Prince George British Columbia, Canada, fondly known as the northern capital of British Columbia is located at the junction of the two rivers – Fraser and Nechako rivers. It is known as the largest city in Northern British Columbia.
So, what has Prince George British Columbia got to offer? You get to enjoy numerous activities in both summer and winter seasons namely hiking, boating, skiing, ice climbing, and much more. There are also various attractions, parks, and entertainment to be explored and enjoyed in Prince George British Columbia.
If you are from Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver, and want to visit this place, you have a direct flight to Prince George from these places. Prince George’s airport is only 15 minutes from the city centre. Aren’t you excited to get to know everything in detail? Let’s jump right to that.
1. History of Prince George British Columbia, Canada
Prince George was constructed purely around the forest industry, and even currently, it is the forest industry that is the biggest employer in town. You can find remarkable industrial areas north as well as south of the town of Prince George across the Fraser River.
The industrial areas are the paper mills, pulp mills, many chemical factories, sawmills, and last but not least, an oil refinery. Currently, Prince George’s has a courthouse and a big provincial jail. Among the five universities in British Columbia, you can find the University of Northern British Columbia.
Move over history, it is time to know about the awesome attractions that the city of Prince George British Columbia has to offer.
2. Get to Know the Highlights of the City
2.1. Forests for the World in Prince George British Columbia
Photo by klevit.shaw.ca from Depositphotos
Prince George British Columbia houses this demonstration forest founded in 1986. The forests for the world consist of hiking trails of 15km and are the best place to gain knowledge of the different forest ecosystems.
2.1.1. Unique Features
Not only this, you get to know about the flora and fauna that flourishes in the region of the Fraser-Nechako plateau. You can go on a trail to Shane lake which people of all ages can enjoy.
You get to use the amenities available there including picnic tables, a BBQ pit, and others. This is also a place where people like to gather, and also serves as the spot for wildlife viewing destinations.
Apart from this, the interpretive trails in this park are the Western Loop Trail, the Southern Loop Trail, and the others namely Reflection Lake Loop Trail, Shane Lake Loop Trail, and the Eastern Boundary Loop Trail. The park also has two wonderful viewing lookouts.
One is the Upper Lookout located at the peak of Cranbrook hill. You get to have a spectacular view of the community of Prince George, the valley surrounding it, and the farmland blocks. The next is the Lower viewpoint which is on the Shane Lake Loop Trail, and this also offers good views.
2.2. Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
The Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park formerly known as Fort George park is the largest in Prince George British Columbia, Canada. Families and groups belonging to the community of the city love this place.
2.1.1. Unique Features
The park has beautiful lawns and is divided by pathways. There are benches too where you can relax and enjoy the amazing views of the Fraser river, First Nation cemetery, lovely flower gardens, and a playground as well as a water park for your children to play.
Not only this, but you can also find a volleyball court, tennis court, a band shelter, and a playground. You can also have a picnic here as there are picnic tables, a large picnic shelter, washrooms, and much more.
When you stroll on the park’s walkway, you get to know that it connects you to the main walkway which ensues on the banks of the Fraser river, whereas the benches offer you a view of the Torrent river as well as that of the Yellowhead bridge.
Right next to the park is the Fraser Fort George Regional Museum. Here, the artifacts and the stories of the early Europeans who settled here are housed. You can recognize the museum easily due to the presence of a miniature steam train and the wooden fort.
2.3. Wilkins Regional Park
Wilkins Regional Park in Prince George British Columbia, Canada allows you to have stunning views of the Nechako river, and huge cottonwood trees.
If you are lucky, you can spot the salmon advancing up the river for spawning. However, this happens only during a specific time of the year. You can enjoy a good stroll in the park, and use the picnic shelter to have lunch.
2.4. Cottonwood Island Nature Park
Cottonwood Island Nature Park in Prince George’s is located where the Fraser and Nechako rivers meet.
