Vancouver Island is a unique destination filled with low-level, old-growth temperate rainforest. The area is packed with outdoor adventure, pristine beaches, whale watching, and scenic drives. No matter the ages in your group, everyone will find their place on Vancouver Island. 

A Little about the Island

Vancouver Island is actually the visual (exposed) part of a submerged mountain range in the Pacific Ocean west of Vancouver and north of Seattle. It is made up of seven regions stretching some 460km from Victoria to Cape Scott, covering all terrains from mountains to beaches. A drive from end to end of the Island will take just under six hours and present many opportunities for sampling local fare along the way, while experiencing the uniqueness of each community. 

Golfers love to play in Vancouver Island, from Victoria mountaintops to the greens in Courtenay, Port Alberni, and Nanaimo. Championship golf is available at 40 courses across the Island, some even designed by golf greats like Jack and Steve Nicklaus.

If you love fishing, plan to get hooked on Vancouver Island, where the waters are filled with trophy salmon and halibut. There are excellent fishing holes for both fresh and saltwater, chartered trips with professional guides and opportunities for launching a boat and setting out alone. Either way, world-class fishing awaits. 

Many visitors go for the beaches, culture, festivals and culinary treasures. You can find it all on Vancouver Island, from an incredible spa treatment to a canoeing expedition or a fascinating road trip. 

Fun Facts about Vancouver Island

This unique destination offers some pretty cool fun facts, starting with its size (460km in length and 100km in width) which is about the same as Holland. Other fun facts include the following:

• The Douglas Fir Tree was first spotted in Vancouver Island by Archibald Menzies. 
• Different from the mainland, Vancouver Island has no grizzly bears or mountain goats, but is plentiful in black bears and wolves.
• The largest member of the squirrel family—the Vancouver Island marmot is one of the rarest mammals in the world. 
• Vancouver Island’s Hornby Island and Nootka Sound are two of the few places in the world where divers can experience the thrill of encountering a six-gilled shark. 

Getting There

Visitors to the area can bring their vehicles via ferry service. Choices from Washington state are the Coho Ferry, offering service daily between downtown Victoria and Port Angeles; the Anacortes Ferry, operated by the Washington DOT and connecting Sidney with Anacortes; and a catamaran service (passenger only) through Clipper Navigation goes between Victoria and Seattle. There are also ferry services with BC Ferries connecting Vancouver Island to the mainland and other Gulf Island communities. 

Visitors can fly into Vancouver Island on several options from Calgary and Edmonton. From the states, flights to the Island are available from Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Portland with a handful of major airlines. Also, float planes can land in several remote locations. 

Vacation Rentals on Vancouver Island

When you plan your trip, browse Vancouver Island accommodations including condos and houses from one to six bedrooms. Find garden-view condos nestled on heritage property to historic district Victoria condos, as well.

Keeping cool in the summertime is easy when you include water sports and indoor activities during your Vancouver Island getaway. Start planning the coolest vacation with these fun additions to your summer agenda.

If summer is your season to visit, staying cool is a breeze thanks to lots of adventures on the water. Choose a tour company like Ocean River and hit the water with a kayak exploring in beautiful Victoria. With a strong history in the business, they also offer kayaking school if you need a little help. Choose half, full or multi-day adventures that best fit your schedule. 

Whale Watching is a great pastime in the Vancouver Island area. Several companies offer excursions to get you in the presence of these unique ocean creatures. Ocean Ecoventures Whale Watching has the highest sightings of orcas and humpbacks every year and offers small, personal tour groups with never more than 12 passengers to allow for an intimate experience. During your excursion, you’ll learn about the Salish Sea ecosystem from certified captains who are passionate about marine life.

The Royal BC Museum is a world-class facility twice voted the number one museum in Canada by TripAdvisor users. Discover people and things you never knew existed within the permanent exhibits. The Royal BC Museum is also one of Canada’s leading research centers showcasing 550 million years of natural history and 9,000 years of human history in BC. And, A/C for the win!

Create your own cool breeze with an exciting Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tour! An adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventure in Vancouver Island’s rainforest allows for gorgeous views of mountains and oceans in addition to seeing wildlife and the natural beauty of the area. Join a professionally-led two-hour tour that includes an ATV ride, two suspension bridges and eight ziplines on this adventurous course. 

