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Reviews and photos of Nanaimo attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Nanaimo sightseeing.
Local Time 9:55 pm Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (14)
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Go For A Ramble in Nanaimo
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  • Nice walk around the lake in Nanaimo - Nanaimo
    Nice walk around the lake
    in Nanaimo
    by spitball,
    4 more photos
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    Nanaimo has a rich history spanning from its roots as an ancient Coast Salish gathering place to the arrival of the European Explorers and the Hudson's Bay Company. Nanaimo's modern history was built upon rich deposits of coal and abundant fishing resources. Petroglyph Park has rock carvings left by earlier inhabitants, and these are something accessible to explore, not too far from the downtown core. Nanaimo District Museum provides an interactive display of its colourful history. Native exhibits, archeological artifacts, miner's cottage, a highly acclaimed coal mining exhibit and a 10,000 year old petroglyph are some of the museum's features. A collection of over 3,000 historical photos are available for public viewing. Plus there is a great little park, Piper Park, next to this museum that affords great views of the Harbour, Newcastle Island and Protection Island. A little bit of solitude in the downtown core! There's also a great little floating pub, in the harbour just off of Newcastle Island.
    A short walk from the Museum is The Bastion. Built in 1853, this white octagonal tower was the defence arsenal around which Hudson's Bay settlement grew. The newly restored fortress is the last surviving Hudson's Bay Company bastion in North America. You can witness a noon cannon-firing ceremony during the summer months complete with piper in full tartan dress.
    Ach, laddie! Just below the Bastion is Pioneer Rock, the point of arrival for emigrant miners aboard the Princess Royal after a grueling six-month voyage around Cape Horn from Britain. The Bastion also serves as a seasonal Tourism Nanaimo Infocentre.

  • Directions: 3rd week of every July is the world famous, World Championship Bathtub Race & Marine Festival. Started over 35 years ago in Nanaimo. The rules are stringent, if your motor stops, your boat sinks.
  • Website: http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/
  • Other Contact: http://www.tourismnanaimo.com
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    Newcastle Island Provincial Park
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  • Only a 10 min. boat ride from downtown Nanaimo, Newcastle Island is a gem. Walk the 7.4 km circumference of the Island or some of the other shorter trails. Beachcomb, camp, swim, hike, kayak...There is a canteen on the Island. You can spot wildlife and marine life on this Island. You can also enjoy the magnificent views, especially at Giovando Point. On your way to Giovando Pt. you will have views of the harbour plans taking off and landing. At Gionvando Pt. you can see out into the great wide ocean. You may even see the BC Ferries coming by. Check out all my photos for the view and other areas of the Island. The ferry is $7CAN per adult. Check out the website for schedule and more details. This is a fantastic trip. You can spend 2 hours or 2 days and enjoy every moment.

    Check out all my photos and the website provided.

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  • Directions: Accessible by boat only. From Nanaimo take foot passenger ferry from Maffeo-Sutton Park behind Civic Arena, just north of downtown Nanaimo on Hwy 1. Boat owners can tie up to wharf or anchor at Mark Bay. Check out website for map.
  • Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/newcastl.html
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    Walking around
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  • Nanaimo is extraordinary beautiful city. Specially during late afternoon before and during the sunset.

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    Great walking town
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  • Nanaimo is a great walking town. The downtown area is excellent for an afternoon or evening stroll. You can also see the harbor and the sea. There are also a few points of interest in the downtown area. Worth a visit.

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  • Directions: Downtown Nanaimo.
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    The Bungy Zone
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  • Big thrill, fun, exciting place. You jump off a bridge over a deep crystal clear river with an elastic band tied to your ankles. What a view!!
    HALF PRICE if you are NAKED.

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  • Address: Bungy Zone, Nanaimo river
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    Get a Fishing License and Some Crab Pots!!
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  • Just ask anyone in any of the towns in the San Juans, and they can tell you where you need to go to get a Canadian Fishing License. If the boat you are in has crab pots, don't hesitate to use them! However, be sure that it is ok in the area where you are docked. Some bays and coves have special protections, and crabbing is illegal. The picture to the left is a huge mound of Dungeness Crab Meat. It was part of one of the best meals I have ever had.

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    More seafood...
    Here is another nice seafood dish which can be found in town. I also enjoyed eating fried crab cakes. Seen in the picture is the actual dish that I had.

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    The Great Outdoors
    Nanaimo is a long narrow strip of civilization located in a large wilderness that is Vancouver Island. Climb Mt Benson to see how far the forest behind Nanaimo reaches. Visit a bike shop to get maps on good spots to bike and hike, there are lots of them.

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    3, 2, 1, Bungy!
    I'm here all week; try the veal. - Nanaimo
    I'm here all week; try the
    veal.
    by stodmyk
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    The Bungy Zone was the first legal bungy bridge in North America, and remains our sole bridge specifically built for bungy jumping. If you jump elsewhere, you're either doing it illegally or in a parking lot of an amusement park or shopping mall. Gee. Pavement. THAT's something to enjoy from high up. The view of the Nanaimo River gorge alone is worth the trek to the Bungy Zone.

    Once a year they have a naked weekend; anyone who'll jump in the buff jumps for free. It's worth the experience, even if you go on another weekend, with or without clothes.

    There's just nothing quite like the feeling of bungy jumping. I found it FAR scarier than parachuting, and have jumped about 7 times over the past 10 years (and yes, my first time was sans clothing, for free). The pictures you see are from a jump about 6 years ago -- I was 26 years old, and decided since it was my 5th jump I'd go backwards. Worth it, worth it, worth it.

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  • Address: 35 Nanaimo River Road
  • Phone: 1-800-668-7771
  • Directions: Call the 1-800 number from the ferry, and book the free shuttle to the site.
  • Website: www.bungyzone.com
  • Other Contact: jump@bungyzone.com
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    The Bastion
    This is a symbol of Nanaimo and part of the Hudson's Bay Company fort. Built in 1853, it is a very solid wooden tower for cannon.

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    More Nanaimo Tips
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    Things To Do
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    Transportation
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    Flights
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