Top 20 Places to Visit in
LADYSMITH | BRITISH COLUMBIA
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01
Vibrant First Avenue
Recommended by AARON STONE
Historic First Avenue was named the best street in Canada for 2017 by the Canadian Institute of Planners. ‘We call it the living room of our community,’ said Mayor Aaron Stone
The street exhibits all the qualities one would expect from a great street: visually interesting building facades, generous sidewalks, attractive landscaping and artistic details, places to rest, and places to gather.
First Avenue, Ladysmith, B.C.
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02
Transfer Beach
Ladysmith offers the right mix of rocky shoreline and sandy beach. Hailed as the jewel of Ladysmith, Transfer Beach is the best starting point for exploring the long shoreline of the town.
Transfer Beach was once the industrial centre of Ladysmith. From 1899, millions of tons of coal were shipped from Transfer Beach’s massive wharves to locations around the world. The Transfer Wharf moved rail cars fully loaded with coal or goods onto barges, making Ladysmith the major interchange for rail traffic between the mainland and Vancouver Island.
After the decline of the coal and logging industries, the waterfront was preserved as a park in 1967.
Captain Tristan de Konnick Way, Ladysmith, BC
(250) 245-6400
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( votes)03
Home Town of Pamela Anderson
“It warmed my heart to see Plantitude, a vegan restaurant on 1st Avenue”, told Pamela Anderson to the local newspaper when returned to the home town on Vancouver Island in 2019. “My mom and dad were married here, my father grew up on the property, and my parents lived with me and my brother in cabin 6.”
The town’s main street (1st Avenue) features vintage Edwardian buildings; many erected circa the town’s founding in 1900.
Probably, Plantitude restaurant is the best option to meet Pamela when you visit Ladysmith.
431 First Avenue, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9
(250) 924-1201
plantitude.ca
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04
Festival of Lights
From the last Thursday in November until the second Sunday in January, Ladysmith is ignited with the life of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Drive or walk down First Avenue and take it all in to fill your cup with Christmas spirit.
The first light up in 1987 was held under rainy skies; 500 people came out.
1163 4th Avenue, Ladysmith BC
www.ladysmithfol.com
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( votes)05
Maritime Museum
Ladysmith has a proud and exciting marine history. A floating museum shares a maritime history with authentic artifacts and nautical displays. The Rainbow’s 16-foot skiff dinghy, dating back to 1898, is showcased in the Museum.
The Maritime Museum is located in a blue boat sheds on the main dock and is open daily, 10 am – 2 pm, during the warm months.
On the southeast side of the Welcome Centre, you’ll find another large blue boatshed named the Bill Adair Heritage Boathouse. Here you’ll find the Saravan, a local 1938 restored tug boat.
610 Oyster Bay Dr, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1K4
(250) 245-1146
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06
Ladysmith Show & Shine
Recommended by MARTIN EH
On the third Saturday in August, First Avenue in downtown Ladysmith on Vancouver Island is lined with various makes and models of beautiful and treasured cars and motorcycles.
Sorry, no dogs allowed.
First Avenue, Ladysmith BC
http://www.ladysmithshowandshine.ca/
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( votes)07
1st Ladysmith House
Built by George Cassidy, this is possibly Ladysmith’s very first house. Cassidy was a provincial constable circa 1900-1915; the Cassidy district north of Ladysmith is named after one of his cousins.
1040 Second Avenue, Ladysmith
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08
Holland Creek Trail
Recommended by MICHAEL TRAWICK
“Holland Creek Trail is our local outdoor gem!” Michael Trawick
It is a 4.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Ladysmith that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking and trail running.
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( votes)09
Arts on the Avenue
Recommended by MARTIN EH
First Ave. in the beautiful community of Ladysmith is transformed August 26 into a street filled with art, entertainment and fun under a sea of white tents.
If you love art then this is the place to discover everything from paintings to jewellery, pottery, carving, metal pieces, photography, painted glassware, and hand-woven items. Meet the artists and take home a treasure.
The event also includes live music, and a variety of food options.
First Avenue, Ladysmith
www.facebook.com/artsontheavenue.ca/
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10
Ladysmith Days
Recommended by MURRAY VILLIERS
An exhilarating annual event for over 40 years, Ladysmith Days celebrates the abundant pool of resident entertainers in Ladysmith with an exciting line-up of musicians, singers, and dancers.
