ROYAL B.C. MUSEUM: Natural History Gallery

Founded in 1886, the Royal B.C. Museum consists of The Province of British Columbia's natural and human history museum as well as the British Columbia Provincial Archives. The Royal BC Museum includes three permanent galleries: Natural History, Becoming BC and the First Peoples Gallery. The museum’s collections comprise approximately 7 million objects, including natural history specimens, artifacts, and archival records. The natural history collections have 750,000 records of specimens almost exclusively from BC and neighbouring states, provinces, or territories.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCHNwGKlvqs

Website: https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/

Location: 675 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8W 9W2

HAYNES HISTORIC RANCH

Visiting the abandoned remains of the Haynes Historic Ranch. Beginning in about 1865 John Carmichael Haynes began to acquire large amounts of ranch land in the Osoyoos and Oliver area. It was one of the first cattle ranches in the Okanagan Valley and he eventually amassed about 22,000 acres. Haynes also was judge as well as customs officer for the Osoyoos/US border crossing. These buildings, on the east side of the Okanagan River date from the pioneer cattle ranching era. The house dates from 1860, built for Judge John Carmichael Haynes, who died in 1888. A later addition in 1875, and again in the last years of use, it was last inhabited in 1963.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBeiZ2kWaik

Location: Okanagan-Similkameen A, BC V0H 1V7

Ashcroft BC: Pioneer Gold Rush Town

Ashcroft was founded in the 1860s, during the Cariboo Gold Rush, by two English brothers named Clement Francis Cornwall and Henry Pennant Cornwall, who emigrated to Canada from Ashcroft, at Newington Bagpath in Gloucestershire.The brothers had originally come in search of gold; however, on hearing stories from failed gold searchers they decided to found the town to give future gold searchers a place to saddle their horses. They sold flour to packers and miners, helping to make the community. The Cariboo Road ran nearby but on the west bank of the Thompson River. The Canadian Pacific Railway reached Ashcroft in 1884 and the town became a division point and service centre for the rail line. The province built a bridge across the river in 1890 so travellers could ride the train to Ashcroft then board a stagecoach for a journey north. In 1920, when the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (now BC Rail) was partially built, running from Squamish to Clinton and Williams Lake, Ashcroft lost strategic importance as a supply centre and transit point for the north. After this, the townsfolk started to rely on farming to sustain the community. Despite being dry, farming was very successful because of water from the Thompson River and hot sun. During the 1920s the small but successful Chinese community made money by testing the growing of potatoes and tomatoes.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QpgD6X2QPU

Website: http://ashcroftbc.ca/museum/

Location: 404 Brink St, Ashcroft, BC V0K 1A0

Mythical Creatures at Robert Burnaby Park

Mythical creatures have been magically appearing in Robert Burnaby Park. These giant natural sculptures are the work of local artist Nickie Lewis, co-owner of The Wizards Makery. Her amazing artwork includes a dragon, a troll, a mermaid, unicorn and even Chewie the Wookie.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inG808ClHFA

Website: https://thewizardsmakery.com/

Location: 8155 Wedgewood St, Burnaby, BC V3N 3S5

GREATER VANCOUVER ZOO

Dedicated to education and conservation, the Greater Vancouver Zoo is home to many rescued, donated and orphaned animals. The mission of the Greater Vancouver Zoo is to inspire appreciation of our ecosystems and support conservation efforts by engaging the community. Discover the sights and sounds of 140 species on 120 acres in the heart of the Fraser Valley.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXcmEFccj7o

Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum

The Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum is home to one of the most unique, rare, and diverse collections of motorbikes in Canada. Chosen for their unique styles and incredible stories, every motorcycle adds a different and exciting element to the museum.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6lefUV6bfY

Website: http://www.dreamcycle.ca/

Location: Trans-Canada Hwy, Sorrento, BC V0E 2W1

Beaty Biodiversity Museum

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is a natural history museum at the University of British Columbia. The museum has 20,000 square feet of collections with over 2 Million specimens and 500 exhibits and is home to the largest blue whale skeleton in Canada.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLek92-tWPU

Website: http://www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca/

Location: Vancouver Campus, 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

Myra Canyon Trestles

Known as McCullochs Wonder, the Myra Canyon Trestles near Kelowna were part of the Kettle Valley Railway. Consisting of eighteen trestles, two tunnels and three deep rock cuts, this section of the railway is known as one of the greatest feats of railroad engineering in the world. Many of the original trestles were destroyed by wildfires in 2003, but have been rebuild and now attract thousands of tourists and recreationists each year.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I0HA4RzVz8

Website: https://www.myratrestles.com/

Location: Myra-Bellvue Provincial Park

Museum of Surrey

The Museum of Surrey ignites imaginations and connects Surrey's diverse citizens and communities by celebrating Surrey’s past, present and future through innovative, dynamic and delightful learning, storytelling, and creating shared experiences.

