The 11 best things to do with kids in Duncan

Super cute spot, and there frozen to go goods are always delightful! Definitely recommend the frozen Dhal soup! The hot food is often very large, and I always feel I could have shared! The drinks are great! And don’t forget to stop into the cute bookshop while waiting for your food!

Great little bakery and cafe. Vegan, gluten-free. We are not into the vegan lifestyle but were looking for Gluten free options. The Quesadilla was really good. The rice noodle bowl was ok and could have had heartier vegetables added. The Nanaimo bar was good. The crimson tea was delicious. Overall a decent choice.

Such a cozy gem in the heart of Duncan. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. I love how the walls are decorated with local paintings and art, which gives the space a creative and vibrant touch. The food is fresh, hearty, and full of flavor, with lots of thoughtful options for different diets. Their baked goods are simply amazing—perfect with a cup of their rich, smooth coffee. The staff are friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. A wonderful place to relax, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy delicious food.

There must be new owners because the usual “granola type staff” have vanished. The ones who believed the motto of “food into your body should be healthy and uplifting” are gone. Replaced by a baseball hat wearing manager and new staff who make drinks wrong. The portions are smaller while the prices are higher. It used to be a favorite stop when I travelled up island. Now I will be avoiding it! Booo new owners!! Goodbye goodwill

I came across Garage & Café while walking around Duncan, and it turned out to be such a lovely surprise! From the outside, I didn’t expect much, but inside the café was beautiful, lively, and full of tasty looking drinks and food. The staff were also super friendly. I ordered a matcha latte and a few slices of pizza. The latte was made so pretty, not too sweet, and I loved the soft green color while drinking it. The pizza was honestly way better than I expected I would definitely recommend it! Next time, I’m excited to try more items on their menu.

I have been to this cafe bakery many times in the past; the food was healthy, attractive and yummy; and today was no exception. They have prepackaged frozen goods, freshly made meals and gluten free meals. Healthy healthy food, not over salted and not over cooked veggies. For some people used to salty fast foood this will not be what you are accustomed to. However I like my food perfectly cooked and not overly salted since I need a low Sodium diet.

Always top notch at the garage! Superb service, lots of friendly faces, the best food made with locally grown ingredients, and always a new drink to try. The atmosphere is so welcoming and inclusive, definitely something for everyone! Highly recommend the pizza - and the quiche. And the focaccia. Oh, and definitely the green salad. :P You really can't go wrong with trying anything. So FRESH!!

Have visited York St Diner many times over the years. The food was pretty decent and it used to be a bustling diner. It had been quite some time since visiting so this review is based on my current experience. I had the Chicken and Waffles and my partner had the Going Bananas - the usual dishes we would order. The food was overall pretty good. The service and the atmosphere was a bit lack- luster. It was kind of like the right moves were being made but with zero passion. Would be willing to give York Street another try.

The stuff was super friendly and it was a cozy restaurant. We went there for a brunch and ordered two sausages with two eggs and skillet with spinach and feta. Both were very tasty. The sausages were not just regular breakfast sausages. They were deep fried. The skillet was a huge volume. I couldn’t finish all by myself.

Very nice little dinner, comfortable atmosphere. All waitresses were excellent, providing a smiling friendly service and quick catering. Some of the better eggs Benedict I’ve ever come across, and the chicken and waffles were top notch. This place has it going on, I will return when I’m in the area again. No need to go to any chain restaurant when there’s a place like this in town.

Wouldn’t have picked it out on first look. Referred by a friend. Convenient location. Good parking. Generous breakfast. Well priced. Tasty. Coffee is decent. Staff were friendly and attentive. Following vacc pass protocol. Sadly not doing supper anymore temporarily do to lack of business and the vacc pass. The decor is tired but I would recommend for breakfast place.

Rating based on food only (the decor is dated, and frankly a little perplexing). The portion was huge, my food was served on a literal platter. Everything cooked to perfection. Best bacon I’ve had out in a long time. Thick sliced! Hash browns done very well. Coffee was decent. They were short staffed but food still came quickly and very pleasant service. I’ll be back for sure.

Wonderful food and exceptional service! Best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. Beautiful hand breaded chicken. Large portions.

