My husband was making fun of me, because he always thought I knew every place to visit in the Lower Mainland, and yet I had no idea White Rock was much more than that tiny strip of beach with 3 competing ice cream stores! I might be teased about this one for a long time because I do love adventures and I should know better. But hey, I'm not complaining, now, I have a new place to visit!
Like my kid says with enthusiasm: "Let's go on a 'venture!", so here are some of our favorites. Most of them involve being outside, require some kind of transportation, which is half the fun for a two and half year old and almost all 'ventures include some yummy food which is half the fun for me. They hardly cost anything (except gas) and can be done in any kind of weather.
1. Pie Picnic and Beach Walk in West Vancouver. Drive to the Savory Island Pie Company on Marine Drive, and buy a pie to go. Get coffees too. Walk down to the beach and enjoy the view while eating right out of the box. Continue your stroll going East to Ambleside or West to Dundarave Village.
2. Fish and Chips Picnic at Whytecliff Park. Drive the scenic route to Horseshoe Bay along Marine Drive, get some take out fish and chips in Horseshoe Bay and backtrack to Whytecliff park to enjoy the view and take photos.
3. "You Pick". Make your way to a "You Pick" farm at least once a year. Starting in June, you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and later, apples, pumpkins, squash and zucchinis. Another farm favorite is "The Circle Farm Tours" where you can download a map and visit a variety of farms all over the Fraser Valley. Start salivating now and plan to have a dinner party tonight; bison steaks, fresh goat cheese, lavender honey, wine and fresh produce.
4. Packing a Lunch and Going to a Regional Park. If you live in Vancouver proper, you might go to the beaches often, but like me, you might forget about the Pacific Spirit Park near UBC. There is over 73km of walking trails, including some clothing optional trails along Wreck Beach and a lovely wood-planked trail around Camosun Bog near 21st ave. and Crown. Iona Beach in Richmond is also one of my favorite places to soak up some sun. The beach is less frequented than then those in the city and you get a front row seat for the sunset. Other favorites include Boundary Bay Beach, Lynn Headwaters Park and suspension bridge, Colony Farm (bring your bike), and the Capilano River Park and the fish hatchery. My most favorite is Crippen Park on Bowen Island. Totally doable with a decent stroller, you can walk on the ferry, walk to Killarney Lake, visit the library, eat some sushi and play on the beach! NOTE: Burnaby Lake Park is a very boring park. There is a trail around it, but most of the time you cannot see the lake, and there is a constant hum from the highway. Yuck. Good for joggers with ipods maybe.
5. Perogy Night at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church on 10th and Main Street. Next time you think of it, ride by the church and note on the wall of the auditorium the date for Perogy Night. I think it's every first Friday of the month. I won't go into details. Don't expect fancy. Expect delicious moist perogies, big tables, a community vibe and white fluffy cake for dessert.
6. Rainy Day Picnics in Stanley Park. Wear all your rain gear, bring some extra socks and gloves and pack a hot lunch like soup in a Thermos, or pre-heated chicken pot pies wrapped in aluminum foil, or hot tea and cookies. There are lots of covered picnic tables throughout the park, but bring a towel just in case to wipe playground equipment or benches. Bring shovels, buckets, bubbles, a ball, anything you want, just as if it was sunny!
7. Bike Riding Vancouver Laneways. This is one of my favorite things to do with the kid. There is a ton of things to see; gardens, vintage cars, chicken coops, blackberry bushes, graffiti, construction (the kid's favorite). Plan your route to end at the Marche St-George (Try the almond croissant-you might fall in love), Matchstick Coffee or The Prophouse Cafe or The Wilder Snail Cafe for some well-deserved caffeine.
8. Dollar Store/ Urban Source Art Day. Walk or bike to your nearest dollar store. Choose 2 or 3 new inspiring art supplies. Our favorite these days is glitter glue, but we've had a blast with googly eyes, pipe cleaners, stickers and Popsicle sticks. On the way home, look for things in nature that you could add to your art project: leaves, rocks, sticks, feathers, shells, etc... This blog is great for craft ideas if you're not "crafty".
9. Tea Time at London Farm. If you're out in Steveston, make sure you don't fill up on Fish&Chips and stop by the London Farm. All their pastries are homemade and the tea is divine! (Even for me, a coffee person. Go say hi to the chickens out back and take a stroll along the beach by the river.
10. Riding or Looking for Transportation. My boy is obsessed with trains, tractors, boats, planes, buses, and cars. For him a ride on the Skytrain or the Seabus is an 'venture. Good places to experience transportation is anywhere along the Fraser River, at the Quay in North Vancouver, the lesser known mini train at Confederation Park in Burnaby, New Westminster Quay, and at the Vancouver International Airport. If your kid is like mine, just driving over the railroad tracks along Arbutus Street is a treat!
If my ideas are a bit "been there, done that" for you, then take a look at this website for more family fun! The Playground and Wanderful sections on Vancouver is Awesome are also a good place to look for family friendly activities and events.
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| The Wilder Snail Cafe in Strathcona |
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| Mini Train in Confederation Park |
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| Salmon at the Capilano River Hatchery |
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