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Kamloops is a town you might not have heard of. It’s in the interior of the province of British Columbia in Canada. The town is a major thoroughfare for trains heading East from Vancouver. It’s also a great stopover town for people making the long drive to or from the Canadian Rockies just over the Alberta border. But other than that, a lot of people haven’t been there. However with lockdown restrictions easing, Canadians are looking for new places to travel to. Everyone the world over is looking more to do domestic travel, and Canada is no different. So my first trip was to Kamloops, a 4 hour drive from Vancouver where I live. While there I ended up finding some really unique things to do in Kamloops including a completely unexpected self-guided street art tour.
The best things to do in Kamloops
Kamloops is a smallish town. Coming from Vancouver I didn’t really know what to expect to do there, but it turns out there are a lot of things to do in Kamloops for visitors. There are a number of local craft breweries, a ghost town nearby, beautiful hikes just outside the city, and of course the marvelous street art. So today I’m going to highlight some of the fantastically creative street art pieces that you can find if you take a walk around the center of Kamloops. And if you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Vancouver, or a new place to visit in Canada, make sure to stop at Kamloops. Nearby wine country means it’s a good base, and especially if you head over to the Canadian Rockies. I spent a couple of nights at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Kamloops.
Kamloops street art tour
The downtown core of Kamloops is along Victoria Street. Only a few blocks from the South Thompson river, the area is made up of mostly hotels and eateries. You’ll find some of the street art along Victoria street. But the majority of it is in the alleyways between Victoria Street and Lansdowne Street to the North, and Seymour Street to the South. I would recommend walking through the town to around 2nd Avenue and then head down the alley there on the North side of Victoria, and just walk all the way along until you reach 6th Avenue, then do the same with the Alley to the South of Victoria. There are one or two parts where you might need to come out of the alley and walk around but keep going the same direction.
Please note: I have credited artists where I could find the info. If there’s one I didn’t tag and you know who the artist is please let me know so I can credit them
Themed murals
Some of the art work is representative of the business that the wall backs onto or businesses in the area. For example a mural that literally says “Historic Hotel” on it is on the site that was once the Leland Hotel on 4th Avenue. Some are a little more subtle, like the one below of a giant barrel with dogs running along it with red collars. This backs onto the Red Collar Brewery off 3rd Avenue and Victoria
Cultural murals
There are a few street art pieces that depict various places or cultures from around the world. A lot of these are very bold and very colorful, and are a great way to liven up an otherwise boring alley. The striking Buddhist designs off 3rd Avenue between Victoria and Seymour is one you shouldn’t miss. And for something a little more subdued, but no less beautiful there’s an entire Venetian mural further along the alley. Go one block along towards 2nd Avenue and you’ll find an Italian courtyard by the same artist.
People murals
People make good subjects. Especially famous people. You can find Marilyn Monroe just across from the Venice scene street art piece. But the people don’t always have to be famous, like this amazing full length piece of a saxophone player a little further along just before you get the 4th Avenue entrance to the alley. And another piece which is just a close up of a man’s face is opposite the Leland Hotel street art mural. Keep looking around the surrounding streets and you might see some other vaguely familiar characters like Cleopatra.
Animal murals
Animal murals are always a hit. Or they are with me. We’ll start off with a couple of insects like this beautiful butterfly street art piece just around from the picture of the man above. Just along from Red Collar brewing is a lovely flower scene along with some close up artwork of a bee. Then there are some pieces of some typical Canadian wildlife. There’s a salmon, a wolf, and a fantastic blue grizzly bear on the side of the RE/MAX building off Seymour Street and 3rd Avenue.
Local history
There are a couple of street art pieces that allude to the history of the area, and things to do in Kamloops, or stories of its past. One is literally a piece of artwork of Kamloops, and even includes the famous Rocky Mountaineer train that makes a stop 6 nights of the week in this small town, the official halfway point on the journey to the Rockies. Like train? Me too. Then you’ll love the other big mural which is all about the Billy Miner train robbery near Kamloops.
Scenery and other random murals
There are beautiful scenes and back porch-like street art pieces, and one of my favorites which was the tropical scene looking piece. I personally loved the inventive use of the drain pipe into a palm tree. The most unique piece might be the carnival scene opposite the saxophone player from earlier as well as the nearby under-the-sea scene.
The Kamloops Film Society Mural
Around the Paramount Theater on 5th Avenue is one of the larger works of art. It shows a series of heads and each one contains a scene from a famous movie. Raging Bull and Strictly Ballroom are among them. And another on the back of the building that is of a recent Canadian movie The Grizzlies.
Dumpster murals
Even the garbage gets jazzed up in Kamloops, where they don’t just have ordinary boring dumpters. Instead they are painted like the walls, in bright colors with varying themes. Amazing!
