Sights in The North
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A
Exploration Place
Exploration Place has a public atrium and 1115 sq m of exhibition space devoted to nature and history. Once you get past the gloss designed to attract people afraid of the word 'museum' the center is an engaging stop. There's lots of good historical stuff - especially on First Nations groups like those confluencers, the Lheidli T'Enneh - and it's fun to check out the Nature Exchange, where kids can trade rocks and other items they've found.
Kids also seem to love the SimEx ride simulator (where you get shaken up like a can of paint at the hardware store; no big chili lunches first).
It's southeast of the downtown area on the corner of 20th Ave and Queensway.
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B
Museum of Northern BC
Don't miss the Museum of Northern BC, which resides in a building styled after an aboriginal longhouse. The museum shows how local civilizations enjoyed sustainable cultures that lasted for thousands of years – you might say they were ahead of their time. The displays include a wealth of excellent Haida, Gitksan and Tsimshian art and plenty of info on totem poles. Special tours of the museum and the bookshop are excellent.
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C
Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum
Prince George Railway & Forest Industry Museum is beside Cottonwood Island Nature Park and features a big collection of train memorabilia, including many old cars and cabooses, a unique 1903 wooden snow plow and a 1913 steam-powered crane. On the forestry side of things, there's an antique chainsaw display and a logging arch truck, used to push around logs. And no, they can't tell you why the railroad named the place Prince George either.
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D
Ice House Gallery
A short walk from the center, Cow Bay is a delightful place for a stroll. The eponymous spotted decor is everywhere but somehow avoids seeming clichéd. There are shops, cafés and a good view of the waterfront. See the bounty of Rupert's vibrant creative community at the artist-run Ice House Gallery .
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E
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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F
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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Yakoun Lake
Hike about 20 minutes through ancient stands of spruce and cedar to pristine Yakoun Lake, a large wilderness lake towards the west side of Graham Island. A small beach near the trail is shaded by gnarly Sitka alders. Dare to take a dip in the bracing waters or just enjoy the sweeping views.
The trailhead to the lake is at the end of a rough track that is off a branch from the main dirt and gravel logging road between QCC and Port Clements. It runs for 70km, watch for signs for the lake; on weekdays check in by phone for logging trucks.
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Totem Poles
You'll see totems all around town: two flank the statue of Charlie Hays beside City Hall on 3rd Ave. To witness totem-building in action, stop by the Carving Shed, next door to the courthouse.
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Naikoon Provincial Park
Much of the island's northeastern side is devoted to the beautiful 726-sq-km Naikoon Provincial Park, which combines sand dunes and low sphagnum bogs, surrounded by stunted and gnarled lodgepole pine, and red and yellow cedar. The beaches on the north coast feature strong winds, pounding surf and flotsam from across the Pacific. They can be reached via the stunning 26km-long Tow Hill Rd, east of Masset. A 21km loop trail traverses a good bit of the park to/from Fife Beach at the end of the road.
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Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve & Haida Heritage Site
This huge Unesco World Heritage site encompasses Moresby and 137 smaller islands at the southern end of the islands. It combines a time-capsule look at abandoned Haida villages, hot springs, amazing natural beauty and some of the continent's best kayaking.
Archaeological finds have documented more than 500 ancient Haida sites, including villages and burial caves throughout the islands. The most famous village is SGaang Gwaii (Ninstints) on Anthony Island, where rows of weathered totem poles stare eerily out to sea. Other major sights include the ancient village of Skedans, on Louise Island, and Hotspring Island, where you can soak away the bone-chilling cold in natural…
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