Galati Travels: blog

Our family moved to North Vancouver from downtown Vancouver due to the pandemic, much like many other Lower Mainland families looking for space. This however, has required us to really search for entertainment which used to be at our fingertips. Still, it wasn't as terrible because Vancouver city life isn't the best to begin with, and secondly, North Vancouver made up for the multitude of kid friendly activities and outdoor hikes. With some searching, we also discovered some other entertainment gems. Here are some of my favorites.

Seymour Creek Mini-Golf

The name says it all. This underrated mini-golf is located right next to the Real Canadian Superstore, so on a weekend, you can get your fix of fun and chores at the same time. What's more is that it's not super crowded, nor is it difficult to get to. It is an 18-hole course, with some of the courses going over water and some are fairly tricky! However, it isn't too difficult to be disheartening for newbies, nor is it too easy to be boring! It is perfect for a fun family time and our 3 year old loved running around the course. Perfect for a nice warm day!

Edgemont Village

Edgemont Village is not just one place, but a neighbourhood that really takes you back in time. It's a quaint part of North Vancouver, with some really nice cafe's from BjornBar (with their delicious chocolate bars) to Delaney's. A number of cute stores and restaurants line in the road. However, the best way to spend time at Edgemont Village is to grab a treat from your cafe of choosing, and then take a nice walk through Murdo Frazer Park. You will also come across the iconic cottage of Melinda Monroe from Virgin River. You also have two playgrounds you can enjoy: the Dudley Place playground, suited for smaller kids and the Murdo Frazer playground, that is your traditional playground of slides.

Laserdome Plus

Most people are already aware of Go Banana's which has a branch in North Vancouver (and a few other branches in the Lower Mainland) but few have heard of Laserdome Plus on Dollarton Highway. Laserdome is a family-owned business which has very affordable entertainment for kids. For one, they have a large laser tag arena with fog, black light, strobe lights which is great for groups. Then, if you have toddlers, they have a play jungle which is lots of fun and not too crowded (usually). You have the option to play for 15 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour and more so its perfect for even a short amount of time. Outside of that, they also have a cool auto-belay indoor rock climbing, which is small but fun.

MONOVA - Museum of North Vancouver

The museum is a new addition to North Vancouver, and is lovely! It opened up only in 2021, and is located in the lower lonsdale area, close to the Shipyards. The museum is small but exhibits are interesting, interactive and engaging, especially for smaller kids. The museum focuses on life around the shipyars, local Inidgenous peoples and the lumber industry. They also have a number of artifacts including an original streetcar (train), from 1908. Inside the museum, kids can play with pretend food, as well as a pretend city set. Also, another thing they do a number of activities every week for kids, which makes for a great playtime. Our 3 year old enjoyed the museum much more than the community center play times.

Lynn Canyon

Lynn Canyon has a number of things to do for kids, from the Ecology Center, which regularly hosts events for kids, to the trails and the waterfalls. It also has a nice cafe that you can enjoy. I've written more about it on my blog here.

Maplewood Farm

There aren't many petting farms and zoos in close vicinity to Vancouver, so even when we lived downtown, we'd have to go to North Vancouver to go to the closest petting zoo: Maplewood Farm. It's a cute but small farm with a number of animals that you can see - horses, ducks, chickens and pigs. The bunnies can be petted. Most other hands are off limit. I've written about the Maplewood Farm here.

Kingpins

Kingpins is also a new addition to North Vancouver, a bowling alley with snooker tables as well. I was debating whether to put this here but a bowling alley in North Vancouver is a big deal. Kingpins is indeed a hidden gem. Not many know that there is a bowling alley in North Vancouver, which in itself is a big deal. This place isn't perfect though. It is a little overpriced, the food isn't the best, and the bowling lanes sometimes do not work. However, the fact that one can find this entertainment without driving over the bridge to Vancouver or Richmond is still pretty awesome.

Besides these few, there are a few 'not so hidden' gems which most people know about, such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Shipyards. If you haven't ventured out to North Van, I definitely encourage you to try these spots out!

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The Woodland Park Zoo is the main zoo in Seattle, and also a wildlife conservation organization and zoological garden. The zoo is a recipient of many awards, and ranks one of the best in the United States.

Some special things about the zoo, include the fact that it was the first zoo that the world's first immersion exhibit, a gorilla habitat, which opened in the late 1970s under the direction of zoo architect David Hancocks. Not to mention, the horticulture at the Zoo is amazing and well thought out. Not only do the plants enhance the environment of its surrounding exhibit, but the Zoo uses plants able to survive the climate and precipitation of Seattle. I saw bamboo nestled next to tea plants bordering the Asian otters, how cool and natural looking is that?

In terms of walkability, it is really nice and shaded. There were sufficient water fountains throughout the park, as well as places to buy some snacks. Food options however, are limited to one area so I would suggest bringing some snacks for the kids. For parents that have small children, Zoomazium is an indoor high interaction play area but it was closed when we visited. Parking is six dollars for the day. Stroller rentals are also available and all the trails were very stroller friendly, with no stairs as far as I recall.

