Granville Island | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver

5 Family Attractions in Vancouver, BC + Giveaway

September 20, 2016

Favourite Places

I’ve lived just outside of Vancouver, BC for my entire life, making frequent trips into the city to explore. I feel so lucky to live so close to a city that really has everything you could want when looking for an exciting family vacation. Vancouver has it all, from the ocean and mountains to the theme parks and coffee shops.

Now as a mom myself, I get to see how excited my kids are when we get to take a trip into the city. Below I have listed 5 places to visit with your families when exploring in Vancouver, BC.

5 Must Visit Family Attractions When Visiting Vancouver, BC

1. Stanley Park 

Get outside and explore the most beloved urban park in Vancouver. With views of the mountains and the ability to explore both the ocean and the wilderness all at once you are sure to have a good time. Take your family on a guided tour of the park or explore all on your own.

Vancouver Aquarium | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver
Photo Credit: Discovering Parenthood

2. Vancouver Aquarium

Perfect for families with big kids and small the Vancouver Aquarium offers a day full of exploring and learning about our underwater friends. My kids enjoy the live shows outside, with a chance at getting splashed, as well as the Discover Rays exhibit.

Radisson Hotel Vancouver | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver
Photo Credit: City Cycle Tours

3. City Cycle Tours 

If you are interested in learning a little bit of history around the city and be active while doing it City Cycle Tours is for you. Your family will love a guided tour of the city with the option to choose from a beginner to advanced level.

Science World Vancouver | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver
Photo Credit: Michael Kwan

4. Science World

Whenever we drive into the city our kids can not help but mention Science World, the building itself is an exciting attraction. Not just for kids Science World is always changing their exhibits that are suitable for the whole family encouraging learning and conversation.

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5. Granville Island

One of my absolute favorite places in Vancouver, you must visit! When visiting Granville Island plan for a full day of exploring the artisan shops, kids market, playgrounds, local market and eating the most delicious icecream. Plan to stay a while and you are bound to leave with a great experience.

Don’t forget to Stay the Night

Radisson Hotel Vancouver | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver
Photo credit: Radisson

Now that you have some great places to visit when exploring Vanvoucer, BC, whether it’s your Canadian staycation or vacation, don’t forget to plan where you are going to stay. Radisson Vancouver is in a convenient location near the airport, including an airport shuttle for your convenience.

With free wifi and the early check-in (6 AM, say what!) and check-out times (6 PM) Radisson makes it easy for families to get in and out of their rooms, decreasing stress and allowing your vacation to run more smoothly. Radisson Vancouver has a unique and individual style that is inviting and comfortable.

Thanks to Radisson we are able to gift one of our readers with an e-certificate to ONE COMPLEMENTARY NIGHT STAY at a Radisson Canada or US location. Plan a Radisson #staycanada vacation today and save 20% right now when you book here.


Radisson Hotel Vancouver | 5 Family Friendly Places in Vancouver
Photo credit: Radisson

How to Enter: Comment below telling me why you would want to stay at Radisson Vancouver (or your nearest location // visit website for more locations) and what Family Friendly activity listed above interests you the most.

*e-certificate good for one night stay at any Radisson Canada and USA location. Must be 19+ years or older to enter and complete contest rules. Contest ends October 3, 2016


Thank you so much to Radisson to partnering with us on this post, inspiring us to explore and for providing a complimentary one night stay to our readers. Please note all views and opinions are always my own.

  1. Hillary says:

    I’d love to stay in a Radisson because sleeping in crisp sheets that I didn’t have to wash, and that the baby hasn’t spit up on, would be like winning the lottery.

    Stanley Park is a favourite of mine, especially this time of year when the air gets a nice chill.

  2. Tara says:

    Oh nice! The Radisson has always had such great service. It would be so nice to getaway before our next baby arrives in January!

  3. Lori says:

    I would do the bike tour for sure and would love to get a me day to escape the chaos lol!

  4. Kim S says:

    I would stay at that Radisson because it’s close to the Vancouver Aquarium! I love aquariums and I’ve never been to that one!

  5. Samantha Lenz says:

    Id love to stay at the Radisson! This mama hasn’t had a “night” off from mommy-hood, not that I need it – but as a single mom a night out could be very refreshing and rewarding! Plus, I would love to take my son to the Vancouver Aquarium – he loves staring at fish! Fingers crossed. Xo

  6. Samantha Lenz says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson – and have a nice mommy night out. Not that I need a night off motherhood but as a single mom it would be a nice way to recoup and refresh! 🙂 also I think it’d be a blast to take my son to the Vancouver Aquarium as he loves to watch fish! Fingers crossed. Xo

  7. Rick Nohr says:

    Vancouver Aquarium!!! To take my little guy on a dad/son day date and cap it off with a night stay at the Radisson. Never taken him anywhere so this would be super fun.

