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Climate you’re searching for an area getaway, day journey or planning travels to BC, Squamish presents a lot for households. Positioned alongside the Sea to Sky freeway, simply an hour from Vancouver, Squamish sits on Howe Sound with the majestic monolith, “The Chief” rising above the city.
Whereas it does not obtain as many guests as its large brother down the freeway (Whistler), it is extra average local weather, proximity to Vancouver and a plethora of outside actions, make it an incredible place to go to with youngsters. If you’re headed to Whistler, make sure to take a look at our Whistler with youngsters information.
Listed below are 8 nice issues to do in Squamish with youngsters. We now have included a combination of outside actions, studying alternatives and naturally some yummy meals options.
Sea to Sky Gondola
The Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola presents epic views of Howe Sound, the coastal forest and naturally, the mountains. As soon as on the high you may get pleasure from family-friendly mountain climbing, a enjoyable suspension bridge, restaurant and instagram-worthy lookouts. There may be additionally an incredible playground on the high that the youngsters will love.
Littles will just like the 400 m Alpine Valley path which scavenger hunt playing cards. The 1.3 km Panorama Path results in an awe-inspiring lookout bridge and the 400 m Spirit Path takes you thru a cultural journey of the First Nations folks.
Household tickets value $121 (2 adults, 2 youngsters 6-18 years previous, 5 and below are free). The gondola operates every day 9-5. This was considered one of our favourite issues to do in Squamish with youngsters (or with out!)
Sadly, this gondola was severely vandalized in 2019 and 2020, nevertheless, the attraction re-opened June 2021 and is likely one of the finest issues to do in Squamish with youngsters.
Britannia Mine Museum
When you’ve got spent any time on the Sea to Sky freeway, you’ve got most likely questioned concerning the large white constructing hooked up to the cliffs, simply earlier than Squamish. For over 70 years, this was the location of the Britannia copper mine (the biggest within the British Empire) and whereas the mine, now not operates, it’s now a Museum and Nationwide Historic Website.
The Britannia Mine Museum is de facto spectacular and our children beloved all the interactive actions. There are quite a few buildings that you would be able to discover to study extra concerning the geography, atmosphere, mining and mining life. For many of the mines’ life, it operated as an organization city solely accessible by water from Howe Sound. My teenage daughter actually favored seeing all of the festivities, recreation actions of the group.
Nevertheless, the true pleasure for the youngsters was the practice tour into the mine with an exquisite tour information. The entire household will get to don laborious hats on your journey underground and find out about how the miners labored. The tour finishes with a go to to the Mill, the multi-story constructing you see from the freeway. The youngsters beloved “BOOM”, a lightweight and sound present and likewise favored listening to concerning the films which were made right here.
One other big spotlight for the youngsters was panning for gems. The youngsters are taught how you can use a pan to shift by means of the sand, the place they may discover quite a lot of minerals and stones, that they will take house. I needed to tare the youngsters away from this space!
We had been actually impressed with this museum and are so glad we visited. Entrance is $135/household (2 adults, 3 kids), $36.95/grownup, $19.95/youngster 5-12, $28.95/youth 13-17, youngsters below 5 are free. It’s best to guide your admission time on-line upfront as walk-ups can’t at all times be accommodated. The museum is open every day 9-5. Plan to spend 1.5-2 hours+ there.
Get Biking
Squamish is a biking mecca and there are all kinds of trails appropriate for households of all talents. Deliver your bikes or hire bikes from one of many bike shops and spend a couple of hours exploring Squamish’s huge path community.
Youthful youngsters and learners will benefit from the inexperienced Wonderland path which winds by means of lush rainforest. The SORCA mountain bike expertise park situated at Brennan Park is a good place for teenagers to follow on the pump observe, jumps and technical options.
For these with older or extra skilled riders within the household, the Diamond Head and Alice Lake path networks provide a plethora of trails. Our youngsters love the quick and flowy traditional – Half Nelson – a machine construct blue path at Diamond Head. The climb is a problem for them (9 and 11), however doable. Psudo-Tsuga is one other flowy path that was a success with the entire household.
