Mascots on ice at Robson Square
Going to the Olympics, for most anyway, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you don’t want to miss a thing. It’s tempting to set an ambitious agenda and try to tackle it all. But, just like you had to do at Disney World, let it go. You can’t and won’t experience it all with kids in tow, not with Olympic-sized walks and waits.
We planned to spend 3 weekdays in the middle of the action with tickets to 3 events, one on each day. The first day was family day, the second was kid-free and the third was kids’ choice day. The next day we were glad we didn’t have to face any more lines or crowds.
Here’s the 3-day itinerary (mostly impromptu) that worked for us. It’s all within walking distance and free, unless noted.
Family Day
- SkyTrain – free ride to downtown, Stadium station
- Robson Square – see zipline and Olympians skating on outdoor rink
- Howe Street – for quirky sculptures and photo ops
- Sears building short cut – a DJ spins club tunes at entrance
- Aboriginal Pavilion – dancing in full regalia outside
- CBC Radio – (next door) pick up little flags street side
- Moxie’s – for dinner ($70 for four) with kid’s meal dry-ice volcano ice cream
- BC Place – medal awards ceremony ($50×4); Canadian snowboard cross champ gets gold
Kid-free Day
- SkyTrain – free ride to downtown, Science World stop
- Russia House (Science World) – Russian club music, 3D model of next Winter Games site, virtual hockey. Celeb spotting: US gold medalist speed skater & Stephen Colbert
- Olympic Village – see across False Creek; athletes hang their flags on balconies
- Quebec House – open-air bar with poutine chef, fancy cheeses and grapes
- Ontario House – drink local wine at bar, watch events on big screens
- GM Place – Men’s hockey game: Canada vs. Switzerland ($80×2); full-body vibrating national spirit
- Olympic Rings & Cauldron – yes, there’s a camera-friendly fence opening
- German House – gotta love the German accent: “Have a beer, eat a sausage and hang out.” ($20 at night)
- Live Downtown Celebration Site – live music, events on huge screens, Manitoba House and Canada House where we hold the torch and measure up to long jump skis
Kids’ Choice Day
- Drive and park in garage ($13/day)
- Canadian Mint – hold a bar of gold worth $400,000, coin exchange for a “Lucky Loonie,” buy Olympic coins (the line to see medals was 5 hours; ours was 1.5)
- Robson Square – smell fresh cedar shavings and see aboriginal carvers at work, watch street performers, flamenco dancing on cultural stage
- Robson Square ice rink – see Olympic mascots ice show, go ice skating on outdoor rink ($3 each)
- Pacific Place – get food court snacks ($10) and O Canada! Pin inside igloo-shaped entrance
- Yaletown Celebration Site – a long walk, but cool to see steam train in the nearby Casa Italia (Italy House) Roundhouse building
Know of any other fun family sites and activities? Let’s hear it.
