These Towns In British Columbia Have The Best Main Streets
British Columbia is undoubtedly one of the most scenic of Canada鈥檚 provinces. Located on the country鈥檚 west coast, BC, as it鈥檚 usually referred as, boasts everything from vast mountain ranges to stunningly rugged coastlines, making it an especially attractive travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you鈥檙e an outdoorsy type or someone who prefers a gentle urban escape, you won鈥檛 be disappointed by British Columbia鈥檚 many attractive small towns. Many of these communities are within easy reach of national and provincial parks and boast attractive main streets that reflect a rich local history and serve as hubs for tourism, shopping, and entertainment, as well as jumping-off points from which to explore BC鈥檚 vast wilderness.
Smithers
Smithers is located approximately 370 kilometers northwest of Prince George, and is so far north that it鈥檚 actually closer to Alaska than it is Vancouver, the province鈥檚 biggest city. Set in scenic Bulkley Valley, Smithers鈥� Main Street was built in the early 1900s and reflects a European alpine influence with Swiss-style architecture prominent throughout. This bustling thoroughfare is home to a variety of locally owned businesses, including Bulkley Valley Brewery and Smithers Brewing. Both establishments serve up excellent beers along with great views of Hudson Bay Mountain, a nearby geographic landmark that offers year-round recreational opportunities, including skiing and hiking.
Smithers鈥� Main Street is also fun to visit during popular events like the annual Midsummer Music Festival in June, a three-day happening that draws music lovers from across the province. Smithers Fall Fair also sees an influx of visitors to the downtown area. Oh, and while you鈥檙e there, look out for the town鈥檚 famous Alpenhorn Man. Dubbed 鈥淎lpine Al,鈥� this wooden sculpture welcomes visitors at the entrance to Main Street and is well worth a photo.
Whistler
Just two hours north of Vancouver along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, Whistler is best known as a 海角社区-class ski resort. This extremely popular destination also boasts a fantastic pedestrian-only downtown area: Whistler Village. Developed in the 1980s, it has grown tremendously with the addition of resorts and hotels including big-name luxury brands like Four Seasons and Fairmont.
Though not 鈥渕ain streets鈥� in the traditional sense, car-free routes like Mountain Square and Village Stroll offer no-end of fun things to do including dining to shopping to grabbing selfies at landmarks like the famous Olympic Rings. Set overlooking the Whistler Olympic Plaza, a delightful green space in summer that transforms into a skating rink in winter, it pays homage to Canada鈥檚 2010 Winter Olympics held here and other locations across BC.
Squamish
Located approximately mid-way between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish makes for a wonderful day trip from either destination. Cleveland Avenue, the town鈥檚 main thoroughfare, was established in the early 1900s and now features a mix of historic buildings and new developments. There鈥檚 ample parking a block or two from the main drag, so ditch the car and walk to Squamish Cenotaph for an epic photo of the park and a Canadian flag silhouetted by the surrounding mountains. Even better, pick up a snack and coffee (or even lunch) at the Sunflower Bakery Caf茅 and enjoy an impromptu picnic.
Squamish is known for hosting several popular events, including the Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival, which takes place each August and celebrates the town鈥檚 logging history. The Squamish Street Market, held monthly during the summer, brings vendors and artists to the town center, making the main street a vibrant gathering place. If time, check out the Squamish Adventure Centre, the Railway Museum of British Columbia with its well-preserved old roundhouse, and the peaks of Stawamus Chief Provincial Park which can be reached by the scenic Sea to Sky Gondola.
Pemberton
Pemberton, located 30 minutes north of Whistler but often overlooked by those visiting its ski-resort neighbor, is certainly worth going the extra mile to visit. Established as a farming town in the late 1800s, the small but lively Frontier Street is the main drag here and is home to the popular Pemberton Distillery, a great watering hole that鈥檚 earning a solid reputation for its organic spirits.
Popular Pemberton events to consider participating in include Slow Food Cycle Sunday, a fun August event that sees cyclists from far and wide travel up and down Pemberton Meadows Road visiting farms and vendors selling local produce. This 40-kilometer route is closed to traffic for the day, ensuring no cars interrupt the fun. Many participants decamp to Frontier Street to continue the fun afterward.
Lillooet
Carry on past Pemberton for around 90 minutes (it鈥檚 an incredibly beautiful drive!), and you鈥檒l eventually wind up in the tiny town of Lillooet. One of British Columbia鈥檚 oldest communities with a history dating back to the Gold Rush era of the 1800s, Lillooet Main Street features landmarks such as Miyazaki House, built in 1886 and named after the doctor of Japanese descent (the town鈥檚 first) who set up practice in the town.
The town springs into life every summer with the Apricot Tsaqwem Festival, a colorful celebration of the region鈥檚 Indigenous heritage and its agricultural history. Lillooet鈥檚 proximity to the Fraser River and its surrounding mountains is another plus and makes it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Tofino
Over on Vancouver Island鈥檚 west coast, Tofino is about a three-hour drive from Nanaimo, one of the ferry ports connecting this beautiful part of BC to the Canadian mainland. Popular for its rugged natural beauty and surf culture, Tofino鈥檚 Main Street and Campbell Street are the main drags here and present a laid-back coastal experience. Established in the early 1900s with the founding of the town, the street is lined with outfitters, surf shops, and related businesses like the Tofino Surf School, all doing a roaring trade in the summer months.
The town鈥檚 downtown is also an ideal place to drop into a local eatery like The Schooner Restaurant for some freshly caught seafood. Tofino is also a great spot to hop aboard a whale-watching tour, with companies like The Whale Centre offering memorable experiences that get you out onto the waters of Clayoquot Sound. A great time to visit is during the annual Tofino Lantern Festival in August, while the nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, with its lovely beaches and rainforests, adds to the appeal of Tofino as a base for outdoor adventures.
Nelson
Nelson, located in BC鈥檚 Kootenay region, is about a three-hour drive east of Kelowna and is as picturesque a small town as you鈥檒l find anywhere in Canada. A popular travel destination for its well-preserved historic downtown, Baker Street, the town鈥檚 main thoroughfare, was established in the late 1800s and is home to over 350 well-preserved heritage buildings. Take a stroll down Baker Street to The Capitol Theatre, built in 1927 and still a cultural hub with performances year-round.
Nelson鈥檚 ArtWalk, a summer event held in late June, brings artists and performers from across BC and Alberta, as well as the nearby states of Montana and Washington, to the downtown core. The scenery from here is certainly impressive, thanks to the surrounding Selkirk Mountains.
The Final Word
The best of British Columbia鈥檚 small towns each have a distinct character, presenting curious travelers with so much to see and do. Here, the town鈥檚 bustling main streets serve not only as the beating heart of the community but also provide a fascinating glimpse into the province鈥檚 past鈥� while enjoying its present. From the alpine influences of Smithers to the coastal charm of Tofino, these towns represent a cross-section of everything that makes British Columbia such a captivating destination to visit.
