coastal culture
The temptation to simply
eat your way through
Richmond is strong; you’d
be remiss, however, to skip
the city’s many attractions. One
that’s definitely worth your time is the
International Buddhist Temple, a sanc-
tuary from the bustle of markets and
restaurants. Visitors of any faith can
drop by during the day to meditate and
meander through the grand halls and
classical Chinese gardens.
There’s more exploring to be done
a little farther west, in the community
of Steveston. In its late 19th-century
heyday, the village was the largest fish-
ing port and canning centre in B.C.,
attracting scores of immigrant labour-
ers from Japan and China. Though the
hum of the canning line has long gone
silent, you can learn how its workers
shaped Steveston at the Japanese
Fishermen’s Benevolent Society.
Touring the Gulf of Georgia Cannery
offers further insight into B.C.’s famed
fishing industry. At the peak of its
production, in 1897, this “monster
cannery”—now a National Historic
Site—packed more than two million
tins of fish per year.
If you really love seafood, then spring
is a glorious time to be in Richmond.
Down at Fisherman’s Wharf—next
to Steveston Landing—you can buy
spot prawns by the pound, right off
the boats, from mid-May to early
June. The lineups can be long; arrive
early in the morning for your best
chance to snag some tasty crustaceans.
Exploring the wharf
The
Essentials
gettINg tHeRe
vancouver international
airport is actually in
richmond. taxi fare to
most local hotels is $20,
or take the Canada line
skytrain for less than $8.
A memorial to B.C.’s Japanese fishermen;
the Gulf of Georgia Cannery (inset)
Should you prefer your marine life
on the larger side, you’re also in the
right place for whale watching. From
April to October, Steveston is packed
with camera-toting tourists hoping
to see majestic orcas, humpbacks, gray
and minke whales. Set aside about three
hours for a whale-spotting expedition
in the Strait of Georgia.
Back on land, consider wrapping
up your weekend with a bit of bargain
hunting. It’s a breeze at the open-air
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, the
first collection of designer outlets in
the Vancouver region. Keep your eyes
peeled for impressive savings on brands
like Ted Baker, Kate Spade, Hugo Boss,
Ugg and Lolë. The mall is just one
SkyTrain stop away from the airport,
so you can make a quick pit stop before
flying home to Alberta.
WHeRe to stay
the fairmont vancouver
airport is one of north
america’s best airport
hotels. its globe@Yvr,
restaurant specializes in
pacific northwest dishes.
ama members get 20%
off accommodations and
a $50 dining credit with
a minimum two-night
stay booked through
ama. aMatravel.ca/
Fairmont
river rock Casino
resort boasts a live-
entertainment theatre,
spa, three restaurants
and a marina. Book
with ama and save.
aMatravel.ca/Hotels
tHINgs to Do
purchase a parks Canada
discovery pass for free
entry into national
historic sites like the gulf
of georgia Cannery. save
$10 on a family pass pur-
chased at an ama centre.
rent a vehicle from our
new, exclusive partners—
enterprise rent-a-Car,
alamo rent a Car and
national Car rental—
and save. members get
exclusive discounts, plus
savings on gps rentals
and 10% off prepaid fuel
options. aMaRewards.
ca/CarRental
AMA insider
spring 2018
59