If birds have been on your mind lately, head to the Columbia Valley in southeast British Columbia, nestled between the Rocky and Purcell mountains. This region—now part of the BC Bird Trail—features welcoming communities surrounded by wetlands and a growing variety of bird species. In spring, you can spot striking horned grebes, lively songbirds and the distinctive Lewis’s woodpecker among the reeds and trees.
© BC Bird Trail / Shayne Kaye
Traveling the corridor from Golden and Radium Hot Springs to Kimberley and Cranbrook reveals some of British Columbia’s finest birding. The mix of marshes, rivers, lakes and forests supports diverse habitats, and roadside stops and charming small towns make the route especially appealing. The Columbia River Trail is well suited to solo birders, couples and families looking for a spring outdoor adventure rich in wildlife viewing and scenic stops.
Surrey, part of Metro Vancouver and positioned between the Fraser River and the U.S. border, has been expanding its culinary scene. This spring the city launched a Spice Trail that celebrates its multicultural food offerings, with around 40 restaurants recently added. The self-guided Spice Trail from Discover Surrey showcases restaurants, cafés and specialty shops focused on bold, spicy flavors drawn from South Asian and other global culinary traditions.
© Michel Chicoine
Featured spots on the trail include Clove, which focuses on Southern Indian flavors, Syrian Gourmet for Middle Eastern specialties, Union Latinos and many others. For fans of street food, a dedicated “chaat trail” points to the best places to try chaat—crispy fried dough topped with chickpeas, boiled potato, yogurt sauce, tamarind and coriander chutneys—offering a delightful mix of textures and tangy, spicy flavors.
© Discover Surrey / Michel Chicoine
For food lovers looking beyond the city, the Fraser Valley Circle Farm Tour offers a self-guided way to explore the region’s rich agricultural scene. Download the Circle Farm Tour map and spend a day or a weekend visiting farm-gate vendors, open-air markets, restaurants and heritage sites that showcase Fraser Valley’s farming traditions. Along the route you can take part in unique experiences such as goat yoga, wandering lavender fields or sampling mead at a local honey farm—each stop highlighting the valley’s connection to food, land and community.