Super adventurous visitors will enjoy the cool temps of caves in the area where a steady 8 degrees Celsius can be depended on. Spelunking is safer with a guided tour so check out excursions from Horne Lake Caves, about a half-hour from Parksville. 

Choose accommodations that put you right in the middle of the fun and get busy planning a cool summer trip to Vancouver Island. 

Let’s face it. Last-minute getaways can be some of the most rewarding and exciting travel, especially when it’s to take advantage of playing in the recent heavy snowfall the Northwest has seen. No matter if you’re an avid skier or just want to enjoy chilly days in the snow, warm up your dreary travel calendar with a last-minute getaway to one of these three great destinations.

Island Park, ID Snow Vacations

Beautiful mountains, valleys, and rivers meander through Island Park offering the most picture-perfect backdrop for your vacation. Snowmobiling is a favorite pastime in this little Idaho town. And with lots of recent snow, there’s no time like the present to pack up and head for the hills. With cozy cottages for two or lodging in rustic cabins that will sleep upwards of 10, finding accommodations in Island Park is easy….from affordable to luxury.

Snowmobiling is amazing on hundreds of miles of groomed trails in the area. And if you can’t bring your ride along, no worries—they are available for rent. Also take advantage of guided tours to see the best of winter’s fresh blankets. Follow up a day in the brisk outdoors with a meal at a local favorite like Connie’s Restaurant & Saloon. Enjoy comfort foods from Prime Rib to Baby Back Ribs. And don’t forget dessert.

Yellowstone National Park has the distinction of being America’s first national park, established in 1872 and home to tons of wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk. A stay in Island Park puts you in close proximity to Yellowstone National Park without the crowds—a big bonus!

Mt. Hood, OR Ski Vacation

The Mt. Hood area, including Rhododendron and Government Camp, offer prime winter destinations, especially following times of abundant snowfall. Rustic cabins are available to suit almost any size party and offer a wide variety of amenities from hot tubs to game rooms and more. You’ll find lovely decks for viewing Mother Nature’s proud displays, full kitchens, and plenty of modern comforts.

Mt. Hood’s Alpine Village features all the necessary options to truly set up base camp for year-round outdoor activities and recreation. Black iron art is interwoven throughout the streetscape where you’ll find shopping, taverns, and the town’s historic Museum and Visitor Center. Find your place here and get busy planning your playful snow days.

The area is brimming with well-groomed ski trails as well as good places for snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Kids (of all ages) will love tubing and sledding. Equipment is readily available for rent, and folks can take a lesson or better yet, a guided tour. Want something special for the family? Check out Mt. Hood Skibowl, home to the largest night ski area in the nation along with fabulous Cosmic Tubing with more than 600,000 colored LED lights. Talk about a time to remember!

Winter Fun in Mt. Baker, WA

There’s no better place to experience wintry days of snow and fun like a stay in Mt. Baker’s Snowline community. Family-friendly and bursting with winter recreational opportunities, guests enjoy lots of amenities such as a seasonal outdoor heated pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, a playground and more. Better than that are the trails surrounding the community leading to the Nooksack River.

When cold weather calls, it’s nice to be right on the edge of the Snoqualmie National Forest and close to the Mt. Baker Ski Area. Sign up for beginner lessons, private classes, or whatever you need to get going on the slopes creating memories for a lifetime in one of America’s most appreciated ski areas.

When hunger pangs strike, Graham’s Restaurant is a crowd-pleaser in a western saloon setting. Comfort foods are served in generous portion sizes and you just can’t beat the wings.

Fun fact: The Mt. Baker Ski Area set the world record for snowfall for a single season back in 1999. A whopping 1,140 inches fell (that’s 95 FEET!), creating an increased knowledge of the area for world-class skiing.

No matter which destination you choose, there are wintry memories awaiting. Grab your friends and family and head to the northwest!!

Vancouver Island is a fantastic vacation spot with a wide variety of attractions and activities available for visitors. Summertime is perfect for visiting, with even more opportunities for great outdoor experiences. Choose the accommodations that best fit your budget and travel party, then let the planning begin!

On the Water

Vancouver Island boasts more than 2,000 miles of coastline along with thousands of lakes and rivers, making water activities easily accessible. Try your hand at wet adventures of both the salt- and fresh-water variety—snorkeling, diving, kayaking, whale-watching, fishing, canoeing, paddleboarding, and sailing are only a few of the options available. 

