Things to do in Nanaimo
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Piper's Lagoon Park
In a city filled with parks, waterfront treat Piper's Lagoon Park is a winner. It's a great spot for an afternoon picnic; you can check out the birds hanging around the lagoon, take a short hike through the gnarly Garry oak forest, sit on a beached log and watch the cruise ships slip by or give the climbing wall your best shot. Then head to Shack Island. It houses a straggle of storied old fishermen's sheds that are kept as unserviced cottages for those traveling with their own sleeping bags.
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Lighthouse Bistro
This popular white-linen bistro is located on the waterfront and features a selection of conventional but well-prepared favorites, ranging from blackened halibut to veal scallopine and wild mushroom ravioli. The wine list has an excellent BC selection. The pub upstairs has lower prices and a more casual atmosphere, but there's an excellent view of the harbor from either floor as well as a great patio to catch the sunset.
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Pirate Chips
Locals originally came here for the best fries in town but they keep coming back for the funky ambience - the quirky pirate-themed decor makes it a great late-night hang-out after some beers. You'd have to be fairly drunk to down a large order of poutine (french fries topped with cheese and gravy) or a deep-fried chocolate bar but it's hard to beat the fries served with toppings such as curry or garlic.
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Tina's Diner
Still known by its former name (Flo's) by many locals, this popular 1950s-style spot is the best place in town for breakfast. The massive menu runs from eggs Benedict to breakfast wraps, and there are plenty of burgers, sandwiches and salads for those who don't make it here until lunchtime. There are some special live music events, when dinner and singer-songwriters share the menu.
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Javawocky
It's a Nanaimo tradition to get a coffee here and sit outside to watch the ships roll in and out of the harbor. A great place to rub shoulders with the locals, this is also your big chance to try a Nanaimo bar, the ultrarich brownie treat made from thick layers of custard and chocolate.
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Penny's Palapa
This tiny, flower-decked floating hut and patio in the harbor is a lovely spot for a meal among the jostling boats. An inventive, well-priced menu of Mexican delights includes seasonal seafood specials - the signature halibut tacos are recommended - and some good vegetarian options.
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Mrs Riches Dinner Club Café
Like stepping into a comic book about a carnival, Mrs Riches is a family-oriented place lined with an eclectic array of memorabilia (life-sized stuffed toys and car fenders are the norm here) but the food is not just for looks. The heaping burger platters are second to none (tackle the Mountain Burger, if you're starving) but the pasta dishes and old-school milkshakes are great, too.
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Dinghy Dock Floating Pub
The name is no lie; this popular pub and restaurant combo floats offshore from Protection Island. See Nanaimo from the outside (especially pretty at night), rub shoulders with some salty locals and knock back a few malty brews. The menu doesn't stretch far beyond standard pub fare but there's live music on weekends. To access the pub, take a 10-minute ferry ride from the harbor.
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Ocean Explorers Diving
For scuba fans, Nanaimo and its nearby islands offer some great dives. Sunk to order in 1997, the HMCS Saskatchewan is BC's most popular dive site. It was joined in 2001 by the 134m Cape Breton, the world's second-largest diver-prepared reef. For information on regional sites, and for guides, lessons or equipment, contact Ocean Explorers Diving.
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Wild Play Element Parks
With bungee jumping now passé, Wild Play Element Parks, a former jump site, has reinvented itself with five obstacle courses strung between the trees - once you're harnessed, you can hit ziplines, rope bridges, tunnels and Tarzan swings, each aimed at different skill and strength levels. The 45m bungee jump is still there if you feel like ending on a high.
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Modern Café
This reinvented old coffee shop has cool loungey interiors combining exposed brick and comfy booths or, if it's sunny, a sun-warmed outdoor patio. The menu runs from the kind of wraps, burgers and sandwiches that are a cut above standard diner fare and there are some small-plate options for those who just want to snack.
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Petroglyph Provincial Park
Petroglyph Provincial Park is seldom visited, despite some neat old First Nations sandstone carvings that depict everything from mystical wolf-like creatures to fish and human figures. Sadly, the petroglyphs are fading fast and most are barely visible, but kids like making rubbings from the re-created castings.
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Old City Station Pub
A convivial recent addition to Nanaimo's nightlife options (it used to be the Press Room nightclub), this pub has plenty of finger-licking food options available. The equally healthy beer selection includes a significant proportion of Canadian tipples, including Alexander Keith's and Granville Island brews.
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Troller's Fish & Chips
Nothing beats the ambience of Troller's when it comes to grubbing on some fish and chips. This shack on the docks at the boat basin always cooks the fresh catch of the day, selecting its prawns and salmon straight from the boats in the harbor. It's also a good spot to watch the maritime world float by.
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Bastion
Built by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1853, the landmark fortified Bastion tower only fired occasional cannons to simmer down regional ruckuses. A brief but charming ceremony sees one of the canons fired for tourists at noon each day - the polystyrene 'cannonball' is surprisingly loud.
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Armani's Grill
They're not just burgers, they're works of art. Armani uses ground sirloin, not chuck, and makes each patty by hand after you order. There's 3oz of Jack Daniels in the Jack Burger and the Mushroom Burger has enough mushrooms to tap a small farm's entire crop.
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Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
Offering picnicking, cycling, hiking and beaches, Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is one of Nanaimo's favorite parks. Walks or hikes range from 1km strolls to the 7.5km perimeter trek. A serviced campground (www.newcastleisland.ca) is available.
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Nanaimo District Museum
Overlooking downtown, the colorful Nanaimo District Museum explores the growth of the city, from its First Nations heritage to its Hudson's Bay Company days. There are regular temporary exhibitions to keep the lineup fresh.
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Red Room Lounge
A smoking night-time hang-out (with no smoking) for Nanaimo's beautiful people, the Red Room has dark, rich interiors and an epic cocktail menu. Live music or DJs perform Tuesday to Saturday on the tiny stage.
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Queen's Hotel
Nanaimo's best live music and dance spot, the Queen's Hotel hosts an eclectic roster of live performances and club nights throughout the week, ranging from indie to jazz and country.
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Sealegs Kayaking
Hit the water here with the help of Sealegs Kayaking, which offer rentals and a popular monthly full-moon tour.
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Port Theatre
The Port Theatre presents local and touring fine-arts performances.
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Glow World Cuisine
Occupying a handsome old brick fire hall building, the dark tones and mood lighting at Glow create a mysterious and secluded atmosphere. The adventurous menu combines traditional meat and seafood dishes with international influences (especially Asian) and local ingredients. Drop by for the Sunday brunch, an around C$21 smorgasbord of Western and Asian breakfast treats.
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Black Nugget Museum
The Black Nugget Museum, a treasure-trove of memorabilia in the former Jones Hotel. Down the hill is Transfer Beach Park it attracts swimmers and picnickers and has summertime live music in its amphitheatre.
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