Prince Rupert.... what to do?

[BLONDIE35]

We are on the Star May5-12 and we have a stop in Prince Rupert. Any suggestions on what to do in port? we are in port form 5PM-10PM

Thanks!!

[bearbait]

Stay on the ship and enjoy it. Or you could disembark and walk around town and visit the local drinking establishments.

[BCHappyGal]

It will still be light out as the days are long at that time of year.

 

When the sun shines Prince Rupert is one of the most beautiful small cities around.

 

Take a tour out to the Cannery Museum built in an old cannery on the Skeena River out past Port Edward. The drive out is half the fun with a good chance of seeing wild deer and maybe if you are lucky even a bear or wolf.

 

the museum is very well done and I am sure they will have it open if a cruise ship is docked - however check with the local tourist bureau and they will tell you. To get there (about a half hour drive each way) you will need to do either a tour or rent a car.

 

At the First Nations Centre they have a good display of crafts with a store.

 

There is a small railway museum a short stroll down the waterfront (about 2 blocks to your right as you disembark the ship). A larger museum is just in front of the courthouse.

 

There is a lot of history in Prince Rupert - the only city to actually have and enforce black outs during WWII. When the Japanese dropped a bomb in the wilds of Alaska both the US & Canadian Gov. thought they were aiming for PR as it was a huge base for both the Canadian & US forces. Thus black outs were strictly enforced. A submarine net was strung across the mouth of the harbour to prevent Japanese subs from entering. It was opened for ships to come and go. The powers that be were afraid the Japanese would travel up the Skeena River and land then hike back and attack the bases in Prince Rupert from the rear. Thus the best kept secret of the war came into being. A train with a gun car that patrolled the Skeena River daily. This train was hidden in a tunnel along the river and never came into the city thus no one knew about it except the operators (Engineers who were sworn to secrecy).

 

If you want to hike out along the railway tracks past the Fairview Bulk Terminal you can even see the old gun emplacement that garded the harbor during the war. Check with the Visitor Bureau about this as it may be closed off now for safety reasons.

 

Take a trip accross the harbor to the Indian Village of Metlakatla.

 

Walk along the waterfront and enjoy watching bald eagles.

 

Take a float plane trip just to enjoy some spectacular scenery.

 

There is also a golf course, swimming pool, as well as shopping,

 

Best eatery in town is the Crest Hotel with dining room.

 

Check out the tours offered.

[Zlasmcruising]

Blondie...I'm sailing May 26 on the Star....I'm taking a whale watching tour from 5-7.

 

BCHappygirl......can you tell me if the shops will still be open?

[kb996]

BCHappyGal about said it all.

 

When we went a few years ago there was also an artists co-op in Cow Bay (right down the street from the cruise ship dock). Lots of nice pottery, jewelry, big wooden bowls, etc. Also VERY nice people. We talked to a women in her 70s who moved to Prince Rupert when she was first married. She told us alot about the town.

 

We also did a tour through the ship that went to the Native Center and log house where they put on a wonderful display of dancing and music and taught us about the native culture. I (as a women) was even named Chief of the wolf tribe for the day. I never knew women could be chiefs but they told us that was a very important part of their heritage that men and women were leaders.

 

Don't stay on the boat. Walk around Prince Rupert and enjoy the town and the people.

[mapsmith]

It will still be light out as the days are long at that time of year.

 

When the sun shines Prince Rupert is one of the most beautiful small cities around.

 

Take a tour out to the Cannery Museum built in an old cannery on the Skeena River out past Port Edward. The drive out is half the fun with a good chance of seeing wild deer and maybe if you are lucky even a bear or wolf.

 

the museum is very well done and I am sure they will have it open if a cruise ship is docked - however check with the local tourist bureau and they will tell you. To get there (about a half hour drive each way) you will need to do either a tour or rent a car.

 

At the First Nations Centre they have a good display of crafts with a store.

 

There is a small railway museum a short stroll down the waterfront (about 2 blocks to your right as you disembark the ship). A larger museum is just in front of the courthouse.

 

There is a lot of history in Prince Rupert - the only city to actually have and enforce black outs during WWII. When the Japanese dropped a bomb in the wilds of Alaska both the US & Canadian Gov. thought they were aiming for PR as it was a huge base for both the Canadian & US forces. Thus black outs were strictly enforced. A submarine net was strung across the mouth of the harbour to prevent Japanese subs from entering. It was opened for ships to come and go. The powers that be were afraid the Japanese would travel up the Skeena River and land then hike back and attack the bases in Prince Rupert from the rear. Thus the best kept secret of the war came into being. A train with a gun car that patrolled the Skeena River daily. This train was hidden in a tunnel along the river and never came into the city thus no one knew about it except the operators (Engineers who were sworn to secrecy).

 

If you want to hike out along the railway tracks past the Fairview Bulk Terminal you can even see the old gun emplacement that garded the harbor during the war. Check with the Visitor Bureau about this as it may be closed off now for safety reasons.

 

Take a trip accross the harbor to the Indian Village of Metlakatla.

 

Walk along the waterfront and enjoy watching bald eagles.

 

Take a float plane trip just to enjoy some spectacular scenery.

 

There is also a golf course, swimming pool, as well as shopping,

 

Best eatery in town is the Crest Hotel with dining room.

 

Check out the tours offered.

 

 

Don't forget the Shoe Tree!

[ncsongbird]

Prince Rupert is definitely worth a walk around. The people are incredibly friendly and really appreciate your business, since there are only a few ships in per week. As our ship sailed into port, people lined the shore waving to us and calling out "Hello, people from American". There is a park above the dock with a totem pole and some of the locals had set up craft and food booths there. We visited the artist's coop and the small stores around Cow Bay. It is very quaint, with all of the light poles and garbage cans painted in a cow motif. We were in port in the early evening and we decided to eat dinner at Smiles Cafe which is right there on the dock. Try the fish and chips, they were fantastic. We also walked up the hill, visited the Sunken Gardens and the excellent museum. We hadn't planned on getting off the ship, but the weather was beautiful and we were glad we did.