Nelson BC is located in the West Kootenays region of British Columbia, Canada. If you look at a map of British Columbia, the Kootenays are in the southeast corner of the province. Nelson’s population is just under 10,000 people. Although Nelson doesn’t have all the conveniences of a larger center, there are still plenty of fun things you can do when you spend time here. Here are the top ten things to do in Nelson on your family vacation.

Visit Lakeside Park at the north end of the city, right next to the big orange bridge. Things you will find in the park include many green areas for picnics, a sandy beach, boat launch, and a playground for children. Bring your own lunch or buy it from the park’s snack stand, which has a varied menu. Dairy Queen is also a short walk away. Near the park you will find soccer and baseball fields.

Watch the planes take off and land at the airport. For a city the size of Nelson, you might be surprised to learn that it has its own airport, right off the coast. The airport is used primarily by small personal airplanes and helicopters. In summer the airport can get quite crowded, especially during wildfire season, and you will see all kinds of planes.

Walk along the boardwalk. If you start at Lakeside Park, you can walk the boardwalk to the west, past the sandy beach, soccer fields, Chahko Mika Mall, the Prestige Inn, and the airport. On the way back, take the historic trolley that runs from the Prestige Inn to Lakeside Park.

Spend an afternoon at the Nelson Aquatic Center. The aquatic center was renovated in 2005 and contains a full pool, children’s pool, lazy river stream pool, waterslide, heated pool, sauna, and steam room. A great way to spend a few hours at a cost of around $ 10 (for a family of four). The same building also contains a weight lifting gym and a hockey rink. Bring your skates in winter to skate in public!

If your family likes to play golf, visit the Granite Pointe Golf Club. The golf course is located at 1123 West Richards street in the Rosemont area of ​​Nelson, just a short drive from downtown. The course has 18 holes and was designed by Bill Newis in 1993. Beautiful views and a large clubhouse will crown your day here.

If the weather is uncooperative, spend some time inside the bowling alley. Savoy Lanes is located at 520 Falls Street, across from the Best Western hotel. Includes regular bowling, league bowling, and laser bowling.

See a movie at the Nelson Civic Theater, 719 Vernon Street. This is an older ‘one screen’ theater, usually with one or two current movies in rotation. They normally have two nightly screenings a day, with morning sessions on the weekend. The experience of watching a movie here can be quite nostalgic; Bring your own bag and they’ll fill it with popcorn!

Learn about local history by stopping at the Nelson Museum (402 Anderson Street). The museum houses exhibits on native peoples, explorers, and settlers in the area, as well as art and history. An extensive archive of local photography can also be viewed.

Do you want to see how the local beer is made? The Nelson Brewing Company is a local brewery that produces more than half a dozen brands, including its famous Faceplant winter beer. Located at 512 Latimer Street, where the brewery started more than 100 years ago, call ahead to verify tour times.

Enjoy a meal at the Hume Hotel (formerly the Heritage Inn, established in 1898). No trip to Nelson is complete without a visit to the Hume Hotel, located near the city center. The hotel has undergone major renovations in the last 25 years, but still maintains its traditional charm, without the “sterile” atmosphere of newer establishments. You will enjoy the hotel restaurant with its upbeat staff, historical memorabilia and photographs, varied menu and reasonable prices. Be sure to ask for a table by the window so you can see the stone courthouse across the street and watch the traffic go by.