Cultural tours in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region include visits to Aboriginal totems and longhouses, pioneer villages, fishing and mining heritage sites, and local artists' studios.
Guided cultural tours provide insight, historical flavour and interesting facts and anecdotes. Take a guided tour of a national historic site to travel into an underground mine or explore an enormous fish cannery. Other guided cultural tours in the region cover Aboriginal history, visit pioneer settlements, and re-trace the gold rush trail on paddlewheeler boat cruises.
Self-guided cultural tours through heritage sites or the historic Powell River Townsite offer a chance for leisurely exploration.
Aboriginal Tours
In Sechelt, join a Aboriginal cultural tour to see totems and a longhouse or to enjoy an interpretive forest walk or kayak tour. Follow the Sea-to-Sky Highway on a scenic, self-guided Cultural Journey driving route. Information kiosks and pullouts highlight Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations culture.
National Historic Site Tours
Get a dose of mining history and culture by donning a hardhat and descending underground on a mine tour at Britannia Mine Museum. Hear the clatter of steam-powered drills and, after the underground mine tour, explore 15 historic buildings at what was once the largest copper-producing mine in the British Empire.
At Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Richmond, take in the sights, smells and history of the West Coast fishing industry. On a guided tour, learn what life was like for cannery workers amidst mountains of fish and clanking machines. Make sure to visit the dock where local fishermen sell their catch.
Near the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is the Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site. Walk the boardwalk for a first-hand look at life along the waterfront during the early 1900s. Visit the cannery worker bunkhouse and stilt houses perched over the river, or explore the shipyard. End the day with lunch on the boardwalk.
Step inside the palisade walls of Fort Langley National Historic Site, a trading post that was a catalyst in the creation of British Columbia. Costumed actors recreate all aspects of early fort life; interact with Aboriginal trappers, fur traders, blacksmiths and more.
Heritage Tours
Board a historic paddlewheeler in New Westminster for a day trip to Fort Langley or trace the route of gold rush prospectors on a multi-day trip to Harrison Hot Springs.
At Kilby Historic Site near Harrison Hot Springs, see life as it was in the early 1900s. Tour the general store, homestead and working farm (the friendly baby goats are a favourite).
Art Tours
The Sunshine Coast's Purple Banner route highlights more than 70 artists and galleries on a marked, self-guided driving/walking route along Highway 101 between Gibsons and Powell River. Groups of studios can be found in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt and Davis Bay – all ideal areas to explore on foot. Watch for the purple banners that mark the route.
In Hope, take a self-guided walking tour of more than 50 art pieces, including chainsaw carvings, totem poles and murals. Movie buffs can visit the site of the Rambo movie (and take a photo in a life-size Rambo cut-out).
Powell River Townsite Tour
The Powell River Townsite is one of only seven designated National Historic Districts in Canada. Take a walking tour to see more than 400 original buildings (many from the early 1900s). After the tour, watch a movie in the Patricia Theatre, the oldest continuously running movie theatre in Canada.
Driving Routes
Driving routes are an excellent way to see the region's strong farming culture. Circle Farm Tours highlight agricultural stops in Chilliwack, Langley, Abbotsford, Agassiz-Harrison Mills, and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge.
Practical Points
- High season for most attractions is usually May to September and tours often run daily. During low season, tours can run infrequently. Most self-guided tours can be done year-round.
- Some tours may require a minimum number of participants or advance booking. It’s best to call ahead to check for schedules and availability.
- Visit local Visitor Centres or museums for walking tour brochures, maps and information on tour operators and help with trip planning.
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