 Capilano Suspension Bridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge photo
Capilano Suspension Bridge Since 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge (3735 Capilano Rd) has attracted visitors with its 137m/450ft span, which sways 70m/230ft above the frothing Capilano River like a scene out of Indiana Jones. The bridge was originally built by Scottish-born George Grant MacKay, who would later become Vancouver's City Parks commissioner.
Treetops Adventure After admiring the view from the bridge, check out the surrounding attractions: totem poles, trout ponds, exhibits on the park's intriguing history and wildlife, and scrumptious fudge and First Nations art at the Trading Post gift shop. A must-do is the Treetops Adventure, where visitors follow smaller suspension bridges between enormous Douglas fir trees and gape at the forest floor as if they were Ewoks in Return of the Jedi.
Canyon Lights Celebration Each holiday season, glittering lights adorn the Capilano Suspension bridge during the Canyon Lights celebration. Just down the road are other, free attractions like the Capilano Salmon Hatchery and the Cleveland Dam.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge Looking for affordable family fun? The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free of charge. It's the showpiece of the 250ha/617ac Lynn Canyon Park (3663 Park Rd), which is open daily year-round and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2012. The narrow, bouncy suspension bridge stretches 50m/164ft above a canyon with lush second-growth forest, deep pools and rushing waterfalls.
Activities in Lynn Canyon Hikers can hook up with the Baden Powell Trail, which cuts right across Vancouver's North Shore, or head for picnic grounds, a swimming hole, or the Twin Falls vista. The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre enables kids to learn about slugs, bats, and fungus, and the Lynn Canyon Cafe at the park entrance dishes up salads, sandwiches, and stews.
Getting to the Bridges As an alternative to driving, visitors can easily take public transit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Coming from downtown Vancouver? Take the Seabus to North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay and board bus #236 for the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or bus #228 or #229 for the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
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