Food Vancouver - Food Vancouver Select Guide: November Rain Means Shopping Time Again

It’s November. Which means it’s time to start hunkering down inside and be cozy. And for those on the ball, getting your Christmas shopping out of the way to avoid December’s rush. It’s the perfect time for malls, galleries, comfort food and daytrips in the car … or the train. Enter Richmond. The ideal spot for a daytime getaway that gives you it all.

You want to do some early Christmas shopping? Leave the boys at home for this one. Richmond’s collection of malls are a shopaholic’s dream. Combining unique boutiques, Asian specialty stores, local favourites and high-end chain brands, you can find everything you need … along with a whole lot of what you just want.

Richmond Centre has 240 stores, including Bath & Body Works, Plenty and Freedman Shoes. Lansdowne Centre has 130 stores, with Home Outfitters, Label Express and Winners. Aberdeen Centre has more of an Asian influence, which is reflected in its food court. Make sure that’s the spot you’re at for lunch. Then there’s Daiso, not a mall, but a $2 mega store where you could easily spend the rest of the afternoon and find enough goodies to stuff the stockings for your full extended family.

Good dates to go: November 1-14 To see Waterscapes, an art exhibition by Vancouver artist Gu Xiong Richmond Art Gallery

If strolling along boutique-lined streets is more your thing, try the trip to Steveston. Stop in at Splash Toy Shop to get the kids excited for the day … or maybe it’s best to save that one for the end. If you need anything for your home, check out the holiday gifts and much more than plants at Prickly Pear Garden Centre. Make sure you don’t miss Pieces, a gift store worth the drive alone. Oh, and don’t forget the unique holiday gifts to be found at the gift shop at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Stop for a specialty coffee and a delicious treat at the Steveston Coffee Company. Your afternoon can take you to Jet-Lag Travel Fashion Boutique, which is dubbed as “the store with heart” among locals. Show the young ones artwork displaying our West Coast heritage with a quick stop in Canoe Pass Gallery, which features works from First Nations artists.

If the kids want more than shopping (as they do), take a detour to the Richmond Nature Park where they can burn off energy and see what birds can be spotted in the trees. Then after a long day, reward the family with their own choices of small plates and tapas at The Point. You might want to add a glass of wine.

Another kid-friendly option revolves around the Spectacle of Lights held in Steveston. Santa will be making his annual visit, so you want to get your little ones in for a meet and greet … or let’s call it a photo op. Other fun-filled activities include, old-fashioned horse & carriage rides and the lighting of the tree in Fisherman's Park!

After the kidlets have had their time with Santa, you can wander over to the Steveston Winter Market, which is also hosted at the Cannery. With countless food vendors, everyone will be able to find something they’re excited to eat. Artisan stalls will also be set up, so you’ll be able to find lots of unique gift ideas that come with a homemade touch.

Since all the fun in Steveston happens in the afternoon, you can start the day at the Richmond Olympic Oval. You can take a guided tour of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games venue, see the artwork around the outside of the building or head inside and see what’s going on with their kids programming.

Regardless of the date you go or the reason you go for, a trip to Richmond can be made quickly and painlessly by getting there on the Canada Line. Avoid driving in the rain or circling parking lots to find a spot. Or take the car and stay the night; there’s everything from cozy B&Bs to casino resorts that are perfect for a night away from the routine. For more ideas on what to combine for a perfect daytrip, or make bookings, contact our Visitor Centre 1.877.427.0777 or Enter to win* 1 of 4 fun-filled family getaways to Richmond here.

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Food Vancouver Select Guide: November Rain Means Shopping Time Again