travel in vancouver canada

Best 5 Days in Vancouver Itinerary with Map! | Travel Guide & Tips

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Welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia!

As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vancouver is a great getaway destination in the Pacific Northwest, when you just want to run away from the sweltering heat that hits the rest of North America in the summer.

Vancouver is well-known as a city surrounded by beautiful mountain backdrops and numerous water activities in the summer.

There’s something for everyone in this amazing city of British Columbia, whether you want to explore nature, eat your way through the city, or just relax on the beach. There is much to see and do.

I had the opportunity to visit Vancouver, Canada for 5 days in September; stopping by some of the most popular spots, like Stanley Park, Chinatown, and Granville Island.

This 5 day Vancouver itinerary will bring you to explore many well-known neighborhoods in Vancouver such as Gastown, Downtown Vancouver, West End, Kitsilano, and Richmond.

Let’s get started!

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links – which means, at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link. 

Table of Contents

Getting Around Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver is located just 30 minutes from the Vancouver International Airport. Vancouver’s city center is very walkable to roam around.  

You also have easy access to most of the attractions in Vancouver by public transportation.

I recommend getting a Compass card to save 10% off public transportation! Otherwise, you can also use a contactless credit card for Tap to Pay.

If you have the budget, the fastest way to get around outside Vancouver downtown is by rental car . Driving or taking an Uber will take you to most of the attractions outside Vancouver in less than 30 minutes!

Where to Stay in Vancouver

I recommend staying in the city center, as that is the prime central spot to start exploring the city. You will have plenty of attractions and things to do in all four directions.

Hostels & Budget Hotels:

Samesun Vancouver – Stay in a hostel in the middle of all the action

YWCA Hotel – Budget private rooms in downtown Vancouver

Barclay Hotel – Budget hotel option on Robson St

Mid-Luxury Hotel Stays:

The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver – Luxurious 5-star hotel with in-house spa

Blue Horizon Hotel – Indoor pool with hot hub, steam room

The Listel Hotel Vancouver – Loved my stay here! Popular Ramen Danbo across the street.

Vancouver Itinerary Overview | Map

Day 1 | granville island.

Arrive in Vancouver, BC.

After setting up base, head to Granville Island . It’s a nice small island that you can stroll around for hours.

Browse the many creative shops on Granville Island. Admire indigenous art pieces in the Eagle Spirit Gallery. If you like stationeries, Paper-Ya is for you.

Enjoy a seafood meal or cheap delicious eats at the Granville Island Public Market . The pot pies at A La Mode are m-mmm (though I do prefer it being a little warmer). If you’re not sure what to eat, leave the decisions to the expert on this food walking tour around Granville Island Public Market.

Wanna bike on the water? That’s right! You heard me correctly. Walk to the BC Water Bikes for some fun water activity in the False Creek while taking in the sunset. Water bike rental season is only during the summer months, from June to September. Make sure to book in advance.

Have dinner at the nearby Kitsilano neighborhood. If you like Indian food, check out Indian Oven .

Day 2 | Stanley Park and Gastown

Wear your most comfortable shoes because there’s going to be a lot of walking!

Grab breakfast at Pappa Roti and try their fresh soft buns. Their bestseller is the Pistachio bun! For the adventurous, you can also order their mystery stuff buns.

If you want a snack, get some Korean hotdogs on the way to the Stanley Park at Chung Chin Rice Hot Dog . Go crazy topping up their Korean hotdogs with the sauces to make it extra special!

Stanley Park & Vancouver Seawall

One of the main activities in Stanley park is going around the Vancouver Seawall . You can either walk around the Vancouver Seawall or ride a bike. If you can bike, I will definitely recommend doing so. There are plenty of bike rental shops right before entering Stanley park. Enjoy a guided ride with a Stanley Park bike tour .

Not counting the time it will take for photos, just walking the whole Seawall path will take at least 2 hours!

Some not to miss spots along the Vancouver Seawall are the totem poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse , and Nine O’clock gun.

The Nine O’clock gun might seem pretty boring at first (it’s also locked inside a cage). However, if you’re lucky, you might come across a staff loading gunpowder into the cannon for the daily 9pm show. The cannon is set to go off automatically at 9pm, so don’t be surprised to hear a loud bang!