I was their first customer to experience a brand new item to the menu. A vegan burger like you have never experienced. Every bit of the burger is 💯 vegan. No need to ask them to remove mayonnaise or regular cheese as all sauces and cheese are vegan too. My wife and I were at this restaurant a week ago visiting with family, and she complained about the lack of vegan options. The York St Diner responded with a vegan burger.

Hubby and I had a great time bowling Nice clean facility. Old school bowling alley Monday nights special was 16.00 for Unlimited bowling including shoe rental Steal of a deal. Staff were great and they have craft beer as well Definitely would return if we’re back in Duncan again

Great family night out bowling. 5 and 10 pin available. Light snack, non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages available. Will accept reservations. Great atmosphere

Very nice place to spend a night with friends and family

We had so much fun!! All the lights and music! You can even get beer! A great night. We will definitely be going back regularly. Staff are super friendly.

Celebrated my daughter’s birthday party here with 13 of her friends. Top notch experience. Clean, well organized, friendly, and most of all, excellent customer service! Everyone had a blast. Highly recommended.

So much fun today :) amazing service

Bowling right out of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Fun spot with both 5 and 10 pin options. Recommend a reservation but we got a lane as drop ins. Fun for the kids.

I’m very disappointed with how the library handled our community group’s room booking. Our group has been meeting twice a month in a library meeting room, and we extend our booking every 4 months. A few months ago, the manager asked if another group could use the room once, and I kindly agreed, thinking it was just for that one time. But since then, our booking has been given away multiple times—even after I confirmed with staff on the phone that the room was available. Today, I was told the room was available for our regular meeting, but when I arrived, another group was using it during our scheduled time. When I asked about it, the manager told me the library programs take priority and it’s stated in the “contract.” Then she claimed she had asked “one of our members,” who agreed to give up the room—but I don’t know who she asked. I’m the organizer, and she should’ve spoken directly to me. Instead of acknowledging that the communication was unclear and that I was misinformed again, she was upset that I had spoken to the other group to clarify the situation. I felt blamed for simply trying to protect our group’s booking. This is not the first time this has happened. I feel disrespected, dismissed, and as a community member trying to organize a positive, peaceful group, I also feel discriminated against. We deserve clear communication, fair treatment, and to have our bookings respected—just like any other group.

We have been going here for 20+ years and it's a great library. So many different types of media available to borrow for free. Nice staff. No complaints!

Loud. No children's room for their noise. No study area that's kept quiet. When did libraries change policy on it being a quiet place for reading / studying? Librarians even talking loudly. Not like it used to be, one shouldn't have to wear noise cancelling headphones to enjoy the local Library.

Great! Small town library. Brought my son there and we had a really good time looking through books and playing Lego. There's about four or five tables at the back of the library meant for children. The rest of the library is like any normal library in BC. Highly recommended

Usually a good place to be but sadly they start corralling people out of the library 15 mins before closing, shutting down the computers, wifi and printer. For people who work during the day, that’s pretty inconvenient.

Best spot to be in for not just books. Also for the leisure activities around. I’ve been visiting the place for over a year now.

They have an excellent searchable library of DVD movies and CD music which in both cases are searchable on the internet or at a local branch. There is also an excellent request to hold system if you have a library card. They also offer the use of in-store computers on a free to use basis.

The most kindred of spirits work here - I have never been so warmly greeted and attended to! This is a fine selection of wholesome children's toys and fabrics. Will definitely be coming back.

Magical store. My daughter loves it. Clothing, projects, yarn, wooden toys. So much joy and fun.

Today I had such a lovely time shopping for my three year old’s upcoming birthday at this store. The store is absolutely beautiful and chalk full of amazing books, art & craft supplies and play accessories all in Waldorf style and philosophy. The customer service was excellent. Helpful and knowledgeable but relaxed and friendly at the same time. The energy level is so rejuvenating in this store, I was smiling from ear to ear when I left with my soul singing.

A wonderful store filled with beautifully made toys, crafts, books, clothes and more. I was looking for a gift for my niece and the staff was friendly and helpful. Absolutely recommend.

