It’s summertime, and BC has transformed into the warm weather version of itself. BC has two very distinct personalities. It’s known for its winters when it is the skiing/snowboarding/snowmobiling destination for people all over the world (and the place that hosted the 2010 Olympic Winter Games). 75% of BC is covered by mountains including both the Coast Mountain and Rocky Mountain ranges, and so deserves its famous reputation for winter sports. In the summer, however, you get to see how diverse this province is with its 27,000 KM of Pacific coastline, 6000 islands, towering snow capped mountains, desert lands complete with cactus and sagebrush, glaciers, old growth forests, grasslands, and alpine tundra. If you’re taking your family there, here is what’s up in BC when the sun is shining:
Click her to see our full guide on British Columbia
Vancouver
Editor’s blog:
Vancouver day 1: Mountains and hi-rise buildings in one go
Vancouver day 2: Conquering a fear of heights
Capilano Suspension Bridge
There’s nothing quite as fun as making your parents drop to their knees in fear while you enjoy the rocking motion of the 122 year old, 450 ft long Capilano Suspension bridge 230 above the Capilano riverbed below. Good times, good times. Kids will also want to check out the giant Treehouse and the adjoining “Treetops Adventure” where you walk on a series of smaller suspension bridges amongst giant Douglas Fir for a unique perspective on the forest below. Also included in your admission is the brand new “Cliffwalk”; a suspended walkway that juts out from the Cliffside 300 feet off the ground.
Granville Island
A Vancouver institution, Granville Island should be on your must do list. This bustling market is open year round, and is a blast for kids. There is a free waterpark, a “kids Market” (read: toy store) complete with doors only for the little people, a rock cave where kids can dig for their own rocks, and fun learning opportunities (and amazing culinary treats!) everywhere. If you want to get off your feet for a bit, take The Aquabus, a dinky little “ferry” that will either take you on a little cruise around False Creek, or shuttle you to various stops on the other side of the water. Note: Watch out for the seagulls if you decide to eat lunch outside…they will snatch food right out of your hands!
Chinatown
It’s hard not to notice the Asian influence on Vancouver’s cuisine, art and culture, which is probably why they boast one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Chinatown is a great place to shop for tea and house wares, and has some amazing dim sum! Take the kids to one of the many traditional Chinese medicinal shops for an interesting cultural lesson and some funny faces!
Stanley Park
How can you go wrong with a 1000 acres of awesomeness! Stanley Park offers families a safe place to let the kids have some run time without fear of them being hurt in the middle of bustling Vancouver. It has a (free) splash park, a gorgeous seawall, miniature train, a great lagoon to walk around with tons of ducks, swans and various other creatures, a beach pool, several play structures, and is home to The Vancouver Aquarium.
Cultus Lake
An hour east of Vancouver is the very kid friendly Cultus lake. There is camping, the massive Cultus Lake Waterpark, “Giggle Ridge” mini golf course, “Fun Land”, which is an indoor/outdoor play park, bumper boats and jet ski rentals.
Vancouver Island
Parksville
Parksville has some great beaches for kids. At low tide there are lots of sand dollars and shells for them to look at on the mile wide Rathtrevor Beach, and Parksville Community Beach has a playground and splashpark. Another nice thing about the beaches in this area is that the waves are gentle enough that they won’t knock smaller kids over.
Victoria
Home to BC’s Parliament, Victoria is a beautiful city with lots of family friendly options. There is the “typical” family attraction fare like The Victoria Bug Zoo, Miniature World and The Aquarium (The popular Victoria Wax Museum is closed until further notice). The Royal BC Museum is a great place to learn about BC’s rich mining, logging and fishing industries, First Nations culture, and has many hands- on and interactive exhibits for kids. One of the most exciting things we did while in Victoria was go whale watching. You can go whale watching in most parts of Vancouver Island, but Victoria has some excellent companies that should be able to get you up close and personal with a pod of Killer Whales. Try Orca Spirit Adventures.
Tofino
Tofino is one of my favorite places in BC. There is something about this place, without sounding too “out there”, that heals the soul. It is all about sand and surf and not much else; and that’s just the way I like it! You can take surfing lessons, try Pacific Surf School, they offer family lessons, and kids can start at any age (though the waves are a too brutal for small children, and kids should know how to swim without help from a flotation device). Just hanging out on the incredible Chesterman Beach, or wondering around the little artisan shops in town is a fun way to spend a few days.
