Tourist in your own town: How to experience the best of Burnaby in a day

We talk a lot about making day trips out of town just for a change of scenery, but what if I told you you could make a mini vacation for yourself right here in Burnaby?

Here’s how to be a tourist in your own city from morning to evening, and enjoy the best of what Burnaby has to offer.

9am: Earn your brunch

Head up to Burnaby Mountain Park to start your day right on the Velodrome Trail—also known as Burnaby’s Grind. While you’ll only travel a 3km distance, the 240m elevation gain is what pushes this hike into “intermediate” territory. You’ll find yourself hiking up more than 500 wooden stairs—but the views from the top of the mountain are completely worth it.

The trail opens up just to the side of the Kamui Mintara Playground of the Gods (you might know them as the Japanese totem poles), and up there amongst the trees, looking down at the Burrard Inlet, it really does feel that way.

If you happen to be there on a sunny day, the water will be a startling shade of blue that’ll make you wonder if you stumbled off the trail through a portal to a tropical destination. If you’re there on a rainy day, you’ll see all the swirling mists and breathtaking greens that make a Pacific NorthWest autumn so uniquely stunning.

After you’ve taken in the sights, you’ll have to hike down the same way you came (unless you take the bus down from SFU)—so we don’t blame you for taking a granola bar or two to tide yourself over! The round trip should take about an hour.

Bonus activity: If you hike back down the mountain, you’ll end up just across the street from Barnet Marine Park—the perfect place to wind down by the salt water and take in the sights. You might even spot some intertidal life, from crabs to starfish, as you lounge on the beach!

Location: Park at the lot on Barnet Highway, just across from the Harry Jerome Sports Centre. The trailhead begins just behind the sports centre.

Transit directions: Take the #160 bus and get off at the 7500 Block (westbound) or the 7600 Block (eastbound) of Barnet Road. If you don’t feel like hiking back down after you’ve made it up to the viewpoint, continue up the trail to SFU and catch the #145 down to Production Way-University SkyTrain station.

11:30am: Brunch time!

Reward yourself for all that work with a big, hearty brunch! There are lots of great options for brunch in the Brentwood area, a little ways west from where you finished your hike.

If you’re looking for a larger, sit-down meal, there’s no better place than OEB Breakfast Co. at The Amazing Brentwood. Do yourself a favour and get one of the breakfast poutines—although you can’t really go wrong with anything on offer. OEB also does great mimosa flights! If you’re going there on a weekend, just be warned: the waitlist can often stretch several hours long.

If you want a more casual option for your meal, try out Small Victory (also at The Amazing Brentwood). Since opening last year, Small Victory has fast become one of the best bakeries in the city, and features fantastic breakfast options alongside lighter fare like pastries (trust us, get the almond croissant or the quiche). And if you’re still waking up after your morning hike, this is a great place to recaffeinate!

Location: OEB Breakfast Co., 2306-4525 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby / Small Victory, 1214-4580 Brentwood Blvd., BurnabyTransit directions: From Production Way-University SkyTrain station, take the Millenium Line westbound to VCC-Clark and get off at Brentwood Town Centre (about an eight-minute ride). Both restaurants are a short walk from the station.

1pm: Explore art

Let’s get a little artsy. Head to the Burnaby Art Gallery and spend some time perusing the exhibitions, taking in everything that our local artists have to offer (alongside national and international artists as well). Burnaby Art Gallery offers several exhibitions throughout the year—but promises to make them all “challenging, thought-provoking, inspiring and diverse.”

The art gallery also offers regular programs and classes—so make sure to take a look at the schedule beforehand and register for anything that tickles your fancy! This month, the gallery is presenting workshops like Printmaking and Pinot on Nov. 16 and Painting and Prosecco on Nov. 30.

Location: Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave., BurnabyTransit directions: From Brentwood Town Centre, take the #123 New West Station and get off at Canada Way and Century Park Way (about a 15-minute ride). From there, turn right on Deer Lake Avenue and walk along the edge of Deer Lake Park and turn into the park, where you’ll see the gallery (about a five-minute walk).

2:30pm: Lake living

After you’ve had your fill at the gallery, make sure to enjoy the stunning views at Deer Lake Park. While there is a 4.8km trail around the park that’s perfect for a relaxing stroll by the water, we won’t blame you if you’d prefer to sit by the lake shore and soak in the views.

There’s a small sandy beach at the east end of the lake where you can lounge around (but be warned, you may have to share the space with a flock or two of geese), or you can head to the Deer Lake Festival Lawn—perfect for a picnic or a cup of coffee!

