We asked cool Vancouverites for their go-to summer spots and secrets. Jude Kusnierz is the creative and executive director at The Beaumont Studios.

Favourite part of summer in Vancouver

The city comes to life like a gilded butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The winter months can bring a chill to the bone, but the short summer is a vibrant marathon of beach, island, and mountain exploring, with easy accessibility to all. It’s one of the best places on earth during summer. “Shhhhh, don’t tell the rest of the world; let’s keep it our little secret,” said everyone here during Expo 86 and again at the Olympics.

Go-to takeout spot

DownLow Chicken Shack on Commercial Drive just by Venables is hands-down the best fried chicken spot in town, and dare I say in all of Canada? Okay, I don’t want to start a chicken war, so let’s say the best in Vancouver. McLean Park is my pick for eating it, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a neighbourhood softball game!

Best watering hole

Please! Beverage Co. is a truly unique “infusion” tasting bar, and it’s so close to The Beaumont, so it’s no surprise it’s our favourite! It has cocktails on tap, beautiful interior design, and just started its outdoor seating. After you’ve had your drink, come by to say hi; we’re only a block away.

Summer event you’re looking forward to the most

The Beaumont loves any events that take place in the Olympic Village and Mount Pleasant area because it allows us to meet so many new people. The Mural Fest is a great one, since we’ve got loads of secret muralists in our midst—and our buildings are covered with local muralists’ works.

Best outdoor concert venue

The Malkin Bowl is an awesome venue because it’s not too far from the downtown core. You can have a nice little saunter along the seawall and end up in Stanley Park to catch a show surrounded by nature and the ocean. It feels like paradise.

Favourite hike

I always like the hikes that make me feel optimistic about the trek back. The Chief is a great one because, as steep as it is right out of the gate, you know it’ll be downhill overlooking Howe Sound on the route down. (Advice: bring hiking poles to help your knees on the route down.)

Favourite patio

I have to keep it in-house for this one. The Beaumont’s big and spacious outdoor courtyard is like an oasis in the middle of the city core. Loads of seating, food trucks are a common find, music, specialty coffees from Honest to Pete coffee roaster, a sweet little bar—and it’s sandwiched between our two cultural artist studio spaces. With Bside Radio pumping tunes into the airwaves, the sun beats down from about 1pm to 5pm, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a live performance, join a live drawing class, or see an art exhibition. There is never a dull moment in our courtyard, and we even have a couple of house cats that run wild in the yard. Animals, art, music, coffee, wine—you name it. Whoever coined Vancouver as a “No Fun City” clearly missed the invite to our place.

Most refreshing cocktail

I make a pretty damn good margarita, but my place can’t host as many people as our neighbour Tacofino can. It serves up some pretty snappy spicy margaritas, and the tacos aren’t too bad, either.

Go-to summer potluck dish

A nice refreshing fruit salad is the way to go if you’re attending a potluck in the summer. Refreshing and no refined sugar. What could be better for taste and health? Just like Marge Simpson says, “Fruit is nature's candy.”

Go-to beach

Third Beach might feel like it’s a bit of a trek, but when you have to traverse the stunning beauty that is Stanley Park to get there, it’s not that bad. When the tide is out, you can walk for ages and might spot some seals, herons, and eagles if you’re lucky. The nice cove-like setting feels secluded without being too remote. A perfect mix.

Best place to avoid tourists

The best place to avoid tourists is at Draw Around Vancouver events! These guys host fun drawing-related activities that help you get back into drawing if it’s been a while, or even if you’ve never drawn before. All their events are super fun and original, but you really gotta check them out for yourself to find out. Even if there is a tourist or two, they will not be acting like tourists—they will be engaging in art fun.

Best place for air conditioning

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a great way to keep cool while cultivating your brain for more culture. “Keeping your brain cool and cultured”—they should make that their slogan!

Weekend getaway spot

Gotta love where Vancouver is located. There are endless ways to answer this question! Whistler is great in the summertime, because if you like mountain biking, it’s a haven for that. Between Squamish and Pemberton, there are a bunch of neat spots to pull into and enjoy for a little day trip or full-on camping.

Best camping spot

I’m a big fan of the Squamish River, which has some great camping spots. Try to do the trips during weekdays to avoid all the tourists. You also don’t need to be an outdoorsman to enjoy what feels like backroad camping there—almost like glamping!

Favourite park to linger in

Queen Elizabeth Park is a beauty, especially when the flower garden is in full bloom. You can wander around basking in the fragrant floral air, then go to the top of the hill to admire the view, and wander down to the disc golf course to play a little game before heading to Main Street for some food and entertainment. There’s your day planned out!

Best place for watching the sunset

Well, Sunset Beach, of course. It’s close to downtown and the Burrard Bridge, and you get some stunning sunsets. Parking is a nightmare, though, so Wreck Beach gets equal billing but is also hard for parking. Walking or biking to either is recommended.

Favourite cold treat

I am a sucker for ice cream sandwiches, but what’s better than that is an affogato. Honest to Pete’s affogato is to die for—espresso poured over ice cream with a wafer on the side.

Favourite summer accessory

Some smoking-hot, big Jackie O sunnies always scream summer fun. Something bold to accentuate your face while also protecting your eye health—a double whammy.