Vancouver Isle Trails

There is lots of trails on Vancouver Island close to Nanaimo and if you are interested in staying fit while you are visiting you should check this out.  Start hitting the trails and explore what this island has to offer you.

1. Departure Bay Ferry Terminal: The Departure Bay Ferry Terminal is the BC Ferry connection point to Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver where the Trail continues on the mainland. It is the northern end of the Trans Canada Trail on Vancouver Island.
   
2. Bowen Park: Bowen Park is a 36 hectare wilderness park located in the heart of Nanaimo. A series of trails meander along the Millstone River and weave through giant stands of fir, cedar, maple and hemlock. The park also provides a 4-H barnyard, open in July and August, the Hailey Rhododendron Grove, and an interpretive nature centre and duck pond. There are also covered picnic shelters, an outdoor swimming pool, sports fields, curling club, outdoor lacrosse box, disc golf course, tennis courts, horseshoe pitches and a lawn bowling green.
   
3. Buttertubs Marsh: Buttertubs Marsh is an 18 hectare bird and wildlife sanctuary located adjacent to the Millstone River near Bowen Park. A 4.5 kilometer walking trail (no dogs allowed) circles the marsh providing opportunities to view the many species of waterfowl and birds that call Buttertubs home. The Trans Canada Trail passes through Buttertubs Marsh Park.
   
4. Colliery Dam Park: Colliery Dam Park, a 28 hectare park, is a popular swimming spot in the summer and a wonderful retreat any time of year. An hour or so of easy hiking trails lead around two lakes. Watch for deer, grouse, pheasant and raccoon in the thick forests, muskrats, ducks and geese around the lakes, and bald eagles and many species of birds throughout the park.
   
5. Extension Ridge Trail: The Extension Ridge section of the Trans Canada Trail is a local favorite for both hikers and mountain bikers. The trail follows a ridge with many fine views and winds through groves of arbutus and Douglas fir.
   
6. Pipeline Trail: This section of the trail uses a water pipeline right of way to connect the village of Extension with the Nanaimo River.
   
7. White Pine Trail: The White Pine Trail is so named because of a White pine found in a predominantly Douglas fir forest. This species has been mainly logged out. The trail winds through forests, moss covered ridges, dense Salal pockets and marshy areas. It passes Timberlands Lake, a popular local fishing spot and a great place to picnic.
   
8. Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge: The 48-metre-long Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge crosses 18 metres above the creek gorge. The views are spectacular at any time, but particularly so when the creek is in full spate.

A big thanks too http://www.trailsbc.ca/v_island_region/nanaimo-1.html for all the information regarding the trails. :)

Green Cuisine Vegetarian Restaurant

This is one of the most amazing restaurants I have ever been too that serves all vegan food. Mainly because of the nice service and amazing food and location right in the heart of Victoria. When it comes to the most fruity smoothies to the most hardy meals that completely stuff you they make you want to come back for more. This great restaurant had a fire a few months ago but is back up and ready too go. They have been open for 21 years and continue to serve people with the same amount of service that they have always had. Green cuisine creates amazing dishes that make your mouth water, turning your favorent dishes into vegan styled meals. Such as a Lebanese Lentil Soup,Samosas, Chocolate mousse cakes; they make you completely full. http://www.greencuisine.com/

Bathtub Boat Races

This is one amazing thing to do if you are here in the summers. On the evening before the bathtub boat race Vancouver Island holds a premier fireworks display by spectacular "Quality Foods" the Festival of Lights & Music fireworks display takes place in the Nanaimo harbor at 10:00 pm. After which is the next day join all the thousands of excited spectators as the annual "Great" International World Championship Bathtub boat race starting at 11:00 am sharp in Nanaimo harbor for the approximate 1 ½ hour challenge in the straits of Georgia beaten by the harsh waves finally to the Finish Line at Departure Bay Beach. After the tubs leave  and the winner has been decided the excitement continues both on land and in the water with the Marine Festival Food Fair, the Kiddies Karnival, Harborside Playdock. The racers are from all over the world to race their bathtubs and try to win the prize. They have on sale many t-shirts and of course the plug necklaces. So come check out this amazing festival and dont forget to bring the sunscreen.!

Festival of Lights

The festival of lights is a wonderful thing to go see in  the last thursday of November this amazing lightshow kicks off the winter celebration of Christmas on

Vancouver Island. People come from all over the island to see the twinkle light parade, and experience the family entertainment. Festival Night highlights entertainment, concessions, visit from Santa, souvenirs and Kinsmen Parade and lets not forget the spectacular fireworks display that is sponsored by te ladysmith credit union. The town of ladysmith shuts down a whole street to accomidate the event which makes it alot easyer for people to get around althought there is almost no parking. A community effort takes this wonderful celebration to work for the entire community and of course all of vancouver island with their Over 1000 volunteer hours to prepare displays & Light Up Night. One of many highlights that there is of this amazing night is the live entertainment many local bands preform and it gets everyone all excited it really brings the whole event together. The light up has Over 200,000 twinkling Christmas lights in street, roof top and building until January 13th. This is one of the most popular things to go see on the island during the winder season because of the shimmery lights that just light up the small town. Bring some friends down dress warm and drink lots of hot chocolate relax and enjoy the christmas spirit.

