Nelson (British Columbia) - city in British Columbia, Canada

Nelson is a city of over 10,000 people (2011) in British Columbia. The 1987 film Roxanne starring Steve Martin was filmed in this city.

Understand

The West Kootenay region is part of the traditional territories of the Sinixt (or Lakes) and Ktunaxa (Kutenai) peoples.

Known as "The Queen City", it is acknowledged for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings from its glory days in a regional silver rush.

In 2012 Nelson and Rossland, a small city south-west of Nelson, were jointly voted best ski locales in North America by readers of California-based Powder Magazine.

• Nelson & District Visitor Info Centre, 91 Baker Street (in the old Canadian Pacific Railway station), 49.489481°, -117.301379°, +1 250-352-3433, info@discovernelson.com. Open year round M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-4PM. 2019-09-23

History

Gold and silver were found in the area in 1867. Following the discovery of silver at nearby Toad Mountain in 1886, the town boomed quickly, leading to incorporation in 1897. Two railways were built to pass through Nelson. Due to its location near transportation corridors, Nelson grew to supply the local mining activity and soon became a transportation and distribution centre for the region.

The town soon matured from a false-fronted boom town to a sophisticated city. Francis Rattenbury, an architect most noted in British Columbia for the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, the Vancouver Provincial Courthouse, and the second Hotel Vancouver, designed chateau-style civic buildings made of granite, which stand today. By the 1900s, Nelson had several fine hotels, a Hudson's Bay Company store, and an electric streetcar system. The local forestry and mining industries were well established.

The town built its own hydroelectric generating system. English immigrants planted lakeside orchards, and Doukhobors from Russia, sponsored by Leo Tolstoy and the Quakers, tilled the valley benchlands. The Doukhobor Museum is nearby, close to the neighbouring town of Castlegar.

During the Vietnam War, many American draft dodgers settled in Nelson and the surrounding area. This influx of liberal, mostly educated young people had a significant impact on the area's cultural and political demographics.

Nelson's mountainous geography kept growth confined to the narrow valley bottom, except for certain hillside structures such as the local High School and the former Notre Dame University College (NDU) campus. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, when more prosperous cities were tearing down and rebuilding their downtowns to the design of the time, Nelson merchants 'modernized' their buildings with covers of aluminum siding.

Baker Street

In the early 1980s, Nelson suffered a devastating economic downturn when the local sawmill was closed. To save downtown and Baker Street from blight, Nelson remodelled its downtown by stripping aluminum facades and restoring the buildings to their original brilliance. By 1985, Baker Street was completely transformed. Affirmation of the street's success came in 1986 when Steve Martin chose to produce his feature film Roxanne largely in Nelson, using the local fire hall as a primary set and many historic locations for others. More broadly, the transformation marked the beginning of Nelson's ongoing transition from a resource-based town to an arts and tourism town. A walk down Baker Street through the Historic District is now one of Nelson's promoted visitor activities.

Climate

Winters are cold and snowy while summers are warm and drier with cool temperatures during the night.

Get in

By car

Nelson can be best accessed from the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) and is well signed, but is not located directly on the highway. Coming from the west, follow the Crowsnest Highway to Castlegar and then go 45 km east on Highway 3A. From the east, follow the Crownest Highway through Creston to Salmo and go 40 km north on Highway 6; alternatively, follow Highway 3A from Creston and take the Kootenay Lake Ferry at Balfour, which is the longest toll-free ferry in the world.

Nelson is about 655 km from Vancouver (9-hour drive) and 620 km from Calgary (a 7-hour drive). It is also 240 km from Spokane, Washington, 510 km from Banff and 455 km from Kamloops.