The First Nations people caĺl this land as Lheitli. You can visit this park in summer and also in winter. Activities namely walking, fishing, and biking can be enjoyed in summer, while cross-country skiing can be done in winter. There are also benches and platforms from where you can enjoy the views of the Nechako river.
2.5. Connaught Hill Park in Prince George British Columbia
This park is located on a hill’s top in the centre of the community in Prince George British Columbia, Canada. This lovely park in Prince George’s offers a full-circle view of the Fraser River as well as the community.
The park’s north end provides you with a view of downtown Prince George, the Railway, and Sandhill. The south provides you with a view of residential houses and forests. The west side offers you a view of Parkwood place, while the east offers you a spectacular view of the Fraser river. The park is very lovely with colourful flowers adorning the grounds.
After the parks, it is time to visit the other attractions. Here are those for you.
2.6. Hart Highlands Ski Hill
You can find this place located in British Columbia and from downtown Prince George British Columbia, it is roughly 15 minutes. This is an exclusive local ski as well as snowboard hill in Prince George’s.
Hart Hill also has one of Northern British Columbia’s best terrain parks. You get to learn skiing as well as snowboarding in this Hart hill snow school, as it provides lessons for people of all ages. You don’t have to be concerned if you are a beginner, as there are lessons for you too.
2.7. Two Rivers Gallery
If you want to explore contemporary art and creativity in one place, then the two rivers gallery in Prince George’s is the place for you.
The gallery contains works from local artists as well as worldwide contemporary designers. The gallery contains both permanent collections and exhibitions conducted regularly.
2.8. College Heights Plaza
College heights placed in Prince George British Columbia is a shopping centre that leaves none empty-handed. The place has sufficient parking space and is well-maintained.
The tenants of this place include Save-On-Foods, TD Canada Trust, Starbucks, Shoppers Drug Mart, and many more. You can purchase groceries, visit the bank, or have a peaceful dinner. Everything is your choice here as all your needs are met at this place.
2.9. Arctic Pacific Lakes Provincial Park
The specialty of this park is that there are three small lakes spanning the continental divide in a small glacial overflow channel. Arctic lake is situated on the Parsnip river’s headwaters and drains into the Arctic ocean.
The other lakes Portage and Pacific drain through James creek into the McGregor River as well as the Herrick Creek which drains into the Fraser River en route to the Pacific.
You can find the lakes with a lovely turquoise colour, and they are located in an area that has alpine peaks and ridges as the distant background.
2.8. Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
The Prince George railway and forestry museum allows you not only to gain knowledge regarding the vehicles, and industries, but also regarding the history of Prince George’s and its current state.
There are a number of trains in this museum, and you can even enjoy riding a train with your family during your visit. You also get to explore inside the train, and also the mechanics and machine layouts.
Classes are also held there by the museum for educating the youths as well as adults. They also host several events at all times of the year. You can find this museum located where the meeting of the Fraser and Nechako rivers happens.
2.9. Northern Lights Estate Winery
Northern Lights Estate Winery is the sole winery and also the first in Prince George British Columbia. Due to this winery, the north found its dream fulfilled of having a winery. It boasts of being located on the banks of the Nechako river.
You will get to taste fruits namely raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and a few in their wines. These wines contain fruits that are grown only in BC on their farms as well as their partner farms.
2.10. Burns Lake
Burns lake is a place that is definitely not to be missed. The trails are suitable for beginners as well as advanced and are a family-friendly riding place.
If you are a biker and love camping, the Kager lake recreation site is the one which is situated partially up Boer mountain. This place also boasts of being the most developing and viable trail network available all over BC.
2.11. Caledonia Small Northeast Loop
This trail is 5.5 km close to Prince George British Columbia. It is an easy route and you can complete this trail in an average of 1 hr and 24 minutes. The activities suitable on this trail include mountain biking, hiking, and also cross-country skiing.
2.12. Fort George Canyon Provincial Park
You can find this park in the south of Prince George British Columbia. The area of the park also comprises a section of the Fraser river. The activities prohibited here include swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, and a few more. The activities allowed include hunting, fishing as well as skiing.
