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British Columbia needs no introduction as it is quite a popular tourist destination. This majestic beauty has everything on its land, from the pacific coastline, glaciers, mountains, lakes, bridges, and national parks to adventure-packed activities.
British Columbia is a stunning place for city buffs and nature lovers and the 15th largest metropolitan city in Canada.
The history and culture of British Columbia are vibrant enough to leave anyone in awe, and there is diversity in the people of Canada, who are known for their humble, sweet, and friendly nature.
Are you planning to visit British Columbia? If yes, you might want to explore this article until the end because it lists the 18 best places to visit in BC.
So, let’s begin with our exploration!
18 Best Places to Visit in BC!
1. Vancouver
Vancouver is the best place to begin your journey. Why? Because it is convenient to visit other places in BC from here. Vancouver is a beautiful city, and you can never get bored here.
The mountains and oceans are easily visible from almost every part of this city.
Within a few miles, you can explore Vancouver’s lovely neighborhoods like Gas town, Chinatown, etc. For those who like the city vibes, there are many large markets, shopping centers, art galleries, cafes, etc.
You can rent a bike and explore the city’s beautiful parks, as its diversity will never disappoint you.
1.1 Is Vancouver French or English?
Although federal government departments offer services in both English and French, English is the primary or second language of the majority of people.
The City of Vancouver is multicultural and a mixture of several ethnic communities. The city is bilingual on an informal basis because it is heterogeneous.
1.2 Does Vancouver have snow?
Since it rarely gets below freezing, you can still spend a lot of the warmer days outside. During the winter, the city does see substantial rainfall, and snowfall is also not unheard of. Winter months saw an average snowfall of 4 inches.
2. Yoho National Park
Yoho means ‘awe and wonder’; it does justice to its name. Established in 1886 and spread over an area of 507 sq. Miles, this National Park is a must-visit place in BC. This is a small national park but has a bundle of surprises.
Some highlights of Yoho National park include that 28 mountain peaks stretch towards the sky with a height of 9800 feet.
There are endless numbers of waterfalls. Among them, Takakkaw Falls is the second tallest, and Wapta Falls is the largest fall in Canada; one of the major attractions includes a 500,000-year-old fossil bed.
2.1 How many days do you need in Yoho National Park?
Three to four days, including one night spent camping in the Lake O’Hara campground, should be sufficient if all the points of interest are open when you visit Yoho National Park. Two days will suffice if, like us, you travel when some popular attractions are still closed.
3. Butchart Gardens
Located in Brentwood Bay near Victoria, Butchart Gardens looks like a floral paradise. Apart from the garden’s extremely pleasing aesthetics, which makes it a top choice for photographers, it is also one important national historic site of Canada.
The garden has a long history, and additions have been made from time to time. The magnificent views of royal birds like peacocks, ducks, etc., and several bronze statues will make you want to stop and stare for a while.
No matter what season you visit, there is always something fun to witness, like fireworks, musical events, etc. So, visit wherever you want to, but don’t miss this beauty.
3.1 How long does it take to see Butchart Gardens?
Giving yourself over four hours to experience The Butchart Gardens will allow you to see the sights, enjoy dining, and perhaps stop at the Seed and Gift Store to pick up a keepsake or one-of-a-kind gift.
Here is a route to help you get the most out of your visit this season.
4. Stanley Park
Located within Vancouver, Stanley Park is among the top-rated places to visit in BC. If you are curious about British Columbia’s history, this park is a must-visit place.
Apart from its scenic beauty, this park has a long history of indigenous people, the gold rush, and British colonization. Apart from a few recent additions, the park has more of a natural touch and few human-made structures.
Among the significant attractions of Stanley Park are Vancouver Seawall and Aquarium. The park has many other features like a play area for children, lakes, forest trails, beaches, etc., and was mentioned as the ‘top park in the entire world by TripAdvisor in 2014.
4.1 How long of a walk in Stanley Park?
The 9 km portion around Stanley Park takes two to three hours to walk or one hour to cycle.
5. Helmcken Falls
You wouldn’t want to miss the fourth-highest waterfall in BC. The height of the fall is around 140 meters, and it is located on the Murtle River, which lies within Wells Gray Provincial Park.
