Merritt
“Welcome back and welcome home to Bass Coast. The City of Merritt and the beautiful Nicola Valley have missed you. Welcome all who have come from all over Canada and the world to one of the premier events in this country. Please feel free to make your way to our small but friendly city where you will be warmly greeted by our citizens and many shopkeepers who are ready, willing, and able to serve you and make your experience here one you will not forget.
It is always an honour to host this great event and I cannot say enough about the event organizers and the commitment they make to our city both financially as well as culturally. Let your hair down, embrace the ambiance of the Bass Coast experience and most of all have fun. Welcome home."
Mike Goetz, Mayor, City of Merritt
Welcome To Merritt
Below you will find some helpful links as to where you can rest your head in Merritt, grab a bite to eat and discover the hidden gems of our shopping district.
Known as the Country Music Capital of Canada, Merritt is proud of its heritage and country roots. A hub of art and culture, we encourage you to visit the downtown murals to see past musical performers. The convenience of Merritt being so close to the festival grounds offers visitors everything they need to have a great time in the Nicola Valley.
Hunger Calls
Looking for a place to eat? We got you covered with over 30 restaurants in Merritt to help feed the hunger. Check out the list below to see all the great places to grab a bit.
Bass Coast Donates $10,000 To Merritt Bike Trail
Bass Coast donated $10,000 to support upgrades to Ridge Trail on Merritt's Iron Mountain.
Rest Your Head
Looking for offsite accommodations? There are many options ranging from two brand new hotels to camping in the area. Check out the links below for all your accommodation options.
- List of Places to Stay in Merritt
- List of camping sites in Merritt and the Nicola Valley through Recreation Sites and Trails BC, under the Merritt heading.
- Also check out Destination BC’s top 5 camping in Merritt article
- Comfort Inn & Suites Merritt is offering special discounted rates for Bass Coast. Stay where the Artists are staying and enjoy free hot breakfast, indoor pool & hot tub, free wifi, 24x7 front desk and more! Please call 250-315-0237 to book today and mention Bass Coast!
Forget Something?
You might want to take home a souvenir to remind you of the festival. You never know what gems you might find as well when you are souvenir hunting. Take a stroll through the variety of retail stores in Merritt.
Forgot to grab the snacks for camping? No worries, pick them up when you arrive. Grocery Stores in Merritt include:
- Save On Foods
- Extra Foods
- A variety of convenience stores throughout Merritt
Explore The Town Of Merritt
Looking for recommendations of what to do in Merritt? Below are our top 3 suggestions of things to do outside of the festival when you are in Merritt.
1) Explore the Town of Merritt
Visit the City of Merritt and learn why Bass Coast calls Merritt BC home.
- Visit the Baillie House (2202 Voght Street) – pick up information on Merritt and a walking tour brochure
- Venture throughout downtown Merritt to see the murals and handprint exhibits. (The murals appreciate selfies and to be tagging online with #ExploreMerritt)
- Grab a bit to eat and a beverage at a local restaurant. Depending on your level of hunger and what you are craving will determine where you want to go.
- Take a stroll throughout downtown Merritt and stop in at a local store to pick up a souvenir or two for the way home.
- a. Take a photo op at the Wind Onion at Lions Memorial Park (2408 Voght St)
2) Ride out to Quilchena
Learn the local history and discover the road less traveled.
- Drive out to the Quilchena Hotel
- Stop in at the Nicola Ranch. Stop by the gift shop and take a photo op next to the Murray Church (oldest building in the Nicola Valley, built in 1876).
- Visit the Quilchena Hotel and gift store.
- If you are wanting an even longer drive, continue on to Douglas Lake Ranch (2 hrs drive, 85 km east from Merritt, along Douglas Lake Rd.)
- Another option is to rent a bike and ride out to Quilchena Hotel (23 km)
3) Get Outdoors
If outdoor activities are more your style, this might be for you.
- Golfing, hiking up to the viewpoint (above Norgaard Ready Mix), Mt. biking, fishing (forgot to bring your rod, don’t worry you can borrow ours), or swimming at Monck Provincial Park are just a few ways to stretch your legs.
For other day trip suggestions visit Tourism Merritt Recommended Day Trips.
Or ask us for where you can rent bikes, got for a horse ride or see a 20 ft. tall Wind Onion. We will give you the inside scoop!
Wondering what is happening in town during the Bass Coast weekend? No worries we got you covered with Merritt’s Community Calendar. A single events calendar showcasing events in Merritt and the Nicola Valley. We like to think of it as the best way to meet the locals!
We encourage you to visit Merritt before the festival starts or leave a day after the festival to explore the Nicola Valley.
Connect with us online and tag us at #ExploreMerritt to share your Merritt and Nicola Valley adventures during Bass Coast!
We are thrilled to have you join us at Bass Coast to celebrate the festivals 5th year in Merritt BC. This year the festival will be out of this world!