Steveston with Kids: Cannery, Shipyards, the Wharf and Fish and Chips
Steveston is a working fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser River, in the south-west corner of Richmond. It was once the salmon-canning capital of Canada, and its history is easy for kids to touch: a giant cannery to explore, a shipyard village on stilts, and fishing boats selling their catch straight off the deck.
Everything is walkable, much of it is free, and kids and teens get into the cannery for free too. Here's a relaxed day plan, then tips for the seasons and getting there.
A day in Steveston
The cannery, the boats on the wharf, fish and chips, an old tram, the shipyards and kites at sunset.
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Morning
Gulf of Georgia Cannery (opens Google Maps)
A huge 1894 salmon cannery, now a Parks Canada national historic site. Kids can steer a fishing boat in the wheelhouse, pull the fish tails on the Fish Wall, sort fish at the receiving door, follow the old canning line and hunt for herring scales on the walls. Ask for the Xplorer booklet (ages 6 to 11). Youth 17 and under get in free with an adult.
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Late morning
Fisherman's Wharf (opens Google Maps)
Walk the floats where fishers sell seafood straight from their boats; what's on sale changes daily. Look for seals and sea lions, but never feed them, and keep kids off the edge of the float: a sea lion once pulled a girl into the water here.
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Lunch
Fish and chips on the wharf (opens Google Maps)
Fish and chips by the water is the Steveston tradition. Pajo's sells it right on the wharf, and there are more fish and chip shops and waterfront restaurants in the village.
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Early afternoon
Steveston Tram and Museum (opens Google Maps)
See Tram Car 1220, an old interurban tram that is the city's largest artefact, displayed across from where Steveston's station stood. A short walk along Moncton Street, the free Steveston Museum is in the village's first bank and still works as a post office. The Steveston Community Centre playground is right next to the tram.
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Afternoon
Britannia Shipyards (opens Google Maps)
Follow the waterfront boardwalk east to a village of canneries, boatyards and stilt houses from over a century ago, where wooden boats are still restored. Visit the Murakami House, home of a Japanese Canadian family until 1942. Entry to the buildings is free; in autumn and winter they open only a few days a week, so check before you go.
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Late afternoon
Kites at Garry Point Park (opens Google Maps)
Walk back west along Fishers Walk, a free trail of fish facts from the wharf to the park. Garry Point is wide, open and breezy: fly a kite, climb on the beach logs, see the Kuno Japanese garden and the giant net-needle Fisherman's Memorial, and stay for the sunset. No swimming: the river current is strong and there are no lifeguards.
Good to know
- Getting there: take the Canada Line SkyTrain to Richmond-Brighouse, then bus 401, 402, 406 or 407 to Steveston Village. By car, free street parking in the village is limited to three hours; the cannery has a paid lot.
- Opening days change with the season. The cannery opens daily but closes on some holidays; Britannia's buildings, the tram and the museum keep shorter autumn and winter schedules. The Britannia grounds and boardwalk are open from dawn to dusk every day.
- Free, mostly: the tram, the museum, Britannia's buildings, the wharf and Garry Point cost nothing, and the cannery is free for anyone 17 and under. The City of Richmond has asked residents about possibly adding admission fees at Britannia in future, so check the official site.
- Dress for wind. Garry Point and the boardwalk are exposed, and the cannery sits over the water, so it's chilly inside. No food or drink is allowed inside the cannery or the heritage buildings.
- On the wharf, what the boats sell changes with the season; the harbour authority posts the day's catch on its website.
By season
- Spring to autumn: whale-watching tours leave from Steveston, with the peak season from April to October; better for older kids who can sit still on a boat. Garry Point's concession stands open seasonally.
- Summer: the Richmond Maritime Festival takes over Britannia Shipyards in August. Check dates on the official site.
- Winter: the heritage sites run free holiday events in December, including Heritage Holidays at Britannia Shipyards and a festive Winter Tram.
- More in Richmond: our Richmond, BC with kids guide adds food courts, the Olympic simulators and more for a second day.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns your Steveston day into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Make your Vancouver book or play the demo.
Questions
Is Steveston worth visiting with kids?
Yes, as a relaxed day out: a hands-on cannery museum, fishing boats, an old tram, a shipyard village and kites at Garry Point. Most of it is free, and kids get into the cannery for free.
Is the Gulf of Georgia Cannery free for kids?
Yes. Like all Parks Canada sites, general admission is free for youth 17 and under with an adult. Adults pay admission.
How do you get to Steveston from Vancouver without a car?
Take the Canada Line SkyTrain to Richmond-Brighouse, then bus 401, 402, 406 or 407 to Steveston Village.
Can you swim at Garry Point Park?
No. There are no lifeguards and the Fraser River has a strong current. Enjoy the beach logs, picnics and kites instead.