For a beautiful backdrop for a photoshoot, head to the Stanley Park Pavilion .

If you love aquariums, don’t forget to put down the Vancouver Aquarium in your Stanley Park walk. It is open all days from 10am-5pm. Last entry at 3:15pm.

For those of you craving a swim, there are plenty of beaches in Stanley Park; Second Beach & Third Beach. Nearby in the West End, you also have the English Bay Beach . If you’re here in late July, don’t miss the fireworks at English Bay for the annual Celebration of Lights event.

Canada Place & Gastown

Stop by Canada Place in downtown Vancouver for some lovely views of North Vancouver across the water.

Have some fun at the FlyOver Canada in Canada Place , an immersive 4D simulation flight that flies you over Canada.   Purchase your tickets in advance!

Want a real bird’s eye view of Canada? Check out the 360° views of the city at Vancouver Lookout observation deck.

Make your way to Gastown , the original settlement that became what is Vancouver BC today.

Walk around and you’ll soon stumble across a group of tourists snapping pictures of a steam clock on their phone. Some people say the famous Gastown Steam Clock is overrated, but I find the visible mechanics inside the steam clock fascinating.

Two blocks from the Gastown Steam Clock, you have the Gassy Jack statue , an homage to the founder of Gastown, “Gassy” Jack Deighton.

Go on a walking tour and discover Prohibition Vancouver or feast on a Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour .

For the fearless and the curious, check out the Vancouver Lost Souls of Gastown Walking Tour .

If the weather is warmer, you can enjoy the public performances of singing musicians.

Experience the unique flavor of dry noodles at Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba by indulging in their specialty dish, the mazesoba.

Caution. Avoid walking on E Hastings St (especially the area between Gastown and Chinatown). The area is flooded with homeless people.

Day 3 | Photo Spots around Vancouver BC

Dress your best since day 3 is all about photo ops!

Start off the day with a hearty brunch from Cafe Medina. This place is crowded, so make your reservations ahead of time.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Walk toward Chinatown and visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden . It’s a Ming dynasty style garden home, one of the first of its kind to be built outside China. This place is perfect for a photoshoot.

If you’re more interested in food than photo taking, then join this walking tour led by a chef around Chinatown !

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Next, let’s go to the VanDusen Botanical Garden , which is easily accessible by bus. My favorite photo shoot spots are the giant red chair and the bridge by the water.

Have fun getting lost in the maze!

Next to the visitor center, there’s also a gallery full of purchasable art pieces by very talented artists. Do check it out even if you’re not thinking of buying, because the art there is amazing!

Queen Elizabeth Park

Last (for the day!), a short walk away from the VanDusen Botanical Garden is the Queen Elizabeth Park . It is on a hill, so there’s your workout for the day.

Being a public park, the Queen Elizabeth Park definitely exceeded my expectations.

If you’re here before 3pm, check out the Bloedel Conservatory ( grab tickets here ) for exotic birds and plants. Otherwise, take some golden hour pictures and enjoy the sunset.

There are tons of restaurants near Queen Elizabeth Park on Main St.

Day 4 | UBC Area & Richmond

Start the day at UBC (University of British Columbia).

Museum of Anthropology

Visit the Museum of Anthropology . I love walking through the multiversity galleries, where it showcases thousands of artifacts from around the world. Don’t forget to pull open the drawers to see more!

When you’re done exploring indoors, walk outside and find their outdoor exhibits and totem poles.

For a small fee, you can enter the Nitobe Memorial Garden , a traditional Japanese stroll garden and teahouse.

Looking for some adrenaline rush? Check out the UBC Botanical Garden and their Greenheart Treewalk where you walk across suspended walkways between treetops.

If you want to see a skeleton of Canada’s largest blue whale, head to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum .

For dinner, there are plenty of Asian restaurants in Richmond.

If you like Vietnamese food, I highly recommend Banh Mi Tres Bon. Try their mini savory crepes!

The Richmond Night Market is one of the best things to do in Vancouver during the summer!

Have fun taking photos in the infinity rooms at Moon & Back Gallery .

Day 5 | Shopping & Museums

Sadly, today’s the last day in Vancouver.

