Spring Break Getaways: Three BC Destinations
On Friday we shared three great Vancouver Island Spring Break getaways. The Island doesn’t have a monopoly on family fun while school’s out, however. Today we’re sharing three more destinations for Spring Break fun within easy driving distance of Vancouver. they may not have the allure of sun and surf of jetting off someplace warm, but these Spring Break getaways are way cheaper. They’re also much more manageable if you’re only able to escape for a few days or a weekend. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have an up-to-date passport for your toddler.
Spring Break Getaways in BC
1. Salt Spring Island
Okay, we admit it – while Salt Spring isn’t the Island, it’s still an island, and it will still involve a trip on BC Ferries. It’s a whole different world, however, and if you’re looking for a laid-back Spring Break, you can’t beat it. A visit is a great chance to chill out, explore nature and re-connect with your family away from the pressures of life and work. Stop by Salt Spring Island Cheese for some fabulous goat cheese, and say hello to the goats while you’re there. There are lots of other farms to visit, where you can meet sheep and cows and taste delicious fresh fruits and veggies. There are also lots of artisan studios, beaches and forests to explore, and funky restaurants. We like the Harbour House Hotel, with a central Ganges location and a working organic farm on the premises. You can also rent a cottage or a cabin – visit Salt Spring Tourism to check out your options.
2. Harrison Hot Springs
It should come as no surprise that we love Harrison – we’ve written about it no less than three times (1, 2, 3). We love the deliciously warm water, the kid-friendly restaurants, the beach, the quiet. Not far away you can visit local farms including Farm House Natural Cheeses in Agassiz (you may have noticed we also have a thing for cheese). While there is more than one place to stay in Harrison, the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa is definitely the biggest and best-equipped in the charming lakefront village. If you can escape for a massage we bet this will quickly top your list of Spring Break getaways, and your kids will love it, too.
3. Whistler
While it’s rainy in Vancouver, there’s still lots of snow in Whistler. If your idea of great Spring Break getaways features time on the slopes, head down the Sea to Sky for some family time. While there’s lots of kid-friendly fun to be had in Whistler, at this time of year most people head there for skiing and snowboarding. There are lots of camps and classes for your kids if it’s their first time on the slopes, which will free you up to enjoy some time with your partner or to yourself. Back in the Village take in the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, visit Olympic Village Plaza and do some shopping. There are lots of places to stay – many of them featuring full kitchens so that you can eat in with kids. On the high end we’ve checked out the Pan Pacific. On the low end we’ve checked out the HI Whistler Hostel – a surprisingly kid-friendly option if you’re looking to save some money.
Amber Strocel is a writer, aspiring math teacher, suburbanite, wife and mom of two. She believes in the power of the Internet to connect people, and she believes that numbers are the poetry of the universe. You can often find her knitting, sewing, volunteering, working in her garden, and sneaking chocolate when no one's looking. She blogs at Strocel.com and shares her photos on Instagram as @AmberStrocel.
Amber, I was looking for spring break ideas and happened to come by your article. What a pleasant surprise to see you were the author. Great article.
Monique – old LLL Coquitlam member 🙂