Located a relatively short ride away by ferry from mainland Vancouver is the scenic port city of Nanaimo.
Known as the city of forests and lakes, this beautiful town has much to offer visitors.
From outdoor activities like golfing or kayaking to cultural experiences like visiting an art gallery or taking in a concert at one of the city’s theaters, Nanaimo has something to suit all ages and interests.
Other popular things to do here include whale watching and wildlife tours, exploring the local parks, and taking in the sights as you stroll along the Harbourfront Walkway.
For more ideas, see our list of top attractions in Nanaimo below
The 91 Most Popular Things To Do In Nanaimo, British Columbia
91. Extension Ridge Trail
4.5
(2 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 540 Virostko Road Extension BC
Web Address: https://rdn.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2021-03/The%20Great%20Trail.pdf
90. Westwood Lake Trail
5.0
(2 reviews)
Credit: lauralefurgeysmith, License, Wikimedia commons
89. Lonetree Hill
5.0
(2 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Flickr
Location: 6WF6+C6 Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/lonetree-hill
88. Winchelsea Islands
3.5
(2 reviews)
Credit: Adam Walker, photographer,, License, Wikimedia commons
87. Cathers Lake
4.5
(2 reviews)
Credit: Toyosi Jolaawo, Google Maps
86. Richard Lake
4.0
(2 reviews)
Credit: Richard Powell, License, Wikimedia commons
85. Nanaimo River Estuary
4.5
(2 reviews)
Credit: Ymblanter, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1160 Island Hwy Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/recreation-parks/parks-trails/natural-areas/nanaimo-estuary
84. Jesse Island
4.3
(3 reviews)
Credit: Masterhatch, License, Wikimedia commons
83. Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park
4.7
(3 reviews)
Credit: Doug Cook, Google Maps
Location: British Columbia
Web Address: http://env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/whaleboat/
82. McKay Lake
5.0
(3 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
81. Beaufort Park Food Forest
4.3
(4 reviews)Location: Nanaimo BC
80. Timberland Lake
4.8
(5 reviews)
Credit: Dean Marvel, Google Maps
79. Snake Island
4.4
(5 reviews)
Credit: KenWalker, License, Wikimedia commons
78. Diver Lake
4.3
(6 reviews)
Credit: James, License, Wikimedia commons
77. Blind Lake
4.5
(6 reviews)
Credit: Andrew Cavey, Google Maps
76. Tourism Vancouver Island – Administration Office
3.7
(7 reviews)
Credit: Tourism Vancouver Island – Administration Office, Google Maps
Location: 1934 Boxwood Road #201 Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 3500
Web Address: http://tourismvi.ca/
75. Harewood Plains
4.6
(7 reviews)
Credit: Ksenia Papicheva, Google Maps
Location: Nanaimo BC
74. Enos Lake
4.5
(8 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
73. Five Finger Island
4.5
(8 reviews)
Credit: KenWalker, License, Wikimedia commons
72. Entrance Island
4.9
(9 reviews)
Credit: Theressa1976, License, Wikimedia commons
71. De Courcy Island
5.0
(13 reviews)
Credit: Adam Walker, photographer,, License, Wikimedia commons
70. Nanaimo River
4.5
(15 reviews)
Credit: Ymblanter, License, Wikimedia commons
69. Brannen Lake
4.5
(15 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Flickr
68. Mudge Island
4.5
(18 reviews)67. Kanaka Bay
4.7
(18 reviews)
Credit: Small, License, Flickr
Web Address: http://newcastleisland.ca/
66. Chateau Wolff Estate Winery and Vineyard
4.5
(22 reviews)
Credit: Chateau Wolff Estate Winery and Vineyard, Google Maps
Location: Subd A 2534 Maxey Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 778 441 2625
Web Address: http://chateauwolff.com/
65. Invermere Beach Access
4.8
(23 reviews)
Credit: Adrian Carotenuto, Google Maps
Location: 6420 Invermere Road Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/157-Invermere-Beach-Access
64. Protection Island
4.9
(27 reviews)63. Robert’s Roost
4.3
(27 reviews)
Location: C Nanaimo BC
62. Arbutus Grove Provincial Park
4.2
(27 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8584 Rumming Road Lantzville BC
Web Address: http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/arbutus_grove/
61. Quennell Lake
4.4
(27 reviews)
Credit: Brad Booth, Google Maps
60. Long Lake
4.4
(32 reviews)
Credit: longlakewaterfrontbb…, License, Wikimedia commons
59. Millstone Estate Winery
3.8
(35 reviews)
Credit: Danny Gauthier, Google Maps
Location: 2300 E Wellington Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 716 3549
Web Address: http://millstonewinery.ca/
58. The Bastion
4.4
(42 reviews)
Credit: KenWalker, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 98 Front Street Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 1821
Web Address: http://nanaimomuseum.ca/exhibits-collections/the-bastion/
57. Departure Bay Beach
4.5
(55 reviews)
Credit: Masterhatch, License, Wikimedia commons
56. Mount Benson
4.7
(59 reviews)
Credit: Wasrts, License, Wikimedia commons
55. Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park
4.7
(65 reviews)
Credit: Cliff Schubert, Google Maps
Location: Gabriola BC
Tel: 250 539 2115
Web Address: http://env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/pirates/
54. Joan Point Park
4.7
(75 reviews)
Credit: David Abercrombie, License, Flickr
