Attractions

Prince Rupert gets more than 18 hours of sunlight a day in summer. And despite its far-north location, this coastal city enjoys a mild climate most of the year. Mountain biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and camping are just a few of the region's popular activities.

Northern British Columbia's rich First Nations (Native Canadian) heritage has been preserved in Prince Rupert's museums and archaeological sites. But you don't need to visit a museum to get a sense of the community's history. Relics of the city's early days are apparent in its old storefronts, miners' shacks, and churches. Built on a series of rocky escarpments, the city rises ledge by ledge, starting at the harbor with the train station and the Kwinitsa Railway Museum (tel. 250/627-1915 or 250/627-3207). This area is overlooked by the old commercial center, with several blocks of turn-of-the-20th-century storefronts still busy with commerce. Studio 9 Gallery, 515 Third Ave. W. (tel. 250/624-2366), offers a selection of local, regional, and First Nations art. Java dot Cup, 516 Third St. (tel. 250/622-2822), is a lively and youthful coffeehouse and Internet cafe. The downtown area is overlooked by the historic residential area, which is dominated by massive stone churches.

The bustling Cow Bay district on the north waterfront, with galleries, restaurants, and the visitor center in the Atlin Terminal building, is Prince Rupert's major center for tourist activity. Just south of Atlin Terminal is Prince Rupert's cruise-ship dock, which serves a number of cruise lines.