Nelson Heritage Tour
Situated in the spectacular Selkirk Mountains, Nelson's historic charms are legendary. It has earned a reputation as one of the finest heritage cities in Canada with 350 restored heritage homes and buildings. The movie "Roxanne" used the wonderfully restored Nelson Fire Hall to great effect. You'll find the city gaol, a brewery and many churches in the uphill district in a remarkable state of preservation.
F.M. Rattenbury, famed architect of BC's Legislative Buildings and Victoria's Empress Hotel, designed Nelson's courthouse. This 1909 building is a fine example of Beaux Arts Chateau-style architecture with its high pitched roof, towers, conical caps, gables and paired windows.
A stroll through the community reveals rock walls used to shore up gardens and road beds that add distinctive charm to the area. It's easy to imagine riders hopping the smallest electric streetcar system in the British Empire, which operated in Nelson for 50 years, from 1899 to 1949.
Expect to be enchanted by this thriving, heritage community. Tour information and maps available from the Visitor Info Centre.
Nelson is located on Highway 3A, approximately 30 minutes east of Castlegar.
> Nelson Walking Tour website
> Nelson Driving Tour website
Revelstoke Dam
Built to harness the power of nature, Revelstoke Dam is one of North America's largest and most modern hydro-electric developments. The reservoir stretches 135 km (84 mi) and is some 2,000 m (6,562 ft) wide. It is one of four BC dams built to regulate the flow of the Columbia River. Visitors can take an elevator to the dam crest lookout to get an inside look at the dam operation from the Visitor Centre atop the powerhouse. You'll enjoy views of the main powerhouse gallery, circuit breaker gallery, tailrace area and control room. Visit the large exhibition area to see how the Revelstoke project was built and watch video presentations in the theatre. The free, self-guided tour features a "talking wand" audio guide.
The Revelstoke Dam is located a few minutes north of the city of
Revelstoke.
A word or two on your visit:
- No admission fee in effect
- Self-guided tours only
- Facility is fully wheelchair accessible
- Approximate time required: 1-2 hours
> Revelstoke Dam website