Day trips from Vancouver with kids include Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (40-min from downtown), Grouse Mountain (skyride and lumberjack shows), Lynn Canyon Park (free; with suspension bridge), Whistler Village (90-min drive; gondolas and walkable village), Bowen Island ferry (20-min crossing), Victoria via BC Ferries (1.5-hour ferry; full-day trip), and Squamish Sea-to-Sky Gondola (45-min drive). All are reachable by car, with some accessible by transit and ferry.
This guide ranks each day trip by age fit, total trip time, cost, and what makes it memorable for kids — plus exactly when to book ahead and how to time the trip around naps, lunch, and rest.
Table of Contents
Day Trips with Kids Quick Overview
- Closest: Lynn Canyon (free; 30 min); Deep Cove (40 min)
- Best paid attraction: Capilano Suspension Bridge (40 min)
- Best mountain: Grouse Mountain (35 min)
- Best ferry trip: Bowen Island (90 min total)
- Best long day: Whistler Village (90 min drive)
- Most adventurous: Squamish Sea-to-Sky Gondola (45 min drive)
- Best for older kids: Victoria via BC Ferries (full day)
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is the iconic Vancouver day trip for kids. The 137 m suspension bridge swings 70 m above the canyon floor — an immediate “wow” moment.
Family highlights:
- Main 137 m suspension bridge
- Treetops Adventure (7 smaller bridges in the canopy)
- Cliffwalk (cantilevered walkway off the cliff face)
- Story Centre and First Nations carving
- Free shuttle from downtown (Canada Place, hotels)
- Café and restaurant on-site
Cost: Adult C$72.95; child 6-12 C$25.95; under 6 free.
Time: 2-3 hours.
Best ages: 4+ (younger kids may be scared on the bridge).
Tip: Take the free shuttle — parking lots fill, and the shuttle runs every 15 min in season.
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain (35 min from downtown) is the city’s favorite mountain. The Skyride gondola, lumberjack shows, and grizzly bear refuge make it a substantial 5-6 hour day.
Family highlights:
- Skyride gondola (8-min ascent)
- Resident grizzly bears Coola and Grinder
- Lumberjack Show (summer; 3x daily)
- Birds in Motion eagle/owl show
- Theatre in the Sky (educational films)
- Mountain Top Skating (winter)
- Hiking trails (varying difficulty)
Cost: Adult C$59-79 depending on season; child 5-12 C$25-30; under 5 free.
Time: 4-6 hours.
Best ages: 4+.
Tip: Take bus 236 from Lonsdale Quay (SeaBus from downtown) — easier than driving.
Lynn Canyon Park (Free)
Lynn Canyon has a free suspension bridge that rivals Capilano in beauty (though shorter). Combined with Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and creek swimming, it’s a stellar free day trip.
Family highlights:
- Free suspension bridge (50 m long, 50 m above canyon)
- 30 Foot Pool (creek swimming hole; summer)
- Ecology Centre (free; small museum)
- Forest trails (kid-friendly)
- Picnic areas
Cost: Free.
Time: 2-3 hours.
Best ages: 4+ for the bridge (uneven trails for little legs).
Tip: Pair with lunch in Deep Cove (15 min away).
Deep Cove
Deep Cove is a charming North Shore village with a small beach, kayak rentals, ice cream, and the famous Honey Doughnuts.
Family highlights:
- Quaint walkable village
- Small beach and Panorama Park
- Kayak/SUP rentals (Deep Cove Kayak)
- Honey Doughnuts (Vancouver legend; freshly made)
- Ice cream shops and casual eateries
- Quarry Rock hike (2.5 km return; views of the cove)
Cost: Free (kayak rental ~C$45/hour).
Time: 3-4 hours.
Best ages: All. Kayak rentals require ages 5+ in tandem with parent.
Bowen Island Ferry
The 20-minute ferry to Bowen Island from Horseshoe Bay is an adventure in itself, and the island is a low-key day trip.
Family highlights:
- Horseshoe Bay village (lunch and ice cream)
- 20-min ferry crossing (kids love the boat)
- Snug Cove village on Bowen
- Crippen Park trails (kid-friendly)
- Cates Park and Bowen Island swimming spots
Cost: ~C$15 per adult walk-on round trip; under 5 free; cars C$50+ round trip.
Time: 5-6 hours.
Best ages: All ages.
Tip: Walk on as a foot passenger to save money — Bowen is small enough to explore on foot.
Whistler Village
Whistler Village is a 90-min drive (Sea-to-Sky Highway) and works as a long day trip or, even better, an overnight.
Family highlights:
- Walkable pedestrian village (no cars)
- Whistler Mountain Bike Park (summer)
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola (longest free-spanning gondola in the world)
- Vallea Lumina (night nature walk; ages 5+)
- Whistler Village stroll with shops and ice cream
- Lost Lake (free; family-friendly swimming and trails)
Cost: Free to wander village; gondola C$77 adult / C$40 child.
Time: Full day with 2-hour drive each way.
Best ages: 4+ for gondolas; all ages for village.
Tip: Take the Whistler Shuttle (Pacific Coach Lines) if you don’t want to drive — runs daily from downtown.
Squamish Sea-to-Sky Gondola
The Sea-to-Sky Gondola in Squamish (45-min drive) gives mountain views without the Whistler distance. Suspension bridge at the top adds family appeal.
