If you’ve driven the Sea to Sky Highway lately, you might have noticed that Britannia Beach has changed quite a bit. What was once a quick stop for a photo of Howe Sound and the enormous mining dump truck has become a destination in its own right. Britannia Village is now home to ice cream, casual dining, shops, and a playground that little ones won’t want to leave. It’s an easy addition to a family road trip, especially when you need a break from the car.
For local families, it’s also a fun excuse to explore somewhere familiar with fresh eyes. If you’re researching what to do in Squamish with kids, don’t overlook the short drive south. You can spend an hour here or stretch your visit into a relaxed afternoon. Either way, the combination of mountain views, heritage buildings, and family-friendly stops makes this part of the coast worth exploring.
I’ve always loved how much history sits alongside the everyday beauty of this stretch of highway. Now, there are even more reasons to pull over. Whether you’re planning a weekend away or adding a few stops to your Squamish vacation, here’s what families should know about the Britannia Village.
Britannia Beach has a fascinating past. The community grew around one of the world’s major copper mining operations, and the mine shaped life here for generations. After the mine closed, many of its historic buildings sat quiet for years. Now, restoration work has given several of these spaces a fresh purpose.
Britannia Village opened its new collection of shops and restaurants in August 2025. Nine heritage buildings, including The Church, The School, The Dry, and The Ritz, have found new life. Instead of simply admiring the old architecture from the road, visitors can stop, wander, grab a bite, and enjoy the setting.
The mix of old and new is what makes this redevelopment so appealing. You’ll find places to eat, pick up a few essentials, and settle in for a while. There’s a general store, art gallery, little shops, a seafood restaurant, and plenty of spots to enjoy the views. The project has created a more welcoming place to spend time without losing the character that makes Britannia Beach history so interesting.
You can explore the latest shops, dining options, and visitor information on the official Britannia Village website before you go. It’s worth checking the details if you’re planning your visit around a meal or a particular stop.
Let’s be honest. When you’re travelling with young kids, a playground can make or break a road trip stop. Fortunately, the new Britannia Beach playground gives little travellers a chance to move around after sitting in their car seats.
The standout feature is the zipline glider. It’s the sort of thing kids spot immediately and want to try again and again. The playground is well laid out, which is nice when you’re fitting it between lunch and your next destination.
Its location makes things easy for parents. The play area sits close to the shops and places to eat, so you can combine a little outdoor time with a snack or coffee. One parent can grab something from the store while the other keeps an eye on the kids.
There are also practical details that make a difference when you have little ones in tow. Nearby facilities and electric vehicle charging stations can help make the stop more practical on several fronts. If everyone is getting restless on the highway, this is a handy place to stretch your legs before continuing along the coast.
Ice cream has a way of turning an ordinary stop into the highlight of the day. Kawartha Dairy has been making ice cream in Ontario since 1937, and its arrival in Britannia Beach brought a much-loved Canadian name to the Sea to Sky corridor.
The shop sits inside The Church, one of the restored heritage buildings. That alone makes it a fun place to visit. Inside, you’ll find a rotating selection of flavours, along with milkshakes and take-home tubs for later.
The hardest part might be choosing a flavour. If your family is anything like mine, everyone will have an opinion, and sharing a few tastes is probably the best way to settle things. The outdoor seating by the creek adds another reason to slow down and enjoy your treat.
For families searching for Kawartha Dairy Squamish, remember that the shop is technically in Britannia Beach, just south of Squamish on Highway 99. It makes a convenient stop whether you’re heading towards Vancouver or travelling north for a weekend away.
And yes, Britannia village ice cream is becoming part of the appeal here. A scoop after some playground time is a pretty easy win, especially when the kids need a little encouragement to get back into the car. A word to the wise though, portions are big!
Sometimes you need more than a snack. If the family is ready for lunch, Outbound Station offers craft smash burgers and coffee in a setting that makes the most of its coastal location.
The food is straightforward and satisfying, which is exactly what you want when you’re travelling with hungry kids. Order at the counter, find a table, and take a moment to enjoy the scenery while everyone tucks in.
The upstairs patio is a highlight when the weather cooperates. It looks out over Howe Sound, giving you a lovely view without the need for a hike or a long detour. For parents who still have a stretch of driving ahead, a good coffee can be just as welcome as lunch.
