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48 of the Best THINGS TO DO in British Columbia

By Matthew G. Bailey 99 Comments

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Whale Watching Vancouver Island Port Renfrew Canada
Watching Orca whales off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.

Updated: January 31st, 2022

There are so many incredible things to do in British Columbia. From lush rainforest to high mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean, British Columbia is an incredible province to explore. Living next door in Alberta, we’ve been to BC many times and have experienced it from north to south and from east to west.

Although British Columbia is home to the mildest climate in Canada, it’s also about as diverse as it gets. From being able to go surfing and skiing (possibly during the same day) to being able to hike some of Canada’s tallest mountains or exploring one of North America’s most dense cities, BC is a treasure trove for tourists and locals alike.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the mountains, the ocean or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of British Columbia.

Table of Contents

  • Things To Do in British Columbia
  • What To Do In Vancouver
    • Explore Stanley Park
    • Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
    • Grab a Bite to Eat on Granville Island
    • Grouse Mountain
    • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 
    • Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours 
    • Museum of Anthropology
    • Vancouver Whale Watching
  • What To Do in Victoria and Vancouver Island
    • Visit the Butchart Gardens
    • Explore the Royal BC Museum
    • Take a Victoria Food Tour
    • Craigdarroch Castle 
    • Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
    • Wild Renfrew
    • Orca Spirit Adventures
    • Glamping at Brown’s Bay Resort
    • Eagle Eye Adventures Grizzly Bear Tour
    • Snorkelling with Salmon 
    • Elk Falls Provincial Park
    • Go Surfing in Tofino
    • Wildplay Nanaimo 
    • Scuba Diving
    • Stand Amongst Giants at Cathedral Grove
  • What to Do in Kelowna
    • Go on a Kelowna Winery Tour
    • Take a Helicopter Tour
    • Go Boating on Okanagan Lake
    • Okanagan Flyboard
    • Go Outdoors on the Kettle Valley Railway
    • Go Skiing at Big White Ski Resort
  • What to Do in BC’s Rocky Mountain Region
    • Reflect at Emerald Lake
    • Pipe Mountain Coaster
    • White Water Rafting
    • Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
    • Radium Hot Springs
    • Panorama Mountain Resort
  • What To Do In Northern British Columbia
    • Liard Hot Springs
    • Muncho Lake Provincial Park
    • Dawson Creek
    • Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark
    • Fort Saint James National Historic Site
    • ‘Ksan Museum and Historical Village
    • Gitanyow Totem Poles
    • Meziadan Fish Ladder
    • Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park
    • Nisga’a Museum and Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
    • Museum of Northern BC
    • Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands)
  • Fun Facts about British Columbia
  • Getting to British Columbia
    • Getting to BC by Car
    • Getting to BC by Plane
  • Getting Around British Columbia
  • Best Time to Visit BC
  • Road to 150 – British Columbia Road Trip
  • Looking For More Things to Do in BC?

Things To Do in British Columbia

Whether you love cities or the great outdoors, there is so much to do and see in British Columbia. From hiking in the rainforest to visiting wineries to walking around the streets in one of the most densely populated cities in North America, BC is truly one of Canada’s great treasures.

We’ve been to British Columbia many, many times. Living in Calgary, BC is our next-door neighbour, and considering it’s the #1 tourist destination in Canada, there are lots of fun things to do. From swimming in wild hot springs in the North to getting splashed by humpback whales in the South, this travel guide will help you plan your next trip to Canada’s wild west coast.

What To Do In Vancouver

Vancouver is a world-famous city and for good reason: It’s beautifully situated right between mountains and oceans while enjoying some of Canada’s mildest weather. It’s also one of the most densely populated cities in North America, which brings thousands of incredible restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant life that can’t be found in many cities. However, it’s also surrounded by nature, creating a nice balance between the concrete jungle and the real outdoors.

Explore Stanley Park

No matter how many times we visit Vancouver, we always visit Stanley Park. It’s Vancouver’s first urban park and remains the largest with over 400-hectares of natural West Coast rainforest. It’s filled with beautiful beaches, local wildlife, historical landmarks, and the Vancouver Aquarium, which we’ll talk about below.

Visit the Vancouver Aquarium

While visiting Stanley Park, you may want to check out the Vancouver Aquarium as well. This is Canada’s largest aquarium with more than 70,000 beautiful creatures, including dolphins, anacondas, sea otters, sloths, and more. The Vancouver Aquarium is also well respected for its research and marine stewardship and is a great place to learn about the region’s marine life.

Grab a Bite to Eat on Granville Island

Located in the heart of the city, this little peninsula has become a popular hub for food and drink. Granville Island has a wonderful food market, a famous brewery, and a variety of cool shops. In the summer, it’s also alive with boat taxis, paddle-boarders, and kayakers.

Grouse Mountain

As Vancouver’s top outdoor attraction, Grouse Mountain is a great place to go for gruelling mountain hikes or, for those less inclined to work out, an easy gondola ride to get jaw-dropping views of the city and the surrounding mountains. In the winter, it’s also popular for skiing and snowboarding.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 

Capilano Suspension Bridge sits 140 metres over a river, crossing towering evergreens and a cedar-scented rainforest. It’s also home to the Treetops Adventure, seven suspended footbridges offering views 110 feet above the forest floor, and a new Cliffwalk attraction. It’s one of the top attractions in Vancouver, attracting close to one million visitors every year. If crowds aren’t your thing, another option is the free but smaller Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours 

If you’re looking to learn about Vancouver’s past in a fun and entertaining way, we highly recommend a walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver. We learned so much about Vancouver’s “dark history” and our views of Vancouver will never be the same.

