Wondering how Port Albernians get their kicks? Heaps.
In the spring and summer months, Port Alberni’s Farmer’s Market sells loads cool swag (produce, smoked meats, exotic eggs, baked goods, homemade soaps, arts, crafts, home-made dog biccies, etc.) every Saturday down at the Harbour Quay, where several quaint cafés, restaurants and an outstanding doughnut shop (homemade yummy fresh everyday) operate year round.
Rendezvous Dive Adventures for a brilliant underwater dive tour of the area or a classic outdoor West Coast wilderness tour via boat (in which seeing black bears, raccoons, eagles and grey whales is commonplace).
Those interested in sea fishing have come to just the right spot, as Port Alberni is pegged the Salmon Capital of Canada. At the Quay, you will find heaps of fishing boats and guides waiting to show you the beauty and magic hidden in the rod, the reel, and the fly.
As you will also see once here, the artisan community in Port Alberni thrives healthily, and the town is home to many public and private galleries, showcasing everything from paint to glass to pottery to woodwork. Both the Clock Tower Gallery and the Waterfront Gallery are located on the Harbour Quay. Other galleries in town include Rollin, ahtsik, L7, Snow Apple Studios, and Sweet Avenue Shop. Local artists include Kelly Poirier, Mickey Smeele, Todd Robinson, Moy Sutherland, Ray Sim, Rodney Sayers, Gordon Dick, and Tim Paul. We’re loaded, dudes.
For those curious about Canada’s lumber industry and history, MacLean Mill, Canada’s only steam-operated mill, offers several interesting and educational logging and pulp-mill tours in season, for a reasonable rate. You can get there on the Number 7 steam engine that, conveniently enough, leaves from the station located behind the Fat Salmon. Ask Angus for details. He’ll be pleased to tell you ALL about it. Really, just ask. We dare you.
The Alberni Valley Museum boasts wicked permanent and temporary displays for your enjoyment and education. Nuu-chah-nulth art and culture, as well as an interesting overview of the West Coast’s roots in logging, fishing, and farming are paramount to the museum, with several other smaller exhibits besides. There is also a super-cool exhibit on the 1964 tsunami that ripped through Port Alberni.
And, for the voyeur in you, take a wee wander about town to appreciate the Port Alberni murals that are throughout (look for the forest scene on Argyle, by the leathersmith’s shop; it’s magic). Or, if the murals are too tame a thing for your senses, look to the skies and perhaps you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Martin Mars Water Bombers, the world’s largest flying boats ever flown operationally. They are now used in British Columbia to fight forest fires.