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Is it Crazy to do the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a Toddler?

Is it Crazy to do the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a Toddler?

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Traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia with kids is a blast! And one of the coolest kid-friendly things to do in Vancouver is explore Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
This Capilano Suspension Bridge post was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

For my birthday this year, we spent the weekend up at Semiahmoo Resort & Spa in Blaine, WA. It’s a gorgeous resort and it just happens to be just a few minutes from the Peace Arch Crossing into Canada.

Since we all have Nexus passes and hadn’t had a chance to use them yet, we decided to pop up to Vancouver just for a few hours specifically to play at Capilano Suspension Bridge!

If you live in the Pacific Northwest and visit Canada more than once a year, I highly recommend getting a Nexus pass. We literally waited 2 minutes to go through the border on a busy holiday weekend.

I had been itching to head back to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in the summer for years. I first went about 3 years when I took my toddler to Vancouver.

In my research, Capilano Suspension Bridge seemed liked one of the coolest things to do in Vancouver, So, even though I had a toddler and was 7 months pregnant, I knew it had to be one of our first stops!

We have since gone back several times, including during the holidays to experience their famous Canyon Lights.

Photo of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada #capilano #capilanosuspensionbridge #capilanosuspensionbridgepark #britishcolumbia #bc #canada #vancouver #vancouverbc
It’s no wonder Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Vancouver, BC! Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Why Should Your Family Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver?

First of all, it’s one of Vancouver’s top attractions. I mean, it’s not just a swinging bridge. Once you arrive, you’ll understand why so many people flock there every year. And even though there are lots of suspension bridges near Vancouver, it’s by far the most famous.

The Capilano bridge is just the path to get to the really cool stuff on the other side! They have 7 suspended footbridges high above the rainforest floor.

There’s a Cliffwalk along the Capilano River with a series of tiny bridges, stairs and platforms. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers guided nature tours and a Kids’ Rainforest Explorer Program.

Plus you can find totem poles.

Oh, and don’t worry: WiFi is available throughout the park.

Here’s my favorite YouTube video from Guide to Vancouver that provides a nice overview of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park:

What My Toddler Thought About This Vancouver Attraction

As soon as we walked through the gate, I was instantly impressed! It almost had a “natural” theme park feel to it, as there were many great photo set ups and clear (yet adorable) signage.

We stopped at the wishing pond so my son could toss in a few coins for good luck. This led him to want to throw coins from every bridge and pond we walked across, which is (of course) not allowed.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the top attractions in Vancouver, BC #capilano #capilanosuspensionbridge #capilanosuspensionbridgepark #vancouver #vancouverbc #pnw #canada
My son had to throw a few coins into this wishing pond as we entered Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, Canada. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

We also walked by really beautiful totem poles that lined the walkway. My son is afraid of Hawaiian tikis, and these were a bit too similar for him at first.

By the end of the walk, he started to warm up to them.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN VANCOUVER

We got to the Suspension Bridge and we were all impressed! It’s a lot to take in. I was surprised how wobbly the stairs were to get onto this Vancouver swinging bridge.

Crossing Capilano Suspension Bridge is a popular thing to do in Vancouver, BC
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is popular, even in the rain! Photo credit: Darren Cheung
The bridge itself is especially wobbly closest to the stairs on both ends of the bridge. This made my toddler a bit too nervous to walk across himself.
 
But, after he got the hang of it, he had no problem walking back on his own.
 
I took lots of photos with my phone as we walked across the bridge, but that was only because my husband was carrying my toddler and my 5 year old was holding the railing by himself.
 
If I had been holding either of their hands, I would have needed my free hand to hang onto the railing.

PHOTO OPS AT THIS VANCOUVER BRIDGE

There are a ton of photo ops around Capilano Suspension Bridge Park! The first time, I only had my iPhone with me and I was chasing a toddler.

Kids will love all the cool photo spots at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
It was fun to see how much my 5 year old had grown since he came as a toddler! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

However, this time, we brought a nicer camera so we could take advantage of all the fun places for photos!

There are some really cool totem poles as soon as you cross the bridge and several of them are set up specifically for photos.

TREETOP ADVENTURES

Once we were across the bridge, my toddler wanted to explore. I had no idea how awesome the Treetops Adventure or Nature Tour would be!

We managed to do both, which were a total blast, before we heard the announcement that the park would be closing soon and we needed to head out.

The Tree Walk is a unique thing to do in Vancouver, BC at you can find it at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
The kids loved the Capilano Suspension Bridge Tree Walk! Photo credit: Darren Cheung
By the time we got to the Capilano Bridge, my legs were already tired from so much walking and I was shocked that my toddler still had energy to run around trees before hitting the bridge.

My lasting impression of the park is that it is incredibly clean. For something that is entirely outdoors, I was elated to not see trash or even debris on the walkways.

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Before You Go to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park:

Visit the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to see views of the Capilano River #vancouver #vancouverbc #britishcolumbia #visitvancouver #capilano #capilanosuspensionbridge #cliffwalk #pnw
The Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, British Columbia offers insane views of the Capilano River. Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

WHEN TO VISIT CAPILANO

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is open every day except December 25th. Their hours vary depending on the time of year.

