Only in the Kootenays will you find some of the most unique, historic, cultural attractions found in the world! These fascinating gems hold the key to our memorable past and the character of our remarkable communities.  Come discover some of our unusual interests only found in the Kootenays!

AINSWORTH HOT SPRINGS RESORT

The hot springs originate around the Cody Caves above and to the east of Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. The water works its way down through fractures in the rock, increasing in temperature at a rate of 40C per km until it is a lakeshore fault — a rock layer on a 45-degree angle. This hot springs feature a unique horseshoe cave with falling mineral waters that form into a pool, providing a natural steam bath.  

DOUKHOBOR DISCOVER CENTRE

Celebrating over 110 years, the Doukhobor Discover Centre in Castlegar is a rare heritage attraction nestled at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers. This museum, on traditional Doukhobor orchard land, will introduce you to the unique skills, beliefs, culture and lifestyle of the Doukhobors as lived circa 1908-1939.  This complete communal village offers videos, thousands of artifacts, communal house with petch (over), the banya (sauna), linen textiles and other crafts.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

The Enchanted Forest, west of Revelstoke, is a magical place where visitors can see, touch and step into the homes of fairytale heroes, villains and creatures that hold so many memories for all of us. The main trail of the grand forest provides the setting for over 350 jolly folk art figurines, BC’s tallest grandest treehouse that rises fifty feet into the forest canopy and a giant stump house with surprises around every corner.

GRAIN ELEVATORS

The two ‘grain elevators’ alongside Highway 3 in Creston are a very few in Canada that are still standing and have survived!  The grain elevators were built in 1935 and 1936, with the red one being the first. They were built to accommodate the wheat and grain crops expected from the Creston flats once they were reclaimed, a project also took place in 1935. Farmers sold their grain to the elevator, which then distributed it to markets in other parts of the country and to destinations around the world.

[NOTE] – Renovations to one of the Grain Elevators is completed. The first one (red) has received structural upgrades and site grading to level the surrounding area to improve water drainage and prevent future damage from moisture. The doors and windows were also replaced or were refurbished.

THE GLASS HOUSE

This unusual roadside attraction was built from over half a million discarded embalming fluid bottles. In 1952, David H. Brown retired from 35 years in the funeral business. It occurred to Brown that there should be some practical use to put the bottles to.

The Glass House in Boswell-Sanca, is built in a cloverleaf patter with three main rooms, circular shape, 48 feet in length, 24 feet wide and with the upstairs room, it contains 1,200 sq. ft. of floor space. Flowers border pathways entice visitors from the terrace over a bridge also built of glass bottles. A winding path beneath the bridge leads to the lakeshore and a lookout called the ‘lighthouse’ offers spectacular views of Kootenay Lake.

NIKKEI INTERNMENT MEMORIAL CENTRE

During World War II, over 20,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated from the coast to remove internment camps. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is located on the side of one of ten such camps in the Slocan Valley (in New Denver) and is dedicated to the preservation of the physical history and personal memories of Japanese Canadian internees.

It is the only interpretive site of its kind in Canada and contains original internment shacks and a large hand carved Buddhist shrine that was built by a temple carpenter during the war. A beautiful commemorative garden has been created by master gardener and former internee Mr. Roy Sumi.

CASTLEGAR SCULPTUREWALK

Castlegar Sculpturewalk features sculptures by local and international talented artists, located on a pleasant walking tour. Visitors can vote for their favourite piece via ballot, the winner of the People’s Choice Award is purchased by the city for their permanent collection.  Castlegar is the Sculpture Capital of Canada™.

SS MOYIE

Step back in time aboard the oldest sternwheeler in the world! The SS Moyie, in Kaslo, is the oldest surviving intact vessel of her type in the world. Berthed at the edge of Kootenay Lake, the sternwheeler rests permanently in her former port of call. Owned and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the SS Moyie plied the waters of Kootenay Lake for nearly 60 years.  Launched in 1898 to provide connecting service to Nelson from CPR’s Crowsnest pass line from the east, the Moyie remained a fixture on Kootenay Lake until 1957. 

STREETCAR #23

Located in Nelson, this is a fully refurnished streetcar – Streetcar #23. The tramway has been actively working in the Kootenays since 1924. Today, you can ride the streetcar along the Kootenay Lake waterfront during the summer until Thanksgiving weekend. The streetcar runs from the Prestige Lakeside Hotel & Conference Centre Hotel to Rotary Lakeside Park.

KIMBERLEY UNDERGROUND MINING RAILWAY

Enjoy the spectacular views and hear the fascinating history of the ‘Great Sullivan Mine’ on Kimberley’s Underground Mining Railway. The rail links the downtown with the site of the old Sullivan Mine surface facilities and recent reclamation activities and continues its route shuttling riders to the base of the Kimberley Alpine Resort.

ZUCKERBERG ISLAND HERITAGE PARK

Fall into the past, relive the memories and enjoy the folklore of the island by going through the Chapel House in Castlegar. The Island park will take you back several thousand years to when the Lakes Salish people first fished and build their winter pit house; when explorer David Thompson sailed down the Columbia River over 200 years ago and when Alexander Zuckerberg built his unique Russian Orthodox Chapel House.

Alexander Zuckerberg, a great Russian writer, humanitarian and pacifist, came to Canada to teach Doukhobor children. Shortly afterwards he settle on the island (later named Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park) and began building the Chapel House. Zuckerberg was as unique as his work and is greatly admired to this day by many people.

There are still more:
Cranbrook — Step back in time at Fort Steele Heritage Town.

Fairmont — The Hoodoos are unique land formation created over time Fairmont Hot Springs — Funtastia Fun Park where all their lamas have unique hair cuts, including mohawks.

Kootenay Bay — Our one and only lighthouse in the Kootenays, on Kootenay Lake, is located at the Pilot Bay Provincial Park.

Parson — World’s Largest Paddle at Columbia Outpost Adventures

Revelstoke — at Craigellachie the last spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway on November 7, 1885

Sparwood — Terex Titan: The World’s Largest haul truck

Yahk — Yahk Soap Company go and see their goats on their roof 

Yoho/Kootenay National Park — Burgess Shale Fossils are over 508+ million years old