The zoo itself is divided into some sections, each with their own distinct theme:

Entrance and Penguin Enclosure: We began our trip at the penguin enclosure which housed a colony of several dozen Humboldt penguins. This was a really cool exhibit, and you are really close to all the penguins to see them.

From there, we went through Tropical Asia, which is the zoo's largest section, focusing on South and Southeast Asia, and is split into three areas. The first is Assam Rhino Reserve which is mostly composed of a large exhibit containing the zoo's Indian rhinoceroses. The second area is Bayan Wilds and is home to Malayan tigers, sloth bears, Asian small-clawed otters, and a small aviary. The third section is The Trail of Vines and houses orangutans, siamangs, pythons, and Malayan tapir. We were of course mind blown by what a tapir was.

Two other exhibits that come in the way include the Living Northwest Trail which included a range of animals from Northwestern America. Exhibits include grizzly bear, mountain goat, elk, River Otter, Steller's Sea Eagle, and wolf. I didnt know but this area is modeled off a real trail in Alaska's Denali National Park. Then, there is another part of the zoo, known as the Tropical Rainforest. It includes a jaguar exhibit as well as an exhibit of gorillas, ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, and colobus monkeys. It is here that you find the amazing gorilla exhibit that is just amazing!

Then, there is a small place called Adaptations. It is a covered section with reptilian creatures and other really quirky creatures.

A very cool komodo dragon!

Of course no award-winning zoo with skimp on kangaroos. But there was more to the Australasia exhibit than that. We saw wallabies as well as a number of other creatures.

The Temperate Forest was probably by favorite. It had some rare creatures I have never seen, including a red panda, as well as the most spectacular flamingos. There was also a farm exhibit, allowing guests to pet domesticated animals.

The African Savanna section, as the name suggests, houses all the animals that are native to the grasslands of Africa. This section was at the far south side of the zoo, next to another parking lot. While the enclosure had some of the larger and more grand animals, including the Giraffe, the zebras and the African lion, we spent a shorter time here as it was the last stop for us. Most of the animals are in the open field and can be a bit far for younger kids to really appreciate. However, there is a really cool recreation of an East African village that kids can enjoy.

There is also a butterfly garden, a raptor center housing various birds of prey, as well as an indoor children's play area called Zoomazium, not to mention a carousel. Unfortunately, some of these were closed on the day we went, but we definitely will be back there again!

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If you are looking for a nice morning for breakfast or brunch near a waterfront location, then going to New Westminster Quay is a great option! There are lots of activities to do there, as well as a number of places to enjoy some bites.

We ended up at the Quay by chance not expecting much from it. We initially had plans to go to the Fraser River Discovery Centre, which is located in the Quay. The Fraser River Discovery Centre is a a museum that focuses on the Fraser River, and the environment and culture surrounding it. The museum has a number of interactive activities and exhibits, and it very enjoyable for children. Though a very small museum, it is also free for children under 3, $3 for all other kids, and only $6 for adults. Definitely very affordable!

The museum has exhibit on other river basins around the world as well, including the Congo, Amazon and Ganges Rivers.

Then, there are just some random exhibits that are interesting to look at! There was an exhibit known as the Journey Through the Working River, that talks about the economic story of the Fraser River. There is also an area that exhibits children’s artwork.

Then, there is also an exhibit showing a series of panels combined with a lookout to observe the diverse range of vessels and industries that ply their trade up and down the Fraser.

The best part of the museum is a Discovery Zone where there are many hands-on activities for the kids.

Lots of hands-on activities for toddlers and kids, from puzzles and blocks to a coloring area.

There was also a puppet show area!

Lots of props to try on!

Outside of the museum is a play area for children, overlooking the water. If it is a pleasant day, you can spend some time outside sitting in the quay, while your kid plays in the waterside-themed play area. There are also a number of eateries around it!

Outside the museum is also a giant Tin Soldier, built by the Austin Metal Fabricators in Burnaby, BC. It was unveiled at the Royal Westminster Regiment Armoury. It was moved to it's present location a year later. It is supposed to be the largest tallest tin soldier!

All in all, a great morning to spend for a family!

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One of the most well-known activities in the summer for almost all tourists in Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The Park features a number of activities for everyone, and if you are a resident of BC, it might be worthwhile to get an annual pass, which comes for the same price as a single ticket. It is definitely worth it!

As the name can tell, the park is centered around a suspension bridge which is 450 feet long and suspended across the Capilano river. The bridge is perhaps the least interesting of the attractions. The park features a number of other activities, from a cliff walk, a treetop adventure and various restaurants. Fun fact: The name 'Capilano' comes from the First Nation’s word Kia’palano, which means beautiful river.

Attraction 1: The Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was first built in 1889 with hemp ropes and cedar planks by a civil engineer. In 1903, it was upgraded to a wire bridge. It was again rebuilt in 1956. The bridge has been featured in a number of media productions! While you are walking, you will definitely realize that it is a strong bridge, and the cable is strong enough to hold a 747 fully-loaded airliner!

The best time to be able to enjoy the bridge without a swarm of people on it is really early in the morning, when the park opens, or at the end of the day, when the park is closing. Otherwise, it tends to be quite busy and you miss out on some amazing phot opps. Strollers are not allowed on the bridge, and to get to most of the attractions, you have to get past the bridge. Thus, it is advisable to not bring a stroller. We did bring one, but just had it parked.

