H&M and B&C.

March 2, 2008 7:56 PM

(VancouverBCfilter) What to do with an afternoon in (a specific part of) Vancouver BC?

My girl has been dying to go to H&M for months after finding there was one in Coquitlam. It's quite a ways away from the city center of Vancouver (which i am kind-of-sort-of familar with), and we have no idea how to fill the rest of the afternoon out there. Are there worthwhile stops to make in that area for a couple of Portland-Oregoners to check out, or should we just bite the bullet and drive downtown? (I admit to having visions of visiting Zulu Records again...*swoon*).

Help Hivemind!

posted by furnace.heart to shopping (12 comments total)

It's quite a ways away from the city center of Vancouver (which i am kind-of-sort-of familar with),

It's all relative of course, but from Coquitlam Centre to downtown Vancouver is only(?) 25 minutes by car.
posted by Neiltupper at 8:35 PM on March 2

H&M is in a huge mall, surrounded by...other huge malls and big box stores. Unless you like malls, there's not a lot to do in the immediate vicinity, particularly if you're the sorts who go in for Zulu Records. I don't know Coquitlam very well at all, there could well be some hidden depths. Their "things to do and see" website is not promising though; it includes Ikea as a point of interest.

If it were me, I'd make the drive downtown.

Oh, and FYI, word is they're planning on opening a downtown Vancouver location in the foreseeable future. I can't find firm dates, but supposedly sometime in 2008?
posted by SoftRain at 8:44 PM on March 2

As Neiltupper says, if you've got a car, Highway 1 from downtown to Coquitlam isn't that far. For what it's worth, there is an IKEA in Coquitlam if that's your thing.
posted by Nelsormensch at 8:45 PM on March 2

PM me if you want ideas about outdoorsy things to do in the area. you will be near a couple really nice wilderness parks, with lakeside trails and huge snow covered mountains.
posted by seawallrunner at 9:23 PM on March 2

Do you golf? The Vancouver Golf Club is in Coquitlam.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:51 PM on March 2

Coquitlam is very much a suburb. Unless the Casino or IKEA are your thing, I'd also vote to go downtown. The drive down Barnet Highway / Hastings is about 30-40 minutes from Coquitlam Centre, but might be more interesting than Highway #1.

Unless you're outdoorsy and it's spring/summer, but even then you probably want to drive east past a couple other suburbs.
posted by Gary at 10:04 PM on March 2

H&M is opening in the big downtown mall in May [according to the staff at the Coquitlam location], I'd hold off until then. Coquitlam kind of blows if you're the Zulu type... I've been there, trust me. My friends and I have to steel ourselves with drink before tackling the monstrosity that is Coquitlam Centre.

If she can hold off until May or June, and you have time to make a night of it, there are some really good shows coming up.

I must just add that I am SO EXCITED for the downtown H&M.
posted by rhinny at 11:43 PM on March 2

While I second the recommendation to just drive into the city (it shouldn't take more than about a half hour, as mentioned above), here is what I would do if I was spending a day in Coquitlam:

1. Go thrifting at Value Village. There are two locations in Coquitlam. I have been to the Clarke Road one many times and it is WAY better than the Vancouver locations. I have found designer scarves and vintage handmade shoes there!


2. Visit T&T supermarket to check out an amazing array of asian food products. I believe there is a T&T in the same mall as H&M.


3. If your girlfriend likes inexpensive trendy clothes a-la H&M, she may also enjoy the Joe clothing line offered by the Real Canadian Superstore. There's a Superstore very close to H&M.


4. Enjoy some gelato at Casa Dolce in Port Moody. I haven't been in ages but hope it's still there. Can't find a website for it.
   

posted by sanitycheck at 2:40 AM on March 3

My wife grew up in Coquitlam and I quote "it sucks". That said, Me 'n' Eds pizza place is quite nice in an old fashioned 70's style.

Better off to go down Highway 1 to Vancouver itself, away from rush hour traffic it shoudl only take you about 25 mins.
posted by arcticseal at 10:32 AM on March 3

I recommend Buntzen Lake trail. It sure is pretty.
posted by crazycanuck at 12:34 PM on March 3

I'm also from the Coquitlam area. It's a suburb, but it's one that's conveniently located to Vancouver's downtown (relatively, of course--but there are no bridges to contend with). If I hadn't been to Vancouver's downtown in a while, that's where I'd head to. However, Zulu's another story altogether. It's not really downtown, though the area that it's in (W. 4th Ave) can be quite nice to poke about in.
posted by pantagrool at 9:36 PM on March 3

Pantagrool makes a good point. Looking at a map, if you want to go to Zulu Records definitely take Highway 1. My earlier mention of Hastings will leave you on the wrong side of Vancouver with an extra bridge to cross.

You won't be downtown, but you will be near Granville Island and in a generally nice area.
posted by Gary at 12:34 AM on March 4