Among the Britannia Beach restaurants with a view, Outbound Station is a convenient option for families who want a relaxed meal. You can stop, eat, take in the water, and carry on with your day without making the whole outing revolve around a restaurant.
It’s also a good reminder that a family day trip doesn’t need an elaborate itinerary. Sometimes a burger, a beautiful view, and a few minutes outside are plenty.
The village redevelopment is exciting, but the Britannia Mine Museum remains one of the area’s biggest attractions for families. If you visited years ago, it’s worth checking out again. Continued investment and new exhibits have added more ways to explore the site and learn about its mining history.
Gold panning is still a favourite with kids. There’s something about searching through the material and discovering a little piece of gold that makes the experience feel special. The enormous dump truck outside is another highlight. It’s hard to miss from the highway, and its size makes for a memorable family photo.
The mine train ride takes visitors into an old haulage tunnel, offering a glimpse into the working mine. Older children may also enjoy the Terra Lab exhibit, which explores the environmental effects of historical mining and the work involved in addressing them.
If you’re planning a visit, our guide to britannia mine museum tours covers more details about what to expect, along with practical information to help you prepare.
The museum and the village work well together, too. You can spend the morning learning about the area’s history, then head over for lunch, ice cream, or some playground time. It’s an easy way to build a varied family outing without driving all over the place.
There’s more to Britannia Village than the big-name ice cream stop. If you’re planning to linger, the shops and dining spots give you a few more ways to make the most of your visit.
The Britannia Beach general store is handy for picking up groceries and other essentials. You may also hear it described as the Britannia Beach village store. Either way, it’s a useful stop if you need a few supplies before continuing your drive or heading back to your accommodation. It also gives the area a little of that small-community feel that can be hard to find on a busy highway.
If seafood sounds more appealing than burgers, Autostrada Oyster Bar and Grill adds another dining option. It’s a place to enjoy oysters and a slower meal, particularly if you have time to sit by the fire or relax over dinner.
The Britannia Village market feel comes from this mix of everyday essentials and places to gather. You can pick up something you need, enjoy a meal, and take in the setting without rushing straight back to the highway.
On a sunny afternoon, the Britannia Village patios are another reason to stay a little longer. Views of Howe Sound and the surrounding heritage buildings make it easy to settle in while the kids recharge.
Here’s a little tip for parents planning a trip along the Sea to Sky: you don’t need to pack every toy, book, and piece of baby gear from home. A few familiar activities can make a big difference on the drive, especially when little ones start getting restless.
Before leaving Squamish, consider browsing our toy and book rentals. A small selection of board books and toys gives kids something to explore while the scenery rolls by outside. You can pass a book back when the highway stretches feel long, or save a new favourite for a quieter moment at your accommodation. It’s a simple way to keep little hands busy without bringing an entire playroom along.
Renting before you set off also means less to organize at home. Instead of squeezing extra toys into an already-full suitcase or car boot, you can choose a few useful items for your trip. Pack light, make room for the things you actually need, and let the rental gear do some of the work.
It’s also worth looking through our wider range of baby equipment rentals. Depending on your plans, you may find other helpful essentials for your stay, from sleep equipment to items that make travelling with a baby more manageable. Choosing what you need ahead of time can help make the whole trip feel less hectic.
And if Britannia Beach is where you’re staying rather than just visiting for the afternoon, we deliver rentals there, too. You can arrange delivery for your accommodation and have the gear waiting for your family. Whether Britannia Beach is your base for a few nights or one stop on a longer coastal holiday, we can help take some of the packing and planning off your plate.
Britannia Village has brought restored heritage buildings back to life as shops and restaurants, alongside a playground and Kawartha Dairy ice cream shop. The redevelopment gives families more reasons to stop and explore.
Yes. The playground, zipline glider, ice cream, and casual dining make it an easy family stop. You can also combine a visit with the Britannia Mine Museum for a fuller day out.
The Kawartha Dairy shop is in Britannia Beach, just south of Squamish along Highway 99. You’ll find it inside The Church building at Britannia Village.
Try the playground, visit the Britannia Mine Museum, enjoy lunch, or explore the restored village buildings. If you’re still deciding what to do in Squamish with kids, Britannia Beach makes a convenient addition to your plans.
Yes. Sea to Sky Tots delivers rentals to Britannia Beach for families staying in the area. If you’re driving from Squamish, you can also arrange your rentals before leaving, so you have activities ready for the journey.
