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History
Prince Rupert was originally founded by Charles Hay, the general manager for the Grand Truck Railway. Hays
came to the area in 1906 and quickly saw its potential to be the perfect terminus for marine trade, and travel
by rail or by sea. Unfortunately, Hayes later booked a passage on the Titanic and died when the ship sank.
Although Prince Rupert never became large enough to rival Vancouver (as Hayes had envisioned), over the past
century the city has forged its own unique identity, with a rich cosmopolitan culture and beautiful scenery.
The city's harbour handles large volumes of commercial traffic, with ships bringing grain, lumber, pulp, mineral ore,
sulphur, and coal to international markets.
Location
Prince Rupert is located on Kaien Island, just off the northwest coast of BC and at the western
end of Yellowhead Highway 16. It is roughly 48 kilometres south of Alaska, 145 kilometres away from
Terrace, and 725 kilometres away from Prince George.
BC Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway System operate year-round routes to Prince Rupert.
VIA Rail offers daylight service between Prince Rupert and Jasper, stopping overnight in
Prince George. Three arrivals and departures a week. The cruise between Port Hardy and Prince
Rupert offers an exciting journey along BC's Inside Passage. During peak season there are
frequent sailings to Skidegate in Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands.
Air Canada Jazz flies twice daily from Vancouver International Airport connecting with domestic
and international carriers. Hawkair flies daily from Vancouver's convenient South Terminal. Flying
time is approximately two hours.
Greyhound Bus Lines offers twice-a-day service between Prince Rupert and Prince George, with
connections to points north, south and east.
Places to See
- North Pacific Cannery
Built in 1889, today, the North Pacific Historic Fishing Village is a National Historic Site.
It is the most complete cannery that remains of the remote villages which once dotted the
West Coast. Experience mouth-watering food, licensed dining, cozy lodging, wildlife, and
beautiful scenery, with live performances, tours and exhibits in this wooden cannery village
suspended on pilings over an estuary of the Skeena River.
In North Pacific's remarkable river setting you will be transported back to the hectic days of
cannery life. A live show set against a backdrop of historic photos will bring to life the
characters and the story of the North Coast fisheries. Displays are housed in original buildings and
guided tours describe the canning process, fishing methods and lifestyles.
- Pike Island
Laxspa'aws is the Tsimshian name for the tiny island across from the community of Metlakatla and set
on the reserve land of the Metlakatla Band. Its name means "island of sand" and it is locally known as
Pike Island.
The island is covered by a mature forest canopy that provides comfortable shelter for visitors. Gentle
walking trails have been cleared and covered with wood chips to make walking easy and enjoyable. Occasional
benches provide a place to pause and enjoy the forest enclave.
Despite the island's small size, there are five archaeological sites. Of these, three are village sites and
archaeological evidence suggests that two of them were last occupied some 1,800 years ago. As you visit the
sites, guides will point out depressions on the forest floor and show you where longhouses once stood. Depending
on the tide, you may see petroglyphs (rock carvings) as you walk along the beach. You can also learn about
Tsimshian heritage and you will learn about the traditional uses of cedar and other plants while you explore.
- Museum of Northern BC
Your visit to the Museum will begin with a warm welcome in the impressive longhouse lobby with its massive cedar
timbers and contemporary glass art. Here you can choose from a wide variety of guided tours and other museum programs.
As you make your way through the exhibits in the Great Hall and the Treasures Gallery, you will discover the legacy
of archeological artifacts, unique works of art and oral history that portray thousands of years of Northwest Coast
history and culture. Here you will also encounter the dramatic history of the more recent period: the fur trade, the
construction of the railway, the development of the fishing industry and the creation of modern day communities.
In the Hall of Nations you will discover the rich diversity of Northwest Coast nations and their unique ceremonial art,
and in the Monumental Gallery, with its spectacular view of the harbour, you can view exciting current works by contemporary
Northwest Coast artists. See as well, the Ruth Harvey Art Gallery, which displays a wide variety of local and regional art.
A visit to the Museum's spectacular Gift Shop will complete your experience with a souvenir of your visit to Prince Rupert. The
Gift Shop offers original works by Northwest Coast artists in wood, argillite and other media, Northwest Coast jewellery, and
a wide variety of other souvenirs. To learn more about the rich history and heritage of this region you can browse through the
Gift Shop's extensive book selection.
- Kwinitsa Railway Station Museum
Located in Prince Rupert's waterfront park, Kwinitsa Railway Station Museum provides adults and children alike with an exciting
journey into the history of Canada's northern railway and the many small stations like Kwinitsa along its route. Exhibits portray
the development of early Prince Rupert, from its days as the tent town at the terminus of the Grand Trunk Railway to its birth as
a city in the 1920's.
- Downtown
Many of the pioneer buildings from Prince Rupert's early days as a railroad town still form the core of Prince Rupert's Historic
Downtown Shopping District. Because of this Prince Rupert retains some of the appearance of a thriving frontier community inside
the modern city. In fact, a statue of the first president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway stands with totem poles beside City
Hall on Third Avenue, aptly representing the twin foundations of today's city.
The Historic Downtown is today the general shopping district. Visitors will find a selection of grocery and department stores, and
a very wide variety of shops and galleries, in a scenic setting with fountains, gardens and totem poles sprinkled among the historic
architecture.
- Cow Bay
Officially Cameron Cove, this part of Prince Rupert was once known as "Vickersville." Squatters settled here in the days when the
downtown was strictly controlled by the railroad company. When a dairy was opened here in 1909, there was no dock and the cattle had
to swim ashore. The dairy didn't last long-but the name Cow Bay survived and today has become a theme in a trendy shopping district.
