Some mornings are best explored without a plan—just a good pair of walking shoes, an appetite for local flavour, and a curiosity to see where the next cup of coffee will take you.
That’s exactly how I spent a Saturday wandering downtown Castlegar.
My morning began at Crumbs Bakery, where I picked up a fresh pretzel before setting off along Columbia Avenue. With snack in hand, I found myself slowing down to admire the sculptures that line the sidewalks. Downtown Castlegar has a way of encouraging you to look up, around, and a little closer. Every block offers another piece of public art waiting to be discovered.
As I continued along Columbia Avenue, the raven sculpture caught my eye. Castlegar is the “Sculpture Capital of Canada” and the annual Sculpturewalk event is partly responsible for that. Every year about 30 sculptures from around the world are placed around Castlegar and visitors and locals are encouraged to view them all and vote on them. The favourite is purchased by the city and put on display in perpetuity. Learn more and find voting cards here.
After stopping and taking a closer look at the sculpture, I crossed the street toward Lifestyles Café, ready for my next stop and another great cup of coffee. One of the things that makes Lifestyles so welcoming is that everyone can find something they’ll enjoy. Whether you prefer oat, almond, soy, coconut, or traditional dairy, they’ve got you covered. Their display case is filled with fresh baking, including plenty of gluten-free treats that prove dietary restrictions never have to mean sacrificing flavour. I also discovered they’re now hosting the Lifestyles Market on Saturdays—a wonderful complement to the long-running market at the CPR Station Museum and another reason to spend the morning exploring downtown.
From there I continued toward City Hall, where beautifully maintained gardens weave between sculptures, water features, and landscaped walkways. It’s a peaceful space that often surprises first-time visitors, blending art and nature in the heart of downtown. Just a short walk away, the CPR Station Museum was buzzing with activity. The parking lot was alive with local farmers, musicians, food vendors, and visitors enjoying the Saturday market. Inside, I was pleasantly surprised to see the refreshed exhibits and thoughtfully updated displays. The museum has done a wonderful job breathing new life into Castlegar’s railway history while preserving the stories that shaped our community.
My next stop was Moonrise Boutique, a charming shop filled with vintage treasures, retro finds, and locally crafted goods. Owner Brittany has recently expanded into the neighbouring storefront, creating one of downtown’s newest coffee destinations, Uncle Bernie’s.
Inspired by the iconic 1980s film Weekend at Bernie’s, the café Uncle Bernies is full of nostalgic character. Retro furniture, playful décor, beautifully crafted coffee, specialty matcha drinks, and delicious breakfast sandwiches make it a place you’ll want to linger.
Coffee in hand, I continued my stroll toward another new downtown gem—Weyward Books. Stepping inside feels like entering another world. A raven greets you at the entrance, whimsical gnomes hide throughout the store, and an enchanting mushroom feature wall creates a cozy fantasy atmosphere. I couldn’t resist trying their refreshing chai lemonade before heading back outside to continue exploring. One final stop remained.
Maggie’s Mug has been a downtown favourite for more than a decade, serving homemade meals, catering, and exceptional coffee. Their new location sits beside one of my favourite murals in Castlegar, making it the perfect place to pause before wrapping up the afternoon. Here’s a local tip: if you’re ordering at Maggie’s, ask for the soup of the day if that’s what you want. Their famous borscht has earned a category of its own, it’s not soup, it’s borscht.
As the afternoon came to a close, I realized I’d done much more than visit a handful of cafés. I’d wandered through galleries without walls, discovered local entrepreneurs, browsed independent shops, enjoyed live music at the market, and experienced the welcoming spirit that makes downtown Castlegar such an enjoyable place to explore.
So next time you’re looking for something to do, skip the itinerary. Grab a coffee. Start walking. You never know what you’ll discover around the next corner.