Here's a list of fun affordable ideas for your staycation this summer or while entertaing friends over the B.C. Day long weekend.
Honda Celebration of Light: July 29, Aug. 2 & 5
The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. sharp each night. Pack a picnic and get there early to secure a great view from Second Beach, English Bay, Kits Beach or Vanier Park. Visit hondacelebrationoflight.com.
Pride Parade: Aug. 6
Starts at noon
The Pride Parade is the heart and highlight of Pride Week in Vancouver. This community celebration is the culmination of everything the Pride Society works towards all year long. Bring the kids, bring the dog, bring some lawn chairs and bring your beads. The parade route starts on Robson Street at Thurlow, continues west to Denman, south to Pacific and then follows Pacific to Sunset Beach.
Re-visit Stanley Park
Take a walk around Beaver Lake, snap photos in front of the totem poles, take the kids to the free water park and walk or bike the seawall. If you want to spend a few dollars, take a guided tour with Stanley Park Horse-drawn Tours or visit the Stanley Park Train where dogs ride for free every second Sunday beginning July 16. Visit vancouver.ca/parks-recreation.
Arbutus Greenway
This new greenway, which includes temporary paths for cycling or walking, runs from Kits to Marpole along the east side of Arbutus Street and West Boulevard for 8.5 kilometres between Fir and Milton streets. New amenities along the path include portable washrooms, waste receptacles, benches, Mobi bike share stations and traffic signals. Find a printable route map at vancouver.ca/streets-transportation.
Bloedel Floral Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park
The conservatory is a domed paradise within Queen Elizabeth Park that’s home to more than 120 free-flying exotic birds and 500 tropical plants and flowers. This is a great way to spend a couple of hours especially if it’s raining. Kids between four and 12 cost $3.15, adults pay $6.50 and the cost for seniors and youth is $4.35. A family pass for two children and their kids under the age of 19 cost $14.75. Visit vancouver.ca.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The public can visit the art gallery on Tuesday by donation between five and 9 p.m. Seniors (65 and older) can also pay by donation on Mondays for guided tours led by art educators between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visit vanartgallery.bc.ca.
Granville Island
You can enjoy the sights and sounds of Granville Island for free and, if you have kids, enjoy the water park near the community centre also at no charge. A handy link on the Granville Island website can help plan your visit based on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend. Visit granvilleisland.com.
Christ Church Cathedral
Visit the city’s oldest church, built between 1889 and 1896, for a look at its Gothic-style structure and stained-glass windows, which include scenes from the Old and New Testaments. For a list of events and services, visit thecathedral.ca.
Hastings Park, including:
Il Giardino Italiano gardens include fountains and a large feast table great for a family picnic — or join a game of bocce under the grape arbour. A large children's play area is adjacent to the garden.
The Sanctuary is a nine-acre forested area that replaced the former B.C. Pavilion site. Two ponds are surrounded by meandering pathways with bridges and a boardwalk — perfect for bird watching. Seating areas provide calming views over the ponds. The Hastings Park Conservancy runs free nature walks in the Sanctuary.
Momiji Gardens is located on the south side of the Garden Auditorium building, along East Hastings Street. This Japanese-styled garden reminds us of the detention and internment of Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War. Japanese-Canadians were temporarily detained in many of the exhibition buildings in Hastings Park before being transported to various internment camps around the province. Visit vancouver.ca.
Chinatown
Wander North America's oldest Chinatown to experience its authentic foods and unique shops and then stop by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The garden, created in authentic Ming Dynasty style, was the work of 52 artisans from China. A family ticket is $28 and that includes two adults and up to three children. Visit vancouverchinesegarden.com.
Free Outdoor movies
Stanley Park Summer Cinema offers free outdoor movies at dusk on Tuesdays at Second Beach from early July until late August. Visit freshaircinema.ca/summercinema.
Depending on the weather, Canada Place offers free movies each Thursday at dusk at the north end of the promenade deck. With national pride in mind, the organizers of this cinematic series ensure there is a Canadian connection to every movie shown, where it’s an actor or location. Canada Place has one of the largest outdoor movie screens in the Lower Mainland, so it’s worth the trip to the waterfront. Visit canadaplace.ca.
Tennis
There are dozens of tennis courts Vancouver, many which are free to use, including some in Stanley Park. Visit covapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder.
Free walking tours
Enjoy a free tour of downtown and the waterfront, Granville Street and Gastown, Granville Island or Chinatown. These tours are free, but if your guide did a great job show some appreciation with a tip, which is always appreciated. Visit tourguys.ca.
Denny’s
Various locations
If it’s your birthday, Denny’s will treat you to a free original Grand Slam. Valid ID must be presented when you order.
Also, Tuesday nights are family nights at Denny's so children under 10 eat for free from 4 to 10 p.m. Limit two free kids’ entrées with the purchase of one adult entrée. Kids’ meals are limited to all entrées listed on the Kids’ Menu. Ask your server for details, restrictions may apply. Visit mydennys.ca/offers.
sthomas@vancourier.com
@sthomas10
