Stand at the north end of the Piper Spit boardwalk at Burnaby Lake and you will hear the city before you see it: a low hum of traffic behind you, and in front of you nothing but water, reeds and the chance of a beaver crossing the channel. Burnaby is the kind of place where that contrast repeats itself — a mountain with a university on top, a lake ringed by walking trails, a heritage streetcar parked a short walk from a modern art gallery.
This guide suits anyone with a day or two to spare in Metro Vancouver, whether you are travelling with children, travelling for a conference at Simon Fraser University, or simply looking for green space without leaving the region. It covers the parks, lakes and heritage sites worth your time, plus a plan for a single day.
Burnaby sits at the centre of the Burrard Peninsula, between Vancouver to the west and Port Moody, Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, with Burrard Inlet to the north and the Fraser River to the south. The SkyTrain's Expo Line and Millennium Line serve the city, so most of what follows is reachable without a car.
Top things to do in Burnaby
1. Burnaby Lake Regional Park
Burnaby's largest lake is the city's best place to watch wild birds. The park has several entrances and parking lots and a loop trail around the water, and from the Piper Spit you can often see beaver and muskrat. A seasonal nature centre sits at the Piper Ave entrance.
Allow more time than you think the loop needs, and bring binoculars if you have them. If you are travelling with a dog, note that the off-leash park is at nearby Warner Loat park rather than here.
2. Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Take the Burnaby Mtn Pkwy off Hastings, or the 95 B-Line bus to SFU, and you reach a green area with views over Greater Vancouver, the Rose Gardens, and the collection of Ainu totem pole carvings known as the 'Playground of the Gods', which represent the goodwill between Burnaby and its sister city Kushiro.
It is known as a mountain biking destination, but there are also hiking and walking trails, picnic areas and a children's playground. Every trail is labelled with its distance, approximate time and difficulty, so you can pick a route that fits the time and energy you have. The area is also a good spot to start and end hikes around Burnaby mountain.
3. Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel (Heritage Village)
At 6501 Deer Lake Ave you can walk through an authentic turn-of-the-century town, staffed by people dressed in period clothes. You can visit the common houses and the many shops, including the Blacksmith and the Chinese Herbalist, and see a preserved interurban streetcar retired in the 1950s. The restored vintage 1912 carousel is the other draw.
Go on a weekend, and Saturday in particular: many of the staff are volunteers, so the town is somewhat emptier during the week. The carousel costs extra on top of admission.
4. Deer Lake Park
An almost circular lake in the middle of the city, with birdspotting, views of Metrotown and miles of shoreline walking. Parking is available off Deer Lake Ave and Sperling Ave.
Combine it with the other Deer Lake Ave addresses below, since the Burnaby Art Gallery and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts both sit within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the east side of the lake.
5. Barnet Marine Park
A north-facing shoreline linear park at 8181 Barnet Rd, open 7AM to dusk, and a very popular beach destination in the summer.
The western end of the park is a dog off-leash area, so do not set up your picnic there. You will be invaded by off-leash labradors who will eat your sandwiches.
6. Capitol Hill Reservoir Park
At North Hythe Ave at Dundas St in Capitol Hill, this park gives you views of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains. It is the best sunset viewing spot in town.
Time your visit for the end of the day rather than the middle of it, and bring a layer — you are up on the hill with nothing between you and the inlet.
7. Burnaby Central Railway
In Confederation Park at 120 Willingdon Ave, this is a good activity if you have children or are into trains. You ride a miniature train on a two-mile journey through the forest, over trestles and into tunnels, and the whole trip takes 10 to 15 minutes. There is also an outdoor model railroad with replicas of real rolling stock and engines, including Canadian Pacific and Burlington Northern, as well as Thomas the Tank Engine.
It runs Saturdays and Sundays from Easter through the third weekend in October. From Hastings St, head north on Willingdon to Penzance; access and parking is from Penzance Dr. Rides are inexpensive and children under three are free, with a small concession stand on site.
8. Central Park
A 90-hectare urban park with an award-winning children's playground, pitch and putt golf, and a couple of small ponds shared by ducks and remote-controlled boats.
Swangard Stadium, at 3883 Imperial St on the Boundary Rd and Kingsway corner, sits within the park and is home to the BC High School Championships. Check the events line before you go if you want to watch something.
9. Burnaby Art Gallery
At 6344 Deer Lake Ave, within Deer Lake Park, the gallery exhibits contemporary and historical artwork inside a heritage house.
Pair it with the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts next door and the lake walk, so a single trip covers all three.
10. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
At 6450 Deer Lake Ave, also within Deer Lake Park, the centre offers various programs, theatre performances and festivals.
Look at what is on before you plan your day, since a performance can anchor an evening in the Deer Lake area.
11. Simon Fraser University and UniverCity
While you are on Burnaby Mountain, take a look at the residential community of UniverCity just east of the university, which is being modelled as a sustainable community.
The campus is also a practical base for hikes around Burnaby mountain, and the 95 B-Line bus gets you there.
12. Deer Lake boat rentals
At 5435 Sperling Ave, on the east side of Deer Lake Park, you can rent a canoe or kayak and see the lake from the water rather than the shoreline.
This is the natural partner to a walk around Deer Lake Park, so plan them as one outing.
13. Hiking and mountain biking on Burnaby Mountain
The many trails around and on Burnaby Mountain are open to hikers and riders, and there is a bike skills park at the base.
Use the labelled trail markers to match a route to your available time and ability, and start from SFU if you want the shortest approach to the upper trails.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Burnaby Lake Regional Park, entering at the end of Piper Ave, and walk out to Piper Spit to look for birds, beaver and muskrat. If you have children with you, follow it with Burnaby Central Railway in Confederation Park, which runs from late morning on weekends.
Afternoon: Move to the Deer Lake area. Walk the shoreline of Deer Lake Park, rent a canoe or kayak from Deer Lake boat rentals on the east side, then visit Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel and the Burnaby Art Gallery, both on Deer Lake Ave. If time allows, add the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Evening: Head up to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area for the Rose Gardens, the 'Playground of the Gods' carvings and the views over Greater Vancouver, then finish at Capitol Hill Reservoir Park for sunset over Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel?
Go on a weekend, and Saturday if you can. Many of the staff are volunteers, so the town is somewhat emptier during the week.
Can I bring a dog to Burnaby Lake Regional Park?
The off-leash park is at nearby Warner Loat park rather than at the lake itself. At Barnet Marine Park, the western end is a dog off-leash area, so keep your picnic away from that section.
How do I get around Burnaby without a car?
The SkyTrain's Expo Line and Millennium Line serve the city, and the 95 B-Line bus runs to SFU for Burnaby Mountain. Several parks and the Deer Lake Ave sites have their own parking if you are driving instead.
What is there to do in Burnaby with children?
Burnaby Central Railway in Confederation Park is the obvious choice, with a miniature train ride and an outdoor model railroad. Central Park has an award-winning children's playground, and Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area has a children's playground and picnic areas among its labelled trails.
Pick the lake, the mountain or the Deer Lake Ave cluster to start with, check the SkyTrain route that gets you there, and build the rest of your Burnaby day around it.