The park is open late during the summer months and during their Canyon Lights event.

The park is outdoors, so I’d recommend going on a nice day during the Summer or Fall.

And I’d definitely recommend going to experience Canyon Lights. However, we went on Boxing Day, which we later found out is their busiest day of the year.

PARKING AT CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE PARK

On a summer day in July, we easily found parking across the street in their official lot and paid $5 to park. Then, we crossed the street to enter Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

During the holidays, we parked off-site and used their parking lot shuttle bus to get to Canyon Lights. The shuttle came pretty frequently, but it was PACKED.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE SHUTTLE

If you are staying in Downtown Vancouver, take advantage of the FREE daily shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You can see the schedule here.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE PRICE

Kids under 6 years old are FREE.
Kids ages 6-12 years old are $14.95.
Youth ages 13-16 years old are $26.95.
Students ages 17+ (with student ID) are 33.95.
Adults ages 17-64 years old are $42.95.
Seniors ages 65+ are $38.95.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE HOURS

2019 Hours

Jan 28 – Mar 15: 9am-5pm
Mar 16 – Apr 18: 9am-6pm
Apr 19 – May 17: 9am-7pm
May 18 – Sep 2: 8am-8pm
Sep 3 – Sep 15: 9am-7pm
Sep 16 – Oct 14: 9am-6pm
Oct 15 – Nov 21: 9am-5pm
Nov 22 – Jan 27: 11am-9pm

The hours vary frequently all year long, so I recommend checking their site for the specific date you’re looking for.

TOURS THAT INCLUDE CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE

If you’re considering doing a tour of Vancouver, Viator has some good options.

This 7 hour tour also makes stops at Vancouver Lookout, Granville Island, Lions Gate Bridge and more!

Or wow your family with this North Vancouver tour that includes Grouse Mountain!

If you’re going during Canyon Lights, I’d suggest this tour so you won’t have to deal with parking.

[irp posts=”1749″ name=”Exploring Stanley Park in Vancouver with a Toddler”]

Are you heading to Vancouver, BC with kids? Find out why Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the top attractions in Vancouver for families, including what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. Plus get my top tips for families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Click to read more or pin to save for later. www.marcieinmommyland.com #capilano #vancouver #britishcolumbia #capilanosuspensionbridge #vancouverbc #explorebc

Where to Eat inside Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

CLIFF HOUSE RESTAURANT

This sit-down restaurant is open year-round and offers seasonal menus featuring fresh West Coast ingredients, seafood, local wine and more!

And during the summer, you can sit outside on the patio for an unbeatable view of Capilano Canyon!

Note: This is a pricier restaurant, but they have a great kids menu with crayons.

CAPILANO COFFEE COMPANY

This is an ideal spot to grab locally roasted organic coffee and pastries in the morning. Or stop by to pick up a sandwich to eat at the Totem Pole Park.

LOGGERS’ GRILL

If you are visiting April-October (or during Canyon Lights) Loggers’ Grill is a good place to get burgers and hot dogs.

What’s cool is that they buy their meat from a local North Vancouver company that raises their animals ethically and naturally.

BRIDGE HOUSE CAFE

This cute cafe is located in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Capilano.

You can grab your coffee and breakfast to eat on the go or sit down before heading out.

ICE CREAM CREAMERY

If you go during the summer, your kids will be begging you to stop here for some Rocky Point ice cream!

They use locally sourced products to come up with some interesting (and delicious) flavor combinations!

DR. WOOD’S CABIN

This is an easy spot to refuel with drinks and snacks while exploring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with kids!

Capilano Suspension Bridge at Christmas

If you’re looking for a unique Vancouver Christmas event, you need to put Canyon Lights at the top of your list!

Photo of Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, BC Canada #holidays #christmas #christmaslights #vancouver #vancouverbc #canada #britishcolumbia #bc #capilano #capilanosuspensionbridgepark #capilanosuspensionbridge #canyonlights
The lights turn Capilano Suspension Bridge Park into a winter wonderland! Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

WHEN TO GO

If you don’t mind the crowds, any time is good. If you are worried about long lines in the cold weather, avoid Boxing Day. That’s when we went and we later heard it’s their busiest day of the year!

WHAT TO BRING

It can be downright COLD in Vancouver in the Winter. Who would have thought? I recommend wearing lots of layers under the warmest coat you own.

This is the most popular coat in Canada and we saw about half the crowd wearing one. And wear a hat, scarf and gloves/mittens. We always wear these Canada Olympic mittens because they are insanely warm and oh so spirited!

CANYON LIGHTS

Seeing the Capilano Suspension Bridge lights had been on my Vancouver bucket list for years and years. That’s why it was our first stop when we drove up to Vancouver from Seattle last year for Boxing Day.

And let me tell you, it lived up to the hype.

Not only is this Vancouver bridge decked out in lights, but so is the entire park! And there’s live music, hot cocoa, yummy treats, caroling, cookie decorating, and more! We even got to take our photo in Santa’s sleigh!

