Hold on Tight!

Just minutes outside the hustle and bustle of Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park is the perfect spot for an adventurous family nature trip.  The bridge itself, originally built in 1889, rises 230 feet above the Capilano River; the elevated trek offers quite a thrill through a lush and beautiful forest.  Touted as one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions, millions of guests from around the globe have traversed its 450 foot path. 

Treetop Adventures, located within the park, gives guests the chance to safely explore the Douglas Fir forest from a squirrel’s point of view.  Series of suspension bridges, tree landing areas and stops along the way soar over 100 feet above the rainforest below.  A Kids' Rainforest Explorer program and guided nature tours are offered, making this activity within the park a perfect way to engage nature in a safe, yet thrilling way.  Activities and lessons taught throughout the adventures focus on rainforest ecosystems and individual responsibility.  No strollers are permitted on the bridges in the park, so plan accordingly.

What would all of this tree climbing be without a tree house?  Visit Capilano’s tree house to get a bird’s eye view of the entire park!

The Cliffwalk, which opened in 2011, is the newest attraction at the park.  Pushing the thrill envelope just a bit further, visitors can feel their hearts race as they explore the forest on numerous unobtrusive (read: hardly there!) suspended walkways that stretch far out over the cliffs and river below.  The Cliffwalk is recommended for brave guests; it is high up in the forest, offers very narrow pathways, and at some points is made entirely of glass!

In addition to all of this elevated fun, the park offers land based activities as well.  Stop by the Totem Park for a fun look at numerous story poles.  Visit Kia'palano to learn about the culture and heritage of British Columbia’s earliest inhabitants.  In the Story Centre, guests can pose as original “tramps” roughing it to the old hemp suspension bridge.  The centre outlines the history of the bridge (and Vancouver) through large photomurals, antiques and informative flipbooks.  The summer months are also full of live entertainment, wild animal shows and more.

No visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge would be complete without food.  During the summer months, hungry families have their choice of three dining options.  The Bridge House is set in a quaint garden and offers lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner options year round.  The Logger’s Grill, open only in the summer months, offers BBQ favorites and local specialties such as Salmon Burgers and “bridge plank” fries.  If you are simply looking for a bite, head to the Canyon Café.  The walkup counter offers sandwiches, light meals, coffees, and baked goods, including some incredible fudge!!

Add it to your list of things to do the next time you've got a flight to Vancouver.

The park is open daily, excluding Christmas. 

Children under 6, FREE
Children 6-12, $12.00
Adult, $31.95
 

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photo: footloosiety