As COVID restrictions fall away, here are five quick B.C. getaways
As Canada will no longer be requiring COVID-19 testing before crossing the border for fully vaccinated travelers beginning April 1, planning a quick getaway in British Columbia is now easier than ever.
Here are five quick getaway spots in B.C., only hours away from Bellingham.
Vancouver
The city of Vancouver is only about a 90-minute drive from Bellingham and has many beautiful parks, museums and restaurants for visitors to explore.
Stanley Park is one of the most well-known parks in Canada and features almost 1,000 acres of forest, the famous Seawall paved cycling trail along English Bay, gardens, landmarks and art. Inside the park is the Vancouver Aquarium, the Stanley Park Train that reopens April 15, swimming pools, a water park, playgrounds and a golf course. The park also features restaurants and concession stands.
Downtown Vancouver is mostly a business district but holds festivals year-round such as the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival in April, The Celebration of Light fireworks festival in July, and the Vancouver International Film festival in September.
Vancouver is also home to the VanDusen Botanical Garden, as well as historic Gastown, the first downtown core of Vancouver. The stone streets in Gastown take visitors to unique restaurants and retailers.
For museum lovers, Vancouver also has The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Science World near Creekside Park and The Vancouver Art Gallery.
Victoria
Victoria is known for its beautiful architecture and history, and a two-hour, 45-minute ferry ride from Seattle or an hour and a half ferry ride from Port Angeles.
When looking for historical architecture, Victoria is home to the Craigdarroch Castle, a Victorian mansion overlooking Victoria built between 1887 and 1890. The castle hosts tours, special Christmas events, and can even be booked for weddings and events, or just to live in a castle for a day. Victoria also has other historical buildings such as the Hatley Park National Historic Site, Christ Church Cathedral, and many more beautifully built pieces of Victorian history.
Victoria is also known for its historic and diverse squares and alleys. According to Victoria’s tourism website, visitors can “stroll back through the centuries” by journeying through Victoria’s downtown landmarks, alleys and squares. Whether looking for historical pubs and cafes, a market square of independent shops and vendors, the narrowest commercial street in North America that is less than three feet wide, or brick streets lined with bakeries and restaurants, Victoria has something for everyone.
Victoria also features other museums and historical sites, such as Buchard Gardens with its 55 blooming acres to explore. The British Columbia Aviation Museum and the Royal BC Museum of natural and human history are also features.
Whistler
Located north of Vancouver and about a three-hour drive from Bellingham, Whistler is most commonly known for its winter snow. But just as Whistler is a great place to ski, snowboard or snowshoe, this spot offers year-round activities and scenery.
For snowboarding and skiing, Whistler currently has 101 inches of base depth snow on its peak and is expecting more snow this upcoming week.
Whistler’s Peak to Peak gondola experience is open year-round, offering visitors stunning views of mountains, glaciers, forests and lakes. In the summer, visitors can also enjoy zipline tours, as well as their famous Sasquatch zipline, the longest zipline in Canada and the United States.
For art and culture lovers, Whistler also has a number of museums and cultural activities. The Audain Art Museum, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, and the Whistler Museum teach visitors about the history of the area, culture, and the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations.
Whistler has a variety of hotels, townhomes and resorts and also has a list of self-guided tours introducing visitors to its variety of craft beers, sweets, cultural institutions and natural wonders.
Nanaimo
Nanaimo is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island and is home to local small shops, restaurants and beautiful scenery. Take a one-hour drive from Bellingham to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, and hop on the two-hour ferry full of beautiful views to arrive at Nanaimo.
Along the coast and ferry port, visitors can walk the Harbourfront Walkway for beautiful views of the water and walk through the downtown waterfront full of local shops and restaurants.
For more beautiful views, Ammonite Falls is a moderate, three-mile trail that takes visitors through the forest and up to a beautiful waterfall.
Nanaimo has multiple museums and art galleries including the Nanaimo Museum of the city’s cultural and historical background, The Vancouver Island Military Museum that features a Veteran’s Wall of Honor and the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
Nanaimo also holds many events throughout the year, including “world-famous” bathtub races in July, the Longwoodstock craft beer and music festival in September, historic cannon firing ceremonies daily from May through September, and the year-round self-guided Nanaimo Bar Trail, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
This quirky harbor town is nothing short of unique and definitely worth a visit.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park is named after its highest peak, Mount Garibaldi, the beautiful 2,678-meter tall mountain. Located north of Vancouver and about a three-hour drive from Bellingham, Garibaldi Park is a great vacation destination for those who love the outdoors.
The park offers over 55 miles of hiking trails, campsites for tent and trailer camping, cabins, winter camping, as well as dog-friendly sites that can be reserved online.
In the winter months, visitors can ski, snowboard or snowshoe at Diamond Head, as well as more advanced backcountry skiing options near the Black Tusk and Garibaldi Lake area. The Garibaldi Park peaks are expected to receive an extra 43 inches of snow in March.
In the summer months, Garibaldi Provincial Park is full of blooming flowers, miles of hiking trails, and lakes for swimming, canoeing and fishing. The beautiful nature surrounding the area is the perfect backdrop for climbing up one of many granite alpine climbing spots throughout the park. The park also features two trails for mountain biking, as well as swimming in the glacier-fed emerald-toned lakes.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
