A rainy day or two in Vancouver - with a pre-schooler!

I fell in love with Vancouver nearly 20 years ago, when I first visited in early 2004. The snow-capped mountain views, the proximity to the sea and beaches, the sparkling city lights, the many lovely shops, cafes and galleries (well, I was 21, so let's be honest, souvenir shops, bars and clubs) and last but by no means least: I've met a friend I'm still in touch with and coincidentally, we both had our first child in 2019 and so my husband and I planned to visit them in late March 2020 on our way to New Zealand... well - I don't have to tell you how that went (or rather didn't). Finally, three years and in her case another little boy later, we made it this year! First time flying long-distance... My son is a real trooper when it comes to short-distance flights and train rides for up to about 8 hours... but we've never flown for more than a couple of hours with him - and I was no longer breastfeeding him either to keep him calm, so we were a tad apprehensive, as many parents probably are. Will he cry, will he be noisy, will he kick the seat in front of him, will he want to run up and down the aisle, will he not tell us when he needs the toilet... We didn't need to worry: We pre-ordered his kids meal for the flight with Air Canada, which meant that he got greeted by a flight attendant at the airplane door with a little bag filled with a handy child-sized set of head phones (we had our own ones, but these fit nicely into the in-flight entertainment system socket), a game of noughts and crosses and an activity booklet with puzzles and colouring pages and a set of colouring pencils. This together with the children's channel left no time for boredom! We chose an afternoon flight - not only because it was direct from Heathrow to Vancouver, but also because we hoped our son would sleep for a good chunk of the way, which would make landing in the late afternoon local time a bit more bearable. That, we achieved... Jet-lagged? No problem! Travelling across time zones can be tough on little ones (and us parents), but don't let jet lag ruin your trip or be the sole reason not to go on one in the first place! The key is to get your child on a new sleep schedule as soon as possible. We landed just after 4pm and were at our hotel - the Hilton Vancouver Downtown Hotel on Robson Street (next to the city library, one of my favourite buildings - love the architecture) - just after 7pm. When we visited pre-2010, we always had to catch buses to get anywhere from the airport, but finally since the Winter Olympics, the Skytrain Network extends now to the airport as well as Richmond and getting to downtown is an absolute breeze - and a real treat for our buddying train enthusiast! Whilst we were quite ok getting to sleep that night, we were all wide awake by 4am - when the hunt for an early-opening breakfast joint began... and not just any place would do, no it had to serve waffles - as per the request of our little gourmand. Luckily, we found Cora Breakfast and Brunch on the map, just a 15 minutes' walk along Robson towards English Bay/Stanley Park and they opened at 6am! We were there at 6.15am - soaking wet as it was raining cats and dogs - and we were not the first guests - perfect! For the rest of our trip, we kept it very relaxed. When we noticed our energy levels fading, we went either back to our accommodation or a café with comfortable seating options, just in case one of us needed to rest his (little) eyes. We tried to stick to a bedtime of 7/8pm and were prepared to be awake around 6/7am and this served us well. What to do when it's raining? Vancouver is known for its rainy weather, yet I truly believe in the saying "there is no bad weather, only bad gear". But I am also a mum and as such, I prefer to choose my battles. Stanley Park and the seawall are fantastic places to spot wildlife, have a good run-around and when you get to English Bay, even to dip your toes into the water (not in January and not necessarily when it's raining...). Luckily, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy, such as the Vancouver Aquarium in the aforementioned Stanley Park, where the boys enjoyed watching the sea lions and luminous jellyfish and many other wondrous creatures. There's even one room solely dedicated to BC waters and coasts. One morning we headed to Science World at the far end of False Creek, where they could learn all about science through interactive exhibits - and go wild in the enclosed soft play area. If you want to combine fun with a bit of Vancouver culture, head over to Granville Island - my husband and I enjoy a good nosey at the public market with the lovely little stalls of fresh fruit, confectionary, meat and cheese and other delectable delights as well as our favourite: salmon candy! With children, spend some time at the covered Kids Market at the entrance to the island, where they can try their luck at the many arcade machines (they can even win a little price - the more tickets they win, the better the price), check out some toy and book shops or you can all enjoy a bite and cuppa at one of the cafés. Even though I've lived in Vancouver on more than one occasion and during more than one winter, I've never actually been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge during that season. This time we went with my friend and her older son as they wanted to show us the Canyon Lights - glittery fairy lights covering the trees and bridge, Christmassy goodies on offer, staff members dressed as elves and as a highlight for our boys the Snowy Owl Prowl scavenger hunt. Highlight for us: no extra charge during Canyon Lights - you just pay standard admission prices! Getting around Vancouver is a walkable and cyclable city, but if you're travelling with a pre-schooler, you may want to consider other transportation options. The city's public transportation system, including buses and trains, is reliable and efficient and has only gotten better with the extension of the Skytrain / Seabus system. If you're looking for a fun way to explore the city, consider taking a ride on the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. These colourful boats offer a unique way to see the city from the water. Vancouver is a city that has something for everyone, no matter the weather or time of year. And if you were concerned about travelling long-distance with a young child, I hope reading this put your mind at rest, at least a bit. I'm always happy to have a chat and plan your next adventure with you!