Coquitlam

Canada

Coquitlam, and neighbouring Port Coquitlam, are suburbs of Vancouver. There aren't any must-see attractions for the traveller, but there are a number of nice parks for walking or relaxing.

  • Colony Farm Regional Park, Colony Farm Rd (main entrance and parking is at the end of Colony Farm Rd, +1 604 520-6442. Open during the day, closes at dusk. Popular spot with 8.5 km of trails and opportunities for birdwatching. An estimated 150 species of birds are in the park.
  • Como Lake Park, Gatensbury St (just south of Como Lake Ave. A small, man-made lake and park located in the center of residential Coquitlam. Exactly one kilometer in circumference, the lake is a popular attraction for morning walks, joggers, schoolchildren and occasionally fishermen - though the latter will frequently go home empty-handed.
  • Mundy Park is a large urban forest which provides dog off-leash use until 10 am every morning. The park is often host to swim meets and soccer, baseball and lacrosse tournaments.
  • Lafarge Lake park hosts a large tournament site, public ping pong tables, basket ball and tennis courts, and a band stand. It is also home to the Evergreen Cultural Centre which hosts gallery exhibits and live performances.
  • Maillardville is a small community originally inhabited by French migrants sent to work in the local forest industry during the 19th Century. It is recognized as Western Canada's largest French-Canadian community outside of Manitoba, though the French population continues to decline. There is the Place des Arts which hosts exhibitions and performances, and the Makin House Museum
  • Minnekhada Regional Park, Quarry Rd, +1 604 520-6442. Open during daylight hours. Gates close at dusk. 200+ acre park with 10 km of trails through forests and wetlands. Minnekhada Lodge, a heritage building where Queen Elizabeth once stayed, is open the first Sunday of each month from 1PM-4PM (except Jan).
  • Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, at the end of Quarry Rd. Large park along Pitt Lake and Burke Mountain with hiking, camping, swimming and boating opportunities. Dayuse parking fee of $1/hour to a max of $3.
  • The Coquitlam Crunch urban outdoor 'stairmaster' is primarily a fitness challenge.

Colony Farm Regional Park, Colony Farm Rd (main entrance and parking is at the end of Colony Farm Rd, +1 604 520-6442. Open during the day, closes at dusk. Popular spot with 8.5 km of trails and opportunities for birdwatching. An estimated 150 species of birds are in the park.

Como Lake Park, Gatensbury St (just south of Como Lake Ave. A small, man-made lake and park located in the center of residential Coquitlam. Exactly one kilometer in circumference, the lake is a popular attraction for morning walks, joggers, schoolchildren and occasionally fishermen - though the latter will frequently go home empty-handed.

Maillardville is a small community originally inhabited by French migrants sent to work in the local forest industry during the 19th Century. It is recognized as Western Canada's largest French-Canadian community outside of [[Manitoba]], though the French population continues to decline. There is the Place des Arts which hosts exhibitions and performances, and the Makin House Museum

Minnekhada Regional Park, Quarry Rd, +1 604 520-6442. Open during daylight hours. Gates close at dusk. 200+ acre park with 10 km of trails through forests and wetlands. Minnekhada Lodge, a heritage building where Queen Elizabeth once stayed, is open the first Sunday of each month from 1PM-4PM (except Jan).

Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, at the end of Quarry Rd. Large park along Pitt Lake and Burke Mountain with hiking, camping, swimming and boating opportunities. Dayuse parking fee of $1/hour to a max of $3.

  • Coquitlam Aquatic Centre, 1210 Pinetree Way, +1 604 927-6999. A large public, indoor swimming pool. Appealing to both children and adults alike, it houses two distinct pools, one Olympic-sized, the other smaller and decorated with a jungle theme. The smaller pool also features an elaborate water slide that twists outside of the building. Adults can make use of a full gym as well. $5.35.
  • Planet Ice, 2300 Rocket Way, +1 604 941-9911. Public skate: M F Su 1:45PM-3:45PM. A large, state-of-the-art skating arena. It is used mostly for amateur hockey teams, but the arena is open for public skating Monday, Fridays, and Sundays. $3.75-$4.50 plus the cost of skate rentals, if you do not own.
  • Silver City Coquitlam, 170 Schoolhouse St (one block north of Lougheed Highway, +1 604 523-2911. The largest movie theatre in Western Canada with over 20 screens. The complex contains a number of fast-food dining options, but as these are quite expensive hungry visitors may be wiser to eat before the show at one of the surrounding restaurants in the area.
  • Traboulay PoCo Trail. A 25km walking and cycling trail that circles Port Coquitlam. It is mostly flat and has varied scenery: along the river, downtown and residential areas. A guide is available from the city's website.

Coquitlam Aquatic Centre, 1210 Pinetree Way, +1 604 927-6999. A large public, indoor swimming pool. Appealing to both children and adults alike, it houses two distinct pools, one Olympic-sized, the other smaller and decorated with a jungle theme. The smaller pool also features an elaborate water slide that twists outside of the building. Adults can make use of a full gym as well. $5.35.

Planet Ice, 2300 Rocket Way, +1 604 941-9911. Public skate: M F Su 1:45PM-3:45PM. A large, state-of-the-art skating arena. It is used mostly for amateur hockey teams, but the arena is open for public skating Monday, Fridays, and Sundays. $3.75-$4.50 plus the cost of skate rentals, if you do not own.

