Nelson is located at the end of the west arm of Kootenay Lake on Highway 6/3a. Nelson has plenty of excellent attractions for the whole family. 

A 1890's silver boom town, Nelson has over 350 beuatifully restored heritage buildings. If you take a walking tour you'll find lots of arts, crafts, antiques, and many buildings recognizable from the movie "Roxanne" which featured Darryl Hannah and Steve Martin.  Other attractions include the local history and mining museums, the restored #23 Streetcar which winds along the waterfront, and 2 nearby hydroelectric dams which offer guided tours all summer. 

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a giant playground with cycling, golfing, swimming, sailing, fishing, hiking, and more to occupy their time. There are 2 ski hills within 10 km (6.25 mi) of town offering the best in powder skiing and slopes for the whole family. Hikers and Bikers will enjoy the myriad of scenic routes they can follow.

The sandy beach at Lakeside Park is an excellent place to take a cool dip on a hot summer day or go windsurfing. For the fisherman there are lots of lakes and streams and Kootenay Lake's cool deep waters createssome of the best rainbow and Dolly Varden trout fishing in North America. The 2 scenic golf courses offer a challenge for all skill levels and of course Kootenay Lake offers the boating enthusiast every possibility from kayak or canoe trips to water skiing to a leisurely cruise in a houseboat.