Check out local beaches for the ultimate in relaxation. Watch the changing tides as you explore places like French Beach or Cape Scott Provincial Park and take it all in.

Are you hooked on fishing? Freshwater fishermen will find almost 10,000 lakes, where they can cast for steelhead, rainbow, Kokanee, Dolly Vardens and both large- and small-mouth bass. Hire a professional guide and head for secret fishing holes to catch your limit or launch your own boat in the salt waters of the island. 

Prince of Whales Whale Watching offers incredible opportunities for whale-watching and marine wildlife experiences. Join guests from around the world to learn about different marine species, including killer whales and other sea creatures. 

Golf in Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is pure pleasure for golfers. No matter your skill level, there is a course for you. Check out a dozen courses that make up the Vancouver Island Golf Trail for a challenging experience. Ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the best deals on the continent, Vancouver Island offers more than 40 courses designed by golf greats like Jack and Steve Nicklaus, Les Furber and many others. 

Bring your clubs or rent a set, but be sure and take advantage of the beautiful, championship courses that make Vancouver Island a dream for golfers. 

Blossoming Beauty

If you enjoy gardens and nature’s beauty, consider visiting the gardens of Vancouver Island. As winter months offer special looks at evergreens, springtime shows off with cherry blossoms and daffodils, transitioning to perennials in summertime. No matter the season, you’ll find lovely gardenscapes.

Butchart Gardens (south end of the Island near Victoria) is a world renowned garden attraction and well-known for unique collection of roses.  Nanaimo offers several ornate gardens, and Qualicum Beach is the place to see hybrids and heirlooms. The capital city of Victoria is known as the City of Gardens so don’t miss all of Mother Nature’s best there, as well as in other nearby communities. 

Hiking and Camping in Vancouver Island

Getting back to nature is easy when you have more than 12,000 miles spanning your destination. Alpine climbing in the Comox Valley is popular, as is backcountry camping to the Cape Scott lighthouse. There are also opportunities for spelunking, storm-watching, cycling, jogging, wildlife viewing, and more. 

If camping is your cup of tea, don’t miss the Gulf Islands seaside camping experience. More sophisticated campers will enjoy glamping near Tofino and if you’re looking for a thrill, seek out ziplining over the trees in Sooke. No matter what adventure you crave, you’ll find it within the eight million acres of land on Vancouver Island. 

More Things to Do in Vancouver Island

If you are seeking even more things to do on Vancouver Island, remember that wildlife is abundant and watching it is a great pastime. Also, don’t forget about shopping that abounds, the creative culinary scene and, of course, the wineries and breweries available. There’s never a dull moment here!  And we’ve got so many wonderful properties to serve as home base for your adventures!

With the U.S. Dollar exchanging at more than $1.30 to the Canadian Dollar, now is the time for a road trip across the border to beautiful Vancouver Island. Washington and Pacific Northwest vacationers poised for travel will especially appreciate these immediate savings thanks to the close proximity of the Canadian border. A travel budget increased by almost 25% allows for an upgrade in accommodations, more upscale restaurants or just an extra jingle in your pocket. 

In addition, when you #BookDirect on your stay, you eliminate the traveler fees charged by the large travel websites like VRBO, Airbnb, etc.  Those fees can typically amount to around 15% on the average stay.   For US travelers who #BookDirect, that can mean up to 40% savings on your total lodging expense when coupled with the exchange rate savings!

Vancouver Island is a special place and, in fact, the only place in the world containing the amount of low-level old-growth temperate rainforest found there. Outdoor adventurists will find plenty to do with gorgeous beaches for relaxing, amazing scenic drives, and even whale watching. 

Build Your Vancouver Island Vacation

Planning and building your vacation are easy after lodging is booked. Browse vacation rentals for the perfect home base during your stay and choose activities that most appeal to your travel party. From shopping to festivals and outdoor recreation, there’s truly something for everyone in Vancouver Island. 

If you have golfers in the group, Vancouver Island is paradise for them, with more than 40 courses with varying skill levels providing challenging play for all. Ship your clubs ahead of time if you need the space in your vehicle or rent from many of the clubs for a fee. 

