Spring is officially here! With warmer weather and brighter days just around the corner, spring is the perfect time to explore the Greater Vancouver area and enjoy the many attractions the region has to offer.

Here are five family-friendly must-visit attractions this spring.

1. Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is the city’s signature springtime event. This annual festival celebrates the beauty of cherry blossoms and is inspired by the Japanese cultural tradition of hanami or “flower viewing.”

Since many of Vancouver’s over 43,000 cherry trees originated as gifts from Japan, this festival is an opportunity to admire the beauty and joy they bring to all.

To foster a sense of community, the festival also hosts several events throughout the city. This year, these events run from April 1 to 23.

To learn more, visit vcbf.ca.

2. Deep Cove

Deep Cove is a charming seaside village in the easternmost part of North Vancouver, at the foot of Mount Seymour.

The village is home to some of the most scenic spots in the Lower Mainland and offers a beautiful place to walk, hike, kayak and even paddleboard.

Some lucky visitors have also reported seeing unique wildlife, including sea lions, seals and eagles.

To learn more, visit vancouversnorthshore.com/neighbourhood/deep-cove.

3. Granville Island

Granville Island is a popular tourist destination on False Creek. With a plethora of restaurants, shops and boutiques, galleries and attractions to visit, this spot is a local favourite.

Granville Island is also home to the famous Granville Island Public Market, an indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of specialty food, produce, seafood, handcrafted products, unique gifts and more.

Granville Island is across from University Canada West’s Vancouver House Campus, on the other side of the Granville Street Bridge. The campus is a five-minute drive or a 16-minute walk away from the island.

To learn more, visit granvilleisland.com.

4. Stawamus Chief Trail

For those feeling a bit more adventurous, the Stawamus Chief Trail in Squamish, locally known as “The Chief,” is one of British Columbia’s most classic hikes. Located on the Sea to Sky Corridor, The Chief is one of North America’s largest granite monoliths.

Consisting of three peaks, this hike is a challenging one not for the faint of heart with a trail that elevates quickly and involves chains and ladders for some technical parts of the trail.

The first peak is a four-kilometre round trip, the second is a five-kilometre round trip and the third is a seven-kilometre round trip.

To learn more, visit exploresquamish.com/trails-routes/stawamus-chief.

5. Chilliwack Tulip Festival

A famous Instagram-worthy spot is the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. Located in the Upper Fraser Valley, the festival is about an hour’s drive away from downtown Vancouver.

The Chilliwack Tulip Festival is the largest in British Columbia with millions of tulip bulbs blooming every year. The 20-acre field has more than 25 varieties of tulips, over 16 varieties of double daffodils and 10 varieties of hyacinths.

This festival is typically held in the springtime with an opening date that changes every year. This year, they anticipate announcing their opening date in early April.

To learn more, visit chilliwacktulips.com.

Published on March 24, 2022.