Attraction 2. The Cliffwalk

One of our favorite parts about the park was the Cliffwalk, which is a suspended walkway going along the cliff face above the river. It is almost like floating through a rainforest. There are stairs here and there, but the walk is really enjoyable. We also went during the winter, where they had lights up for display. Fortunately, with an annual pass, you can enjoy special events such as Canyon Lights. During this time, the suspension bridge and the Cliffwalk is lit up!

Attraction 3: Treetops Adventure

The Treetops Adventure is a series of seven suspension bridges attached to eight ginormous Douglas-Fir trees, which happen to be more than 200 years old. My understanding is that they did not damage the trees while creating the bridges because they used a symptom of tree collars that would grow with the trees.

Attraction 4: Cliffhouse Restaurant and other Eats

The Cliffhouse Restaurant is another attraction offering amazing seafood, and views. The restaurant is open from 11am to 5pm and overlooks the canyon, The menu consists of craft beers, clam chowder, burgers, and much more.

There are a few more casual dining options however. There is Loggers’ Grill, open from 11:00am to 6:30pm. This is a quick service counter featuring things like burgers fries and fast eats. The Bridgehouse Cafe is located across the street from the main entrance and sells coffee, espresso, baked goods, and sandwiches.

Then, there is another very casual option which is the Cabin, located on the other side of the suspension bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you can treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate, and some baked goods.

Attraction 5: Totem Poles

Much like all of Vancouver, the park is located on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, namely the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh Nation) and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. In the mid-1930s, the owners of the park invited Native people to bring totem poles to the park. Since then, it has become the largest selection of privately owned totem poles in the world.

Attraction 6: Learning and Camps

There are a few other learning activities. For example, there is the Story Centre is filled with artifacts and antiques that speak to Vancouver’s early history. There is also a self-guided trail known as the Living Forest. Then, for the kids there is the Rainforest Explorers Program. This is a self-guided program scavenger hunt of the surrounding forest. Kids will learn all about the rainforest as they conduct their “research”, and they can get a prize when exiting after they have completed the program.

Getting here

The easiest way to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge is to drive here, if you have a car. However, if you are staying in downtown Vancouver, there are multiple buses that can get you close to this place, not to mention a free shuttle that can pick you up from several different locations in downtown. You need a valid park ticket in order to use the shuttle however!

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This year, with COVID-19 restrictions eased up from last years, and most of the things being open, there is a lot to see and do this winter. To make up for our loser winter last year, we decided to purchase tickets to most of these events. Here's our lowdown on some of our favorites (and some we have decided to skip!).

Spirit of the Season at the Shipyards

The Shipyards are all decked up and there is an ice-skating rink there. But to kick off the holiday season, there was an entire concert and celebration with live music, entertainment, twinkling lights, food trucks, the official City tree lighting with Mayor Linda Buchanan + much more.

Saturday December 4th, 2021 @ the Shipyards, North Vancouver

Dundarave Festival of Lights

We had never heard about this festival until now! The event itself takes place every Saturday with a concert(s) taking place from noon to dusk, and a beautiful outdoor display of Christmas Trees in coastal British Columbia. It is perhaps the only major Christmas event in West Vancouver, and we decided to go there since we were going to Park Royal to shop anyways!

December 2021 @ Dundarave Park, West Vancouver

PNE Winter Lights

This is one of the most popular light event of the season, and we decided to go this year. This is also great for lazy people who just want to go out for a drive, and can still weather this event on a rainy day since it is a drive through. That being said, fill up the car, because it is around $37.5/car so definitely not cheap. The drive thru takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on whether you want to eat there or not, and there are indeed some yummy options, such as mini-donuts!

December 3 - 5, 9 - 12, 16 - 31, 2021 @ PNE Grounds, 2901 E Hastings Street, Vancouver

Canyon Lights

These are known to be one of the most spectacular lights of the season, also because Capilano park is awesome. Though we haven't as yet gone, it would undoubtedly be gorgeous. That being said, it is a pricey attraction, at around $55 for an adult ticket. It is however worth it for BC Residents who can get an annual pass for the same price and also enjoy the sights in the morning.

November 20th to January 23rd, 2022 | 11AM – 9PM @ Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Heritage Christmas

I love Burnaby Village and moreso because there attractions are always free and pretty good. I'd love to go here in the morning and then watch it get dark and lit up! They also have an animal-themed scavenger hunt including a menagerie of adorned Eco-sculptures like salmon, herons and hawks.

November 27, 2021-January 3, 2022 @ Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel

DuPlessis Family Christmas Display

Talk about fun folks! These guys go all out and last year some $$$$!!** made a complaint so they could not have the lights up. This year, things are different and they were able to put up there Christmas display which feature a new larger ice rink with Mickey and Minnie taking centre stage along with Olaf, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy.

December 1 until January 9, 2022 | 4:30 PM to 12:00 AM @ 8222 Burnlake Drive, Burnaby

Granville Island Festive Lights

These are worth it, not only because they are free but because there is sufficient entertainment on Granville Island. Best to combine it with some early shopping, a bite at sundown, and a stroll in the night. Lights are on daily, including holidays, from sundown.

