Trip 136 - July 3, 2018 (Tuesday)
Merritt BC City Center Visit
Distance From Vancouver: Approximately 270 kilometers via Highway
1 East and Highway 5 North.
Liked: Coldwater hotel exterior, Info Center exterior, numerous excellent outdoor murals and wall art.
Related Websites: City of Merritt Official Site, Tourism Merritt, Merritt BC (wiki).
Other BC Cities, Towns and Locations We Have Visited: Agassiz, Bella Coola, Bralorne, Chilliwack, Fort Nelson, Gibsons, Gold Bridge, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Horseshoe Bay, Mission, Nanaimo (Old City Square), Port Alberni, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Squamish, Telkwa, Tofino, Tumbler Ridge, Vancouver (Seawall), Vancouver (Stanley Park), West Vancouver (Ambleside Park).
Merritt BC is a small town of about 7,000 residents located on BC Highway 5, about halfway between Hope and Kamloops. In addition to (comparatively) humane gas prices, Merritt features several big box stores for a traveler in need, as well as a small but cozy city center, which we have visited today.
1. We are Eastbound on TransCanada Highway 1 in Fraser Valley.
TransCanada Highway 1 East Fraser Valley
2. Upon reaching Hope, follow signs to Highway 5. You can either bypass Hope, or take exit 170 to visit Hope first - the signs to Highway 5 are plentiful.
TransCanada Highway 1 East near Hope British Columbia Canada
3. Now Northbound on Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway).
BC Highway 5 (Coquihalla) North of Hope British Columbia Canada
4. Take Exit 286 to Merritt City Center / Kelowna.
BC Highway 5 North Exit 286 to Merritt City Centre and Kelowna
5. Then follow signs to Merritt. Here is a Welcome to Merritt sign.
Entering Merritt BC Canada
6. Merritt city center would be on your left within several minutes. We parked our vehicle and started a walking tour on Voght Street, which appeared to be the main artery of what is several blocks of downtown Merritt.
Downtown Merritt BC Canada - Voght Street
7. Merritt city center features some of the best wall art we have seen in British Columbia. Here is a City Furniture store on Voght Street between Coutlee Avenue and Quilchena Avenue.
Wall Art in Downtown Merritt BC Canada
8. Just down the street.
Merritt British Columbia Canada
9. Coldwater Hotel on the corner of Voght Street and Quilchena Avenue has an impressive exterior.
Coldwater Hotel Merritt BC Canada
10. An artsy area on the corner of Voght Street and Granite Avenue.
Corner of Voght Street and Granite Avenue Merritt BC Canada
11. And here is a close-up of the map seen on the left side of the photo above.
Map of Merritt BC Canada
12. More quality art.
Street Art in Merritt British Columbia Canada
13. Granite Avenue at Voght Street.
Granite Avenue Merritt British Columbia Canada
14. There also numerous stars dedicated to country music performers throughout Merritt city center. This star is dedicated to Tracy Prescott.
Tracy Prescott star in the town of Merritt BC
15. Fine Bonzai Bicycles wall art on Coutlee Avenue between Garcia Street and Voght Street.
Bonzai Bicycles Wall Art Merritt British Columbia Canada
16. Another Merritt map on the corner of Coutlee Avenue and Voght Street.
Old Merritt BC Wall Map
17. A picturesque church on the corner of Chapman Street and Quilchena Avenue.
Church on the Corner of Chapman Street and Quilchena Avenue in Merritt
BC
18. This cenotaph is located by Merritt Civic Center, on Mamette Avenue by Chapman Street.
Cenotaph Merritt BC
19-20. Just a bit further on Mamette Avenue (closer to Voght street) is Merritt City Hall, featuring this painting on the outside.
Merritt City Hall Wall Art
20-21. About a hundred meters later, colourful Merritt Info Center is located on the corner of Mamette Avenue and Voght Street.
Merritt Info Centre
22. The yard behind the Info Center.
Merritt Info Centre Yard
Merritt city center can pass for an open air gallery, thanks to the wonderful displays of murals and wall art.
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ihikebc.com Trip 136 - Merritt BC City Centre Visit