Spring Break Activities 2009
byIt’s currently Spring Break in Vancouver for most school-goers and even though it’s grey and blustery there are still many activities around town that are fun for the entire family.
Vancouver Aquarium A staple of Vancouver attractions and education, the Vancouver Aquarium has events and performances planned each day this week including appearances by Bobs and Lolo, a Sea Otter Talk, Birds of Prey in Flightthe dolphin show and Once Upon a Tide presentation. You can view the entire schedule for the week here.
Stanley Park Farmyard and Train The farmyard in Stanley Park along with the minature railway will open this week and welcome a new addition of three alpacas. They are open 11:00am until 4:00pm but it is weather permitting.
May I also recommend a trek through some of the trails including the Merilees trail high above the Sea Wall between Prospect Point and Siwash Rock, or a stroll around Beaver Lake.
Bear Creek Park Train The miniature railway in Bear Creek Park is open year-round. During special events like Christmas or Halloween this is a penny-saving option in comparison, but otherwise the prices are similar to Stanley Park. I’m not sure if they have any specials for Spring Break but they are gearing up for the special Easter Train coming up in April. Find out more from BCTrains.
Surrey Arts Centre Not only is it a community gallery and a performance venue, they are also running a Spring Break Theatre Day Camp all week.
Science World For more indoor options, Science World is always a favourite as well and this week’s theme is Colour Chromatic. They have workshops and interactive displays such as Colour Your Whirl, Light Fantastic (featuring a light-based remix of a Van Gogh work), Leland Faulkner’s World of Wonder, aRHYTHMetic Book Launch, Pantomime Robots and more.
Rogers Play Dome Eat cotton candy, ride the Zipper and the Ferris Wheel, and play some Whack-a-Mole inside BC Place at the midway.
Museum of Anthropology Probably one of my favourite places in the region, the Museum of Anthropology follows everything from the history of man to modern-day cultural art. Their current feature exhibit is Samoan Tattooing and Global Culture and once you’re done inside, take a walk around the grounds and Pacific Spirit Park.
Fort Langley The Fort has programs year-round but you can stop by to explore and learn about the birthplace of our Province as we know it during Spring Break at the Fort.
Top Things to do in Surrey Back in 2007 I profiled some of the top activities in Surrey and some are still relevant including a day trip to Redwood Park (I also listed it as one of my top things to do on a Sunday when I was profiled in The Province newspaper), visiting the lovely Surrey Museum in Cloverdale, going on a nature walk at the Serpentine Fen, and stopping by the Historic Stewart Farm.
Day Tripping I’d like to pull from my Day Tripping series and offer up the following suggestions and even though some time will need to be spent in a vehicle to arrive at most of these destinations, the drive time is less than an hour for each: The Othello Tunnels (near Hope, BC), Chuckanut Drive (just south of the border), Hell’s Gate (take the airtram across the Fraser Canyon), Gibsons (just a quick hop across the ferry to Langdale, stop by Molly’s Reach).
In town you can even stop by the Avalon Dairy, or Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver (currently featuring a milking demonstration, and potbellied pig feedings).
If you need any more ideas check out my Park Series as well, which includes contributed entries from guest authors along with entirely inexpensive yet fun and nature-filled options for a great day out (such as Lynn Headwaters, Burnaby Lake Park, and Blackie Spit).
Update from the Comments Gary has suggested the Vancouver Police Museum which reminds me of Shannon LaBelle, a museum blogger who gave a talk at Interesting Vancouver last summer. She runs The City Diorama which is filled with events and activities year-round.
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Don’t forget the Police Museum if you have been to all those already.
To me, Science World will always be Science World. I can’t bring myself to call it its corporate name. My next day trip is definitely going to be Maplewood Farm! I can’t wait!
You can also take your children to the Waterfront Theatre in Granville Island to see Munsch Alley, a personal favorite of both young and old – the stories of Robert Munsch!
I really like most of these ideas (especially Science World) but not the Aquarium. Ever since I found out that they get their dolphins from the Taiji dolphin massacres, I just can’t bring myself to take my family there anymore. 🙁
(Info about dolphins in Van Aqua: dawnwatch.com/entertainment.htm)
Hi Amanda,
Although I know many are opposed to animals being in captivity, I have spent time at the Aquarium and was impressed at their ability to educate about marine animals and life while not making it seem like “entertainment” or a circus act as the link you included may suggest.
The dolphins do not come from the Taiji dolphin massacres. The Aquarium has pacific whitesides. Those dolphins do not come near shore and are not part of the Japanese dolphin hunt.
The Aquarium Dolphins are rescue animals. To say that the Aquarium gets the animals from the Taiji dolphin massacres is completely untrue and unfair.
We love exploring Granville Island and stopping by Go Fish for lunch. The best fish and chips in the city! A great way to spend a warm spring afternoon.