"Be careful where you spend your cash - Barkerville" Province of British Columbia Tourist Trap Tip by amambaw

Barkerville, in Central BC, has long been a great tourist site. It is East of the city of Quesnel, and was home to the BC Goldrush in the 1860s. Recently, the BC Gov't privatized the management, and now the area runs for profit, instead of for education. Barkerville is well worth a visit, but a few things to remember. 1) Many of the activities that cost money are not worth your time. Don't bother with the gold panning at the town's entrance, you can do it for free just outside the town in the creek. Also, the stagecoach ride is short, and doesn't take you anywhere that you can't walk to. 2) The food is quite expensive, so pack a lunch. 3) If you plan on visiting for more than one day, get a year membership. It's not that much more expensive, and will save you money in the long run.

Unique Suggestions: First of all, come early. That will allow you to get in many of the free activities offered during the day. The free activities are very neat to see, especially Court with Judge Begbie (Just remember to say "God Save the Queen," and you'll be fine!). If you don't mind sitting and people watching, you will get a few free theatre performances by roving actors dressed in period costume. These are usually hilarious, and the actors don't mind being quizzed afterwards. If you want pictures of yourself in period clothes, don't bother with the photo shop. Rent your own, and then you can spend all day getting great pics in the silly get-ups! As I mentioned above, bring your own lunch and snacks, as food in the village is quite pricey. If you have a sweet tooth, though, don't hesitate to visit the Dry Goods store. The prices for candy are the same as anywhere, but you'll find some old fashioned stuff that you won't see elsewhere.

Fun Alternatives: If you're not into the commercial circus that many heritage sites tend to be, maybe visit Hat Creek Ranch instead. The ranch was a road house along the Cariboo Wagon Trail that led to Barkerville, and is located just West of Cache Creek on Hwy 1. The ranch is much smaller than Barkerville, and can be toured in an afternoon. There are far fewer money-sucking activities here, so you won't be tempted to take out your wallet. Also, Cache Creek is only 20 minutes away, and you can easily find some cheap eats and goods.