TriCities: Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody
T he Tri-Cities refers to the Vancouver suburbs of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. This area is located at the eastern end of Burrard Inlet, which flows from Vancouver, and is one of the city’s fastest growing regions.
Within their combined boundaries, the Tri-Cities have well over 1,000ha (2,500ac) of parks and green space. All three of the Tri-Cities boast a stretch of the Trans Canada Trail, the 21,500km recreational trail that links the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Port Moody in particular is an outdoor lover’s dream and boasts beautiful mountain and maritime vistas.
Port Moody is also the self-described “City of the Arts” and has numerous galleries and arts facilities, as well as a diverse mix of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and markets. A French culture adds to the sophistication of the area. Maillardville, in Coquitlam, is the oldest and largest Francophone community in British Columbia.
Transportation
To Richmond:
Richmond is approximately 50 minutes by car from the Tri-Cities area. Passengers can also reach Richmond by a combination of bus and SkyTrain rapid transit. Learn more about dogs for sale!
To Vancouver:
It takes approximately 40 minutes to drive to Vancouver from the Tri-Cities.
Public transit links Vancouver and the Tri-Cities with a combination of bus and SkyTrain rapid transit. The SkyTrain is usually the most efficient way to reach Vancouver and the stations in nearby Burnaby and New Westminster can be reached by bus from the Tri-Cities. Visitors wanting to go to Vancouver can also catch the West Coast Express commuter rail service, which has stops in all three of the Tri-Cities.
To West Vancouver:
West Vancouver is approximately 40 minutes drive from the Tri-Cities. It is also possible to catch public transit to West Vancouver by a combination of bus, SkyTrain, and/or SeaBus passenger ferry.
To Whistler:
Whistler is a two-hour drive from the Tri-Cities via West Vancouver and the Sea-to-Sky Highway which is renowned for its beautiful views. There is also a Greyhound bus service between Coquitlam and Whistler for those without their own vehicle.
Accommodation
The Tri-Cities area is home to a handful of hotels and numerous bed and breakfasts. Several mid-range chain hotels are located near the highways in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. Picturesque Port Moody is home to numerous bed and breakfasts with Coquitlam also offering several.
Things To Do
Port Moody is a vibrant community with great shopping and dining, and several spas and wellness centres in the historic Town Centre and the modern Newport Village. Visitors seeking the convenience of indoor shopping will find over 200 stores at the Coquitlam Centre mall.
The Tri-Cities’ artistic talents are on show at the dozen or so local art galleries; the Port Moody Civic Centre, which hosts live artistic performances, special events and theatre; and at the Port Moody Arts Centre, which has four galleries and a gift shop.
Those interested in the beauty of the local wilderness will find Buntzen Lake recreation area open all year round. The lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains, which contain many well-maintained hikes of varying difficulty.
Ski/snowboard buffs should visit the North Shore Mountains’ excellent ski facilities. Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain, the latter which will host freestyle skiing and snowboard during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, are located less than an hour’s drive from the Tri-Cities.
Vancouver:
