British Columbia 2018 :: Activities and Places to Go

Activities and Places to Go

Deep Cove

Deep Cove is a little slice of heaven! I absolutely adored my quiet morning exploring there. I would love to go back! For a full recap of my morning in Deep Cove, click here.

Capillano Suspension Bridge

Capillano Suspension Bridge was pretty cool, although not nearly as death-defying as I had envisioned. It was basically just a busy tourist attraction. They did a lot of awesome work keeping up the grounds, and the tree top experience was really cool. My kids would have LOVED it! It was really expensive, but I do feel worth doing once. Granted, it would only be a half day kind of experience, and I felt like I saw enough after just a couple hours. For a full recap, click here!

Willow Stream Day Spa

The spa was incredible, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! Keep in mind that the cost for parking is crazy high, since it's in downtown Vancouver, and also that you can enjoy the spa ammenities with purchasing even a small package or treatment. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably just get the basic treatment (I did a facial) and then relax in the hot tub (bring your swimsuit) on the gorgeous rooftop lounge area. Oh, and show up at least an hour early. For a full recap, click here!

Baden Powell Trail and Quarry Rock

The long story short is that I ended up hiking a significant portion of the full Baden Powell Trail by accident, but it was really beautiful, and I would do it again! The hike to Quarry Rock should have been significantly shorter, and the view was awesome, although not quite as awesome as the view from Bliss Cottage. For a full recap, click here!

Whistler

Whistler was absolutely beautiful, and a really fun way to spend a day. There is something for everyone in Whistler, and a really fun place to be by yourself or with a huge group. The people watching is awesome, and the little village is so fun! For a full recap of my afternoon in Whistler, click here!

Sea to Sky Highway

This drive is a MUST! This two hour stretch of mountainous road between Vancouver and Whistler is absolutely stunning. It took my breath away and left me with goosebumps numerous times. Our God is so incredible, and it was absolutely magnificent! The stops along the way back that I took included Brandywine Falls, Shannon Falls, a random pull over on the side of the road in Squamish, Porteau Cove and Horseshoe Bay. For a full recap of this drive and my stops, click here!

A Facial at Willow Stream Day Spa :: British Columbia 2018

Every part of this trip was pretty amazing, but this part was pretty awesome. I have to start by saying I had never been to a spa before, so I had no idea what to expect. I mean, I did a spa manicure in Sioux Falls the day before my wedding, in which I had a very small taste of the experience, but I will ABSOLUTELY be visiting a spa again in the future. It was INCREDIBLE! It was SO relaxing. I enjoyed myself SO MUCH. And I want to take all my girlfriends when I go back, because it would have been even BETTER with friends!

The staff at Willow Stream Day Spa left no detail left unattended to, and I felt extremely relaxed. The ONLY thing I felt a little "off" about was that I didn't realize I should have brought a fresh change of clothes with me, and maybe some makeup? I guess that's just the inexperienced spa experience, right? lol I had no idea! I also had no idea I should've brought a swimsuit with me for the hot tub. (I didn't know they had one, or that I could have used it. It would've been AWESOME on the rooftop patio in the ladies' lounge)

I started off by slipping into my white plush robe and relaxing in the ladies' lounge with a glass of fruit-infused water, taking in the incredible view from the roof.

They offered a menu option along with snacks, and it was at that point I should've ordered my sushi and enjoyed it on the patio, but well...I opted to just stick with the snacks for the time being.

Seriously - HEAVEN on Earth right here!

After about an hour of relaxing (including using their 8 or 10 (I didn't count) head shower and taking a short little nap on the patio, reading a few magazines, and just resting, the clinician called me back for my facial, and boy was that a treat! I started by wrapping myself up in this little cocoon of blankets and practically falling asleep while waiting for the facial to begin. In fairness, it was only delayed because I asked if there was any possible way to increase my time on my parking meter, as I had stupidly only put 2 hours, and it would be more like 3 before I got out. (The last thing I needed was to have my rental car towed or fined!) They handled it well, and ensured me that I didn't need to worry about a thing.

The facial was divine (I had the Nature's Indulgence treatment), and oh, so relaxing, but I'll admit that after that killer massage from earlier in the day, it was just "nice", and I probably wouldn't go to that extreme again.

It really did feel awesome, though, aside from the part where she did the "extrusions" (a.k.a. popping zits), and my skin felt seriously radiant, and OH so smooth afterward. I only wish I had thought to bring a change of clothes and makeup afterwards so I didn't feel so gross putting on my old clothes.

Would I go here again? ABSOLUTELY! I don't think I'd do nearly as expensive a facial, but would probably opt for a massage or pedicure or something along those lines. Their service was INCREDIBLE, and the facility was INCREDIBLE, and I'd give the whole place a 5-star rating! Granted, it was my first real spa experience, so there's that ;) I think this is most definitely going to be a thing from here on out on my travels ;)