My wife works in children's education and I'm here purchasing supplies for her on a regular basis. The service here is wonderful and feels more like family than retail. There is a tremendous amount of toys, clothing, books, sewing, hand work and so much more than I am able to communicate. Quite simply, they will be able to help you.

Cutest store with a wide selection of handmade and bespoke items. The children’s books and toys selection is wonderful! Staff are friendly and helpful - definitely recommend!

This store is just so beautiful. Not only does it offer beautiful toys and clothing for children, but it has an excellent selection of books available for both adults and children.

I have just watched Warmland Dance give a performance in Victoria. I am so Impressed by the quality of the production. The dancers are high quality and pull the audience into the dance with them. Stories are told and emotions flow. Thank you for the experience of Warmland Dance.

Leah and the whole team at Warmland Dance are great, dedicated and loving professionals. Our 5 year old daughter loves her ballet/tap classes. She also loves musical theater, which we discovered late in the season. Every week she counts the days for her next class. Our daughter have had also the pleasure to participate in a spring and summer camp offered by Leah. At the end of each camp, she is always upset because the camp is over. Thank you Leah and Warmland Dance for your great job and the passion and love for dance and arts that you are helping to imprint into our dughter. ☆♡!

My daughters are in classes at Warmland and I'm very happy with the quality of instruction and the general feel of the community! Very community oriented, age appropriate, and the training is well rounded. One of my children is in the first year of the Visual Arts day program and so far she's very happy with it!

Warmland dance has such amazing teachers and the most friendly community. The dances are enjoyable to learn, perform, and watch. I love competing and performing with this studio!

My daughter has been attending Warmland Dance for the past three years and I highly recommend this awesome studio to anyone who is looking for a warm, professional and community oriented experience!

Warmland is amazing, the nicest teachers and such creative pieces!!

Poor customer service. Incompetent billing department. Accidental billing a common occurrence. You have been warned.

Five months ago my mother died an unneccesarily painful and prolonged death in The Hamlets at the hands of an inefficient doctor and upper management. Five months later, I am still reeling at memories of seeing my mom's face twisted in abject agony for days because, despite my many efforts and those of the nursing staff, the doctor refused to increase the pain meds to deliver a caring and painless transition to death, and management completely ignored the problem. My mom died and I never heard a word from The Hamlets again. Upon complaining to Optima about the entire situation, I was given a verbal apology and told that loved ones should always receive condolences. Beyond that verbal one, I have never received as much as a card. Platitudes do not go far when caregivers and loved ones are treated with such indignity. I know this review will be deleted by administration, but I hope some clarity is gained by my experience before that happens.

Lovely A/L facility in Duncan. Great staff & management. Lots of activities for tje residents Food is great, building is very clean highly recommended

I was surprised to see all the negative reviews here, it almost seemed like a coordinated attack. My wife has been a resident here in Long Term Care since it opened and I have always found the staff to be caring, helpful and friendly. Admittedly there was some disorganization at the beginning and there have been a lot of management changes but that could be expected with a new facility and a change in ownership. None of this has affected the excellent care my wife has been given. I have certainly not seen any of the problems reported by the press in long term care facilities across Canada. I would certainly not hesitate to recommend the Hamlets at Duncan to anyone needing long term care in this area.

Our Mother has been a resident at The Hamlets since last March. We are so grateful for the creative and individualized care that she receives! it is truly awesome and is unlike the care she received at her last 2 places--one of which she got very sick at, and one of which closed suddenly with 9 days notice. She feels safe and cared for. Some of the special care points: 1) her children live out of province and the staff pick up the phone and help her to call when she has an anxious day. 2) she was incontinent and very weak when she arrived--now she is continent, and strong, and she has gained some needed weight. 3) she used a wheel chair when she first came. Now she uses a walker, and walks the corridors of her family unit, independently. 4) but very important, the staff act like family--they are patient and understanding, and they take the time with mom and the other residents. Deborah Stewart Finestone

Great place to work. Friendly care and management staff. It has come along way over the past year.

I had a tour with Karen today. She introduced to me to many residents and very friendly staff. The rooms and building are absolutely beautiful!

