Offering incredible views of the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Mount Baker, Sidney is situated on the edge of Salish Sea offering locals and visitors an awesome array of fun things to do. Whether you are spending just a day here or spending multiple days, you can use these recommendations and plan your trip accordingly. If you’re starting or ending a trip by making your way here, you’ll find this city holds many charming secrets waiting to be discovered. You could either take stop by a cute cafe and drink a cup of joe overlooking the bay, explore museums, events and fairs, read a book around town, or go on an eco-tourism adventure on the waters of Salish Sea–Sidney definitely has it all! To make your research a tad bit easy, we have compiled a guide of some of the best things to do in Sidney, BC, Canada.
1. Explore local artifacts at the Sidney Museum
Change is good! One of our summer students has been hard at work transforming our parlour exhibit. The final product...
Posted by Sidney Museum on Monday, 15 July 2019
Treat your eyes and mind with some local and brand new information while you walk around exploring the artifacts at Sidney Museum. The museum here features over 8,000 artifacts and the permanent displays are also regularly updated with information on local First Nations, industry, transportation, agriculture, and social history. Some of the displays you will find as you walk around include a vintage kitchen, vintage storefront, rustic barn, and a hands-on schoolhouse. There are days in the museum where they display temporary exhibits in addition to its permanent ones.
Sidney Museum
Address: 2423 Beacon Ave L-3, Sidney, BC V8L 1X5, Canada
Website: Sidney Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: Free
2. Go bird-watching at Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
One of the oldest designated Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) in Canada covers approximately 150 hectares (370 acres) of coastal marine environment. Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary provides a marine habitat shallow with tide mudflats which helps in inviting biodiversity for migrating waterfowl during winter. You will also find notable migrators such as green-winged teal, American wigeon, bufflehead, and horned grebe during the same season. And great blue herons can be seen throughout the year.
Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Address: 10227 Ardwell Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 2N8, Canada
3. Catch a cultural performance at Mary Winspear Centre
Posted by Mary Winspear Centre on Tuesday, 21 May 2019
Mary Winspear Centre should be on your must-see list when you plan to visit Sidney in British Columbia. This is an integral community that is known for hosting many artistic, cultural, social, and business events throughout its inception. If you want to watch a musical, rock event or any other music show, or a play, this is your place to be! Other than these fun shows, a lot of other events are also held here including weddings, parties, business meetings, conventions, and other live theater events.
Mary Winspear Centre
Address: 2243 Beacon Ave W, Sidney, BC V8L 1W9, Canada
Website: Mary Winspear Centre
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)
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4. Explore the stalls of Sidney Street Market
Posted by Sidney Street Market on Thursday, 11 July 2019
A street market that has been going long and strong since 1999 is the Sidney Street Market. Wander around the market and witness it come to life as you see the store owners or vendors doing their daily thing, being in their element - buying, storing, and selling stuff. If you visit this market during Thursdays, make sure you head downtown and get your hands on the freshest ingredients and local crafts from island vendors.
Sidney Street Market
Address: Beacon Avenue, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 1Y7, Canada
Website: Sidney Street Market
Opening hours: 5:30pm - 8:30 pm (daily)
5. Go skating at Tulista Park
Along the long shoreline of Sidney, this 2.5 km (1.5 mi) ‘Heart Smart Walk’ offers both locals and tourists a chance to explore the piers, jetties, parks, playgrounds, cafes, bars, restaurants, and distilleries around which offers panoramic views of the Gulf Islands and Salish Sea. This park is solely dedicated to the walkers and is where they can either walk their bike or opt for a faster activity through skating or skateboarding. As you stroll around this beautiful park, learn a bit of history regarding US and Canada territorial conflicts and their peaceful resolutions.
Tulista Park
Address: 9565 Fifth St, Sidney, BC V8L 2W5, Canada
Website: Tulista Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6am - 10pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
6. Enjoy a picnic at Beacon Park
No time is wasted when you spend even an entire day lazing, relaxing, and chilling at Beacon Park. Take a stroll on the boardwalk, admiring several works of art and metal work sculptures as you walk towards the pier. Pick a place, spread a mat, and have a mini-picnic with your family while watching seals and seagulls in their element. You can even head to any of the shops and restaurants as you stroll around the park.
Beacon Park
Address: 9801 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada
Website: Beacon Park
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Appreciate local artworks at Peninsula Gallery
This painting of Richard McDiarmid is titled “Love Potion #9”. Where is the potion? #artforfun #stilllifepainting #humorinart #trendingart #artoftheday #bcartist #fineart #fineartgallery #bestgallery
Posted by Peninsula Gallery - Canada on Wednesday, 17 April 2019
Situated in the stunning seaside of Sidney, Peninsula Gallery opened its gates in the year of 1986 to present quality paintings and sculptures in a warm and welcoming setting. All the artworks displayed in this retail art gallery are made primarily using original oil and acrylic paintings while the sculptures are made in bronze and soapstone.
Peninsula Gallery
Address: 2506 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y2, Canada
Website: Peninsula Gallery
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
8. Go camping at Sidney Spit
Posted by Sidney Spit on Monday, 20 June 2016
Located at the north end of Sidney Island, Sidney Spit is a part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Featuring incredible sandy beaches, wood trails, and a home to various birds and wildlife, Sidney Spit is renowned among campers from around the world. You will find multiple campsites, dock spaces, and mooring buoys for visitors looking forward to stay overnight amidst the natural beauty. You can get into this land either by a powerboat, kayak, or the walk-on ferry service.