November 24, 2021 – January 3, 2022 @ Granville Island

Glow Gardens

Another major event and also a drive through. We decided to skip it since we decided drive-throughs are not for us (they make us feel like we are in a traffic jam!). However, if you have people visiting and some older folk, its best to stick to warm and cozy drive throughs. This ones in Langley though so around an hour from downtown Vancouver.

November 18, 2021 to January 1, 2022 @ Milner Village Garden Centre

Christmas at Canada Place

This family-friendly, outdoor experience will feature the historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, delicious holiday recipes, a special holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display and more! Details

Friday, December 3 – Sunday, January 2,2022 @ Canada Place

Lumagica

Walk a 1km light walk to escape on a fantastical journey through diverse lands to capture and believe in the spirit of the Holidays. You are then transported through a light tunnel to Gingerbread Lane, leading to the magical North Pole Village. Soak up the magical atmosphere with interactive displays, animation, photo opportunities and surprises galore for all ages.

December 3–30, 2021 @ Cloverdale Fairgrounds

Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

This event takes place online and in three neighbourhoods, and is a family-friendly, outdoor experience that will feature the historic Woodward’s Windows and Avenue of Christmas Trees, delicious holiday recipes, a special holiday-themed Sails of Light display, Canada’s North light display and more!.

Tuesday December 21, 2021 | 6:00 PM -10:00 PM @ Yaletown, Granville Island & Strathcona

Peak of Christmas

These lights are on Grouse Mountain resort, so a bit of a trek for some. We decided to skip these this season due to not the best weather, but the season isn't over so who knows? You can also witness real reindeer and enjoy natural beauty of Blue Grouse Lake, lit by breathtaking light installations.

November 25 – January 3, 2022

VanDusen Festival of Lights

Within Vancouver, easily accessible and very affordable, this attraction is definitely worth going to because Van Dusen is simply gorgeous. Still, my personal preference is VanDusen in the mornings because it is just one gorgeous garden.

VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver

Surrey Holiday Lights

We went to the Surrey Holiday Lights last year, but decided to skip it this time around. However, this time around, it seems that there are many more activities from a Gingerbread Village, North Pole, Holiday Market, Lights Around The World, and more!

November 25 to January 2, 2022 @ Surrey Civic Plaza

Bright Nights Christmas Train

We are so thrilled we were able to get tickets for this. An event that is sold out within seconds, the Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza sparkle with three million twinkling lights. Experience the lights, breathtaking displays, and live performers along the train route. Details

November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022 @ the Stanley Park Train, Pipeline Road in Stanley Park

Glow Maple Ridge

Unlike Langley Glow, this one is an installation along downtown Maple Ridge and Memorial Peace park and it is free to stroll through.

November 26 – January 07, 2022 @ Memorial Peace Park and Maple Ridge city centre

Vallea Lumina

Skipping this for now, because the road conditions are suspect and we don't have winter tires. Vallea Lumina is a winter experience created by Moment Factory and powered by The Adventure Group Whistler, will greet the season with a winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights, emotive soundscapes and stunning scenography.

November 26, 2021 to April 18, 2022 @ Cougar Mountain Road, Whistler

Christmas in Williams Park

Come celebrate the holidays with your family and friends in the magical setting of Williams Park. View the spectacular show of lights as you drive through the park in the comfort of your own vehicle and enjoy this well-loved community event! Details

Daily, November 26 to December 19, 2021 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Williams Park, Langley

Lights at Lafarge

The dazzling light displays that encircle the 1.2 km Lafarge Lake loop will be on at dusk. Lace up your walking shoes (or slip on your rain boots) and embark on the 1.2 km lake loop. New this year is a second walking loop that takes walkers through the Inspiration Garden and by the new concession plaza in Town Centre Park. Details

November 27, 2021 to January 31, 2022 @ Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Cloverdale Christmas Tree Festival

Visit the Museum of Surrey to see trees custom decorated by Cloverdale businesses.

November 27 to December 19, 2021 | 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM @ Museum of Surrey

Festival of Trees Fairmont

Here's something to include in the downtown Christmas plan. Fairmont Hotel is a historic building and a masterpiece so it is definitely worth it to step inside and enjoy the festival of trees here.

November 26, 2021 to January 2, 2022 @ Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Lights of Hope

These are the Christmas lights lit up outside St. Pauls. A free sight and one worth seeing if you combine it with a fun downtown activity.

November 18th onwards @ St Paul’s Hospital

Steveston Festival of Trees

I'm tired, arent you of all the lights? Well, we can't miss this one.

December 1 to 31st 2021 | 10AM to 5PM @ Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

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Among the many things to do in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension bridge park will be one of them (atleast based on TripAdvisor and Google) But if you don't want to shell out $50+ for the entry ticket, you could head on to the Lynn Canyon Park, a free park with its own set of suspension bridges and sights in the North Shore.