2.13. Fort St. James National Historic Site
This place boasts of being amongst the most picturesque and well-kept heritage villages and is situated on Stuart lake’s shores, northwest of Prince George’s. This village in British Columbia, Canada takes you back in time when fur trading was the major industry in the area.
You also get to explore the beautiful part of BC. Every village here has a background and is joined by an elevated boardwalk path. When you reach the main lobby of the park, you will encounter a small museum as well as a video room where an informative movie that gives a brief of the fort’s history and the people belonging to this region is shown.
When you step out of the lobby and follow the boardwalk path, you will find the heritage buildings. The first building you will witness is the General Warehouse. This is the place where the goods will be placed before transportation to Victoria.
The next is the Fish Cache. This is a wooden structure constructed on stilts and utilized for fish and bacon storage. Overall, every building has its own history, and this is a place you must visit if you are in Prince George British Columbia.
2.14. Teapot Mountain
You can find this trail to the north of Prince George British Columbia. The hike is very short uphill and takes you to a summit that has 4 viewpoints. These viewpoints give you an all-round view of the lakes, rivers, wetlands as well as the forests surrounding the place.
The trail is 1.4 km, and though it appears as a short hike on the map, it really is not. You must be fit enough to go on this rough hike. Coming to the viewpoint, the first one offers you a view of Summit lake from the south.
The second offers you views of the marshes as well as the wetlands. The third and fourth offer you views of several lakes, creeks, and swamps which are unnamed, and look in the northward direction.
2.15. Downtown Prince George British Columbia
If you want a weekend filled with fun in Prince George British Columbia, head over to downtown Prince George’s. You can begin your journey by paying a visit to the awesome downtown markets where you can find the best quality fruits and vegetables fresh from the farm for sale.
After your shopping spree, head over for lunch at any of the restaurants available downtown and enjoy mouthwatering dishes. Once you are done with lunch, visit the various shops found on 4th Avenue.
Now, here comes the best part. Downtown hosts annual events that can be enjoyed with your entire family. They include Downtown Winterfest where the downtown will resemble a winter playground. You can have great fun with family, and there are activities too that are open to people of all ages.
The next is downtown Summerfest Saturdays where the Wood Innovation Square Park will be transformed into a big outdoor patio containing live music and various amenities which will make you fall in love with the place.
2.16. Education in Prince George British Columbia
You can find elementary schools, secondary schools, and also private schools in Prince George British Columbia. There is also a public francophone elementary as well as a secondary school, and these two are a part of a francophone school district that spans the entire province – School District 93 Conseil scolaire francophone.
For post-secondary courses, CNC (College of New Caledonia) provides many programs for students. There is also the University of Northern British Columbia which provides various graduate as well as undergraduate programs.
2.17. Sports in Prince George British Columbia
The city is the proud owner of Prince George’s cougars belonging to the Western Hockey League. They are a significant junior ice hockey team. CN centre is where you can find their home games being played. There are also other minor teams in the hockey league.
2.18. Public Transit in Prince George British Columbia
Now that you know about the beautiful attractions the city has got, it is also best to know about the public transit here.
BC bus north which is the intercity bus service between Prince George, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, and several communities in between offers bus service twice a week.
Though Prince George’s is a city with many pros, it also has its own share of cons. Yes, Prince George, Victoria, Chilliwack, New Westminster, and Vancouver have been listed as the most dangerous cities out of the 20 largest communities in BC.
Hence it is better to be a little cautious during your stay in Prince George British Columbia.
Bottom Line
Without a doubt, there are numerous things to do in Prince George British Columbia. The city boasts of being the home to many beautiful spots including Fraser lake, art galleries, golf courses, ice rinks, and much more.
There is also the PG northern pride centre society which is the centre in Prince George British Columbia. In this city, you can find innovation, outdoor recreation, and urban amenities.
Hence, add Prince George British Columbia to your bucket list of places to visit.
Last Updated on by ritukhare
