Sights in British Columbia
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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Head east of downtown on Fort St and follow the gallery signs to find one of Canada's best Emily Carr collections. Aside from Carr's swirling nature canvases, you'll find an ever-changing array of temporary exhibitions. Check online for events, including lectures, presentations and even singles' nights for lonely arts fans.
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Prince George Native Art Gallery
The Prince George Native Art Gallery in the Native Friendship Centre sells works by local artists. Myths and mythic beings form the basis for many of the works, which can be quite spiritual. It also has an excellent gift store.
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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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Kelowna Museum
A part of the civic center complex, the Kelowna Museum has everything from the bones of early valley inhabitants to displays on the roots of local agriculture. Special exhibits may draw you in on a non-rainy day.
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SS Sicamous
Right on the sand, the SS Sicamous hauled passengers and freight on Okanagan Lake from 1914 to 1936. Now restored and beached, it has been joined by the equally old tugboat, SS Naramata.
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Nickelodeon Museum
Thrill to The Titfield Thunderbolt and other silent classics at the Nickelodeon Museum, which demonstrates the intricate workings of old Victrolas, player pianos and movie projectors.
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Kasugai Gardens
Behind Kelowna's museum, the beautifully manicured grounds of Kasugai Gardens are good for a peaceful stroll. Named for Kelowna's sister city in Japan, the gardens do the relationship proud.
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Pemberton Museum
Get some background on the region at the charming museum, a village of rescued pioneer shacks and elderly volunteers who look like they might have been here from the start.
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Hastings Mill Store Museum
Built in Gastown in 1865, this ancient structure is Vancouver’s oldest surviving building. It was floated over here in the 1930s and is now home to pioneer-era and First Nations exhibits.
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Blue Horse Folk Art Gallery
The rustic Blue Horse Folk Art Gallery is complete with some funky carvings of horses. The friendly owners recently opened an on-site B&B (d $150).
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Kamloops Museum
Kamloops Museum is in a vintage building and has a suitably vintage collection of historic photographs. Come here for the scoop on river-namesake David Thompson and a new floor dedicated to kids.
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Emily Carr House
The birthplace of BC's best-known painter, this bright-yellow, gingerbread-style house has plenty of period rooms and displays on the artist's life and work. There's an ever-changing array of local contemporary works on display but head to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria if you want to see more of Carr's paintings.
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Farmers Market
Penticton definitely has its share of good eats. The Farmers' Market has large numbers of local organic producers, based at Gyro Park in the 100 block of Main St.
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Ecology Centre
The Ecology Centre at Lynn Canyon Park houses interesting displays on the area’s rich biodiversity, including dioramas and video presentations.
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Two Rivers Gallery
Another excellent place to both view and buy works by local artists is the Two Rivers Gallery. It has frequent special exhibitions and a striking design.
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Art Gallery of Southern Okanagan
The beachfront Art Gallery of Southern Okanagan displays a diverse collection of regional, provincial and national artists.
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Kamloops Art Gallery
Suitably loft-like in feel, the Kamloops Art Gallery has an emphasis on contemporary Western and aboriginal works by regional artists.
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Lost Lagoon Nature House
The friendly folk at the excellent Lost Lagoon Nature House provide exhibits and illumination on Stanley Park's wildlife, history and ecology.
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Kamloops Heritage Railway
Across the train tracks from downtown, the Kamloops Heritage Railway runs 70-minute train rides powered by steam engine.
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Art Ark
Art Ark shows and sells a wide range of works (paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and so on) by western Canadian artists.
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Kelowna Art Gallery
The Kelowna Art Gallery features the work of the vibrant local arts community. The light, airy gallery has regular special exhibits.
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Nanimahoo's Native Art Gallery
Nanimahoo's Native Art Gallery has a stunning collection of native art from more than 40 artists. The carvings are extraordinary.
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Bear Creek Provincial Park
Bear Creek Provincial Park offers opportunities for hiking as well as windsurfing, fishing, swimming and wilderness camping.
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Turtle Island Gallery
The tiny Turtle Island Gallery sells and displays pottery, carvings, paintings and more by First Nations artists.
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Penticton Rose Garden
If you want to take some time out to smell the roses, you can stroll around the Penticton Rose Garden.
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