Vancouver and British Columbia Family Holidays and Breaks

History and Culture in British Columbia

Vancouver for Families

Get to know Vancouver with kids. Dramatically sandwiched between ocean and mountains, and boasting one of the world’s best standards of living, it’s said to be one of the rare places where you could ski, windsurf and play golf on the same day. 

Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge walkway takes you over a canyon into a temperate rainforest park to experience more walkways and bridges between giant tree trunks at Treetops Adventure, follow the Cliffwalk along a granite precipice, watch aboriginal crafts displays at the Kia'palano with its displays on the lives of BC's First Nations people, including original totem poles, and hunt for bugs and go exploring with an eco-guide.  

Stanley Park

Don't miss Vancouver’s Stanley Park, which despite its central location retains many giant trees from its days as a forest. 

There are also more totem poles, swimming beaches (Second Beach is best for families, with an outdoor pool with slides), a lagoon with ducks, raccoons and skunks, a mini-train, a kids’ farm and a seawall popular for rollerblading and cycling. 

Stanley Park is home to the Vancouver Aquarium, with northern fur seals, Pacific dolphins, beluga whales, sea turtles, sea otters and more

Coal Harbour and FlyOver Canada

Stroll along the old shipyard of Coal Harbour on Vancouvers’ waterfront, with lots of seawall cafés, craft breweries and restaurants from which to watch the odd harbour seal bobbing around. It's here that you'll find the unique 4D FlyOver Canada attraction.

Vancouver Island and Victoria

Pop over to lovely Vancouver Island to explore British Columbia’s picture-perfect capital Victoria or its other historic towns. Charming Victoria is at the southernmost tip: wander its little streets admiring the red double-deckers and eating fish and chips – it’s just verging on a pastiche of a Cockney/Queen Victoria/Sherlock Holmes theme park. Then head out to the beaches, walking trails and cedar forests, and go whale-watching or kayaking (you might be lucky enough to share the sea with some orcas). 

You'll likely also see grizzly bears on Vancouver Island, but never approach or feed them.  

Alert Bay and First Nations Culture

Visit Alert Bay on tiny Cormorant Island off the north-east coast of Vancouver Island for an authentic experience of the legacy of the First Nations. This is a centre for aboriginal culture, with lots of art and artefacts, including the world’s tallest totem pole. It’s also another good spot for whale-watching, eco-tours, kayaking, hiking and cycling.

Skiing and Other Outdoor Activities in British Columbia

Whistler Ski Holidays

Book a family ski holiday in Whistler, widely regarded as one of the world's top family ski resorts. The 'sea to sky highway' between Vancouver and Whistler (about 90 minutes) is a spectacular drive/

Grouse Mountain

Try the Grouse Grind – a famous steep uphill hike (nearly 3km) offering spectacular views. Other options for enjoying the views from Grouse Mountain on the north shore include the Grouse Mountain Skyride (an 'aerial tram') and helicopter tours. The mountain is good in winter and summer alike: depending on the season, enjoy sleigh-riding, snow-shoeing, ice-skating, birds-of-prey demonstrations, ziplines, guided eco walks and wildlife refuge visits.

Yoho National Park

Explore Yoho National Park in British Columbia’s section of the Canadian Rockies within. This is the Canadian wilderness at its best and most manageable. Older kids who relish a challenge love the hiking, climbing, mountain-biking and kayaking here, and budding geologists are also be in heaven.

Trains and Cruises from British Columbia

Transcontinental Train Journeys

Take a transcontinental train ride from Vancouver and Toronto (or the other way). The Canadian has a dome car with panoramic views. and you can even get off in the middle of nowhere should the call of the wilderness be strong.  

Ferries and Cruises

Hop aboard a ferry to Alaska in the United States or ask us about family cruises departing from Vancouver. British Columbia contains part of the Inside Passage, a network of routes for ocean-going vessels between the mainland and coastal islands.