Downtown Campbell River

Visit Haig-Brown House, a restored 1923 farmhouse set amid forests and gardens beside the Campbell River. This was the home of pioneer conservationists Roderick and Ann Haig-Brown.

Campbell River's rich native heritage is proudly showcased in the Campbell River Museum, housed on the highway south of the town centre, which features a fine collection of Northwest Coast Native masks, ceremonial items, and other fine art.

The Campbell River & District Public Art Gallery in the Centennial Building in Shoppers Row offers 45-to 60-minute tours for school children and community groups throughout the year. The tours include a talk about the exhibitions on display, and an art activity afterwards, and can be modified to meet each groups needs.

The Campbell River Optical Maritime Museum in the Dogwood Centre has a collection of over 500 maritime artifacts, some dating back 2,000 years. Open year-round, Monday to Thursday.

Built in 1924, Pier House is the oldest house in town and stands at the entrance to Campbell River's famous fishing pier. This building is a charming mix of old curiosity shop and museum, where you can examine the many relics.

Totem poles can be viewed at various sites throughout Campbell River; Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre, Foreshore Park, Coast Discovery Inn, Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures and the Discovery Harbour Centre. Visitors to the region have many opportunities to share and experience First Nations culture, by visiting museums and art galleries, or taking part in cultural tours, festivals, and special ceremonies provided in the region.

Hollywood has discovered Campbell River's scenic locations for film making - The Scarlett Letter and Eaters of the Dead (released as 13th Warrior) were filmed here.

Don't miss the annual Transformation on the Shore (Driftwood Carving Contest) that lines the 4.2 km Rotary Beach Seawalk, and Campbell River Children's Festival held on the Canada Day long weekend (1 July).

During the Salmon Festival in August, the town is abuzz with famous and ordinary sports fisherfolk. Some of the more popular annual celebrations include the Logger Sports in August, and The Haig-Brown Festival in September.

Campbell River makes a good base from which to charter boats to prime cruising areas such as the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound, one of the most beautiful and varied cruising areas in British Columbia.

About 12 miles (19 km) south of Campbell River, you'll find exceptional birding in Woodhus Slough. Viewing trails lead out into the slough from the parking lot in Oyster River Regional Park. To reach the park, turn east on Glenora as it follows the north side of the Oyster River.

Kids Adventure: Take the kids to the beaches south of town; Oyster Bay, Saratoga or Miracle. Check out the sandy beaches on McIvor Lake, a favorite swimming spot of locals. Visit nearby Strathcona Park and sign them up for kid's outdoor education classes at Strathcona Park Lodge, or take a course with the whole family. A trip to the top of Mount Washington on the chairlift will keep them occupied for hours. How about renting bicycles, hopping on board a ferry and visiting Quadra Island for the day?

Learn about fishy stuff at the Quinsam Salmon Hatchery, and then go for a family fishing trip down to Discovery Pier where you can rent poles by the hour. On weekends, try Saratoga Speedway for some up-close stock car racing in the evenings, or go-carting in the afternoon all summer long. And the Museum offers daily programs, including the popular Puppet Theatre.

You don't actually have to dive in order to enjoy an unusual underwater experience on the Campbell River. Snorkelling here from July to September provides an opportunity to watch from the surface as salmon, some as large as 50 pounds (28kg) school in the estuary in advance of spawning.