If you’re seeking an adventurous getaway, take a look here on how to spend a long weekend in Nelson, BC! VentureVida focuses on adventure travel, unique experiences and outdoor activities. Let’s dive into our favorite way to explore the outdoors!

Is Nelson, BC worth visiting?

Yes! Nelson is tucked away in the Selkirk mountains along Kootenay Lake, an 8 hour drive from Vancouver, 4.5 hours from Kelowna and 7 hours from Calgary. For this reason, it’s often overlooked and if you like traveling off the beaten track, all the more reason to take a trip to this unique town. (Also, check out VentureVida’s road trip guide from Kelowna to Calgary if you want to make a full trip out of it!). Additionally, if you like spending time outdoors and adventuring in the mountains, Nelson is full of breath-taking views and has no shortage of activities.

Why is Nelson a great travel destination?

Nelson was incorporated in 1897 after silver was discovered at the nearby Toad Mountain in 1986. The town is sometimes known as “The Queen City” because of the beautifully restored and maintained heritage buildings in Nelson. When you walk around Baker Street, Nelson’s main street, you’ll witness these unique buildings (uncommon for western Canada) and will be brought back in time. Besides this town being beautiful, there’s countless outdoor activities, great food and adventure to be had!

How many days should I spend in Nelson?

Given it can take a little longer to arrive in Nelson than most other places in British Columbia, we’d definitely recommend staying for 3-4 days (aka a perfect opportunity to spend a long weekend in Nelson). Additionally, there’s so many activities in the area so you’ll want to maximize as much time there as possible!

Things to do in Nelson:

Go for a coffee at Oso Negro Café

Oso Negro Café was born in Nelson, BC in 1993 and has been roasting amazing coffee ever since. Stop by their signature café for a cup of coffee and a breakfast bun to start off your day!

Mountain Bike at Morning Mountain

Once you’ve fueled up for the day (you’ll need it) head on over to Morning Mountain for a lap or two. Turnstyles is a popular black diamond flow trail with tall berms, tables tops and other jump features. Peddle up upper Bottoms up, it’s about 450 m elevation gain and 8.6 km for a full lap but worth it for the flow down!

Go for a swim at Taghum Beach

After a nice bike at Morning Mountain, head down the road to Taghum Beach Provincial Park for a swim and relaxing afternoon at the beach. This is a secluded sandy beach and the perfect place to launch a paddleboard or toss around the football.

Walk along Baker Street

As mentioned, Baker Street is lined with heritage style buildings that are filled with cute shops and restaurants. Another great way to spend an afternoon after an adventure spending a long weekend in Nelson!

Grab a bite

Nelson is filled with fantastic food options, be sure to include a night on the town to try some of their mouth-watering cuisines! Two of our favorites were Cantina del Centro and Marzano.

Go for a run along the water

One of the best ways to take in the stunning scenery of Nelson is to go for a run along Rotary Lakeside Park. If you continue south towards the airport and Lakeside Park, there’s multiple little hidden coves that are perfect for a post-run dip!

Treat yourself to some quality ice cream

At VentureVida, we’re all about treating ourselves after a big adventure.. In Nelson, you have to check out Big Dee’s for the best ice cream and macaroons (be sure to try the birthday cake, cookie dough ice cream…!).

Go for a hike at Pulpit Rock

Want to get the glutes firing and be rewarded with a scenic view of Nelson? Go for a hike at the popular Pulpit Rock, 3.5 km and 325 m elevation gain. However, if you want something a little harder, check out some other hiking recommendations in the area.

Take a scenic drive along Kootenay Lake

The beautiful scenery outside of Nelson continues to get better as you drive north along Kootenay Lake, which we’d highly recommend doing as part of spending a long weekend in Nelson. You’ll drive this direction if you’re heading towards Kokanee Glacier Park or Kaslo, so sit back and take in the stunning views!

Go camping in Kokanee Creek Park

Kokanee Creek Park is a great campground with over 1 km of sandy beaches and four campgrounds. You’ll find plenty of activities directly in the park, as well as many things to do in the area. There’s 132 available sites that you can reserve ahead of time. However, we arrived after Canada Day in July and were able to snag a spot without a reservation.

Hike in Kokanee Glacier Park

Kokanee Glacier Park is one of the oldest parks in British Columbia, established in 1922, and has breathtaking views and many activities to choose from! If you’re spending a long weekend in Nelson, we’d highly recommend hiking Kokanee Lake via Gibson Lake Trail and going for a post-hike swim in Kokanee Creek or Kokanee Lake. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little longer take a look at other trails in the park.

Go mountain biking in Nelson’s North Shore

If you’re in the area and looking to go for a lap or two, Nelson’s North Shore has a couple trails. We went down Goosebumps (nostalgia for the old school tv show), which was OK.. a little overgrown in places but always good to get out for a lap!

Make a day trip to Kaslo

Kaslo is a unique little village nestled between Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains. It’s a fun place to stop if you’re spending a long weekend in Nelson and stretch your legs by wandering around the town. If you’re into history, we’d also recommend checking out the world’s oldest passenger sternwheeler, the SS Moyie, known as an “international treasure.”

Soak in the Ainsworth Hot Springs

After all the hiking and mountain biking, who can say no to some hot springs to soothe those aching muscles?! Head on over to Ainsworth Hot Springs to soak in the hot mineral water for a relaxing natural steam bath. These waters contain important minerals for the body like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Note, the pool and cave are open to the public by reservation only!

Take the ferry from Balfour to Kootenay Bay

If you’re on a road trip (plan the best road trip from Kelowna to Calgary), you’ll likely enter or exit Nelson via the ferry. Although this is a method of transportation, it’s one of the most enjoyable activities because the view from Kootenay Lake is stunning! Be sure to take a look at the ferry schedule ahead of time and also check out the Pilot Bay Lighthouse at Kootenay Bay!

Adios, chicos!

And that’s how to spend a long weekend in Nelson, BC! This guide focuses on outdoor activities and adventure, let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite Nelson activity! Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe so you can continue to plan your future adventures!