All articlesThings to Do in Duncan
Morning: Waterfront nature walks fuelled by top-notch coffee
Start your day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee from Duncan’s buzzy Hank’s Bakery and Coffee. Pick a pastry or two from their tantalizing display of sweet and savoury baked goods for the road.
A 5-minute drive takes you to the Cowichan Bay Estuary Trail. Here you’ll find a tranquil pathway with pretty wildflowers, wide open spaces, and elevated platforms for scouting wildlife. Waterways cut through the landscape where many birds make their home, and migratory birds rest and hunt. This is a fantastic location to make use of the BC Bird Trail App—you might spot anything from waterfowl and Barn swallows to Osprey and Eagles.
Appreciate our picturesque country roads by taking the slower road heading south to Cowichan Bay. Grab a tide-to-table seafood lunch from the likes of The Cook and Butcher or Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery, and an ice cream from Original Udder Guys. Cowichan Bay is a quaint waterfront community that prioritizes a “go with the slow” mentality, with quiet nooks, artsy makers, and an appreciation for marine heritage. Visit the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre to learn about the community’s rich wooden boatbuilding history. Stop by stores stocking local goods inspired by the region’s flora and wildlife—from handmade, all-natural perfumes at Wild Coast Perfumery to pottery at the Mud Room Clayworks.
Afternoon: Taste the unique terroir that put us on the map
Drive along Koksilah Road, crossing Highway 1, and continue on the west side to arrive at the award-winning Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Here you’ll get to taste the results of the Cowichan Valley’s unique terroir and growing climate and Blue Grouse Estate’s sustainable methods. Like many of the Cowichan Valley’s wineries, Blue Grouse puts the health of the Cowichan Valley’s lands and waters at the heart of its business.
As you rejoin Koksilah Road heading north toward Duncan, look out for signage for artist studios and farm stands. You can stop at hotspots like Miller + Co. Furniture and Pottery and the Cowichan Milk Company. Make sure to spot the Cowichan Valley’s oldest working farm, Keating Farm, shortly before you arrive in the heart of the City of Duncan.
Evening: “Dinner and a show” Duncan-style
Swap “dinner and a show” for dinner and the renowned Duncan Totem Tour, which showcases one of the world’s largest outdoor public totem collections. Start beside the Cowichan Valley Museum in the Charles Hoey V.C. Memorial Park. Then follow the yellow footprints, in a three-block loop around Station Street, Government Street, and Kenneth Street. Depending on the time of year, you might get to enjoy a live music accompaniment to your wanderings as Duncan’s artistic spirit comes alive through events like 39 Days of July. After you’ve got your culture and history fix, head for dinner in a venue filled with character and friendly locals, like the Craig Street Brew Pub.
