Family-Friendly Newport Village

Guest post by Amber Strocel.
When I first moved to Coquitlam, one of the key features of my new home was its proximity to Port Moody’s Newport Village neighbourhood. I love that I’m within walking distance of great food, fabulous shopping and gorgeous nature trails. If you ever find yourself in the area, here are some places to check out.

Village Toy Shop

Village Toy Shop (pictured above) is in the heart of Newport Village, and it’s quite possibly the best toy store ever. My kids love to stop in to play and see what’s new. The staff are all expert “toyologists” who are really helpful if you’re searching for a last-minute birthday gift. They stock a good variety of toys, including environmentally-friendly options, at pretty much every price point.

Gallagher’s

If you want a quick bite to eat, or a great cup of coffee, stop in at Gallagher’s just off Newport’s Village Square. They’re kid-friendly and they make a mean sandwich. They also have lots of yummy pastries, and of course lots of coffee.

Casa Dolce

I admit it–I’m all about the ice cream. Or, in the case of Casa Dolce, authentic Italian Gelato. They have dairy-free options, and they also sell European chocolates, coffee and panini. But I’m really only there for the frozen treats. All the flavours are good, but my favourite is the pumpkin.

Just down the street from Newport Village proper, you’ll find the new Suter Brook development. It’s worth stopping by for some more great haunts.

Dandelion Kids

Oh, the money I could spend at Dandelion Kids! They have some seriously sweet baby gear, toys and clothes. They place a strong emphasis on safe and sustainable products that are also nice to look at. If you stop by at 10:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, you can catch their weekly story time.

Rubens Chocolate

I love chocolate, so it’s no surprise Rubens Chocolate made my list. They carry locally-crafted chocolates, that are almost too pretty to eat (but somehow I manage). And if your gelato and coffee fix has worn off since Casa Dolce, they’ve got you covered there, too.

Fun statues

Whenever we’re in Suter Brook, my kids insist on visiting the orca and the bear. There are many hugs given and some sad good-byes when it’s time to leave. Public art or playthings, they’re worth saying “hello” to.

Thrifty Foods

Maybe it’s just a grocery store, but for my money, it’s the most kid-friendly store around. There are free cookies in the bakery, free balloons at the floral counter, and firetruck carts to ride in. We all have to eat–you might as well make it easier on yourself and your kids, right?

Shoreline Trail

From Suter Brook, it’s not far to the Shoreline Trail, connecting Rocky Point Park on the south and Old Orchard Park on the north. It’s a scenic walk, with stops at the Civic Centre and Noons Creek Hatchery. If you’re looking for some nature to cap off your day, take a stroll enjoy the views.

Amber is a crunchy granola mother of two and an incorrigible dreamer. You can catch up with her daily adventures at Strocel.com, and you can learn more about her online class on living with intention at Crafting my Life.