If you’re a parent with bored kids at home during spring break in SD43, we’ve got a few ideas to get you through the rest of Week 2.
According to the forecast, the weather looks mixed for the week; however, there may be a break from the rain on Thursday, so get ready to go outside.
1. SkyTrain
As of September 2021, kids ages 12 and under can ride free on Metro Vancouver public transit: SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express and the bus (for the first three systems, children need to be accompanied by a fare-paying customer).
On the Evergreen Extension, which is part of the Millennium Line, start your trip at the Douglas College-Lafarge station and check out the art show at the Evergreen Cultural Centre or do a loop of Lafarge Lake. You can also tour around the college or hop in the pool at the City Centre Aquatic Complex.
Lincoln Station has a more commercial district, so grab a coffee- and caramel-coated bun (if you can!) from PappaRoti; these baked treats sell out fast.
Coquitlam Central is the transit hub for the Tri-Cities, so you can board a RapidBus — which is 20 per cent faster than local buses — and travel east for a trip out to Maple Ridge. Or you can walk north to Coquitlam Centre mall, which has bubble teas and an Apple store, as well as dozens of other shops and food options.
From Inlet Centre station in Port Moody, you can walk north to grab a burger or wings at Mary Brown’s Chicken, in Suter Brook, or a sandwich from Gallagher’s Coffee in Newport Village. The Noons Creek salmon hatchery is just north of the Port Moody Recreation Complex and has a great educational component.
Moody Centre is near to Rocky Point Park and Brewers Row, but there are also some fun shops in the neighbourhood, as well as PoMoArts (formerly Port Moody Arts Centre) and the Port Moody Station Museum. Along Clarke Street, take the family to Gabi & Jules for slices of handmade pies or book a time at Origins Parkour Studio off Spring Street.
Burquitlam is the last stop in the Tri-Cities and, because of SkyTrain’s arrival six years ago, the neighbourhood’s under major renovation. Still, with the new development comes new business, so try out BjornBar Bakery, which opened last October.
2. Coquitlam
If you’re wanting to stretch your legs, the Coquitlam River Trail is one of the best places in the city for forest bathing. Lace up your sneakers or grab your bike and helmet to ride the trails and listen to Mother Nature at work. Alternatively, Austin Heights provides a unique shopping experience: Check out Reflection Books and Coffee + Vanilla. And in southern Coquitlam, Mackin Park has a playground and perimeter walking trail; be sure to cheer on the Coquitlam Little League players at Mackin Yard.
3. Port Coquitlam
If you haven’t had a chance to tour the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre, now’s the time to do it. The $132-million facility is now fully open and includes a leisure pool, fitness centre, three rinks, a concession and, outside, the Terry Fox Hometown Square, where you can follow the hero’s journey on a walking path. You can also grab a paddle for a game of pickleball on the outdoor court.
4. Port Moody
There are many hidden gems in Moody Centre, so take some time out to hunt for treasures at Hourglass Comics & Games on Clarke Street, Vivio Flower Gallery (also on Clarke), White Lotus Divine Healing on St. Johns Street or Little Gypsy’s Fine Jewelry on Queens Street. For a quick bite, head over to Cascadia Bakehouse or Confetti’s European Meat Market & Grocery.
5. Villages
Belcarra has təmtəmíxwtən Regional Park (run by Metro Vancouver), while Anmore has Buntzen Lake (run by BC Hydro). Both provide excellent recreational and picnicking opportunities — especially if the weather is warm. At Belcarra, there’s a very good playground and beach; at Buntzen, you can pitch a tent and roll out the BBQ to relax for the day.
