South Island
Greater Victoria:
Abkhazi Garden – Exquisite heritage home and garden near downtown Victoria, 1964 Fairfield Rd, 250-598-8096, blog.conservancy.bc.ca
AdrenaLine – guided forest zipline tours, 5128C Sooke Rd, 250-642-1933 or 1-866-947-9145, www.adrenalinezip.com
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria – 1040 Moss Street, 250-384-4101, www.aggv.bc.ca
BC Aviation Museum, 1910 Norseman Rd., near Victoria International Airport, 250-655-3300, www.bcam.net
Bear Mountain – 36 holes of world-class, Nicklaus-designed golf set amid a beautiful West Coast landscape and village, 250-391-7160, bearmountain.ca See ad page 3
Butchart Gardens – 55 acres of gorgeous gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, 250-652-5256, www.butchartgardens.com
Butterfly Gardens – exotic butterflies flying free in an indoor tropical paradise, 1461 Benvenuto Ave, 250-652-3822, www.butterflygardens.com
Capital Regional District Parks – nature outings and special events in Victoria-area parks, 250-478-3344, www.crd.bc.ca/parks
CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, at Naden in Esquimalt, off Admirals Rd., 250-363-4312. www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org
Centre of the Universe – astronomy centre, 5071 West Saanich Rd, 250-363-8262, www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/hia/centre-universe.html
Craigdarroch Castle – built in the 1890s and furnished in Victorian-era splendour, 1050 Joan Cres (off Fort St), 250-592-5323, www.thecastle.ca See ad page 13.
Discover the Past – Ghostly Walks and historical walking tours, www.discoverthepast.com See ad page 16
Emily Carr House – the artist’s childhood home, 207 Government St, 250-383-5843, www.emilycarr.com
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites – Dating from the 1890s find artillery gun batteries, barracks, searchlight emplacements. Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860, was the first lighthouse on Canada’s west coast. New for 2013: on-site accommodations available. Open daily. Located off Ocean Blvd, in Colwood. Fort Rodd Hill Rd, 250-478-5849, www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortroddhill See ad page 16
Government House Gardens – beautiful year-round public gardens, 1401 Rockland Ave, www.ltgov.bc.ca
Great Canadian Casinos – 1708 Old Island Hwy, 250-391-0311, www.greatcanadiancasinos.com
Great Pacific Adventures – tours and rentals, 950 Wharf St, 250-386-2277 or 1-877-733-6722, www.greatpacificadventures.com See ad page 17.
Horticulture Centre of the Pacific – beautiful demonstration gardens, 505 Quayle Rd, 250-479-6162, www.hcp.ca
Hatley Park Castle and Museum – forest, gardens and castle at Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Rd, 250-391-2666 or 1-866-241-0674, www.hatleypark.ca
Maritime Museum of BC – 28 Bastion Sq, 250-385-4222, www.mmbc.bc.ca
Mineral World and Scratch Patch – hunt for gemstones, pan for gold, view interpretive displays, 9808 Seaport Pl, 250-655-4367, www.mineralworld.ca
National Geographic IMAX Theatre – Find a rotating selection of IMAX and feature films, including this summer’s Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure, showing in conjunction with the Royal BC Museum’s Race to the End of the Earth exhibit. 675 Belleville St. (inside the museum), 250-953-IMAX, www.imaxvictoria.com
Point Ellice House – an historic 1867 home offering Victorian house tours, afternoon tea in the heritage garden, 2616 Pleasant St, 250-380-6506, www.pointellicehouse.ca
Prince of Whales – whale watching with hourly departures from the lower Causeway, 812 Wharf St, 250-383-4884 or 1-888-383-4884, www.princeofwhales.com See ad outside back cover.
Royal BC Museum – an outstanding museum of human and natural history; National Geographic IMAX Theatre is also on-site. This summer, take in Race to the End of the Earth, a brilliant exhibit exploring the 1911, race to be the first to reach the South Pole. 675 Belleville St, 250-356-7226 or 1-888-447-7977, www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Saanich Historical Artifacts Society Heritage Acres – artifacts from our rural past on 29 acres, 7321 Lochside Dr, 250-652-5522, www.shas.ca
Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre – The aquarium of the Salish Sea, 9811 Seaport Pl, Sidney, 250-665-7511, www.oceandiscovery.ca See ad page 20
St. Ann’s Academy – an exquisite historic treasure, 835 Humboldt St., 250-953-8828, www.stannsacademy.com
Sidney Museum – 2423 Beacon Ave, 250-655-6355, www.sidneymuseum.ca
SpringTide Whale Tours – marine mammal and whale watching, 1119 Wharf St, 250-384-4444, 1-800-470-3474, www.springtidecharters.com See ad page 2
Undersea Gardens – ocean creatures, live dive show, 490 Belleville St, 250-382-5717, www.pacificunderseagardens.com
Victoria Bug Zoo – Discover more than 50 fascinating species of LIVE giant tropical insects and arachnids. Interactive and hands-on fun for the more adventurous. Unique giftshop. Open daily. 631 Courtney St, Victoria, 384-BUGS (2847), www.bugzoo.com See ad page 17
West Shore Family Fun Park – Mini-golf, water park, playzone, bowling and more, 1089 Langford Pkwy, 250-391-1738, www.eagleridgecentre.com See ad page 15
Wildplay Element Parks – Monkido aerial adventure park, 1767 Island Hwy, behind Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, 250-590-7529 or 1-888-856-7275, www.wildplayparks.com Also in Nanaimo.
