There’s never a dull moment in Richmond, because there’s always something new to discover. Eclectic markets, shops, and strip malls line many of Richmond’s main streets, each providing a wide range of niche and must-have products. Museums and historic sites provide a unique glimpse into Richmond’s past. And escape rooms, go-karts, and the Olympic Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval will give you your daily dose of adrenaline, while our numerous spas and wellness centres will help you unwind after a long day.
Those looking to gain their sea legs can head out on a whale watching expedition, while back on land, natural environments are abundant and provide good opportunities for birding, golfing, bike rides, and scenic walks.
And once the sun goes down, another side of Richmond comes out to play. Our summer night market, karaoke bars, and late night dining are nightlife fixtures for locals and visitors alike.
Wildlife Viewing
Indoor Activities
Nightlife and Entertainment
Museum and Historic Sites
Wellness
Wildlife Viewing
Richmond’s Wild
From barn owls to salmon and blue whales to frogs, Richmond’s wildlife is thriving. It’s the West Coast; after all, we’re famous for it. Keep your eyes open, and who knows what you’ll see. Please always remember to be respectful of wildlife, keep your distance at all times, and never feed any wildlife you come across, no matter how cute they are. Wild animals need to stay wild to thrive.
Birding
Birders’ Paradise Found
Richmond is located along the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for many birds. It is one of British Columbia’s great birding capitals—an island city studded with unique, easy-access spotting opportunities. You may see bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and barred owls. Keep an eye out for resident seabirds, including sandpipers, killdeer, gulls, and our most iconic bird, the Great Blue Heron. From winter visitors to a year-round rotation of raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, the area’s parks and shorelines host one of Canada’s most diverse avian populations. Here’s our birding map to help you identify each local and migratory species and the BC Bird Trail for all of your province-wide watching.
Whale Watching
Epic, Beautiful, Unforgettable
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!
Fishing
Fishing—the quintessential Pacific experience
Whether you’ve never fished or you’re a seasoned angler, Richmond has something to satisfy your fishing needs. Steveston Seabreeze Adventures offers popular small-group charters from Steveston with all equipment and expertise provided. If you have gear and prefer your own pace, Richmond has five major shoreline fishing locations to consider: Imperial Landing, No. 2 Road Fishing Pier and Float, No. 3 Road Sports Fishing Pier, No. 7 Road Pier, and Mitchell Island Pier. If you require any equipment, Berry’s Bait & Tackle is the place to go.
*You will need to obtain a Tidal Waters Fishing License before you start fishing. Click here for license information and click here for additional information.
Wildlife
Take a walk on the wild side.
Richmond is full of wildlife habitats—Wetlands, bogs, and lush greenery serve as important ecosystems that host numerous species of plants and animals, and birds. You might spot turtles, otters, and several other land mammals, not to mention the whales out in the open sea, along with diverse species of fish and marine life. While you explore the parks, here’s a few of the creatures you might spot!
- Turtles
- River otters
- Sea lions
- Frogs
- Squirrels
- Dragonflies
- Herons
- Hummingbirds
Richmond Nature Park is a great place to escape and observe wildlife. It has
80 hectares of raised peat bog, forest, and pond habitats house colourful hummingbirds, dragonflies, and bog flowers in the spring and summer. Come fall, the fascinating fungi cover the forest floor. Check out these brochures detailing the birds, butterflies, and plants found throughout the park or visit the Nature House for more information.
Indoor Activities
Spend Quality Time in the Great Indoors.
Olympic Oval
Savour the triumph and glory of competing in the Olympics with Richmond Olympic Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where the games come to life on hyper-realistic simulators. You can also drop in for fitness classes and to work out, play basketball, and ice skate.
Museums & History
Spending the day exploring Richmond’s Museums and National Historic Sites. Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site teaches all about Richmond’s maritime history in a fun, hands-on way. The Richmond Cultural Centre houses the free-to-see (donations welcome) Richmond Museum and Richmond Art Gallery.
Escape Rooms
Will you make it? Richmond’s escape rooms like EXIT Canada put your mind, nerves, and teamwork to the test in themed rooms packed with puzzles to solve. Difficulty levels vary. Solve the puzzles, get out in time, and you win. Too slow? You can always try again.
Sports Facilities
Splash into fun at Watermania, a humongous waterpark. 6Pack Indoor Beach offers indoor beach volleyball and archery tag with foam-tipped arrows, great for kids and adults alike. Try your hand at curling at Richmond Curling Club, and if you have a need for speed, head to TBC Indoor Racing.
