Though many of us take summer travel for granted, we’ve had to spend more time close to home this year. It hasn’t been all that bad, either. Life in the Lower Mainland offers a wide variety of options for summer fun, and hey, the season’s not over yet!
From Metro Vancouver through the Sea to Sky, here are our top staycation picks for the last few weeks of summer.
You might be looking for a more permanent change of scenery. Get in touch with a Stilhavn REALTOR® today. If you’ve got questions about buying or selling your home, we can help!
From Metro Vancouver through the Sea to Sky, here are our top staycation picks for the last few weeks of summer.
Metro Vancouver Activities
Richmond Sunflower Festival
12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC
Buy tickets
Looking for the perfect Instagram background? Check out the Richmond Sunflower Festival in Steveston—from now through September 1st, they’ve got rows and rows of over 20 different varieties of sunflowers and dahlias on more than 15 acres of land. This year, the experience has been redesigned with social distancing in mind, so there’s plenty of room to spread out.
Twilight Drive-In
260th St and Fraser Hwy, Langley, BC
Buy tickets
The Twilight Drive-In in Langley is a throwback classic, screening both retro films and new releases almost every night. You can’t get much more COVID-19 friendly than staying in your own car, and it’s a great place to bring the kids. It’s a bit of a drive, but one bonus to shorter days? The movies start earlier and earlier.
Richmond Sunflower Festival
12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC
Buy tickets
Looking for the perfect Instagram background? Check out the Richmond Sunflower Festival in Steveston—from now through September 1st, they’ve got rows and rows of over 20 different varieties of sunflowers and dahlias on more than 15 acres of land. This year, the experience has been redesigned with social distancing in mind, so there’s plenty of room to spread out.
Twilight Drive-In
260th St and Fraser Hwy, Langley, BC
Buy tickets
The Twilight Drive-In in Langley is a throwback classic, screening both retro films and new releases almost every night. You can’t get much more COVID-19 friendly than staying in your own car, and it’s a great place to bring the kids. It’s a bit of a drive, but one bonus to shorter days? The movies start earlier and earlier.
Vancouver Activities
Science World
1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC
Buy tickets
One of Vancouver’s most iconic landmarks reopened at the beginning of August with limited capacity and timed ticket entry. If your kids have been feeling restless, taking them to one of our most beloved and interactive institutions is sure to put a smile on their faces. Even grumpy adults can’t help but love Science World!
Vancouver Mural Festival
Locations throughout the city
Free!
Though COVID means no Street Party, the annual Mural Festival has grown even larger in 2020. This year, 60 new murals are going up in nine neighbourhoods. Take one of the free guided tours or explore on your own!
Pacific National Exhibition
2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC
Buy tickets
The PNE is an annual summer tradition that goes back decades, but it looks a little different this year. Take your bubble on a drive through Hastings Park, and take in the best of the fair from the comfort of your car. They’ve even got mini donuts!
Science World
1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC
Buy tickets
One of Vancouver’s most iconic landmarks reopened at the beginning of August with limited capacity and timed ticket entry. If your kids have been feeling restless, taking them to one of our most beloved and interactive institutions is sure to put a smile on their faces. Even grumpy adults can’t help but love Science World!
Vancouver Mural Festival
Locations throughout the city
Free!
Though COVID means no Street Party, the annual Mural Festival has grown even larger in 2020. This year, 60 new murals are going up in nine neighbourhoods. Take one of the free guided tours or explore on your own!
Pacific National Exhibition
2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC
Buy tickets
The PNE is an annual summer tradition that goes back decades, but it looks a little different this year. Take your bubble on a drive through Hastings Park, and take in the best of the fair from the comfort of your car. They’ve even got mini donuts!
North Shore Activities
Lighthouse Park
4902 Beacon Ln, West Vancouver, BC
Free!
Outdoor activities are busier than ever this summer, so if you want to visit Lighthouse Park, make sure to set your alarm and head out early on the weekend (but go midweek if you can). This park offers truly stunning views and short, easily accessible trails. The lighthouse itself has been in place since the 1870s, and the park is a National Historic Site.
Dog Mountain Trail
1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver, BC
Free!
If you’re looking for a slightly more challenging hike, head to the top of Mount Seymour and trek the Dog Mountain Trail. This trail is relatively popular, so again, head up early. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Baker, the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, Stanley Park, and the Strait of Georgia.
Lighthouse Park
4902 Beacon Ln, West Vancouver, BC
Free!
Outdoor activities are busier than ever this summer, so if you want to visit Lighthouse Park, make sure to set your alarm and head out early on the weekend (but go midweek if you can). This park offers truly stunning views and short, easily accessible trails. The lighthouse itself has been in place since the 1870s, and the park is a National Historic Site.
Dog Mountain Trail
1700 Mt Seymour Rd, North Vancouver, BC
Free!
If you’re looking for a slightly more challenging hike, head to the top of Mount Seymour and trek the Dog Mountain Trail. This trail is relatively popular, so again, head up early. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Baker, the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, Stanley Park, and the Strait of Georgia.
Sea to Sky Activities
Sea to Sky Gondola
36800 BC-99, Squamish, BC
Buy tickets
Take the gondola up to the summit and explore backcountry trails and the dizzying Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. The bridge and gondola both offer stunning panoramic views of the area, from the mountains down to Howe Sound. This is a popular one, so try to head up midweek or VERY early on the weekend.
Scandinave Spa Whistler
8010 Mons Rd, Whistler, BC
Make a massage reservation
One of Whistler’s most relaxing locations has now reopened with reduced capacity and increased COVID hygiene standards. Book a massage or relax in one of the baths. This has been a stressful time: you deserve a break.
Train Wreck Hike
Whistler Quarry Rd, Whistler, BC
Free!
This relatively easy, family-friendly hike connects to the popular Sea to Sky Trail. While the Train Wreck site used to be accessible only by an illegal scramble across the railway tracks, a short suspension bridge was erected in 2016. Now, it’s easy to visit these colourfully painted box cars that have been nestled in the forest since they derailed in 1956.
Sea to Sky Gondola
36800 BC-99, Squamish, BC
Buy tickets
Take the gondola up to the summit and explore backcountry trails and the dizzying Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. The bridge and gondola both offer stunning panoramic views of the area, from the mountains down to Howe Sound. This is a popular one, so try to head up midweek or VERY early on the weekend.
Scandinave Spa Whistler
8010 Mons Rd, Whistler, BC
Make a massage reservation
One of Whistler’s most relaxing locations has now reopened with reduced capacity and increased COVID hygiene standards. Book a massage or relax in one of the baths. This has been a stressful time: you deserve a break.
Train Wreck Hike
Whistler Quarry Rd, Whistler, BC
Free!
This relatively easy, family-friendly hike connects to the popular Sea to Sky Trail. While the Train Wreck site used to be accessible only by an illegal scramble across the railway tracks, a short suspension bridge was erected in 2016. Now, it’s easy to visit these colourfully painted box cars that have been nestled in the forest since they derailed in 1956.
Feeling restless at the end of summer?
You might be looking for a more permanent change of scenery. Get in touch with a Stilhavn REALTOR® today. If you’ve got questions about buying or selling your home, we can help!