Lower Lonsdale at Night

The North Shore is home to North Vancouver, West Vancouver, three ski hills, two suspension bridges and some of the world’s most beautiful nature.

The region is home to the Shipyards Night Market, MONOVA museum, Lonsdale Quay, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon, the Cleveland Dam, Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain. Neighbourhoods in the area include Lower Lonsdale, Deep Cove, Edgemont Village, Lynn Valley, Ambleside, Dundarave and Horseshoe Bay.

To learn all about the North Shore and what to do there, continue reading.

THANKSGIVING ON THE NORTH SHORE

Looking for fun things to do on Vancouver’s North Shore this weekend? There is a lot going on, which makes the region a top place to spend time on the Thanksgiving Long Weekend!

Here are just a few of the awesome things you might want to check out:

The Made in the 604 Market is a terrific artisan market featuring dozens of vendors at the Pipe Shop. It takes place on Saturday, October 12th, from 12:00 until 6:00 pm, and admission is free! The market happens right in the heart of the Shipyards, which means there are lots of other things to do and see in the area too either before or after your visit to the market!
Another great place for shopping is at the Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market on Sunday. It takes place near the beach at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver which is a stunning area to explore!
Deep Cove Stage has The Play That Goes Wrong at Deep Cove Shaw Theatre in Deep Cove. It’s a hilarious play and highly recommended. Deep Cove is also a beautiful place for a walk or pre-show dinner.
Earworm is showing at Presentation House Theatre. Folks ages 14+ have their choice of seeing the show in English or Farsi (Persian) at different times. The theatre is conveniently located not far from the Shipyards, Lonsdale Quay, and the SeaBus terminal.
Looking for a place for lunch, dinner or just some drinks? The Lobby Restaurant & Lounge and Pier 7 Restaurant + Bar are a couple of great venues offering special menu options for the long weekend! They also have good happy hour deals.
Want to visit a fun, family-friendly attraction with a Halloween theme? Canyon Frights at Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the best. The spooky evening activities start up for the season on Friday, October 11th.
Want to learn about the region? Then visit MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver. On Sunday there is also Shipyard Pals which are free walking tours!
Want to do some mountain biking? There are lots of great parks to do that. If you want to ride, but not outside (like if it rains), then be sure to check out the indoor facilities at the North Shore Bike Park at Capilano Mall in North Vancouver. It’s amazing!

In addition to all of the above, there are many other things to do on Vancouver’s North Shore, including lots of beautiful parks to explore! Continue reading to learn about other places you should visit while you’re in the area.

TIP: Other events coming up in the weeks ahead include Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week and the play The 39 Steps with First Impressions Theatre. There is also the Stand Festival at Presentation House Theatre and the musical Bear Grease at Centennial Theatre, plus so much more! And then, before you know it, the Shipyards Christmas Market will be here too!

However you spend your Thanksgiving Weekend, we hope you have an awesome one!

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Best Places in North Vancouver | Best Places in West Vancouver | Best North Shore Events | North Shore Hotels | Other Information

The North Shore in Metro Vancouver

The North Shore’s cities are set at the base of Vancouver’s stunning mountains where the ski resorts of Cypress, Seymour and Grouse are also located.

The region stretches from Horseshoe Bay at the far end of West Vancouver to picturesque Deep Cove at the eastern edge of North Vancouver. In between are world-class parks, shoreline and places of interest.

The North Shore is a paradise for skiers, serious mountain bikers, hikers and water sport enthusiasts from around the world.

Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale Waterfront — Lower Lonsdale Waterfront

The North Shore’s Best Places

If you’ve come to Vancouver for the mountains and outdoor activities, the North Shore won’t disappoint and it’s where you’ll want to go. The region runs from North Vancouver’s Deep Cove in the east to Horseshoe Bay in the west. From one end to the other is about 30 km and takes roughly half an hour to drive in good traffic. Below is what you’ll find in the region.

Vancouver and Shipbuilders' Pier — Burrard Dry Dock Pier

Best Places in North Vancouver

Below are places of interest in North Vancouver. The first list is of places in the Lower Lonsdale and Shipyards District within the City of North Vancouver. The second list is of places west of Lonsdale Avenue (which is a major road running north to south from the mountains to the waterfront in the middle of North Vancouver). The third list is of places of interest east of Lonsdale Avenue.

