This tiny town with Swiss vibes and storybook streets is one of the 'best hidden gems' in BC

Time for a fall escape!🍂

Person sitting on grass. Right: Small town street.

This BC small town with Switzerland vibes is a hidden gem.

Editor

One look is all it takes to fall in love with this quaint small town in B.C.

Historic streets lined with cute shops sit alongside an idyllic lake, and mountain peaks wrap around it all. It's reminiscent of a little Swiss village, which makes sense given its nickname — the 'Little Switzerland of Canada.'

It was also recently dubbed one of the "best hidden gems" in the province by readers. Fall is the perfect time to make the trip to Kaslo, when the changing colours make it that much more beautiful, and the crisp weather adds to the coziness of a vacation.

The little village is nestled in the beautiful Kootenay region of B.C., known for its incredible mountain landscapes and small towns scattered around.

The downtown area here could be plucked from the set of a Hallmark movie, because it's so picture-perfect. Heritage buildings and character homes line the streets, and Front Street is where you'll find a mix of local boutiques, little stores and shipping.

It's as charming as it gets, and a walkabout in town isn't complete without stopping at the S.S. Moyie's — known as "the world's oldest intact sternwheeler," according to the tourism website.

Look beyond the downtown area, though, and you'll be privy to some of the most beautiful views around. Kootenay Lake is perfect for kayaking, walking around, or just sitting on the shore and looking out onto the water.

Then there are the countless hikes winding through the forests and mountains in this region, perfect for adventure.

If you want to keep the journey going, you can drive an hour away to the city of Nelson. This is a more bustling spot that still has the charm you're probably after. It doesn't have that same "hidden gem" quality exactly, but it is also a must-visit if you're in the area.

Kaslo is the perfect fall escape if you want cozy mountain town vibes.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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