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 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.
Boston Bar
1. This community may be little, but it boosts a huge attraction! This is the home of the Hell’s Gate Air Tram which offers a breathtaking descent over the 33m wide gorge of the Fraser River to the Salmon House Restaurant, Gold Panner Gift Shop, Fudge Factory, Skuzzy General Store and more!
Lytton Visitor Centre : 400 Fraser Street – 250-455-2523
1. Outdoor Adventure - Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park, one of BC’s premier areas for multi-day wilderness backpacking. The park, which protects the pristine Stein River Watershed, is of tremendous cultural and spiritual significance to the Nlaka’pamux people. It boasts approximately 150 km (93 mi) of trails and numerous wilderness campsites. Hiking the entire valley (eight or more days) will take you from BC’s dry interior to the wetter Coast Mountains.
2. Explore the Past - the Lytton Museum, provides insight into First Nations history, the influx of the gold seekers, the arrival of Europeans to serve the prospectors as well as the more recent building of highways and railroads.
3. River Rafting - Lytton is called the "Rafting Capital of Canada." No wonder: rafting here combines the thrills of big, whitewater rapids with a hot, desert environment. The stretch of the Thompson River from Spences Bridge to Lytton shoots rafters past steep canyons and hoodoos, surreal pillars caused by stone erosion. The Thompson has 18 Class II–IV rapids.
Cache Creek
1. Historic Gold Rush Trail – Just a ten-minute drive from town, Historic Hat Creek Ranch does a terrific job of recreating the sights, sounds and smells of that heady era. Take a stagecoach ride, spend the night in a miner’s tent, rustic cabin or a Shuswap kekuli (pit house), or try your hand at panning for gold.
2. Visit The Farm - Head to Horstings Farm to visit with chickens, goats and rabbits, shop for fresh produce and gifts or savour home-made soups, sandwiches and desserts. You can sample a variety of 100% BC grown fruit wines at the Bonaparte Bend Winery.
3. Natural Sights, Parks & Wildlife - Loon Lake and Juniper Beach Provincial Park are both good places for hiking and birding. Fishing is permitted on the Thompson River, which runs through the park. The river is also a great place for “trainspotting,” as railway tracks run on either side it.
Kamloops Visitor Centre : 1290 West Trans Canada Highway – 250-374-3377 1-800-662-1994
1. Kamloops Wildlife Park – Home to more than 65 species, the BC Wildlife Park offers interactive displays, daily wildlife encounters in the summer and the chance to learn more about the incredible diversity of BC’s wildlife. Enjoy riding on a miniature steam locomotive, meeting friendly animals in the petting zoo, and getting wet in the splash park.
2. Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park – Visiting the fascinating museum to see photographs and artifacts of a more traditional way of life. Explore the interpretive trails through the archaeological remains of a 2000-year-old winter village site, a reconstructed summer village and an ethno-botanical garden.
3. Kamloops Art Gallery – Spend an afternoon exploring one of Canada’s strongest regional galleries. See changing contemporary and historical exhibitions by local and international artists in four distinct gallery spaces. At The Gallery Store you’ll find one-of-a-kind handmade gifts.
4. Play Outside – The unsurpassed recreational facility of McArthur Island boasts over 120 acres of sport and park facilities, including playing fields, a golf course, indoor sports centre, cycling/rollerblading/walking paths, BMX track, tennis courts, and a new 2000 square metre skateboard park.
5. Kamloops Heritage Railway – Steam back in time on the beautifully restored 2141 “Spirit of Kamloops.” One-hour tours of Kamloops are available in the late spring and summer. You’ll cross the South Thompson River on a 1927 steel trestle bridge, experience breathtaking photo opportunities and be thrilled by the re-enactment of a famous 1906 train robbery.