Museum of Anthropology

This research and teaching museum, located at UBC, is renowned for its displays of world arts and culture. Most notably, they have an excellent permanent exhibition on the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. With over 535,000 archaeological objects, this place can easily fill a day.

Vancouver Whale Watching

British Columbia is a fantastic province to experience whale watching and you don’t even have to go far from the major city. Vancouver whale watching takes place just 20-minutes away in the historic fishing village of Steveston. We’ve had spectacular whale watching experiences around Vancouver and also out in Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. While nature can be unpredictable, your chances of seeing them are very high.

Looking for more info? Don’t forget to check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the best things to do in Vancouver. 

Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, Vancouver BC
Admiring the Lions Gate Bridge from Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

What To Do in Victoria and Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is an adventurer’s paradise. It’s truly incredible how many things you can do on one island. From whale watching to hiking the rainforest to surfing, this is one of the best spots in all of Canada.

Visit the Butchart Gardens

Visited by more than one million people each year, the Butchard Gardens has become an icon of Victoria, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. This breathtaking 55-acre garden is home to 900 plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! Whether you’re travelling solo, with your family, or on a romantic date with your partner, the Butchard Gardens is a must-do when visiting Victoria. It’s just a stunning place to walk around.

Explore the Royal BC Museum

Founded in 1886, the Royal British Columbia Museum is a great place to learn about BC’s natural and human history. There are three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. You can also watch educational films and commercial films at the IMAX Victoria theatre and it’s conveniently located within walking distance from the inner harbour.

Take a Victoria Food Tour

If you’re looking for a combination of food and history while walking around the beautiful city of Victoria, we highly recommend taking a Taste of Victoria Food Tour. While the food was delicious, we equally loved learning about the history of Canada’s oldest Chinatown as well as the many buildings while strolling around with our friendly guide.

Craigdarroch Castle 

Craigdarroch Castle is a definitively Victorian experience. It is a shining example of a “bonanza castle” — massive houses built for entrepreneurs who became wealthy during the industrial age. This legendary Victorian mansion has four floors of exquisitely stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and fabulous Victorian-era furnishings.

things to do in victoria bc

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

This not-so-hidden treasure is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in his spectacular location.

For more things to do, check out our travel guide to the best things to do in Victoria BC!

Wild Renfrew

Within easy reach of Victoria, Port Renfrew is welcoming, affordable, and incredibly wild. Here, you can go hiking on some of Canada’s most famous hikes, visit numerous beaches, go whale-watching, and so much more. Best of all, it’s home to the Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages, which are rustically beautiful and open up to amazing views of the rugged coastline. There’s nothing quite like waking up, walking into the living room, and looking out at the sea.

Orca Spirit Adventures

Known worldwide for its whale watching and marine wildlife viewing opportunities, the small village of Port Renfrew is perfectly placed for eco-tourism, at the junction of the famous West Coast and Juan de Fuca Trails. While wildlife is never guaranteed, we had the best whale-watching tour of our lives here. We saw dozens of Orcas and dozens of humpbacks, all in the span of a couple of hours. In fact, the humpbacks came so close to the boat that we even got sprayed by their blowhole! This company also operated out of Victoria, BC, but there are many other whale watching tours as well.

Cathedral Grove Douglas Fir British Columbia
Trying to wrap our arms around this massive Douglas Fir in Vancouver Island’s Cathedral Grove.

Glamping at Brown’s Bay Resort

Outdoor enthusiasts can try a new way of camping! There are two different types of glamping tents available for individuals looking to relax in the campground. We stayed in a deluxe, luxury oceanfront tent, which was fully equipped with everything we needed. Our bathroom made us feel like we were in a 4-star hotel. Their cliffside tents, on the other hand, are for individuals looking for a more rustic camping experience. These tents only come with power but have easy access to a nearby-shared bathroom and shower building.  There’s a variety of options for waking up to Seaview vistas and you’re only 20-minutes from Campbell River!

Eagle Eye Adventures Grizzly Bear Tour

With a 99.9% success rate, it’s safe to say you’ll see some wildlife with Eagle Eye Adventures. Not only did we see humpback whales and orcas but we also joined them for a day of grizzly bear watching! It was such an incredible experience to see grizzly bears up close, eating salmon in the streams. They even have hydrophones so you can listen to the whales communicating under the water. Whether we were eyeing bears, whales, or eagles, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Grizzly Bear eating Salmon in British Columbia

Snorkelling with Salmon 

Totally unique to the Campbell River area is the chance to go snorkelling with salmon! You can do this in a nearby canyon, swimming above tens of thousands of them or you can be more adventurous and go for a fun float down the Campbell River, flowing up and over rocks and by hundreds of big salmon. A very cool experience, which can be done by tour or by renting your own gear and going alone. We decided to rent our own gear from Beaver Aquatics, which was much cheaper to do. However, if you don’t have a car, this may not be an option.

Elk Falls Provincial Park

If you’re around the town of Campbell River, we highly recommend a trip to Elk Falls Provincial Park, even if just for a short hike into the impressive 25-metre (89-foot) waterfall. However, there’s also camping, salmon fishing, and a variety of hiking trails. In addition to the powerful waterfall, there’s also a suspension bridge surrounded by an old-growth forest, perfect for both the young and old. The hike to the falls is only about 30 minutes or less.

