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First Day: Driving From Kitsap County to Canada
The driving time from Kitsap County, Washington, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
We’re traveling from Kitsap County, and it's quite a long drive, especially with young children. After two hours on the road, we needed to stop for a restroom break, grab some milk for our baby, and let our little one stretch his legs.
Stopover Before our Drive to Vancouver, Canada
We stopped in Bellingham at Camber Coffee to have some coffee, take a break, and use the bathroom. I got a Matcha latte, which was really nice. Don't forget to check out the mural and the rocket ship artwork located across the street!
We’re traveling from Kitsap County, and it's quite a long drive, especially with young children. After two hours on the road, we needed to stop for a restroom break, grab some milk for our baby, and let our little one stretch his legs.
Stopover Before our Drive to Vancouver, Canada
- Camber Coffee
- Address: 221 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225
- Pay for Parking: download payandpark.com or use quarters for one hour.
We stopped in Bellingham at Camber Coffee to have some coffee, take a break, and use the bathroom. I got a Matcha latte, which was really nice. Don't forget to check out the mural and the rocket ship artwork located across the street!
Important Reminder: Be sure to check the Border Waiting Times
We continued our journey from Bellingham, driving an additional hour to reach the border. We made the trip in January, and to our surprise, there weren't many cars in line—only about two vehicles ahead of us. When we reached the border patrol kiosk, the officer simply checked our passports, and that was all!
Atrium Hotel Vancouver - Appreciate the essentials, such as the refrigerator and microwave, available in the room - a must with little kids!
- Check-in: Atrium Hotel Vancouver
- Address: 2889 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 2A1, Canada
- 4 days, 3 nights: 347.92 USD
- Dining Options Across the Street
- Convenient Location: Just a short drive from grocery stores and only 10 minutes away from Downtown Vancouver
- Pay for Parking: Most hotels we looked into charged for parking; however, the parking fees at the Atrium Hotel were more reasonable.
The entrance to the parking area was unclear and obstructed by a vehicle, which made for an unpromising start. We were looking for a quiet spot away from the bustling city center. The area was peaceful, and they gave a discount for dining at the restaurant in front of the hotel. The pho restaurant was excellent. The hotel, however, wasn't great, likely due to construction on our floor. I mentioned that my child is sensitive to dust, which made him cough and affected our stay. Breakfast was alright, but nothing special. I wouldn’t want to stay there again with the kids, maybe we'd try a different room next time? We'll see. After checking in, we drove to Downtown Vancouver.
Exploring Downtown Vancouver, Canada
We didn't thoroughly research activities before our trip, as we wanted to experience some surprises. And, oh, were we in for a shock! I expected downtown Vancouver to impress us, like Toronto, but the reality was quite the opposite. Perhaps we just didn't visit the right spots? Maybe. The Downtown Eastside is clearly not our favourite, but we love the North Side of Vancouver.
First Stop: Chinatown, Vancouver
A perfect spot to find authentic Chinese food and treats. It looks festive here compared to downtown Vancouver.
Second Stop: Yaletown
We didn't thoroughly research activities before our trip, as we wanted to experience some surprises. And, oh, were we in for a shock! I expected downtown Vancouver to impress us, like Toronto, but the reality was quite the opposite. Perhaps we just didn't visit the right spots? Maybe. The Downtown Eastside is clearly not our favourite, but we love the North Side of Vancouver.
First Stop: Chinatown, Vancouver
A perfect spot to find authentic Chinese food and treats. It looks festive here compared to downtown Vancouver.
Pay for Parking
Less than 20 minutes from the Atrium Hotel, with lots of restaurants and cafes. Parking can be challenging as there’s limited parking. Downloading the app to pay for parking helps speed things up, especially when it’s cold outside.
During our visit in January, we experienced a captivating, free light installation titled “Sonder: Life in Lights.” This event transformed the district into a fascinating space, showcasing glowing windows and projecting mini-stories that highlighted people's daily lives.
Less than 20 minutes from the Atrium Hotel, with lots of restaurants and cafes. Parking can be challenging as there’s limited parking. Downloading the app to pay for parking helps speed things up, especially when it’s cold outside.
During our visit in January, we experienced a captivating, free light installation titled “Sonder: Life in Lights.” This event transformed the district into a fascinating space, showcasing glowing windows and projecting mini-stories that highlighted people's daily lives.
Third Stop: Dinner at Sushi Maro
The eel rice bowl and vegetable tempura were good, but the sashimi platter combo wasn't my favorite. We did more walking and found a Korean mart and an ice cream shop within walking distance. We paid around $55 USD for our meal.
Fourth Stop: Pastry Finds at Hannam Yaletown
The Korean mart offers a variety of Korean snacks. We got the castella from freshly baked goods for our little one and ordered a warm taiyaki with red bean and custard for 7 USD.
