Ideas for things to do near Prince Rupert train station

Set on beautiful Kaien Island, about 600 km north of Vancouver, the port city of Prince Rupert is undeniably a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This little gem of the Coast Mountains invites you to take in some of British Columbia's most majestic scenery without having to fight your way through hordes of other people. Plus, it's easy to get there by rail!

Here are a few ideas for discovering Prince Rupert's treasures and packing in adventure just steps from the train station.

What to do once you arrive in Prince Rupert?

Located 4 km from Prince Rupert Station, Rotary Waterfront Park is a great destination on any wander in any weather. The park is a popular outdoor venue during community celebrations like Seafest or National Indigenous Peoples Day. Take the opportunity to visit the historic Kwinitsa Railway Museum right next door. Then end your day by watching a spectacular sunset over the busy harbour before following the Millenial Walkway, a path right along the shore that takes you towards the funky Cow Bay area.

Explore Cow Bay's hidden corners

Now a hub for shops, tours, and restaurants, Cow Bay was once replete with fish processing plants and what businesses were there catered specifically to industry. Over the years, the focus has moved towards tourism; for example, the former Atlin Fish Plant now houses the Ice House Gallery, run by a cooperative of artists from Northern British Columbia.

Be sure to stroll the 180-meter public pier at Cow Bay Marina. Interpretive wildlife signage and viewing binoculars installed at the end of the breakwater make this a great place to get an up-close look at the whales, harbour porpoises, and seals that often pop up nearby.

Eating and drinking in Prince Rupert

When it's time for a bite, you're in luck: Prince Rupert is one of those special towns where the chain eateries are well outnumbered by small businesses offering unique and memorable cuisine. Among them is Cowpuccino's Coffee House in the Cow Bay neighborhood, about 4 km from Prince Rupert Station. This whimsically-named and bovinely-decorated coffee shop sits so close to the shore that high tides can flood the basement at certain times of the year.

Prince Rupert is also lucky to be a part of the craft brewery revolution currently sweeping the nation; in a few short years, the Wheelhouse Brewing Company has become a singular mainstay of the local pub scene. The cave-like atmosphere of the basement tasting room is simultaneously dimly lit and brightly convivial. It's definitely the place to be on a Friday night when locals clock off for the weekend and pack the long benches elbow to elbow to sample beers with names like Gillnetter, Blacksmith, and Scurvy Dog.

Admire Prince Rupert's street art

As you move around Prince Rupert, you're sure to notice that many of the buildings have been adorned with skillfully painted murals of local wildlife, such as whales, bears, deer, eagles, and wolves. A spectacular mural on the back of the Save-On Foods grocery store, 3 km from Prince Rupert Station, features the history of Prince Rupert from its First Nations origins to the current day. When those rainy days do bear down a little hard on the town, these bright splashes of colour and art brighten my mood every time.

Hiking and walking in Prince Rupert

In my mind, no visit to Prince Rupert is complete without excursions to some of the nearby walking trails. Rain or shine, they are worth the trip, even a few kilometers from town!

Butze Rapids is a 5 km wide gravel trail that winds through forest glades and muskeg meadows, eating seasonal huckleberries from the bushes beside the path. Be sure to check the tides before you go; Butze Rapids gets its name from an impressive reversing tidal flow between Kaien Island and the mainland. On certain large tides you might even see kayakers surfing the rapids' standing waves.

An additional hundred meters or so down the highway from Butze Rapids's parking lot is the trailhead for the Tall Trees Trail, a 4 km trail that will take you up the side of the mountain and offers beautiful views of the harbour and the surrounding area. Warning: the hike starts gently, but does get quite steep and strenuous. Fortunately, there is a bench for recovering at the top.

The adventure begins on the train

For a small, remote city, Prince Rupert packs a big punch. Let the train carry you along the Skeena Valley, where rainforests, fjords, and coastal villages glide past the wide windows to the soothing rhythm of the rails.

Choosing rail means traveling calmly and sustainably, with simple connections via Jasper and the freedom to plan stopovers along the way. Pack your rain jacket, your camera, your curiosity, and your taste for adventure; from your departure to the sunsets over the harbor, the train is the common thread of your adventure!

About the author

Frances Riley has never let the rain stop her from having a good time outdoors in her home town of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. She and her husband, Richard, own The Argosy, an antique shop, and Haley Apparel, a screen printing studio. An avid adventurer, she also sings and plays guitar in her band, and writes whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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