February 22nd, 2010 by admin

With the 2010 Winter Olympics less than a week away, we’re rounding out our guide to Vancouver with fun travel tips for families traveling to the Winter Olympics. From science museums to the games themselves, Vancouver offers visitors a bevy of activities that kids and adults

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With the 2010 Winter Olympics less than a week away, we’re rounding out our guide to Vancouver with fun travel tips for families traveling to the Winter Olympics. From science museums to the games themselves, Vancouver offers visitors a bevy of activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy.

Witnessing the Olympics in person is a once in a lifetime experience. Spirited competition and an energetic atmosphere make the games memorable regardless of a person’s age, which is why many families are opting to travel to Vancouver in the coming weeks. However, it is not one of the most convenient events to attend. Tickets to popular sports can be hard, if not impossible, to attain, hotels are priced high, and overcrowding of city streets and public places is inevitable. Yet, there are still plenty of ways for families to enjoy the overall Olympic experience.

Tickets are restrictively-priced, especially for those who were unable to succeed during the lottery portion of the ticketing process that took place last summer. Yet, families need not forgo sporting events if they’ve yet to attain tickets. Even now, less than a week before the games commence, official and fan-run auctions are still taking place on the Olympics’ website, though, be forewarned that many of these last-minute tickets can run upward of ,000.

Should attending an actual event in person be cost-prohibitive, it is free to get a taste of the Olympic atmosphere at the Live City venues in Downtown Vancouver. Aside from free performances and ongoing events, there will be large screen TVs broadcasting the games.

At this point, centrally-located hotels will be difficult to come by, but there are still plenty of accommodation options. Many of the Alpine events will take place in the Whistler area, with slope-side condos—usually reserved for skiers—available. These are a good option for families because of they can sleep multiple people without the cramped feel of a hotel room.



Family-friendly attractions like Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium offer several non-Olympic activities to families who want to take a break from the excitement surrounding the games. Vancouver’s famed Stanley Park, on the waterfront, is another popular family spot. Though it is wintertime in Vancouver, temperatures are usually well above freezing in the city during the day. This makes outdoor activities possible, which parents with energetic kids should appreciate.

Whether indoors or outdoors, sitting rink-side at a hockey game or not, there is plenty to enjoy in Vancouver during this special time in the city’s history.

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Vancouver Image: jonrawlinson

Stanley Park Image: pnoeric

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