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British Columbia Road Trip Ideas

Vancouver Tours
Vancouver Tours

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Place Category: Tours & Road Trips
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road trip British Columbia

From the winding coast, to the Rocky Mountains, a road trip in British Columbia promises an unforgettable experience. With BC’s Guide to Arts and Culture in your glove box and the mobile guide on your phone, you’ll experience the art of the road trip.

It is no surprise that BC’s arts and cultural sector is a thriving and diverse community. Artists and cultural producers draw inspiration from the beauty of British Columbia’s geography. BC’s Westernmost communities are surrounded by the Pacific coast while further East, the Rocky Mountains rise and fall with stunning pinnacles and lush valleys. You can surf and ski in a matter of hours, traverse dense rainforests, discover waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, beaches, and sprawling valley vineyards. Wherever you begin, your road trip planning in BC is guaranteed to include unmatched beauty and the unique cultural vibe of local communities in every region of the province.

Vancouver Island

Whether you begin or end your road trip across British Columbia with exploring Vancouver Island, the Island is a remarkable place to spend 3-7 days discovering the unique communities along the East and West coast of the island. Experience history, aboriginal culture, unique farming, coastal vibes, great food, and a plethora of galleries, artist studios, outdoor adventure and must see cultural sites all across the island.

Whether on your way back to the mainland, or en route to Vancouver Island, a stopover in the Gulf Islands is a must. The Gulf Islands are a series of small island communities with a population of artists and artisans that have created a distinctive laid back local ambience. The experience of island time will overtake you as you explore galleries, art hubs, markets, studios, and small scale businesses.

On the Mainland, BC’s highways lead in the direction of five distinct regions, each with their own geography, history, climate and culture. Southwest – Vancouver Coast and Mountains

Discover diversity in the Southwestern part of the province where metropolitan centers stretch into lush rural valleys. Encircled by the Pacific Ocean and the soft, snow capped peaks of surrounding mountain ranges, an inexhaustible wealth of arts and cultural experiences and outdoor adventure are at your fingertips. From Vancouver and Whistler’s major galleries, performance centers and museums, to the rural artisan shops and studios in the Fraser Valley, there are artists around every corner. Markets and festivals run throughout the year and are a centralized hub for many local producers. Plan your itinerary from Whistler to Agassiz as you head toward the mountains once again.

Southeast – Thompson Okanagan

Home of peaks and valleys, deserts and glaciers, the Thompson Okanagan is a sprawling region of agricultural bounty, artisnal craft, and outdoor adventure. Discover laid back lakefront communities, desert vistas, ski resorts, and wineries, orchards, galleries, studios, heritage sites, museums, and more in this popular tourist destination. Experience rural life and stay on a ranch in the Thompson Valley, or if luxury wine and dining is your mood, choose a resort stay in the Okanagan Valley. For a laid back, quiet experience of art, craft and nature, explore the Similkameen Valley. Looking for a rustic experience? Track with the Kettle Valley trail into Boundary Country, home of delightful small towns and plenty of rugged outdoor adventure.

Southeast – Kootenay Rockies

In the heart of BC’s mountain ranges is the region of the Kootenays. It’s a perfect addition to your road trip across British Columbia. The Kootenay Rockies region is home to four significant mountain ranges—the Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks, and Monashees. Seven national and provincial parks and more than 75 provincial parks of the Kootenay Rockies region feature alpine adventure and exploration on a world-class scale. The trails, alpine valleys, meadows, waterfalls, crystal lakes, and peaks of the Kootenay region have a rugged cultural heritage. Life and art are interconnected with a distinct Kootenay vibe. Galleries, museums, heritage sites and plenty of small-town local shops add interest to the wild, natural experience of this region.

Central – Cariboo Chilcotin

Follow the Gold Rush Trail into the heart of BC’s mid-country, home of BC’s famous Barkerville – a historic gold rush town where performers take you back in time. The limitless sprawl of the Cariboo has given rise to a unique culture steeped in history and tradition of both settlers and aboriginal cultures, rich with practiced craft, agricultural roots and natural resources. The towns and communities in the Cariboo are defined by a distinctive pastoral sensibility where homesteaders, ranchers and locals live in harmony with the natural surroundings. From grizzly sightings to long rides on horseback, you’ll discover the Cariboo is a world of its own.