By bus

• Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service, +1-778-382-7729, info@mountainmanmikes.ca. Operates a route between Kaslo and Vancouver, and route between Kaslo and Calgary. 2022-03-19
  • Operates two days per week between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Manning Provincial Park, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, and New Westminster. Travel time to Nelson from Kalso is 1 hour, from Castlegar is 40 minutes, from Grand Forks is 2.25 hours, from Osoyoos is 3.5 hours, from Princeton is 5.25 hours, from Hope is 7 hours, from Abbotsford is 8.25, and from Vancouver is 9.5 hours.
  • Operates once per week between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Lethbridge, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Nelson, and Balfour. Travel time to Nelson from Calgary is 9.75 hours, from Lethbridge is 7 hours, from Sparwood is 5 hours, from Cranbrook is 3 hours, and from Kaslo is 1 hour.
• Silver City Stagelines Limited, support@fritztravels.com. Multiple days per week bus service between Trail and Kelowna with stops in Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, and Rock Creek. Travel time to Nelson from Trail is 1 hour, from Castlegar is 40 minutes, from Grand Forks is 2 hours, and from Kelowna is 5 hours. 2022-03-25

By plane

• West Kootenay Regional Airport (IATA: YCG) in Castlegar is the nearest airport with scheduled flights, located 40 km west along Highway 3A, but is prone to flight cancellations caused by fog.
• Trail Regional Airport (IATA: YZZ) is further away, has less scheduled flights, but is less prone to flight cancellations caused by fog.
• Nelson Municipal Airport, 91 Lakeside Dr, +1 250-352-8228. Offers a 3,100m x 75m asphalt runway for private aircraft only. No commercial flights land here. 2019-09-23

Get around

The downtown core of Nelson is very compact and walkable. The main streets stretch a few blocks up the hillside away from the lake, and along the contours of the hillside. You don't need a car to get between downtown businesses, but you might need one to get to housing away from the centre. It's a ten-minute uphill walk from the airport to the heart of downtown, though the Canadian Pacific Railway track just inland of the airport is a slight obstacle.

By rental car

• Practicar Car and Truck Rentals, 524 Nelson Ave, 49.50315°, -117.27906°, +1 250-352-5122, nelson@practicar.ca. 2023-03-22

By public transit

• BC Transit (West Kootenay Transit System). Offers bus routes in the region, including Monday to Saturday service connecting Balfour, Castlegar, Fruitvale, Nelson, Rossland, Slocan City, and Trail. 2022-03-27
  • Route 10 operates Monday to Saturday between Nelson and Balfour (55 minutes).
  • Route 99 operates Monday to Saturday between Nelson and Castlegar 40 min). Transfer to route 33 at Selkirk College to reach Castlegar Community Complex (10 min), which is Castlegar's main bus exchange. Some route 99 trips become route 20, instead traveling between Nelson and Slocan City.
  • Offers Health Connections trips three days per week to Salmo, and two days per week direct service to New Denver and Nakusp. Health Connections trips are open to everyone to ride, but must be reserved in advance and trips to medical appointments receive priority.

By taxi

• Glacier Cabs, +1 250-354-1111, glacier_cabs@telus.net. 2022-07-28

See

• Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History, 502 Vernon St, 49.4927°, -117.29453°, +1 250-352-9813, info@touchstonesnelson.ca. Displaying the culture and history of Nelson and District in its museum, archives and art gallery.
• Nelson Mining Museum, 215 Hall St, 49.495014°, -117.292746°, +1 250-352-5242. Features thousands of rock, gem, fossil and mine core specimens from the West Kootenays and British Columbia. An extensive collection of books, mining publications and maps, both new and old, are available for public use. The facility is open year-round – check for daily and seasonal hours. 2019-09-23
• Nelson Electric Tramway, Lakeside Park (near Big Orange Bridge), 49.50545°, -117.28146°, +1 250-352-7672. Open weekends and all summer. Restored streetcar #23 that used to run down Baker Street now runs along the waterfront from Lakeside Park to Chahko Mika Mall. The line is 1.2 km long. 2016-09-29
• The Arts: Nelson is highlighted as the "Number One Small Town Arts Community in Canada" by the publisher of The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America, and is home to a large and diverse artisan community. The annual Artwalk, a display of artwork at various venues around town features local talent. In July, August and September, there are exhibitions throughout the downtown core in variety of galleries and local businesses. Each month has a separate grand opening, (usually the first Friday evening of the month), which includes refreshments, musicians, pan-handlers and artwork for locals and visitors to enjoy as they stroll through downtown Nelson.

