Princeton, BC is the Bronze Sculpture Capital of Canada, and the top things to do here start downtown: walk the Bronze Sculpture Walk, explore the Princeton & District Museum and Archives, and shop local art at the Sunflower Gallery. Beyond the town core, the paved Kettle Valley Rail Trail leads to the Red Ochre Bluffs, where the Similkameen People gathered red earth for pictograph paint.
Princeton sits where the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers meet, in the Similkameen Valley on Highway 3 between Hope and the Okanagan. This guide covers the six top things to do in Princeton, BC, with addresses and links to each venue’s Art BC listing, plus a few bonus picks at the end.
The 6 top things to do in Princeton, BC
Also in this guide: Bonus: more things to do in Princeton · How to spend a day in Princeton · FAQ
1. Walk the Bronze Sculpture Walk
Princeton earned its title as the Bronze Sculpture Capital of Canada through a downtown revitalization plan the Town launched in 2019. The collection has grown from 15 pieces to more than 20 life-sized bronzes. Most depict the wildlife of the surrounding Similkameen backcountry, including moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and grizzly bears, alongside heritage pieces such as The Mountain Man in Veterans Square.
The walk starts at the Princeton Visitor Centre, where a bronze moose greets arrivals and staff hand out route maps. The main loop is about one kilometre and flat, which suits families, strollers and visitors with limited mobility. A bighorn sheep and a mountain goat sit on benches along the Miner’s Climb stairs above downtown; reaching them takes some uphill walking.
Start: Princeton Visitor Centre Cost: Free Listing: Princeton Bronze Sculpture Walk
2. Explore the Princeton & District Museum and Archives
The Princeton & District Museum and Archives traces the area’s story from the fossil era to the present. Visitors enter through a tunnel that leads past glowing rocks and a fossil and mineral collection of more than 40,000 specimens, many from local sites.
The museum is the official repository for local First Nations archaeological artifacts and displays First Peoples baskets spanning different weaving styles and periods. Heritage highlights include an 1880s cabin that housed Lily Allison, daughter of pioneer John Fall Allison, with her husband John Norman and their six children; a Welby stagecoach; and a 1934 Ford fire engine.
Researchers can access a complete run of Princeton newspapers from 1900 onward, roughly 10,000 historical photographs and original records of local mining claims. Parts of the newspaper and photo collections, plus a virtual tour, are available online.
Address: Vermilion Ave, Princeton Phone: 250-295-7588 Listing: Princeton Museum
3. Shop Local Art at the Sunflower Gallery
The Princeton Arts Council runs the Sunflower Gallery & Gift Shop, which showcases work by Similkameen Valley artists, artisans and crafters. The range covers paintings, pottery, jewellery, felting, pine needle baskets, soapstone sculpture, woodworking and handmade soaps.
The Arts Council also presents programs and events through the year. Ask at the gallery about current exhibitions and workshops.
Address: Vermilion Ave, Princeton Phone: 250-273-2400 Listing: Princeton Arts Council Sunflower Gallery
4. Ride the KVR Trail to the Red Ochre Bluffs
The paved section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail runs through town from Two Rivers Park and the Bridge of Dreams to a lit tunnel about 1,000 feet (300 m) long. Walk, run or cycle the route, stop at the deep river pool by the trestle, then continue to the Red Ochre Bluffs.
The Similkameen People used the red earth at the bluffs to make paint for pictographs, which makes the site culturally significant as well as scenic. Stay on the trail and leave the ochre undisturbed.
5. Pan for Gold at Two Rivers Park
A gold panning reserve runs right through Princeton. Pick up a map at the Visitor Centre, then head to Two Rivers Park, where the sandy riverbank is the easiest place to try your luck. The park’s picnic area makes it a good stop even if the pan comes up empty.
6. See B.C.’s Largest Jet Weather Vane
A T-33 Mark 3 Silver Star jet stands at the entrance to the Princeton airport on Highway 5A, mounted to turn with the wind. Solar panels in the cockpit power its landing lights after dark. It is a quick roadside stop on the way into or out of town.
Bonus: More Things to Do in Princeton, BC
Staying longer? Princeton draws hundreds of bird species, and Swan Lake Bird Sanctuary has 15 km of self-guided nature trails and two bird blinds for watching them. About eight minutes from town, China Ridge Trails offers 55 km of marked routes for hiking and mountain biking in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Golfers can play Princeton Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-72 public course established in 1928, then eat at Divots Restaurant at the club.
How to Spend a Day in Princeton, BC
Princeton’s main attractions sit close together, so one full day covers the highlights.
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- Morning: Start at the Princeton Visitor Centre, pick up a sculpture map and walk the Bronze Sculpture Walk.
- Late morning: Tour the Princeton & District Museum and Archives.
- Early afternoon: Browse Similkameen art at the Sunflower Gallery.
- Afternoon: Walk or cycle the KVR Trail from Two Rivers Park through the lit tunnel to the Red Ochre Bluffs, or try gold panning at the park.
- On the way out: Stop at the jet weather vane on Highway 5A.
Each season, the Town’s Recreation, Tourism and Cultural Department and the Princeton Community Arts Council present theatre, dance, music and public art programming. Check Art BC’s events listings and the Discover Princeton listing before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Princeton, BC
Is Princeton, BC worth visiting?
Yes. Princeton is the Bronze Sculpture Capital of Canada, with more than 20 public bronzes on a free, flat walking loop downtown. It also has a museum with more than 40,000 fossil and mineral specimens, a gallery of Similkameen Valley art and direct access to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. It works as a day trip or a stopover on Highway 3.
What are some fun things to do in Princeton, BC?
Walk the Bronze Sculpture Walk, explore the Princeton & District Museum and Archives, shop local art at the Sunflower Gallery, cycle the KVR Trail to the Red Ochre Bluffs, pan for gold at Two Rivers Park and see the jet weather vane on Highway 5A. With more time, add Swan Lake Bird Sanctuary or China Ridge Trails.
How do you spend a day in Princeton, BC?
Start at the Princeton Visitor Centre and walk the one-kilometre Bronze Sculpture Walk. Spend late morning at the museum, then browse the Sunflower Gallery. In the afternoon, walk or cycle the KVR Trail from Two Rivers Park through the lit tunnel to the Red Ochre Bluffs.
What is Princeton, BC known for?
Princeton is known as the Bronze Sculpture Capital of Canada. The town sits at the confluence of the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers, lies on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and has a mining history documented at the local museum.
How long is the Princeton Bronze Sculpture Walk?
The main loop is about one kilometre on flat ground. It starts at the Princeton Visitor Centre and is free.
Where is the Princeton Museum?
The Princeton & District Museum and Archives is on Vermilion Avenue in downtown Princeton, BC. Call 250-295-7588 for current hours.
Is there an art gallery in Princeton, BC?
Yes. The Sunflower Gallery & Gift Shop, run by the Princeton Arts Council on Vermilion Avenue, sells paintings, pottery, jewellery, soapstone sculpture and other work by Similkameen Valley artists.
