Vancouver for Kids
Vancouver is about more than the Winter Games. Families will find cultural events and attractions specifically for children, both during the Games—and after the competition ends.
Visiting the host city during the Winter Games is a once-in-a-lifetime event, but a visit to Vancouver is always a special experience no matter when you come. Make the most of Vancouver’s unique offerings for your family with activities sure to captivate parents and children alike!
At Your Service
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is a wonderful base for family vacations and getaways. The Concierge is always close at hand to make reservations for a family dinner, offer suggestions for tomorrow’s outing or help arrange a babysitter. The Hotel also features a kids’ Concierge, offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including a year-round indoor/outdoor pool. Activities and services include special touches such as children’s amenities, menus and babysitting services to an all-out PlayZone featuring the latest Wii and PlayStation games to even more fun activities and specials during the Kids in the City Summer promotion that happens in July and August.
Arts & Culture
Kids in Vancouver during the Winter Games should check out Vancouver’s Cultural Olympiad. This festival of arts and popular culture has lots of free activities for the whole family to enjoy. Look for the Art Under Foot project where you can watch local artists make the sidewalk come alive at your feet with the creation of vivid tile mosaics (756 Granville Street). Be dazzled by 2,010 lanterns in a forest of light, at the LunarFest or take in a massive light show called Vectorial Elevation that illuminates Vancouver’s night sky and False Creek waterway from February 4 to 28. Not your standard light show, the patterns will be designed and submitted by people all over the world, changing every eight seconds to create a dynamic, international light sculpture.
Great Ride
For another view of the Olympic spectacle plus a chance to ride the new Canada Line, very conveniently located beneath the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. Ride into the O Zone—the biggest celebration of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in the heart of Richmond City Centre, just a short walk from the new Canada Line stop. Experience mammoth ice art, a massive high-definition screen, outdoor skating on real ice, entertainment from around the region and around the world, art, athletes, exhibits, virtual reality (bobsleigh ride anyone?), food and fireworks. There’s something for everyone, and for all ages. And it’s free.
Thrills & Chills
If you are looking for a thrill, try the Capilano Suspension Bridge or the gondola ride up to Grouse Mountain. Grouse Mountain will be open 24 hours a day through the Olympics. Take a trip up the mountain for stunning views, ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and mountain zip lines at all hours of the day and night.
Stay & Play
Granville Island is a lovely walk or short taxi ride from the Hotel, its casual food kiosks, diverse array of produce, meats, seafood and baked goods plus the Kid’s Market make it an ideal family destination. Let the kids play for an hour or two at the indoor playground or bring home a special toy as a souvenir of Vancouver.