Location: 1060 Phoenix Way Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 390 4111
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/370-Joan-Point-Park
53. Chase River Estuary Park
3.9
(75 reviews)
Location: 1160 Island Hwy Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/241-Chase-River-Estuary-Park
52. Neck Point Park parking lot
4.5
(86 reviews)
Credit: Richard Jamieson, Google Maps
Location: 1029 1031 Morningside Dr Nanaimo BC
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/224-Neck-Point-Park
51. Brickyard Community Park
4.6
(89 reviews)
Credit: Paul Ryan, Google Maps
Location: 3828 Amberwood Ln Nanoose Bay BC
Tel: 250 390 4111
Web Address: http://rdn.bc.ca/search
50. Vancouver Island Military Museum
4.8
(94 reviews)
Credit: Michael Linus, Google Maps
Location: 100 Cameron Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 3814
Web Address: http://vimilitarymuseum.ca/
49. Notch Hill Park
4.6
(98 reviews)
Credit: Lost Wandering Wander Guide, Google Maps
Location: 9G2 Powder Point Road Nanoose Bay BC
Tel: 250 390 4111
48. Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge
4.5
(99 reviews)
Credit: Chris Findlay, Google Maps
Location: British Columbia
Web Address: https://rdn.bc.ca/search
47. Swy-A-Lana Lagoon Fishing Pier
4.6
(108 reviews)
Credit: Masterhatch, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nanaimo BC
46. May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park
4.4
(110 reviews)
Location: 6700 Dover Road Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/158-May-Richards-Bennett-Pioneer-Park
45. Witchcraft Lake
4.6
(118 reviews)
Credit: Jeffrey Gray, Google Maps
Location: 2765 Benson View Road Nanaimo BC
44. Lost Lake Trail
4.6
(121 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4877 Lost Lake Road Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/244-Lost-Lake-Trail
43. Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park
4.4
(126 reviews)
Credit: popejon2, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1850 Morden Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 474 1336
Web Address: http://env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/morden/
42. Benson Creek Falls Regional Park
4.5
(154 reviews)Location: Doumont Road & Weigles Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 248 3252
Web Address: https://rdn.bc.ca/benson-creek-falls-regional-park
41. Cable Bay Trail
4.7
(160 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1709 Wilkinson Road Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/114-Cable-Bay-Trail
40. Diver Lake Park
4.4
(163 reviews)
Location: 2430 Black Franks Dr Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 4251
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/95-Diver-Lake-Park
39. Parking – Cable Bay Trail
4.7
(180 reviews)
Location: 2705 Nicola Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 4251
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/114-Cable-Bay-Trail)
38. Beach Estates Park
4.6
(186 reviews)
Credit: Andy Nystrom, License, Flickr
Location: 2140 Departure Bay Road Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/65-Beach-Estates-Park
37. Old City Quarter
4.2
(189 reviews)
Credit: Heather Cowper, License, Flickr
Location: Fitzwilliam Street Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 8787
Web Address: http://oldcityquarter.com/
36. Loudon Park and Trail
4.4
(195 reviews)
Credit: Gee king Chen, Google Maps
Location: 4295 Victoria Ave Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/113-Loudon-Park-and-Trail
35. Malaspina Galleries
4.8
(203 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 99 Malaspina Dr Gabriola BC
34. The Abyss Trail
4.4
(208 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: C Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://rdn.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2021-03/The%20Great%20Trail.pdf
33. Gabriola Sands Provincial Park
4.6
(209 reviews)
Location: 230 Ricardo Road Gabriola BC
Web Address: http://env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/gabriola_sands/
32. Nanaimo River Regional Park
4.6
(234 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1955 Frey Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 248 4744
31. Brechin Lanes
4.7
(234 reviews)
Credit: Brechin Lanes, Google Maps
Location: 1870 E Wellington Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 2341
Web Address: https://brechinlanes.ca/
30. Sugarloaf Mountain Park
4.7
(241 reviews)
Credit: Ben Craster, Google Maps
Location: 3160 Marion Way Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 755 7515
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/79-Sugarloaf-Mountain-Park
29. Hemer Provincial Park
4.6
(242 reviews)Location: Hwy 1 Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 474 1336
Web Address: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/hemer/
28. Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park
4.6
(263 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3669 Rock City Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/254-Linley-Valley-Cottle-Lake-Park
27. Petroglyph Provincial Park
3.6
(282 reviews)
Credit: Ymblanter, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 990Trans Hwy Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 474 1336
