Exploring British Columbia with a Baby: Our Family Road Trip

Family Road Trip in British Columbia: Vancouver, Whistler, Kamloops & More with a Baby

From first flights to forest hikes, live music to lakeside picnics, we packed a lot into our family road trip across British Columbia with our baby daughter, Lily. We travelled from the UK in late August 2024, flying into Vancouver before heading off on an unforgettable adventure filled with Canadian nature, family time and toddler giggles.

We’ve shared some of our top moments (and tips) from the trip, plus a glimpse into Lily’s first birthday celebration in Whistler!

Why did you choose to visit British Columbia?

British Columbia has been on our travel wishlist for a long time, and we’ve visited family there before, we absolutely love it. When some of our relatives recently moved from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, it gave us the perfect excuse to plan a longer adventure.

We couldn’t wait to take Lily and explore a new part of BC with her. It felt like the ideal mix: reconnecting with loved ones, introducing our baby to this beautiful part of the world, and setting off on a self-drive road trip through some of the province’s most scenic regions. We travelled as a family of three: two adults and our daughter Lily, who turned one while we were away.

How did you get there?

We flew with Air Canada direct from Germany to Vancouver. Getting a shorter flight from the UK to Germany. Lily did really well on the flight – it was her first long-haul trip, so we packed lots of snacks, toys, and patience! The cabin crew on the flight from Germany to Vancouver were fantastic and friendly. Making sure we were as comfortable as we could be. We had car hire pre-booked at Vancouver Airport, including a baby seat, and hit the road straight away.

Where did your road trip take you?

Our first stop was Vancouver Island, where we stayed with family for a few days. It was the perfect start – relaxed and full of local flavour. We explored the island’s playparks, tucked into tasty bites at a local food festival, checked out a classic car show, and even took Lily on her very first kayaking adventure.

Despite the drizzle that day, the kayak trip was a highlight – gliding through the water, spotting jellyfish, and seeing Lily so curious about everything around her. It was such a calm and special way to explore the area.

After the Island, we headed back to the mainland to begin the road trip…

What were some of the highlights of your trip?

Whistler

We celebrated Lily’s first birthday in Whistler! It was magical. We hired bikes and packed a picnic, stopping for scenic views, lakeside naps, and wild nappy changes. We picked up a birthday cake from a local bakery and enjoyed it in the sunshine at Whistler Village. This is one of our favourite places, and there is so much to offer all ages.

Our accommodation had a pool – perfect for cooling off and splashing around with Lily and we even managed a hike on the Train Wreck Trail, carrying Lily in her Poco backpack. She loved every second, and the views were amazing. And thankfully, we didn’t meet any bears eye-to-eye.

🎥 Watch the video of our Whistler Train Wreck Trail hike here

Kamloops

After Whistler, we stayed a night in Kamloops and went to a local music festival. Lily became a bit of a celebrity with festival-goers, waving, clapping, and dancing to the music. It was a great spontaneous stop that added something really different to our trip. We can highly recommend the local ice cream shop as well!

Revelstoke

In Revelstoke, we spent our time walking, relaxing, and dipping our toes into the river. We also hiked to a mountain summit, where the views were truly breathtaking. Despite having a baby in tow, the trail was manageable — and so worth it. The little sunshade on the Poco is a really useful addition as well, making sure Lily had maximum protection from the sun.

Merritt

We stayed a night in Merritt to break up the drive — a quieter moment in our otherwise packed itinerary. There wasn’t much to do in Merritt, so we rested up ready for our trip back to Vancouver.

Back to Vancouver

To round off the trip, we returned to Vancouver for a few days before our flight home. We hopped on a sightseeing tour bus (Lily absolutely loved it), taking in Gastown, Stanley Park, and other highlights. Vancouver was full of energy, delicious food, and baby-friendly spots. A perfect end to our BC adventure.

What made travelling with a baby special?

Everything felt new again through Lily’s eyes. Watching her touch a kayak paddle, feel mountain air on her face, try cake for the first time, and bop along at a music festival… it reminded us how joyful the little things can be. Travelling with a baby isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. We were really impressed with how friendly and helpful everyone was. Lily wasn’t walking at this point, so it relied on us to have more baby related stuff with us to make sure we could transport her. We know she won’t remember this when she is older, but she can look back at the footage someday!

Would you go back?

Absolutely. British Columbia gave us so many special memories — adventure, connection, and a deep breath of fresh air. We’re already dreaming about our next trip. There’s so much more to explore… and Lily’s only just getting started.