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7 Cheap and Easy Day Trips and Neighborhood Excursions from Vancouver, Canada - Fort Langley, Gastown, Kitsalano, Victoria
7 Cheap and Easy Day Trips and Neighborhood Excursions from Vancouver
For people who like to go out and about, the year 2020 is an unbelievable challenge. Staying at home for 24 > 36 > 48 hours (and even more), is an enormous change for all the extroverts, socializers, nomads, and maybe almost 90% of the population nowadays. While there are definite advantages to staying at home (i.e. saving lives, staying safe), it still is an adjustment. And indeed, it is different going “out and about” the online way versus doing it in real life; yes, we all can socialize and travel online, but we’d still like our breath of real fresh air too, right?
So maybe once everything is fully over, and the world completely gets back to the new normal, we all would like to re-connect with our day trips and neighborhood excursions. Social distancing and wearing masks may or may not still be a thing. But, the most important part is definitively re-connecting from the confines of the outside world, and not just staying at home. Now, where do we start, what do we choose, how do we go about with our life back to the new normal?
Why not we start with the places in and from Vancouver, Canada. Not only are they awesome for sightseeing and other adventure ideas, these seven places are best for road trips, and convertible-to-overnight-trips kind of choice. I would highly recommended spending quality time to these places, but since we are also all eager to cover much ground, you can also go all out and explore even its nearby neighborhoods. Enjoy!
Fort Langley City Centre – Historic Site of Canada
Not to be confused with the Township of Langley (of which it’s a part) or the City of Langley (of which it’s not), Fort Langley is the kind of idyllic village that is becoming extinct. Nestled on the banks of the Fraser River to the north and surrounded by agricultural land, the town has managed to keep its old-world charm. Instead of big-box stores and chains, residents and visitors shop and dine at independent shops and restaurants. In the town centre, a three-storey building is considered a skyscraper. And you’re more than likely to run into the mayor at the local (non-chain) grocery store. Read more at: https://vancouversun.com/homes/westcoast-homes-and-design/fort-langley-charming-community-has-a-unique-village-feel/
Victoria City Centre
Victoria is known for being one of Canada’s most English cities, so I was expecting to feel at home. But I found it mixed up European influences – Gothic style at the Parliament building, French Renaissance at the Empress Hotel and Ancient Greece at the ferry building. Today it’s a relaxed, vibrant city on the edge of an island packed with spectacular natural scenery. It has a bit of everything – fascinating history and culture, parks, great food and drink. Add in a temperate climate, with sunny spring days during my visit, and a compact and walkable city centre and you’ve got a perfect city break destination. You’d have no trouble filling a week in the area, but if like me you’re on a tight schedule, here’s how to spend a weekend in Victoria. Read more at: https://www.ontheluce.com/victoria-british-columbia/
Gastown
Gastown is a place of contrasts. Take a walk down Blood Alley and you’ll see what I mean. Look to your left and you’ll find modern lofts and apartments that cost a pretty fortune. Look to your right and you’ll witness homeless people peeing next to smelly overflowing dumpsters. Read more at: http://www.sidetrackedtravelblog.com/blog/2015/7/2/explore-hip-and-historic-gastown
Chinatown
With the first immigrants documented in 1,858, Victoria’s Chinatown is known to be Canada’s oldest Chinatown, and the second oldest in North America. Since its inception, Chinatown has evolved many times over. To chase the gold rush and avoid drought, famine and war, immigrants built wooden huts, which quickly developed into a busy neighbourhood including schools, churches, hospitals, and businesses. By 1,911, over 3,000 people lived in chinatown which was more than Victoria’s entire population at the time. Though shrinking in size and population between the 1920’s and 1,970’s, revitalization and preservation efforts over the last few decades have introduced shops, services, and businesses. Read more at: https://vimarina.ca/latest-news/exploring-chinatown-victoria-heres-know/
Kitsalano
Summer is here, so it's time to hit the beach! Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, BC is one of the "sexiest beaches in North America" and, having lived here, we'd have to agree! It's kind of like the Venice Beach of Canada, and it's full of really good looking people. Whether you're hanging out at "the grass," taking a dip in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, or just lounging on the sand, it's the perfect place to catch some rays. Read more at: http://www.localwanderer.com/new-blog/2015/6/19/kitsilano-neighbourhood-guide
Victoria Outskirts
Located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria, B.C. has the mildest climate in Canada. With green grass all year, flowers emerging in January, and the Pacific Ocean rolling into city beaches, Victoria B.C. is a popular year-round destination for fellow Canadians and international visitors. Read more at: https://twomonkeystravelgroup.com/victoria-british-columbia-canada-things-to-do/
Fort Langley Hiking Trail
Starting at the Fort Langley Historical site, head west on the road following the distinctive sign posts past the old CN station. You will soon reach the Fraser River. Stop and enjoy the views of Mt. Baker and Golden Ears. On the good gravel trail, you soon reach Allard Crescent. The trail follows the road for a distance before heading back towards the river and into the heritage part of the Derby Beach Regional park. Read more at: https://trailpeak.com/trails/Fort-to-Fort-near-Langley-BC-936
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