Web Address: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/petroglyph/
26. Jumping Jiminy’s Playground & Cafe Inc
4.0
(294 reviews)Location: 2980 North Island Hwy N #400 Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 729 0999
Web Address: http://jumpingjiminys.com/
25. Oliver Woods Park
4.7
(299 reviews)
Credit: Em von Euw, Google Maps
Location: 6000 Oliver Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/257-Oliver-Woods-Park
24. Tourism Nanaimo Visitor Centre
4.3
(334 reviews)
Credit: Tourism Nanaimo Visitor Centre, Google Maps
Location: 2450 Northfield Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 800 663 7337
Web Address: http://tourismnanaimo.com/
23. Harbour Air Seaplanes
4.7
(345 reviews)
Credit: Dietmar Rabich, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 90 Front Street Unit 1A Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 714 0900
Web Address: http://harbourair.com/
22. Buttertubs Marsh Park
4.6
(377 reviews)
Credit: Janne Råman, Google Maps
Location: 197 Bird Sanctuary Dr Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/177-Buttertubs-Marsh-Park
21. Blueback Beach Access
4.6
(385 reviews)
Credit: Coburn Tom, Google Maps
Location: 6300 Icarus Dr Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 4251
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/Details/214-Blueback-Beach-Access-
20. Harewood Centennial Park
4.5
(394 reviews)
Credit: Harewood Centennial Park, Google Maps
Location: 740 Howard Ave Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/9-Harewood-Centennial-Park-(Sherry-Fields)
19. Morrell Nature Sanctuary
4.8
(424 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 787 Nanaimo Lakes Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 5811
Web Address: http://morrellnaturesanctuary.ca/
18. WildPlay Nanaimo
4.6
(676 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 35 Nanaimo River Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 855 595 2251
Web Address: https://wildplay.com/nanaimo/
17. Casino Nanaimo
3.8
(763 reviews)
Credit: Sean Lundy, Google Maps
Location: 620 Terminal Ave Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 3033
Web Address: http://casinonanaimo.com/
16. Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
4.4
(772 reviews)
Credit: Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Google Maps
Location: 741 Third Street Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/facilities/Details/147-Nanaimo-Aquatic-Centre
15. Beban Park
4.4
(1,040 reviews)
Credit: Andy Nystrom, License, Flickr
Location: 2300 Bowen Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: http://recreation.nanaimo.ca/
14. Westwood Lake Park
4.7
(1,356 reviews)
Credit: John Anderson, License, Flickr
Location: 381 Westwood Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 802 3967
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/32-Westwood-Lake-Park
13. Bowen Park
4.6
(1,396 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 500 Bowen Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 755 7501
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/parks/56-Bowen-Park
12. Pipers Lagoon Park
4.8
(1,441 reviews)
Credit: Sam Wilson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3600 Place Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/129-Pipers-Lagoon-Park
11. Neck Point Park
4.8
(1,602 reviews)
Credit: Darren Kirby, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1055 Morningside Dr Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/224-Neck-Point-Park
10. Maffeo Sutton Park
4.6
(2,578 reviews)Location: 100 Comox Road Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 756 5200
Web Address: http://nanaimo.ca/PRC/Locations/Parks/50-Maffeo-Sutton-Park
Our Top picks
9. Newcastle Island
4.9
(42 reviews)
Credit: Aaron Warbrick, License, Wikimedia commons
8. Westwood Lake
4.9
(87 reviews)7. Ammonite Falls
4.6
(114 reviews)
Credit: Gerry Thomasen, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nanaimo BC
6. Nanaimo Museum
4.5
(237 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Museum Way Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 753 1821
Web Address: http://nanaimomuseum.ca/
5. Departure Bay
4.3
(291 reviews)
Credit: KenWalker, License, Wikimedia commons
4. Saysutshun- Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
4.7
(502 reviews)Location: 668 Centre Street Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 802 0255
Web Address: http://newcastleisland.ca/
3. Jack Point and Biggs Park
4.5
(578 reviews)Location: Nanaimo BC
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/176-Jack-Point-and-Biggs-Park
2. Colliery Dam Park
4.6
(874 reviews)
Credit: David Stanley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 635 Wakesiah Ave Nanaimo BC
Tel: 250 754 4251
Web Address: https://nanaimo.ca/parks-search/Parks/12-Colliery-Dam-Park
1. Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
4.8
(1,706 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2245 Errington Road Errington BC
Tel: 250 474 1336
Web Address: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/englishman_rv/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Nanaimo, British Columbia! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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