Family Adventure in Western Canada
Without a doubt Stanley Park is the jewel in Vancouver's Crown 1000 acres of old growth forest on the edge of the Pacific Ocean is hard to beat. With around 16km of cycle paths, activities for kids, restaurants all around it, and fantastic views. After a mornings cycle catch the ferry to Granville Island for the ultimate farmers market. We had lunch at the Sandbar which I recommend booking. Kids will also love Breakfast with the Bears at Grouse mountain. You get there before the crowds and spend a magical hour with a park ranger learning about the resident grizzly bears Grinder and Coola. Then they take you for a huge breakfast whilst entertaining the children with lots of bear facts. Capilano suspension bridge is also well worth a visit.It's stunningly beautiful, walking under an umbrella of Douglas Firs, Red Cedars and Hemlock trees. Vancouver Island Tofino Our next stop Horseshoe Bay to catch the ferry over to Nanaimo and then onto Tofino
It's a three-hour drive to Tofino from Nanaimo through fabulous scenery. We stayed at Longbeach lodge. It's a spectacular setting, a huge sweeping cove with the main hotel bar and restaurant facing the beach the perfect spot for a G&T. One of the must dos for Tofino is a seaplane trip to the hot springs the views are absolutely breath taking you land at Manquina National Park where a 40 minute stroll through old growth rain forest brings you to the geothermal pools. My top tip is go as early as you can before it gets to busy. The rock pools themselves are like a warm bath, I liked them even more when I realised they had anti-aging properties.
Our last day we booked a bear watching tour. You take a boat ride out to Meares Water at low tide and watch the bears lumber out of the rainforest foraging the shoreline in search of food all from the safety of your boat. Magical to watch.
Campbell River Campbell River on the East coast has vast areas of wilderness, lakes and waterfalls all with fantastic trails you can cycle or walk. Make sure you book a whale watching trip whilst you’re here. You’re kitted out in flotation suits, hats, gloves, etc. it may be hot and sunny on dry land, the minute you get out to sea travelling at around 30mph, you're glad of them, as its pretty chilly. The zodiac can be bumpy at times my daughters likened it to a rollercoaster!
We were lucky and spotted three humpback whales but the highlight was watching a pod of around a hundred dolphins. I’ll never forget watching them swim alongside us in the surf so playful and friendly, just metres from you close enough to see their faces even under the water!
Whistler
The final part of our trip we spent in Whistler. Staying at The Pan Pacific which was lovely and a great location.
Whistler village is a great resort there are loads of different restaurants to choose from and the whole village has a buzzy feel.
If you're looking for outdoor activities, Whistler is a Mecca for adrenaline junkies - Ziplines, Mountain Biking, Rafting, you can even experience the Olympic bobsleigh with an experienced driver if you're feeling brave. We’d booked the Bear zipline tour which has an age range of 6 yrs upwards After a few initial nerves we all loved it and by the end they’re getting you to try all sorts of tricks like turning upside down. We also tried white water rafting on the Cheakmus river. Again, there are two different options a family-based Grade 2 rapids tour or a more adventurous option on the Squamish river. Its brilliant fun but watch out if you fall in its freezing!
Our last day in Whistler we took the Gondola to the top of Whistler peak. You can walk the Cloudraker Skybridge at the top a dizzyingly high suspension bridge that spans 130m across a deep ravine the views are amazing. The Peak2Peak glass bottomed gondola is also included in your ticket. This connects Whistler to Blackcomb and is a great photo opportunity. You could easily spend longer in any of the areas we visited it really has something for every age group.