Illuminated Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver, British Columbia

Bridging the gap. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver, British Columbia

Some bridges are feats of engineering; others feel more like an adventure. Vancouver's Capilano Suspension Bridge Park leans into both. The bridge spans almost 140 metres across the Capilano River and sits 70 metres above it, held by strong cables that give a gentle sway as you walk. The idea took shape in 1889, when Scottish civil engineer George Grant Mackay built the first version using hemp rope and cedar planks. Wire cables replaced the original materials in 1903, and the site slowly expanded into a popular outdoor spot cherished by many.

Visitors often arrive for the seasonal light displays, which turn the walkways and trees into glowing corridors. The annual Canyon Lights event is the standout. From late November through mid-January, millions of small lights wrap around the bridge, the Cliffwalk and the Treetops Adventure high among the Douglas-fir trees. It feels festive, bright and a little surreal in the middle of winter.

The park also features in pop culture. In 2019, the Korean pop group NCT 127 filmed a video here during their world tour project 'NCT 127: The Origin.' Gamers might recognise it from Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where the bridge appears in the first lap of the 'Vancouver Velocity' track.