Do

Nelson is a great base to explore the lakes, mountains and rivers of the surrounding area. The west arm of the Kootenay Lake flows past Nelson with several dams just below Nelson. The big orange bridge (known locally as BOB) is a local icon connecting the north shore to Nelson. Lakeside Park is a mix of grass and shade trees and sandy beach.

• Shanti Yoga Studio, 237 Baker St, 49.49080°, -117.29773°. One several yoga studios in Nelson offering classes. 2023-03-24
• Kootenay School of the Arts, 606 Victoria St, 49.49166°, -117.29146°, +1 250-352-2821. Study fine craft production in clay, metal, jewelry and small object design or fibre. Community classes as well as two year Diploma programmes. 2023-03-22
• Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, 49.7833°, -117.167°. can be accessed from the north shore (about 20 km from Nelson towards Balfour and the Kootenay Lake Ferry). Getting to the main trailhead into the park requires a steep 13 km drive to Gibson Lake. 2023-03-12
• Whitewater Ski Resort, Whitewater Rd. (at the end of Whitewater Rd 10 km south of Nelson off Ymir Rd.), 49.4444°, -117.152°, +1 250-354-4944. 20 km from Nelson, it has 20 km of cross country trails, groomed and track set for all abilities. 3 lifts give access to 80 runs in 396 vertical metres of beginner to advanced terrain. Hundreds of kilometres of off-piste skiing and back country touring. Average snowfall is 45 feet. Rentals and cafeteria available. Hitch-hiking from Nelson is a popular method to get there without a car. $75 2016-02-12
• The Nelson area is home to over 20 cat-skiing, heli-skiing and ski-touring operators.
• Mountain biking: Nelson offers a wide variety of MTB-oriented trails for all levels of experience. Excellent trail maps are available at local bike shops.
• Rock climbing is also a popular summer activity. Kootenay Crag 📍, Hall Siding 📍, Grohman Narrows 📍 and CIC Bluffs 📍 are popular city crags. Slocan Bluffs and Kinnaird are in nearby Slocan City and Castlegar.
• Bouldering: extensive bouldering areas in Grohman Narrows and nearby Robson.
• Mountaineers and alpine rock climbers head to the Valhalla Provincial Park 📍 in the Selkirk Mountains for long alpine routes on unique textured granite. The Mulvey Basin, Cougar Creek and Nemo Creek areas have routes ranging in grade from 5.4 to 5.12.
• Hiking: Two local hiking trails are popular:
  • The Nelson-Salmo Great Northern Trail is a very gently sloped rail trail which runs across Nelson and allows biking. It can be reached from the Svoboda Trailhead (Svoboda Rd) 📍 and from the Mountain Station Trailhead (Gore St) 📍.
  • Pulpit Rock Trail, 49.50049°, -117.30154°. Offers a short but somewhat challenging hike that ends in a beautiful view of the city. After Pulpit Rock the trail continues up the spine of Elephant Mountain (as the locals call it) to more postcard views, and eventually to the radio towers which are visible from everywhere in the city. Hikers venturing beyond Pulpit Rock should have basic wilderness gear and exercise common sense. 2023-03-24

Buy

• Nelson Markets: Nelson features several regular outdoor markets where artisans and farmers can be found selling everything from local produce, poultry and farm-fresh eggs to handcrafted jewellery, pottery and clothes.
  • Cottonwood Community Market, 49.48832°, -117.29674°. Held seasonally on Saturdays. 2023-03-24, at Cottonwood Falls Park, takes place every Saturday from May through October.
  • The Downtown Local Market, +1 250-354-1909. Happens on Baker Street every Wednesday from June through September. 2023-03-24
  • Nelson Market Fest, +1 250-354-1909. A lively night-time street market in the heart of Nelson's downtown, happens on the last Friday of the month in June, July, and August. The markets all offer regional farm produce, delicious foods, and a stunning variety of locally hand-crafted products. 2023-03-24
• Chahko Mika Mall, 1150 Lakeside Dr, 49.499046°, -117.288575°, +1 250-354-4496. M-W 9:30AM–5:30PM, Th-F 9:30AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM–5:30PM, Su 11AM-5PM. On the lake front. Contains approx 30 stores/services including restaurants, clothing, supermarket, Wal-Mart, newsagent, book store. 2019-09-23
• Still Eagle Planetary Persuasions, 476 Baker St, 49.491626°, -117.294158°, +1 250-352-3844. British Columbia's first hemp store and one of the largest distributors of hemp, organic and fair-trade clothing products in Canada. 2019-09-23