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6 Things to Know for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with Kids

Photo of the Capilano Coffee Company at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver, BC #capilanocoffeecompany #capilano #capilanosuspensionbridge #capilanosuspensionbridgepark #vancouver #vancouverbc #explorebc #britishcolumbia #bc #canada #pnw
Yes, coffee is available! Photo credit: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

1. STROLLER PARKING

There is stroller parking at the entrance to the suspension bridge. I’d personally bring a baby carrier to carry babies and young toddlers.

2. THE BRIDGE SWINGS

Even though they ask visitors not to jump or purposely swing this bridge in Vancouver, it will happen. If your toddler isn’t a strong walker, put them in a carrier or carry them in your arms across the bridge.

Kids can get a bit scared due to all the movement.

3. HANG ONTO YOUR PHONES!

There are so many awesome photo ops everywhere, but there are many signs warning folks to hang onto their belongings and don’t try to retrieve items that have fallen.

It would be very easy to drop a phone on the bridge or any other activity here.

4. TONS OF STAIRS

Be prepared for a LOT of stairs! The Nature Tour has lots of flat stretches but there are a lot of stairs up and down. Little legs might get tired.

There are several benches near the end of the walk which make great resting spots.

5. TREETOPS ADVENTURE

The Treetops Adventure is super cool, especially for toddlers and preschoolers. There are little suspension bridges connecting the trees and it’s easy for little feet to manage them on their own.

6. EAT BEFORE CLOSING

The food stands/restaurants close before the park closes. The only one that stays open until the end is a cafe and they stop serving sandwiches much earlier than closing time.

So, if you are hoping to eat at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, don’t wait too long!

Tourism Vancouver provided admission for 2 to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for review purposes. We paid our own way when we came for Canyon Lights.

Hotels Near Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

If you are hoping to spend a lot of time at Capilano and do outdoor adventures along the Sea to Sky highway, it might make sense to stay in North Vancouver to avoid Vancouver traffic.

PINNACLE HOTEL AT THE PIER

Not only is this a beautiful waterfront hotel, but you can hop on the sea bus and be in Downtown Vancouver without dealing with traffic! What a fun adventure with kids!

This is also a pet-friendly hotel, so it’s great for your whole family!

HOLIDAY INN HOTEL & SUITES

This hotel is situation with easy access to the Sea to Sky highway, making it ideal if you plan to visit Squamish or Whistler during your trip.

Plus, there’s 2 on-site restaurants!

Looking for more fun in Vancouver with Kids?

Four Days in Vancouver, BC with a Toddler Itinerary
Exploring Stanley Park in Vancouver with a Toddler
Vancouver’s Science World with Babies + Toddlers
Downtown Vancouver from Above and by Sea
Holiday Festivities in Vancouver, BC

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    Parnashree Devi

    Tuesday 17th of April 2018

    It feels great to see you doing the adventure with your toddler. I am so excited to see him walking and not feeling tired. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is on my list too. I love suspension bridges and when it is over rain forest like this, it even much better. You have given some smart tips. Loved it completely.

    marciecheung

    Wednesday 18th of April 2018

    If there's one place to stop in Vancouver, it's definitely Capilano Suspension Bridge Park!

    Yukti

    Tuesday 17th of April 2018

    I love to walk along suspension bridge because it vibrates while walking. Walking on this Capilano suspension bridge must be beautiful as it is surrounded by nature and lots of greenery. You seem to have lots of fun with your boy. Though you were tired, but your little one is still energetic that is very good. I would love to visit in evening time as it is really looking like a wonderland with full of fairy lights.

    marciecheung

    Tuesday 17th of April 2018

    Yes, it does vibrate! Super fun!

    Arnav Mathur

    Sunday 15th of April 2018

    Must have been quite an experience in itself. While I love closing bridges, but the wobbliness, still brings a chill in my spine. I can only imagine what your toddler must have experienced, but your pictures look so amazing, bearing testimony to a time well spent.

    marciecheung

    Sunday 15th of April 2018

    He was very confused! We've been back since and he was a total pro!

    Nathan

    Saturday 14th of April 2018

    This looks an absolutely amazing day trip to have when in Canada. Looks like you had a great time bringing your toddler there and exploring the suspension bridge together with him. The natural landscapes all over seem to be picturesque, and it must have been quite the experience!

    marciecheung

    Saturday 14th of April 2018

    It was such a fun trip! We love Vancouver!

    Rhiannon

    Saturday 14th of April 2018

    This looks like such a fun place! Your son is a born adventurer, I can’t believe he was so happy to walk across the bridge - I would have been terrified! With him on the tiki figures though, they are terrifying. Has he seen Finding Nemo? The ritual part gave me nightmares! I’ll definitely give this park a visit if I ever go to Vancouver!

    marciecheung

    Saturday 14th of April 2018

    Oh you know what, maybe THAT'S why the tikis freaked him out! I didn't make that connection until now. He loves that movie!

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