The foodie experience on the island is fabulous (especially with a little extra money in the wallet). Choose from gourmet food trucks, fresh seafood and almost anything else you can imagine. With an abundance of farms, locally-sourced veggies, produce and beef are more accessible and therefore quick to the restaurant tables for consumption. Check out farmers markets as well—there’s one in most every community. 

Did you know that when visiting Vancouver Island, you can take a tour of some 40 wineries, breweries, cideries and meaderies in the Cowichan Valley and South Island areas? The island offers a climate that’s quite conducive to growers, making it a breeding ground for Artisan winemakers and brewmasters. Try the myriad of adult beverages and decide for yourself if this region is a prime tasting area.

Additional Ways to Spend Your Savings

While exchange rates in Canada are still favorable to U.S. travelers, spend some of that savings on a pampering, luxurious spa treatment with hot stones, a facial, an herbal mud scrub or a couples massage. There are plenty of choices to treat yourself in Vancouver Island. 

Need suggestions on more things to do in Vancouver Island? Kayaking, looking for bears, snorkeling or just tooling around tend to be popular ways to spend some time. Whatever the choice, make this trip memorable on a cheaper budget by traveling while the exchange rate is so helpful!

There’s good reason why Vancouver is honoured with such a glamourous pseudonym. After all, it has been a filmmaking centre for almost a century.

In 1910, the Edison Manufacturing Company shot two films – the Cowpuncher’s Glove and The Ship’s Husband. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the province of British Columbia hosts more than half of Canada’s total foreign production slate and is North America’s third largest film production centre behind Los Angeles and New York. But what makes this such an attractive place to shoot? There’s the short 3-hour plane ride from LA and of course the tax breaks… but it’s the myriad of amazing location options that keep Hollywood coming back for more. And it’s this continual support from the heavy-hitters south of the border that has helped nurture Vancouver’s own industry. Bridge Studios in the metropolitan Vancouver township of Burnaby not only has one of the biggest special effects stages on the continent but has also been responsible for such TV shows and feature films as Black Christmas and the award-winning hit, Juno. Vancouver is also home to the world-acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival and the Vancouver Film and Television Forum. But we digress. The key is still location, location, location. And you might be surprised just how many productions call this their home. Your next trip to Vancouver you might find yourself walking through some of your favourite movies…

Most people are familiar with Vancouver’s flagship shows such as 21-Jump Street, The X-Files, Smallville and Supernatural, but not many people realize that they’re taking a behind-the-scenes tour as soon as they step off the plane. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has served as the set for movies such as Final Destination, The Cleaner, Firewall, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as well as the hit TV show, The L Word.

BC Place is the 60 thousand-seater stadium on the downtown shores of False Creek. This unmistakable white domed structure has played host to regional and international sport events as well as trade shows and super-concerts. But unknown to most, it has also factored in favourite films such as Paycheck, Butterfly on a Wheel, Two for the Money and The Fantastic Four. Mere blocks away is Vancouver’s Chinatown – the second largest of its kind in North America behind San Francisco. And with the colourful shops, open-air markets and attractions such as the Han Dynasty Bell in Shanghai Alley and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, it’s easy to see why this would be a favourite with location scouts. You might recognize this unique corner of the city in films such as Killer Instinct, X-Men: The Last Stand, Rumble in the Bronx and Unforgettable.

Vancouver’s Anglo Olde Towne has seen its fair share of action, too. The character buildings and cobbled streets of Gastown have attracted more than just tourists cameras over the years. See if you recognize anything familiar in Catwoman, I, Robot, Legends of the Fall, Romeo Must Die and the immortal kids’ classic, The NeverEnding Story. Vancouver’s new neighbourhoods have seen their fair share of the spotlight, too. The uber-trendy condo and brewpub neighbourhood of Yaletown has featured in such films as 88 Minutes, Good Luck Chuck, Rumble in the Bronx and the TV series Stargate SG-1. Spending a cultured day at the Vancouver Art Gallery? So did the cast and crew of The Core, The Deal, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed and Night at the Museum.

Most summer trips to Vancouver include a visit to the Pacific National Exhibition – a city institution that started in 1910 as a provincial industrial showcase and has grown into one of the biggest entertainment venues on the continent. Internationally-acclaimed, award winning live shows have originated here such as Cirque Pop, City Rhythm and Bring on the Night but so have many motion pictures – Rocky IV, Cats & Dogs, Final Destination 3, Riding the Bullet, Fear and Best in Show…

Even the local seat of learning has made room for the occasional director’s chair. The vast and beautiful campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) has provided settings for feature films such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Antitrust and The Exorcism of Emily Rose as well as the TV shows The 4400, Bionic Woman, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica and Deadzone.

