Vancouver with kids

Richmond, BC with Kids: Steveston, Food Courts and an Easy Day

Richmond sits right next to Vancouver's airport, and it's worth more than a hotel night: a historic fishing village at Steveston, wide open parks for kites and bikes, and some of the best Asian food in North America, much of it in casual food courts kids love.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 4 min read

The Play Your Trip card for Vancouver

The Canada Line SkyTrain connects Richmond with downtown Vancouver and the airport. Here's an easy day, then more ideas.

A day in Steveston and Richmond

Fishing boats, a working cannery museum, kites by the river and a food-court dinner.

  1. Morning

    Gulf of Georgia Cannery (opens Google Maps)

    A real salmon cannery turned museum, run with Parks Canada, with machines, smells and stories of the fishing coast. Children and youth get in free; summer brings costumed tours and machine demonstrations.

    Official site

  2. Late morning

    Steveston Fisherman's Wharf (opens Google Maps)

    Boats sell fish and seafood straight off the deck; kids love spotting what's been caught.

  3. Lunch · Lunch

    Fish and chips in Steveston (opens Google Maps)

    Fish and chips by the water is the Steveston classic; eat on the boardwalk.

  4. Afternoon

    Garry Point Park (opens Google Maps)

    A wide waterfront park at the river mouth: fly a kite, walk the beach and watch the boats come in.

  5. Late afternoon

    Britannia Shipyards (opens Google Maps)

    An old cannery and boatyard village along the boardwalk, where wooden boats are still restored. Check opening hours.

  6. Evening · Dinner

    Aberdeen Centre food court (opens Google Maps)

    A big food court with dishes from across Asia, perfect for picky and adventurous eaters alike. Some stalls take cash only.

More ideas in Richmond

  • Richmond Olympic Experience (at the Olympic Oval): simulators for ski jumping, bobsleigh and white-water kayaking, plus medals and history. Closed Mondays.
  • Iona Beach Regional Park: a long jetty into the ocean right beside the airport, with planes flying low overhead.
  • The dyke trails: flat waterfront paths for bikes and scooters around Steveston and the West Dyke.
  • Food streets: No. 3 Road and the Alexandra Road area are packed with restaurants for dumplings, noodles and bubble tea. Richmond has some of the best Chinese food in North America.
  • Treats: Little Fox Bakehouse (President Plaza) makes huge croissants in Asian flavours like salted egg yolk and purple yam; bubble waffles are sold all over town.
  • Minoru Centre for Active Living: a public pool with a leisure pool and slide, a lazy river, a climbing wall and a drop slide into the water.
  • Free and rainy-day options: the public libraries run free children's events (most are drop-in; check the schedule first), and the malls have play areas.

Good to know

  • The Richmond Night Market has closed for good. Its 2026 summer season was its last, after 26 years; older guides still recommend it.
  • Getting there: the Canada Line SkyTrain runs from downtown Vancouver and the airport to Richmond's centre; Steveston is a bus or short drive from there.
  • Bring a little cash for food courts and the wharf.
  • Set expectations: Steveston is a favourite with local families (walk the wharf, fly a kite at Garry Point, bike or scoot the boardwalk) rather than a big tourist attraction. It's a relaxed half day, not a must-see.

Questions

What can kids do in Richmond, BC?

Visit Steveston's fishing village and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, fly kites at Garry Point Park, try the Olympic simulators at the Richmond Olympic Experience, and eat at the Asian food courts.

Is the Richmond Night Market still open?

No. It closed permanently after its 2026 summer season.

Is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery good for kids?

Yes: hands-on displays, real machines and costumed summer tours, and admission is free for children and youth.