Coming from a book and movie loving family, a common topic of discussion around our table…
The warmer weather is coming and you’re making your travel plans for the long weekends and summer break. With the low Canadian dollar, I know that many south-of-the-border options are out of reach, and there are so many great local places to enjoy a weekend getaway here in Beautiful BC. In this post we’re exploring Squamish, a city of 17,500 less than an hour from Vancouver.
Where To Stay
The first step in planning any weekend getaway is deciding where to stay. Squamish has something to satisfy every traveller from gorgeous campgrounds to fully equipped hotels. We stayed at the Sandman Hotel, which suited our little family perfectly. Our room had 2 Queen beds plus a pull out couch (good in case we had to separate the girls). We also had a small fridge, sink, microwave and coffee maker – allowing us to store snacks and no-cook lunch items to keep us on budget. The Sandman also provided a well stocked continental breakfast and the girls were amazed to find cereal “on tap”. This was one of the biggest highlights of the trip for them! It couldn’t beat the pool, hot tub and waterslide though. They spent so many hours splashing and swimming, and it was great for us to have this option on hand for our monkeys who get up before most things open, and who aren’t always keen to go out in the rain. We knew that no matter how early they got up or how crazy the weather was, we wouldn’t be stuck in our room. Win-Win!
Where To Eat
When we’re traveling on a budget we always like to find a good balance between eating in and eating out. Staying at the Sandman with the mini kitchen and continental breakfast covered most of our dining needs, leaving us to seek out a few treats to enjoy on our weekend getaway. I had heard that breakfast at Fergie’s Cafe is not to be missed while in Squamish, and it didn’t disappoint! The gorgeous setting, laid back atmosphere and incredible food all add up to an awesome dining experience.
Another great spot for tasty food and great views can be found at the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola. I wouldn’t have expected such gourmet food at the end of a hike, but I was wrong!
Lastly, no trip to Squamish would be complete without a visit to Howe Sound Brewing. The food is delicious and plentiful, the tour is educational and fun, and the atmosphere is surprisingly kid-friendly.
What To Do
Squamish is called the Outdoor Capital of the World for a reason. It was recently named #32 of New York Times’ 52 Places To Go In 2015, and there are certainly no shortage of things to do! I could write a whole other post on the topic, but for now I’ll highlight the things we had the opportunity to enjoy firsthand!
One of the best places to see everything Squamish has to offer is from the air. Now I am no fan of heights, and I’m also a terrible flier, so you would think this kind of activity would not be on my “must do” list, but it is! Unsurprisingly, flying in a small 4 person plane is a completely different experience from commercial airline flying and I enjoyed it so much more. Our pilot at Sea to Sky Air made us feel completely relaxed and comfortable, all while being a great tour guide and explaining the sights as we went. I even learned something new – did you know that Howe Sound is the southernmost fjord in North America? Pretty cool. We will be coming back for a fantastic Father’s Day gift for sure (shh don’t tell hubby – he may even get to fly the plane)!
If you’re feeling lucky, join the Britannia Mine Museum tour and try your hand at panning for gold! We took the train underground and then walked through the mill, learning how the old copper mine operated throughout the years. I also learned that #hardhatselfie is a thing!
Last but not least, is the Sea to Sky Gondola. We have a Family Annual Pass and the kids never tire of all of the fun to be had. From the adorable playground at the basecamp, to the Kid’s Play Area at the top, there are so many activities specifically for the munchkins. The flat and wide hiking trails, stunning viewing platforms and the suspension bridge make for tons of active, outdoor fun. Challenging trails and backcountry adventure awaits for the more serious outdoor enthusiast.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend getaway, or planning a day trip to Squamish, there is so much to do, you’ll be coming back for more!
Did I leave anything off the list? Comment below or share on social media using the hashtag #exploresquamish!
All on the table disclaimer: While I received compensation for this post, all opinions are my own and I would never share anything less than stellar with all of my favourite readers! Read full disclosure statement here.
I had a great time in Squamish too – never knew what a great spot it was to visit honestly until now, despite driving right past it on my way to Whistler a number of times before!
Same. I was so surprised at all the great things to do! Will definitely be going back often with the family.