Film production in British Columbia is not relegated to Metropolitan Vancouver. The capital city of Victoria on Vancouver Island has seen its share of production time as well. Craigdarroch Castle, once home to the Turn of the Century coal tycoon family, the Dunsmuirs, has undergone many metamorphoses including war hospital, music conservatory, museum and more recently home to the March sisters in the motion picture, Little Women. Maybe you’re not into the period-pieces. Sucker for those mid-eighties action films? You’ll probably recognize the one-block stretch of downtown Victoria’s Fan Tan Alley that was shot and then looped to create the deceptively long motorbike chase with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in Bird on a Wire. More into the horror genre? Any visitor to Victoria who has walked through the popular Bastion Square might feel a prickle of familiar uneasiness. This could be because Bastion Square briefly became the Parisian corner on which the main character in Final Destination meets his inevitable end.

Other areas in the province have become immortalized through the silver screen. The barren, windswept hills of Williams Lake in the Cariboo Chilcotin became a fourteenth century Asian battleground for Antonio Bandera and cast in The Thirteenth Warrior. Just north of Vancouver in the picturesque town of Lions Bay, Jennifer Garner earned her superhero stripes as Elektra. Historic Barkerville became seedy, small town Mexico for Robert Rodriguez hit, Desperado. Kamloops doubled as an American military prison camp in Germany in the acclaimed film, Cadence. And Steve Martin immortalized Nelson in the unforgettable hit, Roxanne.

But the best part about Hollywood North isn’t the movies that have been shot here in the past – it’s the one that are being shot here right now. At any given point in Vancouver, Victoria or anywhere in the province, you might stumble upon a line of huge white trailers, a closed street, a flurry of activity, a famous face and a fast growing crowd of curious spectators. Nothing compares to the excitement of a behind-the-scenes perspective as the magic of Hollywood unfolds right here, up north.

Welcome to BC. Lights, camera…

No matter what the destination, there will always be certain types of vacationers: sun-worshippers, souvenir hunters, destination diners, shutterbugs, museum-junkies…

But now, a new brand of tourist is emerging – a brave, defiant Mountain Dew-swilling kind of traveler with a thirst for adventure, an undying desire to push the envelope and an unexplainable need to scare the living daylights out of him or herself. We call you folks Adrenalists; and British Columbia has a gamut of thrills and spills to keep your pulses racing. Here are some of our favourites…

How does roaring through the treetops sound? Ziptrek Ecotours in Whistler is happy to strap you in and send you hurtling through some of the most beautiful rainforests in the province. The two distinctly thrilling packages are: The Bear Tour which features astonishing aerial views of Fitzsimmons Creek, courtesy of five incredible zip lines connected by a web of suspension bridges, trails and dizzyingly-high boardwalks and The Eagle Tour which is comprised of five new zip-lines, including a 2 thousand foot monster that boasts a twenty-story descent. This is the closest you’ll ever get to being a flying squirrel.

Maybe you’re less flying squirrel and more spawning salmon. The Whistler area is also home to some of the most thrilling white water rides in the country. From family-friendly to breakneck crazy, there’s a raft (and a lifejacket) with your name all over it. Whistler Whitewater Rafting tackles the best of the Green, Lower Cheakamus, Elaho and Squamish Rivers, as does Elaho Exhilarator White Water Rafting and Whistler River Rafting. Wedge Rafting has trips that leave the Whistler Resort Village Base five times-a-day. Have a fearless youngster in your group? Cheakamus Splash River Rafting for Families provides children as young as five years old with the time of their lives. Has the fresh air got you hungry? A day out with Canadian Outback Rafting includes an amazing BBQ buffet.

While we’re still in the neighbourhood, Coast Range Heli-skiing offers the ultimate backcountry experience, dropping small groups of 4 or 5 (plus a guide) onto some of the most spectacular mountain and ski terrain in the world.

