Vancouver for Families
This tour takes in the city's kid-friendly high points, many of them located close together in
Stanley Park. Depending on the age and stamina of your kids, you might want to break this tour over 2 days.
Vancouver Aquarium. One of North America's largest, the Vancouver Aquarium focuses on Northwest species, with large pools for beluga whales, sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and sea otters, each of which offers views from both above and below water. There's also a jellyfish exhibit that's much more mesmerizing than you'd expect, plus tanks full of enormous freshwater fish, colorful tropical fish, frogs, piranhas, and sharks. Regular dolphin acrobatics shows and talks about various animals are held throughout the day, and those who want to shell out extra cash can go behind the scenes with the animal trainers and help feed the dolphins, belugas, sea lions, sea turtles, or (cutest of all, and cheapest) sea otters.
Time: 2 hr. (845 Avison Way; tel.
604/659-FISH;
www.vanaqua.org; C$25 adults, C$20 seniors/teens, C$17 kids 4-12; "Animal encounters" C$25-C$195;daily 9:30am-7pm summer, 9:30am-5pm winter; Bus: 19, plus no. 135 "around the park" shuttle in summer)
Children's Farmyard. An elaborate petting zoo set up like a rural farm, with barns and corrals, the Farmyard is home to more than 200 animals, including sheep, goats, cows, potbellied pigs, ponies, and llama. Visitors are free to mingle with the smaller critters, but you'll need an attendant's supervision for reptiles and larger animals.
Time: 1 hr. (Off Pipeline Rd; tel.
604/257-8531;
www.vancouver.ca/Parks/parks/stanley/fun.htm; C$5.50 adults, C$3.75 seniors, C$2.75 kids 2-12; June-Aug daily 11am-4pm, Feb-May & early Sept weekends only 11am-4pm; Closed Jan & mid-Sept through Dec except for special events; Bus: 19, plus no. 135 "around the park" shuttle in summer)
The Miniature Train. Boarding near the farmyard, this minirailroad chugs along a 2km (1.25-mile) track though the park's forest, passing over trestles and through tunnels along the way. One of the engines is a replica of Engine 374, which pulled the first transcontinental train into Vancouver in 1887. Near the Miniature Train, one of Stanley Park's large concession stands sells burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, paninis, veggie dogs, veggie burgers, and other park food.
Time: 15 min. (Address, rates & times same as Farmyard, except July-Aug daily 10:30am-5pm)
Variety Kids Water Park. In summer, kids can hop among the geysers, sprinklers, and water canons in this large play area.
Time: 20 min.-2 hr., depending on your kids. (Located at km 3.25 along Park Dr. Free admission; Late May to Labour Day daily; Bus: 19, plus no. 135 "around the park" shuttle in summer).