For close by Alice Lake trails, park at Garibaldi Highlands Faculty (solely after 4:30pm and on weekends through the college yr) and climb Mashiter. Go away of Absence, Of Mice and Males, 50 Shades of Inexperienced are all nice blue trails. Trailforks has all the main points on the paths, routes and entry and parking.
Alice Lake Seashore & Swimming
Alice Lake is the right place to go to on a scorching summer time day. Children will love the sandy seaside, comfy temperature for swimming and floaties and docks for SUPing, canoeing or kayaking. The park is free to go to; park within the Day Use parking zone (fills shortly on scorching weekends). The Park is situated a 5 min drive previous Squamish.
Go to Porteau Cove Provincial Park
This beautiful, small Provincial Park is situated proper on Howe Sound and presents waterfront campsites which can be extremely fashionable. Nevertheless, there’s additionally a Day Use space, good for a picnic and nice swimming on the pebbly seaside. Children may also get pleasure from trying out all the marine life on the seaside, particularly at low tide. Our youngsters spent hours strolling alongside the logs on the seaside (manner higher than any playground!). Porteau Cove is about 10 minutes earlier than Squamish on the Sea to Sky freeway.
Hike “The Chief”
This large monolith towers over Squamish from all angles and is a favourite for rock climbers. If your loved ones is up for the problem, the views are spectacular of Howe Sound and the encircling mountains vary. I would not try this hike with youngsters below 6 as a result of it’s a ton of stairs and fairly the grind. Climbing to the First Peak is simply 4 km spherical journey, however plan 2-3 hours because of the steepness. The hike begins straight away with countless staircases going up, up, up. The higher sections are on rocks and the final part requires a ladder and chain rope. When you get to the highest and people panoramic views, watch the youngsters as a result of there are steep cliffs, however do not let that discourage you from this traditional Squamish hike.
This can be a very talked-about hike and free reservations are required for the summer time months. “As of June 23, 2021, free day-use passes will likely be required to go to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park – Chief Peaks/Bottom Path. Reserve your free day-use move at Uncover Tenting. Passes can be found to guide beginning at 7am, in the future upfront of your deliberate go to.” – Parks Canada
Go to Shannon Falls
You possibly can see this majestic waterfall from the Sea to Sky freeway, however it’s positively value stopping in at this small Provincial Park to get a greater view. At 335m, it’s the third highest waterfall in BC and it’s a straightforward 350 m boardwalk from the parking zone to the viewing platform. This can be a nice straightforward exercise to do in Squamish with youngsters. The falls are situated 5 km earlier than Squamish and proper earlier than the Sea to Sky Gondola, which make for an incredible mixed day journey.
Household-Pleasant Eats
We’re nonetheless speaking concerning the wonderful and creative pizzas from Joe Pesto’s Wooden Fired Pizzeria. Climate you get takeout or dine-in, do not miss this little gem. I beloved the “In a Pickle” pizza with pickles, dill, and mustard – sure pickles on pizza – so good! If you happen to aren’t up for pickles on pizza, there are such a lot of enjoyable ones like a burger pizza, reuben pizza, Joe-tziki. Solely open for dinner 4-8 pm.
If you happen to nonetheless have room, head over to Alice & Brohm for some scrumptious real-fruit, NZ fashion ice cream. They’ve two places – one downtown and one on Mamquam Highway.
If you’re craving Mexican or fried rooster, the highway-side Sunny Chibas will hit the spot. They’ve yummy tacos and burritos and fried rooster poutines that our children beloved.
Squamish with Children Verdict
Squamish actually embodies the distinctive “Sea to Sky” topography of coastal British Columbia and with its shut proximity to Vancouver, makes an incredible daytrip or weekend getaway. The mountain climbing and biking is world class and there are lots of enjoyable household actions that the entire household will get pleasure from.