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Today's post is all about my hometown. Now I won't be diving into the history of Prince George or anything like that but I am going to create a list of cool activities that you can do within Prince George and the surrounding area. Let's start off this post with stuff just in Prince George that you can do. I am going to try and give a mix of outdoor activities as well as indoor activities.
Prince George
Forest for the World
Forests For The World is a 106-hectare demonstration forest with 15 kilometres of nature trails. The park was created to commemorate the City of Prince George's 70th Anniversary and to celebrate the City's participation in Expo 86. The topography and elevated high point of land (approximately 880 metres) at Forests for The World offers scenic views of the Prince George area. Shane Lake is a short, 10-minute walk from the main Forests For The World parking lot. This small lake is features a picnic area, dock, and observation deck.
Cottonwood Island Park
Cottonwood Island Nature Park is open year-round. This 32-hectare park is part of the Heritage River Trail System and connects a number of other parks along the Nechako and Fraser rivers. The trails wind along the Nechako River's shoreline and lead into a forest containing many century-old trees.
Northern Lights Estate Winery
Northern Lights Estate Winery (NLEW), a division of Family Fast Foods Ltd. started construction in 2013 with the intention of being BC’s most northern winery. NLEW determined that it would produce a variety of fruit wines and blends using fruits primarily produced on site including blueberry, strawberry, haskap, gooseberry, apple, cherry, raspberry, black currant, and rhubarb in order to capitalize on local materials and climate. The orchard was built to include over 2 acres of land at the bottom of the Nechako cutbanks and leading up to the banks of the Nechako River. The production facility and wine tasting room were built on the bank the Nechako River and overlook the orchard and the downtown of Prince George, BC.
Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre
Discover local history, explore hands-on science, and learn from a multitude of exhibits and galleries. The Exploration Place features traditional and interactive displays that let visitors uncover dinosaur bones as an amateur paleontologist, learn about the history of the Lheidli T'enneh, or watch live animals and reptiles. The 2,137 square metre destination also has special programming, field trips, events, and kids' camps. During the summer, the Exploration Place is home to the Little Prince Steam Engine Railway and Ice Cream Shop.
Golf
Prince George is home to 6 golf courses. Alder Hills Golf Course (18 holes), Aberdeen Glen Golf Course, Prince George Golf and Curling Club, Aspen Grove Golf Course (18 holes), Pine Valley Golf Course (18 holes) and Links of Maggie May (9 holes).
Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum
The Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum is home to many locomotives, rolling stock and heritage railway buildings. Most are open to visitors to go into and explore. Many of the pieces were used in rail lines that pass through or are connected to Central BC. These include; the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, Canadian National Railway, Pacific Great Eastern Railway and BC Rail. The collection also contains a large amount of forestry equipment which was used in both logging and processing lumber in local operations. They also have a selection of archival holdings which include railway related schematics, railway timetables and equipment manuals. The museum began as a preservation society in 1983 with an effort to restore a 1903 wooden Russel Snowplow gifted by Northwood Pulp and Timber. In 1984, the city of Prince George gifted 6.5 acres to the Railroad Preservation Society for a Museum site. Track was laid, artifacts and rolling stock were collected and the Central B.C. Railroad Preservation & Museum Society opened its doors in July of 1986. The mandate of the Museum was changed in 1989 to include forestry in the collecting mandate.
Mountain Biking
The Pidherny Recreation Site is an official recreation site for all non-motorized users (mountain biking, hiking, walking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc.). The trail network offers riders a wide variety of beginner to advanced trails featuring both natural and man-made technical features.
Surrounding Area
Skiing
There are 4 distinct ski areas within Prince George and the surrounding area. They are Purden Ski Hill with over 25 runs, Hart Ski Hill with 22 acres of trails and lit-up runs, Powder King Ski Resort with 37 runs and the Caledonia Nordic Ski Centre with 55 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing.
Hiking
There are many different places to go for hikes in the area surrounding Prince George. Some include the Ancient Forest Provincial Park, Teapot Mountain, Fort George Canyon, Tabor Mountain Recreation Site and many more.
ATVing/Snowmobiling
There are many places to ATV and snowmobile around Prince George. There are many trail systems from the Prince George Snowmobile Club as well as various other trails. One of the longest trails that ends or begins in Prince George depending on where you start is The Prince George to Wells Trail; this trail takes about 3 days to go there and back, you must be prepared for backcountry and have gas and essentials with you. Gas is available in Wells for refill. I really want to do this trail one day.
Day Trips From Prince George
Huble Homestead
The Huble Homestead is a historic site located in the Giscome Portage Regional Park and operated by the Huble Homestead / Giscome Portage Heritage Society. The Society’s mission is to preserve and promote the history of the Huble Homestead, Giscome Portage, and surrounding area through responsible stewardship and educational programming. During the summer months the historic site is open daily for guided tours, school and daycare programs, and self led activities. The Huble Homestead / Giscome Portage Heritage Society was created in 1984 to preserve the Huble House on its original site. As a result the Giscome Portage Regional Park was established in 1986 and the Huble house was declared a designated heritage building by the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. After countless hours of work by dedicated volunteers, the site was officially opened as a living heritage site in 1989. After countless hours of work by dedicated volunteers, the site was officially opened as a living heritage site in 1989. Since that time the Society has successfully restored and reconstructed several heritage buildings significant to the area.
Barkerville
Billy Barker’s legendary gold strike on Williams Creek triggered a multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that literally built a province. Today, the extraordinary historic town of Barkerville stands as a living testament to BC’s golden beginnings. With its unique streetscape of more than 125 heritage buildings, period displays, satellite museums, restaurants and shops there is still so much to explore.
Fort Saint James National Historic Site
Step in tune with the rhythms of life in 1896 at Fort St. James in BC’s Northern interior, known in the 19th century as New Caledonia. Stroll the fort’s trails and accessible boardwalks past fields and pastures of grazing livestock on the southern shores of Lake Stuart. Explore the largest collection in Canada of wooden buildings restored to the heyday of the historic fur trade. See dried salmon suspended from the rafters in a fish cache. Barter with costumed interpreters in the trade store and learn about commerce in fish and furs. Wield a historic tool and help build a Hudson’s Bay Company warehouse. Sip afternoon tea, served Sundays in the Officer’s House. In the Visitor Centre, watch live sturgeon swim in the aquarium, take a costumed family portrait and hear stories about Chief Kw’eh, called “dreamer of the salmon” by his people.
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Hope you have an awesome day. See you next time :)
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