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Duncan, City of Totems

The city of Duncan is located south of Vancouver Island. It was established in 1912 and is famous for its totem collection. It is among the largest totem pole collections in the world. The city's official name in 1985 was "City of Totems." City of Totems is a very fitting name, as the city had 44 totem poles in the collection. Unfortunately, one of the poles was destroyed in a traffic accident, and another one was given to Kaikohe.
In May 1862, William Chalmers Duncan (born 1836 in Sarnia, Ontario) arrived in Victoria. He was the man this community was named after. He was one of the hundred settlers that Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. Duncan chose to settle close to the present city of Duncan and got married in 1876 after trying several gold rushes. His son Kenneth grew up to be the first Mayor of Duncan, and now there is Kenneth Street and Duncan Street in the city honouring them.
Duncan's tourist attractions and activities include shops and restaurants, great vineyards, kayaking the rivers and the ocean, hiking the Trans Canada Trail, the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre or farmers' market.

Average Weather in Duncan

Duncan has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cold winters. The temperature is usually between 23°C (73.4°F) and −1°C (30.2°F).

The Best Time to Visit Duncan

The best time to visit Duncan is from late spring to summer when the city has its best temperature for several activities.

How to Get to Duncan?

Airport Transfers to Duncan

Take a flight to the Nanaimo Airport and rent a car or take a bus to Duncan.


Seaplane to Duncan

During summer, Harbour Air has daily seaplane flights to Maple Bay, which is only 11 km (6.8 miles) away from Duncan.


Ferry to Duncan

You can take a ferry from Vancouver, Tsawwassen, or Horseshoe Bay to Duke Point or Departure Bay in Nanaimo. Also, you can take a ferry to Swartz Bay, and from there, drive or take a bus to Duncan.

Best Attractions in Duncan

  • The Raptors, Nature & Wildlife Areas
  • Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
  • Maple Bay Marina
  • Mount Prevost
  • Providence Farm
  • Bright Angel Park
  • Stone Butter Church
  • Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard
  • Averill Creek Vineyard
  • Hand of Man - Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation
  • B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
  • Duncan Farmer's Market
  • Duncan Totem Poles
Visiting Duncan

Discovering Beauty and Entertainment in Duncan

Duncan is full of natural beauties that take a lot of time to explore. The city is known for its unique totem poles. However, there are many other attractions in Duncan, such as Mount Prevost and Bright Angel Park. Duncan Farmer's Market is also situated in Duncan; it is the largest year-round farmers' market on Vancouver Island. Nature and wildlife areas in Duncan are dazzling and rich. The city offers Cowichan Performing Arts Centre with amazing shows, restaurants, pubs, and Duncan Showroom (a live music venue) for entertainment.


Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Duncan

  • Art Mann Park
  • Evans Park
  • Sherman Road Soccer Park
  • Centennial Park
  • Charles Hoey Park
  • McAdam Park
  • Rotary Park Kinsmen Community Garden
  • Treefrog Tropicals
  • Jubilee Community Garden
Duncan gardens

Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Water-based Activities in Duncan

  • Art Mann Park Beach
  • Hecate Park Beach
  • Cowichan Bay Marine Gateway Park
  • Koksilah River
  • Cowichan River
  • Chemainus River
  • Somenos Lake
  • Quamichan Lake
  • Dougan Lake
  • Keating Lake
  • Wake Lake
  • Solly Lake
  • Crofton Lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding
  • Swimming
  • Beachcombing
  • Scuba diving
  • Sailing
  • Whale watching

Museums and Art Galleries in Duncan

  • Duncan Chinese Cemetery
  • BC Forest Discovery Centre
  • Cowichan Valley Museum
  • Old Koksilah School Museum
  • Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre
  • Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
  • The Ou Gallery
  • Cowichan Valley Arts Council
  • Excellent Frameworks - Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery
  • Judy Hill Gallery
  • Aquamaris Art Gallery
  • Hill's Native Art

Entertainment in Duncan

Festivals and Events in Duncan

  • Cultural Connections: Journey of our Generation
  • Shop-Hop & Drop | Multi-Member Mixer
  • Two Hoots Gift Gallery Anniversary Celebration!
  • Clements Centre Fall Bazaar
  • Fieldtrippers: Walking Victoria's Great War
  • Museum Happy Hour
  • Chamber Mixer | Habitat for Humanity
  • Ladies Night ~ Cowichan Bay
  • Deck the Hall Christmas Market
  • Charity Zumbathon event for the Cowichan Valley Basket
  • Society (The Duncan Food Bank)
  • "Getting into the Spirits" Holiday Entertaining Workshop
  • Annual General Meeting | Duncan Cowichan Chamber
  • Traditional Christmas Tea
  • Membership Matters | December Coffee & Catch-Up
  • Father Christmas in Old Town
  • Christmas Craft Fair at Providence Farm
  • Cowichan SPCA 5th Annual Holiday Social
  • The Return of the Tackiest of All Tacky Christmas
  • Sweater Parties Party
  • Cowichan Station Christmas Market
  • Light of Chanukah
  • Early Shift: Reign in the New Year

