Photo: The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival at Deer Lake Park. Source: Tourism Burnaby.
We’re really excited to be promoting 7 Ways To Getaway – a contest currently being put on by Tourism Burnaby. The 7 Ways To Getaway contest gives you the opportunity to win 1 of 7 unique getaways to Burnaby, whether it be a weekend to enjoy Sports, Adventure, Golf, Family, Casino, Music/Arts/Culture, or Shopping. Enter to win your favourite getaway, or enter to win them all.
Although Burnaby’s often thought of as a suburb of Vancouver, it’s actually the third largest city in BC after Vancouver and Surrey. It has the convenience of being right next door to all that Vancouver has to offer, and yet Burnaby has a wide variety of attractions and activities to suit all types.
Sports & Adventure
In July of 2009, I attended a wedding at the top of Burnaby Mountain at the SFU Diamond Alumni Centre. Moments before we were in the hustle and bustle of rush hour traffic, and only minutes later here we were, standing outside on the deck amidst the tree tops – panoramic views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains – the air lush with cedar and Douglas fir. It was as if we transported ourselves into the wild.
Burnaby Mountain – at 370 m (1,214 ft) is the highest point in Burnaby proper and is one of Burnaby’s most prominent geographical features. It’s perhaps most famous for being home to Simon Fraser University, but local adventurists know it better for its adrenaline-inducing experience: mountain biking.
With an established network of mountain biking trails that range from beginner to advanced, challenging natural obstacles, and the Mountain Air Bike Skills Facility, Burnaby Mountain is a key mountain biking destination in the Lower Mainland due to its varied terrain and its ease of access.
But you don’t have to be a mountain biker to enjoy the outdoors in Burnaby.
How about a round of golf? Burnaby has two 18-hole public golf courses including Riverway Golf Course, a championship golf course complete with diverse yardage, a pro-shop and a new clubhouse.
Or if you simply enjoy watching professional sports, Downtown Vancouver is home to the Vancouver Canucks, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the BC Lions – all easily accessible from Burnaby by public transit.
Music, Arts & Culture
In May of 2008, my boyfriend and I took a cab from our home in Vancouver to Burnaby to spend the evening at Deer Lake Park. No, we weren’t going for a nature walk – as nice as that is; we were there for a concert. Who? Oh, you know… The National, Modest Mouse, and REM. Yup. These are the kind of shows that come to Burnaby. And if you’ve never experienced a show at Deer Lake Park, it’s truly a beautiful experience.
Burnaby has certainly gained a respectable reputation for its arts. In the past year alone it has hosted a plethora of fantastic shows including the 12th annual Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival which featured kd lang and the Siss Boom Bang this year.
Also at Deer Lake Park is the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – an award-winning multi-purpose community arts facility. The Centre programs a year-round schedule of arts classes, performances, festivals, exhibitions and special events.
So Burnaby’s the kind of destination where there’s a lot going on right there, and if you want more? Downtown Vancouver’s just as accessible – only a Skytrain or cab ride away.
Family Activities
Photo: The heritage carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum. Source: Tourism Burnaby.
One of my favourite places to visit as a young girl was the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel. Growing up watching shows like Little House on the Prairie and Road to Avonlea – I felt like I was going back in time to those eras.
A visit to the Burnaby Village Museum is in many ways like going back in time – to the 1920’s, in fact. Situated on a 10 acre site complete with period costumed townsfolk, there’s a lot whole family to explore – being taught lessons in a real one room school house, seeing the printing press in action at the print shop, the blacksmith pounding steel into horseshoes… and who can resist going for a ride on the colourful wooden horses of the carousel?
Burnaby has always made a great base for family vacations in Metro Vancouver, not only for its own attractions which are in the city, but also due to its close proximity to Vancouver attractions such as Grouse Mountain, the Vancouver Aquarium and Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Casinos
Photo: Burnaby’s Grand Villa Casino. Source: Tourism Burnaby.
You might not know this, but Burnaby is home to a casino – the Grand Villa Casino. Located 30 minutes from the airport and only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, the casino makes a great adult getaway – a taste of Vegas in Vancouver. A weekend here allows you to combine a stylish hotel stay at the Delta Burnaby with fine-dining at EBO, gambling, and entertainment at Scala Lounge.
EBO Restaurant sounds like it would be Japanese, but it isn’t. It actually stands for “East of Boundary” – Boundary being Boundary Road – the road that divides the City of Burnaby from the City of Vancouver. Beloved amongst Vancouver foodies for Executive Chef Dan Craig’s exquisite creations, you know you’re in good hands.
Shopping
Photo: Shop ’til you drop at Metropolis at Metrotown – BC’s largest mall. Source: Tourism Burnaby.
Burnaby is practically synonymous for its shopping opportunities at Metrotown. Metropolis at Metrotown – the biggest shopping centre west of West Edmonton Mall, is indeed its most famous. As the largest mall in BC – it’s a one stop shop for Canadian department stores with The Bay and popular favourites such as Zara, Banana Republic, H&M, Forever XXI, Toys R Us, Old Navy, Chapters and more. Want to watch a movie or grab a bite? You’ve got Silver City Metrotown, and a variety of restaurants to match each palate. It’s all here – just a 20 minute Skytrain ride east of downtown Vancouver.
Of course, Metropolis at Metrotown, although the largest mall, isn’t your only Burnaby shopping option.
Foodies across the continent seeking authentic Asian cuisine know Burnaby for The Crystal Mall – the biggest Chinese-Asian shopping centre in Burnaby.
There’s also Lougheed Town Centre (The Bay, Walmart, SportCheck, London Drugs, Safeway) and Brentwood Town Centre (Sears, Zellers, Sport Mart, London Drugs) – also conveniently located on the Skytrain.
And if malls aren’t your fancy, check out Burnaby Heights. Located in the heart of North Burnaby on Hastings Street between Boundary and Gamma, this is an authentic neighbourhood, home to such local secrets as The Pear Tree Restaurant – an unpretentious high end restaurant famous for its seasonal, local, and sustainable menus, as well as Anton’s Pasta Bar – a long-time favourite amongst locals for their generous portions.
How to Enter
To enter the contest, go to www.7waystogetaway.com. By entering you could be the lucky winner of a trip to Burnaby. You’ll get to pick from 7 exciting getaways and choose the one that best suits your lifestyle.
