Summer’s in full swing here in Vancouver, and many families are heading for the hills for a vacation. If a staycation is more your style, there are lots of kid-friendly activities within easy driving distance of the city. Today we’re highlighting four of our favourite family-friendly Vancouver day trips in no particular order.
Four Family-Friendly Vancouver Day Trips
Harrison Hot Springs
Of course Harrison Hot Springs is a great place to get away for the weekend. If you don’t have the whole weekend, though, there’s plenty of fun to be had in a day. The charming lakefront village is 90 minutes from Vancouver and packed full of family fun. There’s the beach and lake, for building sandcastles and swimming. You’ll also find a playground on the beach for your little ones to play on while you take in the jaw-droppingly gorgeous views. There’s lots of food to choose from if you’d like a bite. Older kids will enjoy mini golf and other attractions.
If you’d like to take a dip in warm water from the famous hot springs, you can stop by the public pool. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $6.75 for kids aged five to fourteen, and free for kids four and under. Or buy a family pass for $26.75. And on your way home we recommend a stop by Farm House Cheeses for some handmade artisan cheese.
Cultus Lake
Also 90 minutes from Vancouver is the resort area of Cultus Lake, packed full of options for Vancouver day trips. Of course there’s the lake, which is warmer than the glacier-fed waters of Harrison and perfect for beach play and swimming. More adventurous children will enjoy the waterslides at Cultus Lake Waterpark. The new Cultus Lake Adventure Park features mini golf, rides and bike rentals. Dinotown Funland, open until September 7, 2015, is great for little ones, with live shows, giant inflatables and character meet ‘n greets. And of course there are some tasty food options if you get peckish.
www.tourismchilliwack.com/cultus-lake-home
*Photo credit: Heather Harvey on Flickr
White Rock
A little closer to home, White Rock is just an hour from downtown and still within the confines of Metro Vancouver. There’s a sandy beach with long tides, just perfect for building sand castles on. The warm water is very welcoming to even timid swimmers. For a break from the beach head to the playground or stop by the museum. A walk on the pier is always a good time, too. And if you’re hungry there’s so much food you will have a hard time making up your mind.
If you want to know what’s happening in White Rock for families right now visit Modern Mama South Surrey.
*Photo credit: Denise M on Flickr
Bowen Island
You know what really kicks your Vancouver day trips up a notch? A ferry ride, that’s what. This a particularly kid-friendly way to travel because it really feels like you’re getting away without having to spend a long time in the car. After a 20 minute ride from Horseshoe Bay you’ll find yourself on beautiful Bowen Island. If you’ll be sticking close to the main village on Snug Cove you can park your car at Horseshoe Bay and walk on, but if you’d like to really explore the island bring your car.
There are restaurants and businesses at Snug Cove if you’re hungry. If you’d like to enjoy the water you can enjoy beaches like the descriptively named Sandy Beach not far from Snug Cove. Young families may prefer Bowen Bay on the west side of the island with calm, shallow waters and sandy shores. There are also popular hiking trails if you enjoy the great outdoors, including the 2.5km hike to Dorman Point leaving right from the ferry terminal.