Rainy Day in Burnaby and Richmond? Here’s 6 Best Indoor Stops by Car

Rain in Burnaby or Richmond? No wonder, it is almost one of the components of the local identity. However, the fact that it is a rainy day in Burnaby does not imply that you need a break in your plans. As a matter of fact, it can be the ideal chance to make a break, warm up and look at the city in another light. There is just too much to have fun on a gray weekend whether you are a visitor to the Lower Mainland or a local out to make the best of this rainy season.

Burnaby is a place that you can enjoy even on a rainy day. The air is also cleaner, the streets are clean, and the mountains in the background look like they have disappeared into a fog. It is a type of a day that requires comfort, a nice cup of coffee, tunes in the car and a feeling of easy adventure. And you can get a car rental in Burnaby, and you have free reign wherever that feeling would take you. You can hear no one waiting to board the bus, no umbrellas to fiddle with, just you, your playlist, and the open road, with the raindrops beating the car window.

Begin your rainy day in Burnaby by having a hot beverage in one of the local cafes in the town. Go to a place such as La Forêt, where you can enjoy a latte, with all the meadows and dimly lit rooms and slowly-paced rainy mornings are the best way to begin a slow quiet morning. Next, take a trip to Metropolis, Metrotown, and you have hours of shopping, watching movies or simply watching people in one of the indoor food courts. You will be able to forget that it is even raining outside.

In case you want something more cultural, Shadbolt Centre of Arts is a gorgeous area to spend a rainy day in Burnaby. It has their local art exhibits, workshops as well as performances and is a good place to be inspired and at the same time remain dry. As a family, the Burnaby Village Museum can provide indoor and sheltered areas to stroll back in time and see what the city used to be like at the beginning of the 1900s: beautiful, nostalgic, and cozy enough to spend a nice day.

When you have explore everything that Burnaby has to give, jump into your car on rent and explore more discoveries in Richmond which are great due to the rainy season. The Aberdeen Centre is their local favorite – a colorful and vibrant shopping centre, with exotic boutiques, Asian restaurants, and bubble tea shops. It is amongst those locations where they simply lose track of time and the rain outside sounds like background music.

The Richmond Olympic Oval can be a good option to spend a rainy day near Burnaby, when you are traveling with a family, and transform a dull day into the energetic activity. It is a fun, indoor all-weather place, with climbing walls, skating rinks and huge children playgrounds. And when you are in the mood to slack, go on a picturesque ride to Steveston Village a scenic waterfront community where you can see the rain, falling over the boats as you enjoy a bowl of warm seafood chowder in a quaint restaurant.

The most exciting thing about car rental Burnaby is that you would not have to wait to have a clear weather. You can make out of a gray sky a pretext to travel. It might be a rainy day in Burnaby, making you find a new cafe, an art show that you would have not come to otherwise, or even a relaxing drive in the rain-slicked tree-lined streets. Rainy days are beautiful time here, with a smooth, cool rhythm, and the proper car it is so easy to go wherever that rhythm leads you.

Next time the weather predicts the showers, do not make any cancellations but welcome them. You should begin your rainy day in Burnaby in a curious and comfortable way knowing that each drizzle possesses a different sort of charisma. In the case of Mr. Rent a Car, you can make even the most rainy weekend into a comfortable unforgettable adventure one, full of warmth, spontaneity, and inherent joy of getting a glimpse of Burnaby and Richmond in their most natural state.

1. Metropolis at Metrotown – Shop, Eat, Repeat

Let’s start with the obvious but unbeatable option: Metropolis at Metrotown. On a rainy day in Burnaby, this spot practically feels like a second home for locals — warm, buzzing, and full of things to do. As the largest shopping mall in British Columbia, it’s not just a place to escape the drizzle; it’s an entire indoor world waiting to be explored.