Family highlights:
- 10-min gondola ride to summit
- Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge (kid-friendly; safer than Capilano)
- Easy walks at the summit
- Family-friendly café
- Stunning views of Howe Sound
Cost: Adult C$58.95; child 6-12 C$28.95; under 6 free.
Time: 4-5 hours including drive.
Best ages: 4+ (bridges are kid-friendly).
Shannon Falls + Britannia Mine
On the way to Whistler/Squamish, Shannon Falls (free) and Britannia Mine Museum make great stops.
Shannon Falls:
- 335 m waterfall (3rd highest in BC)
- Free; 5-min walk from parking
- Picnic tables
- 10 minutes from Sea-to-Sky Gondola
Britannia Mine Museum:
- Hands-on copper mining history
- BOOM! immersive show with effects
- Underground tour
- Adult C$36; child 5-12 C$23; under 5 free
- Best for ages 5+
Fort Langley
Fort Langley National Historic Site (45-min drive) brings BC fur trade history to life with costumed reenactors, blacksmith demonstrations, and a kid-sized fort to explore.
Family highlights:
- Costumed historians demonstrating 1800s skills
- Wooden palisades, lookout towers
- Blacksmith shop, gold panning
- Quaint Fort Langley village (cafés, ice cream)
Cost: Adult C$13.50; under 17 free.
Time: 3-4 hours.
Best ages: 5-12.
Richmond & Steveston
Steveston (Richmond) is a fishing village with seal viewing, Britannia Shipyard, and a small museum — 45-min from downtown.
Family highlights:
- Fisherman’s Wharf with active fish market
- Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site
- Gulf of Georgia Cannery (museum)
- Seal viewing from the dock
- Pajo’s Fish & Chips (legendary)
- Garry Point Park (kite-flying)
Cost: Free village; museum admission ~C$13 adult.
Time: 4-5 hours.
Best ages: All ages.
Victoria via BC Ferries
Victoria as a day trip is ambitious but doable — the trip itself is part of the experience.
What the day looks like:
- 7 AM: Drive to Tsawwassen ferry terminal (45 min)
- 9 AM: 1.5-hour ferry crossing
- 11 AM-4 PM: Victoria Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, Royal BC Museum
- 5 PM: Return ferry
- 8 PM: Back in Vancouver
Cost: Family of 4 with car: C$210+ round trip. Walk-on: C$54 adult round trip.
Best ages: 5+ (long travel day).
Tip: An overnight makes this much more relaxed; consider Victoria as a 1-night side trip.
Best Day Trips by Age
For toddlers (1-3):
- Lynn Canyon (short, free, scenic)
- Deep Cove (walkable village)
- Steveston (fish market and seals)
For preschoolers (3-5):
- Capilano Suspension Bridge (with hand-holding)
- Grouse Mountain (short, fun, gondola)
- Bowen Island ferry
For school age (6-12):
- Capilano Suspension Bridge (full ride)
- Whistler day trip
- Squamish Sea-to-Sky
- Britannia Mine Museum
- Fort Langley
For teens:
- Whistler (with mountain bike park)
- Sea-to-Sky Gondola
- Victoria day trip
Related Vancouver guides
Keep planning with these guides:
- Vancouver to Victoria: Complete Day Trip Guide (2026)
- Steveston Village Day Trip: Fishing Town by the Sea (2026)
- Vancouver with a Toddler: Stroller-Friendly Guide (2026)
Day Trips Vancouver with Kids FAQs
What is the best day trip from Vancouver with kids?
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is the iconic kids’ day trip — a 137 m suspension bridge, treetop walkway, and Cliffwalk. Lynn Canyon offers a similar experience for free.
What’s the best free day trip from Vancouver with kids?
Lynn Canyon Park has a free suspension bridge, creek swimming hole, ecology centre, and forest trails. Deep Cove and Steveston are also free to wander.
How far is Whistler from Vancouver?
Whistler is 90 minutes north on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The drive is scenic, but plan a full day for travel + activities. Pacific Coach Lines runs a Whistler Shuttle daily.
Can we do Victoria as a day trip from Vancouver with kids?
Yes, but it’s ambitious — 12 hours including 3 hours of ferry time. Better as an overnight. If doing day trip, take the 7 AM ferry and return on the 5 PM.
What day trip works for toddlers?
Lynn Canyon, Deep Cove, and Steveston work best for toddlers — short drives, walkable villages, and varied environments without long lines.
Is Capilano Suspension Bridge worth it with kids?
Yes for ages 4+. Tickets are pricey (C$72.95 adult, C$25.95 child) but the bridge, treetop walkways, and Cliffwalk make it the most memorable kids’ day trip in the area.
How do we get to Grouse Mountain with kids without a car?
Take the SeaBus from downtown to Lonsdale Quay (12 min), then bus 236 to Grouse Mountain (40 min). Free Grouse Mountain shuttle from Canada Place runs in summer.
What’s the best ferry day trip from Vancouver with kids?
Bowen Island via Horseshoe Bay (20-min crossing). Walk on as a foot passenger and explore Snug Cove village. Kids love the ferry ride itself.
Are day trips from Vancouver expensive?
Free options: Lynn Canyon, Deep Cove, Shannon Falls, Steveston, Bowen Island village. Mid-range: Sea-to-Sky Gondola (~C$60 adult). Premium: Capilano (C$72), Grouse (C$59-79), Whistler gondola (C$77).
Related reading: Pair this with our Vancouver with kids pillar, Vancouver day trips pillar, and Stanley Park with kids.
