Take a Day Trip
With a whole weekend to explore, you can truly take advantage of Prince Rupert’s incredible geographic setting with a daytrip. Book a flightseeing tour that will take you over the Khutzeymateen Inlet and the mouth of the Skeena, with the opportunity to see whales, bears, mountain goats, and more. Or if being on the water is more your speed, book a one-day fishing charter or whale-watching tour to see our stunning coastline up close and personal.
Float Plane Tour with Ocean Pacific Air. Image by Shayd Johnson.
Explore the History of Canning on the Coast
The North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site is a must-see when visiting Prince Rupert. Just past the nearby village of Port Edward, about 30 km from Prince Rupert, the Cannery is a collection of wooden, tin-roofed buildings spread along a tidal riverbank and connected by a series of boardwalks. Mullioned windows set high under the eaves stream a soft, filtered light on a scene of canning machinery, draped fishing nets, and artifacts depicting working life on the coast. Built in 1889, the Cannery occupied a strategic spot in the Skeena River estuary, sheltered from the open ocean but with easy access to rich fishing grounds in Dixon Entrance and Hecate Strait. Until a road was built in the 1940s, its multicultural workforce of Japanese, Chinese, First Nations, and Europeans lived on-site in cottages and bunkhouses. Exhibits, guided tours, original architecture, historically-inspired cuisine, and the pristine wilderness surroundings tell the story of an industry that played an integral role in BC’s economic, cultural and natural development over the last century. You can spend an entire afternoon wandering the site and be sure to have lunch at the Messhouse Café!
The North Pacific Cannery. Image by Grant Harder.
Enjoy a Wilderness Trail
With a weekend in Prince Rupert, you can take your time exploring a longer trail like Butze Rapids or Tall Trees. If you’re looking for a mid-level trail to explore, be sure to explore Butze Rapids Interpretive Trail, a well-maintained 5km loop that will take you down to the water’s edge, including a viewpoint of the spectacular reversing tidal flow that the trail is named for. Popular with trail runners and families with strollers alike, be prepared for some steep sections.
For more of a challenge, check out Tall Trees Trail. Approximately 4.5 km one-way, Tall Trees is an out-and-back trail. The start of this recently updated trail is just a couple hundred meters past the Butze Rapids parking lot, on the opposite side of the road. This hike will take you 450 meters up the side of Mount Oldfield and on clear days provides stunning views of Prince Rupert harbour and the surrounding mountains. The first section is wide and relatively flat but quickly becomes steep, making this a moderately difficult hike.
Hiking here does require safety precautions—this is a rugged landscape and the Rupert weather is known for rapid changes. Make sure you have a good map, appropriate clothing, and safety equipment before you head out.
Hiking Tall Trees Trail. Image by Shayd Johnson
Experience Unique Dining Offerings
With a few nights in Prince Rupert, you can try a few of our fantastic restaurants specializing in locally sourced foods. Sophisticated and unique dining options are baked into Prince Rupert’s DNA, with a wide range of incredible local restaurants offering a memorable lunch or dinner experience. Nestled into beautiful heritage buildings or perched over the harbour with sweeping views, the setting offers a perfect pairing for your meal. Be sure to finish off your evening with a beer from our own craft brewery just up the hill from the heart of Cow Bay!
