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Chemainus is best experienced out of doors, starting with its impressive display of local-history-themed murals. Once you’ve followed the yellow footprints past each and every one, you might set out for a winery tour on Thetis Island, a picnic on Kin Beach, or an afternoon of golfing, hiking, mountain biking, birding, fishing or deep sea diving. There are also four campgrounds just minutes from town. Evening is the time to head inside for a gourmet meal and rousing performance at the Chemainus Theatre Festival.
Outdoor enthusiasts will never be at a loss for something to do in Chemainus. Within minutes of the centre of town are four privately-owned campgrounds, an 18-hole golf course and numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking. The most notable hiking trails are Askew Creek, Stocking Creek, Chemainus Lake and the hidden Hermit's Trail, which winds through an extensive forest garden created by a colourful local character named Charlie Abbot.
The most architecturally interesting buildings in Chemainus can be found along Chemainus Road. The seven "Old Mill Houses" there date from the late 19th century and the Chemainus Theatre, built in 1993, is notable for its Italianate beauty. The soaring, domed rotunda that functions as its lobby is particularly lovely. Other, less distinctive buildings in town have been made eye-catching with large, local-history-themed murals, more than 36 in all.
Chemainus' fortunes rose and fell with the forestry industry for more than 100 years. A steam-powered sawmill roared into production in 1862 but by the late 1970s the forestry industry, and the town, were in decline. A plan to revitalize the local economy by encouraging tourism was hatched in 1981 and, in 1982, it unveiled five large, local-history-themed, outdoor murals. Many more murals (36 in all and counting) and a steady increase in visitors followed. "The Little Town that Did" had successfully transformed itself from a rough-and-tumble mill town into one of the world's biggest outdoor art galleries.
A good day out in Chemainus might include a self-guided tour of the murals and a stroll through Waterwheel Park in search of the five animal carvings nestled amongst the branches of its old-growth trees.
Visually, Chemainus is a very charming spot, and not just because of its famous murals. Many of its shops operate out of quaint and colourful heritage houses, complete with picket fences and hanging flower baskets. This, along with the many rest stops and cafés downtown, creates a truly memorable shopping/browsing experience. Goods available include antiques, art, pottery, clothing and collectibles.
Theatre lovers will be thrilled by the Italianate beauty and modern conveniences of the Chemainus Theatre building, which contains a 274-seat theatre, an elegant dining room and a gift shop stocked with local art and crafts. The theatre company organizes eight productions each year, five for adults and three for children. For music lovers, there are open-air concerts at the Bandshell in Waterwheel Park in summer and intimate, coffee house performances year round.
Chief among Chemainus' many natural charms are: long stretches of pristine coastline, towering old-growth trees and a great variety of bird species. Kin Beach is a wonderful place to spot tiny Rufous hummingbirds (they weigh less than a dime!) and bald eagles. At low tide, it also offers close-up views of marine life like sand dollars, moon shells and enormous crabs. Scan the Pacific for nearby Thetis and Kuper Islands and the North Shore Mountains in the distance. Fuller Lake Park offers good hiking and sandy beaches. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. Askew Creek Park offers short, scenic walks through old-growth trees and along a creek. Watch for nesting bald eagles. Thetis Island, just a 20-minute ferry ride away from Chemainus, is known for its excellent hiking trails, wetlands and rock clefts. There's also a vineyard/winery on the island that offers tours, tastings, tapas and for the kids, gelati.
A small town in lush surroundings, Chemainus can be very restful. Beauty, natural and man-made, is everywhere. Its streets are lined with quaint and colourful heritage buildings and enlivened with hanging flower baskets, large-scale murals and sculptures. Because art is everywhere, you can sit down and relax at any coffee shop or tea house and be assured of an inspiring view. One of the best ways to relax outside the town is to head to Kin Beach for a picnic lunch and a leisurely, oceanside stroll.
Chemainus has plenty of clean, fish-filled water to enjoy. Head to Kin Beach for an ocean swim or to Fuller Lake or the nearby Chemainus River for freshwater dips. Calm, sheltered Chemainus Bay is perfect for boating and kayaking. Anglers should head for Chemainus Lake for good smallmouth bass fishing (small rainbow and cutthroat Trout can also be caught there); Fuller Lake for large rainbow and cutthroat trout (electric motors only); the Chemainus River for spring and summer steelhead and trout; and Bare Point for prawns, crabs and flatfish.
Deep sea diving is a popular winter activity around Chemainus because the area's waters are clearest in the cooler months. On a guided diving tour, you could encounter a Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf eels, seals or sea lions. Diving in the area got even better with the sinking of a Boeing 737 jumbo jet off the coast of Thetis Island in October 2005. It is the world's only intentionally created aircraft artificial reef.
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