Family Friendly Vancouver

There’s no shortage of fun to be had for all ages when exploring Vancouver. We’ve rounded up the best activities and adventures for everyone in your family, from the foodies to the true crime fanatics.

The Science of Fun

Expand your senses and challenge your mind at Science World, where you’ll learn, laugh, and make lifelong memories; you may even foster a love of science in a budding inventor! From puzzles and illusions to art displays and interactive experiments, there’s no shortage of fun for the young (and the young-at-heart).

Local tip: The famous geodesic dome-shaped building lights up in different colours to celebrate holidays and special events.

Location: False Creek | 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver

CAR: 10 minutes // BICYCLE: 10 minutes // WALK: 30 minutes // PUBLIC TRANSIT: 20 minutes

Walk on the Wild Side

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city as you enter the sprawling old growth forests of Stanley Park, a public park in the heart of downtown Vancouver with more than 27km of forest trails. Ride a vintage railway train or horse-drawn carriage, try your hand at the Pitch & Putt, or visit one of the four children’s playgrounds. For a breath of fresh air, rent bicycles and ride around the iconic Seawall.

Local tip: Book a Talking Trees tour with Talaysay Tours and learn the cultural significance of the Pacific Northwest plants and trees from a local Indigenous guide.

Location: Downtown Vancouver

CAR: 5 minutes // BICYCLE: 8 minutes // WALK: 25 minutes // PUBLIC TRANSIT: 20 minutes

Island of Adventure

Home to a public market as well as a variety of shops, galleries, and theatres, Granville Island is a unique and artistic peninsula. Little ones will be wide-eyed with wonder as they discover the many treasures of the Kids Market which is home to the Adventure Zone indoor play area, Circuit Circus Arcade, VR Funtastic World virtual reality activities, and Let Go bumper cars.

Local tip: Make the journey as much fun as the destination by riding the Aquabus Ferry across False Creek to reach Granville Island.

Location: False Creek | 1689 Johnston Street (Public Market) | 1496 Cartwright Street (Kids Market)

CAR: 10 minutes // BICYCLE: 20 minutes // WALK: 40 minutes // PUBLIC TRANSIT: 30 minutes

An Arresting Experience

The oldest museum of its kind in North America, the Vancouver Police Museum is home to an array of over 20,000 artifacts, documents and photographs inside an authentic heritage building. True crime and city history come together to intrigue the detective side in all of us. See historical uniforms, counterfeit currency, confiscated weapons, and even visit the morgue.
Local tip: Try your hand at solving a break & enter or kidnapping crime with a 1.5 hour private guided forensic activity and mini-tour.

Location: Downtown Vancouver | 240 E Cordova Street, Vancouver

CAR: 5 minutes // BICYCLE: 8 minutes // WALK: 20 minutes // PUBLIC TRANSIT: 10 minutes

Waterfront Wandering

Located just across the water in North Vancouver, the Lonsdale Quay is easily accessible via a short Seabus ride. Grab a coffee and a snack from the marketplace and stroll the waterfront boardwalk and pier for some of the Vancouver skyline views around. Local art is everywhere, from exhibitions at the Polygon Gallery to the quirky street art of Fun Alley.

Local tip: The nearby Shipyards Commons is home to an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter and a waterpark splash zone in the summer.

Location: North Vancouver | 145 Chadwick Court

CAR: 25 minutes // BICYCLE: 40 minutes // PUBLIC TRANSIT: 15 minutes