Inside Vancouver

Give Victoria Day the Royal Treatment in Victoria, May 21

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on May 16, 2012

Photo credit: Tourism Victoria

Victoria Day, May 21, is approaching swiftly and where better to do it up than Victoria? Just a few hours away via BC Ferries, and only 30 minutes by plane, Victoria is Vancouver’s simultaneously quirky and elegant island neighbour.

Named after British Monarch Queen Victoria, BC’s capital boasts a massive parade and a number of Brit-themed activities to that allow celebrants to give Victoria Day the royal treatment it deserves.

Find out more about Victoria’s Island Farms Victoria Day Parade and other local happenings after the jump. Continue reading:
Give Victoria Day the Royal Treatment in Victoria, May 21

Best May Long Weekend Ferry Trips From Vancouver

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on May 14, 2012

Photo credit: BC Ferries

The May long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. While the standard, two-day weekend trip leaves me feeling like I packed all my gear only to unpack it again, three days transforms into a glorious escape.

May 19-21 is the ideal opportunity to take advantage of Vancouver’s proximity to a maze of stunning islands, all accessible by ferry. With many BC Ferry trips in the 40 minute to 2-hour range, all you have to do is choose an activity, let it determine your destination and head out.

Victoria Day parade viewing. Hiking. Kayaking. Camping. Beach lounging. Locavore lunching. Wine tasting. Art crawling.

Here’s a round up of island hopping destinations and activities for the long weekend ahead. Continue reading:
Best May Long Weekend Ferry Trips From Vancouver

The 66th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair Returns May 18-21, 2012 (Free Tickets!)

by Inside Vancouver in Family Friendly on May 11, 2012

Photo: Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair

The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair returns this May long weekend with jam-packed family-friendly entertainment and exciting new events, May 18-21, 2012. The 66th annual Cloverdale Rodeo and 124th Country Fair combines a unique blend of rodeo action, free-with-admission entertainment, live performances and fierce competition.

Continue reading:
The 66th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair Returns May 18-21, 2012 (Free Tickets!)

Vancouver International Children’s Festival 2012 Starts May 29

by Dana Lynch in Family Friendly on May 7, 2012

"The Itch of the Golden Nit" at the Vancouver International Children's Festival 2012.

A massive crowd-pleaser since its inception in 1978 and one of the largest children’s festivals in all of Canada, the annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival returns to Granville Island with six-days of theatre, live entertainment, puppetry, music, and more from May 29 – June 3.

The theme for 2012 is “Celebrate Our Stories,” and along with traditional theatrical techniques (on-stage shows), the Festival engages audiences of all ages with innovative performances on Aquabuses (!), in and around Granville Island’s duck ponds (the inspired “Quack Attack”), through hands-on activities, and with cooking classes at Edible Canada.

Highlights of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival 2012 include:

Continue reading:
Vancouver International Children’s Festival 2012 Starts May 29

Haunted Canyon? Ghost-hunting at Hell’s Gate Airtram

by Remy Scalza in Family Friendly on May 7, 2012

Photo credit: KyleWiTh | Flickr

When Simon Fraser, the great fur trader and explorer, first stumbled upon British Columbia’s Hell’s Gate canyon in 1808, he declared: “This was a place where no human being should venture.”

From the raging rapids of the Fraser River, sheer rock walls rise to a height of more than 1,000 meters. Over the centuries, hundreds of miners and railroad workers plunged to their doom here.

It’s no wonder the place is haunted today.

Ghost sightings are a regular occurrence at the Hell’s Gate Airtram – a gravity-defying cable car that zips visitors across the canyon at dizzying heights. In recent years, guests and staff have reported all sorts of paranormal activity, from mysterious shadows to objects falling off shelves.

Continue reading:
Haunted Canyon? Ghost-hunting at Hell’s Gate Airtram

Give Victoria Day the Royal Treatment in Victoria, May 21

Best May Long Weekend Ferry Trips From Vancouver

The 66th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair Returns May 18-21, 2012 (Free Tickets!)

Vancouver International Children’s Festival 2012 Starts May 29

Haunted Canyon? Ghost-hunting at Hell’s Gate Airtram

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