A Beautiful Setting Provides Year Round Outdoor Activities
Nelson is a small town nestled into the Selkirk Mountains. It’s in a region of British Columbia known as the Kootenays. It is an attractive setting, not only surrounded by mountains but many lakes and rivers. Nelson itself sits on the west arm of the large Kootenay Lake.
With all these natural features the area has year round activities, such as fishing, hiking, mountain biking and golf. The Whitewater Ski Resort is just half an hour from downtown. In the winter months it offers both downhill and cross country skiing. The Kootenays are well known for snowmobiling and the Selkirk Mountains offer world class Heli skiing.
Artsy And Eclectic
The community is made up of an eclectic mix of people. Perhaps the inspirational beauty is why many artisans from painters to potters have made Nelson their home. The artists and free spirited hippies live among familes and retirees. This has created a diverse arts and culture scene. There is year round entertainment and festivals that are focused on music, theatre and dance.
Nelson is a small place with a big punch. For a town of its size it has a remarkable number of restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, craft stores and boutiques. A mix of shops selling unique garments made out of hemp and bamboo next to high-end clothing boutiques and outdoor gear shops. There is a real focus on natural and organic products as well as local foods and goods. It is a friendly and close-knit community where everyone seems to know each other. The residents go out of their way to support the local businesses.
There are hundreds of Victorian heritage homes and commercial buildings located throughout Nelson. The heart of the town is Baker Street, where there are many unique shops. The downtown is compact and easy to walk around.
In May there is a Garden Festival held on Baker Street. It is blocked off to allow for pedestrian traffic only. Many vendors set up to sell arts and crafts, pottery and baked goods, as well as plants and fresh farm produce and fruit.
Street Car #23 will take you along the waterfront to Lakeside Park.
Lakeside Park has a popular beach, a children’s play area and walkways that meander along manicured gardens and the waterfront. It’s a nice place to come for a picnic or you can get some tasty food from the concession.
A nice time to visit is in the fall. The hillside trees create a canvas of orange and yellow. The Victorian houses dotted among them creates a picture perfect scene.
The area is a summer paradise, surrounded by lakes and rivers. They make for refreshing spots for locals and tourist to beat the heat.
Shambhala, an internationally known artistic music festival is held in August. It is located about half an hour away from Nelson in a rural area called Salmo. It attracts over 10,000 people.
Gillian @OneGiantStep says
Nelson also has some of the best mountain biking in the world!! Love it there!
Audrey says
Hi Gillian!
We love Nelson too, such a neat place and Nelson is my maiden name so I am rather found of it, he he!