  8. sschool2010 says:

    I’d love to stay at a Radisson because it looks like a quality chain with great facilities! I think Science World sounds really cool! (Suzi)

  9. Vancouver is gorgeous and the Radisson looks stunning! Putting it on our list of places to stay! Thanks!!

  10. Roxann Redekop says:

    I’d love a night away with the hubby and children.. We haven’t gone into the city with the full family yet but science world and Granville island are 2 of my lets do that soon things!
    What an awesome give away.

  11. Catherine Chow says:

    Would love to stay at the Radisson because I’ve always had a good experience at their hotels. The rooms are clea, comfortable and inviting. The city cycle tours interests me the most. I’d like to learn about the history of Vancouver while getting some exercise and fresh air at the same time!

  12. Lester Cabug says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson with my girlfriend and/or her family. They live in the suburbs and rarely gets a chance to go out into the city. When they do they always have a good time. I haven’t been to the aquarium in a while, that would be one of the places I’d be interested in visiting!

  13. Monique says:

    This is such a wonderful thing to do for someone. I love this!
    We’ve been talking about taking a family “trip” to Vancouver for the last year with our littles! We were recently evicted and forced into the housing market, so the trip has been pushed until another time. Granville is one of my favourite places to go, and my husband and I haven’t been since we were first married. We love the environment there and the street music. We know our kids would love it so much and be dancing their little hearts away in the streets. This free nights stay would help our stressed family so much.

  14. nicky says:

    I’d love to getaway to the Radisson in Vancouver! Looks great, and would enjoy bringing the family to Science World as it’s both fun and educational!

  15. Maggie says:

    We would love to stay at the Radisson! We’d spend the day at the Aquarium, and in Stanley Park! Love going into the city to play tourist 😉

  16. Shannon Grochowski says:

    I would love to stay because I’ve never been! It would such a great family day if we headed early downtown check in (hello the check in time is amazing!) then headed to the aquarium/stanley park for the day then hung out at the hotel all together for the rest of the evening. No messes to clean up!

  17. Linda says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson downtown, we could have a nice dinner or watch a show. I never get to treat myself to things like this!

  18. All are pretty fun. I like going to Stanley Park.

  19. Diane To says:

    I would like to stay at the Radisson with my family. We don’t live in the city so it would awesome to make it a short staycation in Vancouver and be a tourist in our own city! I would like to check out science world – throwback to grade school science!

  20. Annik says:

    I would love to get a night away at the Radisson with my little family! It would be so nice to be able to spend the day downtown and not have to worry about the long drive home! We would definitely check out the aquarium as we have yet to take our little man! I know he would love it!

  21. Karli V says:

    Would love a Vancouver getaway before baby number 2 arrives!!! I’ve never been to Granville island so would love to explore. Thanks for the chance!

  22. We love Stanley Park and the Aquarium! They are so much fun. You’re right there are so many great things to do for families in Vancouver. A great hotel certainly makes a trip so much better! Thanks for sharing.

  23. Lizzie Lau says:

    I’d love to stay at the Radisson so I don’t have to drive home after an event. It would be nice to have more than one tasty beverage in the city.

  24. Jolene Bloomfield says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson as a babymoon before my new boy comes in December. I would love to go to Science World =)

  25. Katherine says:

    I’d love a mini getaway since I’ve had a hard time getting away since getting pregnant with our first in 2012. There are so many amazing things to do in YVR but I’d definitely love to go on a Cycle Tour!

  26. Jessi B says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson because that pool picture you posted looks too amazing to pass up! I would love to go on a cycle city tour and learn more about Vancouver too! ????

  27. Staying a the Radisson in Vancouver would be the first “city” vacation for the kids & I. We have only been camping so this would be such a luxury experience with the pool! Reading about Granville Island, it sounds like a great little place for a family to share some memories!

  28. Juliee Fitze says:

    I would like to stay at the Radisson Hotel Toronto Airport. That way I could go to Toronto the day before I fly out to check out the city.

  29. Robyn Norman says:

    Hi, I have been loving your blog! My husband and I were just saying we would love to take our two littles for a NYE staycation, pool all day, pizza and movies in bed all night! We would LOVE to check out this hotel and Science World. Thank you for the chance to enter!