Today Cow Bay is a waterfront area of historic buildings- many of them built on pilings over the water. Though visitors will still
find working marine shops providing services for the commercial fleet, Cow Bay is a trendy shopping district where visitors can book
area tours, visit a variety of boutiques (including souvenir and gift shops), or relax in one of several restaurants and coffee shops.
The Atlin Terminal shopping centre features the Ice House Gallery, and an artists' cooperative where visitors can browse through a wide
selection of works by local artists.
Things to Do
- Fishing!
Escape the crowd, in this last frontier of sport fishing. The waters around Prince Rupert are rich in the nutrients that support an abundant
fish population and straddle the migratory salmon routes. Here you can fish all five species of salmon: chinook, coho, chum, pink,
and sockeye. Yet salmon are only the beginning. Jig for halibut, lingcod, or the various species of rockfish, and enjoy the flavorful crab,
prawns and shrimp.
Those who prefer freshwater angling will reap dramatic rewards. The Skeena River is one of British Columbia's most important salmon producers,
and is famous for its wild salmon and steelhead. The fly and bar fishing are phenomenal.
The wilderness around Prince Rupert is sprinkled with lakes and streams that feature great cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Some visitors
even book fly-in cabins on the remote mountain lakes.
- Wildlife Viewing!
The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in North America, protects prime grizzly habitat. Some 50 grizzlies, along
with numerous black bears, are known to make their home in the area. Situated northeast of Prince Rupert, the Khutzeymateen is accessible by
air and by water.
Bear watching begins in the spring when the grizzlies descend from their dens to feed on the lush shoreline sedges. From the silence and safety
of boats, you may watch as they graze, often feeding on mussels and other sea treats. Whether you come by boat or by plane, the spectacular scenery
is an attraction in itself.
Whales are plentiful in the waters around Prince Rupert. For many, the sight of humpbacks, grays, orcas, or minkes leaves an impression that will last
a lifetime. The timing of your visit will determine what species you see. It could be humpbacks lunge feeding or bubble netting, or the migrating grays
that pass through in spring. Orcas frequent the area, and you will identify the minke by its small head and sharply curved dorsal fin.
Much of the bird population spends the summer at sea, and ferry travellers often carry binoculars to watch for rare and unusual sightings. Kayakers and
boaters are often rewarded with a close look at sea birds or curious river otters, and frequently encounter seals and sea lions.
High mountain ledges are populated by mountain goats, most easily seen from an aircraft. And though shy and elusive, you may catch a glimpse of a wolf
among the trees.
- Outdoor Adventure Tours
Outdoor adventure tours vary greatly in terms of difficulty, length, comfort level and expense, but people agree-exploration of the Northwest Coast
wilderness is worthwhile and rewarding. Here, a preferred method of exploration is by boat. Whether you paddle or cruise, the spectacular geography and
remote location will long be remembered.
Kayaking is easy to master and is the perfect way to explore the coastal environment, allowing you to quietly study the wild coastline. Depending on the
timing of your visit, there are even places where you may be able to paddle with whales. Guided kayak trips range from three hours to seven days.
Island explorations are also popular. You can hire a boat to explore the beaches and forests of nearby islands. For a truly memorable experience, finish
off your beachcombing with a feast of fresh crab boiled up on the beach.
Walks and hikes around the city range from easy to very challenging. The groomed trails at Butze Rapids and Grassy Bay offer informative interpretive walks
in the coastal rainforest.
Events
February steps off with the All-Native Tournament, Canada's largest First Nation's basketball
competition, and the longest running event in Northern B.C.
In March young residents are feted, encouraging and showcasing their creativity at the Children's
Festival. This high-energy affair draws over a thousand eager participants and earns very high marks.
Come May, serious dance competitors from across Western Canada visit to compete for one of North
America's richest prize purses at the B.C. Annual Dance Competition, where tough adjudicators award
an impressive $50,000 in cash prizes. In May the city will also be celebrating Homecoming,
when Ruperites from all over the globe come home to partake in a week's worth of festivities.
This event is not to be missed!
June is the busiest festival month, with Seafest and the richness of Canada's people with National
Aboriginal Day.
July features Canada Day and Cow Bay Days, followed closely by August's Udder Theatre Festival, offering
a full menu of first-rate performances by talented thespians. Throughout the spring and summer, the Prince
Rupert Garden Club also plays host to numerous events, from plant sales to the ever popular "Tour and Tea".
Halloween Fest is an indoor party, and the Festival of Lights and the Christmas Carol Sailpast highlight
December's Winterfest.
Bonspiels, concerts, theatre and arts events, tournaments and other gatherings round out the social calendar,
providing many opportunities to celebrate Prince Rupert's identity, heritage, and accomplishments.
Notable Comments
- "I like Prince Ru-pert!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic nine-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Tourism Prince Rupert
Visitor Services and Info Centre
Atlin Terminal
100-215 Cow Bay Road
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1A2
Toll Free: 1-800-667-1994
Phone: 250-624-5637
Fax: 250-624-6105
Email: prinfo@citytel.net
Website: http://www.tourismprincerupert.com
Prince Rupert & District Chamber of Commerce
100-215 Cow Bay Road
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1A2
Phone: 250-624-2296
Toll Free: 1-800-667-1994
Fax: 250-624-6105
E-mail: manager@princerupertchamber.ca
Website: www.princerupertchamber.ca
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