The Arctic Voices exhibit features an immersive and comprehensive look into the Arctic region- its people, culture and environmental importance to the rest of the world. Visitors are invited to challenge their perceptions of the Arctic and discover a colourful land that’s actually closer to their own backyard then they might think. They will hear from the people that inhabit this region, as they share their knowledge about the land and their unique culture.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmVKlgq-gGk

Website: https://www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/museum-of-surrey

Location: 17710 56a Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 5H8

Inn at Spences Bridge

Located along the Thompson River in Spences Bridge, the Inn at Spences Bridge is the oldest continuously operating Inn in British Columbia and is the only hotel in Canada with views of two class one railways (Canadian Pacific Railway / Canadian National Railway. The Canadian Pacific line lies less than 30 metres from the front door and the Canadian National line is just across the Thompon River. The Inn at Spences Bridge is truely a uniqe experience for Railfans and History Buffs alike.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdR_Mg6lRqg

Website: http://www.innatspencesbridge.com/

Location: 3649 BC-8, Spences Bridge, BC V0K 2L0

Harrison Hot Springs

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs is a small community at the southern end of Harrison Lake in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia.

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has been a small resort community since 1886, when the opening of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought the lakeside springs within a short carriage ride of the transcontinental mainline. In its first promotion as a resort it was known as St. Alice's Well, although it had been discovered decades earlier when a party of goldfield-bound travellers.

The hot springs themselves were originally used and revered by the Sts'Ailes (Chehalis) First Nations people who live along the Harrison River nearby.

Although the resort flourished in a low-key fashion for years after this discovery was exploited by hoteliers, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs was not incorporated until 1949. Its namesake hot springs are a major attraction for tourists who come to stay at the village's spa-resort.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB1RYFGNApQ

Location: Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1A3

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, located at Bridal Falls in Chilliwack British Columbia, is a great day-use park with a picnic area for families and highlighted by a short walk to a waterfall that cascades down the rocks from 60 meters above. The name of the park comes from the falls which is said to create a "veil like" effect from the falling water.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYLhr6YRlTA

Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/bridalveil_falls/

Location: Rosedale, BC V0X 1X0

Spirit Trail Hike

The Spirit Trail is a short walk through a beautiful cedar forest that is very accessible from the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. What makes this trail so special is that a local resident and artist has decorated many of the cedars along the trail with beautiful masks. He believed that “the woods were enchanted and that the trees had individual personalities.”

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYERgw-llzA

Devon Falls and Hidden Waterfalls

Devon Falls and the Hidden Waterfalls in Abbotsford British Columbia are two natural hidden gems known to the residents of Abbotsford. They are easily accessible and provide a quite nature retreat just steps from civilization.

Carved from the earth this tiered waterfall is a creation of the elements. Over time, rainfall in the uplands of Sumas Mountain collects and carves rivulets to form a creek. Gravity pulls the water downhill slowly carving a path through the rock. At the point where the waterfall formed, the rosck type changed to soft sandstone. The different layers of rock are clearly visible behind the waterfall.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ANM38dzifQ

Location: 3279 Harvest Dr, Abbotsford, BC V3G 2Y6

Steelhead Falls

Local waterfalls Steelhead Falls is a beautiful waterfall located just off the Reservoir Trail that loops around Hayward Lake in Mission. The hike to the waterfall is a short 1km each way route that is perfect for families or just a quick walk in the forest.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h10AEcMZkIg

Website: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/steelhead-falls/

Location: Hayward Lake Reservoir Trail, Mission, BC V4S

Queen Elizabeth Park

In Vancouver Queen Elizabeth Park, located on Little Mountain, is the highest point in the city. The park features sunken gardens built in reclaimed rock quarrys, rose gardens, public art and the Bloedel Conservatory. In spring time the park is home to several varities of blooming cherry trees.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUi6Um5PcE

Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx

Location: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1

Derby Reach Regional Park

Located on the banks of the Fraser River, Derby Reach Park has trails that wander past river and mountain views and through deeply shaded forest. Historic buildings, heritage apple trees and other reminders of pioneer days make this a memorable place.

The walking route known as the Fort To Fort Trail connects the Fort Langley National Historical Museum with the site of the original fort near Derby Reach Regional Park.

The route begins from the National Historic Museum but many people begin the route from the train crossing at Glover Road and Mavis Avenue. At the end of the Fort To Fort Trail, you can extend your route by following the Edgewater Trail or completing the Houston Trail loop in Derby Reach Regional Park before returning along the Fort To Fort Trail back to Fort Langley.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrfhOKg9p4k

Website: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/parks-greenways-reserves/derby-reach-regional-park

Location: 21801 Allard Crescent, Langley Twp, BC V1M 3W1

Tea Pot Hill Hike

Tea pot Hill is a short, popular hike in Cultus Lake Provincial Park, Chilliwack. The trail begins at a small parking lot beside Cultus Lake and heads up to a nice but obstructed overlook of the lake. Teapot Hill also offers a fun twist – there are dozens of teapots and teacups scattered and hidden throughout the hike. Teapot Hill is a great hike for children, or anyone visiting Cultus Lake.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aybbu_dtn9s

Location: Columbia Valley Rd, Cultus Lake, BC V2R 5A3

Octopus Tree and Cape Meares Lighthouse

Cape Meares features an 1890s lighthouse, and a mile-long walking trail that winds through old-growth spruce trees, including the uniquely-shaped "Octopus Tree".

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8A7lphUcTM

Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=131

Location: 3500 Cape Meares Loop, Tillamook, OR 97141, United States

Tillamook Air Museum and Blimp Hangar

The Tillamook Air Museum is housed inside a former World War II Blimp Hanger which housed K-class airships used for anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort. This hangar is almost 200 feet tall and is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

Our Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38C_lz5o7Ig

Website: http://www.tillamookair.com/

Location: 6030 Hangar Rd, Tillamook, OR 97141, United States