Family activities

Deer Lake · Burnaby

A lake loop, painters’ studios, and a beach in the middle of Burnaby.

Abbotsford

Indoor-outdoor family amusement: mini golf, go-karts, arcade, and a castle kids actually want to enter.

Cultus Lake · Chilliwack

A warm swimming lake in a mountain bowl south of Chilliwack — the Fraser Valley’s summer weekend.

Anmore · Port Coquitlam

A long forest reservoir north of the Tri-Cities — swimming beaches, a floating bridge, and ridge trails.

Downtown · New Westminster

A long pier park over the Fraser, with swings, lookouts, and working river traffic.

Whistler Blackcomb · Whistler

The record-span gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb — breathtaking views, alpine air, and two mountains in one ticket.

Town Centre · Coquitlam

A former quarry turned city lake — fountain, loop trail, and Town Centre Park on the doorstep of the mall.

Haney · Maple Ridge

Aerial adventure park — ropes, jumps, and a forest course aimed at families and groups.

Sea Island · Richmond

A dedicated aircraft-watching lawn under the approach — jets on final over the Fraser.

Cultus Lake · Chilliwack

A compact amusement hill above the lake — rides, views, and a full family afternoon.

Tsawwassen · Delta

South Delta’s outdoor waterpark — slides, a lazy river, and a full summer afternoon.

Hastings Park · Vancouver

A classic fairground, wooden coaster, and the late-summer Pacific National Exhibition.

Cultus Lake · Chilliwack

The valley’s classic slide park — loud, wet, and exactly what kids mean by a lake day.

Westham Island · Delta

A world-class Fraser estuary sanctuary — snow geese in season, dykes, and a gift shop of seed.

Downtown · Vancouver

A public outdoor rink under the provincial courthouse — seasonal, downtown, and free to watch.

Gastown · Vancouver

Timed puzzle rooms in Gastown — a compact indoor outing for a wet afternoon or a small group.

Point Grey · Vancouver

A wide, tidal beach looking back at downtown — fires allowed in the rings, mountains over the inlet.

Lynn Valley · North Vancouver

A free suspension bridge, swimming holes, and rainforest trails without the Capilano ticket.

Belcarra · Port Moody

A floating walkway, warm-for-the-region swimming, and a village at the end of the road.

Sea Island · Richmond

A long jetty into the Strait of Georgia and some of the best birding in the region.

The Chief · Squamish

Three granite peaks above Squamish — the classic Sea to Sky hike.

Kitsilano · Vancouver

Saltwater pool, volleyball, and a downtown skyline across English Bay.

False Creek · Vancouver

A flat, protected ride from Science World to Kits, with city and water the whole way.

West End · Vancouver

Ten kilometres of seawall, old-growth forest, and the city’s most famous loop.

Steveston · Richmond

A fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser — boardwalk, fish shops, and Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Britannia Beach

The old copper mine on Howe Sound — underground train, gravity mill, and a Sea to Sky stop that earns the pullout.

Waterfront · White Rock

A long wooden pier into Semiahmoo Bay — the namesake rock, the promenade, and a sunset that stops traffic.

Douglas · Surrey

The white arch on the 49th parallel — gardens, a border lawn, and a peculiar little international park.

Aldergrove · Langley

A large zoo in Aldergrove — safari-style grounds, a family day, and space the city zoos cannot match.

Langley Airport · Langley

Hangars of historic aircraft beside Langley Airport — cockpits, restoration bays, and a nerd-friendly hour.

Stave Falls · Mission

A BC Hydro reservoir between Stave Falls and Ruskin — swimming, picnic tables, and a walk around the water.

The Quay · New Westminster

A small museum about the river that built the region — fish, flood, and working boats.

East Richmond · Richmond

A seasonal lavender farm on the Richmond flats — rows of purple, a shop, and photo light in July.

Cloverdale · Surrey

A working honey farm with tours, tasting, and a shop — unexpectedly charming for a Surrey industrial edge.

Riley Park · Vancouver

The city’s highest point in town: quarry garden, Bloedel Conservatory, and a lookout over the plain.

Downtown · Vancouver

The former courthouse on Robson Square — rotating exhibitions and a granite lawn for sitting.

Capilano · North Vancouver

A 137-metre swaying bridge over a rainforest canyon, plus treetop walks.

From Peak Chair · North Vancouver

Skyride views, wildlife refuge, and the infamous Grouse Grind below.

False Creek · Vancouver

The geodesic dome at the end of False Creek, built for Expo 86.

Shaughnessy · Vancouver

Fifty-five acres of themed plantings, a hedge maze, and the Bloedel Floral Conservatory nearby.

Canada Place · Vancouver

A flying-theatre ride from coast to coast, parked under the sails.