Nanaimo is the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, located on the east coast, and it has everything a tourist's heart can desire. This historic port city is known as The Harbour City among the islanders. But it used to be the Hub City; the reason for that was the special design of the streets that radiated like the spokes of a wheel. Nanaimo is also one of the best cold-water diving destinations on Vancouver Island.
The indigenous people of the city are the Snuneymuxw, which is Nanaimo in anglicized pronunciation.
About art in Nanaimo, it's enough to know that The Nanaimo Concert Band is 138 years old, and it's the oldest continuous community band in Canada. The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music is still offering music lessons and producing concerts since 1977.
During winter in Nanaimo, the temperatures rarely go below 0°C (32°F). In summer, the average temperature is 24°C (75°F). Nanaimo is known as one of the comfiest climates in all of Canada.
The best time to visit Nanaimo is from June to August. It is the period when the city is full of tourists.
Nanaimo Airport is 18.8 km (11.7 miles) south of downtown Nanaimo. Nanaimo is one of the main gateways to Vancouver Island, specifically for passengers who come from Vancouver and Calgary.
You can get on board from Vancouver Harbour to Nanaimo Harbour.
1. If you plan to visit Nanaimo from north and west of Vancouver Island or Horseshoe Bay, the access is via Deep Bay.
2. Access to Nanaimo is possible from Tsawwassen to Duke Point Ferry Terminal.
There are many parks and gardens in Nanaimo, each one with its unique beauty. Here are some of the most favourite landmarks. The water sports in Nanaimo are various and exciting and certainly won't fit inside a paragraph. The activities involve sailing, diving, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Spend the day paddling around, or get out on a charter and start angling.
Nanaimo's museums are the museum of natural history, and there are some of the best Vancouver Island art galleries in the city. South of the city is where the most nightlife happens.
Lots of festivals and events take place in Nanaimo; among them is Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race. It has been welcoming visitors for more than 40-years to participate in this famous festival and race. Maffeo Sutton Park & Sway-a-Lana Lagoon will play host to vendors, arts & crafts, and a Kiddies Carnival at the core of the bathtub festivities.
Nanaimo Public transportation is mostly buses and ferries. Using buses is for destinations inside of the island and ferry for the ones outside. You also can use the taxi services and The Hangar air taxi for transportation.
As a tourist, downtown is the best place to stay, close to the Harbourfront. Downtown is close to everything from whale-watching boats and seaplane tours to the museums, restaurants, and shops.
If you want to take a ferry to Vancouver, it is recommended to find somewhere near the ferry terminal instead.
In case you are looking for luxury accommodation, try the Coast Bastion Hotel downtown and enjoy a fantastic view.
If you're on a budget, though, HI Nanaimo - Painted Turtle Guesthouse is right next to Coast Bastion Hotel at a more reasonable price. Here are some suggestions for staying in the city:
Hotels:
Coast Bastion Hotel, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Self-Catered Accommodation:
Buccaneer Inn, Nanaimo Gibralter Rock Ocean View Bed&Breakfast, Surf Lodge and Pub, Best Western Northgate Inn
Hostels:
Departure Bay Motel, Value Lodge Motel
Guesthouses:
Beachwalk Guesthouse, Nanaimo Ocean View Guesthouse
Nanaimo has a few significant shopping malls. Woodgrove Centre is the largest on Vancouver Island, northwest of the city, Nanaimo North Town Centre, University Village Mall.
For Boutique Shopping, visit Old City Quarter and Waterfront.
Farmers Markets are active from late spring to Thanksgiving. You can find the products in Lantzville Farmers Market, Cedar Farmers Market, Bowen Road Farmers Market, Nanaimo Downtown Farmers Market.
The Bee's Knees Café and The Vault Café are two of the best cafes in downtown Nanaimo.
Asteras Greek food and La Stella Trattoria downtown and Nori Japanese Restaurant uptown are excellent restaurant choices.
The Nanaimo Bar and Milton Street Public House downtown and Arbutus Distillery & Cocktail Lounge on the west are a few of the best bars and pubs you can find in the city.
Misguided Spirits Craft Distillery is northwest, and Stillhead Distillery is south of the city. Qualicum Village Winery in the northwest, Emandare Vineyard, and Averill Creek Vineyard in the south are a few of the best Wineries and vineyards in Nanaimo. Wolf Brewing Compan, Longwood Brewery, and Cliffside Brewing Company are Nanaimo's only Breweries.
