For a province with so much rugged, natural beauty to marvel after, British Columbia also offers modern tourism right in the middle of it all. The capital city of Victoria is the political heart of British Columbia and is also the home to some of the best museums in Western Canada. With so many different modes of transportation, tourist can be carted around by double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages and even water taxis or ferry service which transports passengers to remote islands and inlets. The ferries operate along the magnificent coastline, serving almost 50 ports of call. Driving routes are scenic with good signage, making road trips enjoyable and easy. Of course, rail is also available with the White Pass and Yukon Route running between Alaska and the Yukon by way of British Columbia.

Each year, lots of people make the decision to vacation in British Columbia for various reasons. The great outdoors is always enticing for nature lovers while city life is vibrant and inviting to die-hard metropolitan fans. So rest assured, any time you visit British Columbia it will be a memorable one. Exploring the one-of-a-kind attractions in BC is reason enough for a visit. Whether you are a ski enthusiast or a typical snow bunny, the opportunity to venture out on the slopes and diverse terrain is worth the trip. Some of British Columbia’s major ski resorts are:

• Apex Mountain Resort
• Big White Ski Resort
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
• Mount Washington Alpine Resort
• Revelstoke Mountain Resort
• Silver Star Mountain Resort
• Sun Peaks Resort
• Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb is legendary and considered to be one of the top four-season resorts in North America. It tops several lists for its skiing and boarding as well as for its golf courses and restaurants. Whistler Village boasts fine dining, a lively nightlife, unique boutiques, spas and hotels. Whistler also ranked #2 out of the Top 10 Family Vacations in Canada on Trip Advisor’s 2011 Traveler’s Choice Best Vacations. No wonder so many people vacation in British Columbia each year.

Vancouver’s Lookout observation deck is just one more point of interest. A ride up the glass sky lift elevator takes you to the top of the Harbour Centre Tower for a panoramic view the lower mainland, the northern mountains and southern valleys. Guided tours are available on the Observation Deck with friendly multilingual guides on hand to engage visitors in trivia and point out lesser known facts about Greater Vancouver. The Lookout is also equipped with a cappuccino bar which serves light snacks and refreshments and features a large screen video theatre.

The activities and attractions in BC are numerous and varied. Sea kayaking, sailing, sailboarding and whitewater rafting are popular sports that take place on quite a few inland rivers. Evident by the Olympic Games, Canada has a pretty strong participation and fan base in sports such as: golf, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, curling, figure skating and cross-country bike touring to name a few. So it comes as no great surprise that British Columbia has presented to the world some of the finest athletes around, especially in aquatic and winter sports.

Lakes and rivers located in Canada’s spectacular wilderness are well-stocked with fish of all types and species, attracting serious anglers from all over the world. Even inexperienced fisherman can expect to hook Chinook salmon, white sturgeon, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, whitefish, pike and bass just to name a few.

Surely, a dream vacation in British Columbia would not be complete without checking out as much as possible. The wine and sightseeing tours are very popular. Also, a trip to at least one of the many museums will be worth your while. Many of them give insight into the Aboriginal culture. Some of these top tourist destinations include: The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, the Haida Heritage Centre on Haida Gwaii and the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Center in Osoyoos.

The renowned BC gardens give a whole new meaning to “stop and smell the roses.” They are truly some of the world’s premiere utopias, forever flourishing under the proper amount of sunshine and rain. Another treat for the whole family is Science World at Telus World of Science, which is located in Vancouver. The building is located at the end of False Creek and features interactive displays, exhibits and experiments.

When it comes to vacation and travel, why not make it count. Make plans today to visit British Columbia for the ultimate Canadian exploration and experience. There is never a dull moment with plenty of things to do and see in beautiful British Columbia.