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Something for Everyone
Encapsulated by breathtaking mountains and situated on the banks of the Fraser River, Lillooet is home to wild adventures, idyllic escapes and thousands of years of rich cultural history. Take in a music festival, scale a frozen waterfall, tour a winery or enjoy a round of golf on a working sheep farm; Lillooet has something for everyone to discover.
History
Home to the St’át’imc Nation for over 8,000 years, this valley was an ideal location for First Nations people to hunt, fish and gather with other nearby communities. Overnight, the history of this ancient nation was rewritten as thousands of miners and prospectors travelled north in search of gold. As one of the most important supply locations along the Gold Rush Trail (“Mile 0” on the original Cariboo Wagon Road), Lillooet grew quickly. By 1860, Lillooet’s burgeoning population was nearing 15,000. The city teemed with lively saloons and ‘licensed premises’, shops and dwellings. It wasn’t just gold that attracted newcomers – the town also became the largest exporter of nephrite jade in the world.
Things to Do
Lillooet Museum & Visitor Centre
790 Main Street Phone: 250.256.4308The building was formerly an Anglican church named St. Mary the Virgin. Rebuilt in 1960, the original St. Mary’s was carried to Lillooet by miners a century earlier. The museum hosts a floor depicting the life and times of the irrepressible co-founder and editor of the local newspaper, ‘Ma’ Murray. It also houses First Nations artefacts, some thousands of years old. The museum and Visitor Centre are open from end of April to October, open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm.
‘The Golden Mile of History’ Walking Tour
This enjoyable walking tour includes intriguing historical sites such as the Chinese Rocks, the Bridge of 23 Camels, the Miyazaki Heritage House and the Hangman’s Tree – each with its own fascinating tale. The Lillooet BC & Area Visitor Information Guide includes a map of the walking tour, and is available to download or pick up at the Visitor Centre.
Lillooet Jade Walk
Thirty pieces of jade line the town in a project that took six years to complete. The stones have been cut, polished and mounted to reflect the different qualities each face displays. The Jade Walk is a tribute to B.C.’s Official Gemstone, and Lillooet’s jade mining history.
Enrich your understanding of the environment around you – with Splitrock Sek’wel’was eco-cultural tours. Join one of our knowledgeable aboriginal guides for a one-hour natural history walk. Get up close as we explore the habitats, plants, and wildlife of the area. Hands-on and interactive! Explore the connection between our culture and the land. Check out fish and invertebrates up close, learn about pools, riffles and glides, discover riparian and grassland habitats, and then taste test some great berries and juices (in season) and see the work of our local artists and crafters – maybe even make something yourself!
Dining
Lillooet has some excellent, reasonably priced restaurants serving a range of cuisines. Dina’s Place Restaurant offers Greek Cuisine in a Greek style setting, and for great Chinese food there is the Goldpanner Restaurant, The Totem and The Lillooet Inn which also serves Western Fare. The Cookhouse provides home style cooking and has a cozy atmosphere. D’Oro Coffee Lounge is a wonderful place to relax and take in the scenic mountain range while enjoying a hot beverage. The Rugged Bean Cafe features a charming patio and is a lovely place to enjoy a delicious meal. A&W and Subway offer tasty fast meals to go.
Events
The annual Apricot Tsaqwem Festival is held the third week of July. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience Lillooet’s arts and culture. The tsaqwem (Saskatoon berry) and apricots are both abundant in this area, and celebrated in this event along with farm produce, crafters’ goods and drumming from local St’át’imc bands. The festival even includes camel races – watch participants don their costumes and win the coveted prize – or have a go yourself! The Music at the Miyazaki Summer Concert Series celebrates the best of Canadian music. The concerts are free, and held every Friday night at 7p.m., starting July and continuing through August at the Miyazaki Heritage House. If you’re in town on the second weekend in July, don’t miss Lillooet Days, a colourful annual event celebrating this community’s rich culture. UPCOMING EVENTS IN LILLOOET
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Gold Country Communities Society acknowledges that we provide services within the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the
Nlaka'pamux, Secwepemc, St'át'imc, Syilx and Tsilhqot'in Nations.