Cranbrook’s main attractions
This B.C. community will keep you busy and entertained
During your stay in Cranbrook, you need never run out of things to do. If you are enticed by arts and culture, entertainment and recreational pastimes, you might even find yourself extending your visit so that you have time to take it all in.
Recreation at its best
Rain or shine, there is always somewhere in town where you can take part in sports and leisure activities. For starters, there are a number of premium golf courses in town, including St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, Cranbrook Golf Club, Mission Hills, Wildstone Golf Course and Shadow Mountain.
If the weather isn’t co-operating with your holiday plans, check out the Cranbrook Recreation Complex (also known as the RecPlex), where there is an indoor aquatic centre, squash and racquetball court, sauna, hot tub, steam room, waterslide and wave pool with spray feature.
For younger visitors there is the Viking Skatepark, a concrete park set up specifically for the skateboarding public. It is situated near the Cranbrook RecPlex on 17th Avenue. Another choice, if you’re seeking a challenge, is The Peaks climbing wall, which is located at the College of the Rockies Cranbrook campus.
Sports nuts can let off some steam at Moir Park’s softball diamonds and other sports fields.
If you just want to take it easy with a few rounds of minigolf, you can do so at Elizabeth Lake Lodge, which also offers RV camping and deluxe accommodations that have won numerous awards from the TripAdvisor website.
Be impressed by local artistry
The arts are alive and well in Cranbrook. The Cranbrook & District Arts Council organizes programs and projects, and local art can be seen at the council-run Artrageous Art Gallery.
Fisher Peak Art Gallery is also a great place to check out the latest art pieces, many reflecting the wildlife and scenery of the Kootenays.
If performance art is more your style, Key City Theatre hosts concerts, plays and other performance art on a regular basis. There is also a gallery located in the upper lobby of the theatre building that features rotating local artwork.
Also take some time to look at Studio Stage Door’s schedule. This lovingly restored building (part of Cranbrook’s self-guided heritage walking tour) is a focal point for local musicians, dancers, actors and other performers.
New this year, the Canadian Rockies International Airport is showcasing local musical talent on Thursdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and noon and between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. You can check out the sculptures at the airport too.
Culture meets entertainment
In addition to its fascinating interpretive centre and quality golf course, St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino also provides exceptional dining and entertainment opportunities. The casino has table games, slot machines and off-track betting, as well as cash tournaments. The onsite restaurants host themed events with different types of ethnic cuisine, and every two weeks there is a wine night where local wines are featured.
