As Spring begins to take over Vancouver this week, we’re getting closer and closer to Sunny days ahead, and with that an action packed summer full of adventures and activities. Vancouver has so much to do come summer time for whatever you might be into whether it’s hitting the beaches, mountain biking, indoor activities, or maybe even watching sports live. There’s so much to do in the Lower Mainland, and today we’re going to be looking at some of the top summer activities that Vancouver has to offer.
Do you like going on rides? Well, the PNE will be open all summer where you can ride roller coasters, play carnival games, eat fun food, or even visit The Fair which will open in August. Are you an animal lover? There’s even a barn during The Fair with cows, pigs and more. Playland is a top summer activity in Vancouver for people of all ages. If you’ve been before, it’s still worth it to go as they often change the rides and attractions and bring in new ones to keep the demand fresh and fun for Vancouverites every year. As far as price goes, you can get the Fun Season Pass for $89 or the Thrill Season Pass for $129, giving you access to Playland from May all the way until August, so worst case scenario, you always have somewhere to go. The area is accessible, located at Hastings and Renfrew and it’s not a long bus ride if you’re taking Transit.
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Do you like splashing around in the water? Well, I have more activities than I can count on two hands. Firstly, Cultus Lake Waterpark is one of the best water slide attractions in all of Canada. They have beginner, intermediate, and even expert water slides, so whether you’re a small child or an adult that likes rides, you will have a good time when visiting. The downside of Cultus Lake is that it’s located all the way out in Chilliwack and for many, it can be a bit of a far drive. However there is a way to Transit there as well. I did this with my friends a few years back, and although it took nearly half the day, it was well worth it for the fun we had when we got there. The water park also has hot tubs located across the property, so if you get cold or even if it’s raining, you are able to warm up between rides or just relax with your friends. They also sell food on site. Although it is a little bit overpriced, there are a few restaurants and shops in the area that you can go to before or after your visit to the water park. Additionally, across the street from the water park is the amusement park, which includes roller coasters, water bumper cars, and mini golf. Not far from there is the beach which, although can get packed sometimes, has a beautiful dock coupled with a fantastic view that might be more your speed if you’re into a more natural swimming experience.
On the topic of beaches, Vancouver has plenty of different beaches for you to visit with my personal favorite being Second Beach, located at Stanley Park. Although English Bay is the most popular and has a fantastic view, if you walk down the seawall at Stanley Park you’ll find First, Second, and Third Beach, which provide more escapism from the city and is a great place to watch the sun set on a cool summer night. If you head over to Port Moody, they have White Pine Beach which is another fan favorite. It’s a little further out from the city and provides more seclusion, although it has been picking up in popularity over the last several years and it may be hard to find a place in the sand to park your items. If you’re feeling really bougie, you could head over to Kitsilano Beach where you’ve got a fantastic view of a big tanker way out in the water. In all seriousness, Kits is a nice beach with some surrounding restaurants for a perfect sunbathing and stomach satiating day.
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If you’re into sports, the White Caps and the BC Lions season begins in the summer with both clubs playing at BC Place Stadium, one of the nicer stadiums in both leagues as it was renovated just back in 2010 for the Olympics. The roof comes off if it’s a nice day out, allowing for a traditional Stadium experience. Tickets for both Whitecaps and Lions games are relatively cheap as the stadium seats upwards of 50,000 people and is never hard to get tickets, although like many of the activities provided here the food is a little pricey, so I would recommend eating before or after you catch the game.
Any guesses with the final activity on this list is? Well if you guessed mini golf, you are correct! If mini golf had its own PGA Tour, you could hold it in Vancouver alone with so many different places to play and cool gimmicks. Vancouver is, no doubt, a mini golf hub of the world and, although I would love to gatekeep some of these mini golf places to myself, it’s only fair that I clue you in to a few of the best spots around town. Starting off with West Coast Mini Putt located in Richmond. It has a neon glow-in-the-dark theme with the fun, TikTok hole-in-the-wall vibe, where you win prizes depending on your score and can even get your picture on the wall if you get a hole in one along with a free game. While you’re visiting, there’s also other activities such as billiards or pool if mini golf isn’t enough to draw you in. Now, this is one of the more pricey mini golf places out there. However, I can say with confidence that it is well worth the experience you get. Another great spot is Castle Fun Park, with a fun outdoor mini golf course overlooking the farmlands of Chilliwack. Castle Fun Park is a great place to unwind and putt some balls. Additionally, although the most basic of the places mentioned, Eagle Quest is always a go-to if you’re looking to play some golf. With a driving range and Mini Golf two-in-one, it’s easy to spend a few hours there and lose track of time while having fun with some friends.
These are just a few of the many activities that Vancouver has to offer this coming summer. Whether you’re an indoor or outdoor person, there’s more than enough to go around for everybody, and things for all ages to enjoy. What’s your favorite thing to do in Vancouver? What are you most looking forward to doing this summer? Is there anything that I left off this list?