15 Best Things To Do In And Around Richmond, Canada

1. See the works at Richmond Art Gallery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Richmond Art Gallery is a beautiful place to visit if you are looking for a breather. The art exhibitions contain contemporary pieces that are updated from time to time. It sits in a building together with Richmond Public Library and Richmond Museum, which makes it a one-stop destination for tourists.

The place hosts art classes, talks, workshops, and other fun activities. Tourists from all ages will definitely enjoy wandering inside while learning about or making art. You shouldn’t forget adding this to your list of unique things to do in Richmond, British Colombia.

Richmond Art Gallery

Address: 7700 Minoru Gate #180, Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8,

Website: Richmond Art Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 5pm

2. End the day with a food crawl at Richmond Night Market

Wondering what to do in Richmond? Visit the largest night market in North America and explore the variety of stores. This place has it all! Munch on your favorite food in their food court, shop affordable items, and have fun in their play areas.

This night market is open to all, including your pets. Bring along your furbabies and let them play freely in the dog play area. Every weekend, chill out and watch live performances. Get entertained by the talented musicians, dancers, and even martial arts displays.

Richmond Night Market

Address: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1Y4, Canada

Website: Richmond Night Market

Opening hours: Mon: 7pm - 11pm; Fri: 7pm - 12am; Sat - Sun: 6pm - 12am (closed from Tue - Thu)

3. Get closer to nature at Terra Nova Rural Park

Terra Nova Rural Park is a 63-acre (25.4-hectare) facility with engaging environmental experiences, farmland and botanic trails, and stunning vistas of the Salish Sea. The park, which is situated along the Pacific Flyway and next to the Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area, is home to many migrating birds.

It’s a popular Richmond attraction because of its pathways, unique outdoor play area, and numerous peaceful rest spaces. Check out the Sharing Farm, which grows produce for the local Food Bank, along with its verdant community and demonstration gardens.

Terra Nova Rural Park

Address: 2631 West end of Westminster Hwy, west of No. 1 Road

Website: Terra Nova Rural Park

4. Tour the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia

The Museum of Anthropology is a part of the University of Brish Columbia and it’s located a short drive from Richmond. It’s well worth the travel, as this is one of the best museums of its kind in the world. It features displays of world arts and culture with an emphasis on those of the Pacific Northwest. This is a teaching museum which means this is where UBC offers courses on art, anthropology, and conservation. The UBC Museum of Anthropology has over 38,000 ethnographic objects and 535,000 archaeological objects.

Museum of Anthropology

Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Museum of Anthropology

5. Stroll through Garry Point Park

Richmond’s Garry Point Park is easy to recognize from its unique rolling landscape and the large, red public art piece. The park also offers amazing views of the South Arm of the Fraser River and the Gulf Islands. Locals know Garry Point Park as the best place to watch the sunset in Richmond. Unique features of this park are the Kuno Garden, which is a Japanese style memorial garden, and the open areas for kite flying.

Garry Point Park

Address: 12011 7th Avenue, Richmond, Britich Columbia, Canada

Website: Garry Point Park

6. Visit the famous Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Canada, and much of it is clothing-optional! This is a popular spot for Vancouver and Richmond locals in the summer months, and a lot of live events are hosted here. During the off-seasons, Wreck Beach is a great spot for walking and there are many sandy trails which offer excellent views of Point Grey. Though the sand is rocky in places and the water tends to be chilly year-round, Wreck Beach is a fun, exciting destination!

Wreck Beach

Address: 6344 University Blvd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Wreck Beach

7. Go whale watching with Vancouver Whale Watch

The British Columbia coast is known for whale watching, and Vancouver Whale Watch is one of the best tour groups in the region! The whale watching season begins in April and continues through October, so don’t miss out on a chance to see these majestic creatures up close! Vancouver Whale Watch emphasises education and conservation on their 3 to 5 hour tours.

Wildlife that can be spotted on the tours includes killer whales, humpback whales, porpoises, sea lines, seals, and bald eagles! This will complete your list of best places to go in Richmond.

Vancouver Whale Watch

Address: 12240 Second Ave #210, Richmond, BC V7E 3L8, Canada

Website: Vancouver Whale Watch

8. Step back in time at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is one of Canada’s National Historic Sites and is located in Stevenston fishing village. This cannery was built originally in 1894 and it pays homage to the days when it was the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia. Today, the site is a museum that offers tours and exhibits to showcase the cannery’s history within British Columbia.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Address: 12138 Fourth Ave, Richmond, BC V7E 3J1, Canada

Website: Gulf of Georgia Cannery

9. Explore the forest of Richmond Nature Park

The Richmond Nature Park is a bog-forest nature park which is dominated by wet mosses and trees. There are several different walking tours you can take through the different habitats. This is a great spot for birdwatching, hiking, and photography. This is also a good place to see much of Canada’s wildlife including the black tailed deer, the shrew, and several different species of owls.

