Welcome to British Columbia

Welcome to “Beautiful British Columbia,” where you’ll find eco-tourism options in abundance—from craggy and cove-filled coastlines to rocky and snow-capped mountains to vast tracts of easily accessible wilderness.

There’s something for everyone here. The northern half of the province is dotted with remote towns and communities. The central western coast serves up First Nations culture and some of the best fishing in the country. In the southern interior, the comparatively dry and arid Okanagan region makes for world-class wine country.

Most visitors, however, will find themselves drawn to BC’s southwest corner, home to the capital city Victoria and Vancouver Island, along with the greater Vancouver area and the world-famous ski village of Whistler.

Must-see highlights and must-visit attractions in Vancouver include Stanley Park (named the Best Park in the World in 2014), Science World, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Aquarium and Granville Island. In Whistler, be sure take a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which lets you slowly soar over a mesmerizing mountain valley. In Victoria, take a stroll around the city’s Inner Harbour.

Adventure

This is the land of ecotourism, so no matter where you decide to set up camp and go exploring, you’ll find plenty of options to stretch your legs and see the sights. Kayak the coast, go whale watching off Vancouver Island, bike the Okanagan, or hit the world-class slopes in Whistler and Blackcomb to see the variety of what British Colombia has to offer.

If you’re in Vancouver, Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain sit on the city’s doorstep, each offering a world of adventure and escape. Lynn Canyon Park is laced with gentle hiking trails and sports a scenic suspension bridge, while Grouse Mountain offers everything from zip- lining and paragliding to skiing and snowboarding.

If you’re looking to go a bit off the beaten path, look no further than the Great Bear Rainforest on the central coast, near the town of Kitimat. This untouched wilderness is home to grizzlies, the Kermode (spirit) bear (a subspecies of the black bear notable for its light coat), dolphins, an abundance of marine life, and a landscape of fjords, cliffs and estuaries.

In southeastern BC near the Alberta border, you can explore the Canadian Rockies at Mount Robson Provincial Park (a World Heritage Site) and Yoho National Park.

When you’re tired of hiking, biking, and paddling, slide behind the wheel and take a driving adventure along the legendary Alaska Highway. Stretching nearly 600 miles, this remote stretch of road meanders through the Rockies and BC’s incredibly wild northern landscapes.

Other highlights include hitting the links at one of many championship gold courses in the Okanagan Valley, chewing up fresh powder at Whistler or in the Kootenays, or grabbing a board and catching big waves at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Entertainment

From ski fests to rodeos, British Columbia has all kinds of annual events and festivals that are fun for the whole family.

If you’re visiting Greater Vancouver in July you can watch countries compete in the Celebration of Light fireworks competition, or take in a show at the International Jazz Fest. In August and September the Fair at the Phinney Neighborhood Association comes to town. This family-friendly event has been running for more than 100 years and features amusement park rides, concerts, and livestock shows.

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival, held each March on Vancouver Island, coincides with the migration of around 20,000 gray whales up the coast en route to the Arctic. There are a variety of events, including education seminars and activities for children.

Other highlights on the yearly events calendar include the Vancouver International Film Festival, Abbotsford Airshow, and Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival.

Heritage

Like so many other western provinces and states, British Columbia was a lucrative if not risky destination for scrappy explorers and fur traders well into the eighteenth century.

At the Fort Langley National Historic Site, just a short distance west of downtown Vancouver, you can explore the early days of the BC fur trade by walking around one of its original outposts. There are interactive presentations, lots of exhibits and the opportunity to stand on the exact spot where the province was declared a British colony.

Of course, European fur traders were far from the first people in BC. The province has a rich First Nations history, which can be explored at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. The museum first opened its doors in 1886, and tells the story of BC from its geological formation to the region’s First Nations culture to BC’s first European settlement.

History buffs will love the Museum of Vancouver and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Other wonderful historical stops include the Emily Carr House in Victoria, the Squamish Lil’way Cultural Centre in Whistler and Burnaby Village Museum.