Most negative reports that appear here are indeed posted by disgruntled employees who for various reasons don't fit into the very difficult care provider role. It is a difficult employment to say the least and also rewarding for many. This facility has had problems over the last 2 years through the CV19 epidemic that greatly effected construction and staffing while admitting LTC residents. I wait patiently for a unit in the assisted living wing which is nearing completion. I have been assigned a suite. The staff have all been very helpful from management, Nurses and general support staff. From what I have seen the quality of care and amenities is certainly outstanding and as my wife has been a resident LTC patient for nearly all this past year I can state that this will be a first class facility when fully up and running. The 4 stars will undoubtedly become 5 on my personal move.

This was a lifetime wish fulfilled getting to hold Jake, a lovely Harris hawk and have him fly to my gloves. The flight demo was terrific also, and learning about these vital contributors to our environmental health was inspiring. I didn't know many of the knowledges that were shared (but I won't share here as it is SO MUCH better in person.

Was very impressed! I didn't expect to learn so much. The woman doing the Flying demos was so knowledgeable, funny and excellent with the birds. It was so cool to have an owl, turkey vulture, eagle and falcon fly over our heads and near us, up close. We paid for the Closer package so also got treated to being able to hold a hawk. The hawk was very well trained and flew right to the glove when I raised my arm and ate the piece of chicken so fast! Loved our experience here and will be back to learn more!

This was a great experience. the fly shows were amazing and they are included in the general tickets. The staff here are very passionate and super nice and helpful. Loved everyone! We caught one and half shows while we were there and saw several birds in the show. It was very amazing to watch and very informative too. Kids would love it! We also had the closer experience which was also amazing. We had a falcon fly and sit on our gloved arm for two turns each.

Took the Training Course and it was a week long. One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Our instructor Alex was so knowledgeable and patient with our group. Hands on with all of the birds was so enjoyable. I would recommend this to everyone! Thank you so much Tammy

A unique and educational stop, especially if you're into wildlife. You can get up close with birds of prey, and the flight demonstrations are impressive and well-explained. The staff are passionate and knowledgeable, making it a great learning experience. It's a little off the beaten path but worth the visit if you're nearby.

Amazing dedicated staff. Totally enjoyed the raptor presentation in the field. I learned a lot about these cool birds. I also had my eyes open regarding the work behind the scenes. The beautiful owls, parrots, hawks, vultures falcons, ravines, eagles and one stork! We even had massive laughter as we experienced these magnificent birds soaring just above us. You really should visit the Raptors.

My husband loves birds so I booked a hawk walk at The Raptors for his birthday weekend. We had an excellent time interacting with Paul the hawk and seeing all the other birds on site. The flying demonstration was also so incredible and informative. I have a new found appreciation for vultures and birds in general.

Unbelievable experience! Not enough time to take it all in. By donation. You really need an entire day to explore the exhibits. Ipad tour guide is a great way to hear owner Jim Shockey give details on many items. Very happy with the Salish mask I purchased. Will definitely return in the future.

If I could give them 10 stars I would. This is an amazing collection of art, artifacts and animals that Jim has collected from all over the world. It's an astounding experience, and I will be going back. Many times! Meeting Jim was the icing on the cake, and he's as nice as you'd expect!

I've had the privilege of touring over 15 groups to this exceptional museum. One of our Valley's greatest attractions. Jim Shockey has the most impressive personal collections of anywhere I've visited including overseas visits! It is affordable (by donations) and has some really nice gifts for travelers and decor for your home or business for sale. I absolutely love this and hearing Jim's stories...if you're lucky enough to catch him in a brief conversation as he is very involved in showcasing his beautiful collection. Become educated about our wilderness through an ipad video presentation of many of the amazing items. I like to guess there are over a million items of not just wildlife, but culture and beauty. Go go go! If you want a limousine tour to this venue, I would be honored to take you and your guests!

I really loved this place. There was so many interesting artifacts and information to see and learn. You could easily spend hours looking at all the stuff. There is a little gift shop as well which was cool things. Plus a section of artifacts that were for sale. The price to get in is reasonable and the staff were friendly and helpful. I'd like to go back and see what I missed.

