Parks and Gardens Vancouver Metro

Bloedel Floral Conservatory
The Conservatory’s triodetic dome looks like a prop from a 1960s sci-fi flick but is really habitat for hundreds of tropical, subtropical and desert plant and bird species. If lousy weather’s got you down, head here and talk to the parrots. Queen Elizabeth Park, South Cambie, 604-257-8584.

Capilano Suspension Bridge
They call it bungee walking and swear it’s strong enough to support a loaded 747, but you’ll still be scared. 3735 Capilano Rd., North Van, 604-985-7474.

Cypress Provincial Park
In winter, Cypress Mountain features terrific skiing and snowboarding, including night skiing. Once the snow melts, head to Cypress Bowl for easy to challenging hikes; for an easy one, start the base of the Black Lift for a 45-minute loop known as Yew Trail. Cypress Mtn., West Van, 604-926-5612.

Vancouver English Bay
Bring a blanket and lounge on the grass with your book, or walk the seawall path and see how many dog varieties you can name. Denman St. at Davie St.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
If you can’t remember the last time you saw a red-necked phalarope or Hudsonian godwit, you may be in luck here. The 850-acre wetland provides habitat for over 250 bird species and now attracts 60,000 annual visitors as one of Canada’s top bird-watching sites. 5191 Robertson Rd., Westham Island, Delta, 604-946-6980.

Grouse Grind
The Grouse Grind is the summer hike of choice for resident masochists, but the view-heavy Skyride is the year-round preference for those who want to do more than gasp once they reach the top. 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van, 604-984-0661.

Kitsilano Beach and Pool
The beach is densely populated in summer with distractingly attractive volleyball players, Frisbee flingers and sunbathers. 2305 Cornwall Ave., Kitsilano, 604-731-0011.

Seymour
The birthplace of North Shore-style mountain biking (steep, fast and tricked out with jumps), the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve is renowned as some of the “sickest” mountain biking terrain on the planet—so if you’re looking to test your mettle on some classic trails, this is the place to be (check out Darrin Polischuk’s Mountain Biking British Columbia [Gordon Soules] for the inside scoop). There are tamer pleasures to be had, including 25 kilometres of hiking trails that vary in length and strenuousness. There’s even a paved, 10-kilometre wilderness path around Rice Lake that’s ideal for strollers and in-line skaters. North end of Lillooet Rd., North Van, 604-990-0483.

Lynn Canyon
This North Vancouver park is 250 hectares of temperate rainforest surrounding Lynn Creek. A local favourite for easy hikes, summer river dips and a lesser known but still no less nerve-wracking suspension bridge. 3663 Park Rd., North Van, 604-981-3103, www.dnv.org/ecology.

Nitobe Memorial Garden
One of the most authentic Japanese tea and stroll gardens in North America, the Nitobe Memorial Gardens offer a place for quiet reflection. University of British Columbia, 604-822-9666.