10 Best Places to Visit in British Columbia

Vancouver will captivate you with its ideal setting amongst majestic snow-capped mountains, emerald forests, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Start your urban adventure with a 360-degree view from Vancouver Lookout. Stop by the public market on Granville Island for a quick bite, then stroll through history in Gastown, Vancouver’s Old Town. Explore Vancouver’s thriving arts scene at art galleries, theater shows, and musical performances throughout the city’s culturally diverse neighborhoods.

Other unmissable sights include downtown’s iconic Stanley Park. Prospect Point offers a view of the North Shore Mountains and Lions Gate Bridge. Don’t miss Siwash Rock, or Nine Pin Rock, a rock outcropping that is legendary amongst Indigenous Squamish people and mariners who have sailed the waters of English Bay.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to the scenic attractions of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. Although the park is in Alberta, travelers to BC include it on their itinerary because it’s home to some of Canada’s most cherished natural wonders, including scenic glacier-fed lakes.

Take time to explore the park’s mountain scenery, flower-filled meadows, and alpine forests. Start with an alpine adventure surrounded by towering pine trees and sweeping views of Lake Louise. See if you can detect the subtle scent of pine on the mountain breeze. For another stunning sight, visit Moraine Lake and its reflection of the snow-capped crown of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Another unmissable point of interest includes Rockpile Trail, one of the most photographed viewpoints in Canada.

Famous for its outdoor activities, Whistler is home to Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America. Whether you want to ski or sightsee, Whistler is a popular destination in all seasons. Nestled at the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, Whistler Village is a lively basecamp for fun offering shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

You don’t have to be on skis to take in Whistler’s spectacular scenery. Ride a glass-bottom gondola to take in mountain, lake, and forest views. Trade in your morning routine for the thrill of an early morning zipline ride across a forest canopy. On Whistler Peak, walk across the Cloudraker Skybridge and stop at Raven’s Eye Cliff Walk to see panoramic views of Whistler Valley.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is known as Canada’s Garden City. With a visit to Butchart Gardens, you’ll quickly discover why. This iconic destination is bursting with 55-acres of botanical beauty. Experience a tropical twist at Victoria Butterfly Gardens, where the vibrant colors of winged wonders captivate visitors. Here, visitors can spot nature’s rarest hue on the graceful wings of Costa Rica’s Blue Morpho.

In downtown’s Bastion Square, the original site of Fort Victoria, you’ll find some of the oldest buildings in Victoria. Shop the open-air market for crafts and stand beneath the ceremonial entry arch to the city. The crown jewel of Victoria’s park system, Beacon Hill Park, has gardens plus woodland and shoreline trails for the whole family to enjoy.

A wild, unspoiled natural paradise awaits you in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island, this rugged coastline is characterized by long sandy beaches and temperate rainforests.

A longtime favorite destination for avid bird watchers, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is home to more than 300 bird species throughout the year including the bald eagle, trumpeter swan, osprey, harlequin duck, and the regal snowy owl. Take a sea kayak expedition through the Broken Group islands on Barkley Sound. Here you’ll discover the hidden beauty of coves and long sandy beaches of over 100 islands, islets, and rocky outcroppings. To tap your inner explorer on foot, take a hike along the 75 km West Coast Trail.

Prepare to be enchanted by the sun-soaked Okanagan Valley, one of Canada’s top wine-producing regions. As you embark on a trip through the idyllic valley scenery, you’ll find inviting hospitality at local food markets and wineries along the way.

You’ll be immersed in a wine-tasting journey that will have you raising a toast to more than a century of winemaking that began with the glaciers that shaped the surrounding mountains and lakes. On your wine-tasting adventure, you’ll learn how natural elements play a role in the distinct flavor of Okanagan Valley’s signature wines. No matter which winery you choose, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to indulge in a wine tasting and a pairing with local bites made with farm-fresh ingredients.

Haida Gwaii is Canada’s version of the Galapagos Islands because 6 of the 10 native land mammals that live on the islands are subspecies that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. To learn about the cultural heritage of the Haida Gwaii people, visit the Haida Heritage Centre. Catch a demonstration of the cultural traditions of totem pole and canoe making.

For a boating adventure, launch your kayak into a wilderness journey where you can observe the spouting of humpback whales, frolicking Stellar sea lions, and black bears on the shore. The geological wonders of Naikoon Provincial Park will astound you, including the towering 400-foot cliff and the park’s famous blowhole.

On the Murtle River in Wells Gray Provincial Park, you can visit Helmcken Falls, the fourth-tallest waterfall in Canada. Witness the forces of nature send water cascading 141 m (463 ft) over a cliff into the depths of the canyon below. If you find this experience awe-inspiring, check out the other waterfalls in the park.

For a thrilling family experience, take a whitewater rafting tour where you can also observe wildlife at home in the park’s rugged landscape. The park offers plenty of hiking and walking trails for adventurers of all skill levels. For a spectacular vantage point, check out Osprey Falls Lookout, or for a more challenging route and views of flowering meadows and snow-capped mountains, check out Trophy Meadows Trail.

Located on the western edge of the Pacific coast, Tofino is home to the world-famous surfing spot, Long Beach. You’ll find inviting hospitality and an unhurried pace of life in downtown Tofino. Unplug and connect by walking on beaches, hiking in old-growth forests, and breathing in the salty ocean air.

In the evening, share stories of the day’s adventures around a cozy campfire on the beach and roast s’mores to your heart’s content. Pick a day to marvel at colorful sea stars and other marine life in the tidepools on Chesterman Beach. On Cox Bay Beach, you can watch surfers ride the waves and explore the mystery of coastal caves on the beach’s northern tip.

With an average temperature of 24°C (75°F) in July and August, Osoyoos Lake is Canada’s warmest lake. You’ll find the lake an ultimate destination for kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing. Here you can spend the day kayaking on the lake or casting a line to try your luck at catching the bass, trout, and salmon that thrive in the lake.

If you prefer the quiet solitude of a hike, the trails that surround Osoyoos Lake offer scenic views. For indoor explorations, visit the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre to learn about Indigenous culture and the unique desert ecosystem. Unwind from the day and spend quality time with friends and family dining on regional cuisine and sipping on your favorite wine from the Okanagan Valley.