This stunning fall is one of the fantastic places to visit in BC, as if you keep following Murtle River trails, you’ll also witness six other major waterfalls. The views during winter are chilling.
Helmcken Falls is an exciting place to visit in BC; marvelous canyons and gorges are a little dangerous, so please be careful while exploring this wild beauty.
5.1 Is the road to Helmcken Falls paved?
Helmcken Falls is 37 kilometers on a paved road from the park’s entrance at Spahats Creek.
6. Capilano Suspense Bridge Park
Capilano Suspense Bridge is a fun place to visit in North Vancouver. This suspension bridge is quite old as it was built in 1889 and rebuilt in 1956.
This bridge is meters above the river and 140 meters long. The fact that makes this bridge more interesting is it has been featured in many television series like Psych, Sliders, and The Crow: Stairway to Heaven.
This bridge is an excellent place to visit in BC for a day out with friends and local exploration.
6.1 What is the best time to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge?
Open 364 days a year (except Christmas), avoid entrance lines and big crowds by visiting before 10 am or after 5 pm, June through August. Give yourself two to three hours during your visit to explore the park in its entirety.
6.2 Can you hike at Capilano Suspension Bridge?
For a variety of activities, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a great destination. The Capilano River can be crossed by a suspension bridge, and there is a cliff walk that follows the river’s edge. Several nature trails also meander through the park.
7. Inner Harbour Victoria
Victoria Harbour is one of the most beautiful places to visit in BC. There’s so much in the ecotourism business that has whale watching, in the national ferry terminals, water taxis, float planes to offer to its visitors, etc.
While visiting Victoria, visit this place because there are always fun festivals, dances, and musical events.
Taxtaxis historic town has a long and exciting history, but apart from history, this majestic town has a different royal and Victorian-era vibe. Inner Harbour Victoria is a beauty that demands to be explored and is among the best places to visit in BC.
8. Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler is a paradise for skiers. Located in southeastern British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb is a ski resort that is so large that it stretches to North America.
Blackcomb Mountains are so majestic that despite being a combination of dangerous mountain peaks, they attract more than two million visitors yearly. It is a great place where events and tournaments are held throughout the year.
It was a Winter Olympic venue in 2010, and other activities like snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ski jumping are also done on a large scale. Such adventurous events and the beauty of this area make it one of the best places to visit in BC.
For more details about places to visit in Whistler, BC, click here!
9. Pacific Rim National Park
The feature that makes this park unique is its presence in three different regions; this national park is spread over 511 square km. This national park is among the few best places to visit in BC and Canada.
Apart from its wild richness and combination of the Rocky Mountains, broken islands, and long sandy beaches, you can do lots of other things here, like hiking, camping, canoeing, surfing, etc.
So, plan a trip to BC without wasting any more time, and add Pacific Rim national park to your list.
9.1 How do I get to Pacific Rim National Park?
A one-hour flight from Vancouver or a three-hour drive along Highway 4 will get you to the west coast of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
The towns of Ucluelet and Tofino offer a wide variety of services, accommodations, and retail options close to Long Beach.
10. Haida Gwaii
Haida Gwaii means ‘island of the Haida People,’ also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. This place in BC is an archipelago, which means a cluster of islands spread over an area of approx. 50 km, located on the northern Pacific coast of Canada.
Two major islands of Haida Gwaii – Graham Island and Moresby Island, although it consists of 400 smaller islands, are rich in history and culture. These islands and majestic beauty make them one of the important places to visit in BC.
You will never be disappointed or bored on this island as it is a place for having fun, getting drunk, and dancing.
11. The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies is a wonderful combination of the Alberta Rockies and BC Rockies. This mountain range has several high peaks, and Mount Robson is the highest, composed of limestone and shale, and a World Heritage Site.
These mountain ranges are so vastly spread that they cover five major national parks, like Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, and Waterton. There’s a lot to do and see here, like skiing, exploring beautiful locations, and history and museums as well.
12. Kootenay Ski Town
If you have already added the Canadian Rockies to your visit list, do visit Kootenay Ski town, as it is nearby and is one of the best places in BC to try winter sports.
Kootenay Ski town looks like a winter wonderland during the winter seasons; it’s a must-visit place for skiers, as some of the best mountain slopes that stretch over 142 km are open for ski practice here.
The few best ski resorts here are panorama, kicking horse golden, Fernie, Big White, etc.
13. Great Bear Rainforest
As the name says, it’s a rainforest spread over 6.4 million hectares. It is a protected area for preserving animals like bears, including grizzly bears, black bears, Kermode bears, cougars, salmon, etc.
The major attraction of this forest is the Kermode bears, also known as the white fur spirit bear, who are only found here and are very few.
Apart from that, there’s also an underwater forest here, and many other animals can be spotted easily. So, if you are an animal lover, this is just the place for you.
14. Okanagan Valley
There are many adventurous places in Canada, but Okanagan Valley is one amazing and peaceful valley for nirvana seekers.
The climate here is most suitable for those tired of Canadian winters, as the weather here remains sunny and dry. There are lots, and lots of lakes present around the Okanagan Valley.
You visit this place in BC to get relieved from your busy city life. Just relax, visit the famous wineries and fruit orchards, or explore the valley on biking trails while boating, hiking, or even skiing.
14.1 Are there grizzly bears in the Okanagan Valley?
Grizzly bear risk trends and mechanisms vary across the Thompson Okanagan Region. The extirpated area in the middle of the region is where grizzly bears are most at risk, and these areas generally follow major travel routes.
15. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is one place that will make you visit again and again as it is located in Montana; it is so large that it stretches from Canada and ends in the United States. It stretches over 1 million acres and has over 130 lakes within its territory.
A few major attractions of this park are Logan Pass, Apgar, and St. Mary. There’s an avalanche creek, cedar forest, Jackson Glacier, and lots of flora and fauna for your engagement. Try storm watch for more fun.
There are so many lakes and glaciers, so glacier national park has become a one-stop destination for all kinds of sports, whether water sports, winter sports, etc., there’s something for everyone.
16. The Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest is not your typical forest; it’s a creative one located in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The forest is a magical but fun place to visit in BC, as nearby lies the Sky Trek Adventure.
This forest is especially recommended for children as there are over 350 fairytale figures, a tall treehouse, totem poles, a castle, and a dungeon. You can live your childhood here, visiting the house of three little pigs, snow white, etc.
17. Nelson
If you are more of a historical monuments and buildings kind of person, then Nelson located in BC is the place for you.
Also, famous a, s Queen City, this small town has impressive bugs and restored historic sites. There are many other things that you do here apart from sightseeing, and mountain biking is a must-try as it is a part of the local culture of this town.
Overall, Nelson is a beautiful place to visit in BC and is the right spot for a day trip.
18. Hell’s Gate
You have been identifying places to visit in BC as beautiful and adventurous; now it’s time to add some thrill to your journey.
Hell’s Gate got its name from an explorer in 1808 who was terrified by the view of the location and the roaring Fraser river flowing beneath the bridge, the hat he named hell’s Gate.
There are many first stories and location rumors near Fraser Canyon, attracting even more tourists yearly.
18.1 How much does it cost to enter Hells Gate?
How much does Hell’s Gate National Park’s entrance fee cost? Hell’s Gate National Park charges an entrance fee of US$27 for adults and $15 for children.
Closing Thoughts
British Columbia is full of surprises for every region and age visitor. It has mountain ranges, lakes, long stretches of coastline, and picture-perfect landscapes.
If you are a man of adventure, there is also; the west coast trail, Vancouver Island, and a trip to the pacific ocean. There are also many notable parks to visit, like; kokanee glacier provincial, park Banff national park, and mount Revelstoke national park.
Protip: if you are visiting Revelstoke, staying at Revelstoke mountain resort is highly advised.
Apart from the places mentioned above, there are many other beautiful and unique places to visit in British Columbia.
There are many unusual places and things to do in BC. You can check it out here! So, hurry up, add these places to your must-visit list, and drip ASAP!
This article was on ’18 Best Places to Visit in British Columbia’. If you have something more to add, please feel free to share your thoughts with us!
Last Updated on by Sanjana
