Ladysmith, Vancouver Island

Posted by isn31c (Lake District, England ) on 08/21/26 07:20 AM

Just a quick question, I've been asked overnight what there is to do in Ladysmith BC for a day.

The enquirer is going there mainly for her genealogy next week, but asking me what else to do.

It's a 5 day trip split with Victoria, going up from Seattle, so 3 days on island, thus I guess one day in Ladysmith.

I can only find one reference on the entire forum to Ladysmith, which talks about cinnamon buns at the Old Time Bakery. From googling I think that is the Old Town Bakery?

I know my own ferry hopping plans, such as they are, are more focused on Nanaimo and Cumberland BC- due to its mining links with Cumberland, England but thats another 90 miles north.

Posted by laraalbie89

United States

08/21/26 08:53 AM

2 posts

Yeah it is Old Town Bakery on 1st Ave. That is famous across the island because of legendary cinnamon buns. And for Transfer Beach Park Ladysmith Museum & Archives and historic 1st Avenue are must to do things so you could get great views with waterfront.

Posted by James

08/21/26 11:49 AM

2970 posts

I have not been up to Ladysmith but about a quarter of the way up from Victoria, the Malahat Skywalk is well worth a visit. (You climb up a massive circular tower to see wonderful views from the top).

The Butchart Gardens are also well worth visiting. These are on the Saanich peninsula.

Posted by fred

Seattle, WA

08/21/26 01:52 PM

980 posts

Stuart

Will your “enquirer” be renting a car in Victoria?

There is no car ferry from Seattle to Victoria. Google maps shows a 2-1/2 bus journey from Victoria to Ladysmith (vs 65 minutes by car) and nearly one hour between Nanaimo and Ladysmith (vs. 17 minutes by car).

So, with relatively little time - 5 days RT from/to Seattle - it makes a difference. And, with a car, the possibility of going into Nanaimo in the evening is opened up.

FYI, if he/she is traveling from/to Seattle via the Victoria Clipper passenger ferry, it departs Seattle 11 am and arrives Victoria 2 pm. Departs Victoria 5 pm and arrives Seattle about 7:45 pm. Need to get to the ferry terminal at least 35 minutes prior to departure. So, much of departure day can be enjoyed in Victoria. (My very recent, mostly Victoria TR is here.)

If your “enquirer” is planning to travel with a car from Seattle, they need to take the Port Angeles (US) based Blackball Ferry or the BC ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.

Posted by isn31c OP

Lake District, England

08/21/26 06:43 PM

12286 posts

Definetly taking her own car. I would imagine going out on BCF and back on the Coho.
Last year we analysed the timings of the various routes to within an inch of your life. The Coho is too infrequent and there are too many vagaries of the routes to PA. (either ferry or drive round via Tacoma).
So BCF is the obvious choice outbound. Coming back it's less important once off the Coho.

Ladysmith was considered, off a cruise last year on a very rare 14 hour daytime call at Victoria, using a rental car.
I did a genealogical file then, to make best and most efficient use of that part of the day.
But she eventually decided on a gentle touristy day in Victoria. The previous road trip a few months earlier had been mainly the less likely sights of Victoria.

The Clipper just isn't an option, whereas it would be for me.