2022 Volleyball Youth Nationals in Richmond, BC

Cultural & Culinary Adventures

Richmond is a city of contrasts where the Far East meets the Canadian West Coast. With over 400 Asian restaurants and a world-renowned Asian Night Market, Richmond’s authentic food and cultural experiences are not to be missed. Bring your appetite and sense of adventure and discover what Richmond has to offer!

• Richmond Night Market. The Richmond Night Market is at the top of our “must see” list. It’s the largest Night Market in North America and has over 70 food stalls where you can sample crab meat noodles, BBQ squid, ramen, Japanese poutine, sushi – and check out over 100 retail vendors and music and dance performances. The Night Market’s tastes, smells, and sounds are not to be missed.
• Dumpling Trail. While it isn’t a literal trail of dumplings, our trail guides you to restaurants that steam, fry, and boil up some of the most delectable dumplings this side of the Pacific. Discover why it made CNN Travel’s list of 12 of the world’s most enticing food and drink trails!
• Shop the World. Explore Richmond’s boutiques, markets and malls. If you’re looking for a unique retail experience, visit Aberdeen Centre, our celebrated Asian mall. If you’re a label-loving bargain hunter, head to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport, our open-air mall with over 70 stores and brands like Coach, Armani, Nike, and Under Armour. If boutiques, artsy shops, and unique souvenirs are more your speed, head to Moncton Street in Steveston Village and explore the shops at this charming riverfront community.

Outdoor Activities

With over 80 kilometres of trails that are generally flat and easy to access, Richmond is a place where natural beauty and wildlife are only a few steps away. Here are a few of our favourites to explore.

• Terra Nova Rural Park. This must-visit park features views of the Strait of Georgia, Fraser River, and North Shore Mountains. Here, enjoy excellent bird-watching, scenery, and the observation platform. It’s also home to the Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment, a million-dollar playground with sustainable design practices designed to mimic nature. It features a tandem zipline and a 10-metre (about 33 ft.) tall treehouse.
• Whale Watching. The majesty of watching these giants of the sea in all their glory while your boat skips along BC’s coastal waters, it’s an unmatched experience. While Orcas are often the main attraction, humpback, gray, and minke whales can be seen depending on the time of year. Keep an eye out for the Orcas of the Salish Sea, three pods (families) of resident Orcas that live and play in the waters off the BC and Washington coast. Steveston Seabreeze Adventures and Vancouver Whale Watch both offer incredible and informative tours. Tours depart daily from Steveston (April to October). Keep an eye out for seals, otters, eagles, and other birds along the way!
• West Dyke Trail. This 6km (3.7 mile) trail runs between Steveston’s Garry Point Park in the south and Terra Nova Rural Park in the north. Popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, the trail’s flat terrain fringes the lush green marshlands of Sturgeon Banks, itself lapped by the Strait of Georgia and framed by the looming North Shore mountains and distant Gulf Islands peaks.
• Larry Berg Flight Path Park. One of the city’s most unique parks, Larry Berg Flight Path Park is found just beyond the perimeter fence at the end of Vancouver International Airport‘s south runway. It’s the perfect place to watch planes, and there are plenty of kid-friendly features such as paved mini-runways, a dome-shaped globe to climb on, and benches shaped like paper airplanes.

Click here to see more outdoor activities Richmond has to offer.

Steveston Village

This fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser River was voted Metro Vancouver’s best neighbourhood out of 192 in 2020. Steveston Village is Richmond’s charming ‘old town’ waterfront area and is home to two National Historic Sites. It is also a working fishing village and is Canada’s largest small-craft commercial fishing port, making it a seafood lover’s paradise.

• Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Built in 1894, this was one of BC’s biggest salmon-canning operation until its closure in 1979. Take a guided tour and discover the history of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry.
• Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site. The Shipyards is an authentic representation of the community of canneries, boat yards and residences. Here you can explore preserved sheds and bunkhouses and learn about the Chinese, European, Japanese, and Indigenous workers that were here.
• Sample the Catch of the Day. You’re certain to build up an appetite exploring Steveston. Whether it’s fish and chips near the river or fresh, local seafood at a restaurant, you can’t go wrong. For fabulous fish and chips try Pajo’s or Dave’s Fish and Chips, and for local seafood try the Steveston Seafood House or Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant.
• Whale Watching. The majesty of watching these giants of the sea in all their glory while your boat skips along BC’s coastal waters, it’s an unmatched experience. While Orcas are often the main attraction, humpback, gray, and minke whales can be seen depending on the time of year. Keep an eye out for the Orcas of the Salish Sea, three pods (families) of resident Orcas that live and play in the waters off the BC and Washington coast. Steveston Seabreeze Adventures and Vancouver Whale Watch both offer incredible and informative tours. Tours depart daily from Steveston (April to October). Keep an eye out for seals, otters, eagles, and other birds along the way!

Family Fun

It’s easy to schedule family-oriented activities with all that Richmond has to offer.

• Richmond Olympic Oval. You are likely familiar with the Oval as the venue for the volleyball tournament – however it also offers indoor rock climbing, and is home to the Richmond Olympic Experience, the first Olympic Museum to be located in North America.
• Riverport Entertainment District. This area offers a range of activities, including Lucky 9 Lanes Bowling Centre, which has both 5-pin and 10-pin options, and has a kid-friendly menu. You can also take in a movie at SilverCity Riverport Cinemas, or head to Watermania, our swimming complex with waterslides, a wave pool, and more. For family dining check out the Old Spaghetti Factory whose menu has something for everyone.
• The World of Kidtropolis. This brilliant indoor attraction features a colourful miniature town of scaled-down buildings centred on a storefront-lined main street. Suitable for children aged 2-10.

Click here for more ideas and activities well-suited for families.