A family vacation in British Columbia means everything from skiing in Whistler to city getaways to Vancouver and Victoria, whale watching on Vancouver Island or the best family road trips ever.
British Columbia’s entire coastline stretches for more than 17,000 miles, it’s home to 6000 islands, including spectacular Vancouver Island, and it’s the only province in Canada that borders the Pacific Ocean.
British Columbia is home to seven of Canada’s national parks including: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; Glacier National Park; Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Drive from Vancouver to Whistler on the legendary Sea-to-Sky Highway in British Columbia and the phenomenal scenery may even stun your kids into silence. Could be the most peaceful family road trip ever.
British Columbia’s mountains are famously snow-sure in winter. The most famous of all resorts is family-friendly Whistler, about two hours’ drive from Vancouver and considered to be one of the world’s best ski resorts.
British Columbia is home to Canada’s only Grizzly Bear sanctuary, which you’ll find in Khutzeymateen Provincial Park on the north coast. Only reachable by boat, you can visit the sanctuary on a range of guided tours.
The long Pacific coastline which borders British Columbia gives the province its distinctive character and gifts families anything from beach vacations to cruises to water sports and even spectacular whale watching.
Vancouver loves its outdoor setting, providing a large waterfront city filled with green spaces. The iconic seaside Stanley Park is home to an aquarium, an impressive collection of totem poles and tons of natural activities. Considered the Hollywood of Canada, many movies are shot in the city, and you may spot a celebrity or two.
One of the best winter destinations in the country is Whistler, which is made up of two separate mountains. An impressive amount of skiable terrain includes beginner runs that are perfect for young families who are learning. The mountains are also fantastic in the summer and fall, with hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding making up the vacation agenda.
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and sits on Vancouver Island. Its combination of stunning coast and historic architecture make for some interesting exploration. If you like to walk, downtown is where to go first for easy strolls round cheerfully bustling shopping streets punctuated by good restaurants and plenty of reasons to stop and stare.
Catch the ferry to Vancouver Island at Tsawwassen less than an hour from Vancouver city. This huge island is known for rainforests, the Pacific Rim National Park, flawless beaches and the charm of Victoria: not only the capital of Vancouver Island, but the British Columbia capital too.
The collection of replica totem poles at Brockton Point in Stanley Park near Vancouver is one of the most visited in the world.
Capilano Suspension Bridge sits 230 feet above the Capilano River, dare the 459 feet walk for for awe-inspiring views.
Victoria’s largest formal garden, Butchart covers 55-acres and includes a carousel, water fountains and statues.
Just 25 minutes from Vancouver, Big Splash features everything from splash pads to Western Canada’s one and only Boomerango.
On Mount Mackenzie and home to the most vertical drops in North America, this is the northernmost resort on BC’s Powder Highway.
This wildlife rehabilitation park in Kamloops, protects over 200 native animals from 65 species who are unable to survive in the wild.
Take the sensational SkyRide gondola from Vancouver up Grouse. In winter it’s worth it for the Mountaintop Skating Pond alone.
Visit this National Historic Site of Canada in Victoria to let kids see what Victorian life was like. The guided tour is great fun.
In North East Vancouver, this valley park has several family hiking trails and lovely swimming holes for summer cool downs.
Spend a day at Fort Langley exploring the preserved fur trade era post with guided tours and interactive family experiences.
Driving is one of the best ways to cover relatively short distances in British Columbia. However, trains are also worth considering with kids, particularly as several scenic routes run through the province. BC ferries are convenient and inexpensive for island visits. And major cities like Vancouver and Victoria have excellent bus services and both SkyTrain and SeaBus in Vancouver help you avoid expensive parking in the city.
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