Cranbrook

Cranbrook is a city of approximately 20,000 (2016) (26,000 in the area) that is the primary administrative and commercial center for the Kootenay region in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, Canada. It serves the surrounding area of over 82,000 people.

History
The area was inhabited by Ktunaxa peoples. The land that Cranbrook now occupies was bought by European settlers, notably Colonel James Baker who named his newly acquired land Cranbrook after his home in Cranbrook, Kent, England.

In 1898, Baker had convinced Canadian Pacific Railway to establish its Crowsnest Pass line through Cranbrook rather than nearby gold rush boom town Fort Steele. Cranbrook became the major centre of the region, while Fort Steele declined; however, the latter is today a preserved heritage town.

Get in
Cranbrook is often visited unintentionally since it's on British Columbia's Highway 3 that crosses the southern portion of the province. Cranbrook is easily reached in 4 hr of driving from Calgary, and about 10 hr driving from Vancouver.

Cranbrook can be reached from the United States from either Idaho by crossing at the Kingsgate/Eastport crossing on US 95 or from Montana at the Roosville crossing on US-93.

Airport
There are dally flights to Cranbrook from Vancouver (1.25-1.75 hours) and Calgary (1 hour).

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Cranbrook:



Other airlines operating to Cranbrook:


 * Delta Air Lines also has a seasonal service 3 times a week from Salt Lake City.

Get around
Being a small city, getting around Cranbrook is best done by automobile. Some roads in Cranbrook are in poor shape, especially side streets. Main arterial roads, however, have been given some much needed attention in the past couple of years and are generally in good condition.

Most restaurants and hotels are located on Highway 3/95, which is also known as Van Horne Street in the south end of the city and Cranbrook Street in the north end. The whole Hwy 3/95 going through Cranbrook is usually called "The Strip". Downtown stretches along Baker Street.

Much of Cranbrook is pretty flat so biking around town would also be a reasonable option.

By public transit

 * Cranbrook's transit system consisting of seven routes connecting residential areas of the city to the downtown area as well as shopping centres. The Cranbrook transit system is geared more towards residents and is not of much use to tourists.
 * Below are Health Connections trips. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The trips are open to all members of the public, but as "Health Connections" trips, people traveling to medical appointments receive priority for reservations
 * Two days per week there is bus service between Golden and Cranbrook with a stop in Invermere. Travel time to Cranbrook from Golden is 3.25 to 3.5 hours and from Invermere is 2 hours.
 * Two days per week between Creston and Cranbrook with a stop in Yahk. Travel time is 2 hours between Creston and Cranbrook.
 * Two days per week between Elkford and Cranbrook with stops in Sparwood and Fernie. Travel time between Cranbrook and Fernie is 1 to 1.25 hours.
 * Two days per week between Elkford and Cranbrook with stops in Sparwood and Fernie. Travel time between Cranbrook and Fernie is 1 to 1.25 hours.

See
Cranbrook has as its backdrop the Rocky Mountains. Any visitor equipped with a camera will find no shortage of locations to photograph nature. Elizabeth Lake, located at the south end of Cranbrook, is a wildlife sanctuary and home to many different birds and animals, ripe for the photographing. Cranbrook dates back to the late 1800s and has lots of history to check out around downtown.

Do




Buy



 * With its growing collection of big box stores, Cranbrook is a good place to stock up on supplies before you head into the wilderness There are numerous options on Cranbrook St N (also known as Highway 3 and Highway 95) at the north end of the city.

Canadian dollars are the official currency here, but given Cranbrook's proximity to Idaho and Montana, US dollars may be accepted too. Just ask.

Eat
Cranbrook has most major fast food restaurant chains. Casual dining is somewhat limited and includes chain a number of chain restaurants. You will find that fine dining is severely limited.

Some local favourites include:

Drink
Cranbrook has its share of bars, most of which are in the downtown core, off Baker Street.



Go next
Getting out is much the same as getting in. Other interesting places to visit in the area are Kimberley and Fernie.

A paved biking trail has been completed, connecting Cranbrook with Marysville, just south of Kimberley. This is a "rails to trails" conversion, running mostly parallel to the highway through pine forests and fields, about 25 km.