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Sunset over calm water with dark pebble beach in foreground, dramatic storm clouds lit by golden and orange light breaking through grey sky

Places to Explore in British Columbia

Lakes, mountains, small towns, and roadside stops we found along the way. Each one with practical details to help you decide if it's worth the drive.

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Visitors walking across a suspended wooden bridge through a towering coniferous forest under clear blue sky

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge: Free Entry, Parking and Going with a Dog

A free suspension bridge 50 metres above a canyon, in a forest of tall trees — busy in August, swaying less than we expected, and dog-friendly enough that Nika came everywhere.
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Kayak with teal spray skirt on calm water, forested rocky island in distance, coniferous trees lining distant shoreline under overcast sky

Deep Cove, North Vancouver: Kayaking, Parking and Sea Stars

Calm water, forested islands and purple sea stars clinging to the rocks right at the shoreline — Deep Cove from a kayak, taken in turns so our dog never waited alone.
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Lions Gate Bridge spanning across Burrard Inlet with North Shore mountains in the background under clear blue sky

Stanley Park Seawall by Bike: Rentals, Route and How Long It Takes

We rented a tandem two blocks from Stanley Park and rode the seawall around it — about three hours of waterfront, the bridge and stops wherever we felt like it.
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Marine mammal pool at a zoo or aquarium with a blue tent structure, viewing platforms, and visitors watching a performer in the water, surrounded by forested landscape and mountains

Vancouver Aquarium: Tickets, Timed Entry and What to Expect

Canada's largest aquarium sits right inside Stanley Park. It was busy, it took us about two hours — and the best surprise was that half the life here is outdoors.
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Pond surrounded by mature trees and shrubs with lily pads covering the water surface and autumn foliage in the background

VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver: Tickets, Hours and What to See

Two hours of paths, lawns and gardens in the middle of Vancouver — and, tucked away inside, a small apiary of two beehives we didn't expect to find.
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