A Regal Road Trip

Feel like getting out of the five-mile quadrant your car usually drives around in (school, groceries, gym, work)?

Get off your grid with a really royal family daytrip to New Westminster. A city often overlooked for day tripping with kids, New West has lots to offer families all summer long, including plenty of green space, updated playground and pool facilities, and great places for family dining.

Top of our list is historical Queen’s Park. Established in 1859, Queen’s Park boasts two large and recently updated playgrounds (including one of the longest and steepest slides in all of Greater Vancouver), a large, fun, river-themed water park, a bandstand for Sunday afternoon concerts, and a small petting zoo. The Queen’s Park Petting Farm is open Victoria Day to Labour Day and is free of charge (take some loonies for the donation box at the exit). The entire children’s area at Queen’s Park is called Rainbow Playland and it includes wide-open grassy spaces, trails, picnic areas and a concession. While there, be sure to check out the beautiful rose garden—you may even catch a wedding in progress.

If you’re looking for an outdoor pool to cool off in, Moody Park has a wonderful new state-of-the-art outdoor pool, complete with 25m lanes and a dive tank. An added bonus is the West Coast Rainforest-themed waterpark. And for a wading pool experience, head to Grimston Park, where the brand new playground, complete with climbing wall, platform swing, spinning net and a water feature (which draws excess water from the wading pool) is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

When it’s time for a break from the outdoor fun, drive to Anny’s Dairy Bar (722 6th Street). Don’t let the old awning out front fool you; this place is home to the locals’ secret treat for beating the heat—a Maple Twist Ice Cream Cone featuring yummy soft-serve ice cream with real maple butter from Quebec. If a real meal is required, head to the River Market (formerly the New Westminster Quay) for fresh market or trendy bistro fare.

Pack up the car and without driving too far, you will be the summer family day trip star. Tested by Michelle T., Vancouver

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