Great Things To Do In Nanaimo

[Rew Julie]

It's a few months until the REW Summit, but I think now is a great time for us to discuss some of the fun things that people can do in Nanaimo. I wrote a blog post last year about some of the places that are easily explorable from the hotels in the downtown area - blog post - but there's plenty that I didn't cover!

One of these is Heritage Mews, a fun outdoor shopping area that I have been known to frequent on my lunch breaks, as it contains a number of interesting shops - Back Page Books, Mad About Ewe (knitting shop), and A Wee Cupcakery, which contains my favourite cupcake of all time - the Killer Chocolate Cheesecake.

How about the rest of you Nanaimo people - got a favourite place that would be a great diversion for people attending this year's Summit?

[Rew Lisa]

My favourite places downtown are:

Mon Petit Choux French cafe on Commercial Street - amazing French toast!

Troller's Fish and Chips on the docks - best fish & chips anywhere, especially the salmon

The Waterfront Walkway - really nice spot to have a stroll along the water's edge and it has shops on one end as well.

The Art Galleries downtown on Commercial St.

[Rew Julie]

I totally forgot about the Fox and Hounds! It's a great English-style pub that serves the best fish and chips I've ever had! (definitely right up there with Trollers)

[Eric Blackwell]

One of my favorites is the Acme Rib and Sushi Company...a group of us went there last year after the conference. Great food. Good friends. Good times. ;-)

best

Eric

[SEO Nick]

One of my favorites is the Acme Rib and Sushi Company...a group of us went there last year after the conference. Great food. Good friends. Good times. ;-)

best

Eric

Acme's been surpassed by the Firehouse Grill, in my opinion, as the best restaurant in town.

[REW Jenn]

Deep fried mars bars at the Pirate shop (just down from REW)! Also Morgan tells me that the legend holds that you can bring in *anything* and they will deep fry it!

[REW Jon]

If you're a fan of Mexican food, Gina's is superb, and very authentic. If you're fussy about your surroundings, Penny's Palapa, in the harbor is also great for grub from south of the border (by that, I mean Mexico, not Seattle).

[REW Carrie]

When visiting Nanaimo, a trip to Protection Island is a must. After a 10 minute ferry ride, you can stroll the trails and enjoy some of the amazing scenery that British Columbia has to offer. Once you're tour is complete, who can resist a stop at the Dinghy Dock Pub (Canada's only floating pub).

[Rew Lisa]

As the most recent addition to my "favourite places in Nanaimo" list, I highly recommend dinner at the Fox & Hounds Pub on Milton street in downtown Nanaimo (located a mere few blocks from REW offices and a 10 min walk from the conference location). They have a quality selection of beers on tap, including a number of them made here in Nanaimo, as well as some really amazing food.

Fox & Hounds

[Rew Julie]

I've got to second that Fox and Hounds recommendation. We went there for St. Patrick's Day this year and the food was amazing!

The owners are planning to open an Irish pub in Nanaimo's historic E&N railway station next year, so hopefully by the time the 2011 Summit rolls around, we'll be able to recommend that as well!