.
2. Ainsworth Hot Spring – Soothe your muscles and refresh your soul with a steamy soak at Ainsworth Hot Springs. View the spectacular beauty of Kootenay lake and snow covered Purcell mountains from the main mineral pool or wade through the waist-deep pool that travels through a horseshoe shaped cave.
3. Kootenay Gallery of Art, History & Science - One of the 28 original exhibition centres built in the 1970s so that rural people could enjoy the great works of art, sourced regionally, nationally and internationally as well as provide a professional venue for regional artists to show and sell their work.
4. The Doukhobor Discovery Centre - Introducing you to Doukhobor culture and their unique lifestyle as it evolved in the Kootenay region of British Columbia from 1908 to 1938. Over 1,000 artifacts represent the pioneering, fascinating arts and crafts, customs and religion of the people.
5. Millennium Walkway - Officially opened on June 1, 2001, the project incorporates a 900 metre paved walkway with formal elements such as an entry gateway, a kiosk, an arched bridge, landscaped viewpoints with interpretive signs, and amenities such as benches and a washroom.
Creston Chamber of Commerce : 1607 Canyon Street
250-428-4342 1-866-528-4342
1. Parks – Residents and visitors alike often take advantage of Creston’s many parks, suitable for a quick game of catch with the kids, a peaceful place to read, or even enjoy a picnic. On a hot, sunny day enjoy the splash park at Centennial Park or the Japanese Garden at Millennium Park.
2. Columbia Brewery – Home of the Kokanee beer. Take a tour of the brewery and find out how it’s made, have a taste-test, and shop in the Beer Gear store for a souvenir.
3. Creston Wildlife Centre – Guided canoe tours, trails, boardwalks and viewing towers allow you to explore this 17,000 acre wetland habitat. Enjoy the educational displays, hands-on science lab and live osprey cam.
4. Agri-tourism – Within a 20km radius of the own, there is a variety of farm markets, tours, greenhouses, u-pick operations, gift shops, and farm entertainment destinations inviting you to stop by and stay awhile.
5. Shop – Kootenay Candles is a home-based business in operation for over 30 years, hosting a gift shop with handcrafted candles and stylish giftware.
Cranbrook Visitor Centre - 2279 Cranbrook St. N.
250-426-5914 1-800-222-6174
1. Canadian Museum of Rail Travel – Experience the glory of rail travel on a museum tour through all twelve of the restored rail cars. The collection including dinging, parlour, sleeping, and business cars, all accessible with your tour guide.
2. Fort Steele Heritage Town – This heritage town offers 60 restored and reconstructed buildings that represent the town as it was in its heyday. Ride on a horse-drawn wagon, shop at a real old-fashioned general store, or take in a performance and the Wild Horse Theatre.
3. Kimberley – Nearby A western mining town awaits with a distinct Bavarian theme. Stroll the downtown Platzl, a pedestrian walking mall, and listen for one of the world's largest free-standing cuckoo clocks. You'll also want to eat in the 350-year-old "Old Bauernhaus" building, which was dismantled and shipped from southern Bavaria, then reconstructed in Kimberley.
4. Top of the World Provincial Park - Experience the towering beauty of Top of the World Provincial Park, located at the Top of the World Plateau, most of which lies at an elevation in excess of 2,200 m (7,218 ft). The park's jagged peaks form a spectacular backdrop, while alpine flowers carpet the plateau.
5. Enjoy the outdoors - Take a dip in one of the region's warmest lakes at Wasa Lake Provincial Park. Visitors flock here to enjoy all manner of water activities. The park also offers camping facilities as well as hiking and cycling trails.
Fernie Visitor Centre - 102 Commerce Road
250-423-6868 1-877-433-7643
1. Fernie Heritage Walking Tour – At the museum, pick up a copy of the Heritage Walking Tour booklet. For the ambitious, it provides descriptions and details of 43 historic sites in Fernie’s downtown and throughout the community.
2. Fernie Museum – From coal mining to ski hills, the Fernie & District Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and highlighting the long and exciting history. The Museum has on display artifacts ranging from dinosaur footprints to 100-year-old cash registers.
3. Fernie Alpine Resort – Enjoy a great summer hike on the mountain, or a cruise down fresh powder snow in the winter. Book a horseback adventure with day trips, overnight, and multi-day journeys.
4. Entertainment - The Arts Station, housed in a fully restored railway station, offers live theatre and music year-round. Or catch the Fernie Ghostriders, a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team on ice at the Fernie Memorial Arena.
5. Natural Sights - Visit Mount Fernie Provincial Park to camp, picnic or hike amid wildflowers and waterfalls. Stand in awe before the 900-year-old old-growth cedar trees at the Cedar Valley Old Growth Reserve, also home to Island Lake Lodge where you can enjoy summer hiking and winter skiing.
Sparwood Visitor Centre - 141A Aspen Drive
250-425-2423 1-877-485-8185
1. Wildlife – Wildlife “spotting” is a must, so be sure to have your camera out and ready! It is unusual to pass through the region and not see an elk, bear, deer, or bighorn sheep.
2. Hiking - Sparwood hiking trails wind around green space or meander high in the mountains. Try the Mountain Shadows Loop which follows the Sparwood Golf Club, or the tree lined Lions Park trail.
Several trails can be explored at Sparwood Ski Hill, and the Matevicks Draw hike leads to the mountain ridge above Sparwood Heights.
3. Heritage Mural Walk - Share Sparwood’s historic pride on the self-guided Heritage Mural Walk. You’ll see depictions of historic events and every day legends painted on prominent buildings in the downtown core. The walk also takes you past several mining artifacts on display around the town centre.
4. Fishing - The Elk River is a world-class fishing destination where you’ll find Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout and whitefish. Cast out on shore or in a boat to test your skills.
5. Mining - Just east of Sparwood visit the Elkview mine to view the operations behind a working open pit coal mine. Learn about period coal mining in the area as well as modern-day coal mining processes.
Coal mine tours also available in the community of Elkford through the Elkford Chamber of Commerce and Elk Valley Coal.
