10 Things To Do In Prince George, Canada

Things to do in Prince George Canada
Genieve
Genieve 
Updated
| 7 min read

Prince George, the biggest city in northern British Columbia, Canada lets you discover its beauty in many different ways. To explore its nature, one can go kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, jogging, cycling and even sightseeing in a helicopter. To understand its history and culture, there are museums and heritage sites. It even has an observatory for your to explore the space. Beers, escape games, science or train museums might also interest you. Here are 10 things to discover about Prince George:

1. Probe the galaxy at Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Prince George Centre

Prince George's welcome sign
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Andybremner2012 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Wonder what’s Space like from Earth? Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Prince George Centre gives you all the answers to satisfy your curiosity. At Prince George Observatory, you get to get a closer look at the universe of planets, the moon, comets, galaxies, nebulas, and globular clusters through the 0.61 m (2 feet) Cassegrain Telescope, one of the largest in Canada, in an unheated dome. There is also other telescopes like 8″ (20.3 centimeter) Celestron and smaller Newtonian ones.

While it gets freezing in the dome, warm yourself up in the classroom while watching astronomical slides and presentations, checking out astronomical software, gaining an understanding of astrophotography and CCD camera or exploring the stars through the telescopes. Entrance is free on Friday nights on fall and spring public viewing hours although a donation is always appreciated.

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Prince George Centre

Address: 7765 Tedford, Prince George, BC, Canada

Website: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Prince George Centre

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2. Develop your love for trains at Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum

Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum 543
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gillfoto used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This is a place for those who have a thing for trains. Your kids get to climb around different types of old trains and locomotives and pretend to be captain. The museum contains lots of artifacts from motive power to rolling stocks, tractors and heavy equipment and logging machinery. If your kids want to take a ride on the trains, there is a small one that travels around the ground. There is an old actual furnished train station that stores vehicles and equipment from the past, a fire hall, a bunkhouse and more to discover. The whole place is full of signs with detailed information and history of the railroad and logging industry.

Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum

Address: 850 River Road, Prince George, BC V2L 5S8, Canada

Website: Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum

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3. Learn science, technology and history at The Exploration Place

Tom Dielissen
Source: Photo by Flickr user City of Prince Ge... used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Science, technology, and history are made interesting in The Exploration Place. Different kind of knowledges are cultivated through various exhibits such as Worlds of the Night where you will be educated about the life of certain animals at night, Paleontology Gallery where you get to see fossils of dinosaurs and learn about them, Children Gallery where there is a water table where you can build your own river, First Nations Gallery where you can learn about the lives of Dakelh through artifacts and photographs, Prince George Sports Hall of Fame, where you play sports through interactive games that measure your speed and accuracy, Biome where you can interact with little critters, and more.

Among these exhibits, there are activities that allow your children to learn through hands-on experience. If your children are science or history geeks, this place is just right for them.

The Exploration Place

Address: 333 Becott Place, Prince George, BC, Canada

Website: The Exploration Place

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4. Exercise your muscles at Cottonwood Island Nature Park

Cottonwood Island Park
Source: Photo by Flickr user City of Prince Ge... used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Walking, cycling, jogging, boating, swimming, fishing, roller-blading, skiing, there are all kinds of activities to do here at Cottonwood Island Nature Park. So gather your energy, it’s time to burn some holiday calories. The trials of the park lie along Fraser River and Nechako River and meander into a forest of cottonwood trees which are already 300 years old. When the water is low, you get to venture into small islands crossing the CN Rail Bridge over the Fraser River, where you can take nice photos.

When you make your way through the forest, keep a look out for different kinds of faces carved on the trees by artist Elmer Gunderson. There are also picnic shelters for you to have a delicious homemade meal. During autumn, you get a view of different sized leaves adopting different hues that leave your jaws hanging.

Cottonwood Island Nature Park

Address: 800 Block River Road, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Cottonwood Island Nature Park

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5. Horse back riding with El Shaddai Ranch

Horseback Riding
Source: Pixabay

Sitting on the back of the horse, feeling every step it takes while admiring the beauty of nature, what’s more amusing than this unusual experience provided by El Shaddai Ranch? The ride will take you through forest, meadows and streams of the Omineca. With the sounds of your horse neighing, creaks of the saddle, water flowing, wind blowing, and forest creatures squeaking, you can close your eyes and fully immerse in the ambience of nature.

The horses that lead the way are well trained so rest assured your safety is well secured. There are a few rides to choose from: the standard ride in daylight hours, sunset rides from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and custom rides. You are allowed to bring drinks and snacks as they are not provided. It is strongly recommended to bring your camera as you definitely don’t want to miss out on the picturesque sceneries. The trail rides will take about 2 hours.

