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Ladysmith offers something for everyone. Transfer Beach Park, with its playgrounds, walking trails and kayak rentals, is popular with families. There’s also a bungee jump bridge just minutes from town. Get close to nature hiking the Holland Creek Trail, cycling country roads, viewing birds and wildlife, or relaxing on one the many secluded beaches in the area. The community is famous for its heritage conservation, so be sure to take a walking tour of early buildings. Seasonal attractions include the Festival of Lights (November), Paddlefest (May) and the Black Nugget Museum (July and August). Though scuba diving is possible year-round, visibility is best in winter.
Transfer Beach Park is a top spot for families. It has playgrounds, walking trails, beach volleyball, a water park, an adventure playground, a picnic area, open green spaces and many historical artifacts on display. It also features the largest beachfront amphitheatre on Vancouver Island (home to events like the BC Strongman Competition, Logger Sports competitions, and Music in the Park). Hikers can see the old Colliery Dams and even view spawning salmon (in season) on the Holland Creek Trail or gaze out over the Gulf Islands to Mount Baker at the Heart Lake Viewpoint. The narrow country roads of Cedar and Yellow Point are great for cycling. They’re dotted with oceanfront parks where you can rest, have a picnic and do a little beachcombing. Thrill seekers will love the purpose-built bungee jump bridge on the Nanaimo River, just five minutes north of Ladysmith. Daytripping to Ladysmith from coastal destinations between Courtenay and Victoria is easy: just hop on Via Rail’s E&N Dayliner train. It makes a daily stop in Ladysmith in each direction.
Well-maintained Edwardian architecture is one of Ladysmith’s chief charms. Many buildings from that period have undergone extensive restoration work, particularly along 1st Avenue. Look for plaques on exterior walls, they often contain colourful information about a building’s history. In 1988, the town won a Main Street Canada Award for downtown revitalization and has since won other awards as well. When in Ladysmith, be sure to see the old Agricultural Hall, which now serves as the community centre, and have your picture taken next to the large sign marking the 49th parallel.
Ladysmith was founded at the turn of the century by coal baron, James Dunsmuir. He built docks and a railway line to his mines in the north and even hauled in commercial and residential buildings from a defunct mining area known as South Wellington. Many of those early buildings are in tip top condition, thanks to a revitalization program that began in the 1980s and earned the town a Main Street Canada award.
The Chamber of Commerce has all the information you’ll need to conduct a self-guided tour of sites of interest in town, including the cemetery and the Black Nugget Museum, a former hotel that features mining artifacts and a restored saloon. The museum operates during July and August.
Artists and artisans find Ladysmith an inspiring place to be and many open their studios to the public.
So lovely are Ladysmith’s gardens and parks that Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine pronounced it “One of the 10 Prettiest Towns in Canada” in 2000. The town also earned a Five Bloom rating in the national Communities in Bloom competition.
Ladysmith is also known for its public celebrations, the most famous of which is the annual Festival of Lights, held the last Thursday in November. It draws more than 15,000 visitors each year.
There’s never a dull moment in Ladysmith. Live theatre options include the Bull and Bush Pub old-fashioned musical comedy show performed in the Lady Smith’s Little Theatre. Art is on view – and on offer – in artists’ studios and, in late August, at the Arts on the Avenue event, which also features singers and dancers. The Vancouver Island Paddlefest, held each May, attracts visitors from all over North America.
The local shopping scene includes a variety of collectible, antique and specialty shops and some eclectic eateries like the Old Town Bakery, where you can eat the “Best Cinnamon Buns on Vancouver Island” and play chess on a giant board outside.
Otters, seals, beavers, Bald Eagles, falcons and hawks are all common sights in Ladysmith. Whales venture into the harbour on occasion and endangered Purple Martins have established a nesting area at the Maritime Society Docks. In July and August, you can tour the “working harbour” and learn about its history in an antique boat.
Parks and beaches are the best places to relax around Ladysmith. The Yellowpoint area, for example, offers many serene and secluded beachfronts, while Transfer Beach Park offers a wide range of outdoor leisure and recreation options.
Transfer Beach Park is the place to go for ocean swimming and kayaking. Rent a kayak there and explore the shoreline solo or sign up for a guided single or multi-day trip. Pirate’s Cove Marine Provincial Park, on De Courcy Island, is a popular paddling destination. If you prefer boating, you’ll find four marinas and boat launching ramp in the area. Charters are available.
Winters in Ladysmith are mild enough that many outdoor activities can be pursued year-round. Diving is particularly good in the area in the winter months because that’s when the water is clearest. The annual Festival of Lights celebration in November draws more than 15,000 visitors each year and is not to be missed.
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