Richmond Nature Park

Address: 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1B4, Canada

Website: Richmond Nature Park

10. Relive Olympic glory at the Richmond Olympic Experience

The 2012 Winter Olympics included several events hosted in Richmond. Today, the Richmond Olympic Experience is located at the Richmond Olympic Oval and it offers visitors an interactive experience. There are displays, simulations, and guided tours so you can discover what it was like to compete in the Olympics.

Richmond Olympic Experience

Address: 6111 River Rd, Richmond, BC, Canada

Website: Richmond Olympic Experience

11. See all of Lulu Island

Lulu Island is the largest island on the Fraser River and it’s just south of Vancouver. The City of Richmond makes up the larger portion of the island while the remainder is the City of New Westminster. It gets its name from Lulu Sweet, a Hawaiian showgirl who bought property on the island in the mid-1800s. Today, the island is home to beautiful nature and waterways.

Lulu Island

Address: Lulu Island, British Columbia, Canada

Website: Lulu Island

12. Visit the picturesque Stevenson Fishing Village

Located in southwest Richmond is Steveston Fishing Village which is home to the largest active fishing fleet in the country! There are over 600 boats in this quaint fishing village, as well as a number of wharf-side restaurants. This site recently gained fame after being featured on ABC’s TV show Once Upon a Time as the cinematic seaside town of Storybrooke, Maine.

Stevenson Fishing Village

Address: Bayview St, Richmond, BC V7E 6K7, Canada

Website: Stevenson Fishing Village

13. Have a stroll through Minoru Park

Located in the heart of Richmond’s city centre is Minoru Park. This park features quiet walking trails, lakes, floral garden displays, and sports facilities. In the summertime, Minoru Park is crowded with locals looking to enjoy the seasonal sunshine while in the winter it’s a hub of winter sports!

Minoru Park

Address: 7191 Granville Ave, Richmond, BC V6Y 4G2, Canada

Website: Minoru Park

14. Stop by International Buddhist Temple

Get to know more about the International Buddhist Society and the humble beginnings of this religion in the outskirts of British Columbia, Canada. Having been around since 1981, this community is what it is today thanks to various volunteers and donors that paved the way for the organization’s success and impact in Canada’s religious modern society. Make time to visit the temple and learn about its founder, Guan Cheng who was one of the founding fathers of the renowned temple. The exteriors make for a great snapshot as it follows traditional Chinese imperial architecture and boasts authentic expressions of Chinese craftsmanship. Its lush fauna and greenery compliments to the serene environment of the temple and is a place many locals and tourists alike visit to deepen their knowledge of the Buddhist community. Join their Dharma session, afternoon and morning meditation, and absorb as much zenn you can get when in this prestigious landmark.

International Buddhist Temple

Address: 9160 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V7A 1M5, Canada

Website: International Buddhist Temple

Opening hours: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sundays to Mondays

Price: free

15. Go on a wine tasting tour at Lulu Island Winery

British Columbia is one of the best places in North America to get great wine. Do not miss out on a lovely afternoon of wine tasting at Lulu Island Winery. This establishment is more than just a winery, it’s a place many locals and travelers come to learn, taste, and appreciate the simple joys of wine. Wine tasting tours are about 90 minutes long and are open daily. Participants will get to learn about the components and processes of the products from the scenic vineyards. Founder John Chang will also walk guests through his personal preferences when making wine and pairing food with wine. Lulu Island Winery has won several accolades landing Gold at the 2018 Los Angeles International Wine Competition with 92 Points. Expand your palette’s know-how and book a wine tasting tour at this award-winning winery in the heart of British Columbia.

Wine Tasting at Lulu Island Winery

Address: 16880 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, V6V 1A8, BC Canada

Website: Lulu Island Winery

Opening hours: 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, varries daily

Visit the gem of British Columbia

More and more visitors and locals are leaving the busy city of Vancouver for the charm of Richmond! This island town has breathtaking views, natural sights, and cultural activities to suit all types of visitors. This list explored the top things to do in Richmond, and this destination will continue to be a top destination in Canada!