5 Things to do in Gibsons and a Giveaway from The George
byLast week I was invited to Gibsons for the afternoon, to check out the plans for The George Gibsons Marine Resorts and Residences, a new development on the waterfront in this Sunshine Coast hub. My niece and I hopped on the ferry at Horseshoe Bay and sailed the Queen of Surrey to Langdale on a bright and sunny morning. I spent a lot of time on the Sunshine Coast as a kid and teen counselor at summer camp, but Gibsons was never the destination. Aside from Beachcombers and a trip to Molly’s Reach with my family as a kid, I didn’t know much about the seaside town until recent years.
After the lovely day over in the corner of the “604”, and after a few other recent trips to the Sunshine Coast for writing assignments, I can confidently recommend these 5 Things to do in Gibsons.
1) Art & History
Whether it’s history of a CBC television series, or that of the town itself, you’ll find it all right in the heart of Gibsons Landing. There’s the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, Heritage Walks, and the George Gibson statue where, right beside the visitor centre, George and his family are buried. George Gibson was the first European settler in the area. He was a British naval officer who moved from Ontario to the area and claimed Gibsons Landing in 1886 (the same year Vancouver was incorporated).
There is so much art on the Sunshine Coast. SO MUCH ART! From Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, the Sunshine Coast is home to more artists per capita than any other Canadian region. You can follow the purple artisan banners during events like the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl or pick up guide and start visiting galleries and studios where you could spend hours (and days) browsing all kinds of beautiful, crafty, and creative works. The Gibsons Public Art Gallery is a great place to start.
2) Shop
Whether you’re visiting the Gibsons Public Market or Gibsons Sunday Market, filling up your bottles at Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Co., or picking up some beautiful seasonal styles at a local boutique, you’ll want to fill your shopping bags (and trunk of your car) with all the goodies you can find in Gibsons. Swish Ladieswear is worth a browse even for the beautifully designed displays.
3) Beach
Gibsons has 20 parks and civic lands, beach accesses, trails and natural areas for public use and enjoyment. There are four beaches within Gibsons proper, and during our visit I also drove us up to Roberts Creek — a beach I was familiar with as a child — where we dipped our toes in the water before returning to the ferry. From town, check out Pebbles Beach, Atlee Beach, and Armour’s Beach.
4) Beer
Persephone Brewing is at the top of my list for my next visit, I still haven’t been to the award-winning farm but you can get their beer in Vancouver. Persephone operates an 11-acre farm and craft micro-brewery in Gibsons where they grow their own hops – one of the principal ingredients in beer – and other food crops in support of local food security.
5) Food
For lunch, we stopped by Smitty’s Oyster House, right on the waterfront (below Molly’s Reach). There we enjoyed some delicious oyster po boys and the menu also offers fresh oysters, halibut fritters, mussels, crab cakes, fish tacos, and more fresh-caught deliciousness. Of course there’s also Molly’s Reach, and out further on the wharf is Smoke on the Water BBQ. Within walking distance there’s Sweetwater Bistro and The Black Bean is great for breakfasts.
The best part is that you only pay one way for the ferry, and it’s a quick ride through Howe Sound (40 minutes) compared to Vancouver Island crossings. We took the 9:40am ferry over and we were back on the 2:40pm after a full day of fun.
If you would like to explore Gibsons, I have a $60 gift card for Smitty’s Oyster House to give away, courtesy of The George. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2016.
The George Gibsons Marine Resorts and Residences is a new waterfront luxury hotel and private residences that will rise in the Sunshine Coast’s historic town of Gibsons Landing. 40 luxury private condominium homes will offer ever-changing Howe Sound and North Shore mountain vistas.
The resort hotel will offer residents access to concierge services and fitness facilities, and will feature meeting facilities, a 350 dinner-seating conference style ballroom, and a 21,000 square foot Health & Wellness Centre, the first of it’s kind in the Vancouver region. Follow The George on Facebook and Twitter for more information about the the development in Gibsons.
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I love black beans, so had to follow the link for a place named for them. Looks like it’s about coffee, though, but still some appealing menu items.
Was just here last weekend. Had a lovely time.
Love exploring Gibsons!
Love to take the wife.
I would love that! I love the Sunshine Coast, and would love to retire in Gibsons. Crossing my fingers!
We love lower Gibsons everyday. We walk our dog there and enjoy the shops, restaurants and the great locals. Thanks
But you missed the hiking on Mount Elphinstone, Bonniebrook Beach or Davis Bay Beach, paddling up Sechelt Inlet, Tetrahedron Provincial Park, with its 4 cabins, all the coffee shops in Upper Gibsons.
I grew up on the Sunshine Coast.. Lovely prize
I love the Sunshine Coast!
I love going to Gibsons for long week ends. Leo’ s Grill is another great spot for a bite to eat, they do delicious Greek food.
Hiking, Biking, great Food, Art
Everything your soul needs can be found in Gibsons!
Visited the Sunshine Coast last month. Didn’t get enough time to explore the area. Looking forward to visiting again this month!
Somewhere I’m hoping to visit soon!
I’ve never been here, and would love to explore it! Such a cute place!