  30. I would love to stay at the Radisson in Niagara Falls! SO much to do there with the kids and it would be a great anniversary gift! 🙂
    Thanks
    Email–> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com

  31. Megan Wiebe says:

    Would love a stay at the Vancouver location to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary! We love Stanley Park & Granville Island. Winning this would be an amazing way to celebrate❤️

  32. Chelsey Perkins says:

    Haven’t stayed in a hotel since before Rylan was born! Would love a night away!
    🙂

  33. Natalie says:

    I love your blog! It’s my fave. You’re killing it. I wanna stay in a hotel! ❤️

  34. Jessica says:

    I would want to stay at a Vancouver location…. To get away from the kids for a night 😉 And because hotel stays are so fun!

  35. Christine says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson on my next trip back to my hometown of Vancouver! My two girls just love spending the day at Science World and we can’t wait to go back!

  36. Jennifer E says:

    You named all of my favorites! We often plan mini getaways and a staycation in Vancouver has been on the bucket list for a while. I think the boy loves the hotels more than the attractions but he has a love of travel.

  37. Carly says:

    Would love to stay at the Raddison for the night. It’s always a delight to be able to get away and stay in a different environment then you normally would. Thanks for the chance to enter!

  38. OH BOY. When I moved from Ontario, I made it my mission to hit up all of those locations. Vancouver is seriously FULL of amazing things to do. I’d LOVE to stay at the Radisson in Van because running a business and finishing my last year of school along with beginning my first year of marriage…it gets pretty stressful. A night away would literally be a breath of fresh air in such a crazy season.

    AND PLUS. I’d be so close, I’d have an excuse to go to the Aquarium and see the otters. They literally make me cry with joy every time. Bah!

    AMAZING blog <3

  39. ivy pluchinsky says:

    I would love the chance to stay at the Radisson in Winnipeg! And Science World really interests me! ( pluchinskyi@gmail.com)

  40. Elena says:

    I would love to stay at this hotel because it looks very nice. I would like to visit Science World

  41. Shana says:

    I’d love to have a night away with my hubby at the Vancouver location!!! And Codi you are doing an amazing job!!

  42. Would love go have a night away in Vancouver this holiday season to give us the chance to check out a few YVR craft markets for holiday shopping!! ????????

  43. I would LOVE to stay at the Radisson Vancouver for a fun night away with my husband before we welcome our second child into the world around Christmas. We have not yet had a date night in the city and I think this would be a great opportunity to finally do so. Great contest!!

  44. bswilkins80 says:

    I’d love to go to the Radisson Vancouver; looks gorgeous!

  45. kenny hall says:

    I want to stay at the Radisson in Vancouver because it is only a few hours from me and I have never been!! Thank you!

  46. Christine Murray says:

    While i would love to go to Vancouver, i would love to stay in the Radison closest to my mother-in-laws in Toronto because it has been over a year since my husband has seem his mom. She doesn’t have space for us to stay and this would be a great late birthday present for him. Thank you for the giveaway.

  47. Denise K. says:

    I would love to visit Vancouver again and the Radisson hotel there looks very nice! I went to Vancouver about ten years ago so would love to go back and see how it has changed. Love that city!

  48. Denise K. says:

    That hotel looks beautiful! I would love to go back to Vancouver and see how it has changed. (Last time I was there was about ten years ago)

  49. Tooth Fairy says:

    A real sweet treat to spend a night away from home, a Vancouver staycation! Sea bus to North Shore Lonsdale Quay would be fun.

  50. Granville Island is one of my favourite places for great food, amazing theatre and live music, and fun local shops I get to support! And when I was a nanny, the aquarium was a weekly occurrence… we could never get enough!
    I would love love love to stay at the amazing Radisson as I’m a new business owner and spend 20hrs a week entertaining kids and another 60hrs building a company (don’t ask me what my hourly pay is, haha). Although I absolutely love my job it is incredibly time consuming at the moment and I often work late into the evening and forget to set aside personal time. It would be so lovely to take a mini break and treat myself to some free/adventure time!

  51. Vancouver staycation at Radisson overnight would be a real sweet treat! Fun to ride Sea Bus and lunch at Lonsdale Quay.

  52. katherine says:

    RADISSON HOTEL & SUITES FALLSVIEW, ON near Niagara Fall and Stanley Park

  53. manda says:

    We haven’t been to Vancouver and would love to see the city. I like the bicycle activity.

  54. Joanna Johnson says:

    I would love to getaway before our 2nd baby arrives in October. That or hold onto it for my first birthday in December without my mom who passed away this year. Looks like a beautiful hotel!

  55. Vivian says:

    Would love to enjoy a short stay cation with the family!

