There's no shortage of things to keep children busy and happy on Vancouver's North Shore. Parents too. Check out the major parks listing in North Vancouver and West Vancouver's Parks for Kids and Youth.
CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND TREETOPS ADVENTURE
3735 Capilano Road
Phone: 604-985-7474
There's a lot we could say about Greater Vancouver's number one attraction (and the oldest-it dates back to 1889), we reckon we'll get your heart racing as you cross the 450-foot (137m) swaying bridge that's suspended 230 feet (70m) above Capilano River. Not to be missed is the exhilarating Treetops Adventure where you wander through the forest canopy along seven suspension bridges 100 feet (30m) above the ground. There are plenty of easy forest strolls and a cliffhanger walk to keep your pulse racing.
Visit website »
GROUSE MOUNTAIN
6400 Nancy Greene Way
Phone: 604-980-9311
There are plenty of adventure to be found at Grouse Mountain. If it's action you want, there are non-stop year-round adventures to keep your heart racing. The most famous is the Grouse Grind, a seasonal (yes, we take the winter off) grueling, near vertical run-a foot slog for some-2.9k hike up the mountain, that gains 2800 feet in elevation. Little wonder it's known as the "Mother Nature's Stairmaster." Recommended for adults and fit teens. Slightyly more conventional adventures await like skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, hang-gliding, hiking, the Theatre in the Sky, lumberjack shows, Birds in Motion (see falcons, hawks and eagles), the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife (home to two orphaned grizzly cubs and a pack of grey wolves), and three fabulous restaurants with spectacular views of course.
Visit website »
CAPILANO SALMON HATCHERY
Don't miss this remarkable fish hatchery interpretive centre and self-guided tour. Depending on the season, you may see juvenile salmon and trout in the display aquaria, or mature returning salmon in the fish ladder. Coho salmon return over a long period between June and December. Learn about and see fish develop from eggs to juvenile stage, which is when they are released to the river in spring. It's a colourful and fascinating process.
Visit website »
MAPLEWOOD FARM
405 Seymour River Place
Phone: 604-929-5610
A must-do for kids of all ages. Maplewood is a hands-on farm, and the oldest remaining farm on the North Shore, with goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, donkeys and ponies riding. It adds up to over 200 animals and birds. Make a day of it and bring a picnic to enjoy in the Picnic Shelter. Visit the website to see what's happening on the live web cam.
Visit website »
NORTH SHORE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
This is the place for riding lessons-individual or group-and the place to sign up for summer riding camp.
Visit website »
SKATE PARKS
City Skate Park Seylynn Skate Park at Mountain Highway and Hunter Street on the east bank of Lynn Creek; Kirkstone Park, 2100 Kirkstone Road; William Griffin Park, Upper Capilano, 800-900 Block West Queens Road
If there's a skate boarder in your crowd, Vancouver's North Shore is a North American mecca. The country's first park-Seylynn Skate Park-is still a must-do for locals and visiting boarders. And City Skate Park, a pure street park, accommodates everyone from tiny tot newbies to world-class competitors.
City Skate Park »
Vancouver Skateboard Coallition »
MAHON SPRAY PARK
This colourful Spray Park has over 20 different sprayers, and is a sure-fire winner for the little ones. There is also a special kids' play area and perfect picnic spots.
Parks in the City of North Vancouver »
Attractions »
LYNN VALLEY ECOLOGY CENTRE
3663 Park Road, Lynn Valley
Phone: 604-981-3103
A suspension bridge that's equivalent to being 20-stories above ground, rainforest hiking trails (lots of them since the park is 616 acres), and a 30-foot pool-a popular summer swimming spot, are a few of Lynn Canyon's draws.
Visit website »
CYPRESS FALLS PARK
A visit to a waterfall is an always-intriguing outing for kids and this one is a short five-minute walk through the rainforest.
Cypress Falls Park »
SEWELL'S SEA SAFARI
Want to rent a boat, go on a fishing charter, or a Sea Safari wildlife eco tour? Sewell's can fill the bill and has been doing just that for more than 75 years, which likely explains locals' long-time loyalty to this friendly, go-to Horseshoe Bay marine operator.
Visit website »
NORTH SHORE PAINT BALL
Best suited for teens and up, this adventure provides a workout for the body and the brain.
Visit website »
TOMAHAWK BARBECUE
Three generations of the Chamberlain family, Chick, Chuck and now Chas, have operated this colorful family-style restaurant that's as well known for its outstanding collection of First Nations artifacts and west coast curios as for hearty eats like the legendary (and huge) Yukon-style Bacon & Eggs, and organic burgers-the Kokum Chief and the Tomahawk Totem Burgers are best sellers.
Visit website »
SEABUS
Two SeaBuses-the Burrard Otter and the Burrard Beaver-are part of the local bus system and ferry up to 400 riders per trip across Coal Harbou between downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver. It's arguably the best and most scenic 12-minute voyage anywhere.
Visit website »
|
 |
|