The Lynn Canyon Park officially opened to the public in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists as well as the local residents of Lynn Valley ever since. From downtown, you can take bus 210 that takes you directly to the park. It is pet-friendly so you can bring your four-legged furry friend if you want to do a hike with your dog.

There are a number of things to do here:

Suspension Bridge

The main attraction, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge towers 50 meters (160ft) over the canyon. Though it is free, it is not as dramatic as the Capilano Suspension Bridge. However, it does have its own charm!

Baden Powell Trail

This trail crosses the entire North Shore region and passes through Lynn Canyon Park. It is well marked and provides a variety of rugged and smooth sections for novice to advanced hikers. It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to hike the section of the Baden Powell Trail that passes through Lynn Canyon Park.

30 Foot Pool & Beyond

On the North side of the suspension bridge the trail to the left leads you North West through the park. A short walk will take you to the popular 30-Foot pool. The 30-foot pool is one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals. It is a very large area with great spots for a picnic and it features a beautiful swimming hole. In the summer months you will find several visitors taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Take extra caution as the water is extremely cold, even in the summer months.

After the 30-Foot pool there is a very large stairway. This will take you to the Pipe Bridge, which crosses the canyon and leads to the North entrance of the park at the top of Lynn Valley Road. The stairs also lead you to the Northern region of the park, the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Rice Lake park entrance. If you do not wish to venture into these areas, the trail loops back towards the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.

Twin Falls Trail

Twin Falls is East of the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and can be accessed from either side of the bridge. If you do not cross the bridge from the main entrance, proceed east past the Lynn Canyon Café and follow the trail down towards the river. A short walk will take you to the Twin Falls Bridge which offers a beautiful view of a waterfall and large pool below.

If you cross the suspension bridge and would like to get to Twin Falls, follow the boardwalk towards the right after the bridge and then follow the trail East to Twin Falls. There is a sign that will point you in the right direction.

Twin Falls is less accessible than the 30-Foot pool and not as popular among visitors. If you are looking for a quiet place to sit by the river, this is the spot. After the Twin Falls Bridge you can reach the river by climbing down a steep bank. If you cross the river there is a long riverbank with lots of sitting room. The sun will stay most of the day until it drops behind the trees. There are also other short trails further down that will take you to the riverbank.

Lynn Headwaters & Rice Lake

If you are looking for another hike along the river, Lynn Headwaters is nearby and is a nice leisurely walk. There are several great spots to stop along the water for a picnic. It is possible to swim, but is not recommended when the river reaches high levels.

Also nearby is Rice Lake which is accessible by Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters. There is lots of parking and its a great place to spend a few hours. A trail circles around the lake and has several different viewpoints of the lake. You will often find that fishing is popular here as the lake is stocked with trout each year. Unfortunately swimming is no longer permitted in Rice Lake.

Lynn Canyon Cafe

What makes nature more fun is food (lol). Fortunately, this park also has its own concession spot. The Lynn Canyon Cafe, located right at the entrance to Lynn Canyon Park, is a great place to stop for a refreshment and a snack before and after you start your day of hiking. It’s a west coast style cafe with beautiful dramatic wooden beams that decorate the interior and exterior of the building.

It used to be pretty crowded pre-COVID, but since then, the cafe as well as the overall park are not as crowded and offer safe social distancing. The Cafe provides some delicious baked goods and excellent menu options including burgers with all the fixings.

The Ecology Centre

The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. It is a small center with some history on the ecology of the place and a few small exhibits. However, they do regular programming for children so give them a call to see what is going on!

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When it comes to beautiful cities, Victoria probably bags the award. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is British Columbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. A British settlement since 1843 and named after Queen Victoria, the city is home to a multitude of gardens, a variety of historic buildings, including the beautiful parliament buildings and the world-famous Empress Hotel. The city is also home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada and vibrant First Nations communities who have called this place home long before European settlement. It is also widely known as “The Garden City” due to its almost year-round gardens.

For someone who lives in Vancouver, I did not think much of Victoria, expecting it to be another West Coast city, but was I wrong! Not only does it have the nature and temperate weather, it has an amazing downtown and urban center. In this post, I’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Victoria while also sharing some tips on saving money, how to get around, where to stay, and much more.

GETTING TO VICTORIA BC

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Victoria, here’s some practical advice on how to get there.

Plane: The first method is pretty straighforward, and that's by plane. You’ll most likely be flying into Victoria International Airport (YYJ). Although there are other smaller airports around the island, this is the one that gets used by most visitors. It’s located near the ferry terminal and is just 25 minutes from downtown and offers easy access to downtown Victoria, including by public bus or taxi. The public bus costs $5 CAD but space for baggage is limited.

Ferry: Victoria is also a great place to visit by ferry, especially if you want to bring your car and plan on exploring more of Vancouver Island. If you’re driving to Victoria, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland to either Victoria or to Nanaimo. The crossing time is approximately 1.5 hours. The BC ferries leave from Vancouver’s Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria). The other option is to take the ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive 2-hours to Victoria. The cost for car and driver is approximately $75 CAD for a one-way trip. Depending on timing, you want to arrive 1-2 hours earlier than the ferry departure as it can be very busy. Upon arrival, you will be in Sidney, BC, which is 32 km (20 miles) north of Victoria, taking approximately 30 minutes by car to reach downtown Victoria. This method is suggested for those who want to visit Vancouver. Otherwise, I would advise flying to Victoria. Another really cool feature about Victoria BC is that you can actually take a ferry right from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria, sailing through some really beautiful coastal scenery. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and starts at around $110 USD.

