For those interested in a more urban experience, Nanaimo offers a quaint Old City Quarter shopping district in the heart of downtown. There are also an abundance of galleries as well as the Nanaimo Museum. Nanaimo's fan-shaped pattern of downtown streets takes advantage of the natural lay of the land and creates a natural funnel toward the harbour. Once at the harbour, one can take in the Bastion on Front Street, Nanaimo's first permanent structure. This octagonal fort is a historic landmark from the Hudson Bay Company and visitors can arrive in time for the noon cannon.

A trip to the harbour wouldn't be complete without a stroll down the 4 km Harbourfront Walkway. Starting at Departure Bay, this walkway winds past quaint shops and food stores and through the Swy-A-Lana Lagoon and Maffeo-Sutton Park and past marinas and yacht clubs.

If you need a relaxing meal and beverage head down to the Nanaimo Harbour City Marina and catch a ferry to the Dinghy Dock Pub off of Protection Island, famed as Canada's only floating pub, it is unique and enjoyable experience.

The whole family can enjoy Nanaimo's many parks. Bowen Part is a little piece of wilderness right in the city. It features hiking trails along a creek, a waterfall, nature center, duck pond and a children's barnyard. Or check out Beban Park Recreation Center where you can swim, skate, play tennis, check out the playgrounds, play basketball, golf or lawn bowling, or hike the trails. If its beaches you are interested in, try Departure Bay, Maffeo-Sutton Park or Swy-A-Lana Lagoon Park.

For other park experiences there is Petroglyph Provincial Park at the south end of Nanaimo, famed for its rich pictorial history carved into the limestone. Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park is a great place to spend the day. Located a few 100 meters off Nanaimo Harbour, ferry service is available from May to October. Once there enjoy beaches, cliffs, caves and caverns or take a 2 and a half hour stroll around the island or explore the some 18km of trails located there.