From gorgeous parks and trails to public art and historical sites, there are a lot of fun things to do in Coquitlam, whether you’re looking for nature, date ideas, or delicious food.
And while large swaths of this area are residential, there are actually a lot of great hidden gems to be discovered, especially if you don’t frequent this stretch of the Lower Mainland.
So, in this post, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite things to do in Coquitlam. Let us know in the comments if we’ve missed any of your favourites!
PS: If you’re visiting the Tri-Cities, be sure to check out our roundups of Things to Do in Port Coquitlam and Things to do in Port Moody too.
Explore Minnekhada Regional Park
Let’s start with some Coquitlam must-sees!
Scenic nature is one of the main draws for visitors to Coquitlam, and by far one of our favourite places to get our fill is Minnekhada Regional Park.
This gorgeous park is spread across 200 hectares, offering a variety of trails, viewing platforms and wildlife spotting opportunities. Main draws here include the lake-like marshes and Minnekhada Lodge, a historic hunting lodge that dates back to the 1930s.
Whether you’re looking for an easy loop hike or something more strenuous, Minnekhada Regional Park is one of the top places to hike in Coquitlam, and it’s well worth a visit if you’re looking for outdoorsy things to do in the area.
PS: Time your visit properly and you may even be able to see inside Minnekhada Lodge, which is only open to the public on select Sundays. Click here for more info.
Conquer the Coquitlam Crunch
Just as the Grouse Grind is one of the top things to do in North Vancouver, the Coquitlam Crunch is one of the top things to do in Coquitlam.
This steep uphill climb lasts only 2.9km, but with an elevation gain of 261m up to Westwood Plateau, and about 900 steps to conquer along the way.
If you don’t mind a bit of a challenge, this is definitely one outdoorsy Coquitlam activity you don’t want to miss!
Enjoy the trails
Besides the Coquitlam Crunch, there are tons of other trails to enjoy in Coquitlam … including much more moderate ones!
In fact, if you’re looking to escape the huge crowds that come with some of Metro Vancouver’s more popular hikes, then Coquitlam is a great place to go.
From more challenging trails like the Ridge Park Trails on Westwood Plateau to easier walks like the flat and steady trails of Colony Farm Regional Park, there’s something for explorers of every skill level.
Learn more about Coquitlam’s trails here.
Feast on amazing Korean food
Metro Vancouver doesn’t have a designated Koreatown or Little Korea like some other major North American cities, but if you ask a local, many will tell you that Burquitlam’s North Road comes pretty close.
This little section of the city (somewhat on the border of Burnaby and Coquitlam) is known for its dense concentration of Korean restaurants and businesses. At Hanin Village for example, you’ll find a large H-Mart, several Korean restaurants, and various businesses with storefront signage in Korean.
Just as one of the best things to do in Richmond is eat authentic Chinese cuisine, one of the best things to do in Coquitlam (certainly for foodies) is to eat your fill of tasty Korean cuisine… so be sure to bring stretchy pants for your next visit.
Check out some Skytrain art
At Coquitlam’s four Skytrain stations, you’ll find eleven pieces of public art by seven BC artists, exploring various themes from nature and cultural diversity to transportation and local history.
This is a great Coquitlam activity if you’re visiting via public transport, since each of the pieces can be found in close proximity to the Evergreen Line.
Go salmon spotting
Keen to get your culture on in the Tri-Cities? Seeking out beautiful salmon sculptures is another fun thing you can do in Coquitlam.
As part of Coquitlam’s 125th anniversary, a dozen salmon sculptures were installed around the city, each bearing a form designed by Squamish Nation artist Jody Broomfield, then uniquely painted by local BC artists.
Check out the sculptures at Blue Mountain Park Sculpture Garden
Another hidden gem in Coquitlam for art lovers is the sculpture garden at Blue Mountain Park. There are six sculptures to be found here, all placed back in the 80s.
Besides the sculptures of course, Blue Mountain Park is also one of the oldest and most beloved community parks that Coquitlam has to offer, so if you’re looking for a low-key outing idea, then this would be a great bet.
Play some disc golf at Mundy Park
If you’re looking for some fun outdoorsy activities in Coquitlam that don’t involve hiking, then why not give disc golf a try?
Long story short: disc golf involves throwing discs (that look like flat, small frisbees) into designated baskets along a course.
Coquitlam’s Mundy Park is known for its excellent free-to-play disc golf course, which has 9 holes scattered across relatively flat terrain, which is ideal for beginners.
Hit the casino
If you’re looking for a taste of Vegas without leaving Metro Vancouver, then Coquitlam’s Hard Rock Casino offers one of the best casino experiences in the Lower Mainland… and it’s even open 24/7.
Besides a gaming floor with 900+ slot machines, they also have an excellent theatre for concerts and comedy shows, along with a variety of dining options to enjoy on-site.
For those seeking a deal, they also offer special promotions throughout the week. Click here for more info.
Brave an escape game
If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Coquitlam, then a visit to Trapped Coquitlam might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The concept of escape games is simple: you get locked in a room and you have to solve puzzles and clues to find your way out. With exciting themed rooms like “Cursed Expedition” and “Medieval Prison”, Trapped Coquitlam is a great place to try this activity out… and test your teamwork skills whether you go with just a +1 or up to six other friends.
Enjoy a VIP Theatre experience
Another fun indoor activity in Coquitlam is watching a movie at the Cineplex VIP Theatre. This unique theatre experience includes comfy loungers, and a full menu of food and cocktails that you can order from directly to your seat.
Enjoy the Christmas lights at Lafarge Lake
Lastly, for a very fun and festive Coquitlam activity, be sure to check out the Christmas light display at Lafarge Lake, which illuminates the 1.2km lakeside trail with over 100,000 dazzling lights.
This is hands down one of the best things to do in Coquitlam during the winter, with the event typically running from late November to January.
Best of all? It’s completely free, making it an affordable Coquitlam activity that’s perfect for dates, family adventures, or friend outings.
Did we miss any of your favourite things to do in Coquitlam?
Let us know in the comments so we can add more recommendations to our list!