Things to Do, Places to Go.

Yes, this is me and the Invisible Woman going for a walk.  We have such lovely areas around here to take a stroll.  Today the destination happened to be Burns Bog, a gorgeous nature reserve right off the highway.  Skunk Cabbage Meadow is lovely, albeit full of mosquitoes and a little stinky, and you'd never expect to come out of the woods into meadow from which you can see the highway.  The Bog seems so far removed from all things urban.

We're fortunate in many ways to live in the Lower Mainland, but today's focus is all the amazing options we have for things to do.  To you I present a (semi-)organized, but by no means exhaustive, list.

Walking

Campbell Valley Park: a large park in Langley with an extensive network of walking and equestrian trails, as well as other options for the equestrians among us.

Burns Bog: The Delta Nature Reserve.  There is an upper and lower trail on either side of the train tracks, and two boardwalks through the bog itself, including through Skunk Cabbage Meadow.  Mmm, the fresh smell of nature.  The bog runs from under the Alex Fraser Bridge all the way to the 64th Avenue exit off the highway.

Watershed Park: Another park in Delta with a great network of trails, the watershed used to be (is still?) a destination for Delta-area bike riders.  It is nestled snugly between 64th Avenue and Highway 10, and includes an unfenced dog park.

Green Timbers: A forested park with walking trails smack in the middle of the suburbs.  Okay, so I've never actually been there, but it's supposed to be very nice, and I see lots of people walking there.

Tynehead Park: A regional park complete with fish hatchery.  Salmon spawn there, so it's extra cool for the kids during the salmon run.

Boundary Bay: A lovely walk around Boundary Bay between Mud Bay and Centennial Beach.  The Mud Bay end is a protected area, so stay on the paths and enjoy looking at the birds while you walk.  Check this before you go, but I believe that the trails are equestrian-friendly.

Farms and Pumpkin Patches

Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch: This will be a destination for us this October.  Located in Cloverdale, they have a petting zoo, hay rides, a decommissioned boat to play in, and -- surprise! -- a pumpkin patch.  Admission, as I understand, is 4$, and pumpkins start at 1$ depending on size.

Aldor Acres: Another great family destination, Aldor Acres is a working dairy farm.  Take a tour and milk a cow!

The Apple Barn: An apple orchard in Abbotsford.  Again, are you surprised?  The Apple Barn has it all -- hay rides, pony rides, apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, tire swings, and a pumpkin patch.  Drop in or book a tour.

 Awesome Play Grounds

Centennial Beach at Boundary Bay: Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this one around.  The playground at Centennial is a self-proclaimed all-ages, all-abilities park located in Tsawwassen, right on the water, and it certainly exceeds expectations if you haven't been there before.  Unfortunately the community fire pits are closed, but it's still a great place for a barbecue, with an easy view of the playground from your picnic table.

Annieville Lions' Park: Located beside Annieville School in Delta, Annieville Park boasts several separate play grounds as well as a super-cool water park.  The play ground area is shaded, so between that and the water park it's an ideal destination for summer.  There are a number of tables at which you can eat, and lots of room for your picnic blanket.

Bear Creek Park: Another awesome park -- almost as cool as Centennial -- that features a water park, pool, play ground, mini golf course, and train.  Take a stroll through the gardens or race around the track.

Queen's Park: Off Royal Avenue in New West.  This park has two great play grounds, a water park, and a petting zoo.  The tables are nicely shaded.

Gardens

Queen Elizabeth Park: This Vancouver park has beautiful gardens and an amazing view, and is also the home of the Bloedel Conservatory.

Van Dusen Botanical Garden: Another place I haven't been but really really really want to go.  Not having been there, I can't say anything about it, but it's supposed to be amazing.

Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden: I went here on a field trip once and it was incredibly cool.  There is an admission fee, but there is also an adjacent park which is free.  Take a walk around Chinatown while you're there.  As a point of interest, Chinatown is located on the old Vancouver dump.  Fortunately, it has improved since its humble beginnings.  A lot.

Okay, the list of things to do in the Lower Mainland is not exhausted, but my fingers are.  My right fingers, at least: it's hard to snuggle a baby and type at the same time.  That's my list, though; what are your favourite places to go in the Lower Mainland?

Cheers,

Kelsey