Top Things to do in Alert Bay
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The 5 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Alert Bay, Cormorant Island
Discover the best top things to do in Alert Bay, British Columbia including U'mista Cultural Centre, Culture Shock Interactive Gallery, Alert Bay Public Library and Museum, Namgis Original Burial Grounds, Alert Bay Visitor Centre.
Restaurants in Alert Bay
1. U'mista Cultural Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 224 reviews
Due to Covid19 U'mista will be open for reduced hours and occupancy and no public washroom available at this time. U'mista Cultural Centre is one of the longest-operating and most successful First Nations cultural facilities in BC, founded in 1980 as a ground breaking project to house potlatch artifacts which had been seized by government during an earlier period of cultural repression. The return of the potlatch artifacts not only provided U'mista's name ('the return of something important'), and sparked a general trend toward repatriation of First Nations and cultural artifacts, it caused the creation of a physical facility and human resources infrastructure which have been successfully operated for over two decades.U'mista now operates a modern museum and cultural education facility in Alert Bay. Their operations include the museum, an extensive art gallery and gift shop, group tours, and presentations by dance troupes.
Reviewed By Roadlestravelled13
Do not visit alert bay without a trip to the cultural centre. Wonderful displays in a user friendly atmosphere. The long house room and video really put you in the centre of a potlatch situation. Many masks and native Indian artifacts are all well documented in an interesting format. The gift shop has a large assortment of First Nations souvenirs. A good way to support the community. Within walking distance to the largest totem pole. This is a must see attraction!
2. Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated Gallery in Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. We offer interactive First Nations cultural experiences including cedar weaving, traditional salmon barbeque, storytelling and traditional ocean-going canoe tours. We also retail local First Nations art including jewellery, carvings, clothing and documentary films.
Reviewed By mec380 - Tofino, Canada
A great selection of local products with a fantastic staff member overseeing the shop and coffee bar, where we also indulged. My husband said it was the best Americano he has had. ????
3. Alert Bay Public Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
4. Namgis Original Burial Grounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By OntarioAmelia
We took the ferry from Port McNeill to Alert Bay on the suggestion of a staff member at Kwa'Lilas Hotel. A short distance from the ferry terminal lies the Original 'Namgis burial grounds where, from the road, one can see many varied Totem Poles in Memory of those who have passed away. The island has a great selection of Native Masks and Artifacts, which can be seen in the U'mista Cultural Centre. We hiked the magical Alert Bay Ecological Park, where a boardwalk passes through a bog-like environment, where many of the trees are be-decked with ancient sphagnum moss. There are many other hiking/biking trails but we did not have time to explore any more!
5. Alert Bay Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Rich with Kwakwaka’wakw Culture & History. The U’mista Cultural Centre has the famed Potlatch Collection, taken by Canadian Government in 1922. The Alert Bay Library-Museum has many photographs of local history & items from early settlement years. The Ecological Park has boardwalk through a marsh; with 16 KM of Island trails. Enjoy art galleries, stroll long the boardwalk, Totem Poles, Big House.
Reviewed By PennyR572 - Chemainus, Canada
The woman who gave us info was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Very strict covid protocol was followed which we very much appreciated. We got everything we needed there as our first stop at Alert Bay.
