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!