Sidney Spit
Address: Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Sidney, BC, Canada
Website: Sidney Spit
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Marvel at marine creatures at the Salish Sea Aquarium
The largest leather star we've EVER seen!
Posted by Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea on Sunday, 7 July 2019
An aquarium that features over 160 species of marine life, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Aquarium is located on Sidney’s waterfront. This aquarium also displays marine mammal artifacts and a Coast Salish art collection. This is one such landmark where both children and adults love to spend their time at and also take part in kids’ activities, informative lectures, and workshops about the Salish Sea.
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Aquarium
Address: 9811 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada
Website: Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Aquarium
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: From 15 USD
10. Chug down cocktails at Victoria Distillers
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Every great vacation involves food, and of course, drinks. Don’t be surprised when you realise that Canada’s only oceanfront distillery - Victoria Distilleries is located here in Sidney. Producing several spirits, you can tour around the distillery and understand their production process. After which, you can head to the cocktail lounge and drink up the samples of classic spirits. And if you are a bit on the adventurous side, ask your bartender to invent a new cocktail recipe and drink up.
Victoria Distillers
Address: 9891 Seaport Pl, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3, Canada
Website: Victoria Distillers
Opening hours: 12pm - 6pm (daily)
11. Indulge in seafood at Sea Glass Waterfront Grill
Posted by Sea Glass Waterfront Grill on Tuesday, 2 July 2019
Great seafood is always synonymous to a coastal city. Sea Glass Waterfront Grill at the Van Isle Marina proves just that. If you are looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner options, this restaurant has got your covered. Relax and sit by the harborside patio and choose from a range of seafood delicacies such as salmon, shrimps, crabs, and more. If you are a vegetarian or a meat lover, you can also find myriad delicious choices on the menu.
Sea Glass Waterfront Grill
Address: 2320 Harbour Rd, Sidney, BC V8L 2P6, Canada
Website: Sea Glass Waterfront Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sun: 9am - 9pm
12. Go bowling at Miracle Lanes
Posted by Nevada Reddon on Wednesday, 20 February 2019
How about adding something fun that’s just an icing on the cake to your itinerary? Play a fun game of bowling with your family, friends, and even make new buddies at Miracle Lanes. This five-pin bowling center is nestled in Sidney, BC and is a family-owned facility where you can also rent billiards table and have a challenging yet fun session.
Miracle Lanes
Address: 2375 Bevan Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 4M9, Canada
Website: Miracle Lanes
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 8pm; Tue: 10am - 8pm; Wed: 10am - 12:30pm, 3:30pm - 8pm; Thu: 10am - 6:30pm; Fri: 1pm - 9pm; Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm
13. Admire the beauty of Glass Beach
Imagine you are at a beach and you find pebbles made of glass! Everyone’s seen pebbles but something that’s made of glass in a natural environment definitely creates intrigue. So how about checking that out for yourself and being mesmerised by nature’s creation? Take a stroll here with your family, friends, a special someone, or even your pets and head north of the pier to collect some beautiful beach glasses. It could be one of the beautiful treasures you could take home.
Glass Beach
Address: 2533 Beacon Ave W, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y2, Canada
14. Stroll around Tsehum Harbour
In Sidney on my usual neighborhood jaunt.
Posted by Brenda Krusel Hautaluoma on Thursday, 28 February 2019
Located on the southern tip of Vancouver island towards the end of Saanich peninsula, Tsehum Harbour is the focal point to all the yachting activities in the peninsula. Wander around the harbor as you see the seagulls flocking, boaters maneuvering the yachts, and also you could witness one of the most beautiful sunsets here. This is also a picturesque location where you could get a lot of ‘for the gram’ shots.
Tsehum Harbour
Address: 10441 Resthaven Dr, Sidney, BC V8L 4C1, Canada
Website: Tsehum Harbour
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
15. Taste dishes from all over the world at Mary's Bleue Moon Café
Posted by Mary's Bleue Moon on Sunday, 4 September 2016
What was known as Mary’s Coffee Bar in the year of 1939 is now famously called Mary’s Bleue Moon Café. The wartime pilots also frequented this cafe back in the days and would go crazy about the cinnamon buns. Now it’s mostly frequented by the airport personnel as it is just steps away from the airport. Still holding strong to the history since WWII with vintage aircraft photos and newspaper clippings, the menu is eclectic ranging from Irish nachos, Marsala salad with tandoori chicken, Tuscan chicken ciabatta, Cajun chicken quesadilla, bangers and mash, and more.
Mary's Bleue Moon Café
Address: 9535 Canora Rd, Sidney, BC V8L 1P3, Canada
Website: Mary’s Bleue Moon Café
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 9am - 9pm; Thu - Fri: 9am -10pm, Sat: 9am - 11pm
Stop by Sidney to explore
You could be exploring Sidney for a few hours or a few days, but Sidney definitely is a perfect way to start off or bid adieu to your Canada vacation. Use this guide of the best things to do in Sidney to thoroughly enjoy your time here.
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