100 Days of Local Summer in Metro Vancouver

By Nancy Chilton

Summer has arrived, and it looks like we are once again going to be staying pretty close to home but not to despair, we’ve got this, this time around!  With BC’s population coming together to be one of the highest percentages of vaccinated populations in the world, our community is one of the safest places to be this year.  We should maximize this time to enjoy our world class attractions and visitor experiences now, while we have got them to ourselves!

So many great experiences and adventures await.  Mix and match, Vancouver Attractions offers close to 20 attractions with soft outdoor adventures, hands on fun for all ages and thought-provoking exhibitions that are sure to get the conversation going.  Tickets booked through this website, are valid for up to a year, purchase all at once to get the most savings, but no need to rush, plan your summer and enjoy these top attractions at your leisure. 

Vancouver’s North Shore, is home to two world renown visitor attractions, find out why the world beats a trail to these great spots, you might want to plan a whole day for each of them, there is so much to experience!  Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is so much more than just a Bridge!  Three breathtaking experiences await, Tree Tops Adventure, Cliff Walk and the Suspension Bridge.  While Grouse Mountain, The Peak of Vancouver, offers mountain top adventures that include their Grizzly Bear Habitat, Kids Canopy Adventure and a Mountain Disc Golf course.  Be sure to consider an add-on or two too, there’s Zipline Tours, a Mountain Ropes Adventure and the Eye of the Wind.

For a truly epic summer day, pack up the kids and car and head up the Sea to Sky highway, one of the world’s most scenic drives, and it is literally in our backyard! First stop is the Britannia Mine Museum, a National Historic Site which was once the largest copper mine in the Commonwealth!!  Book ahead so you don’t miss the underground mine tour, even better than you remember, and their newest feature BOOM! a 4D experience in the renovated Mill Building.  Next up, is the Sea to Sky Gondola, open for viewing and trekking high above Howe Sound!  It is impossible to describe the natural beauty of this attraction, its pathways and suspension bridge, give it a try, be sure to plan for a snack or beverage on their deck!  Your personal gondola will keep your family pod together!

Keep it outside when you visit either of these Vancouver gardens and find out why gardens aren’t just for gardeners. VanDusen Garden has a traditional English Maze that will challenge the whole family, while the Greenheart TreeWalk at the UBC Botanical Garden offers a bird’s eye view of Canada’s oldest university botanic garden, and lots of swaying too! 

Head downtown for an urban adventure, great on a gray or rainy day, we’re bound to get a few!  Check out Flyover Canada, this soaring adventure will remind you why we love our country and inspire you for future travel.  Next, a visit to Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, offers a serene experience in the heart of Chinatown.  The permanent and current visiting exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery are always worth checking out.  Be sure to visit the Art Gallery’s website to see what is showing or what is upcoming and tickets purchased through our website will save you 25% on all of them if they are booked together.

Bundle the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and Science World together for a 20% savings, these two-family attractions should not be rushed!  These hands on “learning without noticing” experiences will keep young, and not so young, explorers occupied for hours.  Literally millions of natural history specimens are available to be discovered at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, while Science World’s galleries offer endless opportunities to see how the world works! 

Add tickets to the BC Sports Hall of Fame or the Vancouver Maritime Museum to take family fun to the next level and save another 5% on your entire booking. These two venues have innovative and evolving galleries for those with a special interest but are great for expanding our knowledge of BC’s top athletes, and our rich maritime history.

Gain a greater understanding of Canada’s indigenous peoples this summer with a visit to the Museum of Vancouver, and their permanent exhibition c̓əsnaʔəm the City Before the City, that explores an important ancestral village of the Musqueam First Nation. Also, the Museum of Anthropology, recognized around the world for their permanent indigenous collections, including a comprehensive survey of Haida artist Bill Reid’s work, offer great starting places as we gain a deeper understanding of Canada’s first peoples.

And wrap it all up with a visit to the Burnaby Village Museum which is free but we’ll add a free ice cream cone for everyone in your party when you book three or more attractions!   Make a plan to stroll the streets of this living history experience and enjoy interacting with costumed interpreters at the Blacksmith’s or General Store.

Summer is just getting started so plan to make the most of it and explore some of these great experiences. Get your tickets at Vancouver Attractions.

For accommodations in British Columbia go to Travel-british-columbia.com

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Published: June 29, 2021
Last Updated: July 12, 2021

About the Author

The Vancouver Attractions Group is a marketing consortium of visitor attractions that offer their guests fun, cultural, historic and outdoor experiences that appeal to all ages. Visiting local attractions can enrich a holiday experience and provide an opening to greater understanding of the regions we travel through.