How To Spend A Perfect Day In Squamish

I recently had a business meeting in Squamish and invited my son, Jeffrey, to join me for the day. With a majestic backdrop of crystal-clear waters, dense forests, and breathtaking vistas, spending a day tripping in the “Outdoor Recreational Capital of Canada” was an easy sell. And why not? There’s something for every type of day-tripper in this charming, laid-back mountain town. — Michelle Hopkins

Morning: Into the Rainforest

Our first stop was at the town’s newest attraction, the Squamish Canyon. A scenic 15-minute drive from Downtown Squamish, it allows you to immerse yourself in a journey of discovery through a rare coastal rainforest. Here, winding paths and elevated walkways lead you through a spectacular experience, past cascading waterfalls and mossy forests deep into the UNESCO-designated Howe Sound Biosphere. We stopped several times to take in the scenery and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Lunch: Elevated Comfort Food

All that walking makes you hungry. No worries, there’s the Forest Lounge Eatery, which features homemade, elevated comfort food. We sat by the fire pit high above a canopy of trees in the trendiest “tree fort” I’ve ever sat in. I went for the VegHead sandwich and bit into a sloppy but delicious blend of smashed peas, hummus, roasted peppers, pickled beets, and garlic spread on locally sourced sourdough with local homemade chips.

Packed with flavor, it was the fuel I needed to walk the boardwalk twice more. FYI: There are several drink options, including coffee, tea, wine, beer, cocktails, and local kombucha. If you are visiting with your children, they will enjoy the nature-inspired play area while you sit and enjoy lunch.

Afternoon: Downtown Stroll

Next, it was time for a leisurely stroll in Downtown Squamish. This town is small enough to be very walkable.

• First stop: We visited Sunflower Bakery & Café for a cappuccino. Filled with locals, it’s a small, cozy, and funky spot to warm up with a cup of java.
• Artisan Wares: If you are looking for handmade products, head to Be Clean Naturally. I came home with an organic face moisturizer.
• For the Bookworms: Book Mountain features five rooms chock-full of floor-to-ceiling gently used tomes and new books. You are encouraged to plop down in a comfy leather chair and open up a book.

Dinner: Alpine Traditions with a Modern Twist

After our ultimate Squamish Canyon immersive adventure and a stroll through town, we were ready for another unique mountain dining experience. We headed to House of Lager, a part-craft brewery and restaurant that perfectly blends alpine traditions with local flavor. The atmosphere is both rustic and urbane, offering Instagram-worthy views of Shannon Falls, Howe Sound, and Sp’akw’us Feather Park.

The menu focuses on premium B.C. ingredients prepared with simplicity and precision. We started with the Albacore tuna tataki, which was crowned with pickled shimeji mushrooms—a dish so delicious it made us want to lick the plate clean. For our mains, Jeffrey and I shared the delicately flaky, perfectly baked ling cod and mussels, alongside the juicy, tender braised AAA beef short ribs. Both were standout dishes that provided a praiseworthy end to a perfect day.