Families can explore the urban mecca of Vancouver, head to the seaside on Vancouver Island or explore the beauty of the Okanagan Valley with three easy itineraries from Vancouver, B.C.
Vancouver
The city of Vancouver is an urban mecca with trendy bars, high-end shopping and five-star dining and hotels. However, the city is also a playground for families with small children offering a myriad of activities to keep toddlers busy from interactive museums to splashy waterparks.
Where to Stay: Vancouver’s many hotels are extremely welcoming to families. Some of the most convenient are the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, The Delta Vancouver Suites and the three Fairmont properties that call the city home.
What to do: One of the best ways to explore the city is by sea. Families can take the Aquabus from a number of different stops along the waterfront and travel from place to place. An ideal first stop is Granville Island for its Children’s Market and Water Park and Adventure Playground.
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Another must for families traveling with toddlers is the Vancouver Aquarium, located in Stanley Park. It boasts incredible indoor and outdoor sealife displays as well as the 4-D Experience, which currently features a journey to Antarctica with characters from the movie “Happy Feet.” Here, families can also rent bikes with child seats and trailers to explore the parks numerous bike paths and beautiful scenery.
Vancouver Island
An ideal coastal experience for families is Vancouver Island, home to British Columbia’s sunniest city, Victoria. The island also offers beautiful beaches, stunning seafood and one of the northernmost rainforests in the world. Families will find the island easy to navigate by car — and there are many unique spots perfect for small children.
Where to Stay: In Victoria, the Hotel Grand Pacific is ideal with its spacious suites and adorable ducks. In the mornings, children can join groundskeeper Joe on a walk with the wild ducks as they follow him around the hotel property.
In Tofino, families can check into Pacific Sands Beach Resort. Located on a beautiful stretch of sand close to Long Beach, young guests will love hunting for seashells and sand dollars along the coastline. The hotel offers condominium-style accommodation as well, with full kitchens, two bedrooms, washers and dryers and spectacular seaside views.
What to do: Tofino is an ideal spot for whale-watching as well as exploring Pacific Rim National Park. Families can follow raised boardwalks for short or long hikes throughout the park. Whale-watching with Jamie’s Whaling Station is a great way to spend a morning. For adventurous parents, Tofino is a surfing hot spot in the summertime. While the children are beachcombing, mom and dad can take turns learning how to surf — although the cold water requires a special wet suit.
Victoria offers a more urban environment, but it is equally as enjoyable for young travelers who will love exploring everything from the Victoria Bug Zoo to Butchart Gardens. Visitors can also take a water taxi to the Fisherman’s Wharf where they can feed the local harbor seals and enjoy delicious take-out seafood. There is also a beautiful park, which is a perfect place for small children to get some energy out.
Okanagan Valley
The Okanagan Valley offers an arid climate and beautiful lakes and vineyards. While wine tasting may seem more suited for adults, families might be surprised by what they find in this lush valley.
Where to Stay: Summerland Waterfront Resort offers modern condominium-style accommodation on a lakefront setting. The resort has a heated pool, and families will find full-size kitchens convenient, especially with all the fresh produce offerings, fruit stands and wine and cheese shops in the valley.
What to do: Head to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway for a morning ride through the foothills of the Okanagan Valley. After the roundtrip journey, head to Summerland Sweets where children can enjoy homemade ice cream and candies while parents taste fruit wines and sample an array of jams and jellies.
Afterward, head down to the lake for a boat ride or just splash around the shoreline. There are several parks that are perfect for evening barbecues and the hotel pool is also an ideal spot for relaxation.
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| Kids will love watching the sharks at the Vancouver Aquarium. // © 2012 Tourism B.C. |