4:30pm: A late lunch

Don’t mind that sound—it’s just our stomachs rumbling. It’s been a few hours since your decadent brunch, so we’re sure you’re getting hungry by now. Luckily, there are some great options nearby for you to grab a bite.

B&D Authentic Viet Cuisine is just a few minutes south of Deer Lake Park and is a favourite among Burnaby Beacon staff. It just opened up a few months ago, but it’s already garnered a regular client base (maybe it’s mostly our lifestyle reporter Marco, but you know what we mean). Make sure to try the lemongrass chicken or tofu on rice!

Location: B&D Authentic Viet Cuisine, 7090 Kingsway, BurnabyTransit directions: From Deer Lake Park, head to the bus stop on the northeast side of the park at Canada Way and Sperling Avenue. Take the #133 Edmonds Station and get off at Griffiths Drive and Kingsway (about a 12-minute ride). Turn right onto Kingsway and walk about five minutes to the restaurant.

6pm: Grab a pint

After your late lunch, head to Burnaby’s own Studio Brewing to grab a pint or a flight of locally brewed beer! Although it only opened in early 2021, Studio has become a destination for beer lovers from Burnaby and beyond. (In fact, as we’ve previously bragged, noted journalist/ranker of stuff Justin McElroy placed Studio at #14 in his—frankly insane—ranking of all breweries in southwest BC).

If you’re still feeling peckish, Studio puts together a lovely cheese board along with some other snacks—and on weekends, there’s usually a food truck hanging around outside the covered patio.

Location: Studio Brewing, 5792 Beresford St., BurnabyTransit directions: Take the #119 Metrotown Station from Kingsway and Salisbury Avenue, right outside B&D. Get off at Waltham Avenue (about a five-minute ride) and walk about eight minutes south to Studio Brewing.

7:30pm: Browse local goods

When you’re all done at Studio, head to Metropolis at Metrotown for—wait, wait. We know what you’re thinking. METROTOWN? Who in their right minds would go to Metrotown willingly? HEAR US OUT.

Even amid the chaos that is Metrotown at any time of year, but especially as Christmas draws nearer, there’s a hidden gem on the top floor near the bus loop that showcases goods from local artisans and vendors.

The Nooks bills itself as a marketplace built exclusively for Canadian vendors. You can find everything from candles to handmade jewelry and prints of local landmarks there. It’s an activity just to browse through the many treasures you can purchase in the Metrotown location, and who knows? You might even end up getting some of your Christmas shopping done.

Location: Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, BurnabyTransit directions: From Studio Brewing, walk about nine minutes west on Beresford Street to Royal Oak Skytrain Station. Hop on a Waterfront-bound train and get off at the next stop, Metropolis at Metrotown. Cross the street into the mall through the entrance at the bus loop, and take the escalator just outside SportChek upstairs. The Nooks is located just down the corridor!

8pm: Dinner time!

The key to enjoying a full day out on the town is regular, delicious meals. No one wants to get hangry. Head to Station Square and try out Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba. This Japanese concept specializes in mazesoba, which literally translates to “mixed noodles”—or a soupless ramen.

It serves vegan options, spicy bowls, more traditional ramens, and donburi as well. Basically, if you like food, you’ll find something for your tastes!

Location: Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba, 6049 Silver Dr., BurnabyTransit directions: From Metrotown, exit through the doors closest to Real Canadian Superstore and turn left onto Kingsway. Turn left on Silver Drive and Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba will be on your right (about a four-minute walk).

9:30pm: Late-night sips

Listen, Cactus Club Cafe and Earl’s get a lot of flak these days. But we’re here to tell you that it’s okay that you secretly love them. Plus, with side-by-side locations at Station Square and large happy hour menus, they’re unbeatable in terms of convenience. If you’re already at Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba, they’re directly across the street! Earl’s has $6 margaritas on Mondays! $5 beers at Cactus after 9:30pm!

Alright, if we still haven’t convinced you, take a short one-block walk westward on Kingsway and you’ll end up at Trattoria Burnaby. This stellar happy hour menu offers up pitchers of sangria for $25 alongside $8 Aperol spritzes. And you can end off your night by treating yourself to a perfect Italian dessert as well, from affogato to zeppole al cioccolato (Italian-style donuts).

Well, that’s about it!

Although there’s tons of stuff this one-day itinerary leaves off the list, from browsing through shops in the Heights to Glenburn Soda Fountain to the iconic Dageraad Brewing, there are only 24 hours in the day. Burnaby simply has too much to do to fit into one day! If you attempt this itinerary—or make your own—make sure to give us a shout at [email protected] to let us know how you liked it.