Food Scene
They have great food in a funky, historic building a 10 minute walk away from us. They also have lots of live music.
47 locals recommend
The Vault
499 Wallace StThey have great food in a funky, historic building a 10 minute walk away from us. They also have lots of live music.
This is the closest cafe to our home. 10 minute walk away. Good for breakfast. Good luck trying to resist their cakes and slices, including a dynamite Nanaimo Bar.
15 locals recommend
Bocca Café
427 Fitzwilliam StThis is the closest cafe to our home. 10 minute walk away. Good for breakfast. Good luck trying to resist their cakes and slices, including a dynamite Nanaimo Bar.
Fabulous, affordable, healthy "slow" food. Their brunch is THE BEST. I love this place. Yum.
86 locals recommend
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetFabulous, affordable, healthy "slow" food. Their brunch is THE BEST. I love this place. Yum.
Big portions of Greek food in a wonderful venue. The host is the charming owner.
84 locals recommend
Asteras
347 Wesley StBig portions of Greek food in a wonderful venue. The host is the charming owner.
A wonderful floating pub. Take the Protection Connection Ferry in Nanaimo Harbour, departing on the hour. Best place to sit is outside to your left when you leave the ferry. Kids are allowed to sit there too. Take a jacket and sunglasses with you and look back on Nanaimo, the sailboats, the float planes and the sun on the water.
86 locals recommend
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnA wonderful floating pub. Take the Protection Connection Ferry in Nanaimo Harbour, departing on the hour. Best place to sit is outside to your left when you leave the ferry. Kids are allowed to sit there too. Take a jacket and sunglasses with you and look back on Nanaimo, the sailboats, the float planes and the sun on the water.
Drinks & Nightlife
They have interesting rock'n roll and live music performances. Check their website for a calendar of upcoming events.
15 locals recommend
The Queen's
34 Victoria CrescentThey have interesting rock'n roll and live music performances. Check their website for a calendar of upcoming events.
It has a lovely atmosphere, located in the former train station. NO TV's, so you can actually talk with your friends! Local beers on tap. Live music on Friday nights. Check their website.
8 locals recommend
Harbour City Transportation Ltd.
150 Skinner StIt has a lovely atmosphere, located in the former train station. NO TV's, so you can actually talk with your friends! Local beers on tap. Live music on Friday nights. Check their website.
Arts & Culture
A delightful, homegrown museum detailing the history of the area: First Nations, Settlers, Chinese Immigrants, Bathtub Races, coal mining. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour. Costs a few dollars. Closed on Mondays. Check their website for details.
49 locals recommend
Nanaimo Museum
100 Museum WayA delightful, homegrown museum detailing the history of the area: First Nations, Settlers, Chinese Immigrants, Bathtub Races, coal mining. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour. Costs a few dollars. Closed on Mondays. Check their website for details.
Check their website to see who is in town. Everything from ballet to avant garde modern dance, from cover bands to the Vancouver Island Symphony, from stand-up comedy to plays.
56 locals recommend
Port Theatre
125 Front StCheck their website to see who is in town. Everything from ballet to avant garde modern dance, from cover bands to the Vancouver Island Symphony, from stand-up comedy to plays.
Shopping
Lovely Tanya showcases the arts and crafts of local artisans and artists at very reasonable prices. Great place for one of a kind regional gifts and souvenirs.
6 locals recommend
Artzi Stuff
2 Church StLovely Tanya showcases the arts and crafts of local artisans and artists at very reasonable prices. Great place for one of a kind regional gifts and souvenirs.
Sightseeing
Take the Newcastle foot ferry, located close to the Frank Ney sculpture in Swy-a-lana Park. Put on good walking shoes and give yourself 3 hours to walk around the outside of Newcastle Island. Bring your swimsuit and go for a dip in the ocean at the end. Take a lunch.
17 locals recommend
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
668 Centre StreetTake the Newcastle foot ferry, located close to the Frank Ney sculpture in Swy-a-lana Park. Put on good walking shoes and give yourself 3 hours to walk around the outside of Newcastle Island. Bring your swimsuit and go for a dip in the ocean at the end. Take a lunch.
Go for a walk early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise over the harbour. End your walk with a coffee at Javawocky Cafe on the waterfront.
12 locals recommend
Nanaimo Harbour
Go for a walk early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise over the harbour. End your walk with a coffee at Javawocky Cafe on the waterfront.
Essentials
Country Grocer
82 Twelfth StAffordable grocery store. Everything you need is there.
Lovely store, conveniently located, good quality food, but you pay a lot for it.
67 locals recommend
Thrifty Foods
114 Purvis LnLovely store, conveniently located, good quality food, but you pay a lot for it.
Entertainment & Activities
Ropes course, bungie jumping, giant swing.... make sure you make a reservation! So much fun!
95 locals recommend
WildPlay Nanaimo
35 Nanaimo River RdRopes course, bungie jumping, giant swing.... make sure you make a reservation! So much fun!