Cowichan Valley:
BC Forest Discovery Centre – the past, present and future of forestry, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan, 250-715-1113, www.bcforestmuseum.com
Chemainus Theatre –Exceptional destination theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd, 250-246-9820 or 1-800-565-7738, www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca See ad page 27
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre – unique maritime museum along a pier, 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd., 250-746-4955, www.classicboats.org
Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives – in the old train station, 130 Canada Ave, Duncan, 250-746-6612, www.CowichanValleyMuseum.bc.ca
Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre – 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan, 250-746-8119 or 1-877-746-8119, www.quwutsun.ca
Central Island
Nanaimo:
Barton & Leier Gallery – Paintings, jewellery, garden charms and more, 114 -99 Chapel St, 250-591-1111, www.bartonandleiergallery.com
Casino Nanimo, 620 Terminal Ave, 250-753-3033, www.greatcanadiancasinos.com/nanaimo/
Nanaimo Aquatic Centre – wave pool, three slides, lazy river and more, 741 Third St, 250-756-5200.
Nanaimo Museum & Bastion‚ 100 Museum Way, 250-753-1821, www.nanaimomuseum.ca
Nanaimo Harbour Ferry & Cruises, 1-877-297-8526, www.nanaimoharbourferry.com
Yellow Point Cranberry Farm, near Ladysmith, 4532 Yellow Point Rd, 250-245-5283, www.yellowpointcranberries.com
WildPlay Element Parks – bungy jumping, Monkido aerial adventure park, King Swing, Canyon Zip and more, 35 Nanaimo River Rd, 250-716-7874 or 1-888-856-7275, www.wildplay.com
Port Alberni:
Alberni Golf Club – 6449 Cherry Creek Rd, 250-723-5422, www.albernigolf.com
Alberni Pacific Railway – catch the 1929 steam train at the station for 35-min ride to McLean Mill National Historic Site, mid-June to Sept, 3100 Kingsway, 250-723-1376. www.alberniheritage.com See ad page 36.
Alberni Valley Museum, 4255 Wallace St, 250-723-2181, www.alberniheritage.com See ad page 36.
Clock Tower Gallery, Harbour Quay, 250-724-5999.
Maritime Discovery Centre, Harbour Quay, 250-723-2164, www.alberniheritage.com
McLean Mill National Historic Site – explore BC’s forest heritage at a 1925 mill, Canada’s last remaining steam-powered sawmill and Alberni Pacific Steam Railway, mid-June to Sept, 5633 Smith Rd, 250-723-1376, www.alberniheritage.com See ad page 36.
Lady Rose Marine Service – scenic cruises on the Alberni Inlet from Port Alberni to Bamfield and Ucluelet aboard the MV Frances Barkley, 250-723-8313 or 800-663-7192, www.ladyrosemarine.com See ad page 39.
Oceanside:
Bard to Broadway Theatre Society – summer-long repertory theatre, downtown Qualicum Beach, 250-752-4470, www.b2btheatre.com
Butterfly World and Gardens – on Hwy 4A, Coombs, 250-248-7026, www.nature-world.com
Cathedral Grove – In MacMillan Provincial Park, on the road to Port Alberni, this is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. Stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas fir trees – some more than 800 years old.
Englishman River Falls – 20 minutes from the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area, this park offers camping, hiking/walking/biking trails, freshwater fishing, a summer swimming hole and spectacular photo opportunities.
Heritage Forest of Qualicum Beach – 50-acre old growth forest, blocks from the town centre; parking and several trail access points available, www.qualicumbeach.net/heritage
Horne Lake Caves & Spider Lake – A family-oriented park featuring educational guided and self-guided tours into the park’s fascinating caves. Find a beautiful freshwater lake perfect for swimming and canoeing and a rock climbing amphitheatre. Great for rainy days too. 250-248-7829, 101 Horne Lk. Caves Rd. http://hornelake.com/
Little Qualicum Falls – Just west of Parksville, this lovely park offers shaded riverside walking trails, playground, camping, and picnic facilities. Some of the trails are wheelchair accessible.