This was the highlight of our night!
This is an interesting ice cream shop, as they make the ice cream fresh in front of you. The ube ice cream was amazing, and Saul got the matcha bar, paying 13 USD for both. While waiting for our order, a lady mentioned the s’mores ice cream is popular on TikTok, and that is why she’s there.
A memorable trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge!
Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge was the standout moment of our trip. Saul took charge of all the research, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have him plan this special outing for our birthdays. To avoid the crowds, we chose to visit after New Year's. During winter, they host the "Canyon Lights" event, typically running from late November through January.
First stop: Coffee at Tim Hortons
- Tim Hortons
- Address: 1409 Marine Dr, North Vancouver, BC V7P 2V7, Canada
- 8 minutes away from Capilano Suspension Bridge
When you're in Canada, enjoying coffee at Tim Hortons is an absolute must! We went to Tim Hortons to satisfy Tim's craving and spent 7 USD on a dark roast coffee, a donut, and garlic bread. Sadly, they stopped making my favorite blueberry tidbits in 2024.
Second stop: Visit the Amazing Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Address: Capilano Suspension Bridge Parking, 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
- Parking: It’s across the street and costs 9 CAD for three hours. You can extend your time using a parking app.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Ticket
- Tickets: 119.89 USD
- Interesting observation! We checked Viator, and the ticket price listed was higher at 139.26 USD. Be sure to visit the website to compare prices.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Website
Look at that! We went off-season, and it really made a difference; we didn’t have to queue up, and we got to enjoy all the attractions. The entrance already looks stunning. Just wait until you step inside.
Crossing the bridge with our little ones made me anxious, but the joy sparkling in their eyes, particularly my little man's adventurous spirit, overshadowed any worries I had. He was brave and loved the walk all the way to the end. It was even more exciting because they had a scavenger hunt designed for kids, which made looking around feel like an adventure.
The Bridge at night is magical!
For lunch, we spent 55 USD on a beef burger and chicken tenders. The burger was tasty, and the poutine was the star.
For dessert, I ordered Death by Chocolate Ice Cream inside the gift shop, and for 5 USD, it was worth it!
For souvenirs, we bought a fridge magnet for 8 USD and an Ice Wine Tea box for 14 USD.
Third stop: Dinner at Pho Don Restaurant
Afterwards, we went home. Since it was raining, we decided to have pho. Conveniently, there’s a restaurant right across from the Atrium Hotel. We got a 10% discount on our meal as we stayed in the Atrium Hotel.
Third Day: Snowshoe trekking in the winter wonderland of Grouse Mountain!
The next day, we went to Grouse Mountain, and I was really excited because we had planned something special—our first time snowshoeing as a family!
We visited in January, so it was pretty cold. Bundle up and bring all the winter gear from head to toe, especially for the kids.
Admission
Make sure to stop by the customer service office to collect your tickets. Even if you purchased them online, you’ll need to visit the office to convert them into valid gondola tickets.
The admission ticket includes round-trip travel on the Red Skyride or Blue Grouse Gondola. We were happy to find that our stroller fit inside the gondola without needing to fold it. As we went up the mountain under a clear sky, the gondola gave us an amazing view of Vancouver that was simply breathtaking. The ride was smooth, and the kids loved it!
We were able to leave our stroller, which conveniently held our diaper bags, snacks, and everything else tucked underneath, at the visitor center for just a 5 USD storage fee.
Snowshoeing in Grouse Mountain
They offer snowshoe and ice skating rentals right on-site for your convenience. We opted for a short and easy trail located near the rental area, which is just in front of the visitor center and a short walk from the gondola. I noticed several families with children enjoying ice skating next to the rental office, and it was heartwarming to see everyone having such a great time.
There were beautiful light installations along the trail, which were quite entertaining for my little one. The entire path was blanketed in snow, and using snowshoes made it much easier to avoid sinking in. We noticed a few people struggling to walk and finding it slippery on the snow; having the right gear truly makes a difference.
Winter hiking is definitely a worthwhile experience; winter always feels magical to me. It’s cold, but the feeling is warm inside. Maybe because I grew up spending most of my time at the beach, this world is now uncharted territory in my consciousness. That explains the thrill of being out here and the surreal happiness that comes with walking and playing in the snow. My first time seeing snow was at the airport on Jeju Island, if I remember correctly. We had just landed and were escorted to the entrance door of the airport; then there it was, speckled with white dust, touching my face. I looked up, and it was everywhere. I opened my palm and felt the specks on my fingertips, and I looked up again and opened my mouth, ahahaa. I swirled as I kept walking, with my smile reaching all the way to my ears. I was happy and teary-eyed; that was my second official solo trip, and it felt liberating and refreshing, like I could do anything and had the power to choose my path in life.
