Named after a 16th-century Greek explorer, the Strait of Juan de Fuca is sandwiched between Vancouver Island and Washington state, connecting the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The international border between the US and Canada cuts through the channel, and marine creatures—including whales, porpoises, and seals—abound.
Located on the Saanich Peninsula, Church and State Wines is proof that you don't have to stray far from Victoria to grow fantastic wine grapes. The Saamich location is one of two Church and State outposts in BC—the other is in the province's celebrated Okanagan wine region.
Much-maligned critters, from tarantulas to cockroaches, are celebrated at this insectarium, which specializes in large tropical insects. Visitors can observe more than 40 live species of invertebrates, including praying mantises, stick insects, and glow-in-the-dark scorpions, as well as handling some of the creepy-crawlies.
Part of the University of British Columbia campus, Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology displays a variety of works of art and cultural artifacts from around the world, with a focus on First Nations pieces. Visit to see a variety of items, including huge carved sculptures, hand-built canoes, traditional masks, and ceramics.
Explore the artwork of British Columbia from the 18th century to the present day at Audain Art Museum. Head to Whistler to see the museum's permanent collection of works from some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, including First Nations artists, as well as visiting exhibitions from around the world.
Named after the now-demolished fur trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company, Fort Street has long been at the heart of Victoria’s commercial life. Once a hotbed for vintage and collectibles, this central artery is now home to an eclectic mix of shops and eateries, among them several remaining second-hand stores and auction houses.
Set in a former boat house on the edge of Lost Lagoon, the Stanley Park Nature House hosts exhibits about local wildlife and conservation projects. The nature house is run by the Stanley Park Ecological Society, and staff are on hand to offer tips and advice on wildlife-viewing and other things to do around the park.
Gliding along the world’s longest unsupported span, Whistler’s Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects two side-by-side mountains—Whistler and Blackcomb—and is the longest and highest continuous lift of its kind. The gondola was built for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and sightseers alike to travel between the two internationally renowned snow- and sun-sport wonderlands. With incomparable views of the surrounding peaks, you’ll get some of the freshest mountain air and most spectacular vistas in all of British Columbia.
With sheer cliffs carved by glaciers, dozens of waterfalls and creeks, and thick, old-growth forests, this fjord is one of southern British Columbia’s wildest back-to-nature escapes. Though it’s only about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Vancouver, its limited road access keeps it remote and unspoiled.
Colorful rhododendrons spill over rocky slopes in Abkhazi Garden, a trove of plants and trees hidden behind a hedge in a quiet Victoria neighborhood. From springtime blooms to fall foliage, Abkhazi Garden puts on a show throughout the year; an on-site teahouse invites lingering over lavish spreads of scones, tea sandwiches, and sweets.
This unusual museum casts light on Vancouver’s criminal justice system and the history of the city’s policing practices and legal institutions. Housed in the former coroner’s court, exhibits document high-profile investigations, unsolved crimes, and policing methods, and include access to the old autopsy room and the morgue.
Devoted to the life and works of its namesake, Victoria’s Robert Bateman Centre is home to the largest collection of Bateman paintings in the world. The gallery invites visitors to discover the natural world through the eyes of the legendary Canadian painter and naturalist.
Set on the seafront overlooking English Bay, the Vancouver Maritime Museum charts Canada’s connections to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Collections include maritime art, model ships, the Children's Maritime Discovery Centre, andSt. Roch, a 1928-built Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner that once trawled the icy Arctic.
A tributary of the Fraser River, this 300-mile (490-kilometer long river is one of British Columbia’s major waterways and a major source of Pacific salmon. Its north and south branches converge in the town of Kamloops, from where it flows gently west—narrowing as it rushes through a scenic, steep-walled canyon.
Stretching from the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver, the Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia and is known as one of the most productive salmon fisheries in the world. Throughout its vast basin, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a range of recreation activities such as white-water rafting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking.
