Heading South:
- Black Nugget Museum
12 Gatacre Street, Ladysmith
The Black Nugget Museum, at the corner of the Trans-Canada Highway and Gatacre Street, in historic downtown Ladysmith is a hidden treasure trove for history buffs--and aficionados of ghostly tales was first opened in 1980.
The former Jones hotel is open to the public for guided tours seven days a week 9 am-3:30 pm during July and August. The splendidly restored hotel was owned and operated by Lodwich and Sarah Jones when it was moved in the early 1900s to its present site from Wellington, near modern-day Nanaimo.
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- Ladysmith Harbour Tours
The Ladysmith Maritime Society conducts Harbour tours, commencing on the May 24th long weekend. The tours then run every weekend at 2 pm, weather permitting, until July 1, when they run daily at 10:30 am & 2 pm.
The popularity of the trips has grown dramatically since their conception. These tours are a public service, run by The Ladysmith Maritime Society and are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. This helps with the hiring of our operators and fuel costs. We hope to employ High School students to run the tour boat, as this gives them some work experience and helps with their expenses for future education. For more information or to reserve group tours, call Dale at 245-8424 or Trish at 245-0182.
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- Transfer Beach
On Ladysmith Harbour
Offers kayak rentals & tours, Millennium Outdoor Amphitheatre, adventure playground, outdoor basketball court, beach volleyball court, sand playground for children, horseshoe pits, concession stand, flush washrooms, picnic shelters, parkland, arboretum, outdoor heritage display & walk, access to the Holland Creek Hiking Trail System, and swimming area - Warmest salt-water bay north of San Francisco!
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- Ladysmith Arboretum
Open during daylight hours, this facility houses over 25 species of trees planted in the 1940's and a tree of unknown species that was grown from ancient seeds.
- Roberts Memorial Provincial Park
Just past Yellowpoint in south Nanaimo, you'll find a quiet area on the ocean where you can swim, fish and picnic.
- Chemainus
An absolutely delightful community about half an hour south of Nanaimo, that is a popular tourist destination with its many antique and specialty shops. Famous for its handpainted murals and friendly atmosphere.
- Chemainus Theatre
Chemainus Theatre Society is a professional regional company that entertains and touches the heart. In one Season, they offer five Centrestage productions, a Spotlight Series, and Theatre for the Young Audience.
Attend a dinner theatre presentation. Reservations can be made by phoning (toll-free) to 1-800-565-7738. Situated in the domed building in downtown Chemainus, at the corner of Chemainus Road and Victoria Street.
The Theatre holds 275 people, with an excellent view from every seat and the whole building is wheel chair accessible.
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- Mineral World Scratch Patch
9891 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC
Phone: (250)655-GEMS
The Scratch Patch, just one area of Mineral World, is an outdoor adventureland designed to turn anyone into an enthusiastic rockhound! Set in 1800 sq.ft. of garden next to the the sea, it contains two gold panning pools, a pond filled with tropical shells, and mounds of semi-precious gemstones (about 80 different varieties like jasper, amethyst, tigereye). Entrance is free, but if you'd like to collect any of the amazing variety of minerals, you must buy a collector's bag for $6.00, $8.00 or $10.00. Whatever you fit in the bag, you get to keep.
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- Skydiving
Victoria Skydiving Adventures Inc is located at #3 - 9584 Hampden Road, Sidney, B.C.
The First Jump Course involves ground instruction followed by an aircraft ride, "solo" instructor-activated-canopy-deployment jump from 3,000 feet, and a guided descent under canopy. On a tandem jump you will enjoy an aircraft ride to 10,000 feet, and then will exit the aircraft attached to your Tandem Master, enjoying approximately 35 seconds of free fall and a breathtaking canopy descent from 5,000 feet. Tandem Jumps usually include video, to preserve and enjoy the memory of your jump with friends and family for years to come.
The First Jump Course costs $199 per person, and discount rates of $175 per person are available for groups of 6 or more pre-paid. Tandem Jumps are $299 per person including video, or $279 per person without.
Telephone: 250-655-4434
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- Butchart Gardens
21 km (13 miles) north of Victoria
From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this 50-acre show-place still maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners in the world.
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- Royal London Wax Museum
This premiere exhibition of over 300 life size wax figures (and much more) is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, on Victoria's Inner Harbour, across from the Parliament Buildings and is open year-round.
Royal London Wax Museum represents the first exhibition in North America of wax figures from the famous Josephine Tussaud Gallery of London, England. Since 1971 this growing collection of wax figures and artifacts has been housed in an historic steamships terminal. This parthenon-style structure was designed by the renowned architect Sir Francis Rattenbury who was also the architect of British Columbia's Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel.
A visit to the Royal London Wax Museum is a journey through pages of time. The museum documents a myriad of events with some three hundred authentically costumed wax figures of the famaous and infamous. Through its objects, artifacts, likenesses of pivotal personages, scenarios and multi-media exhibitions, visitors have meaningful opportunities to experience time standing still. This museum is an important educational resource.
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- Craigdarroch Castle
Located a short drive or a leisurely walk from the downtown harbour in Victoria, BC, Canada, Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. It is now owned by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society.
The castle contains 4 1/2 stories and 39 rooms, most of which are furnished lavishly in the 1890s–1900s period. With over 20,000 square feet of space, the house and gardens are being restored exactly as they were originally built, and you will find artisans working on restorations most days. Step back in time and experience the life and times of the very rich and famous.
Visit the Craigdarroch Castle Web Site
- Royal BC Museum
The Royal British Columbia Museum is a place of discovery. Through three unique galleries, the Museum showcases the human and natural history of British Columbia, and features periodic exhibitions of international renown. Highly realistic and inviting displays, such as the Ice Age and Coastal Forest dioramas, provide visitors with a sense of having truly experienced the authentic settings of many exhibits.
The museum is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the Royal British Columbia Museum is at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Street, close to both the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria. Please check hours of operation and special temporary exhibits on the site. Definitely worth a visit so add it to your itinerary when you're visiting Victoria!
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