Guidebook for Nanaimo
Food Scene
Because the food and staff are amazing. Its a great funky restaurant downtown Nanaimo.
37 locals recommend
La Stella Trattoria
321 Wesley StBecause the food and staff are amazing. Its a great funky restaurant downtown Nanaimo.
Slice Resto
1830 Cedar RdGreat for kids. Good pizza. A nice drive.
Its one of our favs. Love the food and atmosphere. Summers are great on the deck. Everyone has to go to Coombs to check out the goats on the roof!
72 locals recommend
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyIts one of our favs. Love the food and atmosphere. Summers are great on the deck. Everyone has to go to Coombs to check out the goats on the roof!
Great local fresh food. Menu changes. More of a date night restaurant.
28 locals recommend
Mahle House Restaurant
2104 Hemer RdGreat local fresh food. Menu changes. More of a date night restaurant.
Great greek food. Maybe the best in the city. Large portions. Adult/date night kinda rest.
84 locals recommend
Asteras
347 Wesley StGreat greek food. Maybe the best in the city. Large portions. Adult/date night kinda rest.
Boston Pizza
430 E Island Hwy EVery child friendly. Within a 10min drive from here.
Some would say best Thai food in Nanaimo. I have been only once. The food was good, great service, decent prices. You can have a wine or beer, tea, and soft drinks also. Check hours, maybe make a res as the restaurant is small. Within a 10 min drive.
Thai Orchid Restaurant
5291 Rutherford RdSome would say best Thai food in Nanaimo. I have been only once. The food was good, great service, decent prices. You can have a wine or beer, tea, and soft drinks also. Check hours, maybe make a res as the restaurant is small. Within a 10 min drive.
Great little neighborhood pub. You can walk there in 5 mins. Food is decent. Staff is friendly. They have a great little patio for those who prefer to sit outside.
13 locals recommend
Piper's Pub
4700 Hammond Bay RdGreat little neighborhood pub. You can walk there in 5 mins. Food is decent. Staff is friendly. They have a great little patio for those who prefer to sit outside.
Everything Else
I usually park somewhere on Rosehill St., just off of Stewart Ave. Then its just a beautiful walk, which will take you right downtown. Many sights to see along the way. Downtown you can have a nice lunch or just a great coffee, enjoy the views and toodle back to your car.
7 locals recommend
Harbourfront Walkway
Harbourfront WalkwayI usually park somewhere on Rosehill St., just off of Stewart Ave. Then its just a beautiful walk, which will take you right downtown. Many sights to see along the way. Downtown you can have a nice lunch or just a great coffee, enjoy the views and toodle back to your car.
Port Theatre
125 Front StLots going on at the Port. Check it out.
You can walk from here in 20mins. Then so the 1km trail that loops Lost Lake. The trail consists of gravel areas, board walks and some stairs.
9 locals recommend
Lost Lake Trail
4877 Lost Lake RdYou can walk from here in 20mins. Then so the 1km trail that loops Lost Lake. The trail consists of gravel areas, board walks and some stairs.
Parks & Nature
A great short hike even younger children could do it. A beautiful waterfall is your reward at the end.
37 locals recommend
Ammonite Falls
A great short hike even younger children could do it. A beautiful waterfall is your reward at the end.
Westwood lake is great for many reasons. Its a good run about 7K around the lake or just a nice walk. Summers are fabulous at the beach, which has lifeguards at certain times. You can bring unmotorized boats and paddle around also.
35 locals recommend
Westwood Lake Park
381 Westwood RoadWestwood lake is great for many reasons. Its a good run about 7K around the lake or just a nice walk. Summers are fabulous at the beach, which has lifeguards at certain times. You can bring unmotorized boats and paddle around also.
Its a bit of a drive, has huge parking lot. A short walk to a beautiful waterfall.
140 locals recommend
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
2245 Errington RoadIts a bit of a drive, has huge parking lot. A short walk to a beautiful waterfall.
Located in MacMillan Provincial Park. Its a bit of a drive, but as they say, well worth it. There is where you will find and be awed by the giant Douglas Fir Trees!
163 locals recommend
Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4Located in MacMillan Provincial Park. Its a bit of a drive, but as they say, well worth it. There is where you will find and be awed by the giant Douglas Fir Trees!
Tranquil, wooded park with trails for hiking and jogging, plus seasonal swimming, boating and fishing. Can drive there in less than 30 mins.
34 locals recommend
Colliery Dam Park
635 Wakesiah AveTranquil, wooded park with trails for hiking and jogging, plus seasonal swimming, boating and fishing. Can drive there in less than 30 mins.
Bird and wildlife sanctuary. No dogs allowed. There is a 2km loop trail around the marsh with a few observation decks and a tower perfect for birdwatchinig. There is parking available off Buttertubs Drive. You can drive there in 20 mins. Check website for hours of operation.
17 locals recommend
Buttertubs Marsh Park
197 Bird Sanctuary DrBird and wildlife sanctuary. No dogs allowed. There is a 2km loop trail around the marsh with a few observation decks and a tower perfect for birdwatchinig. There is parking available off Buttertubs Drive. You can drive there in 20 mins. Check website for hours of operation.
Nature park, 278 acres. Dog friendly trails. Check website for hours of operation. Can drive there in 25 mins.
21 locals recommend
Morrell Sanctuary
787 Nanaimo Lakes RdNature park, 278 acres. Dog friendly trails. Check website for hours of operation. Can drive there in 25 mins.
This park has 145 acres of greenspace in north Nanaimo. A network of misty trails and calm beauty, with some ponds and creeks and wooded bridges. Also check out Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park and Cottle Lake Trail. You can drive there in 10 mins.
25 locals recommend
Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park
3669 Rock City RdThis park has 145 acres of greenspace in north Nanaimo. A network of misty trails and calm beauty, with some ponds and creeks and wooded bridges. Also check out Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park and Cottle Lake Trail. You can drive there in 10 mins.
You can walk from here in 20mins. Then so the 1km trail that loops Lost Lake. The trail consists of gravel areas, board walks and some stairs.
9 locals recommend
Lost Lake Trail
4877 Lost Lake RdYou can walk from here in 20mins. Then so the 1km trail that loops Lost Lake. The trail consists of gravel areas, board walks and some stairs.
Arts & Culture
Port Theatre
125 Front StLots going on at the Port. Check it out.
Shopping
In Coombs. Its a visual delight. The owner travels and brings back some wonderful international findings. Worth a peek a boo. Also there is a tea shop on the site.
10 locals recommend
Bamboozle
774 Shawn RdIn Coombs. Its a visual delight. The owner travels and brings back some wonderful international findings. Worth a peek a boo. Also there is a tea shop on the site.
Kalvas the Log House
180 Moilliet StreetIn Parksbille. Awesome chain of consignment stores.
Essentials
Real Canadian Superstore
6435 Metral DrFor groceries. Very close. Under 5kms, 10 min away.
There are 3 Save on Foods stores, all on Island Hwy. All are quite close, 5km or less away from our home.
21 locals recommend
Save-On-Foods
2000 Island HwyThere are 3 Save on Foods stores, all on Island Hwy. All are quite close, 5km or less away from our home.
Thrifty Foods
114 Purvis LnVery close. Under 5km and 10min drive.