Nanaimo

[Tapi]

Hello!

 

Has anybody been to Nanaimo, BC? I'm looking at the Celebrity Mercury which stops there.

 

If you have been there, what are the highlights/must see places in Nanaimo?

 

Thanks for your feedback!

[LeftcoastBC]

A nice small city on Vancouver Island. Jumping off place for Long Beach on the West Coast and Cathedral Grove (Old growth trees)

 

Tender to a newer inner harbour that's walkable right around and back through down town.

 

Merchants are gettin' into the swing of things and

 

World famous Naniamo Bars. Sweet snack like you've never had before.

 

Caves in the area also.

[slk230]

Other than the above, there is very little else to do or see there.

I was there last year and the town was almost completely closed on that Sunday. We found at most maybe a dozen shops open including a small casino and a Hortons (think Denny's) where we had coffee and dessert. There were a few little souvenir shops right at the harbor.

I suggest you get out of town and see the grove of trees. Fellow passengers said that was beautiful. However since I live in Seattle, I didn't want to pay to see big trees.

 

One couple we shared a tender with back to the ship had taken a limo tour of the town. The limo driver brought them back half-way through the tour because, he admitted, he couldn't find anything else to show them. (he did refund 1/2 of their money)

[Putterdude]

Cathederal Grove is really a sight to behold even for us who live here on the west coast of BC and are used to tall trees. There are a number of shopping centre in Nanaimo, the largest being Woodgrove Mall if you are interested in shopping .....and sorry that is about it. Nanaimo just is not a hot tourist town, it tends to be the major service and retail centre for the centre and north regions of Vancouver Island.

[windermere]

We went last year. We did the Steam Train & Steam Saw Mill. We enjoyed it very much. We also found the town to be so very friendly.

[wa.mama]

We were there last year for the Mercury PNW cruise and liked it so much we booked again for this year. If you're adventurous, there's a great park there called wildplaypark which is an obstacle course set high up in a forest of trees, with ziplines, tightropes, bungy jumping -- it was a great family thing if you have older kids.

[OkieFive]

Does anyone know if you can hire a car or limo at the pier to take you to Cathedral Grove? I would like to see it, but not necessarily take the extended tour offered by Celebrity.

[Putterdude]

I believe that all of the major car rental copmpanies are in Nanaimo. I have always used Budget with great sucess and I am sure that they would pick you up and deliver you back to the pier. Try contacting the location direct.

[born2cruize]

Last year we stopped at Nanaimo while on Celebrity Infinity. We took a tour to the Raptor Center and Chemainus. The Raptor Center is wonderful, rather than be a bird refuge, like other places in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, this place is for education. They take the birds all over Canada and the United States to schools to educate kids. They put on a wonderful show allowing the birds to fly free. They have many species from Bald & Golden eagles to Red Tail Hawks to Owls to Falcons.

 

Chemainus was interesting for the many murals throughout the small town.

[marsda]

Last fall my sister and I enjoyed the Celebrity excursion to Milner Gardens. We had skipped the Buchart Gardens in Victoria since we had been there before, so we enjoyed a laid back tour here. Also, for a unique activity, rent a car and go to the Bungy Zone and watch the Bungy Jumpers go off the bridge over the river.

This info is from http://www.cdbiz.net/VanIsle

Milner Gardens

Milner Gardens and Woodland has evolved from the vision of the garden’s founders and creators, Ray and Veronica Milner. Of the total 28 hectare (70 acre) Milner Garden and Woodland property, 4 hectares (10 acres) is developed garden, 24 hectares (60 acres) is forest. The property includes a swimming pool and pool house, tennis court and cottage.

 

The garden lies on the sheltered eastern shore of Vancouver Island and is protected from severe weather conditions sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean by Mt. Arrowsmith to the west. It is further protected by the mild Japanese current. Summers are warm and winters are mild. Many rooms of the house are open for public viewing including the dining room, sitting room, library and drawing room. Historical photos and artifacts are on display including mementos of visits by members of the Royal Family. The Milner House is open for viewing during regular garden hours. It is wheelchair accessible, including handicap washrooms. Located in Qualicum Beach, which is approximately one hour north of Nanaimo, at 2179 West Island Highway.

Visit Website http://www.mala.ca/MilnerGardens/

[fflyer]

How long were you on the train?, how much walking was involved on the tour?, and did you think it was worth the $120 price that it is now? It is listed as 5 hours long. Any info appreciated, my husband is interested but walks with a cane and can't walk long distances.

[gnld]

Were in Nanaimo 3 years also ago on the Mercury. Right in the harbor, next to a nice restaurant, is a float plane dock. Took a 20 minute flight over the islands - not overly expensive and very enjoyable. I think the plane held 4 plus the pilot. Best rate was if 4 go.

[Bklynbill]

We moved to the PNW from Atlanta 2 years ago. We were in Nanaimo last year and going again this year. If the weather is nice it is a cute little city. It is a beautiful view from the ship. You can watch the float planes buzz by or the seals swim in the harbor. This year we plan to rent bikes and take the ferry to Newcastle Island Provincial Park and bike around its trails. Go to www.tourismnanaimo.com and you can order a free tour guide.

[OHS81]

We were there last year for the Mercury PNW cruise and liked it so much we booked again for this year. If you're adventurous, there's a great park there called wildplaypark which is an obstacle course set high up in a forest of trees, with ziplines, tightropes, bungy jumping -- it was a great family thing if you have older kids.

 

Your link to the Summit Alaskan Cruise is wonderful! (I'm sure your other links are too, its just that I'm ready to do the Alaska thing :) ) Can you clarify for me the ship you were on etc....I want to take the train, the cruise, the excursions of walking on the glacier, the fishing..oh goodness...that looked like so much fun!

[IworkIcruise]

Does anyone have any info on the float planes in Nanaimo? Name, contact, price, etc?

[Putterdude]

Does anyone have any info on the float planes in Nanaimo? Name, contact, price, etc?

 

Here are the ones that I am familiar with:

http://www.westcoastair.com/default.aspx

http://www.harbour-air.com/

http://www.tofinoair.ca/