
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Art Knapps Funland: Port Coquitlam
Thoughts:
This was a perfect spot to go especially when it is wet out, as the majority of the fun is all covered. There is a few rides and other fun things to do for the kids at a very reasonable price. Each ride/attraction was 2 or 3 tickets and tickets are $1 each, but there are plenty of coupons to be found. The rides are mainly for kids 12 and under but older ones may enjoy the haunted train ride or the mini golf. The haunted tunnel on the train was not recommended for very young children though.
The tickets were reasonably priced and a parent got to go on the ride with smaller children for free too which saved on tickets.
Seasonal Hours:
Opening September Friday 13th to November Sunday 3rd 2013
9am - 30 min before close
Cost:
Free to get in and $1 per ticket. Most rides and attractions are 2/3 tickets.
Address:
1300 Dominion Ave
Port Coquitlam, BC
Phone:
604-942-7518
Website:
http://www.artknapps.ca/#!funland/c1q04
Last Updated:
8/26/2013
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Bridal Falls: Rosedale
Activities:
Not a lot to do here outside of a couple of premier attractions as it is quite a small area of Rosedale.
1.5/5
Events:
Not a lot of things go on here, again probably due to its size.
1.0/5
View:
Amazing views of the waterfall, mountains, valley and coastal rainforest. Not a lot of animals in the area, but you may get lucky and find a bear or dear.
2.5/5
Accommodations:
Not a lot outside of the campground to choose from.
2.0/5
Dinning & Shopping:
Again, not a lot here, a gas station and antiques store.
2.0/5
Visit-ability:
Good place to stop on your way through and spend a few hours out of your day. The attractions though do lend themselves to fun on returning visits.
2.5/5
Total Rating: 11.5/30
Thoughts:
With Bridal Veil Falls and the Trans Canada Water Slides, this is definitely a place to stop at least on your way through. Some things for kids of all ages and adults alike. I am not sure if I would spend more than a day here but it is sure beautiful.
Website: http://www.bridalfalls.ca
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Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Cultus Lake
Activities:
Although you are limited to water sports and golf, people always love to visit a nice beach that has other activities nearby. A variety of golf courses from a full length course to mini golf and even an 18 hole putting course gives golfers of all ages a challenge.
3.5/5
Events:
Not a lot of public or community events takes place here. A yearly wake board competition at he lake and triathlon are a couple of the larger but there is not a lot of events taking place here.
1.5/5
View:
Nestled in the Columbia Valley you will find great views of the mountains and forest. As well, like the name says, there is a beautiful lake right at your fingertips. Although a little ways out of the city, the large amount of tourists and residence keep mos tof the wildlife at bay.
3.5/5
Accommodations:
Plenty of camping here, either in tent, RV or cabin. Unfortunately there is not a big selections of hotels.
2/5
Dinning & Shopping:
Again, due to the size of the place you are very limited with your dining and shopping selection. It is a very touristy place and therefore you will not find much shopping other than some local gift stores.
2/5
Visit-ability:
This is a great place to spend a few days, especially if you want to spend some time enjoying some of the attractions and views that Cultus Lake has to offer.
4/5
Total Rating: 16.5/30
Thoughts:
I like it here, although I am biased towards nice summer locations with a lake and beach. The roads can be quite busy during peak seasons as you are limited to only 1 way in and out.
Website: http://www.cultuslake.bc.ca
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Thursday, 4 October 2012
Laity Pumpkin Patch: Maple Ridge
The Laity Pumpkin Patch has been a family run agri-tourism business for over 20 years. Every October they have vistors from all over the Lower Mainland come to their patch to find the "perfect pumpkin." The 18 acre farm is ideally located in central Maple Ridge and is within an hour's drive from anywhere in the Lower Mainland.
Thoughts:
The Laity Pumpkin Patch is a great place to bring the kids to get your Halloween pumpkins. There is plenty of things to do to keep you entertained for a couple of hours with an animal farm, corn maze, wagon rides and fantasy trails. The pumpkins are priced well and it is relatively cheap to get in. One place that is a must visit for people with small children when it opens at the end of September.
It was quite busy on the weekend but because of all the room on the farm it was far from being packed.
There is also discounts for school groups and family rates.
Pros:
Cheap, family fun. Lots to do and see for the kids and a great place to get some fall photos.
Cons:
Although there is lots of parking, getting in and out of the farm is sometimes a hassle as the driveway is located on busy Golden Ears Way.
Last Updated: October 16, 2013
Seasonal Hours:
Monday to Friday 1:30pm to 5:00pm
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 9:30am to 5:00pm
Cost:
Admission: $5 per person (3 yrs and older)
Pumpkins - $2 and up (based on size)
* Do not accept credit or debit
Address:
Laity Pumpkin Patch
21145 128th Avenue
Maple Ridge, BC
V4R 2R9
Phone:
(604) 467-4302
Website:
http://www.laitypumpkinpatch.com
Monday, 1 October 2012
The Falls Golf Club: Chilliwack
The Falls Golf Club is situated in beautiful Chilliwack with breathtaking views that overlooks the Fraser Valley from an impressive 750 foot elevation. Natural surroundings, towering cedars and cascading waterfalls complement your mountain side golfing experience.
