Things to Do

Shopping (Kevin Arnold photo)

Burnaby's array of things to do is as broad and inviting as the city itself.

Visitors can get to almost anywhere in Burnaby by SkyTrain or car in less than 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver. The landscape is diverse, ranging from pristine parkland to huge shopping malls.

Burnaby offers a huge spectrum of activities in arts, outdoor recreation, shopping, entertainment and festivals. From open-air museums and bird-watching opportunities to outdoor concerts and parades in ethnic neighborhoods, this ever-growing city consistently succeeds both in entertaining and educating.

Shopping

Many visitors to Burnaby head straight for Metropolis at Metrotown, whose 450-plus shops, giant food court, and 10-screen movie megaplex make it the biggest shopping centre in British Columbia. The enormous complex is Burnaby's top tourist attraction. Asian specialties galore can be found at the nearby Crystal Mall, and Brentwood Town Centre Mall and Lougheed Town Centre Mall offer big box and mainstream stores.

The funky Heights neighbourhood in north Burnaby is filled with independent bookstores, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, and other shopping options alongside Italian and Greek restaurants.

Museums, Arts, and Culture

A few museums stand out in Burnaby. The Burnaby Village Museum offers a glimpse into what life was like in this area in the 1920s, and has an ice cream parlor, smithy, print shop, heritage gardens and restored tram with staff in period costume. Or learn more about Japanese-Canadian history at the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre, which has artifacts dating back to the 1870s.

Simon Fraser University (SFU), situated atop Burnaby Mountain, is a cultural magnet in its own right. Explore SFU's stunning 1960s Arthur Erickson architecture, view First Nations art at the SFU Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, or discover contemporary art at the SFU Art Gallery.

Theatre-goers have some exciting options in Burnaby. Visit the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts for musicals, comedies and opera. The Michael J. Fox Theatre, named after the star of Back to the Future, offers everything from Vancouver Symphony Orchestra concerts (which also performs in Deer Lake) to Cantonese opera.

Art Galleries and Cultural Attractions

The small SFU Gallery (AQ 3004, 8888 University Dr) offers a rotating slate of contemporary art exhibitions including photographs, film, sculpture and more.

The Burnaby Art Gallery (6344 Deer Lake Ave) owns a collection of more than 4,200 works, 80 percent of which are original hand-pulled prints. Exhibitions focus on the works of nationally and locally recognized artists, such as the multimedia creations of Winnipeg's Aganetha Dyck or prints by former gallery curator Jack Hardman. It's open Tuesday to Sunday.

Also located in Deer Lake Park is the Deer Lake Gallery (6584 Deer Lake Ave), which showcases acrylics, mixed media, photography and other artwork by local artists and is open Tuesday to Friday. Check with the galleries and museums for opening times.

Gardens and City Parks

Deer Lake Park offers a compelling blend of culture and scenery, with boat rentals, hiking trails, magnificently designed gardens, and fine dining at the Hart House Restaurant. Central Park, on the Burnaby-Vancouver border, is great for jogging, playing pitch-and-putt golf or tennis, or simply admiring duck ponds amid its massive fir and hemlock trees.

Bird-watchers flock to Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park, where herons and eagles can be observed while following a 19km/12mi circle trail. Some of the best views in Metro Vancouver are from high up at Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Located near SFU, this park is covered with hiking and mountain biking trails, and features the Playground of the Gods sculptures, which symbolize Burnaby's sister-city relationship with Kushiro, Japan.

For a pleasant picnic or barbecue on the shoreline, families can head north to Barnet Marine Park on Burrard Inlet, or south to Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park next to the Fraser River.

Sporting Events & Golf

Burnaby is a sports tourism destination, and often hosts large groups, such as the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. Burnaby 8-Rinks is the largest complex of ice rinks in the world. Soccer fields, archery facilities, an indoor pool, and a jogging track anchor the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. The Burnaby Tennis Club has 11 free public courts. Visitors looking for a taste of Canada's ice hockey can check out the Burnaby Express, which competes in "Junior A" hockey at the Bill Copeland Arena.

Golfers can tee it up at two scenic public golf courses, Riverway Golf Course and Burnaby Mountain Golf Course. For those who prefer to compete at baccarat or blackjack, the recently opened Italian-themed Grand Villa Casino beckons.

Festivals and Community Parades

From May to December, Burnaby shows its community pride with a variety of festivals, parades, concerts, and other civic functions.

Hastings Street comes alive with the Hats Off Day Parade and Street Festival in June, sponsored by the Heights Merchants Association. In November, the Burnaby-Edmonds Santa Claus Parade heralds the Christmas spirit with colourful floats.

Deer Lake Park is a major centre for Burnaby festivals, from the Rhododendron Festival (May) and Canada Day celebrations at the Burnaby Village Museum (July) to the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival (August) and the Lantern Festival (September).

Other highlights include the Giro di Burnaby bicycle race (July) in the Heights neighbourhood and the Heritage Christmas festivities at the Burnaby Village Museum (December).

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