Surrounded by rolling mountains, lush forests and gorgeous beaches—not to mention parks galore!—the Comox Valley is the perfect place for outdoor recreation activities and kicking back. Feel like ziplining through the trees at Mt. Washington? You can. Rather keep your feet on the ground with a trip to a museum, fish hatchery or aquarium? You’ve come to the right place!
Cool Off at Rotary Water Park
The water park is located at Lewis Park, next to the Lewis Centre parking lot at 489 Old Island Highway. Other nearby features include the outdoor pool, wading pool and playground area at Lewis Park. Open daily throughout the summer: 10am–7pm.
Splish at Comox Marina’s Splash Park
Splash around in the Comox Valley’s newest splash park complete with a pirate ship. Open between 10am and 8pm daily, throughout the summer season. The park is a popular destination for families taking in the warm weather while visiting Marina Park. Nearby are food trucks, playgrounds, washrooms and a boat launch.
Filmore Park Petting Zoo
Walk, grunt, squeak and squawk with the animals! Hands-on Farm is Comox’s very own petting zoo for animal lovers of all ages. Located in Filberg Heritage Park. Open daily throughout the summer, 10am–4pm. filberg.com
Peruse the Courtenay Museum & Palaeontnology Centre
Find out why the Comox Valley, past and present, is one of the most plentiful places on earth. Take a fossil tour and travel 80 million years back in time; browse the galleries to delve into the stories that make our history come alive. Open Tues–Sat from 10am–4pm. courtenaymuseum.ca
See the Standing in the Gap Exhibit
Campbell River Museum’s Sybil’s Students: A Local Legacy exhibit is a stunning example of the comradery of the classroom and how the expertise and mentorship of Sybil shines brightly in the work of her students. Open daily during the summer from 10am–5pm. crmuseum.ca
Wonder About Whales
Look up at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove and you’ll see the 18-metre skeleton of a fin whale hanging from the ceiling. Walk between the jawbones of a blue whale or check out the skull of a sperm whale with giant teeth. Housed in an old freight shed, the interactive museum’s goal is to increase public awareness about whales and other local marine mammals and the threats they face. killerwhalecentre.org
Catch a Fish
Cast a line from Discovery Pier and see what you catch. Or pack a picnic and sit at one of the tables on the pier for dining al fresco. There’s a concession stand nearby that sells ice cream and rents fishing rods in the summer. campbellriver.travel/attractions/discovery-pier
Zip-pidy Do Da
Unfold your wings and fly on Mt. Washington’s “Eagle’s Flight” ZipTour. This dual-line, four-span zip line offers an adrenaline-filled and scenic adventure down the terrain of the Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. The total tour length is 1.44-mile-long with a vertical drop of 1,364 feet! Or skip the zip and take a chairlift ride to the summit to see breathtaking mountain and ocean views. Open weekends, book in advance at mountwashington.ca.
Go Go-Carting
The Saratoga Speedway provides family-friendly entertainment and activities. Get a ride in a monster truck, race a go-cart or watch the action at a Crash to Pass race featuring everything from travel trailers to boats! For a current racing, schedule visit saratogaracing.ca.
Sway on the Suspension Bridge
Elk Falls Suspension Bridge. Just a 30-minute walk from the parking lot, the suspension bridge gives a bird’s eye view of Elk Falls, cascading 64 metres to the canyon below. The high wire sides mean you can relax and enjoy the view without worrying about any climbing kids. The area is well signed. bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/elk_falls
Discover Local Marine Species
The Discovery Passage Aquarium features local marine species and habitats from the Discovery Passage. The Aquarium offers education and fun hands-on experiences that are suitable for all ages. With a focus on conservation and education, the Aquarium will re-open this summer with the species that are collected in the spring being released in the fall.
Make a Quick Stop at the Quinsam
As one of Canada’s largest salmon rearing facilities, the Quinsam River Hatchery plays a vital role in restoring natural spawning runs to the Campbell and Quinsam Rivers during the fall. Check out the fish floor inside the hatchery’s interpretive centre, a glass floor covering a re-creation of the nearby rivers with salmon, trout and other native aquatic species. Check for re-opening and hours. pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sep-pmvs/hatcheries-ecloseries/quinsam-eng.html
Celebrate the Return of Islands Folk Festival
Islands Folk Festival resumes live performances at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 21–23. With on-site camping, a “Wee Folks” kid zone, shuttle service, beverage garden and food and craft vendors, this family-friendly event will feature great music and performers, craft vendors and family fun. For a full list of performers visit islandsfolkfestival.ca.
