A first-timer’s weekend in Prince George

Visiting Prince George for the first time? Whether you are here for a tournament, a conference, a family visit or a stop on a northern road trip, two days is enough to get a real feel for the city. This itinerary works from late spring to early fall, with winter swaps at the end. Adjust it to your pace.

Day one: the confluence and the city

Morning: where the rivers meet

Start where Prince George started. Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park sits on the site of the Lheidli T’enneh village and the 1807 Fort George trading post, at the edge of the Fraser River. Walk the riverside path, take in the silt bluffs across the water and spend a moment reading about the park’s history. The Lheidli T’enneh cemetery lies within the park; treat it with respect.

Then head inside The Exploration Place, the museum and science centre in the park. Give yourself at least 90 minutes for the history, natural history and Lheidli T’enneh galleries, plus hands-on science if you have kids. If the Fort George Railway is running, a ride behind the 1912 “Little Prince” steam engine is a local rite of passage.

Background reading: Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and history of Prince George.

Lunch: downtown

Head downtown for lunch at one of the independent cafés or restaurants. Browse the restaurant and café directories to plan ahead.

Afternoon: art and a riverside walk

Walk off lunch at Two Rivers Gallery, the city’s public art gallery, which presents rotating contemporary exhibitions (it is usually closed Mondays).

Then drive or bike to Cottonwood Island Park on the Nechako. The 2.2 km loop winds through huge black cottonwoods, over footbridges and past wood carvings, with views of the Nechako cutbanks. Next door, the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum has vintage locomotives and logging equipment spread across an outdoor site.

The whole riverfront is linked by the Heritage River Trail, about 9 km of mostly flat path. Read Five walks along the rivers for routes.

Evening: hockey or theatre

From fall to spring, the best night out in town is a Prince George Cougars WHL game at the CN Centre: loud, affordable and full of local pride. Otherwise, check what is on at Theatre NorthWest or the Prince George Playhouse, or catch the Prince George Symphony Orchestra. Dinner downtown puts you close to all three.

Day two: views and ancient trees

Early morning: the best view in town

Drive up Cranbrook Hill to Forests for the World and walk to the lookout. It is a short climb to a panorama of the whole city: the bowl, the Fraser and Nechako valleys and, on a clear day, the Rocky Mountains. Morning light is lovely, and you may see moose or beaver around Shane Lake.

Knowing the backstory makes the view better. Our explainer Why Prince George sits in a bowl takes five minutes to read.

Late morning to afternoon: the Ancient Forest

Pack a lunch and drive about 115 km east on Highway 16 to Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut. Boardwalks lead through an inland temperate rainforest of giant western redcedars, some estimated at around 2,000 years old. The 450 m universal-access boardwalk is easy for everyone, and the longer 2.3 km boardwalk reaches the biggest trees and a waterfall. Plan on 1.5 hours of driving each way and 1 to 2 hours in the forest.

Before you go, read Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut: what to know.

Late afternoon: a lake stop

On the way back, stop at Purden Lake Provincial Park, 64 km east of the city, for a swim or a walk along the shore in summer.

Evening: a pint and a photo

Back in town, try a local brewery taproom (see the bars and breweries directory), then stop for the essential photo with Mr. PG, the city’s 8-metre forestry mascot at the junction of Highways 16 and 97.

If you are here in winter

Swap in:

• Otway Nordic Centre for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, with lit trails for evenings.
• Tabor Mountain or the Hart Highlands ski hill for downhill runs.
• Coldsnap Music Festival if you visit in early February.

See winter activities.

If it rains

Swap the outdoor stops for:

• The Exploration Place for a longer visit, and Two Rivers Gallery downtown.
• All Around Gamerz on Victoria Street for VR and retro arcade games, with escape rooms and axe throwing at GameversePG next door.
• Black Diamond Bowl and Billiards on 5th Avenue or Strike Zone for bowling and glow mini golf.
• OVERhang for indoor climbing, or a swim at the Canfor Leisure Pool.

More ideas in things to do: indoor fun.

Practical tips

• Weather. Pack layers year-round. Summer evenings are cool, and winter can swing from mild to very cold. Check the weather dashboard.
• Smoke. In wildfire season, check the air quality dashboard before long outdoor days.
• Getting around. A car makes this itinerary easiest. See getting here and around.
• Wildlife. Bears and moose use city green spaces. Keep your distance and your dog on a leash.
• Visitor info. Tourism Prince George can help with maps and current events.

Want more ideas? Our full guide to things to do in Prince George has plenty.