My kiddo was excited to see the snow. We attempted to build a snowman, but it fell apart. Fortunately, we came across a small one that was already made, and we simply added a stick for its arm. We didn't linger for long, as the weather changed rapidly, and the entire area was enveloped in fog. So, we decided to head back and relax at the visitor center with some snacks before making our descent down the mountain. As we rode the gondola, the fog gradually lifted, revealing the stunning city of Vancouver in all its glory.
- Ages 3-4: 5 CAD ticket required
- Infants (ages 0-2): Free tickets available at Skyride or Blue Grouse Gondola
- Check Ticket Prices
The next day, we went to Grouse Mountain, and I was really excited because we had planned something special—our first time snowshoeing as a family!
We visited in January, so it was pretty cold. Bundle up and bring all the winter gear from head to toe, especially for the kids.
Admission
Make sure to stop by the customer service office to collect your tickets. Even if you purchased them online, you’ll need to visit the office to convert them into valid gondola tickets.
The admission ticket includes round-trip travel on the Red Skyride or Blue Grouse Gondola. We were happy to find that our stroller fit inside the gondola without needing to fold it. As we went up the mountain under a clear sky, the gondola gave us an amazing view of Vancouver that was simply breathtaking. The ride was smooth, and the kids loved it!
We were able to leave our stroller, which conveniently held our diaper bags, snacks, and everything else tucked underneath, at the visitor center for just a 5 USD storage fee.
They offer snowshoe and ice skating rentals right on-site for your convenience. We opted for a short and easy trail located near the rental area, which is just in front of the visitor center and a short walk from the gondola. I noticed several families with children enjoying ice skating next to the rental office, and it was heartwarming to see everyone having such a great time.
There were beautiful light installations along the trail, which were quite entertaining for my little one. The entire path was blanketed in snow, and using snowshoes made it much easier to avoid sinking in. We noticed a few people struggling to walk and finding it slippery on the snow; having the right gear truly makes a difference.
It's Magical!
Explore Edgemont Boulevard
If you’re coming from Capilano Suspension Bridge or Grouse Mountain, check out Edgemont Boulevard. A mountain village area in north Vancouver with lots of small shops, cafes and restaurants. Also notice the candy-cane designed lampost. We visited in January, and the street was very festive.
Dinner at Tamarind Hill
The incredible flavors at Tamarind Hill made me long for my days living in Singapore!
Dinner at Tamarind Hill, this is definitely a hidden gem in Vancouver. They serve Singapore-Malaysian food; we hadn't had any, and it’s nice to find a really good one. We met a hiker on Grouse Mountain, and she recommended this place. It's small, but very worth finding. Hidden gem unlocked? I believe so!
Exploring North Vancouver: Stroll around Lonsdale Avenue
Just be aware
If you're with kids, it's advisable to avoid driving around East Cordova Street or walking in Japantown for safety reasons. There are many homeless individuals in these areas. I witnessed one person shouting at a car and exposing themselves. East Hastings and Main Street are also not favorable with young kids.
Afterwards, we walk around Lonsdale Avenue, which is a long stretch of endless shops and restaurants.
The walk ends at a waterfront, and if you have more time at night, check out Lonsdale Quay. Here you’ll see the city lights by the water; this one reminds me of my trip to Hong Kong’s Waterfront Promenade.
Milk Tea at Bluemoon & a Sweet Surprise!
To end the perfect night, we had Milk Tea at Bluemoon, and they have the best Warm Ube Milk Tea ever! It wasn’t too sweet and just the right amount of flavor. That night, I was converted to loving warm milk tea, and once in a while, I get one at Happy Lemon in Washington. The staff at Bluemoon was really sweet and gave me a macaroon when they found out I was celebrating my birthday; it was the sweetest thing!
We passed by the popular CoCo that sells really good milk tea, two wonderful options if you love milk tea. After this, we went back to our parking spot, which was quite a walk, and by this time, our little ones were tired.
From Vancouver, Canada, to Kitsap County, Washington
We took the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston Ferry on our way back to Kitsap County, and the fare was under 20 USD. It was a nice break from the long drive and avoiding the traffic in Seattle.
When visiting Vancouver, Canada, with young kids, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain are great and easy options. These places made my birthday extra special. Even though my little baby might not yet understand the excitement of celebrating his birthday outdoors, I hope the photos we took and the feelings in his heart show the wonderful experience we had. Until next time, Vancouver! We had a fantastic time, and we felt so lucky that it only rained on our last day.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Travel Packing Checklist Notebook: Say goodbye to "Oops, I forgot!" moments and last-minute shopping sprees!
Explore Ontario, Canada: Drives from Toronto
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Where am I going next?
- My next adventure will take me to the sunny state of California, USA! Discover the best of Los Angeles with our Top To-Do List.
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