Meaghan's Guidebook
Sightseeing
A 20 min walk from the carriage house will take you to Piper’s Lagoon. Walk along the split that divides the lagoon and ocean. Sit on a bench or log to take in the view. Scrabble over the rock at the end of the gravel path and you’ll find the path continues around the tip. Be careful as the bluffs are not fenced and there is a dangerous drop down- but the views are beautiful!
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Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdA 20 min walk from the carriage house will take you to Piper’s Lagoon. Walk along the split that divides the lagoon and ocean. Sit on a bench or log to take in the view. Scrabble over the rock at the end of the gravel path and you’ll find the path continues around the tip. Be careful as the bluffs are not fenced and there is a dangerous drop down- but the views are beautiful!
A 30 min walk from the carriage house this ocean front city park has walking/jogging trails. It boasts several small beaches and has fantastic ocean views! There is a nearby school playground as well for kids.
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Neck Point Park
1055 Morningside DrA 30 min walk from the carriage house this ocean front city park has walking/jogging trails. It boasts several small beaches and has fantastic ocean views! There is a nearby school playground as well for kids.
A fantastic place to spend the day. You can walk through the warm tide pools, search for crabs, make sandcastles, and walk along the forest and ocean trails. There is a small playground here as well
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Provenciaal Park van Rathtrevor Beach
1240 Rath RdA fantastic place to spend the day. You can walk through the warm tide pools, search for crabs, make sandcastles, and walk along the forest and ocean trails. There is a small playground here as well
Just a short 10 minute ferry ride from the harbour front Newcastle island is a great place to spend a day hiking, renting kayaks in the summer, or having a picnic.
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Newcastle Island
Just a short 10 minute ferry ride from the harbour front Newcastle island is a great place to spend a day hiking, renting kayaks in the summer, or having a picnic.
Has two beautiful waterfalls, old-growth forest and several hiking trails. Has a day-use area and campgrounds.
140 locals raden deze aan
Provinciaal Park Englishman River Falls
2245 Errington RoadHas two beautiful waterfalls, old-growth forest and several hiking trails. Has a day-use area and campgrounds.
Great for a day of swimming and paddle boarding and has a nice trail for walking/running around the lake.
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Westwood Lake
Great for a day of swimming and paddle boarding and has a nice trail for walking/running around the lake.
Food scene
Enjoy a coffee while watching the ferry come into Departure Bay at locally owned ocean front Drip Coffee/social. Great sandwiches and they have local beers on tap too. They also carry Nanaimo’s own home made Cold Front Gelato! There is a beach and small playground to enjoy across the street.
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Drip Coffee | Social
2835 Departure Bay RdEnjoy a coffee while watching the ferry come into Departure Bay at locally owned ocean front Drip Coffee/social. Great sandwiches and they have local beers on tap too. They also carry Nanaimo’s own home made Cold Front Gelato! There is a beach and small playground to enjoy across the street.
Our favourite sushi restaurant in town! They make very unique rolls. It can get very busy, especially for dinner so suggest making a reservation.
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Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island HwyOur favourite sushi restaurant in town! They make very unique rolls. It can get very busy, especially for dinner so suggest making a reservation.
A Nanaimo staple- this is the second location in town. Fresh Mexican inspired food made fast. Their wraps and burritos are delicious and you can either eat on their side patio or take out.
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Delicado's North
6581 Aulds RdA Nanaimo staple- this is the second location in town. Fresh Mexican inspired food made fast. Their wraps and burritos are delicious and you can either eat on their side patio or take out.
This is our favourite restaurant in town! Great service and delicious local food with lots of food options including seafood, cheese plates, vegetarian and gluten free options. You can eat inside or out on the patio. it can be busy, especially during the summer, so suggest making a reservation if you can.
11 locals raden deze aan
melange restaurant
223 Commercial StThis is our favourite restaurant in town! Great service and delicious local food with lots of food options including seafood, cheese plates, vegetarian and gluten free options. You can eat inside or out on the patio. it can be busy, especially during the summer, so suggest making a reservation if you can.
Locally owned hand made Italian Gelato with lots of unique flavours!
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Cold Front Gelato
60 Commercial StLocally owned hand made Italian Gelato with lots of unique flavours!
Great take out pizza in the North part of Nanaimo. You can order as of 4 p.m Wednesday-sundays. Orders can take 90-120 minutes so often best to order early.
7 locals raden deze aan
Pizzeria La Stella
6581 Aulds RoadGreat take out pizza in the North part of Nanaimo. You can order as of 4 p.m Wednesday-sundays. Orders can take 90-120 minutes so often best to order early.
have good breakfast and lunch with some good vegetarian options. Food is great but service can be tricky some days. Expect lines on weekends. They don’t take reservations but have a wait list on their website you can put your name on to get a table.
86 locals raden deze aan
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial Streethave good breakfast and lunch with some good vegetarian options. Food is great but service can be tricky some days. Expect lines on weekends. They don’t take reservations but have a wait list on their website you can put your name on to get a table.
Bodhi's Artisan Bakery
5299 Rutherford RdGreat bakery for treats and baked goods.
Great place for pizza or pasta while visiting goats on the roof. They have a lot of gluten free options (including celiac) that really impressed us. Service is usually very quick once you’ve ordered - great option for families.
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Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyGreat place for pizza or pasta while visiting goats on the roof. They have a lot of gluten free options (including celiac) that really impressed us. Service is usually very quick once you’ve ordered - great option for families.
O’Falafel Maan
1588 Boundary CrescentFresh salads, dips, wraps and shawarma.
specialty groceries
Great market for organic, vegetarian and vegan and gluten free food options.
10 locals raden deze aan
Pomme Natural Market Nanaimo
6560 Metral DrGreat market for organic, vegetarian and vegan and gluten free food options.
Fun activities
For something a little different try Wildplay in the south of Nanaimo and test your skills on the high ropes course. There is a kids course as well for kids age 5 and up.
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WildPlay Nanaimo
35 Nanaimo River RdFor something a little different try Wildplay in the south of Nanaimo and test your skills on the high ropes course. There is a kids course as well for kids age 5 and up.
Fun little shop for groceries, treats and gifts. It’s always fun to see the resident goats on the grass-topped roof.
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Old Country Market - Geiten op het Dak
2326 Alberni HwyFun little shop for groceries, treats and gifts. It’s always fun to see the resident goats on the grass-topped roof.
Has more than 60 animals usually on site. There is a self- guided tour and pretty gardens to walk around or have a picnic.
43 locals raden deze aan
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
1240 Leffler RdHas more than 60 animals usually on site. There is a self- guided tour and pretty gardens to walk around or have a picnic.