June 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Squamish, Museums
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The West Coast Railway Heritage Park is situated in Squamish, between Vancouver and Whistler.
It is a great half day visit with activities for the whole family.
You can ride the 3km miniature railway, climb inside old trains or
enjoy one of the many historical displays (it has the only restored
Railway Post Office car in Canada).
June 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
The video is coverage of the recent 'car free day'.
Commercial Drive is great to visit any day of the week. If asked to describe the vibe on the Drive I would say it is a mix of the city, mixed with the hippie easy going life and Italy.
Catch the Skytrain to Commercial Drive station or Broadway station and walk all the way to Venables street (about 1 mile from either station). Along the way experience over 400 businesses, most being owner operated.
If you are looking for a modern shopping excursion I would suggest to stay downtown. The Drive offers you the best coffee in the world served at Café Calibria (run by three sons and their father). Amazing food choices (Stellas and Havanas are always a good choice) to a few good greasy spoon cafes serving up a full breakfast for a very affordable price. Then there are local clothing shops (new and used), organic food shops, a large park often offering free live events, lots of coffee shops, one of the best independent magazine shops in the city, and alot more.
Commercial Drive is the right combination of new shops mixed with businesses that have been around for many years. It is a mix of good family values, quality, and a warm hearted feeling of inclusion.
Enjoy a good day exploring the Drive.
June 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Shopping
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Recently, when reading the introduction to Gordon Ramsay’s latest cook book, “Cooking For Friends”, he mentioned something that caught my attention. His young children save a portion of their allowance to spend on food from their local farmer’s market. He also said that they not only enjoy the rich organic food more but it also teaches them to value the food they eat.
Support the Vancouver’s farmers markets and enjoy the rich taste experience of locally grown ‘natural’ foods normally picked inside of 24 hours. The market is for people who love fresh food in a festive gathering and among a like-minded community.
Explore different markets in Vancouver. Go for a wander around the neighbourhood and be a tourist in your own back yard. For example, as the name suggests the “
Trout Lake Farmer's Market” is set to the back drop of Trout Lake located within John Hendry park. The Trout Lake Community Centre offers an indoor skating rink, fitness centre, preschool, youth centre, sauna, whirlpool, pottery studio. playground, gym and a games room. The ice rink is currently closed for a beautiful renovation. If you like architecture this is well worth the visit.
The Trout Lake market is open from 9am - 2pm each week. From May 16 - October 10. It is located at 15th Avenue & Victoria Drive in the Parking Lot of Trout Lake Community Centre.
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.