Nelson's shopping, art galleries and heritage attractions are plentiful enough to keep visitors busy for a few days, but hiking, mountain biking, paddling and beach activities could keep them here for weeks.
There are myriad sights, events and activities to take in during the summer, but in winter, expect to go skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or even dogsledding.
Take one of Nelson's self-guided heritage tours. The Heritage Walking Tour, which explores the historic downtown core, describes the architecture and history of Victorian buildings that are now home to many fascinating shops and galleries. Be sure to allow extra time for shopping.
Or, hop in the car and explore the city's historic residential neighbourhoods with the Heritage Driving Tour. In an abbreviated form, this tour can also be enjoyable on foot and removes the obstacle of navigating around parked cars. Pick up brochures for both tours at the Visitor Information Centre.
Take a ride on Nelson's historic Streetcar No. 23, which operated on city streets for decades, and now shuttles along the waterfront from the Prestige Lakeside Resort to the Rotary Lakeside Park. Ask the conductor about the history of Nelson's streetcar system.
Check out Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, located in one of Nelson's premier heritage buildings at the corner of Ward and Vernon Streets. The permanent exhibition, a retrospective of human occupation of the local area, is augmented by periodic exhibitions of fine arts, photography and crafts.
Winter Activities
Winter activities begin with acclaimed Whitewater Ski Resort, but there are also several established cat-skiing operations in the area, which offer guided tours and heli adventures. Some even offer snowshoeing and dogsledding opportunities or tours. If planning for some skiing or snowboarding at Whitewater, fuel up at its acclaimed café, Fresh Tracks, before heading back out into the marvelous Kootenay powder.
Cross-Country Skiing
Just 10 minutes south of town, the Nelson Nordic Ski Club maintains 25km/ 16mi of trails that are bisected by Highway 6. Set for skate and classic skiing, most of the trails are rated easy to moderate.
The scenic Busk trail follows the Salmo River for some distance. Moose sightings are not uncommon. And a warming hut on the Apex area side is heated with a wood stove – a good place to take a break, but remember to pack refreshments.
Cross-country ski rentals are available in Nelson. Check with the Visitor Centre for more details.
Summer Activities
Bring a bike, or rent one in town at a local bike shop. Nelson is surrounded by an extensive network of mountain biking trails. There's also hiking, both peripheral to the city and in the alpine areas of nearby Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, one of two provincial parks nearby. Golf at Nelson's Granite Pointe course, or at several other 18-hole courses in the area.
Water Activities
When it's hot, and it does get hot here in the summer, cool down at the lake. The West Arm of Kootenay Lake offers boating, waterskiing, kayaking, and several places to swim. These include the beach at Lakeside Park (one knows they're in Nelson when the beach concession serves organic food), another sandy beach at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, 19km/12mi east of town, and a clothing-optional beach at the northern boundary of the city.
A little further north, Ainsworth Hot Springs , overlooking Kootenay Lake 49km/30mi from Nelson, offers the best apres ski, or apres hike or apres anything. The facility offers three odourless pools, and features a unique horseshoe-shaped cave.
Relaxation
If the Hot Springs don't have enough of a calming influence, Nelson also prides itself on offering countless spas, wellness centres and holistic and alternative healing studios around town. They offer everything from acupuncture to yoga and all treatments in between.
Theatre and the Arts
Check the local newspapers for theatre and arts listings. The Capitol Theatre presents live theatre, music and dance performances throughout the year. Located on Victoria Street, the Capitol is the cultural hub of the city. Its stage is busy year-round with both amateur and professional productions, complete with a homespun British pantomime that has become a Nelson tradition. Other venues include the Oxygen Arts Centre, Touchstones, the TNT Playhouse and the Livingroom Theatre.
After Hours
Local musicians and some touring acts can be heard most nights in Nelson's pubs. Jazz is a regular offering in the relaxed atmosphere of the Library Lounge in the Hume Hotel.
Driving Routes
Both the Mountains & Vineyards Circle Route and the Silvery Slocan Circle Route include a stop at Nelson for outdoor adventuring, museum, theatre, and art gallery meandering, and boutique shopping. Learn more about driving routes through Nelson here: Driving Routes.
For more information on things to do in and around Nelson, contact the Visitor Centre.
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