Downtown Nanaimo has a lot for the visitor to the city of Nanaimo to see, with historical buildings, which were built between the 1800’s and 1900’s, the cafes, the shops and the modern architecture. Visitors touring downtown Nanaimo can find maps and brochures at the Downtown Nanaimo Information Center.
These buildings include the Best Western Dorchester Hotel that was built in 1889 and still has the elegant lobby of yesteryear. There is Saint Paul’s Anglican Church that is a neo gothic design, built in 1931, the Painted Turtle Guesthouse that was originally the Commerce Hotel, and was built in 1913.
While walking in Downtown Nanaimo the area between Church, Commercial and Bastion Streets visitors will find the Arts District, where many private galleries are located. The Nanaimo Museum is located downtown, along with the Jungle Cabaret, the Spice Lounge and the Old City Station Pub. On Skinner Street, there is the Palace Hotel that was constructed in 1889, and has an ornate tin ceiling that was installed in 1941.
On Bastion Street, there is the Bastion Street Bridge. The bridge was rebuilt in the original location in 1937; the original bridge was a wooden trestle bridge that linked Nanaimo’s railway station to the waterfront. On the corner of Wesley Street there is St. Andrew’s United Church, which is a large church that was constructed in 1893. Inside of this old church there is a 1901 pipe organ to go along with the wonderful old architecture.
The Nanaimo Firehall No.2 was built in 1893 and has a watchtower from its original construction, which is located off of Victoria Road and the Occidental Hotel that is on Fitzwilliam Street opened its doors to guests in 1886. Another site that should not be missed on a walking tour of Nanaimo is Nob Hill Park, the Queens Hotel, which was constructed in 1892 and the Cambie Hotel constructed of red brick in 1916.
|
