Rainforest and city, adventure and learning: Vancouver has it all

Only one thing is mandatory about a trip to British Columbia, Canada: get outside. Vancouver is so much more than just the city, though that is beautiful and loaded with more to do than could ever be accomplished in one visit. Choose your own adventure – but here are some ideas to get you started. For things to do with kids, outdoor fun, a day in Vancouver and more, here’s what to know.

Getting around

While you won’t need a rental car in the city, if you are planning to spend time exploring Beautiful British Columbia – and that’s a must – a car helps. It isn’t strictly necessary if you make strategic use of Metro Vancouver’s robust public transportation system and attraction/hotel shuttles, but that’s a personal decision based on budget, patience and whether you have kiddos who need car seats. Be prepared to pay for parking everywhere and you will be pleasantly surprised by the occasional free spots. Parkopedia is an easy way to search for public lots, availability and costs. (Parking fees are reasonable, and I found parking available at every location I visited, but consider the time of year and the time of day when you make your plans.)

All ages and adventure levels welcome

There is truly something for everyone within minutes of Vancouver. Let kids burn off that pent up travel energy in one of the many free parks. Spend time at the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park or at Science World on the east side of downtown. Within a 20-minute drive of the city, hiking trails fit for little legs or outdoor experts abound, along with seasonal activities like snow skiing, kayaking or rock climbing. Throughout the area, families are welcome, and children seem to be included and valued at museums and other attractions. Be sure to check online calendars for programs and experiences. New: The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia just reopened after extensive renovations.

City life

Vancouver is a bustling seaport and cruise ship hub, but don’t miss the elegance of this richly diverse city. There is much to see and do. From Chinatown to Robson Street, the streets and buildings are the backdrop of movies and TV for good reason. Throughout the year, festivals, sporting events, concerts and more keep the calendar filled with events for all ages. Find an extensive calendar, plus a wealth of tips at destinationvancouver.com.

• Vancouver Art Gallery: The art immersion starts before you even enter this iconic building, but inside, there is plenty to see and experience. Bringing your kiddos? Ages 18 and younger are admitted free – book your tickets online to save time. Take a look at the teacher guides online so you can make the most of your visit. If you’re having a parent-only outing, linger and enjoy the diverse exhibitions, check out the gift shop for art to take home, and grab lunch or drinks at the delightful 1931 Gallery Bistro.

• Robson Street: Shop ‘til you drop or grab a table in Robson Square and enjoy taking in the scene. (Kids will love the steps.) If you’re visiting in the winter, you can ice skate right in the center of the city. Drop in to see the nearby Vancouver Public Library (yes, the library is worth a visit) or stop in at one of the many shops for coffee or sweet treats to get you through the day.

• VanDusen Botanical Garden: This 55-acre garden has something for every age. Trails wind through gardens that showcase giant sequoias, lakes and even bees, totem poles and a hedge maze. It is a breathtaking outdoor spot. Get tickets in advance during busy seasons. Parking is free.

• Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory: Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest point in Vancouver and a wonderful way to explore nature within the city. Download a map before you go, so you can make the most of your adventure.

Don’t miss Bloedel Conservatory (get tickets online or at the door) – this very family friendly spot located within Queen Elizabeth Park offers a tropical setting indoors with lush plants and (rescued) exotic birds. It even has mice – look for the tiny creatures and the signs explaining their presence. Kids can ask for an activity sheet at the welcome desk.

• Stanley Park: If you only went to Stanley Park while visiting the city, it would be worth the trip. I only scratched the surface of this green oasis and it is astounding.

The North Shore

Just minutes from the bustle of the city, across the stunning Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver’s North Shore is the gateway to an outdoor paradise. Choose your family’s adventure level and check Vancouver Trails for interactive maps, park updates and more. Be prepared: if you’re like me, you just might fall in love with the old growth rainforest and start immediately planning a return visit.

• Lynn Canyon Park and the Lower Seymour Conservation Area: That TV show you’ve seen with the moody, gorgeous green forest and raging waterfalls? There’s a good chance you were looking at Vancouver’s uniquely beautiful North Shore. Lynn Canyon Park and the Lower Seymour Conservation Area offer a suspension bridge, breathtaking views, trails for all levels, nature everywhere and some of the most picturesque settings imaginable. There’s truly no place like it. Traverse the suspension bridge in Lynn Canyon (it’s free!) and check out the Ecology Centre for kid-friendly fun. Make your way to Rice Lake for a peaceful moment in a postcard-ready spot. Remember that these locations might look like a movie set, but they are wild and natural – know your limits, be bear aware and dress appropriately for the outdoors.

