Nanaimo is awesome!
The beautiful outdoors.
This island is magical and also known as Saysutshun. You can take the local ferry over that runs from Maffeo Sutton Park to the island dock for $12 return. Please take a picnic and refreshments as there are no services on the island. There is a beautiful 10.6km hiking loop around the island and smaller hikes if you choose to cut across the island.
https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info
Alternatively you could rent a kayak from:
https://www.coastalexpression.com/ and Kayak over. Or rent a Kayak or bike once you are on the island at Jeff's Kayak and rentals # +12506747313.
90 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Newcastle Island
This island is magical and also known as Saysutshun. You can take the local ferry over that runs from Maffeo Sutton Park to the island dock for $12 return. Please take a picnic and refreshments as there are no services on the island. There is a beautiful 10.6km hiking loop around the island and smaller hikes if you choose to cut across the island.
https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info
Alternatively you could rent a kayak from:
https://www.coastalexpression.com/ and Kayak over. Or rent a Kayak or bike once you are on the island at Jeff's Kayak and rentals # +12506747313.
Pipers lagoon is a great place to go for a walk. It is a 14 minute drive or you can catch the number 20 bus which takes 31 minutes.
It's a nice place for a swim, beach chilling or you can scramble on the rocks to beautiful viewpoints or stroll through the forest.
118 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdPipers lagoon is a great place to go for a walk. It is a 14 minute drive or you can catch the number 20 bus which takes 31 minutes.
It's a nice place for a swim, beach chilling or you can scramble on the rocks to beautiful viewpoints or stroll through the forest.
This is a great place to escape and get in nature. You can spend either an hour here or can explore for a while. The dam is a cool place to see that is surrounded by forests, lakes, waterfalls and tunnels. You can catch the 20 bus and walk which is a total of 35 minutes. Or a 10 minute drive.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Colliery Dam
635 Wakesiah AveThis is a great place to escape and get in nature. You can spend either an hour here or can explore for a while. The dam is a cool place to see that is surrounded by forests, lakes, waterfalls and tunnels. You can catch the 20 bus and walk which is a total of 35 minutes. Or a 10 minute drive.
Rathtrevor beach is stunning if you want to take a drive to Parksville. Walk along the forest trails with views of a lovely sandy beach. 35 minute drive from the Palms. Please enjoy a pub lunch at the Black Goose, a traditional English pub.
165 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Provincial de la Playa Rathtrevor
1240 Rath RdRathtrevor beach is stunning if you want to take a drive to Parksville. Walk along the forest trails with views of a lovely sandy beach. 35 minute drive from the Palms. Please enjoy a pub lunch at the Black Goose, a traditional English pub.
City/town information
Nanaimo
Sightseeing
I recommend taking a scenic walk along the harbourfront walkway to the Downtown core and Old City Quarter . Turn left when you leave the Palms and take the 2nd left turn after the Waterfront suites and Marina. From here you can walk along the Seawall and enjoy watching the ocean, boats and seaplanes take off.
On your way to the city you will pass by Maffeo Sutton Park which is only a 20 minute walk. There are usually food trucks and dancing events in the summer on a Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Carry on the sea wall where you can enjoy a nice lunch in one of the restaurants. Please see my list of places to eat and drink.
Harbourfront Walkway
Harbourfront WalkwayI recommend taking a scenic walk along the harbourfront walkway to the Downtown core and Old City Quarter . Turn left when you leave the Palms and take the 2nd left turn after the Waterfront suites and Marina. From here you can walk along the Seawall and enjoy watching the ocean, boats and seaplanes take off.
On your way to the city you will pass by Maffeo Sutton Park which is only a 20 minute walk. There are usually food trucks and dancing events in the summer on a Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Carry on the sea wall where you can enjoy a nice lunch in one of the restaurants. Please see my list of places to eat and drink.
Foodies.
Nanaimo has many different places to eat good quality food.
I will provide a list of my favorites so far.
If you want to eat in the Old City Quarter please see the guidebook for this area as the restaurants are listed there.
By the waterfront in front of the Palms Airbnb is a delicious Vietnamese restaurant calles Seland Pho. The owner is lovely, the food is top notch and the views from the outdoor deck and the inside the place are spectacular. I really like the grilled pork, vermicelli and Spring rolls. This is where I keep the lockbox with the fob.
If you like a good pub with a lively environment then Carlos O'Brien's is 10 minute stroll from the Palms. Here you can enjoy happy hour from 2-5pm and 9pm until close. The food is great pub grub and the patio views are amazing.
The beefeaters chop house os also a 10 minute walk from the Palms and offers amazing views. More of a fancy, fine dining place, usually has last dining session around 8pm so call to make sure they can squeeze you in.
Mon Petit Choux is one of my favorite places for breakfast. Amazing coffee and Croissants, wonderful brunch Eggs Benedict and Croque Madame and french pastries. Located in the downtown area.
Gabriel's cafe is also a great spot for breakfast and lunch and also located on Commercial street in downtown Nanaimo. I love the eggs benny, the hash potatoes are a 10/10. I have also heard good things about their poke bowls.
The Crow Gate Pub is great for a proper English country garden pub with amazing food and drink in a lovely setting; an amazing destination pub and tiny adventure to find 17 minutes from Nanaimo.
Nanaimo
Food and drink.