Lots of information about living in Prince George can be found at this link.
Tourism Prince George has all the information on things to do in town.
Information about UNBC can be found at this link.
Getting to Prince George:
Travel to Prince George is possible via car, plane, or (sometimes) train. Our airport handles a number of flights a day from Vancouver and (coming soon) Calgary via WestJet or Air Canada. Central Mountain Air has flights arriving from a number of smaller BC communities, including Kelowna, Kamloops, Fort St. John, Terrace, etc. Pacific Coastal Airlines has direct flights from and to from Victoria most days.
The airport is well-serviced by two taxi companies and a regular shuttle for transport into town. Car rentals from a number of companies are also available at the airport, but reserve ahead!
Train travel is possible on Via Rail along the Prince Rupert-to-Jasper/Edmonton route.
Transport in town:
UNBC is atop a hill, and there are nice walking/cycling trails through the woods and/or along the roads to the school.
As noted above, car rentals are available at the airport. Cars can also be rented in town at various locations.
BC Transit operates buses throughout town, and the buses run on a good regular schedule.
Ample parking is available at UNBC, including EV charging stations.
And of course you can walk or bike up to the university along paved trails and sidewalks from any location in town. Showers and day lockers are available on campus.
Accommodations:
Ramada – In the downtown core, but good access to UNBC. Near to lots of restaurants, etc.
Coast Inn of the North – In the downtown core, but good access to UNBC. Near to lots of restaurants, etc. The Shogun Japanese restaurant is in this hotel.
Courtyard by Marriott – A new hotel in the downtown core with good transit and other access to UNBC.
Sandman – There are two Sandmans (Sandmen?) in town (so be certain about which one you are booking at). The older one (Sandman Suites) has a Denny’s Restaurant attached. The newer one (Sandman Signature) is nice, but currently pretty isolated due to being in a location that is just being developed. It has a restaurant associated with it, i.e. the Rockford Grill.
Best Western Plus – A new hotel on the west end of town.
Sheraton Four Points – On the way in from the airport. The only nearby (walking distance) restaurant is Than Vu. Not to far, by car, to UNBC.
Treasure Cove Casino Hotel – Quite close to the Sheraton Four Points, so the same details apply in terms of access to UNBC. The Grand Trunk Tavern is in this hotel.
Pomeroy Inn and Suites – A new hotel, near to one of the Sandman hotels.
UNBC residence – Stay right at UNBC in one of the residences.
Meals/Restaurants:
UNBC also has a cafeteria, a Tim Horton’s, a corner store featuring standard snack food as well as local fare, a student-run coffee shop (Degrees Coffee), and a pub. One way or the other, there is always food available on campus at UNBC.
Other eating options on and off campus include:
The Thirsty Moose – This is UNBC’s student society-run pub, and the only place on campus where you can purchase EtOH, etc. It features typical pub food, various beers, and other drinks. Vegetarian options.
Spicy Greens – Sri Lankan, South Indian, and Singaporean meals. Spice levels vary from mild to extreme (you make your choice at the time of order). Vegetarian options, of course. They also deliver or do pick-up. Situated well outside of downtown, but not far from UNBC by car.
Cimo Mediterranean Grill – Mediterranean food, with a focus on pasta. Pasta is made fresh on site. A good wine menu. Also featuring some homemade local sauces (buffalo!). Vegetarian options. In the downtown core.
White Goose Bistro – A classy little restaurant with an interesting (and rotating) menu. I’ve eaten ostrich, lobster ravioli, and a number of other great meals here. Right in downtown. Vegetarian options.
Nancy O’s – Also right in downtown, great food and a good selection of drinks – much of it locally or regionally sourced. They are a big supporter of the local music/art scene and often have live music in the evenings. Vegetarian options.
Betulla Burning – Other than getting the spelling of the the birch genus incorrect (Betula), this is a fantastic restaurant. Next door to Nancy O’s, they feature an Italian birch-fired oven and they use it to make wonderful pizzas.
Trench Brewing – A bit out of the way, in the industrial area on the edge of downtown. But if you get there, you’ll be glad you did. A great selection of locally brewed beers and a menu to match perfectly.
