What to do around Deer Lake Park

October 07, 2022

Burnaby has so much going on that you may never have to leave the city to do something fun. We’re highlighting some of the best things to do in Burnaby, this time around Deer Lake. So whether you’re looking to learn more about the history of Burnaby, go kayaking, or check out some art, here are our picks.

Not feeling Deer Lake Park? We also made a list of things to do around Royal Oak Station and Patterson Station.

Enjoy the park

This one might feel like a no-brainer, but Deer Lake Park is the perfect place to go for a stroll. You can walk a loop around the lake or branch off to one of the many different trails.

Did you know you can rent kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats to take out onto the lake? Starting at $22 an hour (which includes life jackets and everything else you might need) you can rent a boat from Deer Lake Boat Rentals and take it out onto the lake. We’d recommend taking a pedal boat because they come with a cooler area that’s perfect for taking a snack and enjoying it on the water.

Want to learn all about the history of Burnaby? Head over to Burnaby Village Museum to experience what life was like for Burnaby residents in the 1920s. There is a re-creation of a small pioneer village you can walk through with staff dressed up as people who lived there. You can also enjoy ice cream from the ice cream parlour, take part in different registered activities, and ride the carousel. The museum is also hosting a special family-friendly Halloween event called Eerie Illusions where the entire site transforms into a Halloween paradise from Oct. 20-30 from 5:30-10:30pm. There will be new displays, costumed staff, live performances, and surprises hidden in the shadows. Entry to the museum is free, but you must purchase a ticket to attend Eerie Illusions or ride the carousel.

Address: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave.

The Burnaby Art Gallery is one of the only public art galleries dedicated to works of art on paper. It always has a changing featured exhibit, and as of Oct. 1, it’s Halloween-focused. Called Spectral Visions, this exhibit shows some of the darker works in the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection and features “works from Francisco Goya’s series Los Caprichos, where the famed Spanish romantic painter and printmaker satirized late 18th century Spanish society through the depiction of follies, superstitions, and failures. Such historical works are set alongside contemporary works that add colour to the foreboding they portray. Canadian artist Betty Goodwin delicately examines the fragility of human life and the states it traverses in work from her series Le Memoire du Corps.” Admission to the Burnaby Art Gallery is by donation with $5 being the recommended amount.

Address: Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave.

Concerts at the Festival Garden

Deer Lake is home to some of the best outdoor concerts in BC. Some of the most recent concerts have been Mitski, and the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival with The War on Drugs headlining. Be sure to visit the Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park website for announcements of upcoming shows.

Check out the art at Century Gardens

Don’t want to visit an art gallery? Well, there is plenty of public art to enjoy around the Century Gardens. We wrote an article on some of the art you can expect to see.

There’s still time to enjoy the Burnaby Farmers Market! Located at the Burnaby City Hall parking lot, you can find local vendors selling an assortment of goods. The farmers market happens every Saturday from 10am to 2pm with the last one being held on Oct. 29. But don’t worry if you can’t make it—it’ll start up again in May.

Take or leave a book at the Little Free Library

Did you know Deer Lake Park is home to a mini library? Located on Rowan Avenue, you can visit this tiny library to either borrow a book or leave a book you’re done with for someone to enjoy.

Enjoy some fine dining at The Hart House

The Hart House serves delicious Mediterranean inspired brunch, lunch, and dinner with a lakeside view. It’s currently offering a Thanksgiving dinner special that includes roasted butternut squash soup (whipped spiced mascarpone with pumpkin seed and herb picada), stuffed turkey breast (aged manchego potato puree, crispy brussels sprouts, maple and orange glazed baby carrots, cranberry mostarda, confit turkey leg, and celery brioche stuffing with pan gravy), and a pear and apple crisp (dark rum salted caramel and French vanilla gelato).