FAMILY EXPERIENCES IN VANCOUVER: DAY ONE Right on the waterfront, overlooking floatplanes taking off and jewel in Vancouver’s crown, the 400-hectare Stanley Park, landing, start your day with pancakes at De Dutch Pannekoek home to beaches, a waterpark, gardens, and a “pitch and putt” House at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Then head around course. Ride the miniature train through the towering trees, take the corner to Canada Place to board the free shuttle over to the a horse-drawn tour, or explore the secrets of the ocean at the North Shore’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver’s Vancouver Aquarium, a recognized leader in aquatic research oldest paid attraction. Once up at the park, little ones get to and conservation. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay on the discover the environment with the Rainforest Explorer Program, North Shore after your visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, TWO-DAY ITINERARY and the whole family will enjoy free history and nature tours, spend the afternoon at Maplewood Farm, a fun and educational walking among the treetops, experiencing Cliffwalk, and the stop with over 200 friendly animals for your family to meet. From soaring mountains to sparkling main attraction – the swaying suspension bridge itself, spanning After winding down at your hotel, walk over to Robson Street for waterways, Vancouver is a natural the Capilano River way below. dinner. Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House offers the best of playground for young and old. Bring Take the shuttle back downtown for lunch at one of a choice both worlds, with excellent local seafood and an extensive wine the whole family for a vacation filled of White Spot Restaurant locations, a legendary Vancouver list for Mom and Dad, and a kids’ menu and colouring sheets with fun, and along the way, create burger chain that was started 90 years ago. Order a famous for the young ones. If it’s sunny, request a table on their lush memories to last a lifetime. “Triple O” burger while the kids keep busy with their Pirate rooftop patio. After dinner, grab an ice cream and stroll down Paks—a paper activity boat filled with their choice of entrée and Robson Street, looking in the store windows and taking in the side, with ice-cream for dessert! After lunch, explore the green street life. FAMILY EXPERIENCES IN VANCOUVER: DAY TWO After breakfast, start the day with a virtual flight the spans From Granville Island, board one of the adorable little a kayak or on a paddle board, or even head out whale the country! FlyOver Canada is one of Vancouver’s False Creek Ferries or Aquabus water taxis for a ride up watching straight from the Granville Island dock! most popular attractions; a 4-D flight simulation ride False Creek to Science World at Telus World of Science. Enjoy dinner in Gastown at the Old Spaghetti Factory that sees you soar across the country, complete with These boats run on a regular schedule from various on Water Street where you’ll find plenty of family-friendly wind, scents, and mist. Once you’re back on terra firma, points along the water, and are a great way to get around options and an atmosphere that all ages will enjoy. head to Granville Island, Vancouver’s most artistic while doing some sightseeing from sea level. Science Alternatively, visit the Kitsilano neighbourhood, just over neighbourhood. Filled with artisan studios, craftspeople, World is a children’s favourite, offering a host of hands- the bridge from downtown, and sit down for dinner at the galleries and theatres, your whole family will enjoy the on displays and programs for kids of all ages. BodyWorks Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company for pizza! Not only street performers and colourful atmosphere. The little looks at the mysteries of the human body, Wonder offers do they offer a kids’ menu, on select nights of the week, ones will love a visit to the Kid’s Market featuring over toddlers and preschoolers a place to call their own, and guests under 12 years old can set to work making their 25 shops and services for children and families. Grab an outdoor science park lets everyone explore the local own pie. a casual lunch from one of the vendors at the Granville environment. Need a little quiet time? Grab a show in the Island Public Market, or opt for something fancier at a world’s largest OMNIMAX theatre. For those looking for restaurant such as Edible Canada. a more active afternoon with older kids, hit the water in Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada Email: [email protected] www.tourismvancouver.com @inside_vancouver @insidevancouver @MyVancouver RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION INSIDER TIPS! WITH KID-FRIENDLY AMENITIES ITINERARY ADD-ONS • Check out the Vancouver International Children’s • Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre • Try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking with Festival on Granville Island which takes place Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres or Deep Cove • Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Rose Buds Program) annually at the end of May, early June. Canoe & Kayak Centre. • Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver • Enjoy the two-kilometre Stanley Park Miniature • Join a whale watching adventure with Prince of • Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront Train which offers a variety of seasonal rides Whales, Vancouver Whale Watch, Wild Whales or throughout the year: • Fairmont Waterfront Steveston Seabreeze. • Easter Train (Easter weekend) • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver • If visiting from May to October, be sure to try out • The Urban Forest Train (July & August) • Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown Breakfast with the Bears on Grouse Mountain. • Ghost Train (October) • Metropolitan Hotel • Bright Nights Train (December) • Blue Horizon Hotel.