Elk Falls Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
One of the incredible waterfalls in Elk Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia.

Go Surfing in Tofino

Whether you’re someone just wanting to try surfing for the first time or a pro looking to catch the next big break, Tofino is a surfing paradise. There are a variety of places to go and a variety of surfing schools to choose from. You can also just rent a board and go by yourself. During our visit, we partnered with the Surf Club at Long Beach Lodge Resort. With beautiful Cox Bay Beach right on their doorstep, this is an amazing place to learn surfing. We’ve participated in many surf lessons and this was by far the best. Plus, there is a free hot tub to use afterward.

Tofino is an incredible place so make sure you check out our full guide to the best things to do in Tofino!

Tofino Sunset, British Columbia
Watching the sunset after surfing in Tofino, BC. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Wildplay Nanaimo 

If you’re looking for a thrill, go to Wildplay Nanaimo. Not only is there a 150-foot bungy jump, but there are also zip lines, adventure courses, and a 140 km/h primal swing! This is the ultimate place to test your fears. I was so thrilled to find a bungy jump in Canada that’s done by the ankles. Despite it being my sixth time jumping off a bridge, it was no less scary. It’s the real deal and so much fun! Great for kids and adults!

Scuba Diving

Not a lot of people think of Canada when it comes to scuba diving, but Vancouver Island is actually known as one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Of course, it’s a different scuba diving experience compared to the tropical areas it’s usually known for. The water is cold for starters, and the sea life is quite different. However, we did our diving just off Nanaimo, diving down to 60 feet while looking at colourful fauna, a variety of fish, wolf eels, and a swimming scallop! We also went snorkelling with seals, which was an equally special experience.

Stand Amongst Giants at Cathedral Grove

Another very special part about visiting Vancouver Island is the chance to stand among massive 800-year-old Douglas Fir trees, some of the largest in the world, in MacMillan Provincial Park. This 301-hectare park, located just 16 km east of Port Alberni, is famous for Cathedral Grove, where you’ll find trees that measure up to 250 feet tall (75 metres) and up to 29 feet (9 metres) in circumference.

things to do in kelowna

What to Do in Kelowna

Kelowna is the heart of the Okanagan Valley and one of the warmest regions in Canada. This is where you’ll find one of Canada’s most famous wine regions as well as massive Okanagan Lake, a 135-km lake stretching all the way from Penticton to Vernon!

Go on a Kelowna Winery Tour

Whether you sign up for an actual tour or just go on your own self-guided wine adventure, Kelowna is a great place for trying a variety of delicious Canadian wines. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is one of the top three wine regions in Canada and a trip here would not be complete without enjoying some grape alcohol. There are dozens of wineries scattered in and around Kelowna as well as many more in Lake Country and Vernon. We only visited one winery during our stay and it was the famous Summerhill Pyramid Winery, which creates organic biodynamic wines. They gave us the complete tour of how they grow the grapes right up until they age them in an actual on-site pyramid, which they believe gives a unique energy to the wine!

Take a Helicopter Tour

We love getting high in the sky for aerial views of the places we’re visiting and Kelowna is a great place to get up in a helicopter. We went with Valhalla Helicopters as they brought us over vineyard, the city, Okanagan Lake, and the nearby canyon! Helicopter tours are a great way to get a different perspective of an area and something we highly recommend doing in Kelowna!

Go Boating on Okanagan Lake

With such a big lake surrounding the area, it makes sense to get out on the lake and take a boat tour. You can tour the city from the water, cruise to other areas, sit back and drink wine, or jump off the boat and into the lake. You can take a big boat, a little boat, or perhaps something like a kayak or a paddleboard. Whatever it is, get out on the water to really see what this area is all about. We went with Kelowna Water Taxi & Cruises, a friendly one-man operation that is just as entertaining as the location itself.

Okanagan Flyboard

If you’re looking for another unique opportunity to get on the water, then flyboarding is the answer. If the thought of hovering over the water on a board propelled by water pressure sounds exciting to you, give this a try. You’ll feel like a superhero once you get the hang of it!

Go Outdoors on the Kettle Valley Railway

We only saw this place by helicopter but it looked like an epic place to go for a bike ride or a long hike. With incredible scenery and views, the Myra Canyon trestles are a great place to get outdoors near the city. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Kelowna and is part of the Kettle Valey Railway, which happens to be the longest rail-trail network in BC, stretching all the way to Hope!

Go Skiing at Big White Ski Resort

If you happen to be visiting Kelowna in the winter months, then why not going skiing or snowboarding at Big White Mountain Resort. This is one of the most popular ski resorts in the province and also the third largest. Its mountain summit is 2,319 metres with a vertical drop of 777 metres. Home to more than 2,700 acres of skiable terrain and 16 lifts, it’s an awesome way to enjoy the mountains just a short drive from the city of Kelowna.

Looking for more info? Don’t forget to check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the best things to do in Kelowna!

Beautiful Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Watching the reflections in Emerald Lake, British Columbia. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

What to Do in BC’s Rocky Mountain Region

Reflect at Emerald Lake

Not far from the border of Alberta and the famous town of Banff is BC’s Yoho National Park. From waterfalls to lakes to epic hiking and camping, Yoho national park is one of the best in Canada. We didn’t have time to fully enjoy the park but we did take the time to at least visit beautiful Emerald Lake, where we got to see one of the most beautiful mountain reflections we’ve ever seen. Whether you stop for a couple of hours or a couple of days, Yoho national park is a real gem.