Considered by many to be the best mountain bike park in the world, Whistler Mountain Bike Park features over 60 trails covering 124 miles (200 kilometers) and nearly 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of lift-serviced vertical. With four separate zones and five skills centers, there’s something for mountain bike riders of every ability level.
Dating back to 1968, the HR MacMillan Space Centre is an astronomy museum dedicated to providing a place where kids and adults can discover an enthusiasm for space and earth sciences. Through exhibits, interactive displays, and shows, you can find your inner astronaut in the middle of Vancouver.
The Okanagan Valley is the hub for western Canada’s growing wine industry, with nearly 200 vineyards and wineries. Kelowna, the region’s largest city, sprawls along the shores of Okanagan Lake and offers all you need for a wine-touring holiday. The town also makes a great jumping off point for outdoor adventures in the region.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a year-round resort situated at the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers—just outside Golden, Alberta. Known best for its world-class ski runs, reliable powder, and easily accessible backcountry terrain, Kicking Horse is a summer resort with epic mountain biking, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The resort is also home to Boo, the orphaned grizzly bear.
Canadian modernists, Asian art, and works by Emily Carr anchor the impressive collections at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, where holdings go from fiber art to sculpture and oil paintings. The art gallery is housed in the historic Spencer Mansion, whose manicured gardens are a tranquil setting for a Japanese Shinto shrine.
The Museum of Vancouver in Vanier Park tells the story of the city and its surrounding areas. Visit the largest civic museum in Canada for a deeper understanding of Vancouver, including its First Nations roots. Learn more through its range of historical and contemporary artifacts, stories, and interactive exhibits and programs.
West coast Canada’s oldest lighthouse watches over ships in the Juan de Fuca Strait at this pair of historic sites near Victoria, British Columbia. Gun batteries, concrete walls, and other fortifications comprise the defense system of Fort Rodd Hill, an artillery fort that’s a prime example of 19th-century military engineering.
Spanning for around 179 miles (289 kilometers), the Pacific Marine Circle Route offers drivers and their passengers the chance to take in some of the prettiest scenery on the southern part of Vancouver Island. Expect to pass by quiet towns, alongside epic stretches of coastline, and through sweeping expanses of old-growth forest.
Built to host the 2010 Winter Olympics’ long-track speed skating competitions, the Richmond Olympic Oval is a premier sporting venue for elite and amateur athletes from Canada and beyond. Visitors can watch events or participate in sports at the arena’s two ice rinks, 4-story climbing wall, ice tracks, and fitness center.
Explore the artwork of renowned Haida artist Bill Reid, as well as other First Nations artists, at the Bill Reid Gallery. Located in downtown Vancouver, the gallery offers an exceptional collection of art in its permanent and temporary exhibits, education programs, and presentations that celebrate artwork from the northwest coast.
Though it’s just 11 miles (18 kilometers) long, the Harrison River—a tributary of the Fraser River, which flows through British Columbia—is one of the most important fishing spots in the region. All major species of Pacific salmon can be found here, and riverside hot springs attract travelers looking to relax and unwind.
Arriving in Victoria by ship is a fantastic introduction to the British Columbian capital city and the Victoria Cruise Port is now the busiest cruise ship stop in all of Canada. Conveniently situated at Ogden Point, not far from downtown and Inner Harbour attractions, Victoria Cruise Port is the ideal jumping-off point for exploring British Columbia.
With a trio of beautiful glacier-fed lakes with bright turquoise water and snow-capped mountains, Joffre Lakes Park is one of the prettiest provincial parks in British Columbia. Located northwest of Whistler, visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, mountaineering, and camping at this popular backcountry park.
Located at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, Whistler Village is the heart of this British Columbian town. Featuring a range of lodging options, over 200 shops, more than 90 bars and restaurants, legendary nightlife, and a buzzing live entertainment and arts scene, there’s plenty to see and experience at Whistler Village year-round.
Standing 22 stories high near Vancouver’s Financial District, the Marine Building is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world—it was once also the tallest building in the British Empire. Now mostly offices, both the exterior and the interior are worth a look, and the grand lobby delights with marble, mosaics, stained glass, and more.
