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Think Whistler is only worth visiting in the winter? I used to think so too — but after spending a full week here in July with eight adults and five kids under the age of 11, I can confidently say we barely scratched the surface of all the things to do in Whistler in summer. A local even told us it’s actually busier in the summer than in winter — and once we got there, we saw exactly why.
Whistler completely exceeded our expectations. It’s stunningly scenic, super walkable, and packed with activities that work for both adults and kids. Whether you’re into big outdoor adventures or more relaxed sightseeing, there’s something here for every type of traveler — especially families.
This list includes everything we actually did during our weeklong trip. You’ll find hands-on attractions, scenic hikes, thrilling tours, and some epic views (seriously — don’t miss #1). Since some of the more popular activities can sell out quickly, I’ve included links to book the tours directly in case you want to lock in your plans early.
We’re counting down from 11 to 1, saving the very best for last — let’s dive in!
11. FAMILY ADVENTURE ZONE
If you’re traveling with younger kids, the Family Adventure Zone in Whistler Village is a must. Tucked right into the heart of the village, this spot is packed with fun activities that are perfect for little ones — and super convenient for parents, too.
You’ll find bounce houses, mini golf, bungee trampolines, a rock climbing wall, ropes courses, and more — all within walking distance of most hotels in the village. It’s basically a pop-up playground meets outdoor amusement park, ideal for kids around 12 and under. Even better? Since it’s in Whistler Village, you can easily grab a coffee or snack nearby while the kids burn off some energy.
There’s no need to make a full-day outing out of it, but it’s a great stop before or after lunch or in between tours. If you’re staying nearby (which I highly recommend), it’s easy to pop in more than once during your trip.
10. RENT BICYCLES IN WHISTLER VILLAGE
I’m not a huge biker, but if you are, this whole town is made for biking. Wide paved paths, beautiful forested trails, and a constant buzz of riders of all ages cruising by make it feel like you’re in the middle of a summer cycling festival.
If your family is into biking (or even just thinking about it), you’ll have no problem finding the perfect trail here. There are scenic valley trails, gravel paths, and even mountain biking parks for more experienced riders. We saw plenty of kids on balance bikes and even families towing trailers.
There are tons of bike rental shops right in Whistler Village, offering everything from e-bikes to kids’ bikes. You can rent for just a few hours or an entire day — super flexible and easy.
9. RAINBOW FALLS HIKE
If your family enjoys a little adventure without committing to a full-day trek, Rainbow Falls is a great pick. It’s a 1.5-mile loop that gains a bit of elevation on the way up to the falls, then loops down the other side — manageable, scenic, and satisfying without being too intense for kids.
The hike took us about an hour, and it was a great way to get out in nature without overexerting anyone in the group. The waterfall itself is a pretty little cascade tucked into the forest, and the surrounding trees make it feel peaceful and shaded — perfect for a hot summer day.
The trail is well-marked, and we passed several other families along the way, so it definitely felt kid-friendly. I wouldn’t recommend it for strollers, but it’s a great option for kids who can walk independently and enjoy a good nature trail.
It’s only about a 10-minute drive from Whistler Village.
8. BRANDYWINE FALLS
This is one of those stops that’s quick, easy, and totally worth it. Located about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south of Whistler Village, it’s roughly a 15-minute drive — making it a great short outing or stop on your way to or from other activities.
The trail itself is a breeze — only about 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers) round trip on a flat, well-maintained gravel path. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the main waterfall viewpoint from the parking area, and just a few more minutes if you continue on to the second overlook, which gives you a peek at Daisy Lake and the surrounding valley.
The waterfall plunges 230 feet into a deep canyon, and the view from the platform is honestly more dramatic than we expected. It’s stroller-friendly, safe for kids, and ideal if you’re looking for something low-effort with a big visual reward.
7. BIG SKY GOLF (PEMBERTON)
If you’re a golfer — or even just tagging along with someone who is — Big Sky Golf in Pemberton is absolutely worth the drive. Located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Whistler, it takes roughly 30 minutes by car and delivers some of the most breathtaking golf course views we’ve ever seen.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Currie, this course is known for its wide-open fairways and jaw-dropping scenery in every direction.
Kids golf free (with a paid adult), and even if your little ones aren’t old enough to play, the staff seemed totally okay with families bringing toddlers along in the golf cart. We also saw several golfers out with their dogs — so yes, it’s dog-friendly, too!
There are several golf courses around Whistler, but a local told us Big Sky had the best views — and they weren’t wrong. Whether you’re playing a full 18 holes or just tagging along for the ride, this course makes for a memorable summer outing.
Check tee times or book online here
6. CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE
If you’re up for a bit of a drive and don’t mind heights, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a fun half-day adventure just outside Vancouver. It’s located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Whistler, which took us around 1 hour and 25 minutes by car — a longer drive, but we combined it with other stops that day to make it worth it.
The bridge itself is the main draw: a 450-foot long suspension bridge that hangs 230 feet above the Capilano River. But heads up — it gets crowded. When we visited, there were probably 50 people on the bridge at once, which made it sway more than I’d like (I definitely held on tight 😅). That said, the kids didn’t seem to mind at all!
What really impressed us were the Treetops Adventure and the Cliffwalk. The treetop walk is a series of suspended bridges high up in the forest canopy — very cool and way less wobbly than the main bridge. The Cliffwalk hangs off the side of a granite cliff, giving you some incredible views.
There’s also a scavenger hunt for kids, a gift shop, and some solid food options on site. We spent about 1–2 hours there in total. If you can swing it, I’d suggest going early or later in the day to avoid the biggest crowds — we wish we had!
Book Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets here
5. BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM
I’m usually not much of a museum person — but this one surprised me in the best way. Located about 43 miles (70 kilometers) south of Whistler, the Britannia Mine Museum is a scenic 55-minute drive, and it’s conveniently along the same route as the Capilano Suspension Bridge mentioned above. We visited both on the same day, and it made for a fun and well-balanced outing.
The highlight here is the guided underground mine tour, which starts with a couple minute ride on a little mine train that takes you into the old tunnels. Inside, our guide walked us through how the mine operated — complete with demonstrations of the tools and lighting systems miners used over the years. The kids were fascinated (and honestly, so were we!)
After the tunnel tour, we headed into Mill No. 3, a massive historic building where several TV shows and movies have filmed — including The Flash, The X-Files, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and The Last of Us. It’s visually stunning and makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set.
Outside the mill, you can explore more exhibits at your own pace and even pan for gold — a huge hit with the kids. Some of them actually said this was their favorite activity of the whole trip.
The guided tour takes about 75 minutes, and I’d plan for about 2 hours total to fully explore the site. It’s a great mix of history, hands-on fun, and cool visuals — totally worth the stop.
Book your Britannia Mine Museum tour here
4. WALK AROUND WHISTLER VILLAGE
Even if you’re not staying in the village (though I definitely recommend that you do), make sure to carve out time to just walk around Whistler Village. It’s the heart of the town and the perfect place to slow down, explore, and soak in the local vibe.
The pedestrian-only streets are lined with cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, gear stores, bakeries, and ice cream spots — basically everything you’d want after a hike or tour. We loved being able to just step outside and wander without needing to hop in the car.
If you’re traveling with kids, the playground in Olympic Plaza is a fantastic stop, and during the summer months, Whistler Village often hosts free concerts, pop-up events, and live music.
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, browsing local shops, or letting the kids run around, this is the kind of place you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Check out Whistler’s event calendar here
3. VALLEA LUMINA
This was one of the most unique and unexpectedly magical experiences of our entire trip. Vallea Lumina is an outdoor multimedia night walk set in the forest just outside of Whistler, and it completely blew us away.
I’ll admit — I went in thinking it would be just a walk in the dark with some cool lights. But it’s so much more than that. The trail is lined with interactive light displays, music, sound effects, and a creative storyline that makes you feel like you’re part of an enchanted quest. I won’t spoil the ending, but the experience centers around a search for two missing hikers, and the forest feels alive as you follow the clues.
The walk is about 1 mile long with some mild inclines and declines, and while it’s not stroller-friendly, it was very doable for our elementary-aged kids. You’ll want to bring a jacket — and be ready to keep little ones up past their bedtime — but it’s 100% worth it.
Vallea Lumina is located in Cougar Mountain Basecamp, about a 10-minute drive from Whistler Village, but no need to worry about transport — a free shuttle from Whistler Village is included with your ticket when you use the link below to book.
