Williams Lake is the hub of the Cariboo and there are a number of special areas that sparkle within the city or nearby that will entertain and inform a visitor:

• Scout Island Nature Centre features a number of displays of local wildlife, birds, fish and more. It rests upon Scout Island nestled on the west end of Williams Lake. Nature trails and walkways provide the visitor with easy access to the marsh ecosystem surrounding Scout Island. A public beach, picnic area and boat launch are also located on Scout Island.
  
• The Station House Gallery is located at the west end of Oliver St. in the old B.C. Rail Station House - the oldest building in the city. The Gallery features local, regional and touring displays and also houses a gift shop featuring the work of regional artists and craftspeople.
  
• Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin is located on 4th Avenue, kitty-corner to City Hall. It has indoor and outdoor displays focusing on the natives, pioneers and cowboys that enriched the history of the region.
  
• With its 44th Season underway, Williams Lake Studio Theatre presents the finest in community theatre.
  
• Williams Lake Community Arts Council features the finest in classical, folk and modern music within its Performing Arts Series.
  
• Williams Lake River Valley Trail is a series of trails that navigate the length of the Williams Lake Valley from the west end of the Lake to the Fraser River, some 12 kilometres away. It is a great excursion into nature for hikers and cyclists.
  
• Signal Point is a striking feature of the Valley (the rock outcropping in the above photo, ©The Interactive Broadcasting Corp.) and there are trails to reaching the summit that affords the visitor fantastic views of the valley.
  
• Xats'ull Heritage Village is located about 25 kilometres north of the city near Soda Creek. The village allows visitors to experience first-hand the traditional lifestyle of the Shuswap native people.