A getaway doesn’t always require a flight or a ferry: a quick jaunt across the bridge to, say, Richmond, will do just fine. UBC happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn says the science is clear: “Treating a weekend like a vacation, even in your own backyard, genuinely makes people happier.” The point, Dunn’s research suggests, isn’t how far you go—it’s how present you are when you get there. A tank of gas or 20 minutes on the Canada Line is all it takes to turn an ordinary Saturday into something that actually feels like time off. To get you started, here’s an itinerary for a stellar Richmond staycation.
The Itinerary
Raise a Glass
Fun fact: Richmond is technically made up of a bunch of islands (take that, Hawaii). Lulu Island Winery (16880 Westminster Hwy.) is named for the land mass that most of the city is located on, and it’s just as whimsical and dreamy as its name suggests—stop in for a wine tasting or estate tour. The much rougher-sounding Fuggles (11220 Horseshoe Way, fugglesbeer.com) is Richmond’s home craft brewery, offering beer flights, bar bites and events like trivia and puppy adoptions.
Feast the East
For the best Chinese, Japanese, Korean and beyond, even diehard Vancouverites often look southward. That’s because Richmond has earned its status as the city worth commuting to for extraordinary Asian food. Make sure you order your barbecue pork ahead of time at HK BBQ Master (4651 No. 3 Rd.) because it’s insanely busy. Prepare to be shocked at how Gami Sushi (126–10111 No. 3 Rd.) has your order ready in 15 minutes no matter how many special rolls you get. And don’t skip the glorious hot tofu soup at Elysium Korean Bistro (8400 Alexandra Rd.)
Belt It Out
In Vancouver, a private karaoke room rental (plus however many drinks it takes you to confidently tackle all 7.5 minutes of Celine’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”) can easily set you back a few hundred bucks. That’s not the case in Richmond, the karaoke capital of the Lower Mainland. Rooms at Millennium Karaoke (201–4451 No. 3 Rd.) start at $43 per hour; Zodiac Karaoke (8191 Alexandra Rd.) starts at $58 per hour; family-friendly (and alcohol-free) K-Fever (8300 Capstan Way) has rooms starting at $28 per hour. All are stocked with English-language hits as well as Chinese and K-pop favourites.
Get Cultured
The arts scene is thriving in Richmond, with many venues just a 15-or-so minute walk from the last stop on the Canada Line. Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd.) is a community hub for new Canadian plays, while the Richmond Art Gallery and Richmond Museum (180–7700 Minoru Gate) host small but mighty exhibitions that uncover the city’s past, present and future. The nearby Richmond Cultural Centre Annex (7660 Minoru Gate) has regular events, artisan markets and pottery sales offering goods by local makers.
Go Back in Time
This suburb is teeming with playful, date-worthy activities—just be careful not to get too competitive. There’s $19 glow-in-the dark miniature golf at West Coast Mini Putt (7391 Elmbridge Way), and a high-speed race on TBC’s indoor go-kart track (2100 Viceroy Place) is $34. There’s laser tag and a trampoline park in the same building: Planet Lazer and Extreme Air Park are neighbours (14380 Triangle Rd.). Yes, all of these activities require every participant to sign a scary waiver. It’s part of the childlike fun.
Stride Along the Seaside
Steveston Village is an essential part of any Richmond trip. If you’re a shopper, you can browse adorable shops like Nikaido (150–3580 Moncton St.) for stationery and tea and Prickly Pear (12311 No. 1 Rd.) for gifts and gardening essentials. Or, simply grab a fresh frozen yogurt from Timothy’s (3800 Bayview St.) and walk along the wharf, taking in the sights and smells of the ocean and maintaining a respectable distance from the sea lions.
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