Take things to even greater heights from Vancouver by jumping out of a perfectly healthy airplane. Skydive Vancouver brings the thrill of the freefall to newbies via a first time tandem jump, but after that, it’s all you! The Accelerated Freefall Program fast-tracks the brave through the hoops they need to ‘jump’ through in order to enjoy solo skydives. Their fleet consists of 4 planes including a 10 pax Pilatus Porter as well as Cessnas that operate from their own airfield and runway. This facility has everything you could want from onsite parachute packers and videographers to gear sales, showers and kitchen facilities. And conveniently, the Abbotsford Drop Zone is just 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver. Not far away in Pitt Meadows, Pacific Skydivers Ltd. Has worked for over 2 decades with the Canadian Sport Parachute Association (CSPA), to bring the thrill of skydiving to beginners and pros alike. With jumps from 10 thousand plus feet, you’re guaranteed a freefall of well over half a minute before the canopy-opening and the peaceful float for the last 5 thousand feet. Tandem and solo jumps are available as well as thorough instruction. Take a trip to Victoria on Vancouver Island? Victoria Skydiving Adventures Inc. on Vancouver Island brings you some of the most amazing views of the Gulf Islands and the distant Olympic Mountain Range as you hurtle towards the earth. The first jump includes ground instruction and a solo jump from 3 thousand feet with a qualified instructor activating your chute upon exit. Maybe you’ll miss the thrill of the freefall, but your first jump is solo!

We completely appreciate that many of you may not be quite ready for such a leap of faith… Fear not! There’s always bungee jumping. Relying less on the laws of aerodynamics and more on the quality of the elastic band tied securely to your ankles, this gift from Oxford University (thanks, chaps) has a strong foothold in British Columbia with many popular locations offering brief freefalls to those with any lemming-like impulses. Whistler Bungee is the only site province-wide that is open 365 days-a-year. Nowhere else will you know the thrill of racing earthwards amid a blur of old-growth rainforest and basalt column cliffs. But for the total bungee experience, one has to make the short journey over to Vancouver Island. And is it ever worth it… Wild Play Element Park in Nanaimo is home to some of the most unique thrill-rides you’ll ever experience. Imagine over 17 acres of fir forest complete with an aerial adventure course, a king swing, a zip-line and of course, the bungee zone. Because you haven’t lived until you’ve jumped off a bridge and hurtled toward the Nanaimo River at 50 kilometeres an hour. Once you’ve done this, taking your clothes off shouldn’t be that much of a stretch. Test this theory every Valentine’s Day when brave exhibitionists jump for free! The other attractions are no less thrilling with the TreeGo adventure course providing 2.5 hours of high-altitude fun, the King Swing that reaches speeds of 140 kilometeres-an-hour and the Zip Line that arcs across the canyon, reaching speeds of 100 kilometers-an-hour!

Since you’re on the Island, why not experience the Zenish beauty of Long Beach on Vancouver Island’s Pacific Coast. Stop in at Storm, the Tofino Surf Shop where, for modest daily rates (and a reasonable damage deposit) you can rent all the gear you need for a day out on the waves. Storm has it all from body boards and surf boards to wetsuits and flippers. While the best waves occur during the winter and fall season, the area is a favourite with locals and visitors alike all year round. Just don’t be fooled by the warm sunshine. The water temperature fluctuates only 2 degree between winter and summer. It’s not worth cutting corners on your rentals. Storm also provides boots and hoods – might as well stay comfortable while you’re waiting for your set to roll in. This is truly an experience not to be missed. There’s a uniquely peaceful thrill in padding out onto the warm, endless sand, board under your arm as you gaze through the morning mist at the crashing surf – followed by, of course, the entirely different thrill of carving along the perfect wave…

British Columbia is thrilling no matter how you choose to vacation. We’re betting that our ideas got your pulses racing!

Not everyone is the gambling type. But if gaming does happen to be your thing, if you can appreciate the rush of a win on the slots, flipping 21 on the blackjack table or watching your outside favourite gallop across the finish line at the horse track, then British Columbia is your odds-on best bet. Here are our favourite places to take Lady Luck for a night out…

Casinos:

The Gateway Casino family boasts facilities all across the province including the Lake City chain – a group of casinos that service visitors and locals in BC’s interior. With locations in Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, you’re sure to find a winner. Kamloops brags 301 slot machines and 8 gaming tables in a dynamic Mardi Gras-themed environment; Kelowna, 342 slots and ten gaming tables in a Caribbean cruise ship atmosphere featuring murals, a rock-scape and a waterfall; Penticton, 228 slots, 9 gaming tables including Texas Hold’Em, featuring a lakeside bar and restaurant; Vernon, 210 slots, 8 gaming tables and an entertainment stage in a Tex-Mex Santa Fe-themed room. And all locations come equipped with full-service lounges to wet your whistle between winnings!

