Burnaby is kicking off their first annual Halloween festival this year with seven major events to entice every age of thrill seeker. Our favourite event for the whole family is Pumpkins After Dark, where over 6000 hand carved pumpkins make their debut as scenes from some cult classic films, favourite childhood characters, animals and more.
Food trucks, music, live carvers, games, and the forest walk are just some of the reasons you don’t want to miss out on seeing this event. Feel free to dress up and attend in all your flair for scare.
Other events taking place include the Eerie Illusions exhibit at the Burnaby Museum, the Hex After Dark Film Festival, the Haunted Halloween Adventure and VIP Archery Experience, October 13th Zombie Walk, Haunted Halloween Adventure quests, and the Neighborhood Decorating Contest! Find the full schedule here.
Halloween fun aside, Burnaby’s shopping scene is spectacular year round. We began with a visit to the new Hatley store in Metropolis at Metrotown Mall. Newly opened this summer, this Canadian company carries some of the cutest color changing rainwear, snowsuits, and pajamas.
We love their gift sets that pair some of our favourite stories, like Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site with themed matching pajamas. Canadian author Nicholas Oldland’s characters inspire many of the adorable prints inside. Shop online here to check out the adorable fall lineup.
The Amazing Brentwood Mall is our next stop where you can enjoy the fall weather and shop at the same time. With many of its stores surrounding a gorgeous courtyard and fountain, this is a beautiful place to spend a sunny day.
Shop big names like J.J. Bean, Nike, Sephora, H&M, and more. The Amazing Brentwood Mall is also a great place to have lunch or dinner with its incredible, urban-contemporary food court. This is one of the most beautiful eating spaces I’ve ever come across.
Burnaby may have some big city vibes with opulent shopping malls, sky train, and high rises, however, it does not lack natural spaces to spend time as well. We took advantage of the beauty of fall in Burnaby’s beautiful parks for a family photoshoot with local photographer Abigail Kent at Burnaby Lake.
We enjoyed watching the turtle nesting grounds, bird watching the unique waterfowl, and having a few leaf fights. Kent is a renown wedding, elopement, engagement, family and branding photographer-she does it all, and she does it so well!
Burnaby is renowned for its varied and authentic dining scene. You’ll find everything from Thai to Italian, Chinese and Greek, with French cafes and incredible sushi. We recommend Trattoria, an upscale Italian restaurant that is walking distance from the main hotels. Family-friendly but romantic as well, we enjoyed dinner on the spacious patio.
Pizzas, pastas and classic Italian dishes such as the braised lamb with brown butter pappardelle, sautéed broccolini and gremolata give everyone a difficult time choosing what to have. You might have to come here more than once!
For your weekend getaway, we recommend staying at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel for its proximity to shopping, dining, and the sky train. We found the staff to be incredibly attentive and wonderful, the lobby is bright and beautiful, the rooms are quiet, spacious and modern, and the pool area was a huge hit with the kids.
We had a relaxing time here before breakfast, watching the sun begin to light up the tall buildings around us and sunsets in the hottub where a golden light was cast on all the surroundings, it was truly magical. Plan to have at least one continental breakfast at the hotel. It's one of the best I’ve experienced with attentive staff, excellent selection, and quality choices.
A few other places you’ll want to squeeze into your visit include a drive up to the views on Burnaby Mountain, macarons from Mon Paris, pastries from Chez Christophe, a beer from Studio Brewing, and sushi from Stem Japanese Eatery.
Thank you so much to all of you who engaged on Instagram as we shared our trip through Stories, to those who gave suggestions on where to visit and dine, and for asking questions that help shape our itinerary to give you the best ideas for a weekend away. Follow along @loewenlifestyle as we head to the Naramata Inn and Harrison Hot Springs next!
