Richmond, B.C., made a surprising list of best cities in a specific category, which was mostly dominated by sunny American cities.
TravelPulse is a leading digital travel industry news source, and it recently put together a list of the five best kid-friendly spring break destinations for families that are on a budget.
Richmond was named alongside Panama City Beach in Florida, Reno Tahoe in Nevada, Washington, D.C., and San Diego, California.
TravelPulse says the island city located in the Fraser Delta, which it suggests is 25 minutes outside of Vancouver, is a “multi-cultural community.”
The travel publication says that Richmond offers family travellers an opportunity to enjoy good food markets, beaches, unique heritage sites and an abundance of parks.
“One of the most memorable cultural highlights in Richmond is the Asian street-food night market. The largest night market in North America, vendors offer all manner of food (everything from crab meat noodles, to BBQ squid, ramen, and Japanese poutine and more) for under $10 during happy hour and drinks for less than $7,” TravelPulse says.
While the Night Market is definitely a popular attraction, it isn’t one that runs during spring break. Daily Hive recently shared that this year’s night market will be soccer-themed and is expected to open in April.
TravelPulse also mentions a Buddhist temple in Richmond that was modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. TravelPulse is referring to the International Buddhist Temple, which is one of the largest of its kind in all of North America.
“Scented with aromatic incense, the kaleidoscopically-coloured complex of tile-topped halls, golden Buddha figures and fierce-looking lion statues began welcoming worshippers in 1983,” Tourism Richmond says.
Another Richmond attraction TravelPulse mentions is Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment, a free attraction that features ziplines and slides among other fun amenities.
You can’t talk about the island city without mentioning Steveston Village, which TravelPulse does, along with the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site.
“Richmond is a city designed for discovery, where every corner offers a new way for families to connect,” said Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond.