As far as day trips are concerned, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location than Vancouver. Just over three hours away by car, this north-of-the-border paradise is among the most beautiful and interesting cities in North America. But the Greater Vancouver area spans well beyond the downtown core, and one of its most underrated gems lays directly along the route from Seattle to Vancouver: Richmond, B.C. One of Canada’s most up-and-coming cities, Richmond sits at the mouth of the Fraser River and offers diverse options for dining, activities, and accommodations. Here are six of Richmond’s best attractions to mark on your road trip to-do list.

Richmond Country Farms

If you’re looking to sample some of B.C.’s best produce, Richmond Country Farms is the place for you. Located just off of Highway 99, this farmer’s market has it all: fresh flowers, fruits and veggies, and even a winery. In the fall, there’s a pumpkin patch perfect for kids of all ages, and during the summer, you can take a ride on their miniature train through blueberry fields and vineyards. Open from April to October every year, this market is a great stop if you’re looking for something to snack on or ingredients to prepare a satisfying meal. 

Fuggles and Warlock Craftworks

Located west of Highway 99 and only three minutes from Richmond Country Farms, this brewery proudly dubs itself “weird, but good weird,” and we couldn’t agree more. This unique spot is one of B.C.’s finest and produces a wide variety of craft beers—though we especially recommend their excellent IPAs. With a 12,000 square-foot brewery that offers educational tours and tasting flights, Fuggles and Warlock Craftworks is a must-visit for beer lovers and geeks alike, as much of their packaging and personality celebrates geek culture. 

Wild Sweets

Got a sweet tooth? If you answered yes—and who answers “no” to that question?—you’ve got to visit Wild Sweets next. Known as one of the best chocolatiers in the world, Wild Sweets is the “only science-based cocoa bean-to-bar chocolate-maker” in Canada. Unlike most chocolate shops, which buy their chocolate pre-made from suppliers, Wild Sweets makes their own chocolate straight from the bean. The result is some of the most decadent treats you’re likely to find anywhere, including truffles, pralines, and chocolate mousse.

Steveston Village

This seaside destination is worth the detour. Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston Village is an active fish market that doubles as a sunny location for shopping, dining, and even spotting the occasional sea lion or otter, if you’re lucky. Start your day with a walk along the boardwalk before dropping into one of the village’s local bakeries or fish and chip joints for lunch. Stop for a beer flight at Britannia Brewing Company, then spend the afternoon strolling down the pier to the historic Britannia Shipyards. Make sure to time your trip to visit the historic Steveston Salmon Festival on Canada Day (July 1), which has been celebrated for over 70 years! This festival is Canada’s biggest little birthday party, drawing in crowds of over 70,000 people every year.

Aberdeen Centre

Richmond is well known for its diversity and welcoming spirit, and Aberdeen Centre is a perfect introduction to the wide variety of culture that the city has to offer. It’s worth a visit for the food court alone, which offers a range of dishes from hotpots and dumplings, to delicious sushi. There are also hobby stores, jewellers, tea shops, houseware stores, and more. It’s easy to spend an afternoon here.

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport

Shopaholics rejoice: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport, located on Sea Island just a stone’s throw away from Vancouver proper, offers some of the best deals on brand names north of the border. You’ll find 70 stores here, including everything from Under Armour to Armani. There are also restaurants and great views of the Fraser River from outside the mall. Groups of 10 or more get a 10% discount on their purchases, but you’ll barely need it: everything here goes for between 30 to 70% off. If you don’t stop by on your way north, add it to your list for the journey home. 

Visiting all of these stops will make for a full day, which is why we recommend staying the night in one of Richmond’s many excellent accommodations. But regardless of whether you’re in Richmond for a quick visit or an extended stay, it’s well worth the trip to take in all that this city has to offer.