Check out of your hotel. If you’re exploring or shopping nearby, you can leave your luggage in your hotel’s storage room.

Do some souvenir shopping on Robson Street while exploring downtown Vancouver before leaving for the airport.

• On Robson Street, there are two souvenir stores: Grand Maple Gifts and Canadian Crafts.
• OOMOMO Japan Living is all you need to buy affordable Japanese houseware and goodies.
• Aritzia is one of my favorites if you’re looking for great quality and fashionable women’s apparels (it does come with a hefty price tag).

If you prefer outlets, there’s one right by the Vancouver International Airport. Happy shopping!

Check out the museums close to downtown Vancouver if your flight home is in the evening (or you simply want to save your wallet from a shopping spree).

Vancouver Art Gallery

The largest public art museum in western Canada with local and touring art exhibits.

• Open 10am-5pm (except Tuesday & Friday 12pm-8pm)
• If you come on Tuesday nights 5-8pm, you can enter with a donation (minimum $5).

Roedde House Museum

A restored late-Victorian house turned museum for Victorian enthusiasts, depicting life in the Victoria era.

• Open Wed-Fri & Sun 1-4pm

Science World

Interactive science museum with an IMAX theater. Great for kids.

• Open 10am-5pm daily

You can’t travel to Canada and not try poutine right? Take a last detour to Fritz European Fry House and order their poutine (top it up with pulled pork or any other topping of your choice)!

Grab your luggages (and shopping bags) and head to the airport. 

Allocate extra time before your flight if you’re heading to the US. Because not only do you have to go through security checks, you also have to clear the US customs and immigration.

Safe flight!

Extra Days? More Activities in Vancouver

Got some extra days in Vancouver? Well, lucky you!

You can do a road trip crossing the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver. 

Test out your courage by walking across treetops on the Capilano suspension bridge . If you do not have a car, you can still visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park by taking the free shuttle bus from Vancouver. 

Take in the scenic views from the top of Grouse Mountain . With activities for all four seasons, no matter when you’re visiting Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is something you can put down on your itinerary.

You can also pay a visit to Vancouver’s North Shore. There are many markets and shops in the area. Places to visit include The Shipyards, Waterfront Park, and Lonsdale Quay Market. Walk around for a beautiful view of the city skyline.

While the itinerary includes food recommendations, for my full list of where to eat in Vancouver (plus what to order) check out my Vancouver food guide !

Feel free to switch around the days as you see fit. Day 4 and 5 are mainly indoor activities so it’s great for rainy days.

Day 4 and 5 are mainly indoor activities so it’s great for rainy days. Some attraction sites are not open on certain days, so keep in mind the opening hours when planning.

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Vancouver, Canada   Travel Guide

Courtesy of danbreckwoldt | Getty Images

Why Go To Vancouver, Canada

Even by North American standards, Vancouver is a young city (it was incorporated in 1886). But what it lacks in history it compensates for in culture. Experience Vancouver's Indigenous culture (including First Nations, Metis and Inuit people) in an array of historic sites, boutiques, and museums. The city's high-fashion boutiques and fondness for health-conscious eating make it an attractive urban playground. Plus, Vancouver and its breathtaking backdrop of mountains and beaches has been the setting for a bevy of popular television shows and major motion pictures (including "Riverdale," "X-Files" and "Deadpool"), so don't be surprised if you recognize landmarks from your favorite scenes or stumble upon a production in progress.

But this mitten-shaped city on Canada's western edge draws in more than pop culture junkies. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting and skiing will beckon to your adventurous side (and are especially accessible on one of the best Vancouver tours ). Looking for a little rest and relaxation? Try lounging along the 11 miles of beaches or in one of the numerous parks. During the cold weather, you can duck inside one of the top-notch museums or take the kids to one of the family-friendly attractions, like  Granville Island  or the  Capilano Suspension Bridge . When you add excellent shopping, dining and nightlife scenes to the mix, you'll see why many praise Vancouver as a go-to getaway for the multifaceted traveler.

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• # 2 in Best Family Vacations in Canada
• # 3 in Best Places to Visit in Canada for 2023
• # 4 in Best Weekend Getaways

See All 9 Rankings

Best of Vancouver, Canada

Best hotels in vancouver, canada.

