The Good Part Isn't Over And We Can Prove It

If you’ve heard anything about Nanaimo, you probably know we’re firm believers that the off-season is never really off. We’re not a resort town. We don’t pack it up when summer ends. Around here, the good part keeps going right through fall, into winter, and, well, back around to summer again.

Events keep coming. Festivals carry on, only changing flavour to match the season. The crowds get quieter, sure, but we like to think that just leaves a little more room for some much-needed you time.

So, if you’ve been daydreaming about a quieter getaway that won’t hurt the wallet or take you too far from home, we think we’ve got just the thing.

Here’s a little itinerary to prove the good part really isn’t over.

Day 1

Morning

Start your morning with a scenic tour of the coast by air or boat! Oh wait… that’s just how you get here?

Take your pick: float plane with Harbour Air or Seair Seaplanes, passenger ferry with Hullo, BC Ferries if you’re bringing the family car, or even a helicopter. (Yes. A helicopter. Thanks, Helijet.)

What feels like a scenic tour of Vancouver Island’s coastline is actually just the start of your Nanaimo escape. Not bad for a commute, hey?

Coming from a little further away? Nanaimo Airport has you covered with plenty of flight options, and don't worry, the views on the way in are pretty hard to beat, too.

Welcome to Nanaimo. Getting here is half the fun.

Afternoon

Once you’ve settled into your hotel (need inspo? Here’s our top fall stays), keep the energy going with a trip to Nanaimo’s South End for a walk through the colourful woods.

And by “walk through the woods,” we don’t mean a leisurely stroll along the forest floor.

We literally mean in the trees.

Get up close and personal with those fall colours at WildPlay, where you can climb through adventure courses, zipline between the trees, or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, bungee jump right into the season.

Fall colours look a little different from up here.

Evening

Okay, we’ll admit it. We may have gone a little wild on your first day here. But we bet you’re already rethinking that whole “off-season” thing, right?

Time to slow things down. Settle in with a cozy charcuterie board and a tasty cocktail or mocktail at Embers Wine and Charcuterie Cellar before heading over to the Port Theatre for an evening show.

Good food, a little something to sip, and some live entertainment? Yeah, you’ve earned this.

Then get some rest. Day 2 isn’t exactly taking the season off either.

Day 2

Morning 

Good morning and welcome to Day 2 in Nanaimo!

Let’s start the day in one of Nanaimo’s favourite little neighbourhoods to explore come fall: the Old City Quarter.

With colourful heritage buildings, cozy shops, local makers and creatives, and plenty of tasty spots to grab a bite, it’s basically made for a crisp fall morning. Grab a coffee, wander the streets, pop into a few shops, and take your time exploring.

No rushing here. That’s kind of the point.

Afternoon

Visiting in September or October? Well, you picked a pretty good time to be here. Spend your afternoon getting a taste of Nanaimo’s fall festival and market season.

Summer might “end,” but Nanaimo’s event calendar certainly doesn’t. Those markets you came to love all summer? Many keep going right through fall, and some don’t stop at all. Check out the Cedar Farmers Market right through Halloween, while Island Roots Farmers’ Market and the Gabriola Farmers Market keep the good stuff going year-round.

And there’s still plenty of live music and performances to get you dancing, singing along, or happily watching from your seat. We’re looking at you, Nanaimo International Jazz Festival and Port Theatre.

Then there’s the Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEX), rolling into town in late September. Grab your cowboy boots (hat optional, but encouraged) and get ready for Nanaimo’s country fair, complete with live entertainment, agricultural exhibits and competitions, local food, artisan vendors, family-friendly fun, and plenty of reasons to stick around.

Or make an afternoon or a whole day of it and hop over to Gabriola Island for the Gabriola Thanksgiving Studio Tour. Wander through local artists’ studios, meet the makers, and find a handcrafted piece you definitely weren’t planning to bring home but somehow absolutely need.

Markets, music, art, a country fair… remind us what was supposed to be “off” about this season again?

Evening

Last night here? Or have we convinced you to stay a little longer and explore a little more?

Either way, let’s end Day 2 on a high note… literally.

Grab a pizza to-go from Mambo Pizza and make your way up to Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s just a quick five-minute walk to the top, where you can settle in, grab a slice, and watch the sun take its evening dip into the ocean.

Keep an eye out as the ferries come and go, the sky changes colour, and maybe even a little wildlife makes an appearance.

Pizza. Ocean views. A fall sunset. Yeah, you might want to extend that stay.

And That’s Just the Start…

Two days down, and trust us, we’ve barely scratched the surface.

There are still trails to wander, neighbourhoods to explore, Nanaimo Bars to taste, shows to catch, islands to hop, and plenty of excuses to add just one more night to the trip.

Because around here, we don’t really shut it down when summer ends. The weather changes, the crowds thin out, and the adventures might look a little different, but Nanaimo keeps doing its thing.

So stay a little longer. Explore a little more. Or start planning the next trip.

The good part isn’t over. Around here, it rarely is.