Whistler
Editor’s blog:
Whistler day 1: Ziplining to my heart’s content
Whistler day 2: Taking the white water plunge
Zip lining
For some people, being 15 stories high on a 2000 foot cable flying along at speeds up to 80KM/Hour is considered “fun”, if you are one of those people, Whistler has some great opportunities for you! This company was responsible for the Zipline that had people buzzing over Robson Street throughout the 2010 Olympic Games.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
This is a joint venture between Whistler’s two Native cultures, the Squamish Aboriginal people and the Lil’wat Aboriginal people. The building design itself was inspired by their two traditional dwellings; a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (underground pit dwelling). There is live drumming and singing every hour, some great exhibits, a short 15-minute film on the two cultures, and craft activities such as a cedar rope bracelet making. For younger kids there is a play area where they can try on regalia such as vests, hats, and moccasins, bang on some drums, cougar and bear skins that they can touch, a forest walk where kids can do rubbings of various plants, and an area where they can learn about petroglyphs and paint their own rock.
Peak to Peak Gondola
The Gondola runs the 4.4 KM’s from Whistler to Blackcomb Mountains and back. It holds a couple of “worlds” titles such as “longest unsupported span of 3.024 kilometres” and “highest lift of its kind at 436 metres above the valley floor”, but the important thing is that it is a serene, stunning ride, and must do summer activity in Whistler. If you don’t mind lining up, wait for a glass bottom gondola for stunning views beneath your feet!
Thompson Okanagan
Kumsheen Rafting Adventures located in Lytton offers full and half day rafting excursions on either power or paddle boats on the Thompson River. It is a blast, but there is a minimum age requirement of 8 years old for power rafting and 12 years old for paddle rafting. The ride down the Thompson River is stunning to say the least, and will be a highlight during your stay in BC.
Canal Float in Penticton
THE summer pastime in Penticton is floating down the River Canal; a channel that runs between Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake. It takes between an hour and two hours to float down. You can either use your own flotation device, or rent one from Coyote Cruises. At the other end they will pick you up and drive you back to you car for $10.00 per person, including your tube rental.
Picking fruit
In early August Okanagan orchards are dripping with fruit ready for the picking, and peaches are the star of the show. Last year we picked our own peaches at a small orchard in Peachland, and my son loved helping! I also highly recommend picking up some cherries….and I promise they will be the best you have ever had. Take a drive around the orchards of Peachland and watch for signs to u-pick orchards.
Wine Touring
It’s hard to talk about BC, without at least mentioning a wine tour. Admittedly, wine tours aren’t a great family activity, but if you have some time to pick up a few bottles to have after they go to bed, there is some fantastic BC VQA wineries all over the Okanagan. I love Quails Gate’s Chenin Blanc (Located in Kelowna) & Dirty Laundry’s Madam’s Vines (Located in Summerland).
The Kootenays
There are about 8000 Dukhobors living in and around the Kootenays, and The Doukhobor Discovery Centre located in Castlegar provides a unique opportunity to peek into a way of life not many get a chance to see. This is a recreation of a Doukhobor settlement from 1908. Its not the best museum for children, but it does have some hands on exhibits such as the spinners and weavers will allow them a chance to try out the weaving machines.
Rock Candy Mine
Kids will love getting to dig for their very own “Treasures” at the Rock Candy Mine near Grand Forks. They will find quartz crystal geodes, green and purple fluorite, and barite. These treasure don’t come cheap, so make sure your kid(s) has the attention span and/or interest before paying the hefty admission.
Cariboo Chilcotin
The Cariboo Chilcotin area is gorgeous, and rich in wildlife & heritage. One of my favourite road trips is driving from the coast in the fall over the Chilcotin Plateau to Anaheim Lake. It is one of the most beautiful areas at that time of year in all of BC. There are several really nice fishing resorts and lakes in this area if you’re a fisherfamily. The Cariboo is cowboy country, and there many guest/dude ranches in the area. Try Big Bar Ranch in Clinton for a more family friendly experience.
Barkerville Historic Town
Barkerville is a monstrous (100 structures and 2 cemeteries) historical site of the prospecting era in the mid 1800’s. It was once the largest city north of San Francisco and is Located 80 KM east of Quesnel. It’s quite a jaunt off the average person’s tourist trail, but a rare opportunity to see such a complete histrorical site of it’s kind.
Hat Creek Ranch
Hat Creek Ranch gives visitors a rare look at original buildings and structures (18 in total) on what was a roadhouse stop for 1800’s travelers going from the Fraser Canyon to the Barkerville gold field, and still sits on the original Cariboo wagon road. Although the site is not specifically aimed at children, there are some activities for them like gold panning, archery, trail rides, and also a stagecoach ride they can take.
Northern B.C.
Northern B.C. is tailor made for outdoor enthusiasts. Void of tourist traps and fabrication, plan to spend your time here doing something active with the kids. You can go hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, fishing, mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking, river rafting and pretty much any other outdoor activity you can name. Northern BC is home to The Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii; an archipelago of more than 150 islands. The islands have more than 500 archeological sites, and an abundance of wild life.