In the Lower Lonsdale and Shipyards District (in North Vancouver)

Burrard Dry Dock Pier – the massive dock that is open for the public to walk along in the Shipyards District. (It’s also sometimes called Shipbuilders’ Pier.)
Cates Deck – an outdoor plaza between Lonsdale Quay and the Polygon Gallery. It’s one of a small number of outdoor places you can drink alcohol in public.
Lonsdale Quay – home to a year-round public market, the SeaBus terminal that is a transit point between the North Shore and downtown Vancouver, and more.
Lower Lonsdale – the district at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue that includes the Shipyards, Polygon Gallery and the Lonsdale Quay Public Market.
MONOVA: The Museum of North Vancouver – the city’s museum is a great place to learn about the history of the area. The attraction also hosts free walking tours in the summer with the Shipyard Pals.
Polygon Gallery – an art gallery in Lower Lonsdale at 101 Carrie Cates Court.
The Shipyards – the area where you’ll find Shipbuilders’ Square, Shipyard Commons and the Burrard Dry Dock Pier (which is also known as Shipbuilders’ Pier). In Shipbuilders’ Square and on Cates Deck (near the Polygon Gallery) you’ll also find places where you can drink alcohol in public.
Waterfront Park – a nice place with a children’s play area, large grassy lawn, dog park and views of Vancouver near Lonsdale Quay. It’s also a place where you can consume alcohol in public.

Hotels in this area include the Lonsdale Quay Hotel and Pinnacle at the Pier.

Places Where You Can Drink Alcohol

In addition to the above, the City of North Vancouver has a number of plazas and parks where you can drink alcohol in public (between 11:00 am and dusk). These include Shipbuilders’ Square and Cates Deck as well as areas at Grand Boulevard, Kings Mill Walk, Mahon, Ray Perrault, Victoria and Waterfront parks. To learn more see Places You Can Drink Alcohol in Public.

Places West of Lonsdale Avenue (in North Vancouver)

Parks and attractions located west of Lonsdale Avenue include the following:

Capilano Mall – a shopping centre at 935 Marine Drive in North Vancouver. One of its tenants is the North Shore Bike Park which is an indoor attraction. Also at the mall is a Go Bananas kids’ playcentre.
Capilano River Regional Park – one of the best places for beautiful views and nature in the Lower Mainland, plus home to both the Capilano River Hatchery and Cleveland Dam.
Capilano Suspension Bridge – one of Metro Vancouver’s most famous attractions in the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, with bridges across a canyon and through the trees, plus amazing light displays at Christmas.
Cleveland Dam – a dam and waterfall at Cleveland Park in Capilano River Regional Park.
Goat Mountain – a mountain and four-hour hiking trail that begins at Grouse Mountain.
Grouse Grind – a hike up Grouse Mountain that’s popular with people wanting a workout. Dubbed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”
Grouse Mountain – a popular and highly accessible ski hill with year-round activities.

Places East of Lonsdale Avenue

Parks and places of interest in the eastern half of North Vancouver (and thus within the District of North Vancouver mostly) include the following:

Cates Park – a nice park with both sandy and rocky beaches and an amazing play structure for young children.
The Village of Deep Cove – a picturesque seaside village that’s great for kayaking and hiking in North Vancouver.
Deep Cove Theatre – a small community theatre venue in Deep Cove that hosts shows by First Impressions Theatre and other companies.
Inter River Park – a park with walking trails and North Vancouver’s highest concentration of grass soccer fields. It’s located along Lynn Creek just north of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge near Capilano University.
Lynn Canyon Park – nature at its best, with lots of stairs and a free suspension bridge.
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park – great hiking trails in nature, for both beginners and experts.
Maplewood Conservation Area – a preserved area of tidal mudflats that’s good for bird watching just off Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver.
Maplewood Farm – a great place for very young children with pigs, horses, geese and other farm animals.
Mount Seymour – a place for skiing, tubing and snowshoeing with the family.
Mt. Seymour Provincial Park – a provincial park that’s popular for hiking, mountain biking and snowshoeing. It’s also home to the Mt. Seymour Ski Resort.
Northlands Golf Course – a golf club that’s owned and operated by the District of North Vancouver.
Rice Lake – a beautiful spot for walking and fishing.
Seymour Demonstration Forest – paved cycling trails through the forest.

In addition to the above, there is the Baden Powell Trail. It is over 40 km of hiking trails that stretch from West Vancouver to North Vancouver.

Best Places in West Vancouver

Parks and other places of interest within West Vancouver include the following:

