Steveston Village is a historic part of the Steveston area of Richmond BC…read more The ever popular Canada Day Salmon Festival on July 01 draws thousands here every year! Salmon canning was once the major industry for this area. Today tourists flood into here throughout the year for a step back in time & to catch a glimpse of site locations throughout the village for many movie & TV productions! The hugely popular TV show - Once Upon a Time, was shot in Steveston Village! The Fishermans Wharf on the Fraser River draws many a crowd through the summer who come to buy fresh fish right off the docked boats. There are many cool & popular shops & restaurants in Steveston Village! It's worth a trip or two here & plan to spend at least a few hours slowly wondering around & taking a walk about Garry Point Park. This evening I came across the Christmas set production of a Hallmark TV holiday movie. Come to SV & be ready to take lots of pictures!

Always a good place. Summer is a bit packed with people. Lots of good places to eat but read the…read morereviews first because a lot of them are also tourist traps.

For the ladies that act as docents for the Pickett house, this is truly a labor of love. Their…read moreexcitement about the house and it's history are contagious. When you visit, donate well, as the house needs a lot of care. Many of the repairs are done by the ladies themselves.

If you love Art Deco, pop into this 1930s office building near the water. It's open to the public…read moreto see the architecture inside. Most of the design is in the lobby and don't sleep on going inside one of the elevators. There are a few shops in the basement. Restrooms are in the basement but they aren't open to the public unless you ask a shop owner to let you in.

Went there under renovation, but the side decor is still able to be seen alongside the building…read more Very iconic, but wish it was not under construction

While passing by this behemoth one night in December, the males I was walking with mistook the…read moreknees held against the sculpture's chest for a pair of boobs. Perhaps that has soured my experience with said behemoth, though only slightly, as I can now gaze upon it and smile at what could have been if only the artist were more boobily inclined. But really, it's intended to showcase the diversity of Vancouver with all its different letters and number making up a person. It's also fun to walk around in it.

Irving House, completed in 1865, is the one oldest homes in the Lower Mainland and it is the oldest…read moreheritage house museum in B.C.! Being a fan of Burnaby Heritage Museum, I never knew about this place until my family told me about it. I came here with my parents, and there were no other visitors other than my family during the entire tour of the house. Tracy, the tour guide, was super friendly and helpful with the tour and I was able to stop and ask any questions during the tour. I loved how Tracy did a vintage vacuum demonstration as I haven't seen anything like it before. I loved the fact that visitors could go upstairs and see the entire house! Many of the items in the home were original from the original owners, though some were purchased or donated from other sources.

Irving House was built in 1865, back when New Westminster was striving to be the capital of British…read moreColumbia. It was lived in by family members up to about 1950, when it was sold to the city of New Westminster, and turned into a historical centre. Thus, if you're a history buff, love antiques (especially Victorian-era pieces), or ever watched the show "America's Castles", you should take a tour of Irving House. The house was built in high style by Captain Irving, a man who made a lot of money in the California, Alaska, and BC Gold Rush, and virtually poured it into the house. The architectural details of the house are interesting and well explained by the costumed guides. Since I was practically the only visitor at the time, I pretty much got my own personal tour. According to them, all the furniture and pieces displayed in the house are authentic to the period - no reproductions (except for some fake food in the kitchen, perhaps). Many belonged to the Irving family and their descendants; others were donated. The house is currently decorated, Victorian-style, for Christmas. Lots of garlands, an amazing Christmas dinner setting, and a beautiful little Christmas tree. Those into old-fashioned decorations should check it out. Legend has it too, that the house is haunted by none other than Captain Irving himself. At the very least, you can see the bed he reportedly died in, and it's one enormous piece of furniture. My guide demurred on confirming the story that an indentation of a body can sometimes be seen in the bedcovers. I saw nothing on my visit, though. In any case, it is New Westminster's oldest surviving home, and thus probably one of the oldest homes in the Vancouver area. It's a wonderful glimpse into what life was like in the early years of British Columbia, if you were high society folk. Admission is by donation, so it's affordable even for writers to visit.

Walking the lovely boardwalk along the water and happen upon this gem. So full of information and…read morevery beautiful. Lots of history. So well done and laid out for preservation of history. There are several buildings throughout to visit. You can even see them working on a boat. There's also gardens, yard games, and tons of information throughout. Super friendly and knowledgeable employees there too. Just a terrific place. Worth visiting!!!!

