Blackburn on the Island Guidebook
You Should Eat Here
A unique fried chicken experience, korean style! We love their Yangneom chicken and the cauliflower fries are to die for. Must try: Yangnyeom Chicken (spicy) and Cauliflower fries.
NANDA CHICKEN
477 Wallace StreetA unique fried chicken experience, korean style! We love their Yangneom chicken and the cauliflower fries are to die for. Must try: Yangnyeom Chicken (spicy) and Cauliflower fries.
The food is great and the hospitality is even better. Food challenge in restaurant available. Must try: Caesar (spicy, alcoholic) and signature burgers (everything is awesome)
Extreme Eatery
155 Morison AvenueThe food is great and the hospitality is even better. Food challenge in restaurant available. Must try: Caesar (spicy, alcoholic) and signature burgers (everything is awesome)
Great cafe with a Korean twist - calm ambience, not-too-sweet bubble teas and American-Korean fusion cuisine, aka Bulgogi Burger! A must try!
Felice Cafe
1420 Wingrove StreetGreat cafe with a Korean twist - calm ambience, not-too-sweet bubble teas and American-Korean fusion cuisine, aka Bulgogi Burger! A must try!
Located in the Goats on the Roof lot, this gem is for those who have a craving for really good Italian food on the island. Go early, best at opening, since line up can go around the bend, even through Covid (they maintain precautions, it's just because of the volume of people).
72 locals raden deze aan
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyLocated in the Goats on the Roof lot, this gem is for those who have a craving for really good Italian food on the island. Go early, best at opening, since line up can go around the bend, even through Covid (they maintain precautions, it's just because of the volume of people).
Mexican food on the island? This is it - our go to for our taco-nacho-jarritos-horchata-tamales fix. Don't know what half of these are? Try them at Baby Salsa!
7 locals raden deze aan
Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant
550 Fifth StMexican food on the island? This is it - our go to for our taco-nacho-jarritos-horchata-tamales fix. Don't know what half of these are? Try them at Baby Salsa!
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetBreakfast, west coast style!
Craving Italian within the city, check this quaint resto out, nestled in the Old City Quarters.
37 locals raden deze aan
La Stella Trattoria
321 Wesley StCraving Italian within the city, check this quaint resto out, nestled in the Old City Quarters.
A Wee Cupcakery
407 Fitzwilliam StMust go dessert spot in the Old City Quarters, do check for operating hours!
Sweet tooth? Breakfast? They do them all! Our go to place for crepes - savory or for dessert.
8 locals raden deze aan
Ironworks Cafe & Creperie
200 Commercial StSweet tooth? Breakfast? They do them all! Our go to place for crepes - savory or for dessert.
Take a Stroll
Diver Lake Park
2430 Black Franks DriveNearby nature walk, kiddie playground, tennis courts, mini dirt bike track.
Nearby water leisure activity lake; swim, paddle and row. Kiddie playground available close by.
26 locals raden deze aan
Long Lake
Nearby water leisure activity lake; swim, paddle and row. Kiddie playground available close by.
Great garden walkway with a fascinatingly royal backstory; don't forget to try their teas and scones!
49 locals raden deze aan
Milner Gardens & Woodland
2179 W Island Hwy WGreat garden walkway with a fascinatingly royal backstory; don't forget to try their teas and scones!
Great nature walk ending with a rappel down to the waterfall. Wildlife sightings available.
37 locals raden deze aan
Ammonite Falls
Great nature walk ending with a rappel down to the waterfall. Wildlife sightings available.
Great nature walk. Wildlife sightings available.
48 locals raden deze aan
Hole In The Wall, Port Alberni..
Great nature walk. Wildlife sightings available.
On vacay and needing some milk or dairy, this farm offers that and more - a must go for families visiting the island for sights and sounds of farm life.
52 locals raden deze aan
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
403 Lowrys RdOn vacay and needing some milk or dairy, this farm offers that and more - a must go for families visiting the island for sights and sounds of farm life.
Around Nanaimo
The central hub of the island - a pleasant mix of the hustle and bustle of city life with the relaxing serenity of "island time". It is the gateway to the rest of the island, having multiple direct lines to Vancouver via ferry, seaplane or airplane and it's geographic location on Vancouver Island: under 2hours north of the provincial capital, Victoria; 3hours east of sandy and stormy Tofino and Ucluelet; an hour south of the beautiful Comox Valley; and minutes away from the different towns in-between and other ferry terminals to fun and fantastic trails and campsites on the smaller islands.
Buying local is big in Nanaimo as you navigate in and around town so, do check our guidebook to start you off in discovering the gateway to the island.
49 locals raden deze aan
Nanaimo
The central hub of the island - a pleasant mix of the hustle and bustle of city life with the relaxing serenity of "island time". It is the gateway to the rest of the island, having multiple direct lines to Vancouver via ferry, seaplane or airplane and it's geographic location on Vancouver Island: under 2hours north of the provincial capital, Victoria; 3hours east of sandy and stormy Tofino and Ucluelet; an hour south of the beautiful Comox Valley; and minutes away from the different towns in-between and other ferry terminals to fun and fantastic trails and campsites on the smaller islands.
Buying local is big in Nanaimo as you navigate in and around town so, do check our guidebook to start you off in discovering the gateway to the island.
Quirky, local business centre of town. Interesting and unique shops and restaurants that add to the beauty of the city.
37 locals raden deze aan
Old City Quarter
418B Fitzwilliam StQuirky, local business centre of town. Interesting and unique shops and restaurants that add to the beauty of the city.
