Prince George
Around Prince George
Photo: Mike Hochachka · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · British Columbia · 89k people
Prince George
Locals say PG · “Northern Capital”, “Spruce City”
Where the north begins.
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Welcome to PG, the heart of northern BC! Whether you're here for the outdoors or the friendly community, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a coffee, hit the trails, and enjoy the northern hospitality.
Clubs for Prince George
No clubs for Prince George yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Prince George. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Prince George. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Connaught Hill Park Overlooks downtown and the river confluence.
- Cottonwood Island Park Riverside park with trails and picnic areas.
- Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum Historic trains and logging equipment.
- The Exploration Place Science and local history museum on the river.
- CN Centre Home of the Prince George Cougars hockey team.
- UNBC Campus University of Northern BC with modern architecture.
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Cottonwood Island Park
- Outdoors Fish for salmon on the Fraser River
- With kids Visit the Exploration Place
- With kids Explore the Railway & Forestry Museum
- Evenings Catch live music at a downtown pub
- Evenings See a show at the CN Centre
- Locals love Hiking trails
- Locals love Fishing lakes
Through the year
- Prince George Exhibition August Annual fair with rodeo, midway, and livestock shows.
- Coldsnap Music Festival January Winter music festival featuring local and national acts.
- Northern FanCon May Pop culture convention with comics, gaming, and cosplay.
- Canada Day Celebrations July 1 Fireworks, live music, and family activities at Fort George Park.
- Artisan Christmas Market November Local crafts, gifts, and seasonal treats.
Prince George has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, pleasant summers. The best time to be out is summer, though winter offers unique activities like snowmobiling and aurora viewing. Best: Summer (June–August) is best for outdoor activities; winter (December–February) offers snow sports and auroras.
Talk like a local
- “PG”
- Short for Prince George.
- “The north”
- Refers to northern British Columbia.
- “Bush”
- Wilderness or remote areas.
- “Skookum”
- Strong or good (Pacific Northwest slang).
Getaways
- Quesnel Historic gold rush town with the Quesnel Museum.
- Williams Lake Gateway to the Cariboo Chilcotin, known for rodeo.
- Dawson Creek Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway.
- Barkerville Historic gold rush town with preserved buildings.
Local flavour
Teams
- Prince George Cougars WHL
- Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL
- UNBC Timberwolves U Sports (Canada West)
Also rooting for Vancouver Canucks (NHL), BC Lions (CFL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Bannock
- Wild salmon Salmon from nearby rivers (Fraser and Nechako) is a regional staple, often smoked or grilled.
- Huckleberry pie Huckleberries grow wild in the region and are used in desserts, especially in summer.
Where people go
- Logging roads Extensive network of gravel roads through the surrounding forests, used for timber and recreation.
- River valleys The Nechako and Fraser rivers converge in Prince George, shaping the landscape and local activities.
- Northern lights viewing spots Areas away from city lights where the aurora is visible on clear nights.
Heritage and traditions
The region is proud of its rugged northern identity, rooted in forestry, Indigenous heritage, and the pioneering spirit of the fur trade. Locals embrace the long winters and celebrate being the 'Northern Capital' of BC.
This time of year in Prince George
- Hunting season Fall Fall moose and deer hunting is a cultural tradition in rural areas.
Say it like a local: “Lheidli” — The local First Nation (Lheidli T'enneh)
Festivals
- National Indigenous Peoples Day June Celebrated on June 21 at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park with music, dance, and food.
- Fort St. James Fur Trade Days July Historical re-enactments and demonstrations at the National Historic Site.
- Huble Homestead Pioneer Days August Living history at a restored pioneer farm with crafts and activities.
- Vanderhoof Nechako Valley Exhibition August Agricultural fair with livestock, exhibits, and rides.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort St. James National Historic Site A restored Hudson's Bay Company fur trade post dating to 1806.
- Huble Homestead Historic Site A pioneer farmstead from the early 1900s, preserved as a living museum.
- Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park A park on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, with interpretive displays.
- St. James Anglican Church One of the oldest churches in the region, in Fort St. James.
Food traditions
- Bannock A traditional Indigenous bread, often cooked over a campfire or in a skillet, served at community events.
- Wild salmon Caught from the Fraser and Nechako rivers, often grilled or smoked, a staple at summer gatherings.
- Huckleberry pie Made from wild huckleberries foraged in the surrounding hills, a seasonal treat.
- Moose meat stew A hearty dish from hunting traditions, especially in rural areas.
Music and arts
- Dakelh (Carrier) art Traditional beadwork, carving, and basket weaving practiced by local First Nations.
- Northern folk and country music A vibrant scene with local singer-songwriters and community jam sessions.
- Two Rivers Gallery A contemporary art gallery featuring regional and Indigenous artists.
A little history
- 1807 Simon Fraser establishes Fort George (now Prince George) as a fur trade post.
- 1914 The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway arrives, spurring the city's founding.
- 1915 The city is renamed Prince George after King George V.
- 1950s Post-war forestry boom turns the region into a major lumber producer.
- 2015 Hosts the Canada Winter Games, showcasing the city's sports facilities.
Rivalries
- Prince George Cougars vs. Kamloops Blazers WHL rivalry with frequent intense games.
- Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Penticton Vees BCHL rivalry for league supremacy.
- UNBC Timberwolves vs. UBC Thunderbirds University basketball and soccer clashes.
- Game day Prince George Cougars hockey
- Game day Curling at the Prince George Curling Club
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Cottonwood Island Park
- Outdoors Fish for salmon on the Fraser River
- With kids Sledding at Connaught Hill Park
- With kids Swimming at Ness Lake
Locals speak English with a typical Canadian accent, and you'll hear terms like 'bush' for the wilderness and 'toque' for a winter hat. There's also a mix of Indigenous words like 'Lheidli' for the local First Nation.
Only here
- The confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, a defining geographic feature.
- The city is known as the 'Northern Capital' of British Columbia.
- Winter nights offer spectacular northern lights viewing.
- The Northern FanCon, a geek convention that draws thousands to the north.
New here? A few tips
- Winters are long and cold—invest in a good down jacket, insulated boots, and a block heater for your car.
- The city is spread out, so having a car is essential for getting around.
- Try the local bannock and huckleberry pie at community events or bakeries.
- Take time to learn about the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation and the region's Indigenous history.
- In summer, get out to the rivers and parks—fishing, hiking, and canoeing are local favorites.
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Nearby
Every areaPrince George. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.