EXPLORE: MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

The Cowichan is full of attractions and activities to delight and entertain you. Always wanted to experience eagles, hawks, falcons and owls up close? Pacific Northwest Raptors lets you do all of this and more. Thrill at flying demonstrations, self-guided tours, Hawk Walks and hands-on falconry courses.

The seaside town of Chemainus brims with artistic spirit – and the world ’s largest outdoor gallery of murals and sculptures. Walk around this attractive seaside town and admire its history proudly displayed on the walls of public buildings.

Explore the fascinating history and culture of the Cowichan people at the Quw ’utsun’ Cultural Centre on the beautiful Cowichan River. Known as the City of Totems, Duncan ’s downtown streets feature 80 authentic carved poles.

Enjoy a year-round, self-guided tour from May through to September. Be sure to bring your camera. For a walk down history lane, visit Whippletree Junction, south of Duncan on the Trans Canada Highway, the original Chinatown, once located in Duncan.

If you ’re a history buff, be sure to visit the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Take a trip on the historic steam train through a lush forest and ride over a trestle bridge. You ’ll even see an active eagles’ nest. Discover more about the forest industry on Vancouver Island. Looking for some adrenaline surging, heart pumping action? If so, the Wild Play Element Park in Cassidy is the place for you. Swing through the trees
on zip lines, look way down from suspended bridges and scramble nets and thrill on a swinging log. You ’ll never think of the forest in the same way!

BC Forest Discovery Centre At the BC Forest Discovery Centre, a stroll around the grounds will quickly transform one into an exciting, educational experience. With many exhibits for the whole family, there is always something new to explore. Let one of our historic trains take you on a tour around our 100-acre wooded site! Visit Website

Chemainus Murals From just five murals and lots of spirit in the summer of 1982, Chemainus has struggled, grown and succeeded in literally putting itself on the map. Thirty-five larger-than-life historic paintings in this open air gallery and many statues now greet the gaze of hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Visit Website

Chemainus Theatre Chemainus Theatre Society is a professional regional company that entertains, and touches the heart. Your theatre experience can begin with live musical entertainment in the elegant Playbill Dining Room where our Executive Chef has prepared an impressive hot and cold buffet. Visit Website

Cowichan Bay Village This scenic coastal village is bustling with activities of all sorts. Cowichan Bay is home to some unique and attractive shops and accomodations. Visit Website

Crofton Mill Tours Crofton is a world-class, integrated pulp and paper facility that produces newsprint, directory paper and market pulp for customers around the world. Free mill tours are offered every working weekday from June 1st to August 31st, beginning at 1:30 pm and running just under two hours. 250-246-6006 Visit website

Pacific Northwest Raptors Bird of Prey and Falconry Visitors Center Join us and marvel at the power and agility of Eagles, Hawks, Falcons & Owls as they fly to the falconer's glove during our daily flying demonstrations. Learn about their fabulous survival strategies on our guided tours and hawk walks. We are open April through October, with two flying demonstrations daily in summer, and one demonstration daily in spring and fall (April 01 - May 19 and September 05 - October 31). Please check our website for more details. Visit Website

Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre The Centre offers all guests an authentic First Nations Experience - Interpretive Tours, Traditional Art Work and Native Food. See and learn traditions still practiced by the local First Nations people today. Duncan area. Visit Website

The World's Largest Hockey Stick This artifact came from Expo 86 in Vancouver. It is located on the west side of the Cowichan Centre. The Cowichan has a very enthusiastic sports community and the local 'Cowichan Capitals' hockey team have had their home arena affectionately dubbed 'The Stick'. So if you're a hockey fan who is here during the season....."We'll see you at The Stick!!"

Totem Tours Current statistics show that Downtown Duncan’s biggest draw to visiting tourists is its totem poles. It is for this reason that there are free guided walking tours of the totems in the downtown area. Visit Website

Vancouver Island Freshwater Eco-Centre The Freshwater Eco-Centre is an extensive interpretative facility with over 30 displays depicting wild fish conservation, fisheries habitat protection and fisheries management practices. During the months of May to August, the Eco-Centre runs several fun and exciting educational programs that explore concepts such as: discovery and imaginary role play, interactive exploration of freshwater ecology and habitats, learning to fish, freshwater insect bilogy, and the scentific method with grade specific concepts such as acids and bases. Programs can be tailored to accommodate special group requirements. 1-250-746-6722 Visit Website

Whippletree Junction Historic Whippletree Junction is a thriving shopping centre and attraction that appeals to visitors and locals alike. You will find a diverse selection of goods, outstanding customer service and interesting history. 30 years ago it started as a collection of buildings that were rescued from demolition, now it is an exciting shopping and historic experience. Open year round !

   

TO DO IN MAY

> Farmer's Market

> Market in the Square

> International Half Iron Triathlon

> Window ART Displays

> Go To Events Calendar

 

	PHOTO GALLERY

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