Things to do in Burnaby

Burnaby is its own city, and honestly, its best days start with one anchor rather than a checklist. Deer Lake Park is the obvious pick if you want trails plus culture, since the city describes it as linking the lake, Burnaby Art Gallery, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby Village Museum and Hart House restaurant. The catch? The park has had trail and boardwalk works, so read the City of Burnaby notice first and expect detours. Burnaby Lake has bird viewing and paddling, but its notices mention partial trail closures and nearby recreation centre construction, so treat the loop as something to confirm, not assume. (And to be clear, we're not suggesting anyone swim in either lake.)

So, outdoors or in? Outdoors is free but depends on the weather. Indoors gets you a roof, and while some venues charge, the gallery is free. It's a public art museum devoted to works on paper, which makes it a good pick if you'd like to wander and talk. REVS lists cosmic bowling and family packages if you'd rather bowl, so check its page for current rates. Central Park pitch and putt describes itself as suitable for beginners, which is good news if your golf, like ours, is mostly enthusiasm. Our advice: pick the anchor that matches the weather and the mood, then add one food stop near it, such as Chez Christophe in the Heights or Dageraad in Lake City.