Discover the history and heritage that built the town we know and enjoy today with a knowledgeable local tour guide.
Summer Walking Tours
Tours run from June-September and must be booked ahead of time. To book, please contact the Fernie Museum during regular opening hours at 250 423 7016, or email info@ferniemuseum.com.
Approximate Duration: 1 hour
Please wear suitable walking shoes and be prepared for potential weather changes. Sunglasses, hat, umbrella, rain jacket, water, and sunscreen are recommended.
Cost: $15, includes admission to the Museum & Gallery. Can be paid on arrival by cash, debit or credit card.
11AM | THE GREAT FIRE
On August 1st, 1908, a wildfire swept through Fernie, razing the town in just 90 minutes and causing over $5 million in property damage. The resulting building ordinances created the town we enjoy today.
Your guide will explain what we know of the fire, show you how the town rebuilt, and guide you point out fascinating remnants of the fire.
1PM | RUMRUNNERS!
When prohibition hit Canada, local entrepreneurs did a roaring trade transporting whiskey and other goods between Fernie and the Crowsnest Pass. Events came to a head on September 21, 1922 with a car chase followed by a violent shoot-out which led to a tragic end for Fernie’s bottle king and his young assistant.
Canadian Prohibition was every bit as dramatic and deadly as you’ve seen in the movies. Don’t miss this true story of triumph and tragedy.
630 PM (Fridays Only) | HISTORIC HOTELS
Come with us on a guided tour through the Fernie’s historic hotels! Learn about the rough-and-tumble bars and flophouses of old town, the fine establishments of Victoria Avenue, and the seedy environs of Fernie’s (multiple) Red Light districts. Tour starts at the Fernie Museum and loops around downtown, stopping at the Central, Northern, and finishing at the Fernie Taphouse.
Fernie Cemetery Tours
Join the Fernie Museum for a journey through the lives and deaths of the St. Margaret’s Cemetery: from victims of disease and catastrophe to military veterans, criminal entrepreneurs and hardworking immigrants who are too often left out of our town’s narrative.
Tours are available at 1 PM Saturdays and Sundays from September 13 to November 2nd 2025 and must be booked in advance. A minimum of 3 guests are required.
Terrain can be uneven, wet, or slippery- warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
Departs from: St. Margaret’s Cemetery Gates, 1PM
Approximate Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $15 per person, museum members free
Booking: Contact the Fernie Museum between 11am and 4pm 7 days a week at 250 423 7016, or email info@ferniemuseum.com
Fernie Ghost Tours
Fernie’s most ghastly ghost stories and horrible happenings in the downtown core. Every tale is crafted from dark history, local legend, or vivid ghostly experiences shared by Fernie locals. Is Fernie haunted? Could our pleasant streets hide an eerie truth, too terrible for the light of day? Take the Fernie Ghost Tour and find out!
Tours run at 8 PM Saturdays and Sundays from October 20th to November 2nd, 2025. A minimum of 4 guests are required.
Please note that these tours are not for the faint-of-heart and should be taken with a pinch of salt, and a sense of humour! Evenings are cold and the terrain can be uneven and wet, so warm waterproof clothing and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
Recommended minimum age 8+.
Departs from: Station Square, 591 1st Ave 8 PM
Approximate Duration: 1 hour 45 mins
Cost: $25 per person. Special rates available for school groups.
Booking: Contact the Fernie Museum between 11am and 4pm 7 days a week at 250 423 7016 or email info@ferniemuseum.com