One of Canada's 'most charming' small towns is this quaint BC spot with Hallmark movie vibes
It's not far from Vancouver!
A small town on Vancouver Island brimming with charm.
This small town in B.C. is a little piece of Gilmore Girls come to life, with quaint vibes, breathtaking beauty, and charm around every turn. It's set on the beautiful Vancouver Island, just a BC Ferries ride away from Vancouver and surrounded by lush nature.
It makes for the perfect weekend getaway to top off the summer, or for your cozy fall escape planning inspo.
Duncan is a small city with small town vibes, nestled in the picturesque Cowichan Valley region of Vancouver Island, about an hour outside of Victoria.
While the island is mostly known for its rugged coastline, misty rainforests and white sand beaches, Duncan offers a cozy escape with small-town charm and a lively local community. It's the ideal balance of things to do and storybook-like streets, with untamed nature within reach.
All of that and more has made this a beloved spot, and it even ranked among the "most charming small towns in North America" on a list by Betway Inside.
There is definitely no shortage of charm here, with bouqtiue-lined streets, a wholesome farmer's market, and Victorian-era buildings. If you want a getaway full of beauty and quaint vibes, here's what to do in Duuncan.
Head to the farmers market
One of the oldest year-round farmers' markets in B.C. is in Duncan, and nothing gets more wholesome than wandering around a market checking out the local vendos.
The Duncan Farmers' Market happens every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the historic downtown area, and there are over 100 vendors set up. Get your fill of local goodies, like fresh honey, beautiful flowers, and tasty treats.
There's also a Night Market here that takes place on the third Thursday of every month, running from June to November, in Downtown Duncan. There's live music, lots of food, and local goods on display there.
Roam the streets
You can find local goods any day of the week, because the streets are bustling with boutiques, shops, and restaurants. Downtown you'll find over 300 unique shops, making it the perfect place to bop around. There are art galleries, book stores, cafes, chocolatiers — you name it. The Cowichan is known for its local creators and artists, and this is the urban heart of it all.
The historic buildings make wandering around the much better, with a storybook-like vibe to it all.
Go on the totem tour
Duncan is known as the "City of Totems" with "over 40 beautifully carved totems by Indigenous artists from across Vancouver Island, Canada and as far away as New Zealand," according to the tourism website.
You can take a self-guided walking tour by picking up a map at the Cowichan Valley Museum or looking online at the virtual interactive map.
Drive around the Cowichan Valley
Small communities are dotted around the area, each offering its own unique set of things to do. Driving around the winding roads, you'll see wide open farmland, seaside towns, and tranquil forest.
According to the tourism website, the region is also "Canada's only maritime Mediterranean climatic zone with the warmest year–round temperatures in the country," so any season makes for a good time to visit.
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.
- 9 underrated places that totally wowed me when I lived in BC (PHOTOS) ›
- I lived in Vancouver and these are the 5 dreamy BC summer destinations that wowed me the most ›
- 6 Overrated travel destinations and tourist attractions in BC and where you should go instead ›
- This charming spot near Vancouver is ranked one of the 'coziest cities' to visit this fall - Narcity ›