North – Northern BC

Extending to the furthest reaches of the border of Alaska, and sprawling from the West Coast to the Eastern border of Alberta, BC’s North has both coastal and mountain terrain. Rugged coastline and untouched wilderness give way to glaciated valleys and volcanic mountain peaks in this vast region. Along the Westernmost border of the region, is the UNESCO protected Heritage Site at Haida Gwaii – a world renowned and preserved piece of ancient aboriginal culture and a premier example of the life of the First Peoples. Staggering wilderness and wildlife abound in this sparsely populated area of the province, you are likely to experience sightings of truly Canadian animals like the Moose, Caribou, and Grizzly as you travel the pristine wilderness. Along the way, in addition to breathtaking natural surroundings, you’ll discover how the vastness and intact wilderness of the North has inspired its artists and craftspeople.

Roadtripping across BC is a one of a kind experience. Using BC’s Guide to Arts and Culture, broaden your experience in each of BC’s Creative Communities by adding recommended destinations to your itinerary. The wilderness, the people, the communities and the heritage coupled with the unmatched natural beauty promise an unforgettable experience no matter which road you travel.

Vancouver Tours
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Every community has its own unique cultural footprint.

Please come back to visit this community as we are curating content and destinations throughout the Province of BC. If you or your organization wish to be presented on this page, we invite you to become a Marketing Member

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Upcoming Community Events

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Wellness Travel BC Events

Wellness Travel BC
Vancouver
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April 11, 2025
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April 11, 2026
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Find more info on upcoming events at wellnesstravelbc.com.   Be sure to subscribe to the Wellness Travel BC newsletter to keep up-to-date with wellness-focused events in British Columbia and elsewhere! Read more...
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Discover Indigenous Northwest Coast art and culture through our public programs. We offer a diverse array of events for all ages, including artist talks, hands-on workshops, storytelling, panel discussions, and more. Learn More Read more...
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By Tai Amy Grauman A Savage Society & National Arts Centre Production September 25–October 12, 2025 Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre AN EPIC MÉTIS LOVE STORY Music plays and ponies dance as the epic story of Marie Callihoo and generations of Alberta’s Métis women unfurls through time. Follow Marie, Iskwewo, Napew, and Mistatim (“horse” in Michif) in Read more...
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NDN Giver

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Bill Reid Gallery presents: NDN Giver NDN Giver explores the layered meanings within both everyday and extraordinary gifts that circulate through the potlatch. Blankets, coppers, canoes, prints, mugs, trade beads and devil’s club strung into necklaces all become carriers of law, memory, and relation to one another. The title NDN Giver reclaims a phrase rooted in colonialism that mocked Indigenous generosity. In reality, Read more...
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The annual Vancouver International Film Festival showcases exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Our spectacular roster includes some of the best cinema from around the globe, one-of-a-kind live performances, talks, industry sessions, and other unique events celebrating film and film culture. With over 600 screenings and events each year, VIFF brings together curious audiences and passionate Read more...
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Date:
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“In looking back, I think the best work I did was of the people.” —Tamio Wakayama Enemy Alien is the first major solo exhibition and retrospective of works by documentary photographer Tamio Wakayama. His career, spanning over fifty years, began with his photographs of the Civil Rights Movement in the southern United States. Wakayama documented many of the social justice movements Read more...
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Enemy Alien: Tamio Wakayama

Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver
Date:
October 3, 2025
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32 meters
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Enemy Alien is the first major solo exhibition and retrospective of works by documentary photographer Tamio Wakayama. His career, spanning over fifty years, began with his photographs of the Civil Rights Movement in the southern United States. Wakayama documented many of the social justice movements and countercultures of the 1960s and 70s. His work tells stories of community, joy and resistance Read more...
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Vancouver Art Gallery
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Embark on a fun, self-guided search-and-find adventure in Emily Carr: Navigating an Impenetrable Landscape. Follow the clues to discover artworks throughout the exhibition—look closely, observe the details and enjoy exploring together! DOWNLOAD NOW Admission to the Gallery is always FREE for children and youth aged 18 and under. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Interested in what Read more...
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