Note: The weather in the Pacific Northwest can be rainy, and Vancouver is no exception. Expect some drizzles during the fall, winter, and spring, but in summertime the city really shines. Whatever the season, a little rain does not keep locals from spending time outdoors on the beaches, mountains, and vast waterways right at their doorstep.

Hand-carved totem poles line Stanley Park, telling stories of the First Nations people. Photo courtesy of the park

Best Things to Do in Vancouver, BC with Kids

1. Stanley Park

This urban park is a temperate rainforest oasis in the middle of the city. Larger than New York’s Central Park, it is ringed by the Seawall, a walking and biking path that offers sweeping views of downtown, the ocean, and snow-capped mountains. This is not only a tourist spot, but a favorite recreation spot for locals. Kids can ride the miniature train, play in any of four playgrounds, view totem poles carved by First Nations peoples, visit the beaches, and more.

2. Vancouver Aquarium

While at Stanley Park, a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium is a must. With more than 50,000 animals to see, including walruses, penguins, and sharks, there’s something to experience and learn around every corner. Get hands-on at the touch tank and take in a dolphin or sea lion show; just make sure you save time to visit the perennial favorites, the sea otters.

3. Granville Island

You won’t need to take a ferry to this island; it’s easily accessible by car. The main attraction is the Granville Island Public Market, a covered market space with fresh fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, hand-crafted candies and chocolates, and local arts and crafts. Grab lunch from one of the many restaurants and eat it outside by the water while enjoying amazing views of False Creek and downtown Vancouver. In the summer there’s also a playground and sprinkler park with a big water slide that’s free.

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A colorful kids market awaits on Granville Island. Photo courtesy of the island

4. Kids Market

Grown-ups don’t get to have all the fun on Granville Island: There’s an entire market just for kids! Located next to the sprinkler park and playground area is this colorful place with more than 25 shops especially for kids. There’s also a two-story Adventure Zone indoor play area with slides, a ball pit, an interactive floor, and an arcade.

5. Queen Elizabeth Park

Flower enthusiasts flock to this urban park each summer for its array of blooms. Walk the paths through manicured lawns to the Bloedel Conservatory to get a taste of the tropics. Inside the domed greenhouse are exotic plants and more than 120 free-flying exotic birds. Head back outside for a game of pitch-and-putt or lawn bowling.

6. Playland Amusement Park 

Opening day at Playland is a sure sign that summer is around the corner. From May until Labor Day, this amusement park thrills with rides, games, and food on a stick. It’s also home to Canada’s oldest wooden roller coaster, and each August the Pacific National Exhibition Fair opens with even more rides, amazing side shows, and big-name concerts.

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See the city from the safe (and colorful) confines of the Aquabus. Photo courtesy of Aquabus

7. Aquabus

When you need to get around downtown Vancouver, the Sky Train public rail system is your best bet. But if you have some extra time, a ride on the affordable Aquabus is fun and a great way to see the city. There are eight stops along False Creek aboard these colorful little boats.

8. VanDusen Botanical Garden

With 55 acres of flowering plants, trees, and shrubs to engage the senses, this botanical garden is a peaceful refuge in the city. Find your way through an Elizabethan hedge maze and see how many species of wildlife you can spot.

9. Capilano Suspension Bridge

Located on the north shore are two of Vancouver’s most exciting experiences. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a rope bridge 460 feet long that hangs 230 feet above the roaring Capilano River. Millions of visitors traverse the bridge each year and visit the park for the Cliffwalk and Tree Top adventures and the nature center. Admission covers all attractions at the park. There’s a free shuttle that takes you directly to the park from several pickup locations downtown.

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You can feel the ebb and flow of the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.

10. Lynn Canyon Park

Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver also offers the excitement of crossing a suspension bridge. Although the bridge is shorter than Capilano, it’s just as thrilling and there are trails to hike through the lush rainforest. There’s a small café and picnic areas for a quick lunch stop. Bonus: It’s absolutely free.

11. Vancouver Art Gallery

Take the family for some art appreciation and view West Coast and indigenous art as well as art from across Canada and the world. Every Sunday admission for children ages 12 and younger is free and families can take part in free activities. Also, on Tuesdays after 5pm admission is by donation.

12. National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks

Vancouverites fill up Rogers Arena on game day to support the hometown Canucks. Canadians are serious about hockey, and it might be challenging to purchase tickets to a game. But many restaurants and family-friendly bars show the game on big screens. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement when the puck drops.

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Kids won't even know they're learning while visiting Science World.

13. Science World

It might look like a giant golf ball, but inside is a place of wonder and delight for kids of all ages. This science museum combines hands-on exhibits with interactive shows and play areas where kids can climb, throw balls into a multilevel water feature, and engage pulleys to lift themselves up. Little ones can explore and learn in the 5-and-younger area. Catch a movie on the wraparound screen in the Omnimax Theatre. The kids will have so much fun, they won’t even notice they’re learning.

14. Richmond Night Market

This foodie’s paradise is in Richmond, a quick drive across the river from Vancouver and home to Vancouver International Airport. Experience North America’s largest Asian night market with more than 100 food stalls, live entertainment, and carnival rides. It’s well worth the 15-minute Sky Train ride to get here.

15. La Casa Gelato

For an epic ice cream experience, La Casa Gelato is the place to be. With more than 230 flavors, it’s hard to choose, but staff are happy to give you samples. Go for a classic like chocolate peanut butter or fresh raspberry. If you're more daring, try wasabi, durian, garlic, balsamic vinegar, or seaweed flavors.

