The Getaway Guidebook: Bernice's Top Tips!
Hikes and swimming spots
A great hike to view Nelson town in all its beauty. approx 1 hour up at a slowish pace. It is short but steep in places.
55 locals recommend
Pulpit Rock
A great hike to view Nelson town in all its beauty. approx 1 hour up at a slowish pace. It is short but steep in places.
Serene. Great with kids or for a picnic. Is covered in snow most of the year but is great in summer.
7 locals recommend
Old Growth Trail
Serene. Great with kids or for a picnic. Is covered in snow most of the year but is great in summer.
This is a BIG lake so there are lots of spots to swim but my favorite is 5 mile beach. To find it put Willow Point Bed and Breakfast into google maps and follow it to the side of the road. You will likely see other cars if it is a sunny day. Follow the well worn path between two private homes down to a beautiful sandy beach with a nice shallow swimming area for kids. This is a great drop in point for SUPing as well.
15 locals recommend
Kootenay Lake
This is a BIG lake so there are lots of spots to swim but my favorite is 5 mile beach. To find it put Willow Point Bed and Breakfast into google maps and follow it to the side of the road. You will likely see other cars if it is a sunny day. Follow the well worn path between two private homes down to a beautiful sandy beach with a nice shallow swimming area for kids. This is a great drop in point for SUPing as well.
This place is about 1 1/2 hours from our pace but absolutely worth it. If you want to spend all day jumping off cliffs and swimming while laying like a lizard on warm rocks just soaking up the sun THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! there are apparently petroglyphes here as well though I forget to look every time I go.
For families make sure to bring PFD for kids! They cannot touch the bottom anywhere here and big waves have washed people off the side of the rocks. Floaties and boats make this place more fun and safe.
Bannock Point
British Columbia 6This place is about 1 1/2 hours from our pace but absolutely worth it. If you want to spend all day jumping off cliffs and swimming while laying like a lizard on warm rocks just soaking up the sun THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! there are apparently petroglyphes here as well though I forget to look every time I go.
For families make sure to bring PFD for kids! They cannot touch the bottom anywhere here and big waves have washed people off the side of the rocks. Floaties and boats make this place more fun and safe.
Busy beach with a volleyball court. A local favorite for motorboats. If you like a bit more of "scene" when beaching this is your spot.
18 locals recommend
Taghum Beach Regional Park
Busy beach with a volleyball court. A local favorite for motorboats. If you like a bit more of "scene" when beaching this is your spot.
Food scene
My favorite local eat spot. amazing soup and fancy drinks. Live Music sometimes. A local spot for sure!
22 locals recommend
Red Light Ramen
308 Herridge LnMy favorite local eat spot. amazing soup and fancy drinks. Live Music sometimes. A local spot for sure!
Best fancy eating spot in town. Good ingredients. The Steak and Frites is my go to meal. Upgrade your frites to poutine, you won't be sorry!
41 locals recommend
Pitchfork Eatery
518 Hall StBest fancy eating spot in town. Good ingredients. The Steak and Frites is my go to meal. Upgrade your frites to poutine, you won't be sorry!
If you are looking for a scene before the clubs start this is likely where you will find it. Great tacos and STRONG margaritas!
61 locals recommend
Cantina Del Centro
565 Baker StIf you are looking for a scene before the clubs start this is likely where you will find it. Great tacos and STRONG margaritas!
THE coffee place in town. World renowned roastery with a very local feel. A must for coffee folk.
13 locals recommend
Oso Negro Café
604 Ward StreetTHE coffee place in town. World renowned roastery with a very local feel. A must for coffee folk.
THE BEST BURGERS ever and cheap!! I visit this establishment at least once a week! Super friendly service too.
Ashman's Smash Burgers and Fries
301 Victoria StTHE BEST BURGERS ever and cheap!! I visit this establishment at least once a week! Super friendly service too.
My personal go to for breakfast in town. Local spot, amazing Benny's. If you are a gluten free sort then order a Spaetzle meal (Maison is my fav) and ask for gluten free spaetzle. You can thank me later ;P
10 locals recommend
The Vienna Cafe
411 Kootenay StMy personal go to for breakfast in town. Local spot, amazing Benny's. If you are a gluten free sort then order a Spaetzle meal (Maison is my fav) and ask for gluten free spaetzle. You can thank me later ;P
Day Trips
20 minutes from town next to an amazing beach on the Slocan River and the historic BNR biking trails. THE perfect half day trip. Park at The Dam Inn which is a 10 minute drive from town. Then ride your bike to Frogs Peak and have Eggs Benny in the garden. Make your way to the beach for a swim. Then bike back to your car. Can take as little as 2 hours or make an entire day of it.
29 locals recommend
Frog Peak Cafe
1418 BC-620 minutes from town next to an amazing beach on the Slocan River and the historic BNR biking trails. THE perfect half day trip. Park at The Dam Inn which is a 10 minute drive from town. Then ride your bike to Frogs Peak and have Eggs Benny in the garden. Make your way to the beach for a swim. Then bike back to your car. Can take as little as 2 hours or make an entire day of it.
This place is about 1 1/2 hours from our place but absolutely worth it! If you want to spend all day jumping off cliffs and swimming while laying like a lizard on warm rocks just soaking up the sun THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! there are apparently petroglyphes here as well though I forget to look every time I go.
For families make sure to bring PFD for kids! They cannot touch the bottom anywhere here and big waves have washed people off the side of the rocks. Floaties and boats make this place more fun and safe.
Bannock Point
British Columbia 6This place is about 1 1/2 hours from our place but absolutely worth it! If you want to spend all day jumping off cliffs and swimming while laying like a lizard on warm rocks just soaking up the sun THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! there are apparently petroglyphes here as well though I forget to look every time I go.
For families make sure to bring PFD for kids! They cannot touch the bottom anywhere here and big waves have washed people off the side of the rocks. Floaties and boats make this place more fun and safe.
Great for the kids! Playground, safe beach with roped off area for swimming, walking paths. Lots of lawn for hanging out with hula hoops, picnics or bocci ball. The Rose Cafe in on premises for burgers, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream. This is THE family spot.
61 locals recommend
Lakeside Park
Lakeside ParkGreat for the kids! Playground, safe beach with roped off area for swimming, walking paths. Lots of lawn for hanging out with hula hoops, picnics or bocci ball. The Rose Cafe in on premises for burgers, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream. This is THE family spot.
Winter Fun
Amazing skiing with an old school feel. This is our local Nelson Hill. World renowned for the copious amount of champagne powder it receives in a season. Half day tickets and lessons available.
49 locals recommend
Whitewater Ski Resort
6010 Whitewater Ski Hill RdAmazing skiing with an old school feel. This is our local Nelson Hill. World renowned for the copious amount of champagne powder it receives in a season. Half day tickets and lessons available.
For a slightly more upscale ski resort experience try Red Mountain. Lots of well groomed runs from the beginner or intermediate skier. Located in Rossland which is 1 1/2 hours away from Nelson. Lots of nice cafes and shops in town.
42 locals recommend
Red Mountain Resort
4300 Red Mountain RoadFor a slightly more upscale ski resort experience try Red Mountain. Lots of well groomed runs from the beginner or intermediate skier. Located in Rossland which is 1 1/2 hours away from Nelson. Lots of nice cafes and shops in town.