Book your Vallea Lumina experience here
2. PEAK TO PEAK GONDOLA + CLOUDRAKER SKYBRIDGE
If you want jaw-dropping views, fresh mountain air, and a drink in hand — this is the experience for you. The Peak to Peak Gondola isn’t just scenic, it’s iconic. It connects Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain and holds the record for the longest and highest lift of its kind in the world.
With your ticket, you get access to:
- Whistler Village Gondola
- Blackcomb Gondola
- Peak to Peak Gondola (unlimited rides between the two summits)
- Peak Express Chairlift (up to the ‘Top of the World Summit’)
We started from Whistler Village and took the gondola up to Whistler Mountain first. At the top, there’s a gift shop, food, and an umbrella bar with incredible seating to sip a cocktail while staring out at endless snow-capped peaks. We grabbed a few drinks and ate poutine while soaking in the views from the patio — such a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the afternoon.
From there, we rode the Peak Express Chairlift to the “Top of the World Summit.” It’s one of the steepest chairlifts I’ve ever ridden — not for the faint of heart — but it leads to the Cloudraker Skybridge and Raven’s Eye lookout, which were absolutely worth it. You must be at least 40” tall to ride the chairlift, and keep in mind it can close if weather is rough.
If you’re into hiking, several trails start at the summit — including Half Note and Pika’s Traverse — where you can see massive snow walls and Cheakamus Lake from above. I would’ve loved to do one of those, but we just didn’t have the time. (Hike details are in my picture below.)
We wrapped up by taking the Peak to Peak Gondola over to Blackcomb Mountain, then riding down to the Upper Village. Just note: once you ride down to the village from either mountain, your ticket is no longer valid for going back up.
Plan for at least 2 hours during this excursion, but give yourself 4–5 hours if you want to soak in the views, grab food, and go all the way to the top. Add even more time if you plan to hike.
Get your Peak to Peak Gondola tickets here
1. WHISTLER GLACIER SEAPLANE TOUR
This was hands-down my favorite experience of the entire trip — and something I’d recommend to anyone visiting Whistler in the summer. The Whistler Glacier Seaplane Tour was breathtaking and I’m so happy we did it.
We booked a 30-minute scenic flight with Harbour Air, and from takeoff to landing, I couldn’t stop looking out the window. Our flight had 16 passengers, but every seat had a great view — so don’t stress about where you sit. Once you’re in the air, the windows on both sides offer wide, unobstructed views of the mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes below.
And speaking of lakes — seeing Garibaldi Lake from above was incredible. It looked like a glowing Caribbean blue lagoon tucked between jagged peaks. That view alone was worth the entire flight.
The ride itself wasn’t exactly smooth — there was definitely some bumpiness and movement during the flight — but nothing too intense. If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s worth being prepared. That said, the views far outweighed any turbulence.
We flew over multiple glaciers, endless stretches of rugged backcountry, and some of the most beautiful terrain I’ve ever seen.
The Harbour Air terminal is about a 7-minute drive from Whistler Village, and parking was easy. The whole experience, including check-in, safety briefing, and flight, took just over an hour.
Book your Whistler Seaplane Tour here — seats are limited and do sell out, so I definitely recommend booking early!
WRAPPING UP YOUR SUMMER IN WHISTLER
Whether you’re flying above glaciers, crossing sky-high bridges, or letting the kids bounce their hearts out at the Family Adventure Zone, Whistler in summer is just packed with memorable moments for all ages. Before this trip, I thought of Whistler as a winter destination — but now, I’m convinced it might be even better in the summer.
If you’re planning your trip, I highly recommend staying in Whistler Village. We stayed at the Delta Marriott (linked here), which was the perfect location — walkable to gondolas, restaurants, coffee shops, and everything in between.
Ready to start planning? Here’s a recap of the experiences we loved — book your tickets early to avoid sell-outs. If you click on the activity below, it will bring you to the booking link:
- Whistler Glacier Seaplane Tour
- Peak to Peak Gondola + Skybridge
- Vallea Lumina Night Walk
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Britannia Mine Museum
Let me know if you try any of these — or if I missed something your family loved!
Looking for a similar mountain escape? Don’t miss my post on things to do in Banff in the summer — another family-friendly destination that totally blew us away.
This blog post may contain affiliate links, which are at no cost to you. It just helps support me so I can continue to put out free content for you like this! Thank you for your support!