02 The story
Burnaby’s busiest town centre
Metrotown is where Burnaby feels most like a city. Glass towers line Kingsway and Central Boulevard, the Expo Line runs overhead, and the sidewalks stay busy from morning to late evening. The name comes from a regional planning idea of compact, transit-served town centres, and Burnaby adopted the plan for this area in the 1970s. Growth picked up once SkyTrain opened in 1985.
The anchor is Metropolis at Metrotown, one of the largest shopping centres in Canada, directly connected to Metrotown station. Across Willingdon Avenue, Crystal Mall adds an Asian-focused shopping and food court scene. Between the two, side streets are packed with casual restaurants serving food from across Asia and beyond.
Parks, recreation and everyday life
Metrotown is more than malls. On its western edge, Central Park offers tall second-growth forest, walking trails, tennis courts, a pitch-and-putt course, an outdoor pool and Swangard Stadium. Bonsor Recreation Complex, east of the mall, has a pool, fitness centre and programs for all ages, and the Bob Prittie Metrotown branch of the Burnaby Public Library is close by.
Most residents live in apartments and condos, and many commute by SkyTrain. That makes Metrotown practical for newcomers, students and anyone who wants to live car-free. It is also one of the most culturally diverse parts of the region, which shows in the food, the shops and the languages you hear on the street.
Tip: the mall gets very crowded on weekends and during holiday sales. If you just want to eat, explore the streets around Kingsway and Willingdon instead, or arrive early in the day.
