How to Spend Your Weekend Outside Of Vancouver City Centre
Vancouver is often thought of as the social and entertainment hub of the Lower Mainland, with a trip into the city is the only option to spend a rewarding free day. Contrary to popular belief, there is a myriad of ways to spend a day out of Vancouver’s City Centre that are just as worthwhile and memorable. Get to know the Fraser Valley a little better and have a great time doing it by visiting these amazing places.
Buntzen Lake - Port Moody
534 Likes, 11 Comments - Vancouver Trails (@vancouvertrails) on Instagram: "We think we'll spend our extra day off this weekend right here. Challenge yourself on a hike around..."
Buntzen Lake is a forested oasis located in Port Moody. With various activity options, Buntzen Lake is suitable for almost any day you might have in mind. Its glassy lake and peaceful beach are perfect for lounging, water activities, and family picnics. Surrounding the lake are a number of hiking trails, suited for all experience levels, with the popular Buntzen Lake Loop sitting at just shy of 10-kilometres (an average 3-4 hour trek). A little tip is to try to get there before 11 am; Buntzen Lake can get extremely busy on weekends and holidays and it is their policy to stop letting visitors in once the parking lot is full!
Steveston Village - Steveston
52 Likes, 3 Comments - Christian Mari Concepcion (@chimmerz) on Instagram: "#stevestonvillage #fishermanswharf #vancityscape #explorebc #explorecanada"
Steveston Village, located in Richmond (Steveston), is a nostalgic little beach town that is a local favourite on beautiful sunny weekend days. Its streets are lined with charming specialty shops, such as Nikaido Gifts, The Prickly Pear Garden Centre, Beatmerchant Record Store, and so many more. Restaurants of various cuisines are speckled throughout the village, with many of them right on the pier facing the scenic Marina. After wandering throughout the village and munching on some local seafood, finish off the day watching the sunset on the nearby beach. All you could ever want in one convenient place!
Brewer’s Row - Port Moody
50 Likes, 2 Comments - Alana Halsall (@alana_halsall) on Instagram: "Cheers to another beautiful weekend in Vancouver. Photo from last Sunday's pub crawl in Port Moody..."
Brewer’s Row is Port Moody’s own version of Yeast Van, but with many more scenic attributes. This little strip of Port Moody, located right across from Rocky Point, showcases 4 well-known breweries (Yellow Dog, Twin Sails, The Parkside Brewery, and Moody Ales) that are frequented by many in and around the area. Food trucks are consistently parked outside at least one of the breweries, offering fiery Mexican favourites that you can bring into the breweries with you. What was once considered a dull suburb, is now a destination for all beer lovers!
New Westminster Quay - New Westminster
50 Likes, 7 Comments - @lumenyd on Instagram: "Did you guys see that train? . . . . #landscape #landscapephotography #blues #bluetones #epicgames..."
The New Westminster Quay is a bit like the Tri-City’s version of the Granville Island Market, with picturesque views of the Fraser River and countless boutiques and restaurants. Some shops included in the River Market’s wide selection are the specialty tea shops, floral shops, fresh produce markets, art/craft shops, coffee shops, and more.
If the weather is on your side, take a stroll on the boardwalk and watch the boats passing through the Fraser River, or take advantage of the newly introduced Westminster Pier Park for some sunbathing and picnicking. Whether it’s sunny or stormy, the Quay has something for you!
Langley Winery Tours - Langley
44 Likes, 3 Comments - James Kim (@jamkimchi) on Instagram: "Rhone with a view. . . . #glasshouseestatewinery #vancitydrinks #yvrdrinks #vancouverdrinks..."
The Okanagan isn’t the only place you can spend an afternoon sipping on robust reds and fruity white wines when our very own Langley hosts 9 fantastic wineries, each with their own unique personalities and wine styles. Luckily there are several companies that will tour you and your friends around the wineries, allowing you to completely and safely enjoy the day. Not only can you enjoy each location’s fine selection of wine, additionally these wineries have beautiful grounds for you to wander, learn about the process, and soak in the atmosphere.
Bridal Veil Falls - Chilliwack
30 Likes, 1 Comments - Elisabeth Leanne (@elisabethleanne) on Instagram: "Bridal Veil Falls, British Columbia 🌿 #bridalveilfallsbc #waterfall #hike #outdoors #getoutside..."
Bridal Veil Falls is the sixth highest waterfall in Canada. If that doesn’t get you ready to pack up your camera and jump in the car, then I don’t know what will!
This stunning waterfall drops about 122 metres down the side of Mount Cheam and into Bridal Creek. From the parking lot, the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls is only about a twenty-minute stroll, where you’ll have the opportunity to capture the moment up close. A day-use area at the bottom yields impressive views of the falls in addition to picnic tables, public restrooms, and other amenities that can make spending a Sunday here fly by!
CONCLUSION
So as you can tell, your Sunday activities don’t have to stop at Vancouver. One of the benefits of living in the the Fraser Valley is its vast selection of destinations and opportunities to explore. Take advantage of these wonderful areas this weekend!