El Shaddai Ranch

Address: 3630 Williams Road East, Prince George, BC, V2N 5Z3, Canada

Website: El Shaddai Ranch

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6. Challenge your gaming skills at Exit Prince George

Interior 360 view of a gaming PC – 1 of 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Maximilian Schönherr used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Call yourself a gamer? Let’s see how ‘pro’ you can get at Exit Prince George. Challenge yourself with the Room Escape Games including but not limited to Camelot - quest for the grail, where you have to search and protect the artifact that grant wishes from the evil, Fallout where you escape from the destroyed world, Behind Enemy Lines where you are required to rescue the physicist to save the world, and experience Virtual Reality.

While you are encountering difficulties in the games, teamwork, skills, and mind work will come into play. You will be using all your talents and pushing your limits to complete the missions. Without noticing, you will gain skills, exercise your brain, develop team spirit and bond with your loved ones in the process. It is definitely a fun and worthwhile experience.

Exit Prince George

Address: 385 Victoria St, V2L4Y2 Prince George, BC, Canada

Website: Exit Prince George

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7. Discover the history of Huble Homestead Historic Site

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If history makes you feel alive, Huble Homestead Historic Site will awaken you with its historical charm. The Huble House, which is one of the heritage buildings on the site, was built by Albert Huble and was sold and occupied by different people throughout the years until it was moved, restored by the Huble Homestead and finally open to the public as the centerpiece of Huble Homestead Historic Site. Take your time and admire other heritage buildings on site with rich histories like the General Store, First Nations Fish Camp, Salmon Valley Post Office and more.

The animal shelter there will be a highlight for your kids as they get to see chickens, rabbits, sheep and more. You can choose to explore yourself or follow a guided tour who will explain to you the history of the place. The site is also active with all kinds of events like Potato Festival, Homicide on the Homestead, Old Fashion Thanksgiving and more. If you are interested, check it out at their website.

Huble Homestead Historic Site

Address: 15000 Mitchell Road, V0J 2S0 Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Huble Homestead Historic Site

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8. Beer tasting at CrossRoads Brewing

Green Beacon Brewing Company 08
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kgbo used under CC BY-SA 3.0

CrossRoads Brewing sits in a 70-year-old building which was once a garage but was discovered and beautifully turned into a brewery by Daryl and Bjorn who are two like-minded fellows who shared the same interest in crafting beer. After hard work of learning what it takes to open a brewery by visiting craft beer festivals and craft breweries, CrossRoads Brewing was finally created.

They provide a 30 minute tour that shares with you their story, their brewing process, lets you visit the manufacturing equipment and finally the part everyone looks forward to, the tap room. The tap room is cosy, well lit and furnished with two fireplaces, wooden bars and tables, windows for you to look into the brewery, an open style kitchen and 3 large garage doors that link to the patio. At last, treat yourself with a different palate of beers and mouth-watering food at the tap room.

CrossRoads Brewing

Address: 508 George Steet, V2L 1R7 Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

Website: CrossRoads Brewing

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9. See the world from a bird's eye view with Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd.

Robinson r44 astra helicopter view at kemble arp
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Arpingstone used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you want to see Prince George from a different perspective, Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd. offers the best angle. Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd. presents this opportunity to everyone from travelers, photographers to cinematographers. Ever wonder how movies got such breathtaking views? There’s your answer. Sightseeing in helicopters means you get the best view of the different landscapes of natural wonders like waterfalls, canyons, mountains, valleys, and forests from a bird’s eye view without spoiling the beauty for others and even the future generations.

There are various tours you can select from including a city tour where you get an aerial view of the layout of different attractions, Fort George Canyon Tour, Raven Lake Tour with a view of the alpine area in Prince George and more, all with different kinds of views. The picture you see or shoot from this angle will surely paint a vivid picture in your memory that will last a lifetime.

Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd.

Address: 4245 Hangar Road, V2N 4M6 Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Aberdeen Helicopters Ltd.

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10. Enjoy all kinds of water activities with Backwater Paddling

Kayaking
Source: Pixabay

Backwater Paddling teaches you river kayaking, lake kayaking, sea kayaking, stand up paddling and canoeing at different levels. They will bring you to explore the rivers and lakes in Prince George. Taught by a very skillful, dedicated and patient instructor, you will be surprised how fast you will master the skills of these water activities in a short time.

The river course is much challenging as you will be kayaking on fast-moving rivers but worry not, they will teach you safety skills, basic strokes, reading moving water and moving your boat around the currents and obstacles. Lake kayaking is more gentle as it doesn’t require athletic skills and the kayaks are stable and easy to handle. Sea kayaking will take you the ocean where you get to see orcas feeding on fish, whereas stand-up paddling tests your balance and postures. Canoeing will be the easiest of them all, the only challenge is to keep the canoe straight without changing sides.

Backwater Paddling

Website: Backwater Paddling

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Get ready for a productive trip!

Aerial of Prince George
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CPG1100 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Prince George is full of nature wonders and cultural gems. Through these activities, you will gain knowledge about a variety of things, things that aren’t taught in school, and also witness things you’ve never seen before like a view from the sky. I’m sure you have found your favorites from this list that will tempt you to embark on an exciting trip to Prince George.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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