Through The Eras: 13 Taylor-inspired BC Getaways

November 27, 2024
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It’s a love story to British Columbia—the star’s epic world tour is set to conclude after 149 shows spanning five continents in Vancouver, BC on December 8th.

Fans from around the world are booking trips to BC’s south coast to see the dazzling finale—and the region won’t disappoint. Vancouver’s Taylor Swift–themed activities are not to be missed, including Canyon Lights (Taylor’s Version) at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which will transform the iconic suspension bridge into a giant friendship bracelet; and The Eras Food Tour (Granville Island’s Version), which leads guests on a progressive feast inspired by Taylor’s most popular songs, like the Lavender Haze macaron and Lover bread. For more Taylor fun in Vancouver, visit Destination Vancouver’s Eras Tour roundup.

Bonus: it’s easier than ever to travel throughout the province with transportation options like Hullo Ferry’s new late-night sailings, which include boat transport back to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island after every Taylor Swift concert between December 6–8. With hotels at capacity in the city, Whistler has hopped on board to help Swifties get to the show. Take a 2.5–hour drive from Vancouver up the Sea to Sky—one of the world’s most scenic highways—and you’ll find yourself in Whistler, a picture–perfect alpine town whose winter wonderland is straight out of your “wildest dreams”. Swifties attending the concerts can book a hotel in the charming village, then hop aboard a free shuttle to downtown Vancouver to enjoy the show. Hotel stays must be booked between December 4–10, 2024 to access the free shuttle; simply search Whistler.com, choose your preferred accommodation, and select the “Whistler & Taylor Swift Experience” at checkout.

But it’s not just Vancouver paying homage to Taylor Swift. Nearby communities and even areas further beyond, including Northern BC, offer a wealth of experiences inspired by Taylor’s infamous eras. Here are 13 Eras-inspired getaways to add to your BC itinerary:

 

The Debut Era: Simpler Times, Country Beginnings

“Are you ready for it?” Travel to Barkerville, a National Historic Site of Canada, for an Olde–Fashioned Christmas (December 14–15). The largest living history museum in western North America, Barkerville is the epitome of a charming small town, and its annual holiday celebrations embody the romance and nostalgia of simpler times. Guests can hop aboard a sleigh ride, harmonize with Christmas carolers, or listen to a riveting reading of a Sherlocke Holmes Christmas tale.

On the other side of the holidays (February 7–9, 2025), the Sled Dog Mail Run is an authentic frontier experience along the historic Gold Rush Trail. Starting in Quesnel and ending in Barkerville, the traditional sled dog run involves mushers and their canine teams being sworn in as official mail carriers for Canada Post.

 

The Fearless Era: A FairyTale Adventure

Ready to be “enchanted”? Harness your adventurous spirit and travel to Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark in Tumbler Ridge, a storybook come to life where you can follow the world’s first tyrannosaur trackway via lantern tour, snowshoe to frozen waterfalls, or investigate ancient rock formations.

It’s “back to December” at the District Wine Village in Oliver, where a nostalgic skating rink has been erected for the winter season. Twinkling lights and a cozy wine tasting perfectly capture Taylor’s wistful elegance. The District Wine Village has 13 satellite wineries, along with a distillery and brewery, artisan bakehouse, and a bookshop.

 

The Speak Now Era: Health and Wellness, Elevated

Wellness has never looked better than Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa in Vernon, an elegant resort perched above Okanagan Lake. Here, Swifties can rest and recharge post-concert with spacious guestrooms, luxurious spa treatments, and three distinctive dining experiences. With over 3.5 million Swarovski crystals glittering throughout the building, it’s truly a place where “sparks fly”.  Visit the KurSpa, for nature-themed showers, a movement studio and indoor serenity pool.

