Photo: Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil’s Echo is coming to Vancouver this fall and the acrobatics and stunts are fun for the whole family. Here’s how to plan a kid-friendly day with things to do before the show and dinner afterwards.
Getting There
While you can park near the Big Top Tent, it’s more fun to go on a transportation adventure to get to Cirque. Your kids will love riding the Skytrain to the event. For bonus points, try to grab seats at the front of the first car so your kids can pretend they are driving. The venue is a 7-minute walk from Stadium-Chinatown Station or a 10-minute walk from Main Street-Science World Station. Both stations are on the Expo Line.
You can also get to Cirque by boat via the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. Passengers of all ages love the incredible city views during the sailing. The Aquabus takes strollers of all sizes and False Creek ferries can carry small and medium strollers when collapsed. You can catch the ferries from locations around False Creek including Granville Island, Yaletown, and Olympic Village. Both ferries stop at the Plaza of Nations dock, a 9-minute walk from the Cirque tent.
Aquabus in False Creek. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Tanya Goehring
Before the Show
There are lots of kid-friendly things to do near the Cirque du Soleil tents to entertain little ones before the show, so it’s worth spending the day in the area.
Science World, Vancouver’s kid-friendly science museum, is a 10-minute walk away. It includes two floors of interactive exhibits where the whole family can learn about the natural world, the human body, physics, and more.
Or check out Creekside Park next to Science World. It has a huge adventure playground with a climbing tower, tube slide, swings, play hut, musical instruments, and a water play area. The large grassy lawn is a great place for a picnic. Grab lunch from the Triple O’s take-out window at Science World. It’s the counter-service version of White Spot, BC’s favourite fast-casual burger chain since 1928.
You can also head to Granville Island via the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. Visit the Kids Market to browse the shops or play in the multi-level playground at the Adventure Zone. Stop at the Granville Island Public Market for lunch. With dozens of stalls cooking up everything from sandwiches to sushi, you’re sure to find the perfect meal for every family member.
Enjoying lunch at Granville Island. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang
Enjoy Cirque du Soleil’s Echo
Cirque du Soleil’s Echo is showing at the Big Top at Concord Pacific Place from October 9 to December 15, 2024. On weekends there are afternoon performances so you don’t have to keep the kids up late. They also offer family pricing: You can get a discount if you book four to eight tickets and purchase at least one adult and one child ticket.
The family-friendly show tells the story of a female heroine, Future, as she discovers that her choices can influence the world. The story is told through poetry, stagecraft, and lots of Cirque du Soleil’s signature acrobatics.
Photo: Cirque du Soleil
Dinner After the Show
Keep the fun going with dinner after the show. One of the best places to dine with kids in Vancouver is Rocky Mountain Flatbread on Main Street. This casual spot features wood-fired pizza and has lots of gluten-free and vegan options. They also have a kids’ menu and dedicated kids’ play area.
If your family is up for Chinese food, head to Jade Dynasty a few blocks from the tents in the heart of historic Chinatown. Big plates of dumplings and noodles are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Another great option for families is Old Spaghetti Factory at their original location in Gastown. The fun atmosphere includes big booths and stained glass windows. Ask if you can grab a table inside the old train car to really impress your kids. They also have a children’s menu and all kids’ entrees come with soup or salad, bread, a drink, and ice cream.
Kids will love eating inside the old train car. Photo: Old Spaghetti Factory