This small-town girl often finds herself visiting the big city. The big city, in this case, is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Our son recently moved to Burnaby (a district in Vancouver) so we headed out to visit him in February. I have visited Vancouver often because of family in the area. Henry Miller said, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Vancouver and the word budget don’t usually go hand-in-hand so my plan was to get a fresh perspective on what to do in Vancouver on a budget.

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Central Park, Burnaby

Central Park is located at 3883 Imperial Street in Burnaby. The park covers 86.4 hectares and has lovely hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and ponds. Not to mention numerous curious squirrels bounding through the trees. The park has immense douglas firs, western hemlocks, cedars, poplar and maple groves. Parking is also free.

Deer Lake Park, Burnaby

Leisurely walking trails with scenic views of Burnaby are the highlight of Deer Lake Park. Mallard ducks swim, dive and fly to their hearts content, seemingly unaware of the city surrounding them. The Burnaby Art Gallery, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Village Museum and Hart House Restaurant are located in the park. During the busy summer festival season, the park is a bustling hub of activity. Visit the park at dusk to catch the sunset over Burnaby. Parking is free.

La foret, Burnaby

How about brunch? We love a good brunch so head to La foret bakery and cafe in Burnaby for some tasty twists on old classics. Try their squid ink bread. It doesn’t taste fishy at all but looks really cool. Strong coffee, pastries and waffles are served in a renovated auto body shop providing a chic feel. It’s super busy so go early. We dined on Sunday around 11:00 am and just beat the major rush. You know the food is good when people line up for it.

Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver

If you are a little more adventurous and want a more intense hike, Lynn Canyon is a place to increase your heart rate. At 250 hectares, Lynn Canyon is one of the biggest and most popular parks in Metro Vancouver. A spectacular rainforest with a suspension bridge and seven different trails await your discovery. Parking is free for three hours and there is an ecology centre where you can pick up a trail map for a donation. Just before you reach the suspension bridge, there is a café with washrooms so you can make a pit stop before you start your journey. We visited the park when it was unseasonably cool; however, on warmer days hours could easily be spent exploring the area.

Pacific Spirit Park, Vancouver

Did you know Vancouver has some World War II historic sites? I love history so when I found out there are concrete bunkers on Wreck Beach dating back to World War II, I had to check them out. Canada built the bunkers in preparation for a possible invasion from Japan during the war. The graffiti covered sentinels stand on the shores, slightly surrounded by trees and brush.

Small-Town Travel Tip: The bunkers are located on a beach where clothing is optional. Be prepared to see nudists. No worries though, just keep your eyes focused on where you are walking and you can avoid any uncomfortable encounters. Don’t gawk or take pictures as that would be considered rude.

Yes, Canada has a nude beach. It was -7 degrees Celsius when we hiked Wreck Beach. My husband and son were sure there would be no nudists out and about. I was going to make a bet with them and I wish I had. Canadians are slightly crazy when it comes to cold weather. So yes, there were about a half dozen naked people soaking up sunrays. The perfect setting for a family outing!

Booking.com

Parts of the beach are quite rocky. Wear good hiking shoes or boots to reach the bunkers. My feet felt bruised for days after our excursion. That’s what happens when you are not prepared. Parking is not free here so you can expect to pay $1.50/hour or $7.50 for the day. There are a lot of stairs descending to the beach. Park in the lots between Trail 6 and Trail 7 for the closest access to the bunkers. Descend Trail 6 and turn right for a walk along the rocky part of the beach to reach the historic sites.  You will need at least two hours to enjoy this site.

Granville Island, Vancouver

After all my visits to Vancouver, this was my first visit to Granville Island. It feels like you enter a small-town and leave the big city behind. Parking is free on the island for 3 hours, which for us was the perfect amount of time to explore the shops, stop for a bite to eat and enjoy a flight of beer at Granville Island Brewing Taproom as well as a Whiskey tasting at Liberty Distillery. There is something for everyone on Granville Island. During the summer, it would be easy to spend an entire day in this cute little “town”. Markets abound with fresh food and tons of shopping. Outdoor parks and live entertainment also await.

Mount Pleasant, Vancouver

If you love an eclectic neighbourhood with a great vibe, you must visit Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant is a vibrant and diverse area known for its rare stores, heritage buildings, artistic residents, and arts-focused festivals. Graffiti filled alleys give you the perfect Instagram shot. Shop to your heart’s content at vintage stores. Need a haircut? Check out Belmont Barbershop where the beer and conversation are free! My husband got a haircut there and talked about the experience all day. We had dinner at La Taqueria on Main Street and enjoyed delicious margaritas to top off the meal.

Country Vines Winery, Richmond

A fourth-generation farm family operates Country Vines Winery in Richmond. Tastings are free, yes, free! Pick your favourite and enjoy a glass for $5.50 or buy a bottle to enjoy on their patio. Small snacks are available but you can pack and bring a picnic. The patio has a great ambiance, especially if you like animals. My favourite wine was the Cabernet Franc. The leather notes made for a unique tasting experience. Opening hours are Thursday to Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. Following your afternoon tasting, head to Savage Creek Golf course for dinner.

Savage Creek Golf Course & Driving Range, Richmond

The owners of Country Vines Winery also own the golf course located about a five-minute drive from the winery. The food is incredible and reasonably priced. The Thursday special of schnitzel, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables was only $14.99. You can hardly eat at a fast food joint for under $15 these days. Their food is locally sourced and the veggies come from their greenhouse (Richmond Country Farms Market), which is next door to the winery. The greenhouse cultivates 300 acres of mixed crops and now they have branched out into grapes for their winery.

Vancouver on a Budget

So there you have it. It is possible to do things in Vancouver on a budget. Prepare to build a wealth of memories with this varied list. British Columbia is a gorgeous province with stunning mountain and ocean views. It also boasts the most temperate climate in Canada. If you want some relaxing sites and need to escape the honking horns of downtown, visit these locations for a truly memorable experience.

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.