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: Prepare to be awed at this incredible park. (Admission required – you can book online.) If you loved the smaller suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon, this one will take your breath away in the best way possible. But the bridge is just the start. There are activities for all ages here, including interactive exhibits for kids (and curious adults), a Cliffwalk, a raptor encounter and extensive opportunities to learn about the history of the area and Indigenous culture and stories. The Cliff House restaurant offers a chance to catch your breath and enjoy a good meal right in the middle of it all.

• Grouse Mountain: Just a few minutes north of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Grouse Mountain offers fun in every season and a view you won’t forget from the gondola ride up the mountain. I visited in late spring, just after ski season ended, and enjoyed an afternoon snowfall. Don’t miss Grinder and Coola, huge grizzly bears that were rescued as orphans more than 20 years ago. They hibernate in winter, but if you visit for skiing, you can always see them on their bear den webcam. If you are an adventurer or aim to be, the Grouse Grind is a trek to add to your bucket list.

• Capilano River Salmon Hatchery: Sneak in a little learning on the banks of the Capilano River. The salmon hatchery (free admission) is such an interesting spot. Park at the hatchery or make it part of a walk from the Cleveland Dam. (If you park at the dam and walk, make sure everyone in your crew is ready for the stairs back to the parking lot.) From the lake area near the dam, the scenery – as it is everywhere – is astounding. Take in a view of Grouse Mountain along with the twin peaks of the Lions/the Twin Sisters towering above the lake.

• MONOVA: The biggest surprise of my visit, the small but detailed Museum of North Vancouver has so much to offer. It is a wealth of learning about the culture and history of North Vancouver and the Squamish and Tsleil-waututh Nations, but young visitors are not an afterthought. Interactive elements can be found throughout, and there’s even a real, historic street car. Check the website for events, activities and sensory friendly visit options. And if you are shopping for souvenirs, the gift shop here is packed with paper goods, books and toys from local creators. Park in the adjacent garage and plan to stay in the area for a bit, especially if there is a festival or other event happening while you visit.

• The Shipyards: Just outside MONOVA, the Shipyards area has food, drinks and an unforgettable view of the city skyline. Spend an hour or an evening taking it all in.

• Ambleside Park: Technically in West Vancouver, this peaceful, seaside park just can’t be beat for its views of Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge from the other side. Stroll, picnic or just linger in the beauty of it.

• More on the North Shore: Maplewood Farm – This farm is actually a municipal park. Kids can get a true farm experience just minutes from the city.

Sea to Sky Highway

Take a day to explore parts north with a drive up the iconic Sea to Sky Highway. It runs alongside Howe Sound, a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere that is teeming with wildlife and natural beauty that you have to see to believe.

• Whytecliff Park: Parking can be a challenge at times (and it’s not free – but park admission is), but Whytecliff Park offers unbelievable views. This is a haven for scuba divers, but a walk on the beach or across the rocks to the islet is a must. Keep an eye out for harbor seals and other wildlife.

• Porteau Cove Provincial Park: You won’t have to look for the wildlife here. You will hear the barking of the sea lions from the parking lot just off the highway. But there is plenty to keep watch for as well, and it all reflects the renewed life in this beautiful place. Bring a kid or be one here, and I dare you not to smile at the barking and antics just beyond the pier. This is an ideal spot for a picnic, but camping is available too.

• Britannia Mine Museum: A visit to British Columbia doesn’t have to be confined above the ground. If you don’t have a mine tour on your list, it’s time to change that. Britannia Mine Museum is a beloved field trip destination for locals, so children will be wowed at every turn (and adults will be too). Check out the machine shop and Terra Lab on site, pan for gold, and learn about the history of mining and what this particular operation did to Howe Sound, and then how the environmental impact was rectified. Plus, you get to go underground on a train, which is pretty cool no matter how old you are. Prepare kids in advance so they know it might be dark for a moment during the underground presentation. And stay for the “BOOM!” show in the mill at the end. This is a delightful way to spend a morning or an afternoon.

• Shannon Falls: You just can’t drive the Sea to Sky Highway without a stop at Shannon Falls. Parking is limited here, so if you can stop early in the day or on a weekday, do so. Just a short walk from the parking lot, you will hear the falls. Keep going. The viewing area puts you squarely in front of the third highest waterfall in British Columbia. And it’s incredible.

• Squamish: My drive up this scenic highway ended at about the halfway point, which is Squamish. And there is so much to see and do here that it will be a destination on its own when I return to B.C. Trails and climbing and nature bring in adventurers from all over the world. One look at the granite cliffs of the Stawamus Chief and it’s easy to see why.

Don’t forget

You are entering a temperate rainforest, so rain is always a possibility. In fact, it might not feel like a visit to Vancouver without at least one rain-soaked day to set off the lush green trees and ferns from the gray (but not dismal) sky. Bring a waterproof, packable rain jacket, along with waterproof hiking boots if you will be exploring the trails.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: On Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada