Store your luggage around Nanaimo with Bounce

Located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is the second biggest city on this large landmass after the capital of British Columbia, Victoria. Home to a large port terminal in Departure Bay that connects it to Vancouver and mainland British Columbia, Nanaimo is a place you're as likely to reach on a cruise ship as you are by ferry or by car.

Known as something of a retirement community, Nanaimo offers a relaxed pace of living and incredible access to the great outdoors. It's the nearest major city to the beautiful coastal towns on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and combines small-town charm with all the amenities you need to enjoy a great vacation.

If you really want to enjoy your trip to Nanaimo, make sure to store luggage you don't need at a luggage storage facility in town. Luggage storage in Nanaimo makes it easy to travel light so you don't have to worry about your luggage while you enjoy the city.

Luggage storage in Nanaimo

Bounce makes luggage storage a breeze by partnering with local businesses in Nanaimo, as well as in hundreds of cities around the world. You can leave your bags behind for a few hours, an entire day, or for days at a time, and can store anything from suitcases to backpacks with our Nanaimo luggage storage partners. Our app makes it easy to find a luggage storage location near you, and you can easily switch between metric and imperial units for your bag sizes. Storing luggage has never been so easy.

Nanaimo city guide

Top things to do in Nanaimo

Beautiful outdoor locations like Pipers Lagoon Park and Petroglyph Park combine with more city-based activities like exploring the Old City Quarter to give Nanaimo its unique character. Although Nanaimo is hardly a big city, you'll find plenty to do in this popular part of British Columbia. Sort out your bags first, then try some of these great activities in the area.

Museums in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is a historic city that has been home to people for thousands of years. At the city's museums and historic sites, you can explore more of this fascinating heritage to see what makes the town what it is today.

• Nanaimo Museum: Located in the iconic Bastion, built in the 1850s by the Hudson Bay Company to defend the harbor, the Nanaimo Museum tells the story of the city from the earliest indigenous settlement through to European colonization and up to the present day. If you're interested in the history of the city, this is the first place to come to get a better look at what makes Nanaimo what it is.
• Vancouver Island Military Museum: One of the most significant military museums in all of British Columbia, this facility explores the history of Canadian conflict from the war of 1812 through the First and Second World Wars and up to the country's involvement in Afghanistan. Located on Nanaimo's waterfront, this is a great place to come to explore more of Canadian history, let alone the history of British Columbia and Vancouver Island specifically.
• Petroglyph Park: Just south of Nanaimo, this small urban park is a place no history buff should miss. The indigenous rock carvings here date back a thousand years or more and bear witness to the rich culture that was here before any Europeans knew Vancouver Island existed.

Shopping in Nanaimo

Nanaimo is big enough to have a good selection of stores, ranging from big-box retail outlets to small boutique stores set up to cater to the tourist trade.

• Mad About Ewe: This popular boutique is so much more than a yarn store. Locals gather to knit together in this creative space, and it is the perfect place to pick up unique souvenirs and meet local knitting enthusiasts.
• Board Game House: It's not much of a puzzle trying to figure out what they sell here. This hobby shop has a great collection of board games, both old and new.
• Lobelia's Lair: For those with an interest in the esoteric, this store is a must-visit. Candles, crystals, incense, tarot cards - you'll find all your occult needs among the cluttered shelves of this quirky store.

Restaurants in Nanaimo

Nanaimo has a good range of different restaurants, from classic national chains to small hole-in-the-wall joints that allow you to try cuisines from around the world. This small town is surprisingly multicultural, so whatever you like to eat, you can find it here.

• The View Oceanside Grill: Located inside the Best Western hotel, you'll know right away where this restaurant gets its name when you see the stunning ocean views from the dining room. You can't have a view like that and not specialize in seafood, so expect dishes like prosciutto-wrapped cod, blackened trout, and a lobster seafood platter. There's also lamb, pork, chicken, and beef on the menu, and vegetarians are catered for with a stuffed portobello cap.
• Mrs. Riches Restaurant: This cheery diner specializes in comfort food. Burgers, fish and chips, spaghetti, and homemade pie are all on the menu here, making it a great place to eat if you're in the mood for something familiar.
• Melange: One of the ritzier restaurants in Nanaimo, Melange is also one of the most creative. With a dedicated brunch menu, an extensive list of tapas, and mains that showcase the fresh produce of the region, including sockeye salmon, this is a great place to eat if you want a true taste of British Columbia.

Conclusion

Nanaimo is a fantastic place to visit, whether you want to see the great outdoors or enjoy small-town Canadian life. Just remember to drop off your bags at a Nanaimo luggage storage to really make the most of your trip.

Embarking on a trip across Canada? Don't forget to consult our helpful guides for Mississauga, North York, and Victoria. Bounce offers extensive luggage storage coverage throughout Canada, ensuring a stress-free travel experience.