What to do in Vancouver: Check out Coal Harbour
Living near the hustle and the bustle of city life can be inspiring and exciting. While I don’t live right in the downtown core, I love to visit the shops and check out new restaurants, shops and sights. What I’ve discovered lately is that the best time to explore Vancouver is on the weekend, particularly on a Sunday when the hustle of the city has died down. That’s when we get on our bikes and explore the sights at a more leisurely pace. We’ve recently discovered that Coal Harbour is the perfect area of town to do this. Yes it’s true, when we need to recharge our batteries in this beautiful city of ours we go into the heart of it all. We go downtown. It’s our answer to what to do in Vancouver on a weekend.
What to do in Vancouver: Sight-See Around the Convention Centre
While the Vancouver Convention Centre West has been complete for a few years, it’s taken some time for the retail spaces to fill out along the promenade otherwise known as Burrard Landing. Now that it’s chock-a-block with retailers, it’s a great place to check out the sights, have a meal or picnic along the seawall with kids in tow. Get on your bikes – the bike path along the seawall goes on forever!
The Sights: Bon Voyage Plaza and Burrard Landing
The giant raindrop at Bon Voyage Plaza is apparently an inside joke amongst Vancouverites playing on the reality of just how much rain this city gets. Whatever the statement you decide it makes, it is a striking contrast to the sky and mounds of yellow sulphur behind. The seaplanes landing against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains is an inspiring view for tons of photo-taking opportunities.
First stop: De Dutch Pannekoek House. This is by far the most beautiful of all their locations, as it’s perfectly situated to the view. Of course the food at De Dutch is always excellent. It’s a great place for a kid-friendly Vancouver meal, with colouring pages and menu suited for smallish appetites. And it’s grown-up offerings are well-suited for biggish appetites, if you’re hungry after cycling.
Alternative kid-friendly Vancouver dining option: Cactus Club Cafe. This flagship location opened in mid March 2013, and features a sea-to-sky terrace with a retractable glass wall for open air dining. There’s also a spectacular views of Coal Harbour and Jack Poole Plaza, which is home to the Olympic Cauldron. There isn’t a specific kids’ menu, but they are accommodating to kids’ fussy palates. When we were in a pinch, they served up a quesadilla my son gobbled up in no time.
One more idea: Mahoney and Sons. If you happen to be in the mood for a Caesar, Mahoney’s serves up the best in town. Seriously. Adorned with asparagus, sausage and the tastiest stuffed olive ever, you’ll be impressed. This is a liquor primary establishment, 19 years and up, so visit when your kids are otherwise occupied. Sometimes Vancouver moms need some grown-up time, too!
Coming Soon to Coal Harbour
Tap & Barrel Bar and Cafe is going to give the rest a run for their money. This is their second location, serving up the freshest craft beer and wine on tap. The menu is pretty good too.
Bag Lunch Instead? Great Options
All the restaurants mentioned above will pack a stellar lunch for you and your family. And the option of packing your own picnic lunch is fun too. Bring along a ball to kick around, or maybe that kite you’ve been hanging on to for years. There are plenty of spots along the seawall to while away the time and enjoy the most spectacular views this city has to offer.
Your Last Stop: Heading Home
When you’re ready to head back home, but need a boost of caffeine to fuel your ride, pop into JJ Bean on Burrard just before Hastings Street. They still do espressos and lattes old style, allowing the full flavour of the beans to shine through whatever concoction they make for you. Just bring your travel mug and you’re good to go.
Whatever it is that you choose to do when you visit Coal Harbour and the Convention Centre area you’re bound to find rich photo ops and plenty of tasty, kid-friendly Vancouver food and fabulous beverages. Explore your city – it’s what to do in Vancouver this spring!
You could also walk to the other side of the plaza and look at the Olympic torch and Douglas Coupland’s orca statue! You could even walk further down the seawall towards Stanley Park and actually “check out” Coal Harbour! I would also suggest the best gelato in the city at Bella Gelateria! It’s right near the Convention Centre!
Thanks for your comment Vicky:) There’s so much to see isn’t there? That’s what I love about it, you could go there a dozen or more times and still not see everything. I still dream about Caesars at Mahoney’s though. Is that wrong?
We also know Bella Gelateria and highly recommend trying their gelato, my 6-year old loves it! Thanks for the ideas, it truly looks like a great day, we will probably spend our Saturday like that. The following week we are planning to visit the Vancouver International Children’s Festival which is always a lot of fun. We have been there twice and are just looking forward to it throughout the year. I left you the link here so that you can see a small description of the event and find out more in case you don’t know it yet. Keep up the good work with your blog and let’s exchange ideas 🙂
Hi Anne, Thanks so much for your comment.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, it was fun writing it!
I love the Children’s Festival in fact I just hosted a giveaway for tickets to a full day of fun!
Maybe I’ll see you there 🙂
All the best,
Lee-Anne