Maffeo Sutton Park / Swy-A-Lana Lagoon

This is the the heart of recreation in downtown Nanaimo with a large multi-purpose place right on the water front. The park's focus is the great Swy-a-Lana Lagoon, a tiny manmade lake that is connected to the ocean only at the highest tides. Where kids can swim and play in the sand in the lagoon. Walkways surround the lagoon, as well as fountains like tidal pools that spill back down into the lagoon. there is also a wonderful playground here which is a great place to hang out and play. There is also a nice big field for playing frizbee and maybe tossing a football around. They do hold festivals in the summer at this park. The silly boat regatta usually held in July and the blues fest in April. there is a ferry that comes here that can take you to New castle island right beside the playground and across the bridge from a long public crab-fishing dock that is worth the walk. The people crab fishing are always willing to pose their crabs for a nice picture if you ever wanted. So check out some of downtown Nanaimo.

Nanaimo River

The Nanaimo River is a wonderful place to cool off during the summer. It is right near the bungey zone just outside of Nanaimo and you can float down the river in tubes for hours. There are swimming spots that are just waiting to be used and of course you can find a special spot for only you and your friends. The river is close to a nice bridge that many teenagers use to climb and take leaps of faith into although it is not advised to do so.. kids are always taking the risk. So head down to this nice relaxing place to swim if you dont like the crowedness of the beaches at the lakes. Enjoy!

Goats on the Roof

Coombs is known for many things for example their ice cream but mainly because of their roof. which weirdly enough has had goats living on it for many years. The goats live on the roofs all summer long and live in a nice home in the winter so dont worry about them,they eat the grass on the roof and meet all the guests although they arent aloud to be fed by the guests. This is an amazing place and you should check out this wonderful farmers market and shopping area.  There is no better way to spend a day than bringing the family and your friends down to Coombs for some shopping of international foods, some imported gifts, and the in store baked goods. They also have a restaurant, a deli and fresh produce. The market takes up a huge area and has many smaller shops including a garden area, t-shirt shops, and jewelery store. But lets not forget those to die for mini doughnuts and icecream that will make your mouth water. yum yum.  In the gallery there is a shop that you can buy gold panning supplies so you can go down to the river and pan for gold. Dont be worried that you wont get something most people come back with atleast a couple flakes. It is a nice way to spend a afternoon. Across and down the road alittle is the rodeo grounds which in the summer holds horse shows and bull riding and all sorts of amazing things that will make you want to throw on your cowboy boots.  So go and check out this amazing place. The rodeo grounds has a campsite set up right beside it so you can catch one of the long weekend rodeos and camp and explore all of coombs.

Piper's Lagoon

Pipers Lagoon Park is the most exotic oceanside park in Nanaimo. The lagoon itself is the size of three football fields to put that into perspective. You can park at one end of the park and walk along a narrow, straight path between the lagoon and the restless surf of the ocean. The waves from the open water have created a wonderful pebbly beach with a great deal of beach glass smoothed down. Then it gets rocky; there is some larger rocks so you can do alittle rock climbing, and one larger hill covered in arbutus and Garry Oak, eagles, driftwood and breath taking views of the strait. The views are so breath taking that many just go down to the park for pictures and to get alittle excersise. There is no cost to parking at the park and if you want to travel by bus to this park you would have to take the number 2 bus to it. This place is truly one of the most wonderful places to see in Naniamo. Check it out.

New Castle

Another great way to spend a afternoon out is by going to New Castle Island with friends or family. There is a bunch of things you can do on New Castle Island such as hiking, camping, and swimming on many of there beaches. The island has one of the nicest hiking trails that leads to one big lake, and a few swamps. One of the big things you have to do to get to New Castle Island is by a boat that comes only to the bay of Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo.

They will have the complete list of times and return boats as well. The camp ground is open year round and has many different things to offer. The ferry cost is included into the site given as well.  one of many trails is the Shoreline Trail. This 7.5 km trail goes around Newcastle Island and can be walked in about 2.5 hours if you walk in a nice pace that have beautiful groves of Douglas Fir, Garry Oak and Arbutus trees. The forest is habitat to a number of animals including various birds, deer. 

They have a specific time schedule for the ferries so here is the link to find a ferry and the times you can catch them http://www.newcastleisland.ca/index.php?page=14 

Pirate Chips



The Captain.


