In Nanaimo, waterfront walkways, nature parks and cultural venues offer different ways to explore. Paths run along the water through downtown, while parks focus on walks, wildlife viewing and activities on the water. Museums, historic sites and the Nanaimo Art Gallery add local history and art to the mix.
Nanaimo’s Waterfront Walkways and Parks
The Harbourfront Walkway is a multi-use path along Newcastle Channel and the downtown waterfront promenade. Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo’s notable waterfront park, is also located along the Harbour Front Walkway. This makes it easy to include two distinct waterfront destinations in your travel plans: the walkway and the park.
Located on the water, Neck Point Park is a destination for Nanaimo and the surrounding region, and is recognized as an ecologically sensitive area. Its approximately 3 kilometres of scenic trails include a mix of flat sections and stairs. Nanaimo’s waterfront landscape here also features rugged rocky cliffs, pebble beaches along coves and winding trails through Garry oak groves. The park offers 36 acres of waterfront landscape to explore.
For a longer route, Westwood Lake Park has a 5.51-kilometre trail around the lake. By contrast, Saxer Park has walking trails that are almost 1 kilometre long. The two destinations therefore differ clearly in their stated trail lengths. At Bowen Park, the walk is complemented by interpretive trails along the Millstone River; a walk there also leads to a waterfall and a fish ladder.
Wildlife Viewing and Outdoor Activities
Buttertubs Marsh is a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. In Nanaimo, the area offers opportunities to watch waterfowl and learn more about the local ecosystem. The focus here is on observation and learning about nature, while the trails in the parks are more geared toward walking.
Loudon Park and Walkway is a year-round destination for swimming, paddling, walking and fishing. Nanaimo’s hiking options also range from backcountry routes to urban and beach trails, as well as rocky routes. Sheltered coves offer opportunities for boating and fishing, as well as quick access to the open waters of the Georgia Strait. HMCS Saskatchewan was sunk off Nanaimo in 1997 to create an artificial dive reef.
Culture, Local History and Food
The permanent exhibits at the Nanaimo Museum explore the industries that shaped the city, First Nations history and stories from the community. The museum also shares the vibrant culture of the Snuneymuxw and their oral traditions; its topics also include an exhibit on coal mining. The Bastion is a Nanaimo landmark, designated municipally as a heritage site and listed in the Canadian Register of Heritage Properties.
Cannon firings take place daily at 12 p.m. during the summer months in Bastion Square Park. The Bastion itself is open to the public only in summer. Check current hours before visiting. This helps you account for both the seasonal access restrictions and the scheduled program when planning your visit.
The Nanaimo Art Gallery at 150 Commercial Street houses a permanent art collection and presents temporary art exhibitions. Since the exhibition program can change, it’s worth checking the current exhibitions before your visit. The Old Victoria Arts Centre, or OV Arts Centre, is a municipally owned, bookable venue for the performing arts and a cultural centre. It offers affordable spaces for creative activities, entertainment and events.
For a culinary adventure, the Nanaimo Bar Trail is a self-guided tasting route through cafés, bakeries, restaurants, breweries and boutiques. Participating businesses may change. Nanaimo therefore offers a range of options for planning your trip: waterfront walkways and parks, wildlife viewing, museums and art, or a tasting route through different types of businesses.
Discover more destinations: Gabriola, Bowser, Nanoose Bay, Cassidy, Qualicum Beach, Parksville.
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