Pipe Mountain Coaster

Located in Revelstoke, this single-person coaster takes you for an exhilarating ride down the mountain! We’ve been wanting to do this for years and finally had the chance. You’ll travel up to 42 km/h over 1.4km of twists and turns while enjoying a 279m vertical drop.

White Water Rafting

Some of the best white water rating opportunities in the country are on the Kicking Horse River around the town of Golden BC. From mountain views to white water thrills, this is one of the best summer activities in the area. We LOVE white water rafting on the Kicking Horse. Whether you’re looking for exciting class 4 rapids or something less extreme, you’ll find it here. Our recommendation, however, is to go all out on the upper and lower Kicking Horse River adventure.

mountain climbing kicking horse resort
Experiencing the Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, BC. Photo by Karla G. Bailey.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Another incredible mountain paradise just minutes from Golden is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. In the winter, this place offers some of the best skiing in British Columbia whereas in the summer it’s home to epic mountain biking, hiking, and the Via Ferrata experience! It’s also home to Boo the Grizzly Bear. For outdoor adventure, this is a great place to stop!

Radium Hot Springs

Located south of the Trans-Canada Highway on beautiful Kootenay Highway, this is one of the most beautiful hot springs in the country. Located right next to a towering cliff, our favourite time to visit is in the winter when the hot springs are surrounded by icicles and sparkling snow, but it’s great any time of year.

Panorama Mountain Resort

In the summer, this place is great for biking and hiking, but in the winter, Panorama Mountain Resort is one of our favourite places to go skiing. Not only does it have really great ski runs, but it’s also home to an awesome ski-in-ski-out village with restaurants, bars, and their own big hot pools.

Panorama Mountain Resort British Columbia
Skiing at Panorama Mountain Resort, British Columbia. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

What To Do In Northern British Columbia

Since we were coming from the Yukon, we had to drive all the way from Northern BC to Vancouver. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to explore but we did stay two nights at Liard Hot Springs and a night in Prince George. One thing is for certain though! We will be back to see what Northern BC has to offer!

Liard Hot Springs

The second-largest known hot springs in Canada are quite incredible. We stayed in the nearby campground for two nights, allowing us to go early in the morning and late at night. The water can be incredibly hot in one corner and quite cool at the opposite end, which is really nice when you need a break. There are also areas that feel like a steamy jungle, which adds to the ambiance. These are a must-do if you’re on the Alaskan highway.

For more places to take a dip, check out our feature guide to the best hot springs in bc.

Muncho Lake Provincial Park

For those who love the outdoors, you don’t want to miss spending some time in Muncho Lake Provincial Park. This secluded 88,420-hectare park is a haven for horseback riding, fishing, rafting, scuba diving, and more. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains, the place is beautiful and unique. This is also a great place for camping.

Dawson Creek

For those beginning the Alaska Highway from the start, you’ll reach a town called Dawson Creek, which is rich in both World War II and pioneer history. To make the most of it, you can take a self0guided walking tour, picking up a map from the Visitor Centre, and spending a good hour or more exploring the downtown, including beautiful wall murals, the Alaska Highway House, the Train Station Museum, and more.

Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark

As the second Global Geopark in North America, Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark is rich in geological heritage. You’ll find an array of hiking trails leading to 21 different destinations and 41 different geosites, including waterfalls, canyons, lakes, meadows, and mountain vistas. There’s also a Dinosaur Discovery Gallery where you can see fossils found in the area.

Fort Saint James National Historic Site

Located just off Highway 16, in the area of Vanderhoof, you’ll find some of the most incredible heritage sites in the country. This seasonal site features the largest collection of original fur trade era wooden buildings and even offers the opportunity to spend the night in the 1896 luxurious Murray House or in one of the tents at the fort, a great experience for the whole family.

‘Ksan Museum and Historical Village

Located along the Skeena River in Haselton is the replicated indigenous village of Ksan. Used for centuries by the local Gitxsan’s tribe, this site is now home to a wonderful museum featuring close to 600 pieces of historical artifacts, totem poles, a carving area, traditional songs and dancing, and an incredible glimpse into what life was like in a traditional village. You can also take a guided tour or spend the night in the campground.

Gitanyow Totem Poles

Home to British Colombia’s largest collection of totem poles, some of which are the oldest known, the town of Gitanyow is well worth the visit. This town was made famous by Emily Carr, who painted many of these totem poles back in 1928. Each cedar pole tells a story, the history, and gives a glimpse into the spirituality of the people who carved them. To get here, find Dease Lake Highway, a short detour from Highway 37.

Meziadan Fish Ladder

For a province famous for its salmon, it makes sense to see them up close and personal via a fish ladder. At the Mediadan Fish Ladder, you’ll find sockeye and chinook salmon as they migrate back to the lake. This 670-foot-long ladder bridges both the upper and lower Victoria Falls, providing a public viewing to see these amazing creatures up close. You may even see bears, wolves, and eagles looking for a bite to eat.

Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park

Spatsizi, which means “red goat” in the native Tahltan First Nation language, is one of Canada’s largest parks and is an important habitat for the beautiful Woodland Caribou. Uniquely home to both the Spatsizi Plateau and the Skeena Mountains, this is an excellent place to see wildlife, as well as go canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Popular sightings include bears, wolverines, beavers, marmots, mountain goats, stone sheep, and more than 140 species of birds.