I want you to check this place out if you A) like to try new things OR B) You have a sweet tooth. Pirate chips is an amazing place to go and eat and hang out with friends it is right down in the heart of downtown Nanaimo right on terminal ave right next to the old A&B sound building. It has a lot of good food for really cheap and it is a great place to go after school or on weekends because you can then go for nice walks along the water front and check out all of the nice gallery's in the downtown area. They have very delicious snacks like deep fried chocolate bar's with ice cream or you can even deep fry ice cream. If you bring your own chocolate bar one that they don't already have it is a lot cheaper and you get more of a selection by doing so. It is a very small place but has a wonderful area where the staff are very nice and are the kind of people that make you feel at home. The more you go there the more you feel comfortable going there. It is a really great place to try new things and experience something you wont find many other places in Nanaimo. 

Mrs.Riches

Mrs.Riches is a amazing place to eat dinner with their tacky design and fun family environment. Mrs.Riches is located in the downtown of Nanaimo right near Acme bar and grill and right next door to headliners school of music. There is only one catch, You have to try to conquer the Mountain burger. For all those vegetarians out there be warned that this burger is defiantly not for you. The burger is packed with 1 pound of prime ground beef,heaps of lettuce, a whole tomato, a handful of onions, plenty of pickles, mayo, piles of ham, slices of cheese, bacon strips & a fried egg all stacked high on a custom made MONSTER of a size bun. So go down to try this amazing burger but for anyone that doesn't want to still go down and see this wonderful place to eat and have a good laugh at all the people who have tried to eat the burger.. as Mrs.Riches says "Conquer it-we dare you!!"And for 25.99 its worth trying out at least with someone.

http://mrsriches.ca/

Ammonite Falls Hike

Next you should visit a place called Ammonite Falls. It is a beautiful hike to a georgous waterfall just outside of Nanaimo where bus's dont go so it makes it alittle harder to see without a person to drive you so keep that in mind. But the beauty of the falls itself is a big pay off when you get to the falls. It is about a 2 and a half hour walk and hike down to the falls but it is very easy to find with the markers that they have set up around the paths and in all honesty if you hear water you are getting close. The wonderful thing about Amonite falls is that you can go to the falls at anytime in the winter months or during summer. Although I would advise to you that going on this hike while it is raining or if the ground is very wet to wear clothes that you dont mind getting wet or very dirty because the hike down to the falls can be very muddy. 


Heres some instructions to get to Ammonite falls.
Drive - From Jingle Pot Road, turn onto Kilpatrick Road. Take the first right onto Jameson Road. Follow Jameson to the end. There is a paved sideroad to the right called Creekside which goes into a new development. Don't go down there, just park here before the yellow gate you can see ahead, up the gravel road.
Hike up the logging road, past the yellow gate, through the Malaspina University-College woodlot. Keep going straight. Stay right.




Watch for an established trail that branches right off the main trail. There is usually a sign, indicating that this is the route to the falls. This trail falls steeply at first. After it levels out, you will see and hear Benson Creek to your left. Stay to the the left and the trail will soon lead to a ridge above the creek and on to a firepit and an old road. Just across the road (don't follow the old road) and to the right is a trail that will lead you in about 75 feet to the top of the falls. There are fairly secure knotted ropes

to help down the last, steep, muddy slope

to the base of the falls. The cost of this trip is only of what you would have to pay for gas. Although A nice picnic while your down at the waterfall would be enjoyable too. Just things to give you some ideas when you go this amazing and beautiful hidden place in Nanaimo.



Gina's Mexican Cafe

The first place that I will tell you about is a little restaurant in the downtown of Nanaimo. The restaurant is called Gina's it is a cute little place nicknamed "The pink house on the hill" It is a very small place but has such nice people and is a very happy environment. Gina’s is gorgeously tacky, a B movie of a Mexican restaurant. There’s not a lot of Spanish spoken, but there are bikes and beaters in the parking lot, margaritas and beer on the menu They also offer a speical amount of vegitarian food for anyone out there that is vegitarian so you do have quite a slection at this restaurant. I have been there many times and love the service and that the staff there is always making sure that everything is okay and the wait for food is not long at all. It is a Mexican restaurant and has a lot of nice food for a good price. If you want to check it out here's the link. Located on top of a cliff, easily accessible from the Highway #1 and a short walk from the boat basin, c'mon home to Gina's for a memorable dining experience you won't want to miss. Gina's Mexican Cafe has  great

Gina's Cafe

views of Mount Benson in the west and overlooks the Old Island Highway (Terminal Ave.) that winds through Nanaimo at the foot of the cliff. http://www.ginasmexicancafe.ca/ The last thing that is amazing that Gina's has to offer is that they even have a tastey take out menu that will satisfy and hunger.