Nelson B.C., is known as the "Queen City of the Kootenays" and has more heritage buildings per capita than any other city in B.C. In Nelson, the turn-of-the-century ambiance is prevalent. Situated on the shores of the giant Kootenay Lake, Nelson is a world-class recreational playground with all the comforts of today's amenities, and lots of exciting things to do and see for all ages.
Things to do in Nelson
Arrow Lake Ferry
This is a great way to see the area and travel from one spot to another. You will find the Arrow Lake Ferry across the junction between the Upper and Lower Arrow Lake at Arrow Park on Highway 6. The Ferry runs, on demand, between 5am & 9:20pm (break in service from 12:15pm - 2:15pm daily). The crossing time is about 5 minutes.
Artwalk
During the months of July, August and September, this arts event partners business and art in Nelson by turning local shops into galleries. Artwalk rotates the works of 65-70 artists though 17 restaurants and shops. Thousands of people each year come to enjoy a casual stroll through downtown Nelson. Presented by the Nelson & District Arts Council. Call 250-352-2402 for more information.
Capitol Theatre
This beautifully restored Theatre provides Nelson with many different productions throughout the year. Providing a forum for local actors, musicians, dancers and filmmakers to showcase their talents, as well as bringing top quality acts from Canada and the world. Constructed in 1927 and renovated in 1988, this historical and atmospheric facility is a terrific place to enjoy some local culture during your visit. Call 250-352-6363 for more information.
421 Victoria Street, Nelson, BC
Civic Theatre
The Civic Theatre features movies and special events. Contact is directly for a listing, please. Call 250-352-5833 for more information.
719 Vernon Street, Nelson, BC
Gyro Park
This Park is truly a botanical lover's delight. The Park boasts the best display of annuals, perennials and native plants in the Kootenays. Take the paths that wind through display after display and rest on one of the many benches you will find along the trail. Take the bridge that leads to a lookout on the north-west corner of the park. Gyro Park also features a swimming pool that runs all summer; lifeguards are on duty at all times. Gyro Park also has a gazebo and small play ground.
Historic Baker Street
Exploring Baker Street will out you right in the heart of the action!!! Shops, galleries, the Capitol Theatre and much more that Nelson has to offer can be found here. Nelson now boasts over 350 heritage buildings, both throughout the downtown core and residential neighborhoods. Take one of our heritage walking or driving tours that will take you back in time to a period that was filled with grand Victorian architecture and garden tea parties. For information on the walking/driving tours visit the Visitor Information Center Call 250-352-3433 for more information.
225 Hall Street, Nelson, BC
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
This Park is popular with families. The Visitor's Centre offers daily programs to include trail walks to the beaver pond and mud flats for bird watching and forest adventure trails. Over a kilometre of fine sandy beach and an adventure playground are also on site. The north end of the park has a public boat launch for day use, windsurfing, and do not miss the Kokanee Spawning Channel. Overall the Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking and fishing. An adventure playground, picnic tables, extensive beach, Visitor's Centre, and interpretative programs. Open May 1 - September 30; day use all year.
Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park is located at the south end of the orange bridge and has a little of everything for everyone. Massive trees abound in the main park and a tree watcher's tour sheet is available. This park contains the cities greenhouses which people are encouraged to walk through and enjoy. The beach at Lakeside Park is one of the biggest and nicest in the West Kootenays. You will find a boat launch and wharf to ease the boater into a great Kootenay Lake experience. There are NO lifeguards at Lakeside Park so please swim safely. The Park entrance area houses the park's concession stand.
Nelson Fire Hall
This historic fire hall was made famous in 1986 when the filming of the movie “Roxanne” took place in Nelson. The fire hall played a very important part in the filming of this move. The movie starred Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah.
Nelson Mining Museum / Chamber of Mines of Eastern B.C.
Nelson has one of the best collections of rocks and gem rocks in the West Kootenays. The museum houses thousands of specimens from all over the West Kootenays, as well as all over the province of British Columbia. The collection has minerals as well as crystals of all kinds. The walls are lined with shelves with sample after sample and most of the collection is labelled for ease of identification. Also worth looking at are the collection of mine core samples, that are well labelled and a photo and artifact collection. Admission is by donation; open 8am - 4pm; closed Friday, Saturday & Sunday, provincial and federal holidays; admission is charged. Call 250-352-5242 for more information.
215 Hall Street, Nelson, BC
Nelson Municipal Library
Nelson is lucky to have a library of such high standards and it's due to the hard working staff and the complete support of the community. Call 250-352-6333 for more information.
602 Stanley Street, Nelson, BC
Nelson Museum
The Nelson Museum houses displays on Native Peoples, explorers, and settlers of the area, as well as art and history. The museum also maintains an extensive archive of local photography. Call 250-352-9813 for more information.
402 Anderson Street, Nelson, BC
Nelson Waterfront Walking Path
The Path is found along the waterfront between Lakeside Park and Chahko Mika Mall. You will find this ever-expanding Waterfront Walking Path with a tree lined gentle trail; benches are placed along the way for rest stops. The path is about 2km in length and is a level walk. Currently the Water Front Path is being extended to Cottonwood Falls.
Outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation is a large fact of life in Nelson. The lifestyle that the area's spectacular geography and weather conditions provide makes this an extraordinary four-season playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers "as good as it gets" conditions for skiing, golfing, hiking, camping, fishing, biking - whatever you like to do outdoors, Nelson truly has it all.
Red Hot Ironworks
Unique artist-blacksmith shop that forges life into steel to create practical and artistic iron products that warm the heart and delight the eye. Each piece is hand crafted one at a time using traditional and modern processes. The designs we create communicate gentle curvatures that express the beauty of nature. Call 250-505-1177 for more information.
2308 Silver King Road, Nelson, BC
S.S. Moyie National Historic Site
The Moyie is the world's oldest intact passenger sternwheeler and can be found in the stunning scenery of the town of Kaslo in the mountains of British Columbia. The Moyie awaits all who want to step back in time and experience .life at the turn of the last century. The sights, sounds and smells have all been recreated aboard this grand vessel. Open daily mid-May - mid-October 9:30am - 5pm. Located in nearby Kaslo. Call 250-3535-2525 for more information.
Streetcar 23
On July 1st, 1992, Streetcar 23 made its first run since 1949. The restored car was originally purchase in 1925 from Cleveland, Ohio where it had operated for 14 years; it operated in Nelson from 1925 to 1949, when Nelson Transit purchased replacement diesel buses. Today the Streetcar follows the 1.2 km route that was constructed from the City wharf area to Lakeside Park. The tram continues to run from spring to fall along this route. A ride on the tram is $2 and you can catch it several places along the route. Located at Lake Side Park; for further information contact the Tramway Society. Call 250-352-7672 for more information.