Nightlife and Entertainment in Duncan

  • The Roadhouse Pub
  • Small Block Brewery
  • The Old Firehouse
  • Wine & Cocktail Bar
  • Craig Street Brew Pub
  • Cowichan Performing Arts Centre
  • Duncan Showroom

Free Attractions in Duncan

  • Taking a walk in Maple Bay Marina
  • Hiking the Mount Prevost
  • Going to Duncan Farmer's Market
  • Touring the Duncan Totem Poles
  • Swimming in the lakes
  • Hiking the Trans Canada Trail
  • Wildlife viewing

Services in Duncan

Public Transportation in Duncan

Public transportation in Duncan includes buses throughout the city and taxis.


Where to Stay in Duncan

Accommodation in Duncan is spread all around town, but you have better luck if you go looking around the Trans-Canada Highway.

Hotel:
Super 8 by Wyndham Duncan
Ramada by Wyndham Duncan Cowichan Valley
Rosedale Manor
Birds of a Feather Cowichan Valley

Self-Catered Accommodation:
Ormada House Bed and Breakfast
Lidy's Bed & Breakfast Suite
Brierwood Bed & Breakfast
Jacquie Gordon's Bed and Breakfast

Hostel:
Falcon Nest Motel Duncan
Thunderbird Motor Inn
Duncan Motel

Guesthouse:
McLay Heritage Guest House
Holmesdale House

Vanislander

Shoping in Duncan

  • Ardene (Fashion accessories store)
  • Joe Fresh (Clothing store)
  • Duncan Village (Shopping mall)
  • Northern Reflections (Clothing store)
  • Magnolia (Gift shop)
  • Whippletree Junction (Gift shop)
  • Rembrandt's Chocolates (Speciality & Gift Shop)
  • The Ou Gallery (Art Gallery)

Food and Beverage Services in Duncan

Restaurant and Café in Duncan

  • Aastha Devotional Indian Restaurant
  • York St Diner
  • Original Joe's Restaurant & Bar
  • Dog House
  • Phad Thai Restaurant
  • One More Sushi
  • Salty's Fish and Chips
  • The Old Fork White Spot Duncan
  • Authentic Pizza
  • Station Street Café
  • The Ainslie
  • Nha Trang Maki Sushi
  • The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
  • Hattie's Farm to Table Restaurant
  • Brunch On 3rd
  • Queen's Cup Café
  • Corner House Café
  • The Society Barbershop & Café
  • Arbutus Café
  • Greenhouse Café
  • Sai's Spice Café
  • Ironworks Cafe & Creperie
  • The Twisted Mug Café
  • Tin Cup Espresso Bar
  • Rembrandt's Chocolates
  • Cafe la Vie
  • Duncan Garage Café & Bakery
  • James Street Café
  • Java World Coffees & Teas Ltd
Duncan Restaurants and Cafes

Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Duncan

  • Goldstream Distillery
  • Stillhead Distillery
  • Ampersand Distilling Company
  • Alderlea Vineyards
  • Emandare Vineyard
  • Zanatta Vineyards
  • Averill Creek Vineyard
  • Deol Vineyard
  • Unsworth Vineyards
  • Enrico Winery
  • Damali Lavender & Winery
  • Cherry Point Estate Wines, Glenterra Vineyards, Divino Estate Winery LTD
  • Rocky Creek Winery
  • Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Health and Wellness in Duncan

Duncan Sport and Wellness Centers and Spas

Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Duncan

  • Fitstop Fitness For Women
  • Snap Fitness
  • Monkey Bar Gym
  • Black Box MMA
  • Duncan Dynamics Gymnastics Club
  • The Hangout Climbing Centre
  • Juvenation Wellness
  • CBI Health Centre
  • Harmony Yoga and Wellness Center
  • Duncan Wellness Ct
  • Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre
  • Andola nail spa
  • Sei Bella Sugaring Spa
  • The Ginger Room
  • Matisse Day Spa
  • Industry Salon & Spa Inc
  • Gillian Harvey Massage Therapy
  • Registered Massage Therapy - Tom Kerswell
  • Matraea Centre
  • Warmland Massage Therapy
  • Shumka Remedial Massage Clinic
  • Chandler Family Massage Therapy

What you Can Expect to Do Near Duncan

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Ladysmith Kayaking

Ladysmith Kayaking

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Elliot's Beach Park Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving

Octopus Point Diving

Octopus Point Diving

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

What you Can Expect to See Near Duncan

Duncan

Duncan

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan

Langford

Langford

Ladysmith

Ladysmith

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Florence Lake Cave

Florence Lake Cave

Skutz Falls

Skutz Falls

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Gowlland Range

Gowlland Range

Stocking Creek Waterfall

Stocking Creek Waterfall

Memory Island Provincial Park

Memory Island Provincial Park

Christie Falls

Christie Falls

Koksilah River

Koksilah River

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