This article originally appeared on the Hello BC website.
First time in British Columbia? With so much ground to cover, your to-do list is sure to be daunting. Here are a few ideas to get you get started.
Sip in BC’s Wine Country
Reds, whites, and even bubbles can be sampled in the province’s wine regions—be it Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands, the Fraser Valley, the Similkameen, or BC’s biggest wine-growing region, the Okanagan. For the latter, spend quality time in Kelowna, a city celebrated for its award-winning sips. Or continue south and taste the unique flavors of the Okanagan at a winery restaurant.
Go for a hike, pitch a tent
Pack your hiking boots and explore BC’s National Parks, with their clear alpine lakes, lush forests, and mountainous terrain. If you want to linger in the great outdoors, pitch a tent in the wild, not far from Vancouver’s bright lights.
Ski Whistler...and Fernie and Big White….
Skiing and snowboarding is a way of life in British Columbia, and with 13 resorts and a host of backcountry operators, there’s much to explore—and even a few surprises. Check out our insider’s guide to the province’s snowy terrain and make the most of your time on the slopes.
Explore the province’s wild side
BC has some of the most diverse species anywhere in the world and fall is prime viewing season. Translation: There’s no better place to spot grizzly bears and orcas, salmon or trumpeter swans. All you need is binoculars.
Discover BC’s First Nations culture
Learn more about the province’s diverse Indigenous cultures. Where to start? Join a wildlife excursion, visit a museum, or sample food from local First Nations.
Visit Vancouver
It’s BC’s biggest city. Not to mention a hub for shopping, arts and culture, cuisine, and everything in between.
Follow the Dumpling Trail
Crispy, chewy, pot-sticking, pan fried, deep fried, stuffed with soup, stuffed with meat and more…they’re all here in Richmond. Follow the Dumpling Trail to 20 restaurants, all in a city revered for having the best Chinese restaurants outside of China.
See the province’s capital
Victoria is a vibrant city with a historic soul. And there’s plenty to eat and drink here, too.
Hit the Ale Trail
Want a taste of BC? Explore the province’s burgeoning beer scene and let the BC Ale Trail be your guide. With 140 breweries and 15 different trails to choose from, you won’t be thirsty for long.
Bask in the Sunshine (Coast)
While mild, year-round temperatures lure, it’s the warmth of the people that bears the true nature of the landscape along the province’s southern coast.
Day trip to the Fraser Valley
With its close proximity to Vancouver, the bucolic Fraser Valley is ideal for day trippers looking for a change of scenery and pace.
Start planning your first trip at the Hello BC website.
