The UBC campus is a beautiful space to explore and it has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking to roam winding paths for hours, or you just want to get out of your office or your house, we’ve compiled some of our favourite places on the UBC campus to unwind.
If you’re in the Metro Vancouver area or right on campus, we recommend you mask up and check these places out, while maintaining at least two meters distance from other people. But even if you’re nowhere close to campus, scroll through and take a moment to relax and appreciate the beauty that is the UBC campus!
Wreck Beach
Wreck beach is a favourite hangout spot for many staff and students – though you might not want to bring your kid or a younger sibling at this time as many would not be (fully) clothed. Bring your mask with you for extra precautions while climbing the four hundred or so stairs, and enjoy the late sunset!
If Wreck Beach is too crowded for you to comply with social distancing requirements, try Tower Beach, which is slightly less popular among students but also accessible from the campus (and just as beautiful).
Pacific Museum of Earth Courtyard
This courtyard outside of the Pacific Museum of Earth is a great spot to chill in between classes (virtual or in-person) without getting too far off the high-speed highway that is Main Mall. The funky, ergonomic wooden chairs give you plenty of space to stretch out and bask in some sun, and seats are generously spaced-out!
Main Mall Greenway
The Main Mall Greenway is a lesser-known route to the Thunderbird Stadium from the heart of campus, and in my experience, it’s always quiet and peaceful and frankly, deserted. Put your mask on to grab a drink to-go from Bean Around the World and take a stroll straight down this quiet extension of Main Mall. Make sure to take note of the beauty of the Rhododendron Wood on the western side (pictured above).
Museum of Anthropology
The MOA is just far enough on the precipice of campus to feel like a completely different world, which makes it a great place to steep yourself in history and art if that’s the kind of thing that helps you unwind. The pathways that wind amongst the totem poles and other artifacts are wide enough to maintain social distance during your outdoor culture crawl!
Pacific Spirit Park
Pacific Spirit Park is such a breath of fresh air – literally, its 874 hectares of oxygen producers, right within the boundaries of the City of Vancouver. It’s a perfect place to reconnect with nature and yourself, and to safely fill your lungs with some crisp, temperate rainforest air. Just remember to respect the space of other trail-walkers!
Even if you can’t get to any of these places, take some time to explore different places near you or plan to visit campus and other popular outdoor destinations in Vancouver!