Street art tour: things to do in Kamloops
A good deal of time can be spent walking around the downtown area of Kamloops, ducking in and out of alleyways, and admiring all the phenomenal street art. Have your camera ready because you never know what you’re going to find. New murals are popping up often, and I’m sure over time some of these will be replaced with others. I hope they just keep adding to them, as this quiet town has a vibrant energy with all of these wonderful pieces of art. I would much rather be looking for interesting murals than seeing the boring grey and dirty walls like in most alleys.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which of these pieces of art do you like the most? Did you know there were such interesting things to do in Kamloops such as this?
Please note: I have credited artists where I could find the info. If there’s one I didn’t tag and you know who the artist is please let me know so I can credit them
That is some quality street art! I was blown away by the street art in Toronto, but these artworks are even better. More dumpsters need murals!
Thanks for sharing, these pieces of art look amazing 🙂
This street art is amazing. I liked Zach Abney’s artwork the most. Great post thanks for sharing.
This is amazing! I’ve seen the odd mural of art while walking through the streets (of Toronto) but never thought to scope out all the great pieces all over town! Love how much talent here is in Kamloops – I have to get there one day!
Very interesting post about Kamloops! Still need to visit this part of Canada.
I absolutely love street art! I’m going to do a street art tour in the city where I used to live because I just found out they have lots. 🙂
Ooh I love discovering street art! What a beautiful collection you have nearby! There are so many wonderful pieces, I can’t pick a favourite! The underwater scene looks spectacular! Thanks for the wonderful guide, hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to visit them in person at some point!
Love the street art! I’m finding local travel is the only kind of travel I feel comfortable doing right now as well, but I’m still kinda iffy about staying in hotels.
WOW! I love finding new cities that have a surprising amount of street art! I’ve been to Vancouver, but clearly I have to go back to BC to explore more!
I’ve never heard of Kamloops before – but that’s not surprising since I’ve yet to go West of the Rockies. Adding it to my list for whenever it’s safe enough for me to road trip out and see all BC has to offer!
Wow, these are so impressive. I have never been to Kamloops but would love to visit one day.
What a great blog. I so enjoyed it. I love seeing street art. I wish we had more of it in my home town. They are so talented!
I love this post. Tagging the artists’ is an extra special touch. I’m just a day’s drive south in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. I’ll have to venture farther beyond Vancouver the next time I make it your way! Thanks for the inspiration!
These murals are stunning, I really love the colors and life it brings to the town. I notice a lot of animals in the murals it just shows how this town lives in step with nature. I love this! Thanks for sharing.
I love street art, it says so much about local culture! Very cool looking town too 😎
I love street art… and these are just beautiful. A lovely town and super post, thanks for sharing!
OOOhhh!! Absolutely love street art, and yes, never heard of Kamloops before!! Sounds like a lovely town to spend a weekend in, catch all the art and then find yourself in the breweries in the evenings. What a charming find.
Wow! The detail that these artists put into their work is incredible. Thank you for sharing them with us. My favorite is the underwater one!
Have never heard of this town but OMG once the US?Canada border opens I am there! Been planning an Alberta trip and would love to swing by Vancouver again so sounds like the perfect stopover on a road trip through Canada!
Wow! Who would have thought Kamloops would have such amazing street art? We’re actually supposed to be passing through Kamloops on Friday on our way to a camping spot so I will make sure to keep my eyes open for these beauties!
This art is fantastic. You were on the money with that one. Love that street scene by Porteous. But all are wonderful.
I love going on self-guided street art tours! There are so many amazing murals you’ve seen here and it’s so cool to see a different side to Canada. I had no idea there was such a vibrant street art scene anywhere in the country :O
I am one of those who have driven thru, but not stay. What a fantastic art tour. It adds so much to a city when you see it. Many talented artists, especially Zach Abney. His work is amazing.
THIS is what travel is all about- finding places to explore like this one (ideally before the rest of IG gets there!) Thanks for helping me add another place to my bucket list!
Gotta love amazing street art like this- especially that saxophone player and the underwater scene! Who would have thought that there were so many amazing morals in Kamloops
Love the mural art! I’m from Sacramento and we have a lot of awesome murals as well. I’ve never heard of Kamloops but have been to Vancouver: maybe I can check it out whenever I go back!
I also live in Vancouver! When we moved here we drove from Ontario. We made a stop in Kamloops for the night before we finally arrived in Vancouver, and I said I’d love to go back for a proper visit, not just there to sleep. I had no idea there was so much street art there. Great post!
Oh wow! These photos are all incredible! I love street art and this is definitely some of the best I’ve seen, I’ll definitely have to add Kamloops to the list for when I eventually make it to Canada!
I love this self-directed walking tour! There is also a cute shop, on 1st Avenue between Seymour & Victoria, called Ms.Whimsy’s Gift Emporium. Inside she has the funkiest mural wrapped around a pole in the middle of the store and covers a big part of the ceiling. It’s the perfect first stop on the walking tour as the first mural is down the alley from Ms. Whimsys shop!
That’s a great tip, thank you. I’ll have to check that out next time I am in Kamloops. Such a great town and I love those little individual shops.