We are so excited that spring is here that we thought we would share with you some fun local Nanaimo things that the High Tide Team is doing to enjoy the nice weather and the rainy weather, too.
#1—Our top activity year-round is getting outside. We love an outdoor hike or walk. Here are a few of our favourite walks in the Nanaimo area.
- Pipers Lagoon and Neck Point Park- Right in town, these two are only as long as you want them to be. Pipers offers an excellent mix of ocean views and forest walking; it always feels like an adventure, especially for the kids. A bonus for Neck Point is that you can make it stroller-friendly if you take the right path, and for some extra entertainment for the kids, many fairy houses are hiding in the trees. It’s a favourite activity to take the kids and knock on the fairy doors to see if anyone is home.
- Jack Point and Biggs Park—This 5 km out-and-back trail is near Duke Point Ferry Terminal. It’s a lovely walk with little elevation change. If you go at low tide, you can see the tide has created some very interesting rock formations.
- Cable Bay—This 6.5km out-and-back is hands down our favourite and our go-to when we need to get out of the house. The kids always have a great time looking for dinosaurs that people hide in tree crevices along the trail and wooden-carved owls. Once you reach the narrows, you can often see boats, eagles, and sea lions. We hear you can even spot whales sometimes, but we haven’t yet been so lucky.
#2—Stroll the water front. We enjoy parking down town and walking along the water/marina in the sunshine. Reading the names of the boats moored there, watching the seaplanes come in and take off, and walking on the Swy-a-lana Pier are among our favourite activities there. We might even grab an ice cream cone for the walk if it’s warm enough.
#3 – Getting out the bikes. With the nice weather, you can bet it’s time to get out the bikes, pump up the tires, and take the kids out for a ride. Stevie Smith Bike Park is an excellent place in town to take them, with something for all ages. Our kids like to do the mountain bike track, and we always leave some extra time to watch the “big kids” on their downhill mountain bike track.
#4 – Golf. We like to take the kids, and sometimes we even go without them … shh, don’t tell. Our favourite mini golf place is Rip Tide Lagoon in Parksville; with two different courses intertwined, it doesn’t usually feel too busy, and it is a great atmosphere with all the water features and trees. If your kids are ready to graduate from mini golf like ours, check out the Beban Park Pitch & Putt. Small enough not to be overwhelming and at a great price, it’s a fantastic stepping stone to a full game of golf.
#5—Patios. As the weather warms up, patios start opening, and it is always nice to have a drink outside. Try Drip Coffee during the day to enjoy a view of Departure Bay, or if you are looking for adult drinks, Lighthouse Bistro or Carlos O’Brians are excellent choices.
What are your favourite things to do in Nanaimo in spring? We would love to hear your suggestions and see you out there.
March 11th, 2024