What You'll Get
With the recent recall on time machines, time-period junkies have resorted to eating 100-year-old wedding cake and throwing antique-shop raves. Save your mind and digestive system with today's Groupon: for $19, you get one adult annual pass, which includes rides on the historic carousel, to the Burnaby Village Museum on Deer Lake Avenue in Burnaby (a $39.37 value).
The 10-acre open-air Burnaby Village Museum transports visitors back in time to explore a 1920s-inspired village filled with heritage and replica buildings typical of a tram-stop community along the B.C. Electric Railway. Explore the surroundings at a leisurely pace and enjoy the smiles of period-costumed townsfolk who offer demonstrations in the village’s homes, businesses, and shops. Fan-favourite stops include the blacksmith, the schoolhouse, the spaceship, and the farmhouse gardens. The annual pass also includes rides on the historic 1912 CW Parker Carousel, with riding mood music provided by a 1925 Wurlitzer Military Band Organ and a mezzo-soprano monkey. For an old-fashioned holiday outing, Burnaby Village hosts Heritage Christmas from November 27 to January 2 to let visitors experience the merry-making of yore. Picnic tables, a gift shop, and an ice cream parlour are also on the premises.
Reviews
Six Yelpers give the Burnaby Village Museum a near-perfect 4.5-star average, and three TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl eyes:
- This place is fun. It's a throwback to the older days before internet, LCD TV's and hybrid cars. It's a past that you rarely get to see in the lower mainland. I think it's good for those young and old, and new to the area to see and learn about our history. How rich and diverse it really is. In the winter time it's pretty festive, especially if there is snow. They have carolers, singing and hot chocolate and it's pretty festive in the winter. – Larry L., Yelp
- I can't write a review without mentioning the carousel; it is absolutely beautiful, and each horse is a work of art. Best of all, we all enjoyed our ride. Overall this is a recommended outing, suitable for families, history buffs and anyone interested in an enjoyable trip back in time. – EskarinaSmith, TripAdvisor
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Mar 9, 2011. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts. Must activate pass by 3/8/2011, pass expires 1 year from activation date. Tax included. Not valid with other offers. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Burnaby Village Museum
A stream and a short bridge separate Burnaby Village Museum from the outside world. Crossing over is like stepping into a time machine, one that transports visitors back to a tram-stop community in the early 20th century. In fact, an original electric tram is still there, as is an entire town of living, breathing historical characters.
- Size: a 10-acre living history town, with approximately 40 attractions and more than 50,000 artifacts that bring the the roaring 1920s back to life
- Eye Catchers: Townsfolk—dressed in period costumes—who chat with visitors, give blacksmithing demonstrations, and show how to operate a printing press without a single lifehack
- Crown Jewel: the C.W. Parker Carousel, a restored attraction from 1912 that sends riders around at 7 mph and plays music via a 1925 Wurlitzer Military band organ
- Where to Eat: the old-fashioned ice cream parlor
- Iconic Building: the 1893 Love Farmhouse, which is the oldest building in Burnaby
- Special Programs: tours, black-and-white movie screenings, and seasonal Market Mondays that sell locally made goods