Family Fun in Vancouver, BC: A Perfect 3-Day Weekend

Upon exiting Vancouver International Airport, you’ll take a very short walk to the Canada Line Sky Train, which has two route options: YVR Airport or Richmond. Board the train toward Waterfront Station and relax for the 25-minute ride before departing at Waterfront Station.

After a short walk, you will arrive at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Here, you’ll find the Pac Rim Patio humming with music from a live DJ and conversation, as well as drinks and fish tacos from the Pac Rim food truck on the lawn. Check in and enjoy the view from your room of Canada Place and cruise ships on the water.

Head to Heritage Asian Eatery for a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon walking around downtown, watching street performers and cruise ships disembarking, and listening to live music.

Pro tip: Travel with another family and either trade “date nights” or do as we did and send the husbands to the pool with the kids to swim their hearts out before exploring the dining options near the hotel while the moms enjoy hours at the Fairmont Spa. Make sure to go two hours before your spa treatment time to enjoy all of the amenities: hot tubs, sauna, rooftop sun loungers, and tea and snacks.

End the night by sinking into bed fully relaxed and recharged.

After enjoying a fresh, seasonal breakfast at the Fairmont, make your way to Granville Island Public Market. Start at the indoor Kid’s Market and shop for toys, costumes, and clothing before heading outside to play on the central courtyard playground, where you can watch fish in the pond and let the kids have a barefoot sensory experience at the Crystal Ark.

Once everyone has worked up an appetite, walk a few minutes to the main market and try a bit of this and a bit of that. The fresh food market and samples lead to endless tempting options of food from every corner of the world.

Take a quick water taxi, then catch a complimentary shuttle bus from downtown to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Be prepared for lots of nervous giggles as you cross the swaying suspension bridge, perfect for photo ops. Once across, walk the Treetop Adventure, Cliffwalk, and, of course, participate in the kid’s scavenger hunt. If the littles need a snack, otter balls are a delightful treat—tiny, fluffy, pancake-like desserts covered with maple syrup.

After a couple of hours or more exploring nature, catch the shuttle bus back downtown and enjoy endless dining options. My kiddos voted for Din Tai Fung this time.

On your final morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and head straight to Science World. Between the live science shows, unique hands-on exhibits, and brain-teasing challenges, I’m not sure who enjoys it more—the kids or adults. We spent nearly four hours there and still didn’t see everything.

The kids were so engaged—the only thing that tempted them away was the promise of an Italian lunch within walking distance from the museum. Enjoy lunch—and maybe a little gelato—and head to the airport for your flight home to complete your quick weekend in Vancouver.