Something for everyone

From beautiful lakeside parks to stunning theatrical performances to world-famous music festivals, there's something for everyone in the region.

See attractions on our map!

Arts and Heritage Attractions

Nelson has more heritage buildings per capita than any other region of BC. One famous building, The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, built in 1902 and transformed in 2006, is a state-of-the-art centre. It hosts both a permanent installation capturing the history of the region and constantly changing art exhibits.

Kaslo's lovingly restored Langham Cultural Centre features a memorial to the Japanese internment in the region and various art from paintings to live performances.

Our communities love to share our beauty, heritage and culture with visitors—there's a reason Nelson is the Number One Small Arts Town in Canada. Come visit our parks, browse the picturesque main streets of Nelson and Kaslo, or visit the artisans living and working along the waterfront in Balfour and along the East Shore of Kootenay Lake.

The region also has a vibrant arts scene. Nelson boasts regular theatre performances at the Capitol Theatre, or a mix of eclectic and blockbuster movies at the restored Civic Theatre. Colourful murals decorate back alleys while outdoor art installations and street performers add vibrancy to historic Baker Street.

For some history in motion, check out Streetcar #23, running along Nelson's lakeshore in the summer months.

There's so much incredible heritage here, even our bridges have some! For more information on the best spanning sights, check out our story here.

Outdoor Attractions

For a bit of fresh air and a novel experience, check out the Kaslo River Trail Hide 'n' Seek. Playful statues are hiding on this stroll through the woods, can you spot them all? And while you're in Kaslo, you should check out the SS Moyie, a national historic site that will have you feeling like you stepped into a time machine!

Up in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, there's a swath of our inland temperate rainforest that has to be seen to be believed. The Kokanee Old Growth Trail is a 2.5km loop through gargantuan ancient cedars that's a spectacular sight during the summer and fall. IF you'd prefer to stay closer to the lake, there's salmon spawning in Kokanee Creek that's a must-see if you're here from August to October.

Indigenous Culture

To learn about the Indigenous peoples that live here and their history in our region, we recommend visiting the Langham Cultural Centre as well as The Nelson Museum. Both have informative and unique exhibits on the Ktunaxa, Sinixt, and Sylix peoples; offering an informative and important experience for anyone who enjoys the land that we now call home.

 Where to stay & What to do

Visit our Reservation System that provides you hotel rates and seasonal specials with a direct booking link to the accommodator. An additional feature is a list of attractions to make it easy for you to book direct. 

Click and Book