Bus: Unfortunately, there is no bus that takes you all the way to Victoria from Vancouver. However, you can take a bus to the ferry, and then another bus from the ferry to Victoria. Within Vancouver, you can take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station and then bus 620 from bay 11 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal. On Vancouver Island, catch the 70 express bus or 72 bus to downtown Victoria.

HOW TO GET AROUND VICTORIA

Victoria is not a huge city, and thus, there is no subway train system. There is, however, a pretty good public bus network, as well as taxis to get you around. You could also rent a car, or if not going too far, Victoria is also a great place to walk and even bike. If you’re only going to be exploring downtown Victoria, walking is the best way to do it and you won't really need to use a bus or taxi except for commuting to the airport or ferry terminal. Most of the sites are within walking distance of one another.

WEATHER AND BEST TIME TO VISIT

Victoria is one of the mildest cities in Canada, receiving very little snowfall and rarely dipping below 0°C. It does, however, get quite a bit of rain during the winter months. Summer can get busy so that is why Spring and Autumn are great times to visit. In the Spring, which is from March to May, flowers are in bloom so the gardens are great to visit. Summer is also great but also the warmest, busiest and costliest time to visit. The fall from September to November is also a great time to visit the island, though you should expect more rain. It does get a bit cold mid October, so I would try to aim for a September trip!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA BC

Victoria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, which creates loads of attractions, activities, and other things to do. Below is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Victoria.

1. THE BUTCHART GARDENS

One of the most visited tourist spots on the island, the Butchard Gardens is an iconic site, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. The gardens are around 55 acres and home to 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! This is top attraction and though tickets are not very cheap, they are well-worth it. The gardens are not in downtown, so you should allocate a full day to this activity since you would want another day to explore downtown and its attractions.

2. THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Another spot to visit, especially if it is a rainy day, is the Royal BC Museum. Founded in 1886, the Museum offers three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. The Royal BC Museum is also home to touring exhibitions, such as Titanic, Egyptian artifacts, and the Vikings. Among all the museums in BC, this one is by far the grandest. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance from the Empress Hotel and the inner harbour so is definitely not out of the way.

3. INNER HARBOUR AND VICTORIA PIER

Perhaps the most charming activity in Victoria is to simply stroll around and enjoy the inner harbour, which is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and similar to the one in Sydney, though smaller. Most of the historic streets and buildings are near the harbour, as is the Royal BC Museum, the Empress Hotel and the Parliament building.

4. VICTORIA PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Right next to the Inner Harbour is the impossible-to-miss British Columbia parliament buildings. Overlooking the stunning Harbour, these beautiful historical buildings are definitely remnants of a very European past. Though we did not have a chance to check out the inside, I believe visitors are able to do self-guided tours of the buildings or can go on a regularly scheduled 35-minute guided tour, which occurs seven days a week during the summer months.

5. EMPRESS HOTEL AND MINIATURE WORLD

Right adjacent the parliament building, overlooking the harbour is the Empress hotel, owned by the Fairmont group. It happens to be one of the most historic buildings as well and as soon as you step inside, it would be like stepping back into time. This hotel was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, built between 1904 and 1908 and is famous for its afternoon tea, which is served in the lobby to more than 800 visitors per day.

Besides the afternoon tea, the Empress hotel is also home to another top tourist attraction – Miniature World. This little world features many miniature dioramas and displays, including the world’s smallest operational sawmill, the Great Canadian Railway, one of the world’s largest model railways, and even two of the world’s largest Doll Houses complete with over 50 furnished rooms! The attraction is conveniently located within the Empress Hotel, though is a separate ticketed attraction, with adult tickets costing $18.

5. FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Not far from Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the lovely floating neighbourhood of Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in a house that moves with the water.

6. BEACON HILL PARK

If you’re looking for a beautiful park to stroll around for the afternoon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than Beacon Hill Park, which is conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Simply walk up Belleville Street past the Museum of Natural History and the Imax Theatre to Douglas Street, take a right, and then climb a short hill until you reach the top. Beautiful inner-city nature awaits you. However, do note that the park is a whopping 200 acres in size, so plan your visit accordingly.

7. CASTLES

Not only is Victoria home to some exquisite gardens, it is home to some gorgeous and grand castles, including Hatley Castle and Craigdarroch Castle. Hatley Castle is a Classified Federal Heritage Building and since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University. From the 1940s to 1995, it was used for the Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility. The gardens are definitely worth a visit!

Craigdarroch Castle is another castle that should be visited, especially since it offers more tours of its interiors. The castle was built between 1887 and 1890 on a hill offering impressive views of the area and you’ll find four floors of exquisite stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork and fabulous Victorian-era furnishings.