Eat

Budget

• Kootenay Bakery Cafe Cooperative, 377 Baker St, 49.491450°, -117.295755°, +1 250-352-2274. M-Sa 7:30AM-6PM. Classic bakery fare of sourdough breads, bagels, pies, cakes and cookies; offers products that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and wheat-free. 2019-09-23

Mid-range

• How Shang Shway Tea House, 112 Vernon St, 49.490672°, -117.299214°, +1 250-352-5266. Tu-F 11AM-5PM. Specialty teas and Taiwanese vegetarian meals. Cash only, no debit or credit cards. 2017-08-28
• Outer Clove, 536 Stanley St, 49.491091°, -117.295351°, +1 250-354-1667. M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM. Eastern European cuisine infused with garlic. 2019-09-20
• KC Restaurant, 546 Baker St, 49.492110°, -117.293215°, +1 250-352-5115, kcrestaurant@gmail.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 3PM-10PM. Chinese, Japanese, Thai 2019-09-20
• Jackson's Hole & Grill, 524 Vernon St, 49.493041°, -117.293306°, +1 250-354-1919. Su-Tu 11:30AM-10PM, W 11:30PM-11PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Dixie's Cafe in the movie Roaxanne, Something for everyone 2019-09-20
• Pitchfork Eatery, 518 Hall St, 49.492693°, -117.291324°, +1 250-352-2744, info@pitchforkeatery.ca. M-F 12-10PM, Sa-Su 10AM-10PM. Farm to table ingredients, live music on Thursday and Friday. 2019-09-23
• Red Light Ramen bar, 308 Herridge Lane (down the modest lane from Stanley St or Kootenay St), 49.490613°, -117.295956°, +1 250-352-0966. usually Su-Th 5-10:30PM, F Sa 5PM-midnight. A BC spin on a Japanese ramen joint. Choose your broth, noodles, spicing, and protein; the chef adds seasonal greens. Appetizers, desserts, sake, wine, and beer. Plentiful vegetarian options, including no-meat broth. The patio seating out front is delightful in summer. Full size bowl $12 (veg), $14 (meat) 2017-09-22
• Rel-ish, 301 Baker St, 49.491167°, -117.296569°, +1 250-352-5232. M-F 12-10PM, Sa-Su 10AM-10PM. Farm to table ingredients. 2019-09-23

Drink

• Louie's Steakhouse and Lounge, 616 Vernon St, 49.49349°, -117.29235°, +1 250-352-7211. In the renovated New Grand Hotel, Louie's serves up an enticing array of signature martinis, cocktails, and other libations in an elegant, relaxing atmosphere. 2019-09-23
• Finley's Irish Bar & Grill, 705 Vernon St, 49.494178°, -117.291820°, +1 250-352-5121, finleysbar@shaw.ca. Daily 10-2AM. Offers live entertainment, karaoke, live DJ. The kitchen is open until 2AM. 2019-09-23
• Mike's Place Pub, 422 Vernon St (Hume Hotel), 49.492398°, -117.294536°, +1 250-352-5331. M-Th 11PM-1AM; F-Sa 11:30AM-1:30PM; Su 11:30AM-midnight. 2019-09-20
• Spiritbar, 422 Vernon St (Hume Hotel), 49.492531°, -117.294817°, +250-352-5331. Mixed crowd with DJ's on weekends and the occasional live act 2019-09-23