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day!!!
Oh what a lovely little getaway! We’ve spent some romantic weekends on the Sunshine coast would love to do so again.
And there’s a wonderful short hike up to the viewpoint (access at the curve at the south end of Stewart Rd).
I love Gibson’s. Always a great place to visit.
Great way to spend the day!
I have done the walk with the many tiny shops. I was please at the selection & bought a few Xmas & Birthday gifts to be put away till needed.
went there a few weeks back… would love to go and explore around again!
I’m going to Gibsons this fall!!! Love it!
It is so different form Vancouver and so close !
My family loves Gibsons! Excited to check out the George.
Lower Gibsons! Might I suggest the spinach gomaae (best anywhere) and Spicy Tunafornia roll at Sushi Bar Nagomi…. Or the duck drummettes at Harbourside Bistro…. Or the grilled fish tacos at Gramma’s Pub? You need a longer trip next time! There are so many wonderful cottage rentals and B&B’s all over the Coast! I hear great things about Shades of Jade in Roberts Creek.
I’ve never been to the area but your post makes me want to go!
You just “spilled the beans” about the best kept secret in B.C.!
What a great way to spend a day! I think you hit all of the highlights of the Gibsons area. It is so easy to get here from Vancouver, yet it feels like you are in another world. Maybe next time you’ll stay overnight and avail yourself of some of the marvellous outdoor activities- hiking, kayaking, mountain biking…….
I’ve never been to Gibsons and this looks like a perfect place for a family trip!
I love Gibsons!
Would love to visit
I’ve never been to Gibsons; it looks so pretty and I’d love to go
Love the fish fritters at Smitty’s!
A great little get away!
Sounds like a fun day ?
Such a gorgeous place.
Am looking forward to a trip to Gibsons this fall and a possible relocation there next year!
Beautiful place!
The meal sounded absolutely delicious! Would love to check out the beaches and take a dip in the water. 🙂
Great article overall! Would love to win.
Love visiting Gibsons! Thanks for some new ideas 🙂
Three friends recently moved to the Sunshine Coast. I can see why! Looks amazing!
An excellent excuse to get back over to the Sunshine Coast!
Gibsons is growing so fast and I’m loving it !!
Love Gibsons!
I’ve never been.. would love to go 🙂
Oh this would be fantastic! We’re heading there next month!
Would like to take my wife here! The gift certificate would be nice!
Oh yum – I LOVE Smitty’s!
Would love to take my wife there…
Love Gibsons, spent many summers in Gibsons, as a child
Many changes
Love Gibsons, spent many summers here as a child
Many changes
Gibsons is such a beautiful community with a relaxing vibe
I would to eat oysters!
I havent been to Gibsons in years! I would love an excuse to go again 🙂
Loving Gibsons! Would love to try a new place. Mmmmm oysters!!
Gibsons is such a charming village that is a breath of fresh air for us city folk.
I’d love to win, Gibsons is awesome!
Love the Sunshine Coast!
The very best part about Gibson’s, besides what you have mentioned in your article is… The people! The locals are friendly, helpful and a happy bunch!
I’ve been to Gibsons because we have friends that live there, would love to go back soon and would love to go to Smitty’s oyster house to try oysters for the first time!
I’ve been once; would love to go back!
Lots of fond memories of the Sunshine Coast, thanks for the photos. I’ve also shared your story on my flipboard ‘Living in Beautiful British Columbia’ http://ow.ly/QCM0
Sounds wonderful and is my boyfriends bucket list destination!
Gibsons has so much to discover! Good people too.
Love the Sunshine Coast and can’t wait to go back.
I can’t wait to visit the sunshine Coast! my husband and I have never been and we are so excited to visit the week after next. Thank you for the ideas for our trip to Gibsons!
I’d love to go again! I’ve only been once.
Sept. 7 is my birthday, and my fervent wish is to go to Gibson! You have mapped out so much to do Thanks.
The whole family has been to Smitty’s! We’d love to go again now that the youngest is now 7!
Never been to Gibsons before and would love to go
I would love to discover this place!
Would love to take the Family!
I would love to win this!
Lover getting up to the Sunshine Coast!!
I’ve never been to the Sunshine Coast–this would be great!!
Me me me!
I am due for a trip back to Gibsons!
Trying to visit all of the islands and Sunshine Coast. This sounds like a lovely getaway and I love oysters!! 🙂
would like to make it up there
I go to the coast all the time as my family lives there but we have never been to Smitty’s would love to go.
Nice! Would love to check out that resto!
My mom grew up in Gibsons, but I’ve never been – I’d love to take her back for a visit!
These are some of my favourite things to see and do on the Sunshine Coast too!
Haven’t been in years and planning to go for a visit this fall – this would be a very nice treat!
This would be a great Prize!
Beautiful!
It’s one of my favourite places!
Beautiful!
love the sunshine coast!
due for a revisit.
a favorite place of mine!
good luck everyone!
Great post!
Excellent post!
Awesome– I love Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast!
Gibson’s would be great to see.
love the sunshine coast
yes please!
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease 🙂
I’ve never been to the sunshine coast, would love a reason to check it out 🙂