June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Whether you live in Metro Vancouver or are on vacation, sometimes you or your kids may need a break so why not hit a skate park? Metro skate park is one of the best. Located within a five minute walk from Metrotown Skytrain and bus station, the skate park is convenient to get to.
The park offers three main zones, Metro Square, Bonsor Pipeline and Dogleg Bowl.
The mission of the park's designers was to create a well rounded youth park that serves all abilities, includes young girls and integrates well with the site. I often walk by the Skate Park and from what I can see the original mission is definitely being met.
For more information visit the City of Burnaby's website.
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Parks
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Just East of Metrotown, in Burnaby, is an area called Edmonds. All Edmonds used to have going for it was the very large Value Village (a fantastic used clothing and houseware store) and a few great restaurants.
A few years ago the locally owned Choices Market opened a small store in Edmonds. It is located in a small complex of well designed high rise apartment buildings which is offset by the natural setting of trees and a local park. Situated just behind Edmonds Skytain station, it is a great place to stop and enjoy a beverage on the patio, or grab a juice on a hot day and relax in the Byrne Creek Ravine Park.
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Parks
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Central park is nestled in between busy streets and a busy neighbourhood. Whether you are traveling by car or the Skytrain it is very easy to pass by the park without really knowing it is there. It isn't until you start to explore one of the many well marked trails that you discover how grand the park actually is. You'll be amazed by the immense trees in the park as well as the many attractions. There is a recently renovated kids play area (which is fantastic), tennis courts, ball diamond, horseshoe pitches, picnic sites and a fitness circuit around the park.
On top of all that there is Burnaby's largest and most popular outdoor pool, open between May 25 and September 7.
The park is home home to the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team with it's Swangard Stadium located in the park.
Everytime I go to Central park I seem to discover something new. Whether you go for an hour or the whole day, Central park will be fun and relaxing at the same time, a great escape from the busy city.
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burnaby, Shopping
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Everyone likes to shop, even on vacation. Maybe you forgot your bathing suit or just want to treat yourself to something nice (you are on holiday after all). If spending $400 on a dress is not for you then avoid Robson Street and head to Metropolis at Metrotown.
With 450 shops, Metropolis is BC's largest shopping mall. There is something for everyone. You will not have any problems finding what you are looking for.
Although Metrotown is the area where the Metropolis Mall is, most people just refer to the mall as Metrotown.
There are year round activities in the Grand Court of the mall, ranging from a giant rocking horse at Christmas to pop and rock idol competitions. Currently there is a dinosaur exhibition titled "Dinosaurs unearthed".
You could spend all day in this mall. Shop in the morning. Have lunch in the newly renovated food court which serves up an array of food from the usual delicious fried options to more healthy options (“Garden Fresh” is my wife’s favourite). Shop some more in the afternoon. Then check out a movie at Burnaby's largest theatre.
Open to 9pm every night except Sunday (6pm). There is plenty of free parking, Skytrain to/from Downtown and a bus station serving the suburbs.
Even if you live in Metro Vancouver and have never been to Metropolis at Metrotown then come and visit and treat yourself to something fun (I am sure you deserve it).
June 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Moody, Parks
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Located in Port Moody situated next to the inlet Rocky Point Park is Port Moody’s best known park.
Set to the backdrop of cascading mountains, the park has many amenities. The centre of many people’s attention seems to be the kids water park (well on sunny days anyway). Filled with spraying pipes, tubes and water guns it is a kids water dream come true. I enjoyed running through the water park being soaked in all directions with my two year old.
Another way to enjoy the water is the outdoor pool. Open from June 15th to the end of August. Being able to swim outside under the sun with the mountains in the back ground is a relaxing and yet invigorating experience.
Next to the water park is a great playground. The pirate ship was crawling with children going crazy, while others enjoyed playing on the swings and other fun things. How the park is designed allows kids to play and the parents can sit around close by and supervise without having to play the role of Captain Jack and climb on the pirate ship too.
Picnic tables provide the ideal opportunity for family gatherings that can last the whole day.
For older kids there is the skateboard “SK8” Park. The city took recommendations from the the youth of the city resulting in a well used park by skateboarders and BMX bikers.
Pajo’s and Rocky Point Ice Cream supply a constant flow of fish and chips, burgers and yummy ice cream for the hungry visitors.
The boathouse restaurant (specializing in Seafood) caters to a different audience. People wanting to enjoy a quality meal set in a modern environment will love this restaurant.
Running through the park is the Trans Canada Trail. If you’re up for a walk within the woods follow the trail East. If you’re wanting more of a hike go West as the trail heads up to SFU mountain.
The park also hosts a boat launch with boat house for groups and clubs.
The park is a great place to have a fun filled day this summer.
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Attractions
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The game of Manhunt is a variant of hide-and-seek. A group of people meet about every two weeks to play the game at different, but accessible, places in Victoria. This new tradition has been around for one year and has been celebrated by the community as a great way to make new friends and build relationships with different kinds of people. If you are looking for an adventure in Victoria, make sure you play the Game of Manhunt.
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Attractions
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We were astounded by the Painted Chasm just south of 100 Mile House. It seemed
like a painting, yet its vastness reminded us of a smaller version of the Grand
Canyon. It showed us the diversity in geography available throughout BC, but
especially in the Cariboo area. The colourful layers of volcanic sediments were an
exciting detail within the rock bed that displayed the power of the volcanoes and
glaciers that formed this ancient land. It really did take our breath away!
Excellent hidden gem…cheerio!
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Sightseeing Tours
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Hello everyone! We had a fantastic time in Canada and want to tell everyone about a wonderful hike we had in the South Cariboo area. Mount Begbie is about a 10 minute hike just off hwy 97, south of 100 Mile. Once at the top, there is a brilliant, two story look-out tower that gives a panoramic view of the area. My husband brought up a map with us and we were able to point out the Marble Range, the Cariboo Mountains, MANY lakes and a few deer in the valley. We had our lunch on the picnic table right on the top of the mountain! What an experience--don’t forget your binoculars!
June 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Sightseeing Tours
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Hello everyone! We had a fantastic time in Canada and want to tell everyone about a wonderful hike we had in the South Cariboo area. Mount Begbie is about a 10 minute hike just off hwy 97, south of 100 Mile. Once at the summit, there is a brilliant, two story look-out tower that gives a panoramic view of the area. My husband brought up a map with us and we were able to point out the Marble Range, the Cariboo Mountains, MANY lakes and a few deer in the valley. We had our lunch on the picnic table right on the top of the mountain! What an experience--don’t forget your binoculars!
June 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Attractions
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In its prime over ten thousand people inhabited the riverside area of Quesnelle Forks but through the progression of the gold rush, it slowly became the ghost town it is today. Buildings still remain but the dynamic weather patterns have obviously taken their toll and most show . Luckily though, involved community members are investing the time and money to slowly restore the buildings, erect interpretive signage and preserve the historical site. A stroll through the cemetery invokes mixed feelings of sadness for those who obviously died young in various mining accidents while at the same time, adhering an air of peacefulness seated on the banks of the Quesnel and Cariboo river junctions. The scenery surrounding the site is absolutely beautiful and there are day picnic areas as well as overnight camping available. A visit to this site is worth the detour as it is an integral part of the gold rush history of the region and province.