Ten Fun Family Things to do in Nelson, BC, Canada
Nelson BC is located in the West Kootenays region of British
Columbia, Canada. If you look at a map of British Columbia, the
Kootenays are located in the southeast corner of the province.
The population of Nelson is just under 10,000 people. Although
Nelson doesn't have all the amenities of a larger center, there
are still many fun things you can do when spending some time
here. Here are the top ten things to do in Nelson on your family
vacation.
Visit Lakeside Park at the North end of town, just beside the
big orange bridge. Things you will find at the park include lots
of grassy areas for picnics, a sandy beach, boat launch, and
children's playground. Bring your own lunch, or buy lunch at the
snack stand in the park, which has a diversified menu. Dairy
Queen is also just a short walk away. Near the park you will
find soccer and baseball fields.
Watch aircraft take off and land at the airport. For a city of
Nelson's size, you might be surprised to learn that it has it's
own airport, right by the waterfront. The airport is mainly used
by small personal aircraft and helicopters. In the summer the
airport can get quite busy, especially during forest fire
season, and you will see all kinds of aircraft.
Walk the waterfront. If you start at Lakeside Park, you can walk
the waterfront west, past the sandy beach, soccer fields, Chahko
Mika Mall, Prestige Inn, and airport. On the way back, catch the
heritage street car that runs from the Prestige Inn to Lakeside
Park.
Spend an afternoon at the Nelson Aquatic Center. The aquatic
center was renovated in 2005, and contains a full pool, kids
pool, lazy river current pool, water slide, hot pool, sauna, and
steam room. A great way to spend a few hours at a cost of around
$10 (for a family of four). The same building also contains a
weight lifting gym and hockey rink. Bring your skates in the
winter for public skating!
If your family likes to golf, visit the Granite Pointe Golf
Club. The golf course is located at 1123 West Richards street in
the Rosemont area of Nelson, just a short drive from the
downtown center. The course has 18 holes and was designed by
Bill Newis in 1993. Nice views and a great clubhouse will cap
off your day here.
If the weather isn't cooperating, spend some time indoors at the
bowling alley. Savoy Lanes is located at 520 Falls Street,
across from the Best Western hotel. Features regular bowling,
league bowling, and laser bowling.
Watch a movie at the Nelson Civic Theatre, 719 Vernon Street.
This is an older 'one-screen' theatre, usually with one or two
current movies in rotation. They normally have two evening
screenings per day, with weekend matinees. The experience of
watching a movie here can be quite nostalgic; bring your own bag
and they will fill it with popcorn!
Learn about the local history by stopping in at the Nelson
Museum (402 Anderson Street). The museum houses displays on
Native Peoples, explorers, and settlers of the area, as well as
art and history. An extensive archive of local photography can
also be viewed.
Want to see how the local ale is made? The Nelson Brewing
Company is a local brewer that produces over half a dozen
brands, including their famous Faceplant winter ale. Located at
512 Latimer Street, where the brewery started over 100 years
ago, call ahead to check for tour times.
Have a meal at the Hume Hotel (previously called the Heritage
Inn, established in 1898). No trip to Nelson is complete without
a visit to the Hume Hotel, located near the town center. The
hotel has had major renovations over the last 25 years but still
maintains it's old-fashioned heritage charm, without the
'sterile' atmosphere of newer establishments. You will enjoy the
hotel restaurant with it's upbeat staff, historic memorabilia
and photos, varied menu and reasonable prices. Make sure you ask
for a window table so you can see the stone courthouse across
the street, and watch the traffic go by.