There’s nothing like packing an overnight bag, jumping into a car, and heading on a road trip across the province. And if you’re looking for a couple of charming small towns or historic villages to visit, BC has them in spades.
From the Rocky Mountains to the rugged coast, Canada has some incredible small towns to visit and according to Condé Nast Traveler, two of the most charming are right here in BC.
“With a smaller national population than that of California, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Canada is also full of charming small towns and welcoming rural communities worth planning a trip around,” CNT writes.
“You’ll find salty little enclaves, graced by orcas and world-class surfers in British Columbia; tiny mountain towns with Gold Rush history in the Yukon’s Grizzly country; and, of course, flannel-filled hubs for outdoors lovers who want to bike and hike in the country’s dramatic national parks.”
Tofino, BC
As for “salty little enclaves,” there are few other towns than Tofino that would fit the bill. First on the list and known as the surfing capital of Canada, the seaside town is surrounded by a UNESCO reserve, making it a popular destination for outdoor lovers of all kinds.
CNT also recognizes Tofino for its culinary ventures, which include creative local dishes at the acclaimed Wolf and the Fog, and live-fire dining at ROAR.
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Osoyoos, BC
The second small BC town mentioned is Osoyoos, which is known for its striking desert landscape, and for being adjacent to the wine capital of Canada. As such, CNT recognizes the town’s many top-notch wineries, which include the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America, Nk’Mip Cellars.
From e-bike safaris to checking out its famed Spotted Lake, to boating on its pristine lakeside beaches – there are plenty of outdoor adventures to have in Osoyoos as well.
As for their other destinations? Here are the most charming small towns in Canada:
- Tofino, British Columbia
- Osoyoos, British Columbia
- Canmore, Alberta
- Waterton, Alberta
- Dawson City, Yukon
- Maple Creek, Saskatchewan
- Gimli, Manitoba
- Elora, Ontario
- Wellington, Ontario
- Gaspé, Quebec
- Saint Andrews-by-the-sea, New Brunswick
- Souris, Prince Edward Island
- Lunnenberg, Nova Scotia
- Bonavista, Newfoundland & Labrador
So there you have it, BC! No matter where you pick, you’re in for a magical adventure.
