Capilano Suspension Bridge - North Vancouver

by Coleman

Activity:

Have you ever been to the circus, and seen the acrobats walking across a tightrope?  I haven't, but I have been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  It's kind of like a tightrope, only it's 230 feet in the air, 450 feet long, and six feet wide.  Lucky for that, because I would've fallen off a million times if it wasn't for all that steel.  It's a long way down, and you should see all those pointy rocks and rushing water.  Funny thing is, I wasn't scared.  Nathan, my big teenage brother, he was scared.  He actually squished my hand so hard, it hurt.  I had to ask him to let go.

Once we got to the other side everybody loosened up - just in time for the Treetops Adventure.  What a blast!  You can see what it's like to be Tarzan, swinging from tree to tree.  Well, not exactly, but you do get to walk between trees and you're way up in the air.  The Treetops Adventure is a bunch of mini suspension bridges held together by gigantic trees.  You can see what the forest looks like without actually walking on it. 

Jen and I had fun looking under the flaps in the Living Forest.  You can learn all kinds of stuff about the plants and animals living in the forest.  You can even see live bugs eating dirt. 

We were lucky to see one of the Nature Guides feeding the trout.  You should've seen all those fish going crazy in the Trout Pond.  The Nature Guide said herons and otters like to eat trout for dinner.

Speaking of food, the Capilano Suspension Bridge has two restaurants you can eat at.  We had a snack at the Loggers' Grill.  You feel like you're camping, because you get to sit outside at wooden picnic tables and there are trees all around you.

Our last stop was The Trading Post.  Mom caved in and bought us some fudge.  It was gooey and good.  The only problem was I had to brush my teeth for two minutes when I got home.  Nathan was trying to talk Mom into buying a bottle of Genuine Maple Syrup.  Apparently Mom always buys the cheap stuff, and it doesn't taste anywhere near as good as the real thing.

On the way out Mom took a picture of me standing next to the gigantic totem pole.  I wanted to stay for the carving demonstration, but Mom said we didn't have time.  Did you know they have 25 totem poles?  One of them tells the legend of How the Raven Stole the Sun.

If you time it right you might even see people dressed up in old-fashioned costumes singing songs.  I like singing.  I'm going to be a singer when I grow up.

Age group:

You don't have to be a certain age to cross the suspension bridge.  Anybody can go - so long you don't mind it when the bridge starts to jiggle and you're only half way across.

Expense rating:

You can get up-to-date rate information at https://www.capbridge.com/visitorinfo/rates.html.  (Boy that sure is a big word.)  You have to pay for parking as well, but it's not a lot of money. 

:

The bridge was really neat, especially when it jiggled.  Dad let me throw a leaf over the edge, and I watched it get swept away with the current.  Mom liked the Treetops Adventure because it didn't move. 

:

The Suspension Bridge gets crowded, especially in the summer.  There was a line-up when we went in, and the parking lot was almost full.   If you don't like waiting, don't go in the middle of the day. 

Details:

3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver.  For more information call (604) 985-7474.

The Suspension Bridge is easy to get to from town.  All you do is cross The Lions Gate Bridge, take the North Vancouver exit to Marine Drive, and then turn left on to Capilano Road.  The bridge is about two miles up the road, on the left hand side.   Website: www.capbridge.com

Other activities close by:  Capilano Salmon Hatchery  - North Vancouver, and Grouse Mountain - North Vancouver.

Area:

North Vancouver

Season:

All seasons.  We went at Christmas time one year.  All  the trees were covered in snow.  It was really quite beautiful.

Educational highlights:

Dad said the original Suspension Bridge was built by George Grant Mackay way back in 1889.  It was made out of hemp rope.  Mom said she prefers the two inch steel cables. 

Fun for the adult?:

Dad says he thinks it's thrilling to walk across the suspension bridge and the surrounding scenery is breath taking.  Mom liked it too, but I think she'd like it even better if the bridge didn't jiggle.