The city of Nanaimo lies in the center of Vancouver Island, British Columbia and appears to be a quiet and unassuming place to live, but has a unique presence fueled by an eventful history. Prior to the gold rush, the city was a trading post primarily for Hudson’s Bay Company and later became a major coal producer and exporter. The city quickly grew because of mining, trading and manufacturing opportunities that attracted settlers and immigrants from the lower U.S. states who were seeking work.
Business increased and tourism flourished in Nanaimo, but population and revenues dwindled shortly after the 1887 Nanaimo Mine Explosion claimed the lives of 150 miners. The mining workforce included a high number of Chinese immigrants, so an area of the city was designated as ‘Chinatown’. Coal was later replaced with lumber as the main economic source in Nanaimo, so the resident population steadily grew. Effective 2011, nearly 84,000 people call Nanaimo home.
Attractions in the Bathtub Racing Capital of the World
Nanaimo is the birthplace of Bathtub Racing (bathtub boats are small watercraft designed around the traditional bathtub) and racing competitions began in 1967 in an effort to bring the world’s attention to the small city. The race is held annually on the last weekend of July. The scenic harbors and mountain views also allow visitors to partake of many area parks and nature preserves, but a few of the parks, in particular, have become favorites to travelers and locals including:
- Englishman River Falls Provincial Park – an evergreen forest on the Englishman River featuring Douglas firs, maples, and two waterfalls
- Newcastle Island – a short ferry ride from the city and includes campsites, walking trails, and many forms of wildlife
- Neck Point Park – a waterfront park on 36 acres of rock cliffs and pebbled beaches
For history buffs looking for landmarks and local artifacts a trip to the Nanaimo Museum gives visitors some little-known facts of the harbor city. The carefully constructed Harbourfront Walkway is accessible for long walks along the Newcastle Channel and the downtown waterfront. Numerous monuments and statues are located on the walkway in addition to cafes and restaurants.
Nanaimo embraces its nautical pride with the establishment of four (4) floating restaurants of various cuisines that include:
- Penny’s Palapa, the area’s best authentic Mexican cuisine
- Troller’s Fish and Chips, the freshest locally caught fish and seafood dishes
- Dinghy Dock Pub & Restaurant, one of the area’s most popular full-service restaurant complete with entertainment and locally-crafted beers
- Lighthouse Bistro Pub & Restaurant, one of the finest gourmet venues that offer fresh seafood entrees, sandwiches, and gluten-free fare
Arriving into Nanaimo is possible by air (Nanaimo Airport is southeast of the city limits), water airport (from the city harbor to and from Vancouver Airport and Vancouver Harbor), and ferry service (at Departure Bay, Duke Point, and the downtown area). Visitors may rent a car for local transportation or utilize bus service through Nanaimo Regional Transit.