Squamish is a gorgeous town on the northern tip of Howe Sound that our family visits regularly. We have two sets of extended family there so we are constantly showing up and freeloading. We park our RV in the driveway, eat their food and use their amenities. Often our trips are hanging out at the homesteads but we’ve done a lot of the cool surrounding attractions as well.
Britannia Mine Museum is the dopest stop in my opinion. Every 30 mins there’s a guided tour into the underground haulage tunnel. The leader teaches you some stuff about mining copper then sticks you in a train cart and away you go. There is a gold panning exhibit. I’ve never found any precious metal worth writing about but the kids had fun. The gallery and visitor center have many learning and interactive exhibits. The museum introduced a new multi sensory BOOM! Show that is supposed to be an amazing live action experience. We haven’t seen it yet but I fully intend on taking the kids there on the next trip.
During the last trip we took the littles to the Ninja Gym. We did a 90 min drop in. The kids loved it!! Rugrats under 10 require supervision unless you pay an extra $5 for a babysitting fee. We obviously did this for the younger cousins so the adults could partake in our Canadian duty and stimulate the economy by supporting a nearby local distillery, Backcountry Brewing. There was a Geo Cider brewery there too if you’re into that. Anyways, I digress. The Ninja Gym has monkey bar apparatuses, climbing ladders, rope course, zip line, parkour jumping platforms, foamies and other things to burn energy on. The kids were all glowing and sweaty when we stumbled back to pick them up.
Shannon Falls in a nice quick stop just off the Sea to Sky highway. It’s a day use provincial park with spots for a picnic lunch or carefully concealed wobbly pop. A more enthusiastic traveler could do a proper hike, but we typically just walk the few minutes to the waterfall viewing platforms and chill in the pristine west coast rain forest.
There are so many other free lake, river and nature options to visit in this area I won’t even get started. The Sea to Sky Gondola will take you to the summit and let you explore the cantilevered viewing platforms, interpretive trails, suspension bridge and other seasonal activities. Matt and I went white water rafting on the Cheakamus with Canadian Outback Rafting before we had kids. Go for a jog when you have to escape a cougar or other critter. Uncle Perry will take you out on his boat to catch a crab or fishy fishy. He accepts beer as payment.
When the RV isn’t possible, we’ve frequented Squamish’s other accommodations as well. Sun Wolf’s riverside cabins hosted our family reunion one year. The Sea to Sky Hotel is the best cost effective option. Although nothing is really that cost effective in Squamish anymore. We’ve seen Whistler prices in the last few years. The Executive Inn and Suites is the nicest lodging if you want a little more space and a kitchen. Location wise, the Mountain Retreat (waterslide!!) and Crash are great options in the downtown area. My family used to camp in Porteau Cove provincial park annually as children until an unfortunate disagreement with my cousins and Ranger Bob one year. I’ve heard reservations are next to impossible to get these days anyways, but the waterfront sites are amaze balls. We stayed at the private site Klahanie Campground which was decent. Nothing will ever beat parking our RV in cousin Jen and Mark’s driveway in the prestigious Timberwolf Estates mobile home trailer park though. There’s free food and free babysitting. The occasional bear may attempt to break in but no real damage occurs so this option still wins.
KIDS AGES: INFANT TO 10
paRty of 4 