8. CHINATOWN AND GOVERNMENT STREET

It’s quite amazing how many cities around the world are home to Chinatown. But Victoria’s is unique in that it’s the second oldest Chinatown in all of North America, second only to the one in San Francisco. Created by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago, Chinatown has become a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought overseas long ago. From the Gate of Harmonious Interest to the bold colours of lucky red and gold throughout the neighbourhood, Chinatown is simply a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Victoria. While there, don’t miss meandering down Fan Tan Alley as well, which is one of the narrowest streets in Canada.

9. ABKHAZI GARDEN

Victoria is full of gardens, besides the Butchard gardens, hence earning its nickname “The Garden City”. Among its gardens is the Abkhazi Garden, created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, with its own heritage home. It is a small garden, only one acre in size but features dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas, Japanese maples and rhododendrons. A nice addition to the trip, and is unticketed.

10. VISIT THE VICTORIA BUG ZOO

We didn't visit this since our kid isn't fond of critters but if your kid is at that age of marvel and wonder, this should be a must-see. All families with kids trek their way to this bug zoo, full of insects and spiders, and what not. It also is home to Canada’s largest ant colony, giant walking stick bugs, alien-eyes praying mantids, and even glow-in-the-dark scorpions.

11. VICTORIA BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Another garden but this one has another thing to offer: Butterflies. And who doesn’t love butterflies? These gardens are very tropical looking and filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering about the place. Not to mention, lots of koi fish, turtles, poison dart frogs, parrots, flamingos, and many tropical flowers. Tickets are around $18, and definitely worth a quick visit if you have time.

12. DO DAY-TRIPS TO THE SMALLER ISLANDS

While Vancouver Island is quite big, there are actually hundreds of smaller Gulf Islands and inlets in the Georgia Strait around Victoria, BC. These make for excellent day trips. You could rent a boat, arrange a tour, or even take the ferry to popular islands such as Gabriola, Saltspring, and/or Thetis. Once on the little islands, you can simply relax in nature, go biking or hiking, visit local artisans and eateries, or find yourself a nice beach to whisk the day away. Ferry rates are about $10 CAD ($7 USD).

13. EXPLORE VANCOUVER ISLAND

While some certainly visit Victoria just for Victoria, we highly recommend taking another week or more and exploring more of Vancouver Island. It’s truly a special place and one of the most beautiful areas in the country. You’ll find gorgeous rainforest treks, mystical coastal beaches, jaw-dropping waterfalls, lovely little island towns, and the best surfing in Canada out by Tofino. There’s also whale watching and wildlife tours all over the island, the opportunity to go snorkelling with salmon around Campbell River, and some of the best multi-day hikes in North America. Where will you go?

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If you follow me, you know that my most recent posts were about gardens. Well, no surprises there ! Since COVID-19, searching for gardens has been my past time. And no surprises, I made it to the largest one in Canada - the Royal Botanical Gardens. Ontario’s Royal Botanical Gardens is Canada’s largest botanical garden. Designated as a National Historic Site, the garden covers over 2400 acres of wetland, field, forest & escarpment ecosystems across the two cities of Burlington and Hamilton. Not to mention, the Gardens are a registered charitable organization. The scale of the gardens is palpable even at the entrance when you are provided a map. We weren't able to see all of it, but did see some parts.

The main building, which is known as the RBG Centre, is the place to start! An interesting fact is that a third of the building’s materials were sourced locally and almost 100% of the demolition/construction waste was diverted from the landfill.

At the main entrance, there is also a gift store and restaurant at the indoor center. A number of halls can be seen throughout the building, and they are used for presentations or events, it seems. We went past these halls to make a visit to the main Hendrie Park.

As soon as you exit the center, you arrive at the gorgeous Hendrie Park, which has a number of things to see including the Rose Garden, which features a spectacular display of roses and companion plants. There is a cute little gazebo for photo opps. Right next to it is also the Turner Pavillion Teahouse where you can enjoy a drink or snack.

Within the park, is a wood paved walkway known as the Morrison Woodland Garden, which has woodlanders and native plants. There is a Story Walk just before it. It reminded me a lot of my time in Korea, where most of the trails were wood paved.

Within the park, there is a small manicured section with lots of flowers and public art as well, which lies to your left as soon as you exit the RBG Centre. Its easy to miss it, but just make sure to go up all the stairs you see! This section is part of the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection. In 2013 Dan Lawrie, Hamilton businessman and Burlington resident, made a 10-year commitment to donating sculpture to Royal Botanical Gardens which has created The International Sculpture Collection. Through Dan’s generosity, this permanent collection grows in Hendrie Park each year, with the addition of new works from around the world.

Other sites within the Hendrie Park include the Healing Garden, which is a small area featuring a collection of medicinal plants, the Medieval Garden, which features plants of ethnobotanical value used in medieval times for medicinal, culinary, aromatic and dye purposes. This garden also features an analemmatic sundial (the visitor becomes the gnomon and casts the shadow). Other gardens in the Hendrie Park incthe Helen M. Kippax Garden which features native trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses along with their cultivars to add extra colour, the Lily Walk, which has a lovely display of lilies and popular perennials, the Veggie Village, the Hendrie Gates which lead to the Scented Garden.