Here are a few more indoor options:
Splitsville
Kidtropolis
Clip n’ Climb
The Gaming Stadium
Nightlife and Entertainment
Let’s go out tonight!
Craft beer flows, and the local food delights. Along with bars and lounges, Richmond’s nightlife stars a 24-hour casino, a summer night market, and plenty of late-night eateries.
Many head to the Richmond Night Market to eat, shop, listen to live music and have a great time with friends in a festive atmosphere under the stars. You can always try your luck at the 24-hr River Rock Casino, with slot machines, table games, and VIP rooms. Feeling late-night hangry? Head over to Alexandra Road and Food Street for delicious Asian fare. Do you feel a song coming on? Belt it out at one of Richmond’s karaoke bars, perfect for a fun night out with your friends and family. Many serve food and drinks, and offer private booths for groups of all sizes
Museum and Historic Sites
FISHING
Discover Richmond’s dynamic and fascinating roots. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site was once BC’s biggest salmon cannery. Now it’s an interactive museum presenting the history of the West Coast fishing industry. A short, scenic walk away, you’ll find the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, which invites visitors to experience what life was like for Steveston’s multicultural workers in Steveston’s a century ago.
URBAN
At the Richmond Cultural Centre, you’ll find the Richmond Museum, featuring detailed artifacts from the region’s early history and free self-guided walking tours. The Steveston Museum details Steveston’s Japanese Canadian community’s triumphs and struggles. Climb onto the Steveston Tram to see the beautiful restoration work volunteers have done to restore this important artifact.
FARMING
If you want to take a break from the city and relax, London Heritage Farm offers a taste of century-old farming life. It’s a four-acre historic site that recreates life in Steveston from 1880 to 1930. There’s a beautiful heritage garden, great spots to picnic, a Victorian heritage house to tour (open seasonally), and outdoor agricultural exhibits to discover.
ATHLETIC
Thanks to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Richmond is home to the Olympic Oval, where speed skating competitions took place. Inside, find the Richmond Olympic Experience, the first Olympic museum in North America, with relics from the world of international sport. Experience Olympic glory with lifelike simulations—fly off an Olympic ski jump, paddle down a raging white-water kayak course, and carve the perfect line in a sit-ski slalom race.
Wellness
Spa-ctacular Richmond
Richmond’s average life expectancy is 83.4 years, one of Canada’s healthiest and longest-living populations. Activity levels and farm-fresh food aside, relaxing and keeping stress down is key to living healthily. Thankfully, Richmond has ample spas and wellness centres offering everything from massage to meditation.
Meditation
Clear your mind and head to the Bodhi Meditation Centre for free drop-in meditation classes that welcome everyone regardless of experience. Richmond’s Buddhist temples—the International Buddhist Society, Steveston Buddhist Temple, and Ling Yen Mountain Temple also offer meditation. Check websites for details. Donations appreciated.
Spas
Richmond’s award-winning day spas feature ambiance, amenities, and services you won’t find anywhere else. Spa VERSANTÉ offers one of Richmond’s most opulent spa experiences, in over 5,000 sq. ft. of exquisitely designed spa space. Celebrity-favorite, award-winning Absolute Spa has multiple locations, including in YVR’s post-security area (one of CNN’s “Top Airport Spas”).
Yoga
Richmond’s yoga studios cater to all levels, with many of them offering drop-in classes and hot yoga for anyone interested. One of our favorites is YYoga at the Richmond Olympic Oval has more than 40 classes a week. Guests can use the infrared sauna and private tea lounge during their visit.
Asian Spas & Salons
Many salons offer Thai massage, Chinese pressure point massage, herbal body wraps and much more in Richmond’s Golden Village. Did you know that a reflexology foot massage is the best way to pause in a day of exploring Richmond? Now you do.
Kwantlen St. Farmers Market – Kwantlen Student Association
Brighouse Park 7000 Minoru BoulevardBritish Columbia, Canada
V6Y 1Y3
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14291 Burrows RoadBritish Columbia, Canada
V6V 1K9
Liron Gertsman Bird Guiding and Photography
481 West 23rd StreetBritish Columbia, Canada
V5Y 2H5
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Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club
5460 No. 7 RoadBritish Columbia, Canada
V6V 1R7
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1000-7899 Templeton Station RoadBritish Columbia, Canada
V7B 0B7
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9911 Sidaway RdBritish Columbia, Canada
V6W 1C1