  56. Nicki joseph says:

    Granville island looks incredible! I would love love love to visit Vancouver, BC. It is also very close to me!

  57. Lynnelle says:

    We have never stayed at the Radisson and would love a night away! If the kids came along we would definitely visit Granville or the Aquarium!

  58. Leah says:

    I’d love to stay at the radisson for a night away with my hubby! Those are few and far between these days! And i would definitely love to go to the Vancouver aquarium my little girl is 4 and has never been to one before!

  59. Susan D says:

    My son would LOVE the Vancouver aquarium! I would like to visit Vancouver as well. There are many things I would like to do there including exploring Stanley Park.

  60. julie moore says:

    A night away sounds freaking DREAMY right now. Even if we had to take the kids 😉 We’d for sure hit up the Aquarium… haven’t been in a few years and my boys would FREAK OUT!!

  61. Maryanne says:

    We would love a staycation in the city and head to the aquarium bright and early!

  62. Larissa Sevenhuysen says:

    I’d love to stay at a Radisson because a night away anywhere without kids would be such a treat!
    It’s been years since I’ve been to aquarium, and we haven’t lived in BC since having kids, so it would be super fun to take my boys there!

  63. Stephanie esau says:

    A fun getaway with the family! Would be able to explore the city without having to drive home after! We love the aquarium & science world. Family days in the city are the best and we would love a little staycation!

  64. Alisha M. says:

    Love love love Granville Island too! Definitely a Vancouver favourite. Thanks for the giveaway!

  65. loriag says:

    We have always loved visiting Science World. We would love a one night stay at Radisson Hotel Saskatoon. We would walk along the river and enjoy the views.

  66. Danya says:

    Would love a night at the radisson because this mama needs some SLEEP!

  67. Michelle says:

    I would love to spend just one night before baby 2 comes just my hubby and I been almost I years and we have yet to go away even just a wonderful stay in Vancouver would be much appreciated

  68. Erica says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson in Vancouver for a staycation and good nights sleep. Taking my boys to Science World so they can experiment and explore sounds like a great way for them to learn while having fun.

  69. Alicia says:

    I would love to stay at the Radisson, such a lovely hotel. The Vancouver Aquarium would be on my list of places to see.

  70. Julie Clement says:

    Who wouldn’t want to be spoiled at the Radisson Vancouver? And Granville Island is one of my favourite places…

  71. Kelly Krol says:

    A night away with hubby and the kids at the Radisson Vancouver would be awesome! We have yet to visit Science World!

  72. Tina L. says:

    We would love to stay in Vancouver and go to the Aquarium and Stanley park without having to drive all the way home afterward.

  73. We went to the aquarium on our last trip down and the kids LOVED it. We always hit up the Science Center in Calgary and I’d love to check out the Vancouver one (I haven’t been since I was a kid!). Our kids have never stayed at a hotel and they would think it’s a total dream.

  74. Kelly says:

    Would love to stay downtown with my other half, perfect date night! Granville Island for sure we’ve been many of times but always something different to see everytime and or the Vancouver Aquarium which would be our first!

  75. Leigh Anne says:

    I would love to visit Stanley Park. I love getting out in nature and exploring what majesty and beauty is around us.. Having spectacular views to look at would be great! Plus I would love to stay at the one in Toronto!

  76. It would be lovely to get to be pampered and relaxed and have a moms vacation! ????????????????????????

  77. dianne hall says:

    I want to stay at the Vancouver airport Radisson because I would love to walk around the city and see Granville Island. Looks like a lovely hotel & city!

  78. Donna says:

    I’d love to come to Vancouver from the Island to visit my sister. We’d go for bubble tea and sushi!

  79. Elizabeth p says:

    I’d love to visit vancouver or the RADISSON HOTEL & SUITES FALLSVIEW, ON to see the falls. thanks for the chance

  80. Jen says:

    Id love a stay in Vancoucer and Granville Island would be at the top of my list of things to do! I’d love to visit the market, visit amazing restaurants and the kids market ????

  81. Tracie Cooper says:

    I would love to visit Vancouver because its on my bucket list and I would definitely take my hubby to Granville Island. My email is traciemichelle0515@gmail.com

  82. I’d love to stay at the Radisson in Duluth, MN. It’s a very northern city on Lake Superior and has a lot of beautiful scenery.

  83. Michael says:

    Would love to visit Vancouver again. We would check out Science World

  84. Sylvia says:

    We would love to stay at Radisson Vancouver. It would great to be able to visit Aquarium one day and then Science World the next.

  85. Josh says:

    I would like to stay at Radisson Saskatoon

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