Nisga’a Museum and Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park

Not many people think of volcanic areas when they think of Canada, but Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park is a great place to experience volcanic areas. But that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. It’s also the first provincial park to be jointly managed by a First Nations tribe and the BC government. It’s a great place for a guided tour and offers an amazing viewpoint above the crater.

Museum of Northern BC

Well, since we’re talking about Nothern BC, how could we not mention the museum dedicated to the area itself. Located on the waterfront in Prince Rupert, the Museum of Northern BC houses a traditional cedar wood longhouse, and various artifacts and exhibits related to the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. Used as a trading centre for more than 9000 years, this a great place to see the culture of the coastal nations.

Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands)

Often referred to as the Galapagos of Canada, Haida Gwaii is about as unique as it gets. Voted as one of National Geographic’s Best Trips in 2015, the area is home to the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, the Haida Heritage Site, and the Sgang Gwaay UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the last authentic examples of a west coast First Nations Village.

Mystic Beach, British Columbia
The rugged coastline of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Fun Facts about British Columbia

  1. British Columbia is FOUR TIMES the size of Great Britain but has less than 1/10th the population.
  2. BC’s coastline is longer than 27,000 kilometres!
  3. Half of BC’s population lives in the metropolitan area of Vancouver.
  4. BC has the mildest climates of any province and territory in Canada.
  5. Two-thirds of BC land is forest land, with more than half of that area having little or no human contact.
  6. British Columbia has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, six National Parks and over 400 provincial parks, recreation and conservation areas.

Getting to British Columbia

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to British Columbia, here’s some practical advice on how to get there.

Getting to BC by Car

If you’re planning to drive to BC, it’s sandwiched in-between Alberta, the Yukon, and Washington, USA. Most people arrive by driving in from BC through the Rocky Mountains from Alberta, from the border of Washington, or by plane. Although it’s a VERY large province, it’s fairly under-populated and easy to drive around. If driving from the US, please note that you will have to go through customs.

The Trans-Canada Highway, which goes coast to coast, cuts right through the Rocky Mountains and basically ends in Vancouver (or Victoria, officially). The most spectacular way to arrive in BC is the drive from Calgary to Vancouver.

Getting to BC by Plane

British Columbia is home to five international airports. These five airports are the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Kelowna International Airport (YLW), Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), and the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC). Once you arrive, you can easily rent a car, take a taxi, hop on public transportation, or perhaps, jump on a tour. There are smaller regional airports in BC as well, but most people, especially those visiting from outside the province or country will arrive at one of the three airports mentioned above.

For convenience, Vancouver and Victoria are best for those exploring the coast whereas Kelowna and the Canadian Rockies airport is more convenient for both the Rocky Mountains, interior BC, and the wine region of the Okanagan Valley (Kelowna, specifically). However, for those on a road trip, it might not matter.

Getting Around British Columbia

British Columbia is a large province and is best explored by private vehicle. There are tours, especially for popular areas such as Vancouver, Kelowna, Whistler, and Victoria, and there are some buses as well, but those are very limited in destinations and convenience. Without a doubt, if your goal is to explore various parts of the province, the best way is to rent a car.

Panorama Mountain Resort, British Columbia
One of the many winter wonderland scenes in Panorama, BC. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey

Best Time to Visit BC

One of the great things about British Columbia is that it’s a year-round destination for the most part. BC has the mildest climate in the country, which means the winters are much less harsh than other provinces and territories. However, the climate varies greatly on where you go. For example, the mildest climates will be found on the coast, including Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The winters here rarely go below 0 degrees and it will see much more rain than it does snow. On the other hand, the Canadian Rockies in eastern BC, as well as Northern BC will see much more extreme temperatures similar to the rest of Canada.

The busiest and most popular time to visit anywhere in BC is like the rest of Canada, the summer months between June and September. This is when the weather is very warm (or very hot in some areas) and there is much less rain. However, if you don’t mind the rain, even the spring or the winter can be good times to visit the coast, especially if you simply prefer fewer crowds.

In the winter, if you’re looking for snow, you can either head to Whistler, which is just 2 hours from Vancouver, or go east to the Canadian Rockies for some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Likewise, if you want to see epic winter storms, you could head to the far west coastal town of Tofino, one of the most famous surf spots in Canada. Depending on what you do will decide what time you come, but here are our personal recommendations.

Despite the crowds, we love the summer. The weather is hot, the skies are often blue, and all the activities are in full effect. However, the fall would be our second favourite season, as the weather is still warm, the colours are changing, and tourists are fewer in number (although still quite a few). The spring can be nice, especially in Victoria as the flowers start to bloom, but there’s certainly more chance for rain. The winter is the rainest time (January to March), but if you’re seeking snow, this is the best time to visit Whistler and the Canadian Rockies.

Road to 150 – British Columbia Road Trip

Back in 2017, we produced one of the largest independent media campaigns the country has ever seen. The Road to 150 was a 150-day road trip across Canada to produce a 12-part video series and mini-documentary about what makes Canada special. BC was our second-last leg of the trip and became the most popular video of our entire campaign. We had around 20 days to explore the province and came up with a perfect itinerary that can easily be shortened if you’re not capturing video all day long.