This is an eight acre area right by the water that is the original location of early canning,…read morefishing, and boat building that fueled commerce in the area. The area is accessible as you stroll down a level wooden boardwalk with offshoots to the Shipyard building, Murakami house, Chinese bunkhouse, and other homes that served to house the European, Japanese, Chinese and Indigenous workers who gathered here. Be sure to check out Murakami Boatworks building, as there are boatbuilding programs and maritime demonstrations. There are a host of informational signs, and as I came here right after my visit to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, I felt like I had a broader understanding of the history of the area. If you're not into history, you can check out the waterfowl that congregate on the banks of the river.

Continuing on my mission to review local art installations and sculptures, I realized today that…read morethis massive red metal ring on Pacific Blvd. by Cambie St. needs to be addressed! It's so prominently displayed (on the wide grassy median, on Pacific Blvd) and passed by daily by thousands of drivers, yet rarely is it given a second look. It seems to blend in with the construction of the area, as this part of Yaletown is undergoing a lot of building development right now and there are many cranes and construction sites in the immediate area and this large metal ring appears so industrial in this context, it barely stands out. Yet I have often wondered, what the heck is this thing? It's positioned on its side and it stands about three stories tall. There are spotlights at the base so it's illuminated at night. It piqued my interest, every time I passed it by. Is it a construction item? It appears to have some gears on one side. What is or was its purpose? Or is it an art piece designed to look like an industrial component of sorts? I needed to know! So I recently stopped by to read the inscription plate at its base. And I learned so much about this huge ring and the history of the Cambie Bridge! There have actually been three Cambie Bridges in total and this ring was a part of the second Cambie Bridge that opened in 1911. The ring is actually a gear that was located mid-span and it allowed the truss to rotate or spin open, to allow larger boats through (there was a large working sawmill nearby and other industries that relied on maritime traffic here). I took a photo of the inscription plate, so you can see the illustration of the bridge and the rotating truss, as well as read the brief history of the Bridge. As with the bricks still embedded on the sidewalks of Yaletown and the stark metal railings that abound in the area, I love how this City retains pieces of its past, to remind us all of the rich history here.

The Stanley Park Hollow Tree stump, standing approximately 40-50 feet tall, is a popular spot for…read moretaking photos. It is worth checking out if you're already in the park, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to see it. The Hollow Tree is located towards the interior or central part of the area, away from the water, while Siwash Rock is closer to the shoreline.

Honestly, I'm not sure what the big deal is. It's an oddly big and hollow tree. You can see hollow…read moretrees in nature all the time as there are always in some sort of state of decay or rot if they're not alive. This is nothing special and would be more impressive if it were a live tree that was still flourishing whilst being hollow. There is a metal substructure holding the wood together and upright. It's a remnant of the past & a dead upright lower trunk of a tree. You can see trees of this size in the redwood forests in California and maybe even the large spruces in the Hoh Rainforest. Granted it's been around since grass began to grow (more than 700+ years old) but I feel like it's nothing but a place for free photos op. It was slightly nice to read the informational placard nearby dealing with the history of the tree and how it's always been a tourist destination because apparently people don't see big trees often. I can say I've seen it though.

Hatley Castle, tucked away on Victoria Island, was a serene and picturesque stop on a crisp…read moremorning. Even though the air was chilly and the castle didn't open until 10 a.m., wandering the grounds beforehand felt like a moment out of a storybook. The expansive, beautifully kept gardens and coastal views made the stroll well worth it, offering a quiet and peaceful way to take in the surroundings. Paid parking is available, making it an easy stop to add to a morning itinerary.

Cool to view but tours are closed in the winter, so we were able to wander the grounds only. Not…read morethe size expected for a castle, it's part of the university and classes are held in the winter which is why there weren't any tours available.

Literally stumbled upon this as we were walking around this cute little town. This place is…read moreawesome! Such an informative and educational experience. Lots of hands on activities and just well done. It is huge! Takes you through the entire canning process. We happened upon it when it was free admission. After going through it, it was worth paying for. Just a terrific job of keeping the integrity and honoring the people who worked there. There's a gift shop and tons of super friendly people working there. There are guided talks and activities as well. Just a fun time. Great way to spend a couple of hours. Bathrooms on site and well maintained throughout.

The "Haunted Sea" is a recent exhibit show case now at the Cannery until Nov 2. It is a perfect…read moreblend of Halloween fun and environmental awareness. The glowing jellyfish, ghostly sea creatures, and spooky underwater lights give off a playful Halloween vibe. The exhibit reminds us that our oceans are truly "haunted" -- not by spirits, but by pollution and garbage. The displays made from recycled materials show just how much waste ends up in the sea, and it's a great way to make both kids and adults think about how we can all help bring the ocean back to health. There is also a big LEGO model of the Cannery. Worth to check it out! I always find the temperature inside the cannery is cold especially in the winter time. So be sure to have a warm jacket with you.