Itinerary Suggestion for the Active Family Three or more days recommended!
Vancouver, and our surrounding suburbs, is a kid’s paradise with countless parks, beaches, and attractions to choose from every family can create an active, economical family holiday to remember. Be sure to set at least three days a side to make the most of your visit.
Hands down, Vancouver’s most famous kid friendly attraction is Science World, set at least half a day aside for this experience, if the weather is on your side, save time to enjoy the fantastic playground located beside the attraction on the amazing False Creek Seawall as well but only after you have experienced the Ken Spencer Science Park where the impact of the sustainability choices we make everyday can be explored. Inside, rain or shine permanent exhibitions include The Wonder Gallery which is awesome for kids aged 1 – 5, and there are plenty of options for interactive exploration in the Sarah Stern Gallery, take time to try at least one of the exploration boxes. The Tinkering Space: The WorkSafeBC Gallery building centre will test your budding mechanical engineer’s skills. And their temporary exhibit on display now until January 2023, let’s your dino crazy tween explore the prehistoric wonders of the late Cretaceous Period and come face to face with a 66-million-year-old marvel at T Rex: The Ultimate Predator, included with your admission. If you haven’t discovered BC’s original family friendly restaurant, White Spot yet, plan to grab a Legendary White Spot burger featuring the famous Triple O sauce! Really they aren’t to be missed.
On another day head west from downtown, along 4th Avenue towards UBC, check the tide tables, and plan a stop at Spanish Banks when the tide is low. At low tide, the beach is endless offering some of the best castle building sand anywhere! The shallow water pools that will dot the kilometres and kilometres of beach are always warm to wade through! Then head up the escarpment to UBC, British Columbia’s largest university, to discover the wonders of the natural world at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, home to more than 2.1 million species of plants and animals. Kids will love the Dinosaur Tracks exhibit, and engaging with the tour guides and activity leaders, there’s an opportunity just about every hour of everyday to add to your exploration of this natural history museum, check the website for details. For the daring, and for botanic minded in your group, travel a little further along Marine Drive and stop in at the UBC Botanical Garden and book your turn on the GreenHeart TreeWalk a unique and experience that includes swaying bridges amongst the treetops.
And absolutely not to be missed is a bike ride around Stanley Park and False Creek! Probably the most iconic experience this city offers… the route is flat, mostly one way and entirely separate from car traffic! It is perfect for all ages. Rent your bikes from our partner Cycle City Bike Rentals and save when you book your other attraction experiences with us. Plan for lunch at Granville Island be sure to save room for a Lee’s Donut… truly a Vancouver delight and only available here! Playgrounds, and beaches are located all along the route so this could be an all day adventure!
And on another day consider a trip to the nearby suburb of Burnaby, if you are heading east to the Rockies or the Okanagan Valley as part of your western Canada tour, this little gem is worth a stop, it’s easily accessed from Highway 1 and its FREE! The Burnaby Village Museum is a 10 acre living museum that encourages guests to interact with costumed guides, try a heritage craft and take a ride on the 1912 CW Parker Carousel, hang on tight! If you’ve got time take a hike around Deer Lake and maybe rent a paddle boat to finish your Burnaby adventure.