Kim's guidebook
Local Communities
A friendly, seaside community, Ladysmith is an old fashioned small town where charming shops and cafes abound. All within walking distance along 1st. Ave. The Ladysmith Bakery is a must and there are numerous great walking trails including Christie Falls, Heart Lake and Stocking Creak.
34 locals recommend
Ladysmith
A friendly, seaside community, Ladysmith is an old fashioned small town where charming shops and cafes abound. All within walking distance along 1st. Ave. The Ladysmith Bakery is a must and there are numerous great walking trails including Christie Falls, Heart Lake and Stocking Creak.
An afternoon strolling along the seawall and Maffeo Sutton Park is well spent, plus, the Nanaimo Museum and Art Gallery are a few short blocks away on Commercial St. Downtown Nanaimo is about a 25 minute drive from the house.
48 locals recommend
Nanaimo
An afternoon strolling along the seawall and Maffeo Sutton Park is well spent, plus, the Nanaimo Museum and Art Gallery are a few short blocks away on Commercial St. Downtown Nanaimo is about a 25 minute drive from the house.
This is one of our favorite day trips. If you want get a little off the beaten path without leaving the pavement, this ones for you.
vancouverisland.travel/road-trips/pacific-marine-circle-route
52 locals recommend
Port Renfrew
6638 Deering RdThis is one of our favorite day trips. If you want get a little off the beaten path without leaving the pavement, this ones for you.
vancouverisland.travel/road-trips/pacific-marine-circle-route
If you are adventurous and experienced with logging road travel, this is a great off the beaten path road trip. visitbamfield.ca/getting-here
Bamfield
If you are adventurous and experienced with logging road travel, this is a great off the beaten path road trip. visitbamfield.ca/getting-here
Entertainment
My old school house is now a lovely little theatre. Great for a fun and reasonably priced evening out. About a 15 min. walk from the house.
Ladysmith Theatre Society
4985 Christie RoadMy old school house is now a lovely little theatre. Great for a fun and reasonably priced evening out. About a 15 min. walk from the house.
An annual arts festival held at the end of August featuring original paintings, jewellery, fabric art, carving, native art and more.
Arts on the Aveune
444 Oyster Bay DrAn annual arts festival held at the end of August featuring original paintings, jewellery, fabric art, carving, native art and more.
WildPlay Nanaimo
35 Nanaimo River RdI'm not brave enough for the jump! I did the zipline though.
Check them out for live concerts, symphony and shows. https://www.porttheatre.com/
56 locals recommend
Port Theatre
125 Front StCheck them out for live concerts, symphony and shows. https://www.porttheatre.com/
Sealegs Kayaking Adventures
200 Captain Tristan de koninck Way
Chemainus Theatre Festival
Always a fun evening out!
Sightseeing
Transfer Beach Park
Captain Tristan de Konnick WayLadysmith's most popular park is a 20 min. walk away.
Restored vintage boats and maritime history. The Captains room features my grandfather, Fred Fiander, who built our house. Harbour tours are available seasonally.
7 locals recommend
Ladysmith Maritime Society (Ladysmith Community Marina)
611 Oyster Bay DrRestored vintage boats and maritime history. The Captains room features my grandfather, Fred Fiander, who built our house. Harbour tours are available seasonally.
Ladysmith Museum
721 1st Ave
Elliot Beach Park
Elliot WayA great place for a swim.
|f you visit in the winter, Ladysmith puts on an impressive holiday lighting display. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy!
Ladysmith Festival of Lights Society
|f you visit in the winter, Ladysmith puts on an impressive holiday lighting display. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy!
Known as Saysutshun by the Snuneymuxw First Nation people, this family friendly park is accessible only by foot passenger ferry or boat from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo. With breathtaking views of the Coastal Mountains and the Harbour City, the island offers a unique natural, historical and cultural experience for visitors.
newcastleisland.ca
90 locals recommend
Newcastle Island
Known as Saysutshun by the Snuneymuxw First Nation people, this family friendly park is accessible only by foot passenger ferry or boat from Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo. With breathtaking views of the Coastal Mountains and the Harbour City, the island offers a unique natural, historical and cultural experience for visitors.
newcastleisland.ca
If you decide to visit Banfield, Pachena is beautiful west coast sandy beach. The access to the world famous West Coast Trail is at the far left end of the beach. Reservations are necessary to hike the whole trail but we enjoy shorter scenic walks from this end.
Pachena Beach
If you decide to visit Banfield, Pachena is beautiful west coast sandy beach. The access to the world famous West Coast Trail is at the far left end of the beach. Reservations are necessary to hike the whole trail but we enjoy shorter scenic walks from this end.
A lovely drive for lunch, funky artsy shops and possibly some sea life viewing. cowichanbay.com
108 locals recommend
Cowichan Bay
A lovely drive for lunch, funky artsy shops and possibly some sea life viewing. cowichanbay.com
Rathtrevor draws the crowds in summer with soft sand and warmer water than you will find on the west coast beaches. There are also very nice walking paths through the forest.
165 locals recommend
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
1240 Rath RdRathtrevor draws the crowds in summer with soft sand and warmer water than you will find on the west coast beaches. There are also very nice walking paths through the forest.
Food scene
Old Town Bakery
510 1st AveYum!!!
The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point RdA personal favorite with loads of charm. crowandgate.ca
Great Mexican food in a floating restaurant along the Nanaimo seawall. Definitely have a margarita! pennyspalapa.com
37 locals recommend
Penny's Palapa Restaurant
10 Wharf StGreat Mexican food in a floating restaurant along the Nanaimo seawall. Definitely have a margarita! pennyspalapa.com
There is a charming little foot passenger ferry to take you from the Nanaimo seawall a short distance to the pub on Protection Island. Lot's of fun with live music in the summer. dinghydockpub.com
86 locals recommend
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnThere is a charming little foot passenger ferry to take you from the Nanaimo seawall a short distance to the pub on Protection Island. Lot's of fun with live music in the summer. dinghydockpub.com
This floating restaurant on the Ladysmith Community Marina dock, right by the Maritime Society, is about a 25 minute walk from the house. lmsmarina.ca/welcome/oyster-bay-cafe
7 locals recommend
Oyster Bay Café
611 Oyster Bay DrThis floating restaurant on the Ladysmith Community Marina dock, right by the Maritime Society, is about a 25 minute walk from the house. lmsmarina.ca/welcome/oyster-bay-cafe
COCO Café
1840 Cedar RdFantastic lunch spot with loads of heart.
Walking Trails
Heart Lake Trail
Heart Lake TrailThis one's fairly steep but the views are spectacular.
Christie Falls
12445 Arroyo RoadOne of my favorite walks.
Stocking Creek Waterfall
Stocking Creek TrailOne of Ladysmith's most popular trails.
Cable Bay Trail
2705 Wilkinson RdA perfect scenic walk after your lunch at the Crow and Gate Pub.
Education
Western Maritime Institute
3519 Hallberg RdWe are about a 10 minute drive from the Maritime Institute.