With over 375 stores, endless dining options, and fun entertainment spots, Metrotown has something for everyone. You can easily spend half your rainy day in Burnaby wandering through stores, treating yourself to something new, or simply people-watching from a cozy café corner. There’s a comforting hum inside — the sound of coffee machines, chatter, and soft music — a sharp and pleasant contrast to the rain tapping on the skylights above.

If you’re hungry, the mall’s food court and restaurants won’t disappoint. From sushi to pizza, bubble tea to comfort food classics, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite while waiting for the weather to clear (or not — who cares when you’re this cozy?). After lunch, catch a movie at Cineplex Metropolis, challenge your friends at the arcade, or stop by one of the local gift shops to pick up a little souvenir that reminds you of your day.

2. Burnaby Village Museum – Step Indoors and Back in Time

Yes, it’s called a “village,” but don’t let the name fool you — Burnaby Village Museum is so much more than an open-air stroll. On a rainy day in Burnaby, this charming little time capsule turns into a cozy, heartwarming escape that feels like stepping into another era. The museum beautifully recreates life in the 1920s, complete with heritage buildings, costumed interpreters, and vintage charm tucked into every corner.

When the rain starts to fall, most visitors trade umbrellas for curiosity and head indoors — and that’s where the magic really happens. The blacksmith shop hums with the clang of ironwork, the general store smells faintly of wood and old paper, and the carousel pavilion glows softly with nostalgia. Watching the antique carousel spin under the shelter of its painted dome while rain patters outside is one of those quietly perfect rainy day in Burnaby moments — especially if you have kids in tow. Their eyes light up at the old-fashioned rides and exhibits, and even adults can’t help but feel a little bit of that childhood wonder again.

The museum’s indoor exhibits are wonderfully detailed and interactive, offering plenty to explore without ever stepping into the drizzle. You can learn how local families lived a century ago, peek inside historic homes, or chat with costumed staff who bring history to life with stories and demonstrations. It’s educational, yes — but also deeply comforting, the kind of experience that makes you forget about time and weather altogether.

3. The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre – Quiet and Thoughtful

Located in the more subdued corners of one of the quieter neighborhoods of Burnaby, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is one of those so-called secret places, which most individuals discover upon bumping into: and then cannot rave about the experience. When it is raining outside in Burnaby, and the rest of the world seems a little grey and lifeless, this is a very nice, cozy place to relax and take time, and dwell upon something important.

The museum narrates the life of the Japanese Canadians with their hardships, their strength and their contribution in the cultural landscapes of British Columbia. It is small but all the exhibits are very personal and well-thought-out. You will discover historical images, objects and narratives that make decades of community, migration and identity come to life. The changing exhibitions with local and international artists are a rotating art and provide the space with a modern touch that ensures that each visit is unique.

The Nikkei Centre is particularly unique because it is a peaceful place. It is not a rush, crowded museum but a place where one can slowly stroll, read all the captions and relax. The dim light, plain style and silent charge make it a sort of escaping the world -the sort of place where you could truly listen to yourself think. When it rains in Burnaby, and you are in need of tranquility and togetherness, such tranquility is invaluable.

4. Aberdeen Centre – A Richmond Classic

Going slightly south of Burnaby into Richmond, you will come across one of the favorite places on the Lower Mainland to get out of the drizzle, Aberdeen Centre. This is one of those shopping places that make me feel like I crossed to a different world when it is a rainy day in Burnaby or Richmond, one full of color, life and smells of so much deliciousness around every corner.

Aberdeen Centre is not any ordinary mall. It is a place of Asian culture, food and shopping and each and every floor is a mini adventure. You will find it all: fashionable K-beauty stores or Japanese lifestyle boutiques and exclusive and unique gift shops and pop-up art galleries. And, of course, there is the food, which, in the case of most visitors, is sufficient to visit. You can order freshly prepared dim sum, real ramen, or even a cup of frothy bubble tea and the options are unlimited. It is the type of a place where a person can easily spend all the afternoon just roaming, trying and people-watching.