Milner Gardens and Woodland – 60-acre old growth Douglas fir forest surrounding a 10-acre heritage seaside garden with rhododendrons, educational tours, afternoon tea through October, 2179 West Island Hwy, Qualicum, 250-752-6153, www.milnergardens.org See ad page 35
Nature Mini Golf at Riverside Resort, 3506 West Isl. Hwy, Qualicum Beach, 250-752-9544 or 1-877-450-2211, www.myriversideresort.com
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre – ill or injured wildlife get some TLC before returning to the wild; public welcome mid-March to October, 1240 Leffler Rd, Errington, 250-248-8534,
www.niwra.org See ad page 36
Paradise Fun Park – mini-golf, bumper boats and more, 375 W. Island Hwy, Parksville, 250- 248-6612,
www.paradisefunpark.net
Qualicum Beach Museum –
587 Beach Rd, 250-752-5533, www.qbmuseum.net
Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf – 1000 Resort Dr, Parksville, 250-248-8290, www.riptidelagoon.com See ad page 32
The Old School House Arts Centre – three galleries, gift shop, art classes and working studios, 122 Fern Rd West, Qualicum Beach, 250-752-6133, www.theoldschoolhouse.org
Tiger Lily Farm – farm activities and animals, 1692 Errington Rd, Errington, BC 250-248-2408, www.tigerlilyfarm.ca
World Parrot Refuge – 2116 Alberni
Hwy, Coombs, 250-248-5194, www.worldparrotrefuge.org
West Coast:
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre – Bamfield, 250-728-3301 ext.226,
www.bms.bc.ca
Jamie’s Whaling Station – Whale and wildlife watching tours from Ucluelet, 1-877-726-7444, and Tofino, 1-800-667-9913, jamies.com See ad page 38
Ocean Outfitters – whale & wildlife excursions, 368 Main Street, Tofino, 877-906-2326, www.oceanoutfitters.bc.ca
See ad page 43
The Whale Centre – whale and wildlife tours, Tofino, 250-725-2132 or 1-888-474-2288, www.tofinowhalecentre.com See ad page 43.
North Island
Comox Valley:
Comox Airforce Museum – Canadian Forces Base Comox, Lazo, 250-339-8162, www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca See ad page 47.
Crown Isle Golf Resort – Luxury accommodations, 18-hole championship course, dining and more. 399 Clubhouse Dr, Courtenay, 1-888-338-8439 or
250-703-5000, www.crownisle.com
Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre – 207 Fourth St., Courtenay, 250-334-0686, www.courtenaymuseum.ca
Cumberland Museum and Archives – 2680 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland, 250-336-2445, www.cumberlandmuseum.ca
Filberg Lodge and Park – heritage lodge and a lovely garden, 61 Filberg Rd, Comox, 250-339-2715, www.filberg.com
Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens – 6183 Whitaker Rd, Courtenay, 250-338-6901, www.woodlandgardens.ca
Seaview Game Farm – 1392 Seaview Rd – Black Creek, 250-337-5182,
www.seaviewgamefarm.com
Campbell River:
Aboriginal Journeys – Whale watching and grizzly bear tours, Campbell River, 1-888-455-8101,
www.aboriginaljourneys.com
Coast Mountain Expedition – Sea kayak expeditions in the Discovery Islands, near Campbell River, 250-285-2823, www.coastmountainexpeditions.com See ad page 50
Destiny River Adventures – Guided river rafting tours from whitewater rafting to scenic river floats and snorkeling with salmon, 250-287-4800, www.destinyriver.com See ad page 48
Discovery Marine Safaris – Whale watching and grizzly bear excursions, 1-866-501-6722, adventurewhalewatching.com See ad page 51
Discovery Pier – landmark fishing pier ideal for strolls, 700-block Island Hwy.
Haig Brown House – seminars and workshops on conservation writing and fly fishing, 2250 Campbell River Rd, 250-286-6646, www.haig-brown.bc.ca
Maritime Heritage Centre –
621 Island Hwy, 250-286-3161, www.bcp45.org
Museum at Campbell River – ancient First Nations culture and settlement history, extensive archives, special exhibits and year-round programs, 470 Island Hwy, 250-287-3103, www.crmuseum.ca
Gold River
Get West Adventures – Adventure cruises aboard the historic Uchuck III, 1-250-283-2515, www.getwest.ca See ad page 6
Telegraph Cove:
Stubbs Island Charters – whale watching cruises and specialty tours; reservations recommended, 250-928-3185 or 1-800-665-3066, www.stubbs-island.com See ad page 63.
Tide Rip Tours – Grizzly bear tours, 250-339-5320, 1-888-643-9319, www.grizzlycanada.com See ad page 52
Whale Interpretive Centre – marine mammal education centre, 250-928-3129 (mid-May to October),
www.killerwhalecentre.org
Alert Bay
U’mista Cultural Centre – First Nations art and culture, 250-974-5403, www.umista.ca, or 250-974-5024, http://alertbay.ca
Port Hardy
Cape Scott Water Taxi – Port Hardy, 250-949-6541 or 800-246-0093 www.capescottwatertaxi.ca See ad on page 49.
Starfish Charters – Port Hardy, 888-363-4741, www.starfishcharters.com