It was difficult to narrow the field down to thirty things with such a dynamic, alive community of people who love to celebrate, recreate and generate, but we did it and here are 30 things we think are worth doing in Nelson. If you need even more ideas visit www.108healthythingstodo.com/
- Take a slow, purposeful stroll through town and drink in the absolute wonder of all that Nelson has to offer. Our community photo gallery reflects some of the beauty of the area.
- On your stroll, check out all the locally owned and operated specialty stores, stop for a chat with your friends and neighbours or have a bite to eat at one of Nelson’s excellent cafes and restaurants.
- Take a hike. It’s all uphill in Nelson and you just have to get used to it. Actually we do have a couple of hiking areas that are friendly to your knees so visit our hiking page and find the right trail for you.
- Take an adventure tour. From boat tours to photography tours, biking to mountain climbing, Nelson area tour operators will guide you on your adventures.
- Practice your swing on one of the area’s many superb golf courses, and don’t forget your camera because the view might just interfere with your game! After your round, enjoy a meal and a drink in the club house restaurant.
- Visit Nelson’s new Touchstones Museum of Art and History where you can explore permanent exhibits including the First People, First Culture, First Land; European settler history; the mining days and much more. Visit the museum regularly to view new exhibits by local and visiting artists exploring diverse media and self expression.
- Learn about the architectural heritage of Nelson by taking a self-guided walking or driving tour through the streets of Nelson.
- Celebrate with your community! Nelson is a festival town with many annual events happening in the local area. From weekly markets to family events and music festivals, Nelson hosts a diversity of fun. Find festivals and events here and check the events calendar for updates.
- Absorb a little culture: there’s a reason Nelson is known as Canada’s number one small arts community! Browse local art galleries or shop for one of a kind art items.
- Spend time with a furry friend. Nelson’s animal shelters welcome volunteers, and walking a dog or petting cats is a great family activity.
- Go on a road trip: Nelson is within easy driving distance of historic communities, abundant nature, and beautiful beaches. Pack the family into the car and plan a day trip.
- Volunteer in your community. Nelson nonprofit organizations and charities support fellow community members and the environment, and have a wealth of education, fundraising, and hands-on projects to offer. Give back to your community, learn a new skill, and make friends by offering your time and energy to one of these community resource organizations.
- Kick back and listen to the radio. Nelson has a selection of radio genres to choose from, broadcast right here in our community. Tune in and listen to familiar favourites or expand your awareness with stimulating interviews and music selections!
- Pamper yourself – go on, you deserve it! Take a friend or loved one for a special treat together, or give a gift of luxury on a special occasion. Nelson’s beauty salons, estheticians, massage specialists and spas are waiting to help you relax and rejuvenate.
- Green your shopping habits. Nelson’s thrift stores let you find a bargain while supporting local community services and enabling recycling. Feel good and look good!
- Stiff and tired from a busy day? Mind racing from all the details of a busy life? Take a class at one of Nelson’s yoga studios and learn how to ease your body and mind with this ancient practice.
- Explore one of the area’s many parks. Nelson residents and visitors are fortunate to have access to a wealth of parks: city parks such as Lakeside and Gyro are a great place to hang out with the kids or watch the world go by; and regional parks such as Kokanee Glacier and Valhalla give hikers and ramblers room to roam.
- Spend a night out at the theatre. The Nelson performance scene is thriving, with regular performances by local theatre companies and travelling shows. Drama, comedy, pantomime, dance, music – Nelson theatres showcase it all! OR go the the Civic Theatre and catch the latest movie.
- If performance of the celluloid variety is more your taste, go see a movie at one of Nelson’s film theatres. From Hollywood Blockbusters to small independent art films, you can see it all in Nelson!
- After the show, stop in at a local watering hole to discuss it all with your companions over a drink. Nelson offers pubs and bars to suit all tastes, as well as late-night cafes for the dessert-inclined…
- Get active! Join a local sports club and enjoy an activity with fellow enthusiasts. Check our sports and recreation listings to see the wealth of sports opportunities Nelson offers.
- Throw a party! Invite all your friends and neighbours! For the ultimate in ease and fun, hire a caterer or DJ, or have an event organizer help you manifest your party vision.
- Looking for a creative outlet? Want to hone your artistic skills? Nelson offers many classes in a variety of creative modes from visual arts to writing to dancing. Check our listings for the right class for you, and don’t forget to check the events calendar regularly.
- “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” A regular health-support program is an important element of wellbeing. Nelson health practitioners offer a diversity of modalities to support you in your wellness goals.
- Get on your bike and ride! The Nelson area is famous for the quality of both its biking trails and its biking equipment and repair stores. Hop on and head out.
- Music may soothe the savage beast, but sometimes you just have to let the beast out to play… Home to the world-famous Selkirk College music program and many talented musicians, Nelson’s live music scene is alive and thriving. From music that soothes to music on the wild side, Nelson’s many venues have something to suit all tastes.
- For an afternoon of family-friendly fun, visit one of the area’s community leisure centres. Swimming, hot tubs and saunas, water slides, skating, and gym equipment are all to be found here, as well as classes in swimming, skating, fitness, and more. If your focus is a workout, check out local gyms as well.
- Put on your dancing shoes! Take lessons to polish your moves at one of Nelson’s dance schools, then strut your stuff on the dance floor at a nightclub!
- Want to know what’s happening, locally and internationally? Check the Nelson news media for up to date coverage, or click on the coffee cup on the bottom left of this page for links to regional, national, international, sports, and ‘good news‘ outlets. Take your newspaper or laptop to a local coffee shop and browse in comfort.
- Go camping! With several beautiful provincial parks and a variety of campgrounds and RV parks within easy driving distance, Nelson is the perfect centre for camping experiences. Whether you head for mountaintop or lake shore, take the whole family or go solo, camping is a low-cost, low-impact way to explore the beauty of the local area.
Need even more ideas visit www.108healthythingstodo.com/