Gateway’s other casinos are no less unique and appealing. The Starlight Casino in New Westminster is a 100 thousand square foot marvel that is open 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week and features 850 slots, 45 gaming tables and a poker room complete with electronic tables. A private bar and patio is available for patrons and the popular Redbar offers an exciting roster of live entertainment. Cascades Casino in Langley brings gaming excitement to the Fraser Valley courtesy of 750 slots, 27 gaming tables, a poker room and a high limit area for serious gamblers. Throw in a 420-seat theatre, the renowned Glacier Bar and the mouth-watering Pinnacle Grill and you’ve got all the makings of a memorable evening! Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby has cornered the market on warm Italian charm with 1000 slots, over 50 gaming tables, a show lounge and some of the most stunning mountain views of any casino in the world. Wherever you are in the province, Gateway Casinos has you covered.

The Metropolitan Vancouver area is peppered with casinos, each bringing you their particular brand of high-stakes excitement. Playtime Gaming in Abbotsford is part of the largest bingo and community games centres provider in BC. Coquitlam’s Boulevard Casino brings the sophistication of the European gambling experience to Canada’s West Coast with over 900 slots, 69 gaming tables, an array of dining choices and of course, the entertainment of the Red Robinson Show Theatre, named after the famous Vancouver broadcasting personality. For a truly unique outing, visit the Royal City Star Riverboat Casino in New Westminster – a vessel that was originally called the Queen of New Orleans and was moored on the Mississippi. It features slots, gaming tables, and numerous games such as Blackjack, Mini Baccarat, Pai Gow and Roulette, to name a few. The River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond is Canada’s biggest facility, providing 24-hour-a-day gaming with over 900 slots, all your favourite gaming tables and the country’s largest poker room with 25 tables! And for the brave-hearted, steel-nerved gambler, the Dogwood Room provides high-limit games and VIP service. Need a breather from the action? An international food court awaits you as well as Runway 26 Gourmet Buffet Restaurant. Just the pick-me-up you need before placing some off-track bets. Right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver on the shores of False Creek, the Edgewater Casino is 300-thousand plus square feet of gaming action with all your favourite slots and table games – a fantastic way to keep the evening going after watching the Canucks play next door at GM Place!

The action doesn’t have to stop if you find yourself on Vancouver Island, either.
Great Canadian Casino View Royal is only a half-hour drive from Downtown Victoria and boasts a super variety of slots with over 400 machines as well as all the popular table games and a deli to keep you going as late as 4am on the weekends. Just an hour’s drive up island in the City of Nanaimo, the Great Canadian Casino Nanaimo has 380 slots and an ample number of table games as well.

Odds are, however, that not every avid gamer will find themselves vacationing on or near the British Columbia coast. No fear! Casinos exist all over the province. Try Cranbrook’s Casino of the Rockies, the only gambling facility in the Kootenay Rockies. And with over 226 slots, multiple table games and off-track betting, do you really need more? Prince George’s Tuscan-themed Treasure Cove Casino is another big winner with 550 slots, table games and a 200-seat entertainment lounge packed into its 37-thousand square feet. And of course, the historic Billy Barker Casino Hotel in Quesnel has all the excitement of slots and table games in the old town saloon atmosphere that made the area so popular during the Gold Rush.

Of course, not all gamers live for the rush of the one armed bandits or even the thrill of table games. Some gamblers like to take their luck trackside… For those with a hankering for the horses, BC can get you much closer than your favourite casino’s off-track betting window. British Columbia has a full season of horse racing with events happening across the province all year at Sagebrush Downs in Kamloops, Sunflower Downs in Princeton and Kin Race Track in Vernon. Visit the BC Interior Horse Racing website for meets, schedules and track conditions. And for those who want to have their cake and eat it too, BC has two Horse Track Racino facilities on the Lower Mainland: Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino in Surrey and the ever-popular Hastings Racecourse in Downtown Vancouver.

Gambling in British Columbia? When the chips are down, we come up all aces. You can bet on it!