Vancouver with Babies
We recently ventured out West to Vancouver for a long weekend with our 8-month-old. These were some of our favourite kid-friendly destinations:
1. Walking the sea wall at Stanley Park. Nothing like getting some fresh air and catching some rays…specially when they’re soft at 6am. Don’t forget the sunscreen if you’ll be out and about when the sun is stronger closer to noon.
2. Vancouver Aquarium at Stanley Park. Check out the kids zone in the lower level where they have story time, games and a pretend animal hospital for kids. They will even arrange a sleepovers for kids who want to see the aquarium after hours. Even at $20 a head it was worth it just to see Clara laugh hysterically at the seals swimming past the viewing window.
3. Granville Island. The public market is always fun and delicious to walk around but if you’re with kids you’ll want to head to the kids market, two floors full of toy stores and activities for kids.
4. Tampopo Sushi on Denman St. by Davie St.. Ok, not necessarily top of the list when thinking of destinations to go with kids but this all you can eat sushi place served the best tuna sushi and it was spacious enough to fit strollers comfortably and service was efficient. You will have to carry the stroller up the stairs as they don’t have an elevator.
5. Whistler/Blackcomb. If you want to get some skiing in whlie you’re out West, driving to Whistler/Blackcomb only takes about two hours. If your baby is over 6 months and is comfortable with strangers, you can use their day care services for $100/day. Be sure to book ahead as this service is popular. Also check with your hotel for what they offer for older kids. Babisitting Whistler also offers babysitting services and baby gear rental. They will deliver to your hotel rental baby gear, including carriers if you decide to go for a hike or snowshoe and didn’t bring a baby carrier along, for example.
6. Elixir Restaurant. We found this French style bistro walking around Yaletown and the first thing that caught our attention was that they had breakfast starting at 6am! We knew it would be our list of places to hit. Although the food was nothing to rave about and the prices a little steep, we loved being able to sit down at a real restaurant with a full brunch menu at 6am. We were the only ones there so our little one didn’t disturb anyone and the server was happy to provide a high chair for her and even gave her a piece of toast to munch on.
7. Easter Brunch at The Westin Hotel in Whistler. The Westin served a tasty buffet brunch on Easter Sunday. The highlights for the little ones: the kids buffet table (only a few inches off the ground, kids could help themselves to chicken fingers, jello and many other kids favourites), the chocolate fountain and the Easter egg hunt in the hotel lobby. The highlight for the adults (other than all-you-can-eat incredibly fresh smoked salmon!) was the kid-friendly environment, high-chairs included. (The lowlight would have to be the $45 a head!)
After I left them a messages regarding a reservation for four adults, plus one child so we needed a high chair, plus a baby in a stroller so we needed space I thought for sure they’re not calling back. But a very friendly man did call back and was happy to accomodate us. We had a great experience. The food was excellent and I was completely comfortable being there, babies and all. The restaurant is spacious, they do indeed have high chairs and we weren’t the only families dining there. Not only can you have a fantastic meal but you can also do it up by ordering their ‘boozey smoothies’, mimosas or caesars. I was only slightly disappointed that they forgot the aged cheddar on my eggs and that we had to wait so long for a hand-squeezed fresh orange juice. It was worth the wait.
