Capilano Suspension Bridge - Vancouver Tourist Traps

While new visitors to Vancouver usually enjoy Capilano, as a local, I feel it's the epitome of a tourist trap.

Now, I have received e-mails from people defending Capilano, saying that I'm too hard, that I don't know what I'm talking about... that it's a wonderful attraction for friends and family, and that it has the largest giftshop that specializes in western native art, and that there are even mascots that walk around the park which are a big hit with kids, etc.

But to me, I think these little extras in a park is what makes it very touristy. These things are not aimed at the locals, but moreso for tourists. And while mascots might be fun for children, if you are seriously interested in crossing a suspension bridge, and if you are not interested in having gift shops, restaurants and mascots in the park, and masses of tourists... wouldn't you like to be warned about this ahead of time?

This is why I call the Capilano Suspension Bridge a tourist trap. After all, there are two suspension bridges in Vancouver - Capilano has the mascots, the gift shops, the hordes of tourists, the restaurants, and the hefty park entrance fee. ($20+? Sheesh!)

If you must go to Capilano, at least take a roll of pictures because, well, it is kind of pretty and scenic. But it is touristy. Some people don't mind. It's perfect and ideal for families, but if you're a backpacker and you don't want a Disney-fied experience... leave this place alone. Tour buses stop off at Capilano daily. Expect crowds.

...Tourism Vancouver has conveniently forgotten to mention that only a 10 minute drive east down Hwy 1 from Capilano Suspension Bridge is the majestic Lynn Canyon Provincial Park - home to a FREE (that's right, it costs NO money!) Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge... with NO cheesy tourist trap gift shops, totem poles and restaurants on the premise. In fact, Lynn Canyon is huge - you can cross their suspension bridge that swings over Lynn Canyon - while it's not as long as Capilano's bridge, it's much higher! Once you cross the bridge, you're at the beginning of a huge wilderness park in the mountains. You have dozens of trails to explore... some that lead you to lakes, others to waterfalls, and others to the canyon floor, where you can dip your feet into the aquamarine tidal pools.

So while Capilano may be fun, it's overcommercialized like Disneyland, it's purely a tourist destination, they overcharge you. Lynn Canyon, on the other end, is free, it has a larger park to explore... it's more spectacular in terms of its natural setting, and you get a fraction of the tourists. Most likely, you'll be surrounded with locals at Lynn Canyon. This cannot be said for Capilano. Sorry Capilano, but you're a Tourist Trap, with a capital T!

Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver

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Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver

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