Things to Do in Nanaimo: Parks, Harbour Walks, Museums and Live Music

Plan my Nanaimo weekend · What's on this weekend

Find a place to stay in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is a working harbour with a park on almost every corner of the map: coastal headlands, a lake loop, river forest and a marsh with its own bird tower. This guide starts on the waterfront, then covers the parks, rainy-day options, live music and where to eat and drink.

Maffeo Sutton Park sits on the Harbour Front Walkway, with a lagoon, a covered stage and public art along the trail.

The Old City Quarter is a neighbourhood of owner-operated businesses around Fitzwilliam Street, where restored heritage buildings hold independent shops and places to eat. On Wallace Street, the Pacific Arts Market is a gallery of locally made work that also runs workshops, talks and Art After Hours evenings. Tickets for those are on its page.

The Nanaimo Museum is inside the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Its exhibits cover Snuneymuxw culture and oral traditions and include a coal mine experience.

Neck Point Park is 36 acres of rock cliffs, pebble beaches and Garry oak groves. The north headland is the place to watch for orcas, sea lions and otters.

Pipers Lagoon Park is built on a narrow isthmus that runs out to a rocky headland. Trails lead to seaside lookouts with Shack Island in view, and the beachcombing is good all year. Look for great blue herons, kingfishers, oystercatchers and loons.

Sugarloaf Mountain Park on Marion Way has one trail: a stairway to the top of the bluff and the view over Departure Bay. Go for sunrise.

Westwood Lake Park has a groomed loop of about five and a half kilometres around the lake, mostly easy apart from one steep knoll at the west end. Electric and non-powered boats are welcome on the water, and there is an off-leash dog area.

Colliery Dam Park has two lakes held by dams built to supply water for washing coal. A bridge between the dams links the two sides, and some of the trails are steep.

Nanaimo River Regional Park on Frey Road protects 56 hectares of mature Coastal Douglas-fir, one of the few natural forests left on the lower Nanaimo River. It has a trail network, a beach, river swimming and salmon viewing.

Benson Creek Falls Regional Park starts from the Weigles Road lot. The trail crosses the Benson Creek bridge and reaches Ammonite Falls.

Oliver Woods Park on Oliver Road has interpretive trails, a duck pond, a playground and an outdoor fitness circuit beside the community centre.

Buttertubs Marsh Park is a bird and wildlife sanctuary with a loop trail, several observation decks and a tower. Dogs are not permitted.

Cathedral Grove is west on Highway 4, towards Port Alberni. Trails loop through giant Douglas firs, some more than 800 years old. Stay out of the grove on windy days.

The Vancouver Island Military Museum on Cameron Road has more than 25 exhibits on Canadian military history, from the War of 1812 to Afghanistan.

Bowen Park has a grove of more than 350 kinds of rhododendron, trails along the Millstone River to a waterfall and fish ladder, and two playgrounds.

WildPlay Nanaimo on Nanaimo River Road has a bungy jump, the Primal Swing, canyon ziplines, adventure courses and axe throwing.

The Globe Live Studio on Front Street books punk, metal, rock and local showcases. The Old City Station Pub on Skinner Street is a sports bar that turns into a room for live music and comedy. The Vault Cafe on Wallace Street is a cafe with its own music and events nights. Tickets for upcoming nights at all three are on their pages, and the rest of the week is in this weekend's listings.

Black Rabbit Kitchen serves shared plates inside a restored train station in the Old City Quarter. The menu changes with the seasons, and you can book a table online.

Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant on Turner Road pours its own beers and cooks with local ingredients. There is a pub downstairs, a family restaurant and a Brewer's Dining Room.

Arbutus Distillery makes single malt and rye whisky, gins and vodkas, and pours tastings in its lounge.

Millstone Estate Winery is a small family farm and vineyard on East Wellington Road, with tastings on the property.

• BC Ferries sails from two Nanaimo terminals: Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, and Duke Point to Tsawwassen.
• Leave the dog at home for Buttertubs Marsh. Westwood Lake and Colliery Dam both have off-leash areas.
• Nanaimo is in the middle of the island's east coast, so it works as a base for a second weekend: Duncan and the Cowichan Valley to the south, or three days in Tofino on the west coast.

Turn this list into a two-day plan with your dates.

Plan my Nanaimo weekend

Find a place to stay in Nanaimo