Our Savvy Scouts have been very busy enjoying all that there is to enjoy while the Olympics are in town. Here’s our savvy list of what to do and where to go with kids, because we want to make sure you make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- Take a Walk: The atmosphere downtown is truly amazing. Key stops to make include the Olympic Cauldron, the bobsled, aboriginal totem pole carving and the official Olympic and Paralympics Countdown Clock all located on the Vancouver Art Gallery front lawn. Then go to Granville Street’s Lunar Fest. Then Robson Square Celebration Site to watch the skating at GE Plaza below and zip-trekking overhead. (Note: The large security fences surrounding the Cauldron have been moved forward, making picture-taking easier. There is now a roof-top viewing area from a one-storey building at 1055 Canada Place.)
- Take in an Olympic Tradition: Experience pin trading at Coca Cola Olympic Pin Trading areas—downtown in the Hudson Bay Company, the atrium of CTV’s downtown offices or out at the airport.
- Take the Seabus: Travel from North Vancouver to downtown (after possibly enjoying Winterfest at Lonsdale Quay). Not only will the kids enjoy the ride, but they will get a great view of the Olympic Cauldron, the floating Olympic Rings and maybe even a few seals along the way.
- Skate with the Mascots: Enjoy this daily, for a half hour at Robson Square Celebration Site (most days they are on at 1 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm, but be sure to check the website for updates). Try to get there early to ensure a good viewing spot on the rink perimetre.
- Head to Concord Celebration Zone: At the zone, visit the Right to Play Pavillion to play soccer (indoor or outdoor) and read about the project. Then head to the outdoor skating rink and have your kids try to score a hat-trick for a prize. If you are looking for a good place to get a photo, head to Molson Canadian Hockey House and pose with the giant Canadian goalie out front. Finally, take a walk along the seawall to view the hundreds of small Inukshuks along the rocky shore, and if your kids still have energy, then play at the playground between Science World (currently Russia’s Sochi House) and Concord Place. (Note: we actually found two-hour free parking off Main Street for this trip).
- Experience Speed Skating: Enjoy a small taste of speed skating at the outdoor rink, and then head over to the tented climbing area at Richmond O Zone. Yes, the O Zone is also the home of über-popular Heineken House, but that is definitely an activity to do without the kids as the line-ups have been quite long!
- Head Downtown: Visit LiveCity Downtown’s Canada Pavillion as it opens (11 am) to avoid the lines—there are lots of interactive games for kids, including virtual slapshot hockey, snowboarding and lots of trivia games, too. This pavilion is a Canadian Olympic sport museum. Afterwards if you are walking back towards the city, stop at the BC Powersmart Village to check out on the sustainable dance floor or to write on the Expression Wall.
- Enjoy the Sunshine: Hang out at the David Lam playground. From this vantage point, you have a partial view of the screens at LiveCity Yaletown, while the kids play. When you are done, head to LilliQ Café to grab a coffee and a snack.
- Ride the Olympic Line Streetcar: Don’t miss this unique experience! A short, free ride (you can do a round-trip) from the athletes’ OlympicVillage to Granville Island on a brand new Bombardier streetcar, and once you are done, enjoy the atmosphere on Granville Island, which is home to Atlantic Canada House, Place de la Francophonie and The House of Switzerland.
- Check Out Winter Carnival: Located at Park Royal, there is a great outdoor skating canal (on synthetic ice). Then head over to West Vancouver Community Centre’s Spirit Square for more events and activities.
- Bonus! Go for a Drive: Head into Stanley Park after dusk and just before Brockton Oval, stop at the pull out to see the floating Olympic Rings lit up.
Have you been to any great Olympic events or activities? We’d love to hear about your Olympic experiences.
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