Park It Here

Summer isn’t as simple as it used to be. Instead of heading to the beach with a girlfriend and a can of pop, you’re trying to keep fretful toddlers from getting sunburnt, or you’re balancing the entertainment needs of older siblings. You might be exhausted from catering to out-of-town relatives. Or—help!—you’re doing it all at the same time.

Along with the mantle of motherhood comes the clipboard of cruiseship director. Suddenly, it’s your job to make sure everyone has a good time. We feel your pain, and we want to help. So this week, we bring you a mom-friendly, low-stress destination spot guaranteed to work for everyone on your passenger manifest, from babies to grandparents and everyone in between.

Load up the passenger wagon with snacks, sunhats and sunblock, a beach blanket and umbrella, balls and Frisbees, cell phones or two-way radios, and an assortment of multi-generational friends and relatives. Point your vehicle towards the Vancouver Museum at 1100 Chestnut St., and enjoy pulling into their ample parking area that offers free parking—yes, free parking.

From there you can set up base camp at adjoining Vanier Park. Look for a shady tree if you didn’t bring an umbrella—you can choose the grassy slopes near the museums or duck pond, or get closer to the ocean for toe-dabbling. But make sure you’re comfortable (bring a folding chair, even), because in a savvy summer, moms are allowed to have fun, too.

From your shady perch under the tree, you can supervise an almost unlimited range of activities. Babies can snooze beside you, toddlers can blow bubbles and older kids can sunbathe or play Frisbee. Everyone can enjoy the sophisticated kite shows that are often put on by local enthusiasts practicing their art.

Anyone who is up for more mental stimulation is within a stroll of the Museum of Vancouver. Send the adults and continue basking under your tree, or take the kids, who will enjoy the hands-on activities in the Joyce Walley Learning Centre. Our savvy tip is to purchase an annual group pass—a much better value than most venue’s family passes.

Also on site is the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, a destination for kids school-aged or older—the Virtual Voyager is a wild ride that’s sure to ‘shake things up’—something to do before eating, not after!

Grandpa might like to wander to the other side of the park to visit the Maritime Museum. Bring along these online coupons so he can take a child along for free, or get $2 off his own admission.

Culture mavens can catch a matinee performance of one of the four Shakespearean plays featured in this year’s Bard on the Beach festival, also on the grounds of Vanier Park. The Taming of the Shrew, done Wild West-style, is garnering rave reviews and is perfect light afternoon fare.

Mothers-in-law who like browsing, or teens who want to put some distance between themselves and the Mothership, are only a five or ten-minute seawall walk away from Granville Island. Got a craving for some picnic fare from the market? This is where those radios/cellphones come in…just call in your order from Beach Blanket HQ, and they can bring the food back on their return.

Let all the happy wanderers know what time they are expected back to your tree so everyone can enjoy the Granville Island goodies en famille—because after all, cruise ship directors aren’t meant to cook too, so this is supper.

At the end of the day, gather everyone back into the car, give yourself a pat on the back for being the Hostess with the Mostest—and then enjoy a quiet evening at home, while everyone else snoozes off the fresh air and sunshine.

Museum of Vancouver
http://museumofvancouver.ca/
(604) 736-4431
1100 Chestnut St.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com
(604) 738-7827
1100 Chestnut St.

Vancouver Maritime Museum
www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
(604) 257-8300
1905 Ogden St.

Bard on the Beach
www.bardonthebeach.org

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