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Cranbrook

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Cranbrook is a small city of approximately 18,500 located in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is the main administrative and retail centre for the Kootenay region of the province.

Travel to Cranbrook & Visa Requirements

Many visitors may visit Cranbrook by accident, as it is located along Highway 3, which is a major highway that traverses the southern portion of the province. Cranbrook is easily within a days drive of Calgary, and about a 10 hour drive from Vancouver.

Cranbrook can be reached from the United States from either Idaho by crossing at the Kingsgate/Eastport crossing on US 95 or from Montana at the Roosville crossing on US 93.

Cranbrook is also served by the Canadian Rockies International Airport, located approximately 15 km north of the city on Highway 95A. The airport is served by Air Canada Jazz and Pacific Coastal airlines which provide daily flights from Vancouver and Calgary, Delta Airlines is begining 3 day a week service to Salt Lake City in December 2008.

Tours & Getting around Cranbrook

Being a small city, getting around Cranbrook is best done by automobile. Some roads in Cranbrook are in poor shape, especially side streets. Main arterial roads, however, have been given some much needed attention in the past couple of years and are generally in good condition.

Most restaurants and hotels are located on Highway 3/95, which is also known as Van Horne Street is the south end of town and Cranbrook Street in the north end. Downtown is located along Baker Street.

Cranbrook is also served by a nascent transit system consisting of six routes connecting residential areas of the city to the downtown area as well as shopping centres. The Cranbrook transit system is geared more towards residents and is not of much use to tourists.

Taxi service is readily available as an alternative to car rental and public transit.

Cranbrook attractions and sightseeing

Cranbrook has as its backdrop the Rocky Mountains. Any visitor equipped with a camera will find no shortage of locations to photograph nature. Elizabeth Lake, located at the south end of Cranbrook, is a wildlife sanctuary and home to many different birds and animals, ripe for the photographing.

Cranbrook city tours

Cranbrook souvenirs & shopping

Baker Street has an interesting mix of clothing stores and specialty shops. As with many growing cities, downtown seems to be suffering as more and more people shop at the malls and big box stores located at the north end of the city.

With its growing collection of big box stores, Cranbrook is a good place to stock up on supplies before you head into the wilderness. Wal-Mart and Home Depot, Real Canadian Superstore are located at the north end of town.

The Tamarack Centre Located along the strip has lots of shopping stores and fast food Restaurants, Zellers at the south end and Winners at the north end and on the east side is the Columbia Theatre, Staples is beside Winners.

Cranbrook Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Cranbrook is crammed with every imaginable fast food restaurant. Most fast foods restaurants including McDonalds, Burger King, Arbys, Subway and Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons are represented. Casual dining is somewhat limited and includes chain restaurants Boston Pizza, Pizza Hut Mr. Mikes as well as the exotic K's Amazon Eatery. You will find that fine dining is severely limited.

Some local favourites include:

  • Max's Place on Victoria, 301-535 Victoria Avenue N., 250-489-3538. Trendy coffee shop. A good place for lunch with fresh sandwiches, salads and desserts.
  • Pita Wrapbit, with locations on the Strip, at the College of the Rockies and the Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport, Pita Wrapbit specializes in wraps, pitas, juices, soups and smoothies.
  • K's Amazon Eatery, 300 Cranbrook Street N., 250-489-5095. They've got normal food such as burgers, or take a walk on the wild side with some alligator.
  • Mojo's Pizza, Downtown Cranbrook. Deep-dish pizza by the slice to die for, try their 2 for $6 deal!

Cranbrook nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Cranbrook has its share of bars, most of which are located in the downtown core, off Baker Street. The closest thing to a night club, The Monarch Bar Co., is located in the Heritage Inn.

Cranbrook cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Elizabeth Lake Lodge, 590 Van Horne Street S., 250-426-6114.[1]
  • Sandman Hotel, 405 Cranbrook Street N., 250-426-4236.
  • Super 8 Motel, 2370 Cranbrook Street N., 250-489-8028.
  • Heritage Inn, 803 Cranbrook Street N., 250-489-4301.
  • Lazy Bear Lodge, 621 Cranbrook Street N., 1-888-808-6086.
  • Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort, 209 Van Horne Street S., 250-417-0444, [2].
  • St. Eugene Mission Resort, 7731 Mission Road, 250-420-2000.
  • Flamingo Motel, 432 Van Horne Street S., 250-426-7073.
  • Heritage Estate Motel, 362 Van Horne Street S., 250-426-3862.
  • Almo Court Motel, 316 2nd Street S., 250-426-3213.

Get out

Getting out is much the same as getting in. Other interesting places to visit in the area are Kimberley and Fernie.


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This page was last edited at 07:16, on 28 December 2008 by Wikitravel user Shaund. Based on work by David, Joel and Darren Kirby, Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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