From gorgeous parks to epic bird watching, there are plenty of fun options to choose from when you’re looking for things to do in Delta, BC.
Wedged between Richmond and Surrey, Delta is an often overlooked destination famed for its beautiful nature and wildlife…… along with the only Krispy Kreme in BC, which already makes it a must-see in our books.
But what is there to do in Delta besides munching down on sweet, caloric regret? In this post, we’ll be sharing some of our top picks for things to do in Delta, from water parks and mega malls to beaches and bird sanctuaries.
Let us know in the comments if we’ve missed any of your favourite activities!
1. Enjoy a walk at Boundary Bay Regional Park
Hands down, one of the top things to do in Delta is a visit to Boundary Bay Regional Park, one of the most scenic regional parks that Metro Vancouver has to offer.
Here, you’ll find over 16km of trails that offer sweeping views over Boundary Bay, perfect for exploring whether you go by foot, bike or horseback. The lengthy Dyke Trail (which takes you all the way to Surrey) is an especially popular pick for those who want more of a physical challenge.
Of course, like many spots in Delta, Boundary Bay Regional Park is also recognized as a world-class venue for bird watching.
2. Stop by George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Speaking of birds, another popular thing to do in Delta is a visit the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Ladner.
Thanks to Boundary Bay’s convenient location along the Pacific Flyway Migration Route, millions of birds stop in this area every year to rest and feed… and the sanctuary is a preferred place to relax a bit before continuing onwards, thanks to its 300+ hectares of wetlands and natural marshes.
This sanctuary is known as one of the best places in the country for bird watching, and well worth the $5 admission fee for adults.
Be sure to book your visit in advance online – reservations are mandatory.
3. Explore Ladner Village
Set along the Fraser River, the former fishing village of Ladner is another great place to visit while exploring Delta.
Besides the locally famous Ladner Village Market, which takes place on Sundays in the summer, historic Ladner Village is well worth a visit any time of year, with plenty of independent businesses and boutiques to fill an afternoon.
Whether you want to browse for used books and antiques or enjoy a leisurely lunch and coffee, there are options aplenty in Ladner, along with many heritage buildings and colourful facades to marvel at. Little wonder why it has been chosen time and time again by film crews to represent charming small towns on screen!
4. Shop around at Tsawwassen Mills
With 1.2 million square feet of retail space, Tsawwassen Mills is a massive outlet mall in Delta where you’ll be able to shop til you drop… then refuel at the 1000 seat food court before shopping and dropping again.
There’s over 200 shops to explore here (along with a massive Bass Pro!), plus restaurants, a big arcade, and an art walk filled with pieces from Tsawwassen First Nation artists.
If you’re looking to indulge in some retail therapy, this is one of the top Delta activities to add to your list.
5. Catch sunset from Fred Gingell Park
If you time your visit properly, then you can enjoy another amazing Delta gem – Fred Gingell Park.
This park is known as one of the best sunset spots in Metro Vancouver, with a viewing platform overlooking the Gulf Islands that looks absolutely surreal when the sun comes down.
From here, you can also…
6. Enjoy Tsawwassen Beach
Accessible only by a stairway at Fred Gingell Park, Tsawwassen Beach is a lovely place for a waterside stroll, whether at sunset or anytime of day.
For an extra special experience, be sure to pack a picnic, a blanket, and a book, so you can take full advantage of this gorgeous unspoiled gem.
7. Go for a walk at Brunswick Point
This quiet and underrated walk takes you along the dikes of the Fraser River, with plenty of opportunities for bird watching along the way.
You can check out directions for this trail here.
8. Cool down at Big Splash Water Park
While long time locals will forever remember this waterpark as “Splashdown”, Delta’s Big Splash Water Park is one of the best things to do in Delta during the summer.
Covering 7 acres of waterslides, treats, and rentable cabanas, frolicking around the waterpark formerly known as Splashdown is almost like a rite of passage for anyone living in the Lower Mainland. Don’t be surprised if you catch a field trip or two during your visit – we have fond memories of heading here every year with our classes!
9. Go berry picking
During the summer, Delta’s Emma Lea Farms is one of the top places in the Lower Mainland for berry picking, with plenty of cute photo opps and a tasty concession stand churning out tasty milkshakes and other berry-flavoured goodies.
Just look at those juicy beauties:
10. Enjoy a casino night
Eager to place a few bets? Delta’s Cascades Casino is home to a number of table games, slot machines, and the “Diamond Arena”, which offers an electronic table game experience with 24 play stations ft. Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat.
On-site, you’ll also find a few food options, including a large buffet which does special themed nights and Prime Rib on Saturdays.
11. Make your own wine
Ever wanted to try making your own wine? Ladner’s Grapes 4 U makes it easy with a U-Brew experience that allows you to make your own special blend at their shop. They even have personalized labels so you can gift your creations.
12. Head onwards for a day trip via ferry
One of the busiest spots in Delta is no doubt the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, which is actually the largest ferry terminal in North America.
With dozens of sailings a day heading to Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands, Delta is one of the best day trip bases that Metro Vancouver has to offer.
So, if you’re looking to escape the big city, why not head over to Tsawwassen and catch the ferry to Victoria (BC’s capital) or one of the scenic Southern Gulf Islands like Salt Spring, Mayne, Galiano, Saturna, or Pender?
13. Take a mini road trip to the US
Located just 35km south of Downtown Vancouver, you’ll find a tiny piece of the United States known as Point Roberts, making a quick day trip to the US an easy possibility from Delta.
And while Point Roberts is tiny (and mainly a place where locals stock up on cheap gas or get a PO Box to escape shipping fees), there’s actually a few beautiful spots to explore in the area.
For instance, you can head to Lily Point Marine Reserve, which has a scenic 2km shoreline to enjoy. Or, you can visit Lighthouse Marine Park, which is known as one of the best places in the region for whale watching from land.
Why is this tiny town part of the US, and not Canada? It all goes back to the Oregon Treaty of 1818, which named the 49th Parallel as the dividing line between the US and the North American territory still ruled by the British.
Since Point Roberts falls south of the 49th Parallel, it was (and still is) considered US territory… so why not add a little jaunt to the US to your Delta bucket list?
14. Visit the only Krispy Kreme in BC
Okay – last but not least, we do have to include a mention to Krispy Kreme. Is it the most exciting thing to do in Delta? Probably not, but it’s a beacon of nostalgia for many of us who grew up in the Lower Mainland, doing summer road trips out to Delta just for a dozen (or five) of these iconic sugary treats.
One special feature of this location is its glass-walled donut production room, where you can watch the mesmerizing process behind all the donuts being made. Back in the day, they even offered you a free donut, hot and fresh from the conveyor belt, as you moved through the line-up.
These days however, free donuts are limited to birthdays, National Donut Day and other special occasions… but that doesn’t mean you should skip a visit! If you happen to be in Delta, stopping by Krispy Kreme feels like an absolute must, and well worth the calories.
Did we miss any of your favourite things to do in Delta?
Let us know in the comments so we can add more recommendations to our list!