CrossRoads Brewing – Great food, also featuring an Italian wood-fired oven for pizza. Another fantastic feature of this restaurant:
Oakroom Grill – Fine dining at reasonable prices, and family friendly as well.
North 54 – Upscale dining in downtown. Great atmosphere. A good wine list. Vegetarian options.
Twisted Cork – Casual dining, good food. Near to the Ramada and Coast hotels in the downtown area. Vegetarian options.
The Black Clover – A pub-style restaurant, with lots of beers on tap, in the downtown core.
Kask – More craft beer, and craft spirits. And a great menu.
Birch & Boar – Not a restaurant, per se, although the do sell sandwiches. A great little charcuterie near to the Ramada.
Yolks All Day – Breakfast and brunch.
Daydream Donuts – Incredible donuts, baked fresh… donuts can be a meal, right?
Pastry Chef – Just down the road from the Ramada. This place has been run by a single family for years. A bit of room to eat a lunch (etc.). Sandwiches made fresh to order. Lots of goodies and bread baked daily as well. Near to the Ramada and the Coast in downtown.
Than Vu – A nice Vietnamese restaurant. Located near to the Sheraton Four Points hotel. Vegetarian options.
Mai Thai – A Thai restaurant located a little bit out of downtown. Vegetarian options.
Fortune Palace – Chinese (pretty western, though) restaurant, down the hill from UNBC.
Grand Trunk Tavern and Oyster Bar – Located in the Treasure Cove Casino Hotel.
Golden Sail – Chinese restaurant, down the hill from UNBC.
Shogun – Japanese restaurant located in the Coast Inn.
The Keg – Located close to the Ramada and the Coast Inn in downtown. Steak house, of course. Recently renovated.
Various chains: Red Robin (edge of downtown), Earl’s, Moxie’s, Original Joe’s (not too far from UNBC), Starbucks (several locations), Tim Horton’s (several locations), Montana’s, The Canadian Brewhouse, Fatburger, etc.
A few of the things to do while in town:
Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park – located about an hour’s drive east of Prince George on Highway 16. An extremely impressive interior wet belt rain forest with some big trees and other great things to see. A good part of the hike has been made very accessible through the installation of a boardwalk. But there are more rugged hiking options as well.
Forests for the World – Located right behind UNBC, you can walk into the extensive hiking and biking trails from campus (perhaps a good reason to stay in the dorms?). Shane Lake, in the middle of the forest, is stocked each year with large rainbow trout that happily take a fly (but maybe aren’t so happy after that). A great place to spend an afternoon, and an area that is often used in UNBC courses for field laboratories, etc.
Other hiking/strolling/walking/skiiing/angling in and around town – Prince George has plenty of greenbelt areas, particularly along the Fraser and Nechako Rivers. For instance, Cottonwood Park Nature Park, a short walk from Fort George Park, can be a great way to spend some outdoor time. Fort George Park, itself, has a nice little lagoon associated with it that can attract some interesting wildlife and insects.
Other natural history opportunities – Please contact the Prince George Naturalists Club.
Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre – A small, but punches-above-its-weight science centre for kids of all ages (plus the Prince George regional museum). Located in Fort George Park, so if the weather is nice you can visit the museum and then go for a stroll.
Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum – Just what the name says. Lots of train cars and forestry equipment on display, many of which you can go inside of to explore. Also a small train for kids to ride, if you bring your family.
Books and Company – How many local, independent bookstores exist anymore? Not too many, but here’s one! As noted above, there is a cafe associated with the store. Great selection. Generally a ton of books on sale as well. Helpful staff, and a funky atmosphere. In the downtown area.
Two Rivers Art Gallery – Our local art gallery, with rotating exhibits, a gift store, and regular activities, etc. In the downtown area, near to the Coast and Ramada hotels.
Farmers’ Market – Two locations in the downtown core, open on Saturday mornings. The indoor market is open all year. The outdoor market opens in May. Many great vendors, lunch options, etc.
Jasper National Park – A world class national park, as all of you know. About a four-hour drive from Prince George east along Highway 16.
Various provincial parks – Scattered around Prince George, lots of hiking and other recreational options. Check out the provincial park guide for details.