Duncan

Day Trips

Rise early and head to the Cowichan Valley Museum to explore First Nations artifacts. Admire intricately carved totem poles lining the museum grounds. Learn about the Quw'utsun Tribes' history from engaging interpretive panels.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park adjacent to the museum surrounded by lush greenery. Join a guided carving demonstration at the Quw'utsun Cultural and Conference Centre to see traditional techniques in action. Try your hand at painting a miniature totem under expert guidance.

Dine at a local bistro in downtown Duncan sampling Pacific Northwest dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Take a twilight stroll along Government Street admiring the heritage buildings. Wind down with a glass of locally crafted wine at a cozy lounge.

Start with a hearty breakfast at a downtown café before heading to Quamichan Lake. Hike the flat lake trail and keep an eye out for migrating waterfowl in Somenos Marsh. Pause at a scenic overlook for photos and fresh air.

Settle in for a lakeside picnic lunch on the sandy shore of Quamichan Lake. Rent a kayak to paddle through quiet coves and reeds. Spot frogs and turtles basking along the shoreline.

Return to Duncan for dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing local produce. Sample seasonal soups or salads alongside a pint of local craft beer. End the evening with a gentle walk through a nearby community garden illuminated by solar lights.

Drive to Cobble Hill Mountain Provincial Park and begin the forested trail ascent. Pass through moss-covered cedars and Douglas firs while listening to songbirds. Reach the summit for panoramic views across Cowichan Valley to the coast.

Visit a local apiary for a beekeeping demonstration and honey tasting. Learn about hive care, sustainable practices, and honey production. Sample various honeys including wildflower and blackberry-infused varieties.

Return to Duncan for a casual pub dinner featuring elevated comfort food. Try a local honey-glazed burger or honey ale chicken wings. Relax around an outdoor fire pit and swap stories with fellow travelers.

Stroll through Old Towne Duncan’s charming streets lined with artisan shops and galleries. Chat with woodworkers crafting bespoke bowls, spoons, and carvings. Stop at a café for a locally roasted coffee paired with a fresh pastry.

Attend a hands-on ceramics workshop at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Shape clay on the potter’s wheel under the guidance of a master instructor. Explore outdoor exhibits showcasing historic logging locomotives and forest ecology.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant featuring seasonal harvest from nearby farms. Enjoy live folk music performed by local musicians in an intimate setting. Sip on award-winning cider as you soak in the creative ambiance.

Fuel up with breakfast at a quaint family-run diner. Head to Merridale Cidery & Distillery for an orchard tour and spirits tasting. Savor freshly pressed apple cider and small-batch brandies.

Make your way to Howl Brewing Company for a behind-the-scenes brewery tour. Learn about the local hops used in each brew and watch the bottling process. Pair your tasting flight with wood-fired pizzas in the rustic taproom.

Enjoy dinner at a waterfront pub overlooking Ladysmith Harbour. Order seasonal seafood dishes alongside a rotating tap selection. Cap off the night with a nightcap at a cozy riverside lounge.

Drive to Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park and rent a canoe or kayak. Paddle along the calm shoreline watching for osprey and otters. Pause on a secluded beach for coffee and homemade muffins.

Hike the Elk Falls suspension bridge trail through fern-filled canyons. Pause to enjoy the cascading waters and lush mossy cliffs. Have a picnic lunch beneath towering Douglas firs near the falls.

Head back to Shawnigan village for dinner at a lakeside restaurant. Sample freshly caught fish tacos or cedar-plank salmon. End the day with a peaceful sunset walk along the water.

Catch an early water taxi from Duncan to Maple Bay Marina. Begin a guided kayak tour through sheltered channels and kelp forests. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, sea lions, and herons.

Break for lunch at the Maple Bay Marina café with panoramic waterfront views. Rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore nearby coves at your own pace. Learn about the local marine habitat from interpretive signage on floating docks.

Return to Duncan for dinner at a seaside bistro featuring fresh seafood. Try local oysters or Dungeness crab cakes paired with crisp white wine. Share stories around a beach bonfire arranged by the restaurant.

Pick up rental bikes after grabbing a grab-and-go breakfast. Follow the Cowichan Valley Cycling Route past farms and vineyards. Stop at roadside stands to sample berries and farm-made cheeses.

Arrive at Enrico Winery for a vineyard tour and tasting experience. Enjoy a light lunch on the sun-drenched patio overlooking grapevines. Continue cycling past orchards and rural landscapes back toward Duncan.

Join a sunset wine tasting event at a boutique estate near Cobble Hill. Savor Pinot Noir or Chardonnay while the sky turns golden. Return your bikes and indulge in a tapas-style dinner in downtown Duncan.

Depart early for BC Wildlife Park to observe rescued bears, owls, and eagles. Attend a keeper talk to learn about each species’ conservation story. Wander forested trails lined with wildlife viewing blinds.

Drive to Somenos Marsh Wildlife Area for a guided birding walk. Scan the reeds for herons, wood ducks, and wintering waterfowl. Enjoy a riverside picnic listening to marshland bird calls.

Return to Duncan for dinner featuring local organic meats. Participate in an evening owl survey led by a naturalist group. Finish the night spotting barred owls under the moonlit canopy.

Take a short scenic drive to Chemainus to explore its famed mural trail. Wander the streets admiring oversized murals depicting town history. Grab a coffee from a mural-lined street café.

Visit the Chemainus Theatre Festival for a backstage tour. Explore the Forest Museum housed in the historic firehall to learn about regional logging heritage. Enjoy lunch at a riverside eatery overlooking the campground.

Return to Duncan for a farewell dinner at a top-rated restaurant. Indulge in a multi-course tasting menu paired with local wines. Stroll through Government Street one last time under ambient street lamps.