Located in Ladysmith and at Transfer Beach, the event lasts for 2 or 3 days and is held in August of every year.
First Avenue, Ladysmith BC
https://www.ladysmithdays.com/
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( votes)11
Loggers Sports
Recommended by MARTIN EH
The annual Cops for Cancer fundraiser – Loggers Sports Exhibition – take place in September. On the Sunday of Labour Day Weekend, competitive loggers from the Island and Mainland will be showing off their skills in an assortment of events seen commonly at all loggers’ sports events.
Transfer Beach, Ladysmith BC
https://www.ladysmithcofc.com/events/logger-sports/
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12
Roberts Memorial Provincial Park
An easy 1-kilometre trail through the mature forest leads to the rocky beach, which offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. From here, visitors can often see Steller’s and California sea lions, who haul out to bask in the sun on the park’s unique sandstone ledges during the summer months. Great Blue herons, Bald eagles and a variety of seabirds can also be spotted in the park, which was donated to the province by May Vaughan Roberts in memory of her husband and daughter.
The park contains unique sandstone ledges. These ledges are part of the geological heritage of Vancouver Island and represent ancient sea beds.
3122 Yellow Point Rd, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1C5
(250) 474-1336
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( votes)13
Sea Life Celebration
Recommended by MARTIN EH
Sea Life Celebration, second Sunday in August, from 10 am to 2 pm! Get in touch with local sea stars, urchins and more!
611 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith
www.lmsmarina.ca/sea-life-celebration/
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14
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are a favourite destination for boaters from around the world. Magnificent scenery, great weather and countless islands, coves and passes make this a year-round boater’s paradise.
The Gulf Islands are Canada’s newest national park, created to protect the islands’ wonderfully diverse ecosystem. As you cruise between the islands, watch for whales breeching, porpoises bow-riding and even black bears foraging for berries and salmon.
Gulf Islands, British Columbia
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( votes)15
Post Office Antique Mall
One of Vancouver Island’s largest antique mall with three floors of antiques and collectibles. It specializes in furniture, clocks, coin-operated, gas pumps etc.
340 Esplanade, Ladysmith BC V9G 1A3
(250) 245-7984
www.postofficeantiquemall.com
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16
Art of Brewing
Ladysmith’s Own Award-Winning Wine & Beer Brewer; high-quality libations you can bottle yourself.
Art Lindala started making wine in the early 1980s, trying out various home wine-making kits (to the immense enjoyment of his family and friends). Those early experiments eventually blossomed into his first “Garage Winery” on Vancouver Island in 1993.
#15 – 1156 Rocky Creek Road
(250) 245-0077
https://www.artofbrewingvanisle.ca/
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( votes)17
Brits on the Beach Car Show
Recommended by MURRAY VILLIERS
British cars, trucks and motorcycles from all over BC and beyond on Transfer Beach, Ladysmith (July, Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm). We are expecting in excess of 250 vehicles to be exhibited in the beautiful surroundings of Transfer Beach accompanied by a background of sixties music.
“Brits on the Beach” is an annual show, organized by the Central Island Branch of the Old English Car Club of BC, a group of enthusiasts who spend many hours restoring and maintaining these wonderful vehicles.
Transfer Beach, Ladysmith
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18
Ladysmith Chronicle
Thanks to Ladysmith Chronicle BC for the article about 1000 Towns – Small town tourism site showcases Ladysmith.
We published the unique page about Ladysmith on #1000towns in the end of March 202, when the whole country discovered how to live on quarantine. We asked town residents about feedback. The test results was fantastic. We received dozens of ideas on how to improve the page, what places to add to the Top Places to Visit list.
Thanks again, Ladismith.
940 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith, B.C., V9G 1A3
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( votes)19
Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge
22-kilometre section of the Great Trail, formerly the Trans Canada Trail, is split by the Nanaimo River and crosses diverse landscapes. It includes the 48-metre high Haslam Creek Canyon suspension bridge.
From the Haslam Creek Bridge and Timberlands Road area, you can continue trekking south to Ladysmith on the Cowichan Valley Trail.
23JP+74 Cowichan Valley H, British Columbia
https://www.rdn.bc.ca/trans-canada-trail
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20
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