TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN VANCOUVER DURING A LAYOVER
If your family have a long layover at the Vancouver Airport (YVR) then you should take full advantages of the few hours you have to explore what Metro Vancouver has to offer. The Vancouver Airport is located just north of the City of Richmond, which is a bustling and developing district in Metro Vancouver. If you have at least 3-4 hours for a layover, that’s just enough time to leave the airport, go into the city Richmond, come back to the airport and catch your flight. We know that having young kids during a layover can be quite the headache as they can get bored easily, here are 10 places close to YVR that you can visit to make time fly!
GETTING TO AND FROM THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT
THE CANADA LINE SKYTRAIN: The Canada Line Skytrain is a rapid transit line that links the Airport to Richmond and Downtown Vancouver. You can purchase a day-pass or a single-use ticket at the Compass Vending Machines at any Skytrain Station. We’ve included transit times for locations that are easily access by Skytrain.
TAXIS: Taxis are great because they are flexible and quick but can get pricey depending on how far you want to go and how many people you have. Taxis operate 24/7 and can be found outside the domestic and international terminals. We included drive times for locations that we recommend visiting by car.
RENT-A-CAR: Renting a car is the most flexibility you can get at a reasonable affordable price. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty are all car rental companies that can be found in the Airport Parkade. Discount and Enterprise are further off site and close to the economy parking lot. We included drive times for locations that we recommend visiting by car.
1. WORLD OF KIDTROPOLIS
Address: 110-5940 No 2 Rd, Richmond, BC
Distance: 7.5km from YVR Airport, 14 minutes by car
The World of Kidtroplis is an interactive city model and indoor playground designed to provide a safe, unique and realistic educational environment that lets kids to do what they do best: pretend play! Our goal is to provide purposeful play and hands-on learning experiences in a family-focused environment. It’s a great playground to interact with your little ones and watch their imagination take flight!
For more information: www.kidtropolis.ca
2. LARRY BERG FLIGHT PATH PARK
Address: In line with the end of the south runway, just off Russ Baker Way
Distance: 4.7km from YVR Airport, 10 minutes by car
Flight Path Park is in the Sea Island area of Richmond on Russ Baker Way, near the Vancouver International Airport and the east end of the south runway. This unique park site is the perfect spot for plane watching and catching the evening sunset. The park has a 'flight path' themed playground, interpretive signage about Vancouver International Airport and unique site elements including "windsocks" and runway pavement markings.
For more information: www.yvr.ca/en/about-yvr/community/larry-berg-flight-path-park
3. MCARTHURGLEN DESIGNER OUTLET
Address: 1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd, Richmond, BC
Distance: 4.4km from YVR Airport, 13 minutes by transit
Imagine grabbing the best deals and latest trends while strolling through a quaint European shopping village with tree-lined streets, a dancing fountain, adventure play area and more. McArthurGlen Vancouver, the first designer outlet to open in the Vancouver area, brings you just that. You'll enjoy shopping at it's finest with world renowned brands, exclusive events and entertainment for everyone.
For more information: www.mcarthurglen.com
4. RIVER ROCK CASINO RESORT
Address: 8811 River Rd, Richmond, BC
Distance: 5.2km from YVR Airport, 11 minutes by transit
River Rock Casino Resort if Western Canada’s only 4-Diamond Casio Resort that’s located right on the banks of the Fraser River. Amenities include a sprawling salt water pool with waterslide, show theatre with regularly scheduled entertainment, 24-hour casino (if you don’t have kids in tow), 10 food and beverage outlets including lobby Starbucks, all day buffet, food court and fine dining, Absolute Spa, fitness centre, business centre.
For more information: www.riverrock.com
5. GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE + VILLAGE OF STEVESTON
Address: 12138 Fourth Ave, Richmond, BC
Distance: 135.km from YVR Airport, 20 minutes by car
Built in 1894 in the historic village of Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the largest building of its kind and the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia. Experience the stories of this place and its people through interactive exhibits, films, and guided tours on Canada’s West Coast fishing industry. Wander through the quaint village of Steveston as well and you’ll quickly realize why it’s one of Richmond’s most popular destinations.
For more information:
www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.org
www.visitrichmondbc.com/discover-richmond/steveston-village
6. RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET
Address: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC
Distance: 5km from YVR Airport, 12 minutes by car
Check if your layover coincides with the Richmond Night Market, which is one of the largest night markets in North America. It’s 12 minutes away by car or 20 minutes by transit with a short walk. The Richmond Night Market is filled with approximately 500 food stalls of street food from all different cultures and cuisines and up to 200 retail stalls and game stalls.
For more information: www.richmondnightmarket.com
7. MINORU PARK
Address: 7191 Granville Ave, Richmond, BC
Distance: 6.8km from YVR Airport, 36 minutes by transit
Right behind Richmond Centre is Minoru Park. This park is located in Richmond on the site of a former horse-racing track and airstrip. Now it’s the green heart of Richmond’s City Centre, features a huge variety of things to see and do. There are a variety of walking routes throughout the park including quiet, meandering walks around Minoru Lakes with beautiful floral displays and majestic trees. The Minoru Skating Arenas, Minoru Aquatic Centre, Minoru Track, the Gateway Theatre and the Richmond Public Library are all within walking distance of Minoru Park.
For more information: www.richmond.ca/parks/parks/SigParks/parkinfo/park.aspx?ID=68
8. TERRA NOVA ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Address: 2340 River Rd, Richmond, BC
Distance: 10km from YVR Airport, 18 minutes by car
The Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment is a play experience unique to the Lower Mainland. It is the result of an extensive and highly successful community planning process and reflects the agricultural traditions of the area and complements the City’s growing collection of innovative parks. The play environment represents a major departure from other contemporary playgrounds in that most of the features are custom designed and manufactured using British Columbia sourced Yellow Cedar and sustainable design practices, rather than conventional, ‘off the shelf’ metal and plastic products.
For more information: www.richmond.ca/parks/parks/about/amenities/park.aspx?ID=116
9. SCIENCE WORLD
Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC
Distance: 15km from YVR Airport, 30 minutes by car
Take your kids on a voyage of discovery. Science World at the Telus World of Science is a science centre that ignites imagination with hand-on interactive exhibits, live science shows, and other special events. If you have enough time, check out the spectacular OMNIMAX films on one of the world’s largest dome screens. There’s also an on-site Triple O’s if your little ones get too hungry and a unique gift shop with science and learning themed souvenirs.
For more information: www.scienceworld.ca
10. GRANVILLE ISLAND KID’S MARKET
Address: 1496 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC
Distance: 13km from YVR Airport, 25 minutes by car
The Granville Island Kid’s Market is an established destination for family fun and adventure. With 2 levels of retail, entertainment, and a children’s only hair salon in the main building. Find pet treats in the 50 years old Canadian Pacific Caboose out front and more retail and food in the 2 annex buildings at the back.
For more information: www.kidsmarket.ca