Vancouver has come a long way from being a place where the roads are paved with patchouli and you had to be wearing a North Face fleece to be allowed past the security gates at the airport. An explosion of innovative restaurants, cool hotels and an influx of mad real estate dollar dollar billz has turned Van into the perfect getaway for families looking for a big-city-experience and a fun-outdoorsy-paradise all in one. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, the temps are mild all year round (though you might want to bring an umbrella or two) and the trees are HUGE.
One of four Stanley Park playgrounds, Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
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You can?t talk about Vancouver without talking about Stanley Park. This massive oasis in the heart of the city has so much for families to do?including four playgrounds, a waterpark, an outdoor pool and two beaches equipped with washrooms, parking and concessions stands?that you could easily spend days there. And that?s not even including the on-site world-famous Vancouver Aquarium, where you can see all manner of exotic species like belugas and sea otters. (Be sure to pick up a Narwhal stuffy at the gift shop, because, really, where else are you ever going to be able to get a Narwhal stuffy" My kid named his ?Swimmy.? He?s such a poet.) Biking in Stanley Park, Photo: Leah Rumack
Word to the wise, however, Stanley Park is big. One of the best ways to get around (and an iconic Vancouver activity) is cruising around th...