Silver City Coquitlam, 170 Schoolhouse St (one block north of Lougheed Highway, +1 604 523-2911. The largest movie theatre in Western Canada with over 20 screens. The complex contains a number of fast-food dining options, but as these are quite expensive hungry visitors may be wiser to eat before the show at one of the surrounding restaurants in the area.

Traboulay PoCo Trail. A 25km walking and cycling trail that circles Port Coquitlam. It is mostly flat and has varied scenery: along the river, downtown and residential areas. A guide is available from the city's website.

Coquitlam is home to a variety of shopping options and features two large shopping malls.

  • Lougheed Mall is located off of North Road, on the border between Coquitlam and Burnaby. Though located in Burnaby, it is surrounded by Coquitlam residential neighborhoods and remains a popular attraction for residents of both cities.
    The mall is easily accessible from the Lougheed Town Center Skytrain station and is located across the street from a major bus depot. It features over 170 stores including a large drug store (London Drugs), a Bay, Wal-Mart, and Safeway, as well as a large food court.
  • Coquitlam Centre is Coquitlam's main mall. Located off the Barnett Highway, it is found in the heart of Coquitlam's commercial district. It has over 200 stores including a Bay, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, London Drugs, and T&T Asian supermarket. There is a large food court and several connected sit-down restaurants including East Side Mario's and Montana's Steakhouse.
  • Surrounding the Coquitlam Centre area are a variety of large chain stores in Pinetree Village and Sunwood Square, including Chapters, Save-On-Foods, and Superstore.
  • Just off the Lougheed Highway shoppers can visit the largest Ikea in North America.

Lougheed Mall is located off of North Road, on the border between Coquitlam and Burnaby. Though located in Burnaby, it is surrounded by Coquitlam residential neighborhoods and remains a popular attraction for residents of both cities.

The mall is easily accessible from the Lougheed Town Center Skytrain station and is located across the street from a major bus depot. It features over 170 stores including a large drug store (London Drugs), a Bay, Wal-Mart, and Safeway, as well as a large food court.

Coquitlam Centre is Coquitlam's main mall. Located off the Barnett Highway, it is found in the heart of Coquitlam's commercial district. It has over 200 stores including a Bay, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, London Drugs, and T&T Asian supermarket. There is a large food court and several connected sit-down restaurants including East Side Mario's and Montana's Steakhouse.

  • Cactus Club Cafe, 110-101 Schoolhouse St, +1 604 777-0440. Trendy casual restaurant with a varied menu. Starters: $7-14, mains: $10-32.
  • Joey Tomato's Mediterrean Grill, 550 Lougheed Highway, +1 604 939-3077. Starters: $6-13, mains: $11-36.
  • Haan Korean BBQ, 3025 Lougheed Highway, +1 604 944-7188. 12 AM to 9 PM. A restaurant offering Korean main courses and barbecue
  • Legend House, 140-1169 Pacific Street, +1 604 475-5222. 11 AM to 9:30 PM. A restaurant offering Northern Chinese cuisine
  • Pallas Athena, 101-1250 Dominion Ave, +1 604 941-4871. Open evenings. Traditional Greek cuisine with some pizza and Italian dishes. The lamb and calamari are local favourites. $15-25 per main.
  • Wah Wing, 2748 Lougheed Highway #207, +1 604 945-3333. Open for lunch and dinner. Popular restaurant that serves a varied menu of traditional Chinese dishes. Lunch: $8-10, Dinner: $10-20 per main.

Cactus Club Cafe, 110-101 Schoolhouse St, +1 604 777-0440. Trendy casual restaurant with a varied menu. Starters: $7-14, mains: $10-32.

Joey Tomato's Mediterrean Grill, 550 Lougheed Highway, +1 604 939-3077. Starters: $6-13, mains: $11-36.

Haan Korean BBQ, 3025 Lougheed Highway, +1 604 944-7188. 12 AM to 9 PM. A restaurant offering Korean main courses and barbecue

Legend House, 140-1169 Pacific Street, +1 604 475-5222. 11 AM to 9:30 PM. A restaurant offering Northern Chinese cuisine

Pallas Athena, 101-1250 Dominion Ave, +1 604 941-4871. Open evenings. Traditional Greek cuisine with some pizza and Italian dishes. The lamb and calamari are local favourites. $15-25 per main.

Wah Wing, 2748 Lougheed Highway #207, +1 604 945-3333. Open for lunch and dinner. Popular restaurant that serves a varied menu of traditional Chinese dishes. Lunch: $8-10, Dinner: $10-20 per main.

  • Gillnetter Pub, 1864 Argue St, +1 604 941-5599. Pub with a patio that looks over the Pitt River or you can catch the game on one of the TVs. Crowd is more of a mellow middle aged group. The food is average but the daily specials are good value. Mains $9-19.
  • Wings, 345 North Rd, +1 604 931-5500. Has a huge menu of different flavours of chicken wings, with a decent drink menu. It is often quite busy during hockey games.

Gillnetter Pub, 1864 Argue St, +1 604 941-5599. Pub with a patio that looks over the Pitt River or you can catch the game on one of the TVs. Crowd is more of a mellow middle aged group. The food is average but the daily specials are good value. Mains $9-19.

Wings, 345 North Rd, +1 604 931-5500. Has a huge menu of different flavours of chicken wings, with a decent drink menu. It is often quite busy during hockey games.

The other cities in the "Tri-Cities" area -- Port Coquitlam and Port Moody -- are all very accessible. To the west, along Highway 1, is the North Shore with many outdoor recreation options, while to the east, along Highway 1 or Highway 7, is the Fraser Valley, which also offers more outdoor pursuits and some local wineries.