Ambleside – a beautiful park and beach in West Vancouver.
Caulfeild Park – a park with beaches and walking trails near in Caulfeild and close to Stearman Beach and Lighthouse Park.
Cypress Falls Park – a popular place with forested hiking trails and a number of waterfalls.
Cypress Mountain – the North Shore’s largest ski hill with the most advanced terrain. It has ski slopes, cross-country trails, snowshoeing terrain and a tubing park. In summer there is also the Eagle Coaster.
Cypress Provincial Park – home to Cypress Ski Hill, but also hiking trails, forests and places to go backcountry camping north of West Vancouver.
Dundarave – a beach, village and pleasant place to walk along the seawall in West Vancouver.
Horseshoe Bay – location of one of BC Ferries’ terminals linking the Lower Mainland with Vancouver Island.
Kay Meek Arts Centre – a performing arts centre beside West Vancouver Secondary School.
Lighthouse Park – a rugged ocean-side park with rocky shores and views of Vancouver.
Millennium Park – a tiny park between John Lawson Park and Ambleside Beach. It’s significant because it’s a place where you can drink alcohol in public.
Park Royal Shopping Centre – a large and upscale shopping mall with over 280 stores and restaurants in West Vancouver near Ambleside Park.
West Vancouver Aquatic Centre – a large recreational facility with a swimming pool, water slide and kids’ play pools.
Whytecliff Park – a rugged ocean-side park in West Vancouver near Horseshoe Bay.
Whyte Lake Park & Trail – a hiking trail and large forested park in West Vancouver.

The North Shore’s Best Events

The North Shore hosts some of the Lower Mainland’s most popular annual events, including the following:

Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival – one of a series of beer festivals that take place around the Lower Mainland including at the Shipyards in North Vancouver.
Summer Concert Music Series – free live outdoor concerts take place on Friday evenings from early July until late August at Deep Cove’s Panorama Park, Lynn Valley Village, and in Edgemont Village.
Battle of the Brush – a live painting competition at the Pipe Shop in September with DJ music and a surprise show halfway through the event.
Canada Day Celebrations – at Waterfront Park near Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver every July 1st and at the Red & White Picnic in John Lawson Park in West Vancouver.
Canyon Frights – lights and Halloween decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park during the month of October.
Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow – a First Nations cultural event at Capilano Reserve Park in West Vancouver in July.
Coho Festival – in early September at the waterfront in West Vancouver.

Dancers at Squamish Nation Pow Wow — Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow

North Shore Events (Continued)

Fleet Week – Canadian Navy ships visit the Burrard Dry Dock Pier for a few days in May. During this time, there are public tours and other free activities to enjoy.
Harmony Arts Festival – an August festival that features live music, occasional outdoor movies and lots of art in West Vancouver.
Hong Kong Fair – a one-day cultural celebration in May with live performances, games, market vendors and other things to do at the Shipyards.
Koningsdag: King’s Day – a festival celebrating the birthday of the Dutch King at the Shipyards in late April.
Lynn Valley Day – a small community festival in the Lynn Valley neighbourhood of North Vancouver in either May or June each year.
BC Cider Festival – an annual event at the Pipe Shop in June with samples from over 30 different cideries.
Seek the Peak – a running race from Ambleside Park to Grouse Mountain in June.
Osprey Festival – a small nature and Indigenous-themed event at North Vancouver’s Maplewood Flats in July.
Persian New Year – the West Vancouver Fire Festival happens at Ambleside in West Vancouver in mid-March. There is also usually an event at the Shipyards.
Polish Festival Vancouver – a free cultural event in the Shipyards District in September.
Shipyards Festival – a free street party-style festival at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue in September.
Shipyards Night Market – a world-famous market on Fridays between May and September in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
North Shore Craft Beer Week – a series of beer-themed events at the Shipyards and local craft breweries. The biggest event, the Launch Party, takes place on the first day in the Pipe Shop.
Trail of Coffee – a Latincouver event for coffee lovers featuring tastings, exhibits and other activities at the Pipe Shop in April.
Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival – an Indigenous canoe racing event at Cates Park in June or July.

Christmas Events

North Shore events with Christmas and winter holiday themes include the following:

Dundarave Festival of Lights – a small community event featuring outdoor Christmas tree displays and concerts in December in West Vancouver.
Grouse Mountain‘s the Peak of Christmas – winter holiday festivities with sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, skiing and skating in December.
Canyon Lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – Christmas light displays in the month of December.
Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas light displays at the gardens at Park & Tilford mall.
Light Up The Village – a free outdoor community event at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver.
Shipyards Christmas Festival – free Christmas celebrations at the Shipyards in Lower Lonsdale on the first weekend in December.
Wassail and Bonfire Night – the last in the series of events featuring live entertainment during the Dundarave Festival of Lights in December.
Shipyards Christmas Market – a free holiday market with a European theme, live music and more at the Shipyards from late November until just before Christmas.

North Shore Farmers Markets

In addition to the above, the North Shore is also home to a couple of farmers markets in the late spring, summer and early fall. They are the Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers Market on Saturdays in North Vancouver and the Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market on Sundays in West Vancouver.

North Shore Hotels

There are a few hotels on the North Shore. Most of them, including the Holiday Inn, Lonsdale Quay Hotel, Seaside Hotel and Pinnacle at the Pier, are in North Vancouver. Of these hotels, we’ve stayed at the Pinnacle and it was lovely!

To learn more about places to stay, see our article about North Vancouver Hotels.