• # 1 in Rosewood Hotel Georgia
• # 2 in Fairmont Pacific Rim
• # 3 in Shangri-La Vancouver

Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada

• # 1 in Stanley Park
• # 2 in Granville Island
• # 3 in Queen Elizabeth Park

Popular Tours

Vancouver Seaplane Tour

(758 reviews)

from $ 133.97

Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

(681 reviews)

from $ 176.81

Post-cruise: Vancouver Tour with Lookout & Capilano Bridge

(245 reviews)

from $ 130.82

Vancouver, Canada Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best times to visit Vancouver are from March to May and from September to November when the weather is mild and hotel rooms can be found at bargain rates. Summer is the most popular time thanks to the promise of warmer weather; however, if you're planning a trip then, make sure to reserve your hotel room at least two or three weeks in advance. If you're a winter sports fanatic, then don't let the biting temperatures deter you: This city makes a great home base for skiers and snowboarders looking to challenge the powder at  Grouse Mountain  or nearby  Whistler . Regardless of when you visit, packing layers is a must to keep you comfortable.

Weather in Vancouver, Canada

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Bring comfy shoes Central Vancouver is ideal for walking. Forget the car and get to know this outdoorsy city on foot. Plus, you'll have to hoof it on several of the best Vancouver tours anyway.

Pack a rain jacket You'll likely encounter an occasional rain shower no matter when you visit Vancouver. If you're planning a winter trip, you'll also want to throw in a pair of rain boots to your suitcase.

Keep an eye on your stuff Although Vancouver is relatively safe, crimes of opportunity do take place. Make sure to keep a close watch on your valuables.

How to Save Money in Vancouver, Canada

Travel during the shoulder seasons  Summer and winter are both popular times to visit. If you're hoping to find some deals on hotels , consider planning a trip for the spring or fall.

Fly into Seattle  International flights tend to be more expensive. You can save on airfare by flying into Seattle 's SeaTac Airport and taking the  Quick Shuttle  into downtown Vancouver.

Leave the car behind  Gas is priced by the liter in Canada (not by the gallon) and tends to be more expensive than what you'll find in the United States. Forget the pump and rely on public transport instead.

Culture & Customs

Vancouver boasts a diverse multicultural identity thanks to the many different groups that call the city home. Though English and French are the two official languages, you'll also likely hear Chinese, Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.

Perhaps the biggest difference American travelers will encounter is the use of the Canadian dollar and the international metric system. One U.S. dollar is equal to about CA$1.30, but since the exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check it before your trip. You can avoid confusion by familiarizing yourself with Canadian currency. Coins are in denominations of $2, $1, $0.50, $0.25, $0.10 and $0.05. Canadian dollar coins are called "loonies;" two dollar coins are called "toonies." Paper bills are in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. You can dodge high exchange fees by withdrawing Canadian money directly from an ATM in Vancouver, though you should still be mindful of fees. Along with differences in currency, you'll also encounter some disparities in how temperatures, distance and weights are measured (in metric units); distance is measured in kilometers – pay close attention to this if you've decided to rent a car.

Aside from these fundamental differences, Americans should feel right at home in Vancouver, especially hockey fans. True to its Canadian stereotype, Vancouver is a hockey-obsessed city, and autumn marks the beginning of the season. The Vancouver Canucks are the city's hometown team; games are held downtown in Rogers Arena.

What to Eat

Thanks to its seat along the Pacific Coast, Vancouver boasts its fair share of delectable seafood. You'll find casual fish and chips at any one of the city's markets like  Granville Island  (the first stop for any foodie), but if you're craving something a little more formal, head to  Yaletown . This area of Vancouver is home to  Blue Water Cafe  and  Rodney's Oyster House , just two of the city's favorite seafood restaurants. If you venture beyond Vancouver to Richmond, British Columbia (about 8 miles south of the city center), you'll also find plenty of fresh catches in Steveston Village, where wild-caught salmon, halibut, crab, prawns, tuna and mussels are served fresh from the docks.

When you're ready to sample cuisine from other parts of the globe, you'll see that Vancouver has you covered there, too. Venture just south of Vancouver to Richmond, a city that's considered to have the best Asian food in North America. Richmond is also home to the Richmond Night Market, the largest night market in North America that features more than 70 food stalls. 

