Nanaimo Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada
About Nanaimo
The Indigenous peoples of the area that is now known as Nanaimo are the Snuneymuxw. An anglicised spelling and pronunciation of that word gave the city its current name. The first Europeans to find Nanaimo Bay were those of the 1791 Spanish voyage of Juan Carrasco, under the command of Francisco de Eliza. They gave it the name Bocas de Winthuysen. Nanaimo began as a trading post in the early 19th century. In 1849, the Snuneymuxw chief Ki-et-sa-kun ("Coal Tyee") informed the Hudson's Bay Company of coal in the area. Exploration proved there was plenty of it in the area and Nanaimo became chiefly known for the export of coal. In 1853 the company built the Nanaimo Bastion, which has been preserved and is a popular tourist destination in the downtown area. Coal mines were established in the Na
Top Attractions in Nanaimo
Explore the best things to see and do in Nanaimo:
- ★Bathtub Racing
- ★Camping/Hiking on Newcastle Island
- ★Cottonwood Golf Course
- ★Departure Bay Beach
- ★Nanaimo Dragonboat Festival
- ★Nanaimo Museum
- ★Nanaimo River Regional Park
- ★Nanaimo Seawall
Where to Eat in Nanaimo
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Eve Olive Restaurant
- 🍴Gina's Mexican Cafe
- 🍴The Discovery Room
- 🍴The View Oceanside Grill
Where to Stay in Nanaimo
- 🏨Buccaneer Inn
- 🏨Coast Bastion Inn
- 🏨Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Nanaimo Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: