Culture and Craft Brews in The City of Totems
The Cowichan Valley’s bustling heart is the City of Duncan, an hour’s drive north of Victoria. Canada’s smallest city by area, Duncan shouldn’t be underestimated—friendly locals, charming shops, artsy events, craft breweries, and streets packed with character combine to showcase its colourful spirit. Known as the City of Totems, the Quwʼutsun people have called these lands home for millennia.
Things to do
Where to eat
Where to stay
LET YOUR SENSES COME ALIVE
Things to do
Discover Duncan, the “City of Totems” and the main hub of the Cowichan Valley. Start with a self-guided walking tour of more than 40 totem poles carved by Indigenous artists displayed throughout the downtown core. Learn about the region’s rich history at the Cowichan Valley Museum, which showcases First Nations history, early European settlement, and the region’s logging and agriculture roots.
Duncan’s charming and walkable downtown core, speckled with Victorian-era architecture, and more than 300 businesses, offers a wide range of shopping. Visitors can browse art galleries, quirky boutiques, clothing stores, and specialty shops for local goods and handcrafted jewelry.
The city is also a vibrant hub for markets, hosting one of British Columbia’s oldest year-round Farmers’ Markets every Saturday. The market features more than 100 vendors, live music, and local food. Beyond downtown, visitors can ride a historic train at the nearby BC Forest Discovery Centre, watch birds of prey flying demonstrations at the Raptors Centre, or visit the nearby fishing village of Cowichan Bay.
Where to eat
Duncan’s vibrant downtown offers a diverse and accessible culinary experience for visitors with bistros, cafés, bakeries, and casual eateries all within easy walking distance. It’s an ideal place to stop for a full meal, a coffee break, or locally made sweets from chocolatiers.
Wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries across the broader region offer tours and tastings to sample regional craft beverages. The heart of local food culture is the Duncan Farmers’ Market, held every Saturday, where visitors can sample local fare, fresh produce, prepared food, and goods from local farmers, makers, and artisans. From June to November, the downtown night market adds another lively option with food vendors and fresh local produce alongside live music and a friendly community atmosphere.
Where to stay
As the urban centre of the Cowichan Valley, Duncan offers a variety of accommodation options as a convenient base for exploring the region. Accommodation options cater to all preferences and budgets, ranging from well-appointed hotels and motels located near the city core and the Trans Canada Highway to more intimate experiences found at local bed and breakfasts, stunning countryside farms, or unique forested retreats. Campsites are another option for those preferring a nature-centric experience with outdoor opportunities.
Regardless of the choice, visitors in Duncan are centrally located to enjoy the city’s historical brick shopfronts, vibrant shopping, and cultural attractions like the City of Totems, ensuring a warm welcome and easy access to the entire Cowichan Valley’s offerings.
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