 

The Red Era: Standing Up and Standing Out

Commemorate Taylor Swift’s Red Era at RED Mountain Resort in Rossland, where 4,200 skiable acres await. December is the perfect time to visit with the return of the pay–per–run Mt. Kirkup Cat, which invites guests to hitch a ride in a snowcat to the top of the mountain for a bout of glorious powder skiing. Stand at the top of a 626–metre (2,054–foot) vertical drop back to the chairlift (“look what you made me do”, Mt. Kirkup Cat!). Each ride costs just $20. RED Mountain is the only ski resort offering this type of cat-skiing experience with no avalanche gear or guide required.

 

The 1989 Era: Embracing Your Power

Show your strength and embrace your power with powerful women-led adventure-based tourism in northeastern BC. Here, visitors seeking female inspiration along with adrenaline–inducing experiences can book a tour with Meg at Guided by Adventure in Prince George; Dee with Untamed Tours in Tumbler Ridge, or Jocelyn with Peak Wyld Co. in the Northern Rockies.

 

The Reputation Era: Taking Bold Steps

Victoria, BC, named as Conde Nast Travelers Best Small City 2024, is redefining its narrative. Like Taylor Swift’s Reputation Era, where Swift shed her new girl image for a bolder one, Victoria is taking bold steps to establish its identity as a sustainable travel destination and city of innovation. Now a Biosphere Certified City, it’s worth a trip to bike around the “garden city” with tours offered by The Pedaler. “Pedals to Petals” takes you to all the iconic gardens and flower stops in the downtown area. At night, take an evening bioluminescent kayaking tour from South Island SUP and then sleep the night away at 4 Green Key status Huntingdon Hotel & Suites, Winner of the 2019 Greenest Lodging Ecostar Award and a signee of the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge.

 

Lover Era: Vintage Romance

Romance awaits lovers of all ages in the Thompson Okanagan region of BC. Watch a vintage movie while tucking into dinner at Bernie’s Supper Club in Kelowna, with a three-course menu for just $39. Extend your stay at Chute Lake Lodge in Naramata or Alpine Meadows Resort in Clearwater, which offer serene retreats with tranquil trails and shimmering lakes for quality time with friends or lovers.

 

Evermore Era: Cozy Nature

The Gold Rush Trail in the Cariboo region of BC is about sharing stories of the treasures found amid a mighty river and the lands surrounding it—not just gold, but also a rich history of civilizations, cultures, languages, and traditions. The Gold Rush Trail is an experiential corridor shaped by nature. Experiences abound, from hiking in the woods to visiting museums and historic sites, to seeing wildlife and joining ecotours.

 

Midnights Era: Dark Skies and Northern Lights

Forget daylight—nighttime is when northern BC comes alive. Experience the haunting auroras on Northern Rockies Adventures’ all-inclusive Aurora Tour in the Canadian Rockies. Guests board a private charter flight to Muncho Lake Provincial Park, staying in a remote lodge where dazzling auroras dance above, particularly in the winter. The journey also encompasses visits to hot springs, daytrips, and locally inspired cuisine.

See “gorgeous” celestial bodies at the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada observatory in Prince George, which houses a massive Cassegrain telescope—one of the biggest amateur telescopes in Canada. Book a tour online, or join a public open house where an astronomical guide will show you the stars through a telescope, binoculars, or your naked eye.

 

The Tortured Poet’s Department: Raw and Wild

Unleash your inner tortured poet in Ucluelet, where winter storm-watching will easily match your dramatic edge. Whether soaking in a hot tub on your hotel patio (Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites is a great option) or walking along the Wild Pacific Trail, there’s no better way to feel your place in the world than seeing lightning illuminate the horizon, hearing the wind roaring through the forest, or feeling the rain drenching the coast. Here, the soundtrack is something from your “wildest dreams”, with the rhythmic rumble of waves harmonizing with a foghorn or buoy bell. Consider it an epic ending to your Eras adventure in BC.

 

For more story inspiration and hooks, please visit https://www.hellobc.com/media/

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