One could spend an entire day in Hendrie Park, but alas, we had more ground to cover. After roaming the park, we made a lunch pitstop at the Greenhouse Cafe in the RBG Centre, which offers delicious food. Within the RBC centre, we quickly checked out the Mediterranean Garden which has plants from all the five Mediterranean climate zones: the Mediterranean Basin, South Africa’s Western Cape, southwestern Australia, central Chile, and southern California and Baja. Two landscaped levels showcase cultivars of native and exotic Mediterranean plants.

The other collection right next to this is the Cactus and Succulent Collection which showcases some thorny plants, as well as a small koi pond.

We had already spent a few hours doing this, so we knew we wont be able to see all of the garden. The next thing on our bucket list was the Rock garden, which was nothing short of spectacular, though reminded me of Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Park. The Rock Garden has its own visitor center, amazing water displays, and other rock pathways.

Unfortunately, four or five hours had passed and we had yet to touch the surface of this giant garden. However, it is well worth it to get an annual pass and spend some weekends exploring this gorgeous garden(s) which also has its own nature trails, an arboretum, a playground for kids, a multitude of cafes, and many conservation areas within the gardens.

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One of the things I really enjoy in BC is making pit stops at some of the smaller municipalities of the province, that have held on to charm and culture, and aren't inundated with Walmarts and Superstores. One of these places is Hope, BC, in the Fraser Valley, east of Chilliwack. I spent my birthday weekend here, exploring the town, as well as its most renowned attraction: the Othello Tunnels.

The Othello Tunnels are basically a series of old train tunnels and bridges cutting through granite rock, that pass over the Coquihalla River. The tunnels and the trails around it are part of the Coquihalla Provincial Park.

A little bit about the history of the tunnels. Well, in the early 1900's, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided to connect the southern coast of British Columbia with the region that is known as the Kootenays, and decided to do it by carving out a path through a gorge, known as the Coquihalla Gorge. This route today does not have the railway tracks, but has been restored as part of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, which is a popular cycling route that follows the old train routes over trestles and through tunnels and is noted for it's gradual change in elevation. This is the same trail that goes all the way into the Okanagan.

In any case, when you do make your way to the Othello tunnels, you realize what a challenge it would be to build a railway there. The provincial park has a unique topography, with sheer rock cliffs and rushing water below. One can only imagine 100-years ago with limited engineering equipment, what a feat this would be.

There is a clear route from Hope to the tunnels. There is limited parking at the main parking site, so we parked a little before, along the side of the road like many others. From there, we took the trail into the tunnels. It is a stroller friendly trail, so be smart and bring a stroller if you are with a little one. The trail is a short, flat 3.5km return route, but is easier if you aren't carrying a 30 pound toddler.

The former railroad bed is flat and an easy walk for families of all ages. Not far along, the first tunnel can be seen ahead as you follow the trail into the dark tunnel.

The trail briefly exits the tunnel before entering tunnel #2.

After existing tunnel #2, the route crosses a bridge where the Coquihalla River rages through the rocky canyon below. Continue walking through tunnel #3 to another bridge with views of the canyon.

After walking through tunnel #4, the Othello Tunnels route abruptly ends, although the trail keeps going all the way to the town of Hope. At the end of the tunnels is the turnaround point where visitors walk back through the same tunnels, returning to the parking lot.

One other piece of history, due to the canyon's rugged look, the park has made several appearances in popular films over the years. The most notable was Rambo First Blood where the cliff above Tunnel #2 was used in the spectacular cliff jump scene. Other movies that filmed scenes around Othello Tunnels include Fire With Fire, The Adventures of Yellow Dog, and Shoot To Kill.

If you didn't already know, the tunnels are free and are an amazing attraction. Note that there is no water fountain in the park, so make sure to carry a lot.

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Spirit of the Season at the Shipyards

Dundarave Festival of Lights

PNE Winter Lights

Canyon Lights

Heritage Christmas

DuPlessis Family Christmas Display

Granville Island Festive Lights

Glow Gardens

Christmas at Canada Place

Lumagica

Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival

Peak of Christmas

VanDusen Festival of Lights

Surrey Holiday Lights

Bright Nights Christmas Train

Glow Maple Ridge

Vallea Lumina

Christmas in Williams Park

Lights at Lafarge

Cloverdale Christmas Tree Festival

Festival of Trees Fairmont

Lights of Hope

Steveston Festival of Trees

GETTING TO VICTORIA BC

HOW TO GET AROUND VICTORIA

WEATHER AND BEST TIME TO VISIT

TOP THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA BC

1. THE BUTCHART GARDENS

2. THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

3. INNER HARBOUR AND VICTORIA PIER

4. VICTORIA PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

5. EMPRESS HOTEL AND MINIATURE WORLD

5. FISHERMAN’S WHARF

6. BEACON HILL PARK

7. CASTLES

8. CHINATOWN AND GOVERNMENT STREET

9. ABKHAZI GARDEN

10. VISIT THE VICTORIA BUG ZOO

11. VICTORIA BUTTERFLY GARDENS

12. DO DAY-TRIPS TO THE SMALLER ISLANDS

13. EXPLORE VANCOUVER ISLAND

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