The coolest place ever. The gal at the front desk was so sweet even though she was overwhelmed and busy she took her time talking to us and making sure we understood the iPad to learn more about the pieces. Each room is filled to the brim with so much history and so many artifacts. I am a taxidermy enthusiast and this place blew me away. Everything is just amazing here. The price to get in is great, the gift shop is also super affordable. It’s a must visit.

Absolutely amazing experience. The vast collection spanning cultures and peoples from around the globe really highlight that we are more alike than we are different. The stories that Jim shares about the various displays bring an additional layer of depth to the museum experience. We also had the incredible experience of speaking with Jim during our visit. He is intelligent, knowledgeable, approachable, and you can feel the passion that he has for people and the world

What an unexpected treat Hand of Man was for this hunter’s wife. I had no idea what to expect, which lended to my absolute awe of Hand of Man. My husband has followed Mr. Shockey for many years and was so excited to see Hand of Man, and neither of us were disappointed! This place is so amazing, we went two days in a row. And on our second visit we saw things we missed in our first visit, because everywhere you look is something even more cool and amazing than the last thing you see. I am not certain there are words strong enough to express my enjoyment of Hand of Man. Mr. Shockey is inspirational, and so fascinating. He’s lived an incredible and inspiring life. Thank you Mr. Shockey for sharing your incredible life with the rest of us! **NOTE: we were so fortunate to get an opportunity to meet Mr. Shockey. He spent several minutes chatting with us, and I’ve never seen my husband so excited. It really made the trip that much more special.

Our kids love the suspension bridge! Lots of options for walking trails to keep it long or short. Some good spots for swimming while water is not standing still.

My favorite little park. Suspension bridge, nice swimming spots, beautiful forest and well maintained trails, playground, exercise equipment, big clean washrooms, two reservable picnic shelters. It's a wonderful place.

Great park with easy access for all ages. The Kokisilah River is right there with easy access to the water. Beautiful old growth trees are along the water. There is a lot of parking and heated restrooms. There are also covered picnic areas for the less than sunny days

It's not the biggest but it's a great place to walk around, and to bring dogs or younguns. There are sheltered/covered areas with benches and some picnic benches dotted around. Lovely clear river running through deep enough to swim in and a neat suspension bridge. A children's play area and large field by the car park. Lots of short looping pathways to explore. This park is well looked after.

Had a great day walking around the park and on the suspension bridge 🌉. Thank goodness it wasn't too high up, felt a bout of vertigo coming on in the middle of it due to the bouncing and rocking. Lots of trails to choose from too. Not too sure how big the park itself is but we will be coming back to complete more of them. There is a nice swimming area but remember that there isn't a lifeguard on duty so keep a watchful eye on the little ones. Enjoyed the drive up and the walking around getting in some needed exercise and some fresh air.

Bright Angel is a great park that is off the beaten path for most people. It has easy hiking paths, creek, playground and suspension bridge. It is a place to bring a lunch and do some forest bathing.

Always looking for a place to take our puppy for a nice walk. Great paths to walk on, accessible to the water so we could dip our feet in. We'll laid out picnic areas.

I highly recommend taking a visit here! $5 for entry and just such a wonderful time. It is both indoors, as well as out on the dock. It even has interactive stations. Fun for the entire family! It's a busy area that can be difficult to find parking, so it can be a bit of a walk.

This little gem of a museum far exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth a visit. A couple of Interactive places for the kids as well.

What a great place to spend some time. Mel and her team mate, are wonderful people. They are loaded with useful information with regards to the museum. Also, I'm sure they are loaded with info about what there is to see in Cow Bay. Come to the Classic Boat Festival this July 6th, and 7th. Loads of fun.

Very small but interesting museum. Very skillfully made model ships

What a great experience it was to tour the Cowichan Maritime Museum. We met some of the members who graciously answered our questions and shared their valuable experience with us. I was interested in wooden boats, and there were at least ten different types on display, some vintage restored boats and some new/under construction models. Want to know how to build your own lapstrafe wood boat, they can teach you. Don't forget to buy a ticket to win a fantastic hand built boat.

Staff was friendly showed us around took the time to explain the history of the area was a treat.

Stop by the beautiful place and saw lots of sea lions.