Vancouver, Canada: 12 Beautiful Experiences with Your Family
Explore Vancouver, British Columbia for an unforgettable west coast family adventure. If you enjoy the outdoors, amazing food and a great city, this is the place to visit. This city is packed with fun, adventure, and natural beauty. Don’t miss these top spots.
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Granville Island
Granville Island is a vibrant, family-friendly spot perfect for a day out. Wander through the Public Market, where you can sample local delicacies, fresh produce, and unique treats. Kids will love the Kids Market, which offers toys, games, and activities just for them. Don’t forget to catch a show at the Granville Island Theatre or take a leisurely boat ride around the harbour.
Lonsdale Quay
Hop on the SeaBus for a quick trip across the harbor to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. This market has a variety of shops, eateries, and the perfect spot for a family picnic. The kids can play at the waterfront playground while you enjoy stunning views of the Vancouver skyline.
Science World
Science World is a must-visit for curious minds. With interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and an impressive OMNIMAX theatre, this is a place where learning meets fun. Your kids can explore everything from the wonders of the human body to the mysteries of outer space. Tickets range from $24-$35 dollars per person.
Canada Place and Flyover
If you only have a short time to check out Vancouver, then I highly recommend a walk around the waterfront near Canada Place. There is lots to see, great food spots and an immersive Flyover Canada experience for the whole the family. Ticket prices are reduced if you purchase ahead online. Plan for about 45 minutes. I wasn’t sure I was going to love this as much as I did. It was a fun way to see all the beautiful spots in Canada.
Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium
No visit to Vancouver is complete without exploring Stanley Park. Rent bikes or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the seawall. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium, which is home to thousands of sea creatures. Your family can learn about marine life, watch fascinating animal shows, and even participate in interactive exhibits. It’s a fantastic experience that’s sure to interest kids of all ages. Tickets range from $41-$57 per person.
Enjoy a picnic by the water, or let the kids run wild at the playground or splash park. The park also features beautiful gardens, totem poles and scenic trails perfect for a family hike. Our favourite was to spend the morning at the outdoor pool at Second Beach that over looks English Bay. Tickets are $8.50 for an adult and child. Take the train for a ride around the park. We’ve enjoyed it during the Halloween and Christmas seasons.
Deep Cove
For a taste of natural beauty, head to Deep Cove. This charming village offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking opportunities. The Quarry Rock hike is a family favourite, providing stunning views of the Indian Arm fjord. After your adventure, treat the family to a famous Honey’s Doughnut or an ice cream and check out the playground.
Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge
The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a thrilling experience that offers breathtaking views of the canyon below. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, waterfalls, an ecology centre, washrooms and a cafe. It’s a perfect spot for a family adventure out in nature. Unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge, this park is free to enter. Plan for a couple of hours.
After crossing the suspension bridge, we took the loop trail towards Twin Falls that had us back to the car park in under an hour. This hike did involve a number of stairs, which might be difficult for younger children.
Richmond Night Market
If you’re visiting Vancouver in the summer, the Richmond Night Market is a must. This bustling market is filled with food stalls offering delicious international cuisine, carnival games, and live entertainment. It’s a vibrant and lively place that’s sure to entertain the whole family. Be sure to arrive early to get parking and tickets ($8.50) and bring cash as most of the vendors don’t accept cards. It’s open Friday through Sunday starting at 7pm April through October.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Wander through themed gardens, marvel at the beautiful flowers, and let the kids explore the hedge maze. The garden also hosts various family-friendly events and activities throughout the year. Tickets range from $5-$15 per person and hours vary depending on the season.
Visit the Parks and Beaches
Here are a few of our favourite beaches:
- Spanish Banks Beach offers beautiful sandy beaches perfect for a relaxing day by the water. The tide goes out far, creating vast areas of shallow water ideal for kids to play in. Pack a picnic, bring your beach toys, and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains and city skyline.
- Kitsilano Beach is a great place to spend the day, with an oceanfront pool, playgrounds and beautiful beach. Be sure to check pool hours as it was closed for maintenance on our last visit.
- English Bay Beach is a great spot on a hot day, located right downtown, near Stanley Park. This is a great neighbourhood to walk around and take in the colourful art and local restaurants.
- Ambleside Beach, located in West Vancouver, is another sandy beach with great views of Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.
- White Rock Beach is a little farther away but makes for a great place to walk along the ocean and enjoy the shallows when the tide is out.
and parks:
- Queenston Park, located in Coquitlam, has a great playground built right into a hill and is perfect for children aged 5-12. It was a favourite of our kids when they were younger.
- Blue Mountain Park, located in Coquitlam, has a great playground, playing fields and a splashpad.
- Rocky Point Park, located in Port Moody, is one of our favourites. It has it all, great playgrounds, a shoreline boardwalk, an outdoor pool and splashpad, and one of the best ice cream spots.
- Mundy Park, located in Coquitlam, is a beautiful forest walk in the middle of the city with a boardwalk and lake walk to enjoy on a hot day.
Family Fun
Vancouver has a lot of options when it comes to something the whole family will enjoy. Here are a few of our favourites. If you’re visiting during the summer, check out the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), depending on when you visit you can spend the day at Playland, enjoying the rides or take in a concert. Laser Tag is a family favourite and something we do each time we visit. Our favourite spot is Planet Lazer but there are several options to choose from. Industry Arcade is a new favourite. Check out their drop in night every Thursday evening, when all of their games are on free play ($12/hour). For our family, nothing beats a visit to the Lego Store, since we don’t have one on Vancouver Island.
Festivals, Music and Shows
Depending on when you visit, have a look at what’s on around town. There is a wide range, from free festivals and events to paid shows. During our last visit we managed to hit the ice cream festival and see a show. Before that we stumbled upon a flower show downtown and found a neat art installation.
Pro tip: Pick your favourite spot in Vancouver and book a Flytographer photo shoot to capture the magic of your holiday. This will be the best souvenir of your entire trip and is a great way to make sure the whole family gets to be in your holiday photos. Plus, you get to meet an amazing local photographer who can share all their favourite spots in their city. Learn more about our first experience with Flytographer here.
Pro tip: If you are visiting Vancouver as part of a road trip, be sure to check out my guide to road trips and one of our travel favourites – GuideAlong audio tours, which has a great tour of all the highlights downtown.
