We were thrilled to embark on a family adventure and explore the natural beauty of Squamish with our kids, so we packed our bags and took in all that this stunning destination had to offer.
Getting to Squamish from Vancouver is relatively easy, with several transportation options available to visitors. You have the option to take a car, bus, or shuttle. The drive from Vancouver to Squamish is around an hour and 15 minutes. Regardless, the journey to Squamish is a scenic one that is sure to offer breathtaking views.
During our trip to Squamish, we stayed at The Sandman Hotel and Suites Squamish – the perfect base for exploring Squamish and the surrounding area. The hotel is conveniently located close to downtown Squamish, where we found a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore. The hotel is also within a short driving distance to popular attractions such as the Britannia Mine Museum, Sea-to-Sky Gondola, and Shannon Falls Park. Our kids’ favourite part of the hotel was their swimming pool and water slide. It truly is a wonderful family friendly hotel in Squamish. For more information about our stay, check out our recent post: Family-Friendly Hotel in Squamish: Sandman Hotel and Suites (Hosted Stay by The Sandman Hotel and Suites Squamish. All opinions are my own.)
Downtown Squamish is a charming area that offers visitors a taste of the town’s rich culture and history. We were excited to explore the restaurants, cafes, and shops. I think we did more eating than any thing else. Here is a list of eateries that we loved:
We didn’t know there was a Squamish Mural Walk until we were in downtown. The Squamish Mural Walk is a self-guided tour around the heart of downtown Squamish. It features more than 20 murals, each of which tells a unique story about the history, culture, and natural beauty of Squamish. The murals were all lovely and we enjoyed walking around and spotting the beautiful murals.
The Squamish Farmer’s Market is a popular outdoor market that takes place every Saturday from May to October. The market features a variety of local vendors, including farmers, artisans, and food producers, who come together to sell their goods to the community. We love farmer’s market, so it was fun walking around the market with the kids. It a great way to support local and to get fresh products!
We were excited to bring the family to Britannia Mine Museum! It is definitely a must visit when you’re in Squamish. One of the main highlights was their underground tour. We took the mine train into the tunnels to experience what life was like for the miners who worked there. We also learnt about the equipments used and how it changed through time. Afterwards, we watched the BOOM! show and panned for gold and gemstones. They truly offer a unique and immersive experience that is both entertaining and educational for the family. We stayed for a few hours, but I think the kids could stay longer panning for treasures. It was definitely a lot of fun!
You can check out our video of Britannia Mine Museum: https://www.instagram.com/p/Crv6uWwJ47s/
Shannon Falls is a beautiful natural attraction located just outside of Squamish. The falls themselves are over 1,100 feet tall, making them one of the tallest waterfalls in the province. You can view the falls from a number of different areas. We saw the waterfalls at a platform located at the base of the falls. The surrounding park also features hiking trails and picnic areas, making it a great spot for a day trip or a family outing. The walk to the falls is a fairly short, but beautiful walk. We were glad we made a stop to see the waterfalls.
Overall, Squamish offers a wide range of family-friendly activities that are sure to please visitors of all ages.