The musical fountain show in the main atrium of the mall is one of the most pleasant aspects of this place. You would not anticipate that in a shopping mall, but it is truly hypnotizing the sort of thing that leaves both children and adults in awe. The fountain dances to the music and colorful lights in the perfect rhythm and leaves a small area of happiness in the middle of everything. It is such an unexpectedly cheerful image on a rainy afternoon, which introduces a bit of magic to your visit.

5. Richmond Olympic Experience – Interactive and Inspiring

Although initially constructed to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Richmond Olympic Oval has become so much more than a sports facility, a meeting place of history, exercise, and fun on one gigantic roof. Nowadays, it has the Richmond Olympic Experience (ROX), a high-energy educational and interactive museum that integrates the spirit of the Olympics in the most practical way.

It is the place to be when you are in need of something exciting to do on a rainy day in Burnaby or Richmond. On the inside, there is a open collection of Olympic souvenirs, motivational stories about the athletes and dozens of interactive exhibits that will make you feel like you are in the game. The best part? It is not only about seeing but doing. You are able to enter into the virtual ski slope, challenge your reflexes in a professional hockey goalie, and even experience simulated driving a race car. It is something entertaining, quick and surprisingly addictive, particularly among family members and sports enthusiasts.

The feature that is most remarkable about the Richmond Olympic Oval is that it is very inviting and open even when it is the most gloomy day. It is full of natural light, clean design and the hustle and bustle of people going about. Outside the museum, there are also world-class fitness centers, climbing walls and indoor track on the Oval – so in case you are a person who likes to move, it is your ideal indoor rain escape.

6. Parker Place and Yaohan Centre – Food Adventures Await

When you are the kind who loves to stuff your way on a rainy day around Burnaby or Richmond (and who does not, by the way), you will be rewarded. The rain cannot take you to the parks, but surely cannot prevent you to venture into the amazing world of food that is hidden within the Asian malls in Richmond.

The Parker Place and Yaohan Centre are heavenly spots as far as cosy food tours are concerned. These malls are crowded with warm and cozy indoor food courts and family owned stalls that sell steaming bowls of ramen and freshly prepared dumplings, bubble tea, roast duck and Taiwanese snacks. It is a little journey of its own to walk in them: you can even hear the murmuring of families, the smell of noodles sizzling, and the locals picking up their favorite food. It is the best way to make a rainy, grey afternoon cozy, delicious and even pleasant.

What makes these spots even better is that they’re close to each other—so if you’ve got a car rental in Burnaby, you can easily turn your day into a personalized dumpling and dessert tour. Park, eat, hop back in the car, and drive to the next food haven. There’s something deeply satisfying about staying dry, warm, and well-fed while the rain patters outside your window.

Why Driving Is the Secret Ingredient for Car Rental on Rainy Day in Burnaby and Richmond?

The transit in Metro Vancouver is alright, however, on a rainy day, being in your own (dry) car feels more comfortable. Having a car rental in Burnaby you will be able to travel between your destinations without having to stand in the cold or get wet while sitting on the bus.

It provides you with flexibility too. Wish to switch to snacks instead of shopping? Easy. Have to make a fast visit to pharmacy or cafe? No problem. The Burnaby and Richmond areas of driving are fairly casual, particularly when in comparison to downtown Vancouver, and the majority of indoor parks are free or low-cost.

Rain Doesn’t Have to Mean “Stay In”

The next time the clouds roll in, do not cancel your plans, change them. Get a hot cup of coffee, turn on your favorite playlist and discover what Burnaby and Richmond has to offer without even leaving your car. Browse a museum, a market, a mega mall, it all should be there to explore and you will do it without getting wet.

Just make sure you’ve got the right wheels to get there. With flexible options and reliable service, Mr. Rent a Car is your go-to for convenient car rental in Burnaby—rain or shine.