Top Things to do in Duncan
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Duncan, Vancouver Island
Discover the best top things to do in Duncan, Canada including Duncan Farmer's Market, B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, The Raptors, Duncan Totem Poles, Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, Providence Farm, Bright Angel Park, Hand of Man - Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation, Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre.
Restaurants in Duncan
1. Duncan Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 129 reviews
Every Saturday morning, all year round, rain or shine, come for the freshest local fruits and vegetables, baking, jams & jellies, honey, crafts, clothing, pet treats, and more! With our "you make it, you bake it, you grow it, you sell it" philosophy, you will find a wide variety of local products to fullfill your "100 mile diet" needs. Please join us in the Market Square in downtown Duncan (look for the clock tower) every Saturday and help make your year-round farmers' market the best in BC! Live music every Saturday from April to Oct.
Reviewed By neepsocks - Victoria, Canada
A lovely place to visit, especially during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and sunny and fresh vegetables and fruits can be found in addition to local crafts, wines, and other artisanal items. Live music, hot food, and a pleasant, friendly atmosphere for all ages can all be found here at this Saturday market, right in the heart of downtown Duncan. Arguably the best farmer's market on Vancouver Island.
2. B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
This museum educates visitors about British Columbia's large and historic logging industry.
Reviewed By Fiona_of_VI
This was our first trip to the BC Forestry Discovery Centre. I was very impressed with the activites they had for the kids including musical performances and a really well run colouring area. The food was reasonably priced and good (though all we had was hot chocolate and popcorn). The people there were very friendly and more than interested in talking about the history of the buildings, trains and the logging industry on Vancouver Island. And these folks are volunteers! The train ride was wonderful. We will definelty go back for a visit in the summer.
3. Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
The Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre (CRVC) is located adjacent to the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan, BC. The friendly and knowledgeable information councilors at the CRVC are prepared to help you plan and navigate your trip, and will make you feel at home in the luscious Cowichan Valley. The Visitor Centre is within a 10 minute drive of many of the region's highlights, including the famous Duncan City of Totems, Chemainus City of Murals, world-class wineries, quaint artisan galleries, and unforgettable whale watching experiences. If you're looking for lunch recommendations or a place to stay, our councilors would be happy to help make bookings and provide directions. The CRVC also hosts a variety of local souvenirs, books, and clothing items to fit your travel needs. Feel free to stop in for a coffee and to use the free WiFi.
Reviewed By Daniellelang
We went into the visitors center, and everybody was so nice and helpful. We got maps and great ideas on what to do and see. I highly reccomend to stop there for planning your trip.
4. The Raptors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 507 reviews
Birds of prey have always inspired awe. Sadly, they are threatened in many parts of the world. When you experience them up close, you learn that they are more than predators from the sky; they are essential to maintaining the delicate eco-balance of our planet. The Raptors offer compelling and interactive experiences with a variety of birds of prey species including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Get closer than you ever imagined to these majestic and intelligent creatures. Flying demonstrations, hands-on encounters and educational talks offered daily (March - October). The Raptors is located in the heart of the beautiful Cowichan Valley, just 60 minutes north of Downtown Victoria and 45 minutes south of Downtown Nanaimo by car.
Reviewed By PookyCake - Victoria, Canada
The Raptors centre had been on my “to do” list for a number of years. Having passed by this attraction countless times, it was bound to grab my curiosity. “What is it?” I thought. “What do they do there?” I knew you could have interactive bird experiences, but I didn’t know much else about it. That’s why, when I finally got the opportunity to visit, I was totally surprised and amazed by all that’s done here. The Raptors was set up to educate. Typically, whenever we think of “birds of prey,” most people tend to view them as mindless predators and/or a nuisance. Vultures, for example, have been – and are – targeted in some countries for extermination via poisoned animal carcasses. As a result, their numbers have depleted. This, we learn at the Raptors centre, has a notable impact on our already fragile ecosystem. Everything relies upon everything else. Thus, the purpose and mission of The Raptors is to inform us that birds of prey are essential to maintaining a proper ecological balance. When visiting The Raptors, you can expect to see a nice variety of these beautiful birds: Bald eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures, to name just a few. While their enclosures aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, we can live with the comfort of knowing that these birds – educational ambassadors – are well taken care of and are given ample opportunities to “stretch their wings,” unlike, say, a typical zoo. It’s nice to know the biologists and falconers view the birds more as colleagues than as wards. When M took me to visit The Raptors, we arrived just in time to watch and observe the Flying Demonstration. This, for me, was the perennial highlight. Watching these majestic (and some not so majestic) birds silently swoop down from the sky – with razor sharp precision – was a visual feast for the eyes. Indeed, getting up close to these birds while the knowledgeable and charismatic staff told the crowd about the vital role these birds play in our world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to enhance your experience even further, The Raptors does offer a variety of unique hands-on experiences, including the “Hawk Walk” or raptor “Encounter.” I did not participate in any of these opportunities, but for those who want to learn more AND take that Instagram-worthy selfie, you can! At day’s end, if you’re visiting the Cowichan Valley area, I highly recommend a visit to The Raptors. It’s family friendly; it’s educational; and it’s pretty epic. What more could one want?
5. Duncan Totem Poles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By kenkA7737HL - Lake Cowichan, Canada
Excellent chsnce to see and learn about west coast first nations history beautiful totems spread around the downtown area. Always close to stores and shopping each totem has a placard telling you the story behind its creation. Big skinny tall and short there is alot of them well worth the hour or 2 stroll. You will love it
6. Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By 751neilk - Bognor Regis, United Kingdom
This is a great find.. if you like boats and engines , then it's a must see. The staff are just great, the items on display are wonderful. I could go back again and again. Free entry ,, but please put something in the book and the box to keep this wonderful heritage going.
7. Providence Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By pitchew - Duncan, Canada
There are several areas that you may find interesting. There is a small market, then some wood making pieces for sale, ice cream shop, walk around the grounds for a most refreshing relaxation time or find the horse rider ring that is lovely for therapeutic purposes for several special people in our community.
8. Bright Angel Park
9. Hand of Man - Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By james123griffin
As others have said, this is an absolutely incredible collection. It's perhaps more of a personal collection than a museum in the regularly recognised sense, and you would think that the days when someone could put together a collection like this are long, long gone Bear in mind that Jim Schockey's interest in big game hunting is paramount, and this shows, of course. But if you have doubts about big game hunting it's well worth putting them on one side for the moment to experience this place: there can't be many places in the world like it. I live in the area, and I'll be back: on the next occasion I'll leave a great deal more time.
10. Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 28 reviews