Either you've heard of this place or seen the bumper stickers, a place to go to for, well, goats on the roof. Doughnuts, ice cream, and different unique ingredients await you 30mins north of Nanaimo.
151 locals raden deze aan
Old Country Market - Geiten op het Dak
2326 Alberni HwyEither you've heard of this place or seen the bumper stickers, a place to go to for, well, goats on the roof. Doughnuts, ice cream, and different unique ingredients await you 30mins north of Nanaimo.
Missing the city already? Come visit the main mall of Nanaimo, where most common commercial establishments are available. Complete with Walmart, and Costco not to far away - a break from the island life.
96 locals raden deze aan
Woodgrove Centre
6631 Island HwyMissing the city already? Come visit the main mall of Nanaimo, where most common commercial establishments are available. Complete with Walmart, and Costco not to far away - a break from the island life.
City/town information
20mins south by highway, this gem is described as a blast from the past - a glimpse of the original island life: quaint town complete with the small town bakery, neat niche shops, limited commercial stops and a skip and a hop to the nearest beach. A must go to really immerse yourself in "Island Time".
34 locals raden deze aan
Ladysmith
20mins south by highway, this gem is described as a blast from the past - a glimpse of the original island life: quaint town complete with the small town bakery, neat niche shops, limited commercial stops and a skip and a hop to the nearest beach. A must go to really immerse yourself in "Island Time".
Great sights, great views, picturesque landscape, and most of all... great golfing! 15mins north of Nanaimo.
17 locals raden deze aan
Nanoose Bay
Great sights, great views, picturesque landscape, and most of all... great golfing! 15mins north of Nanaimo.
Our opinion, the surfing capital of the island! This is the destination of most of our friends who travel to the island - don't forget your reservations to the different camp grounds and bring your board or rent. 3hours north west of Nanaimo, a must for travelers, families, couples or solo.
104 locals raden deze aan
Tofino
Our opinion, the surfing capital of the island! This is the destination of most of our friends who travel to the island - don't forget your reservations to the different camp grounds and bring your board or rent. 3hours north west of Nanaimo, a must for travelers, families, couples or solo.
The provincial capital, THE big city of the island. Littered with shops, restaurants and historical sights, this 1hour and 45minute trip south of Nanaimo will be worth it provided you go early and arrive back late. Must sees include: the BC Museum, the wharf, the Empress, Butchart Gardens to list a few.
230 locals raden deze aan
Victoria
The provincial capital, THE big city of the island. Littered with shops, restaurants and historical sights, this 1hour and 45minute trip south of Nanaimo will be worth it provided you go early and arrive back late. Must sees include: the BC Museum, the wharf, the Empress, Butchart Gardens to list a few.
Prepare to take a trip down memory lane to little town shops, maintained antique buildings and great mountain & water views. An hour north of Nanaimo, this city has these special hidden gems around town, including our favourites: "Cakebread and Hot Chocolates" and "Big foot" doughnuts. A great stop before and, or after going skiing or dirt biking on Mount Washington, our little Wistler on the island.
42 locals raden deze aan
Courtenay
Prepare to take a trip down memory lane to little town shops, maintained antique buildings and great mountain & water views. An hour north of Nanaimo, this city has these special hidden gems around town, including our favourites: "Cakebread and Hot Chocolates" and "Big foot" doughnuts. A great stop before and, or after going skiing or dirt biking on Mount Washington, our little Wistler on the island.
Our opinion, Tofino's more rugged twin - the less touristy, incredible natural views of the waves crashing on the rocks and the smell of the salty sea, plus the fantastic nature walks, biking and boating opportunities bring us here whenever we travel to Tofino.
38 locals raden deze aan
Ucluelet
Our opinion, Tofino's more rugged twin - the less touristy, incredible natural views of the waves crashing on the rocks and the smell of the salty sea, plus the fantastic nature walks, biking and boating opportunities bring us here whenever we travel to Tofino.
Staycation Delivery
Mambo Gourmet Pizza
238 C Victoria CrescentGreat pizza, local gem!
Departure Bay Pizza
4186 Departure Bay RoadGreat pizza, locally owned.
Bond with Nature
Great beginner's to mid level difficulty hike. Great views up top of Nanaimo.
33 locals raden deze aan
Mount Benson
Great beginner's to mid level difficulty hike. Great views up top of Nanaimo.
THE Nanaimo urban park! Great views, amazing photo opportunities, and fantastic strolls complete with a full playground. Try the vast array of tastes around the area including fresh seafood in the harbour.
Seaplane access here.
80 locals raden deze aan
Maffeo Sutton Park
100 Comox RoadTHE Nanaimo urban park! Great views, amazing photo opportunities, and fantastic strolls complete with a full playground. Try the vast array of tastes around the area including fresh seafood in the harbour.
Seaplane access here.
Vancouver Island's Whistler - minus the gondola use fee since you drive up the mountain anyway.
Winter = Skiing, Snowshoeing, etc
All other times = Mountain biking, hiking, trekking
You choose your adventure.
*ask us for BnB referrals in Courtenay.
113 locals raden deze aan
Mount Washington
Mount Washington RoadVancouver Island's Whistler - minus the gondola use fee since you drive up the mountain anyway.
Winter = Skiing, Snowshoeing, etc
All other times = Mountain biking, hiking, trekking
You choose your adventure.
*ask us for BnB referrals in Courtenay.