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View from the top of Hole 11 |
Grounds Maintained:
The greens had just been punched when we played here so there was rarely a putt that the ball did not bounce. The fairways were in decent shape except for a few areas that were dry, hard ground.
2/5
Staff Friendliness:
The staff in the office and the snack hut girls were very friendly and helpful. There was a person at the 1st tee off that helped us out by letting us know that the distance between the whites and blues increases throughout the course. As well he had warned us of a bear on 3 that we did not come across.
5/5
Amenities:
The office area was a little small and did not offer a large pro shop for equipment and apparel, there is a restaurant and a snack shack that you pass twice during your round. There was no beer cart or driving but a large pitching/practice green.
3/5
Facility Cleanliness:
The main office area was in ok shape, an older building that did not have much appeal to it. The snack shack looked nicer but the bathrooms were small and cramped.
2.5/5
Cost:
Currently the price is $45/round with a cart, but normally when the course is in better shape it will be up around $90. Generally there are coupons and stay and play specials for this course that can be found online.
2/5
Total: 14.5/25
Course Type:
Parkland | Public | 18
Par: 71
Thoughts:
A very tough course to play, even if you manage to always keep your ball in play the greens offer a greater challenge with a constant downhill slope on almost every one. Although quite a drive out of the city this was a fun course to play with friends and offers some great views of the valley. Finding a good deal on green fees will make this course a must try by any average golfer, I would not recommend it for beginners though. If driving out make sure to check the map before leaving as the signage is extremely poor.
Website: http://www.thefalls.com
Phone: 604-745-4653
Address:
8341 Nixon Rd.
Chilliwack, British Columbia
V4Z 1L3
Monday, 10 September 2012
Langley
Experience The City of Langley. With its rich history, wonderful sense of community, lush offerings of nature, and proximity to Vancouver, Langley is the best kept secret in the Lower Mainland.
Activities:
2.5/5
Events:
Although there is a lot going on, there is not a big variety of big events and many more repeated or niche market events.
2.0/5
View:
Plenty of scenery here with the majestic Fraser River and views of the distant north shore mountains. There not a lot of wildlife outside of birds and squirrels but a variety of flowers and plant life can be found. Known as the birthplace of British Columbia, Langley offers a rich history and many museums to discover.
3.5/5
Accommodations:
There are plenty of places to stay with a vast selection of hotels, camping and Bed & Breakfasts to choose from. Unfortunately the price reflects the close proximity to the city and is probably a little higher than it needs to be.
3.5/5
Dinning & Shopping:
Willowbrook Shopping Centre offers a large selection of stores at this indoor mall. This coupled with plenty of out door mall complexes gives Langley plenty of choices when looking for places to shop.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well with some "only place in Vancouver" establishments like the Olive Garden.
3.5/5
Visit-ability:
With friendly people, descent weather and plenty of things to do, this is a definite "must see" place at least one time. The transit system can get you to the major places and chances are the weather will be good.
3.0/5
Total Rating: 18/30
Thoughts:
Langley has plenty to offer a variety of people from history buffs to sports junkies, there is something for everyone. Nature walks and shopping can keep you occupied for a day or two and then take in a sporting event in the evening. You could easily spend a day or 2 discovering this little place.
Website: http://www.tourism-langley.ca
1Thursday, 6 September 2012
Prince George
The City of Prince George is a vibrant, active and diverse community that provides a strong focal point and identity to the north.
Activities:
There are plenty of outdoor activities in the both the winter and summer months. Skiing, hiking, golf, kayaking and fishing are just a few.
For the sports enthusiast there are plenty of fields around for summer sports and the 2 local junior hockey teams offer up plenty of entertainment in the winter.
2.5/5
Events:
There are plenty of smaller events, the Prince George Exhibition (PGX), plenty of music concerts, and sporting events, but other than these it is pretty limiting in big things that come to town.
2.0/5
View:
Rolling hills and a couple of rivers and lakes make up the majority of the landscape here. The down town core is being revitalised but is still pretty desolate and dirty looking.
A variety of larger wildlife can be found just outside of town such as moose and bear, as well, plenty of deer can be seen roaming the outer urban areas.
There are some nice walks along the Fraser River or through the Forests for the World.
2.5/5
Accommodations:
Prince George has a little bit of everything, B&B, hotels, camping and even resorts. There is a good selection of hotels in the down town core as well as along the highways that run through town. The Treasure Cove Hotel is a great place for family fun with a large pool and indoor water slide.
There are a variety of resorts just outside the city most about a 5-10 minute drive away. And there is plenty of camping around.
4.0/5
Dinning & Shopping:
There are plenty of restaurants throughout the city of all types of foods from around the world. Everything from finer dining, fast food, family, casual and pub.
There are 2 major shopping centres and some other smaller ones and big box store areas located around the city. The main Pine Centre Mall has a number of stores and a small food court.
3.5/5
Visit-ability:
The people are generally friendly and the landscape in the area is nice. Although the down town core could still use some cleaning up in places it is overall a decent place to see. The local sports teams and extensive theatre productions also means there is always something to do.
2.5/5
Total Rating: 17/30
Thoughts:
Even though it seems like a dirty place and has a lower air quality, it is the largest city in the north and provides a variety of entertainment and accommodation options. It is also the hub of the major travelling routes through the north and is a great place to stop and see a couple of things on your way through.
Website: http://www.tourismpg.com
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