Coming from the Yukon, we started our trip off in the very Northern stretches of BC, soaking our tired muscles into the beautiful Liard Hot Springs. Despite the north being so beautiful, we had to skip most of it, as it took 3 entire days of driving to reach Vancouver Island. We spent an entire week here, exploring Victoria, Port Renfrew, Campbell River, and Tofino. We had the most epic whale watching tour of our lives, went surfing, went scuba diving, snorkelled with salmon, watched Grizzly Bears eat the salmon, and even went bungy jumping in Nanaimo.

We then moved on to the massive city of Vancouver, learning about its history and biking through one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world. We then continued east to the Okanagan Valley, tasting delicious wine at their very source, fly-boarding over on of the country’s most famous lakes, and taking a helicopter tour to see it all from the sky. We then pushed east, stopping to see the stunning vistas of Yoho National Park before entering Alberta and the town of Banff.

We highly recommend watching the video above and then heading over to our Canadian Youtube Channel to see more videos about BC and about the country as well.

Humpback whale tale, British Columbia
Whale Watching Vancouver Island, BC. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Looking For More Things to Do in BC?

We were so excited to explore this incredible province. We got to fly to see so much wildlife including orcas, humpbacks, and Grizzlies. We got to shower in waterfalls, go surfing, and scuba dive. We got to bungy jump off of a bridge, tour wineries, and take scenic helicopter rides. This might just be Canada’s most exciting province and we can’t wait to return and dig deeper!

For more, don’t miss our other travel guides:

  • Things to Do Golden BC
  • Things to Do in Fernie
  • Things to Do in Nanaimo
  • Things to Do in Kamloops
  • Best Wineries in Osoyoos

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best things to do in British Columbia Canada

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimberley Alsemgeest says

    March 18, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    What a great post! Thank you so very much for sharing. Thanks to you I have so much inspiration now, just what I need!
    I’m currently planning a trip for my family and I as my parents have their 35 wedding anniversary and want to do a family trip. We plan to travel to British Columbia some time this year, probably in September. I was wondering if you could please let me know what time of year you were in BC?

    Thanks and regards,
    Kimberley Alsemgeest
    (The Netherlands)

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      March 18, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks for the kind words, Kimberley. We were in the Netherlands a couple of years ago but only for four days. We hope to come back 🙂 – As for BC, we were there in September. Approx Sept 6 – 27. The fall is a nice time. Less visitors (still lots) and the weather is still great. Fall colours in some areas. Some whale watching tours start to slow down towards the end of September but other than that, I think most tours and activities would be active. Are you coming this year?

      Reply
      • rosealie ann markwick says

        August 18, 2021 at 11:26 am

        B.C. is so amazing.

        Reply
    • Lisa says

      June 5, 2022 at 10:02 am

      Wow so many great suggestions on here. I think Wild Play Nanaimo has been the most fun day I’ve had in ages. Highly recommend.

      Reply
  2. Faiz says

    July 14, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    I’m going to binge watch all your shows now and visit B.C. whenever possible. You guys create awesome videos and have terrific content. This should be made more discoverable to the world.

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      July 15, 2020 at 3:55 am

      Thank you so much. That really means a lot 🙂

      Reply
  3. Debra Luecke says

    April 3, 2021 at 1:04 am

    I live in BC and did not know there were so many fantastic things to do. Can’t wait to get outside and try them all.

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      April 3, 2021 at 11:08 am

      For sure, BC is one of the top tourism locations in Canada 🙂

      Reply
  4. Felicia Sheikh says

    April 6, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    I can’t wait to get outside and try these fun things to do in BC this year.

    Reply
  5. Jenna says

    April 10, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Love BC 🥰

    Reply
  6. Paige McLaren says

    April 16, 2021 at 9:52 am

    amazing highlighting the beauty of BC! So much to do!

    Reply
  7. Kristopher Auest says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    Fantastic and I absolutely love these articles.

    Reply
  8. Sandra Depot says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    This site will come in very handy again this year, giving us plenty of ideas for things to see and do, whether it’d be in our regions (because we are still confined to health areas) or hopefully when we get the go ahead to start exploring further!

    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    April 28, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    I’m just a BC girl, living in a Manitoba world… can’t wait to get back

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    May 7, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    We can’t wait for travel restrictions to be removed so we can explore more of our beautiful province. We hope to make it to Vancouver island this summer and the Rockies.

    Reply
  11. Boyd Klein says

    May 9, 2021 at 7:34 am

    It’s a beautiful province to live in and visit.

    Reply
  12. Katie says

    May 10, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    I want to do all of these! I have had short stops in BC but I can’t wait for the borders to open up so I can properly explore our next-door Province!

    Reply
  13. Suzana says

    May 12, 2021 at 8:46 am

    Lucky to be so close to visit!

    Reply
  14. Cara says

    May 13, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    This was sooo helpful! I plan to drive to BC very soon 😍 — thank you Must Do!

    Reply
  15. Frann says

    May 13, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    There are so many great places to explore in BC. No need to travel south. Come see Beautiful BC!!

    Reply
  16. Traci says

    May 14, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    BC is one of the most beautiful places on earth. They don’t call it Beautiful BC for nothing.

    Reply
  17. Sab says

    May 15, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    I love exploring BC.

    Reply
  18. Amanda says

    May 16, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    Wonderful article thank you!

    Reply
  19. Monique says

    May 20, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    I miss BC and all the opportunities to be outdoors in nature!

    Reply
  20. Mel says

    May 22, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    Love British Columbia, favourite province!!

    Reply
  21. Carmen says

    May 25, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Awesome article!!

