Five Fun TravelSmart Trips
Whether you're looking to spend a relaxing afternoon with your friends or find some interesting and energy-consuming activities for your grandkids, here are some fun ideas that'll keep everyone entertained. All of these venues are easily accessible by public transit, so make sure you use TransLink's Trip Planner to help fine-tune your best route there.
Transportation can play an important role in establishing and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
Museum of Anthropology
This is Canada's contemporary museum of world arts and cultures, located on the beautiful UBC campus. Easily accessible by transit, this trip provides the opportunity for you and your grandkids to see the beauty of BC both in architecture and in our history. Before you even get inside, you'll see the stunning architecture and the magnificent outdoor totem display. Inside, you could spend weeks exploring the 10,000 objects from around the world. Don't miss the spectacular Great Hall for more totem poles and the iconic Bill Reid sculpture, “The Raven and the First Men.” Free guided gallery walks are available and the site is wheelchair accessible.
Options to Get There
- If coming by bus, take any UBC bus: #4, #9, #17, #25, #41, #43, #44, #49, #99 B-Line, #258 and #480 (note that some routes operate only during peak hours).
- If coming by Expo Line SkyTrain, get off at Broadway Station and transfer onto the #99 B-Line bus to UBC.
- If coming by Canada Line SkyTrain, get off at Oakridge-41st Station and transfer to either the #43 UBC or #41 UBC buses.
Granville Island
Come here to enjoy treats and shopping in the public market, free entertainment by the waterfront courtyard or take a stroll past unique boats and houseboats along the marina. If you're bringing kids in the summer, pick up some lunch from the one of the food vendors and sit outside as you watch them play in North America's largest free water park. Or check the local theatres for kid friendly plays, musicals and comedy troupes. Make sure to check out the Kids Market for some unique handcrafted and educational toys.
Options to Get There
- Take the #50 False Creek bus from Gastown and get off at Anderson Street and West 2nd Avenue. Look for the large Granville Island sign under the bridge and walk on through!
- Most buses have a stop at Granville Street and 5th Avenue. Hop off your bus at 5th Avenue and walk 5-10 minutes northward under the bridge to get to Granville Island.
- If you're walking along the Seawall, there are numerous mini-ferry docks that will get you to Granville Island along what could be the prettiest water route possible.
Vancouver Airport Observation Area
The Vancouver Airport developed the Observation Area as an interactive, fun place for family and friends to view planes landing and taking off, and learn about the operations of an international airport. Access is free and anyone can visit - regardless of whether they're flying or not! Located in the public, pre-security area of the Domestic Terminal, the space offers vast floor to ceiling windows, complimentary telescopes, videos, interactive information kiosks, air traffic control listening stations and real-time flight activity. With quick and easy access to the airport via the Canada Line, this fun, educational and thrilling trip will entertain kids and adults alike.
Options to Get There
- Whether coming from downtown Vancouver or Richmond, the Canada Line takes you straight to the Vancouver Airport, however, make sure you're on the correct line. This route diverges once you get to Richmond, so ensure you're on the YVR/Airport route (as opposed to the Richmond/Brighouse route).
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
This spectacular 55-acre garden lies in the heart of Vancouver and is home to over 255,500 different kinds of plants from places as diverse as the Himalayas, the Canadian Arctic and Africa. Surprisingly intimate, this is a lovely place to spend the afternoon, meandering through the winding paths and amongst the manicured landscapes. One of the best features of the garden is the deceptively complicated European-style hedge maze. Getting lost was never so easy, or so fun!
Options to Get There
- From downtown Vancouver, take the #17 Oak bus to W. 37th Avenue (on Oak Street).
- From the east side, take the #41 UBC bus to Oak Street (on 41st Avenue).
Science World
For some hands-on fun, get yourself and the kids to Science World. This highly interactive science centre is a favourite family destination, equally entertaining as it is educational. Blow giant soap bubbles, play a giant keyboard with your feet, freeze your shadow on a wall. It's all possible here. There are five permanent galleries, special exhibition galleries, centre stage shows as well as an OMNIMAX theatre. Located directly across from the SkyTrain station, this is an easy, convenient and incredibly fun trip for the whole family!
Options to Get There
- The Main Street/Science World SkyTrain Station on the Expo or Millennium Lines is across the street from Science World.
- If coming from the West End or Yaletown, catch the C23 community bus, which lets you off one block north of Science World (National Avenue & Quebec Street).
Do you have other trip ideas you'd like to share? Leave a comment below to add to this list and share your experiences with other seniors.