Breweries

• Backroads Brewing Co., 460 Baker St, 49.49165°, -117.29448°, +1 778-463-3361. 2023-03-12
• Nelson Brewing Company, 512 Latimer St, 49.488249°, -117.289736°, +1 250-352-3582, info@nelsonbrewing.com. M-Sa 12-8PM, Su 12-6PM. Brewery and tasting room. 2019-09-23
• Torchlight Brewing Co.,, 125 Hall St, 49.49568°, -117.29306°, +1 250-352-0094. 2023-03-12

Sleep

Budget

• Dancing Bear Hostel, 171 Baker St., Nelson (West end of downtown Nelson), 49.4905°, -117.2985°, +1 250-352-7573, info@dancingbearinn.com. Clean and quiet. Dorm, private and group rooms available. Parking space, equipment lockers (require lock), paid laundry, computer, Wi-Fi, kitchen, 2 common areas. $34 for dorm bed (2016, tax inc.) 2017-08-26
• Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, 49.607815°, -117.122883°. 20 km from Nelson. With a large sandy beach, adventure playground, hot showers and a host of other amenities you’re sure to be comfortable and find plenty to do for you and your family. Open May 1-Sep 30. 2017-08-26
• Villa Motel, 655 Hwy 3A, 49.513480°, -117.285055°, +1 250-352-5515, sales@thevillamotel.com. 2019-09-23

Mid-range

• Adventure Hotel (formerly the New Grand Hotel and Hostel), 616 Vernon Street, 49.49351°, -117.292126°, +1 250-352-7211, info@adventurehotel.ca. In the heart of downtown, it was refurbished in vivid colours. Its hostel roots remain in bunk beds, a communal kitchen, and a nice roof deck where guests can chat. But the private baths and comfortable beds say "hotel". It's an old building, with charming brick walls, and a less charming absence of elevators — climb with suitcases up the stairs! $80-144 2017-09-22
• Alpine Inn & Suites, 1120 Hall Mines Road, 49.48566°, -117.29342°, +1 250-352-5501, stay@alpine-motel.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 2022-08-03
• Best Western Baker Street Inn, 153 Baker St, 49.490305°, -117.29903°, +1 250-352-3525. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Just a few minutes' walk from the attractions on the rest of Baker St. 2017-08-26
• Blaylock Mansion, 1679 Hwy 3A, 49.544074°, -117.259459°, +1 250-825-2200, info@blaylock.ca. The mansion of early 20th-century mining and smelting tycoon Selwyn Blaylock, converted into a bed and breakfast. Some rooms have shared bath. Also a lovely setting for weddings. $173-266/night 2017-08-26
• The Hume Hotel, 422 Vernon Street, 49.492519°, -117.294993°, +1 250-352-5331, info@humehotel.com. Downtown. From $140 2018-05-22
• The Prestige Inn, 1301 Front St, 49.499631°, -117.285811°, +1 250-352-3595, Lakeview@PrestigeHotels.ca. By the lakeshore. From $99 2018-05-22
• Solterra Guest House, 2109 Fort Sheppard, 49.479308°, -117.282977°, +1 250-551-5530. Beautiful private setting, close to downtown and the Burlington trail. 2017-08-26

Splurge

• Prestige Lakeside Resort, 701 Lakeside Dr, 49.497322°, -117.294083°, +1 250-352-7222, Nelson@PrestigeHotels.ca. Waterfront location located within walking distance of downtown. 101 guestrooms with a variety of room types. On-site dining options include West Coast Grill, Vault Sports Lounge, and Le Petit Cafe and Creperie. The resort also features an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and can accommodate meetings and events for up to 425 people. $190+ 2019-09-23

Connect

Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, 49.49049°, -117.29477°, +1 250-352-6333. Has free WiFi access. 2023-03-24

There are many other locations where the traveler can access wireless Internet, including the following: Chahko Mika Mall, Best Western Baker St Inn, and many restaurants in town.

Most of the downtown area has Shaw public WiFi, although you will need a Shaw account to use it.

Go next

• Ainsworth Hot Spings, located about 45 minutes northeast of Nelson, is considered to be the best commercial hot springs in British Columbia and has many spa services, treatments and packages.