    Reply
  22. Tiffany says

    May 26, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Live in BC and haven’t done a lot of this! Need to catch up…

    Reply
  23. Joseph says

    May 26, 2021 at 6:12 am

    Next Destination 🙂

    Reply
  24. Tom says

    May 28, 2021 at 11:38 pm

    Been to Victoria! Want to go again and spend more time on Vancouver Island. There are a few distilleries I want to visit!

    Reply
  25. Rose says

    May 30, 2021 at 9:27 am

    Love Victoria beautiful Butchart gardens

    Reply
  26. Julie Boisse says

    May 31, 2021 at 10:48 am

    BC is SOOOO beautiful. Hope to return soon.

    Julie B

    Reply
  27. Kathleen alexander says

    June 10, 2021 at 7:54 am

    This makes me want to move to BC today! Hoping to move there within the next year. I cannot wait !

    Reply
  28. Daniya says

    June 10, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    Love BC nature! Thank you for sharing , now I have more things to add to my must see list.

    Reply
  29. Jayce says

    June 10, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Othello Tunnels in Hope is definitely on the list for me

    Reply
  30. Amy Frey says

    June 10, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    I would love to see this in person iv seen and heard some beautiful stories and pictures about living in BC but would live to see ut just because of the views

    Reply
  31. Randy says

    June 11, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    Happened upon black bears while biking and a grizzly with three cubs while on an atv and I’m very happy to motor off in the opposite direction. Awesome experience but short lived!

    Reply
  32. Paresh Pandya says

    June 14, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    this article is really timely for me!

    Reply
  33. Claudia Andrews says

    June 15, 2021 at 3:46 am

    LOVE all these AWESOME IDEAS!

    Reply
  34. Lynn Goad says

    June 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    I would love to go the Fisherman’s Wharf 😛

    Reply
  35. Sheena Laniuk says

    August 19, 2021 at 12:35 am

    ❤️

    Reply
  36. Arlene Anne Dowdall says

    September 1, 2021 at 5:11 am

    The views and scenery are just amazing!

    Reply
  37. Linda says

    September 3, 2021 at 1:05 am

    I agree – grabbing a bite to eat on Granville Island is a must-do.

    Reply
  38. Rob I says

    December 7, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    Lived in BC my whole life and only done a couple of these. Good inspiration for a summer road trip.

    Reply
  39. Rory Lalonde says

    December 7, 2021 at 11:19 pm

    Love bc! So much to do!!

    Reply
  40. Elaine LaRocque says

    February 16, 2022 at 12:40 pm

    Come on over to the West Kootenays and enjoy some of our beautiful area. Hot springs, lakes, rivers, camping, skiing, fishing, word’s longest free ferry, golf courses, culture,……We’ve got lots to enjoy!

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      February 16, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      We’re still waiting on the final go-ahead but we may be doing a video series there in the spring!

      Reply
  41. Claudia Andrews says

    March 10, 2022 at 7:04 pm

    Did Orca Spirit Adventures and Love Exploring British Columbia! Thanks for all the ideas we can do this SUMMER! We love going to Kelowna also and Vancouver!! So many Fun things to do! LOVE to win a PASS so we can explore more!

    Reply
  42. Priscilla says

    March 10, 2022 at 10:18 pm

    Nice article. Great to see everything in one place.

    Reply
  43. Cindy Procter says

    March 12, 2022 at 8:23 am

    BC in my home province and I so love learning more and more

    Reply
  44. Christine Topley says

    March 13, 2022 at 7:06 am

    Thank you for listing a lot of the amazing things to do and plces to see in BC. Im hoping to make trip out there this year.

    Reply
  45. SMITH STEPHEN says

    March 15, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    Wow! Fantastic article on B. C. sp many thing I did not know

    Reply
  46. Kevin says

    March 16, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    Gotta do some of these in Victoria!!

    Reply
  47. Andrea says

    March 16, 2022 at 10:53 pm

    The North Island of Vancouver Island is BY FAR the most beautiful part of BC!

    Reply
  48. Claudia Andrews says

    March 18, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    So many Wonderful things to do in BC LOVE LOVE LOVE

    Reply
    • Janice says

      May 10, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      I’ve always wanted to visit B.C. Hope I can go there one day.

      Reply
  49. Rae says

    March 19, 2022 at 8:46 am

    West Coast is the best coast!! ❤️

    Reply
  50. Tracy Messervey says

    March 19, 2022 at 9:28 am

    Absolutely beautiful, now I have ideas for things to do in BC this year when we go!

    Reply
  51. Karen W says

    March 20, 2022 at 11:00 am

    I’m visiting BC right now so was pleased to read this article. The FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER WALKING TOURS is now on my list.

    Reply
  52. Elena says

    April 5, 2022 at 10:01 pm

    I haven’t been to BC in over 20 years, think it’s time for me to go back!

    Reply
  53. Arlene says

    April 8, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    Going in Vancouver soon, this is a very good article of things to do and places to see! Thanks!

    Reply
  54. Wayne Couzens says

    May 5, 2022 at 11:39 am

    B.C. is such a fabulous place to live, I feel so lucky to be a Canadian

    Reply
  55. Ashley says

    May 7, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go whale watching!

    Reply
  56. candice campbell says

    May 9, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    I’ve always wanted to go whale watching!!

    Reply
  57. Caitlin Rassenti says

    May 10, 2022 at 2:05 pm

    This is a great article! Really highlights some of the best stuff to check out here in BC! I recommend everyone in Canada try and get here once in their lives

    Reply
  58. Katie kenyon says

    May 17, 2022 at 11:40 am

    Love it here! There’s really something for everyone.

    Reply
  59. Morgan Pierre says

    May 18, 2022 at 11:35 am

    This is great. We are newer to BC – nice to have some ideas.

    Reply
  60. Vineeta says

    May 18, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    Wonderful post! Need to plan a vacation soon!

    Reply
  61. Katryna says

    May 18, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    I’d love to try out the Pipe Mountain Coaster one day!

    Reply
  62. Meredith says

    May 23, 2022 at 11:05 pm

    British Columbia is an amazing place to visit.

    Reply
  63. Yul says

    May 26, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    Beautiful BC!

    Reply
  64. Sara-Marie says

    May 28, 2022 at 8:32 am

    I love how diverse this article is in covering our beautiful province!

    Reply
  65. Lurdes Matias says

    May 28, 2022 at 10:29 pm

    Lucky to call this place home. From te North to the south it is an amazing place to live. You captured the essence of it well.

    Reply
  66. Brandy says

    May 29, 2022 at 7:49 am

    Amazing ideas! I’ll definitely be trying the ones I haven’t already.

    Reply
  67. Nimmi says

    May 29, 2022 at 8:52 am

    Great list. We visited Rmerald Lake for the first time last summer. It’s magnificent!

    Reply
  68. Melanie says

    May 29, 2022 at 5:41 pm

    Great to see recommendations for my home city-Vancouver

    Reply
  69. Barbara says

    May 31, 2022 at 7:50 am

    Which route is best to take when driving to Vancouver from Alberta? There are several options. Not sure if one has less traffic or better views?

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      May 31, 2022 at 8:09 am

      There are a few. We haven’t taken the one that goes near the US border, but really, Trans-Canada is the fastest and is super scenic. You’ll go through 4-5 national parks.

      Reply
  70. Emilie says

    June 1, 2022 at 8:19 am

    Great article, love BC ♥️

    Reply
  71. Roseanne Shannon says

    June 4, 2022 at 9:59 am

    So lucky to have lived in BC most of my life! Best time to visit is May (before the rest of the herd and weather is still pretty good).

    Reply
  72. Heather MacLeod says

    June 6, 2022 at 9:03 am

    Just walked through Cathedral Grove. So beautiful!

    Reply
  73. lilly says

    June 6, 2022 at 5:51 pm

    I would love to take my kids to Vancouver Aquarium!

    Reply
  74. Judy says

    June 6, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    So many beautiful places to explore in BC! One of my favorites it the hike into Twin Falls in Yoho National Park.
    Your website is fantastic!

    Reply
  75. andres says

    August 24, 2022 at 9:52 am

    So much to see and to do in this beautiful province!

    Reply
  76. lesley o says

    August 25, 2022 at 8:56 am

    Love BC !!! So pretty!!

    Reply
  77. nick liew says

    August 27, 2022 at 1:35 am

    very interesting things to do and see for sure.

    Reply
  78. Sari says

    August 31, 2022 at 4:27 am

    So many great places to visit

    Reply
  79. Kam says

    September 1, 2022 at 11:36 pm

    Love it! Thanks for sharing so many great spots in BC!

    Reply
  80. Em says

    September 2, 2022 at 6:18 am

    BC is my home, has bn for generations, I haven’t done alot of the things on that list; simply because I am content with doing my own
    things, in specific places in my own Beautiful British Columbia world. I like to go places and do different things -when I choose, on my own time and terms.

    Reply
  81. Florence Cochrane says

    September 2, 2022 at 7:03 am

    Beautiful photos. BC is on my bucket list. Love to visit Victoria for the food.

    Reply
  82. Candice Campbell says

    September 2, 2022 at 9:19 am

    I live in BC and some of these “things to do” I did not know about it! So thank you! Will check some of these cool spots out!

    Reply
  83. Greg says

    September 2, 2022 at 9:32 am

    great staycation options to look forward to

    Reply
  84. Irene says

    September 2, 2022 at 11:12 am

    Seen many bears and one cougar while atving in the Kootenays. Love this province!

    Reply
  85. Gregory W says

    September 2, 2022 at 11:50 am

    Duuuuddddde…. I appreciate your passions but can you shorten it up a little bit? Like, think: snippets… digestible bites… pause and take a breath….

    Reply
  86. Ted Hildebrand says

    September 2, 2022 at 12:15 pm

    After Manitoba my favourite province to visit is beautiful British Columbia.

    Reply
  87. Shepherd says

    September 2, 2022 at 9:29 pm

    I love BC. Thankfully I’ve been blessed to do many of the things on your great list, but I’ve still got some to go! Thanks for a great post!

    Reply
  88. Nancy Nickerson says

    September 3, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    Absolutely love beautiful British Columbia!! Was just out there last week, all the way from Nova Scotia!

    Reply
  89. Nicole says

    September 6, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    Loved the Kettle Valley Railway in the Okanagan. We did the steam train in Summerland & biked on some of the trail.

    Reply
  90. Vicki says

    September 12, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    I’ve lived in BC for almost 14 years, and I have seen very little of it. This will definitely give me some trip suggestions.

    Reply
  91. Andria C says

    September 14, 2022 at 9:39 am

    So many great things to do in BC.
    I haven’t seen some of the ones listed in this article.
    Thanks, I’ll have to check out some of them.

    Reply
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