Speaking of hiking, head across the big orange bridge (referred to as ‘BOB’ by the locals) and make your way to the Pulpit Rock trail head. The winter months are cold in Nelson, but if you are a fan of winter activities (like many people in Canada) this can be a wonderful time to plan a trip to Nelson. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you at all. Head across the bridge again and stay on what turns into Highway 3A. Besides being served at quite a few local restaurants and bars, beers from Nelson Brewing Company are also available across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. See all. May and September are nice months to visit Nelson as well, while temperatures are a bit lower you will get to admire beautiful flowers in Spring and the leaves turning color in Autumn. Nelson Brewing Company is the most well-known, this organic brewery has won several awards with its Hooligan Organic Pilsner and brews many other types of beers, ales, and IPAs. It’s not the easiest hike, but there are hiking sticks left at the beginning of the trail to help you along. Meatlovers can get their fix at Jackson’s Hole & Grill (try the Steak Sandwich or Jackson’s Loaded Burger) while those who looking for a tasty burrito, taco, or quesadilla will love Cantina Del Centro. I’d recommend at least 2 or 3 days to fully enjoy and appreciate Nelson, its beauty and its culture. This place is full of old heritage homes that are beautifully set among the hills. It’s all uphill in Nelson and you just have to get used to it. Nelson is a lovely village in the Kootenays and a must-visit on any British Columbia road trip. You just line up at the end of the road and drive you car onto the ferry. Nelson’s Streetcar #23 has been in operation since 1924 and runs between the Prestige Lakeside Resort and the Rose Garden Cafe. Camping is a great option if you love the outdoors as much as we do and you’ve got your own campervan or rented one. They include everything from outdoor adventures through to the arts, galleries, culture and dining. The main beach at Lake Side Park is decent, but all the locals head to 5 Mile Beach. Read Next: Discover Radium Hot Springs, My Favorite Canadian Hidden Gem. One of the most fun things to do in Nelson is riding the electric tram. Torchlight Brewery also serves up some tasty dishes to go along your drink. Founded as a mining town in the late 19th century, Nelson has done a great job in preserving its many heritage buildings. Found right in the middle of a dense, mossy forest, these falls are definitely worth a pit stop. Oso Negro Coffee (609) 1.3 mi $$ - $$$ Cafe. There are several international airports near Nelson, you can find more detailed information here. This one is way better! Quite impressive up close. Nelson has a lively city center, with Baker Street at its core. For instance, it’s an 8 hour drive from Vancouver. The Touchstones Museum is the place to go when you want to learn about the history of Nelson and its surroundings. I'm Alyssa - the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of this travel blog. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. The starting point is the parking lot at Johnstone Road. And a very informative post. Hidden waterfalls, natural hot springs, wellness retreats and epic hiking trails are just a few of the incredible things to do in Nelson and Kaslo, B.C., which are the gateway to outdoor adventures in the Kootenay Rockies. We did a house-sit in Nelson via Trusted Housesitters and loved spending a couple of days in one place (instead of staying at a different campsite every night). Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is unique as the springs have been used by the Ktunaxa people for their restorative properties for ages. I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Nelson and will fall as much in love with this beautiful town in the Kootenays as I did. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Nelson, New Zealand on Tripadvisor: See 50,691 traveler reviews and photos of Nelson tourist attractions. Nature & Parks 1. Being from the east of Canada, we don’t travel within the country often but we’ll probably make an exception for BC and Alberta because the scenery is just breathtaking. Founded in the late 1800s, the community got its economic boom from the silver mine operation. The museum is home to permanent collections that celebrate and educate visitors about the Sinixt and Ktunaxa nations, Nelson’s mining history, European exploration in the area, and other components of the city’s history. The warm water originates in Cody Caves and contains many minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium. If you’re in the area for a couple nights or more, enjoy a little more breathing space out here in your own cabin and enjoy an outdoor campfire and a visit to the A-frame sauna on the property! Be sure to bring your camera while you are walking, biking, boating or driving and remember to let others know that you discovered Nelson via ilovenelson.com! Ride the ferry between Balfour Bay and Kootenay Bay. The ship is kept in pristine condition and inside there are many historical objects on display. Boating. Check out this beautiful apartment in the heart of town or this unique Tiny House in the forest. Then it’s a little hidden trail/walkway through the bushes in between two bed and breakfast properties. Pay attention to the signs along the way because you will see 1 mile, 3 mile and eventually 5 mile. Service runs every day in the summer and it’s a great way to leisurely check out the sites near the beach and Lake Side Park. What do do in Nelson BC No matter if you’re craving Indian, Mexican, steak or Italian, there are plenty of options for dinner in Nelson. Pretty epic and worth spending a couple of hours as the sun goes down. Where: 602 Lake Street, Nelson; 800-666-9420. Admire the old buildings and be transported back in time. Every year in mid-August is the Nelson International Mural Festival where fresh murals are painted around town by renowned local and international artists. You can leave a comment below or send me a message. Or, if you’re hungry, get a wrap, salad, or poutine from the Rose Garden Cafe and have a picnic! Stanley Park. Here you can find many shops, restaurants, and bars. If you’re lucky you can even blow the ship’s steam whistle! You can also get to Nelson by bus from Vancouver (via Kelowna) and from Calgary (via Kaslo). The Nelson and District Museum, Archives, Art Gallery and Historical Society (MAAG), known locally as Touchstones Nelson, is the cultural and historical heart of the city. Your email address will not be published. The town is full of local talent that are always at the park, stop by for a few minutes and watch some cool tricks! This country is massive and domestic flights are still so expensive. Climbing. Read more. Kootenay Rockies. It’s been recently renovated (shower was awesome) and there’s a cool rooftop patio with a sauna. The entrance fee for the S.S. Moyie is $12, opening hours are from 10 am to 4:15 pm daily. Top Things To Do in Nelson, British Columbia Top things to do in or near the city of Nelson, BC, Canada. Sort by: Traveler Favorites. The Nutcracker ballet is a magical, festive, family treat about a Christmas gathering … The airport is right in town and since it’s such a narrow valley, it’s quite the approach. While you’re there, sample the many local craft beers. If you’re headed to the coolest hippie town in Canada, you’re in for a treat! Website. Grab some ice cream and have a seat under the misters! Find Things To Do in Nelson. By the iconic Nelson Bridge, Lakeside Park is a flower-filled, shady park and a beach, and has a great summer cafe. Thanks for stopping by! For those not into skiing, there are several multi-use trails for nordic skiing and snowshoeing as well. For a mere $3.00 you can enjoy a lovely ride along the water and through the park. Today 2:00pm / Ballet. You’ll be ascending approximately 340 meters but your effort will be rewarded with a beautiful view over Nelson town and its surroundings. The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to operate the Nelson and Area Visitor Centre located near the west entrance of Nelson at 91 Baker Street in the Railtown District. We bought a van in Vancouver which we converted into a small campervan and drove around Canada and the U.S.A. for five months. Nelson, BC. Located just north of downtown, at the foot of the iconic BOB (Big Orange Bridge, aka Nelson Bridge), it’s where locals and visitors go to relax, go for a swim, read a book, or play a game of volleyball. Since there’s an internationally renowned ski resort minutes from town, a lot of the locals skateboard in the summertime. There are plenty of accommodation options in Nelson, suitable for any budget. The largest town in the Port Stephens area, Nelson Bay is an exciting hub and a great place to base yourself to explore the delights of the region. GOLFING. Liked this post? Driving here makes you feel quite secluded. Whether you skateboard or not, the Nelson skatepark is a cool place to hang out. I try my utmost to keep this information up to date but please check the official websites of the places included in the article before visiting. Here they have the large hot springs pool, but they’ve also left the natural cave that’s carved into the mountain. Accommodation discount: if you have never traveled with Airbnb before you can get €30 of your first Airbnb stay with this link! Nestled in the heart of the west Kootenay region of British Columbia and on the edge of the Selkirk Mountains lies the sleepy, laid back town of Nelson. Nelson gets hot and what better way to cool down than hitting the beach and jumping in the chilly refreshing Kootenay Lake. Check out Trusted Housesitters for more information. Towns in Nelson Tasman On the doorstep of Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Tasman is a place of sunshine and golden beaches. Pack a picnic and visit one of Kootenay Lake’s white sand beaches. Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Nelson, British Columbia Canada. Explore the city center. Take a hike. Read more. It’s walking distance to shops and restaurants downtown, and has the most amazing coffee shop around the corner. Read more information here. Please check my disclosure page for more information. A short hike off the highway will reward you with some pretty impressive falls. This is one of my favorite of the developed hot springs pools in British Columbia. Six short months ago my husband, daughter and I left our home city, family, and friends and moved to Nelson, BC. Many residents here are artists or have eclectic tastes, so you can find some really neat stuff. If you’re looking for a nice hostel or hotel, there are several excellent options (the accommodations below are all rated 9+ on Booking). The Provincial Parks surrounding Nelson are stunning and driving here from Vancouver (8 hours) or Calgary (6.5 hours) makes for a wonderful scenic road trip. You literally get to wade through a cave of steaming hot mineral water in the side of a mountain. I only share products and services that I know, love and trust. Fun fact: Nelson was the second town west of Winnipeg that built a streetcar system. The following are 10 things you’ll want to do in Nelson BC. Hiking. Clothing silk screened made by Casey Hiebert (6 years old). You Might Also Like: The Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip You Need to Take This Summer. Nelson. The Railway Station, Courthouse, and Firehall are just a few examples of the landmarks found in this pretty town. 310 Ward Street, Nelson, BC. After it curves to the right you will see a small area with cars parked and the entrance sign for the trail head. On this map, you can find all heritage sites in Nelson and the town of Kaslo (70 km from Nelson. There isn’t much parking on the side of the road, so find a spot where you can. There are so many colors, patterns and textures that make for perfect Insta-worthy shots. Follow the trail all the way up to the top and you will be rewarded with stunning views overlooking the lake, the airport and the entire town. No matter what direction you come from, long windy roads cut through the thick forest before your arrival in this once-booming silver mining community. Oso Negro is another popular one and Empire Coffee has the cutest patio. If you love animals, house sitting can be a great option. But, it’s only a 3 hour drive from Spokane, Washington. This National Historic Site and British Columbia Historic Landmark can be found in Kaslo, about 70 kilometers from Nelson. Located in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia, Canada. Nelson lies on the banks of the west arm of Kootenay Lake and therefore offers plenty of water activities and sports such as canoeing, paddling, kayaking, boating, and fishing. They have a tasting lounge and beers with funky names like Rhubarbarian and Cyber Mammoth on tap. 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