A city for outdoor adventurers, Coquitlam is home to 890 hectares of open parks, natural reserves and lakes. Coquitlam is one of the “Cultural Capitals of Canada”, thanks to its thriving arts community, 100-plus annual events, Indigenous history and numerous sporting arenas.
Things to do in Coquitlam
Embrace local life at Coquitlam by getting out and exploring British Columbia’s magnificent nature. Outdoor activities range from hiking at Minnekhada Regional Park and bird watching at Colony Farm to swimming at Mundy Park. If you feel like a physical challenge, take on the Coquitlam Crunch, a 2.2-kilometre ascent at Eagle Mountain, which is akin to climbing 81 stories.
There’ll be plenty of opportunity for retail therapy while in Coquitlam, which has popular department stores at the Coquitlam Centre mall and one-of-a-kind boutiques in its Austin Heights neighbourhood. French-Canadian culture abounds in Maillardville, where you can take in local art exhibits at Place des Arts, learn French at Place Maillardville and watch French-Canadian bands at the annual Festival du Bois.
More culture and history await at Mackin House Museum, home to furnishings, toys and housewares from the 1900s. Love getting festive? Time your visit for one of Coquitlam’s many festivals, such as Canada Day on July 1st, weekly Neighbourhood Nights at the local parks and the three-day Kaleidoscope Arts Festival held in August.
Coquitlam has its own beloved sporting teams in soccer, football, baseball and ice hockey, which compete in competitive Canadian leagues. The city is also about 30 kilometres from Vancouver where the Vancouver Canucks compete in the National Hockey League. You should also take the 1.25-hour drive to Harrison Hot Springs for rejuvenating mineral hot pools and spa treatments.
Getting around Coquitlam
Coquitlam promotes walking and cycling with its numerous pedestrian-friendly streets. You can also catch the rapid-transit system, which runs through Coquitlam, or ride the West Coast Commuter rail through the city and to outside destinations.