A Weekend in Richmond and Steveston

Plan my Richmond weekend · What's on this weekend

Find a place to stay in Richmond

Richmond gives you two trips in one weekend: a working fishing village on the Fraser River on the first day, then Olympic history, dumplings and a night at the theatre on the second. It suits anyone who wants two full days a train ride from downtown Vancouver.

Start with breakfast at Steveston Cafe & Hotel, a heritage hotel on Third Avenue whose diner serves breakfast and lunch. Day 1 stays in and around the village, so park once and walk.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site on Fourth Avenue is the one to do first. Inside are the canning line, the herring reduction plant and the story of salmon canning on the West Coast.

Head east along the river to Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site on Westwater Drive. It is an eight-acre site of heritage buildings strung along a wooden boardwalk, with boatbuilding still part of what goes on there. It stays open through autumn and winter.

Back at the west end of the village, lunch is fish and chips at Garry Point Grill & Fish 'N' Chips on Seventh Avenue, made with locally caught fish. Walk it off next door at Garry Point Park. The trails run out past beached logs to open views across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and there is room for picnics and kite flying. Look for the Japanese-style memorial garden and the memorial needle for Steveston's fishermen.

For dinner, Steveston Seafood House on Moncton Street cooks seafood and takes bookings on its own site. Book a table ahead for a Saturday. Finish at Britannia Brewing Steveston on Second Avenue, the village tasting room for a brewery named after the shipyards down the road, with a lager, an IPA and an oatmeal stout in the core lineup and seasonal taps beside them.

Find a place to stay in Richmond

Pick up breakfast at Richlea Bakery in Steveston Village before you leave. The case runs from filled donuts and cronuts to pies, rolls and Nanaimo bars. A steak and onion pie travels well.

Drive to the north end of the West Dyke Trail for Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment on River Road. The play features are built from BC yellow cedar, including a ten-metre tree house with a spiral slide, a rope walkway and a timber climbing structure called the Log Jam. The trail along the dyke starts right here if you want a longer walk.

Then go to the Olympic Experience at Richmond Olympic Oval, also on River Road. You can try a shot put, paddle a whitewater kayak simulator and ride an Olympic bobsleigh simulator, then look at Olympic torches and medals. Tickets sell online.

Lunch is KungFu Dumpling on Westminster Highway: boiled and pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, northern-style handmade dumplings, wonton soup and green onion pancake.

In the afternoon, the Richmond Art Gallery is inside the Richmond Cultural Centre on Minoru Gate, with changing exhibitions.

End the weekend at Gateway Theatre on Gilbert Road, Richmond's professional theatre, with a Mainstage and a studio. Pick a night that fits your dates, or see what's on this weekend.

• The Canada Line runs from Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver to Richmond-Brighouse, with a second branch to YVR-Airport. Change at Bridgeport to move between the two.
• Steveston is at the south-west corner of Richmond, on the river. The Oval, the gallery and the theatre are in the city centre.
• More time? Spend it on a weekend in Vancouver or head up the highway for a weekend in Whistler.

Start from this plan, set your dates and swap any stop you like.

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