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The Vancouver Public Library is a sight to behold, inside and out. Photo courtesy @downtownvan

16. Vancouver Public Library

If you’re downtown and it starts to rain, this library is a great place to duck into. Designed to resemble the Colosseum in Rome, it’s spectacular outside and inside. There’s usually something happening, so check in at the information desk for free storytimes, readings, or art exhibits.

17. Museum of Anthropology

Located on the sprawling campus of the University of British Columbia, the MOA is dedicated to indigenous art from Canada and around the world. Learn about history, culture, and the link between art and the community. Listen to the stories and connect to our shared origins.

18. Vanier Park

Located in the Kitsilano neighborhood, Vanier Park is a one-stop museum destination. Purchase the Vanier Park Explore Pass to enter all three museums: the HR MacMillan Space Centre, Museum of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Vanier Park is also home to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival and Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

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Take North America's largest aerial tram to the top of Grouse Mountain. Photo courtesy of Grouse Mountain

19. Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour

Where else can you play at the beach and downhill ski on the same day? Vancouver’s local mountains are a mere 20-30 minutes from downtown and offer excellent skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the offseason. If hiking’s not your thing, you can drive up the mountain or take the gondola and do some zip lining, watch a lumberjack show, or visit the nature center. Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour are accessible by car, public transit, and free shuttles from downtown.

20. Fairmont Hotel Afternoon Tea

Take a break from sightseeing for a British tea party at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The children’s tea includes pint-sized sandwiches, Eton Mess, scones, and other sweet treats. Reservations are recommended.

21. Sky Train

Riding public transit might not sound exciting, but in Vancouver the elevated light rail system offers amazing views and the chance to chat with locals. It’s a great value and an easy way to get around the city with kids, as all Sky Train stations and trains are stroller-friendly. Take the Canada Line down to Waterfront Station and transfer to the Sea Bus to North Vancouver for a fun way to see the city on the cheap.

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Logs line the beaches in Stanley Park: It's a Vancouver thing. Photo courtesy of the park

22. Beaches

There’s no shortage of shoreline in Vancouver, and a trip to the beach is fun no matter the season. Visitors will notice the large logs that have been placed on the sand at most of the beaches. The logs provide spots to sit on or lean against, and kids love climbing on them. For spectacular sunsets, visit English Bay. Spanish Banks is a great spot for a barbecue.

23. Whale Watching

May to October is prime whale-watching season off the Pacific Coast. You might even see whales while riding the Sea Bus. For a better chance of seeing humpbacks, orcas, and gray whales, take a tour, many of which depart from downtown Vancouver and Richmond.

24. Celebration of Light

This three-day summer event is Canada’s biggest fireworks and pyrotechnics show. Each night a different country competes over English Bay, dazzling spectators with fireworks design and artistry synchronized to music. There are many locations to view the shows, but get there early for the best spots.

Great Vancouver Neighborhoods to Visit with Kids

25. Robson Street

Shop till you drop on Robson Street. Downtown Vancouver’s most popular shopping district seemingly has it all, along with some great family-friendly restaurants. Sushi is very popular in Vancouver because of the availability of fresh seafood. Or perhaps grab a grilled cheese sandwich to go from Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck and continue shopping.

26. Chinatown

Engage all five senses at Canada’s largest and oldest Chinatown. Steeped in history, this neighborhood just east of downtown is home to markets, restaurants, and an active and diverse community. Visit in the morning to enjoy a dim sum breakfast before wandering over to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

27. Gastown

Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood is situated just north of downtown and west of Chinatown. This neighborhood is home to Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, art galleries, and boutique shopping. Stop by the Steam Clock to see the dramatic steam release and get a 360-degree view of the city atop the Vancouver Lookout at Harbor Center.

28. Little Italy

Eight blocks along Commercial Drive is Vancouver’s designated Little Italy. Here you’ll find small mom-and-pop shops offering authentic Italian delicacies, pastry shops, and coffee shops serving espresso and cappuccino. Commercial Drive is an eclectic and diverse neighborhood that’s worth walking through.

29. Kitsilano

Known to locals as “Kits”, this west-side neighborhood feels a lot like San Francisco. With roots as a hippie hangout in the 1960s, it’s now home to eateries, trendy shops, and museums. Stroll the streets, enjoy the laid-back vibe, and stop in for lunch at The Naam, Vancouver’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. Don’t forget to save time to play at Kits Beach.

30. Yaletown

Once the Western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, this neighborhood still shows signs of its industrial past. Red-brick warehouses now contain residential lofts, sidewalk cafes, and cool shops. The neighborhood’s waterfront parks are great public spaces with playgrounds, paved walking and biking paths, and stunning views.

Family-Friendly Vancouver Hotels

31. Hilton Vancouver Downtown

This hotel next to Yaletown offers mostly one-bedroom suites will full kitchenettes, so families have plenty of room to spread out. The outdoor rooftop pool, open year-round, is heated to 83 degrees and uses a salt water extraction process instead of chlorine. An on-site restaurant and pet-friendly rooms are available.

32. Granville Island Hotel

This waterfront boutique hotel on Granville Island is surrounded by parks, water, and a bike and walking path. Loads of outdoor activities, the Granville Island Public Market, and the Aquabus to downtown, Stanley Park, and Science World are all nearby, making the location perfect for families.

33. Hotel Fairmont Pacific Rim

Many locals recommend this luxury, centrally located hotel near the Vancouver waterfront. It has a great outdoor pool, a full-service spa and fitness center, and two restaurants. On-site laundry facilities are a great amenity for families!

Unless noted, photos are by the author.