Aside from providing the city fresh regional ingredients, Vancouver's coastal location also provides a picturesque backdrop for many of the top restaurants. For dinner with a view, try the  Teahouse in Stanley Park ,  Lift Bar Grill View  or Cardero's Restaurant , to name only a few. For guidance from a local, sign up for a foodie tour (many of which are included on our list of the best Vancouver tours ).

Vancouver is a safe city to visit, however "crimes of opportunity," such as pickpocketing and stealing valuables from unlocked cars, are common. Take extra precaution with your valuables when walking around areas like Gastown and Chinatown. Visitors should be aware that panhandling occurs regularly in touristy areas. Because of the city's mild climate, it's not uncommon to spot transients or even drug dealers after dark, particularly in the Downtown Eastside neighborhood. If you're hoping to visit Gastown or Chinatown, do not walk through the Downtown Eastside neighborhood, which is plagued by open drug use, homeless encampments and crime.

Getting Around Vancouver, Canada

The best ways to get around Vancouver are on foot, by bike and via public transportation. Many major attractions and popular neighborhoods are located within walking distance of one another in this condensed city. However, if you feel your feet growing weary, the TransLink system – which includes the SkyTrain, the SeaBus ferry and numerous bus routes – is both manageable and affordable.

Getting into town from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is also easy: you can use the Canada Line rail system or you can hop in a cab. Taxis fares from the airport to downtown Vancouver cost roughly CA$32 to CA$39 (about $25 to $31). The airport is located about 10 miles southwest of the city center. If you've chosen to fly into the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), you'll find plenty of car rental companies there, too. You can also take a  shuttle  from Sea-Tac to several locations in Vancouver: Ticket fees vary depending on your drop-off location.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A passport is required for citizens of the United States to travel to Canada, and to re-enter the U.S. If you are planning to drive, you must produce a passport, passport card or NEXUS card that allows expedited border crossings for both private and commercial travelers through Canadian and U.S. border controls. A visa is not required for visits less than 180 days long. For more information, visit the U.S. State Department website .

The Vancouver waterfront is a busy area, especially during prime cruising season.

Explore More of Vancouver, Canada

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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• Travel Destinations

Epic One Week Travel Itinerary And Guide To Visiting Vancouver

Published: September 27, 2023

Modified: January 3, 2024

by Layla Zalewski

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the vibrant and beautiful city of Vancouver! Nestled between the picturesque mountains and stunning coastline of British Columbia, Vancouver offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and exciting urban experiences. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a food lover, or a history buff, Vancouver has something to offer everyone.

With so much to see and do, it’s important to plan your visit carefully to make the most of your time in this incredible city. In this epic one-week travel itinerary and guide, we will take you on a journey through Vancouver’s top attractions and hidden gems, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any of the unforgettable experiences this city has to offer.

From exploring downtown Vancouver to venturing into the lush landscapes of Stanley Park and crossing the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge, this itinerary will provide you with an immersive and comprehensive experience of the city. We’ll also guide you through the historic districts of Gastown and Chinatown, and even take a day trip to the charming city of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

As we embark on this adventure, keep in mind that Vancouver is known for its mild and rainy climate, so be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear. Additionally, public transportation in Vancouver is well-developed and efficient, making it easy to navigate the city without a car. So, let’s get started on this unforgettable journey through the heart of Vancouver!

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Vancouver

Start your Vancouver adventure by immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of downtown. Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Canada Place, a sail-shaped landmark that serves as a convention center and cruise ship terminal. Take a stroll along the waterfront promenade and soak in the stunning views of the harbor and North Shore mountains.

Next, head towards the bustling shopping district of Robson Street, where you’ll find a plethora of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Treat yourself to a delicious brunch at one of the trendy cafes or grab a quick bite from the food trucks lining the street.

After brunch, make your way to the historic district of Gastown. Explore the cobblestone streets lined with charming Victorian buildings, and make sure to snap a photo of the famous Steam Clock. This is the perfect place to find unique boutiques, art galleries, and souvenir shops.

Continue your downtown exploration by visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery, located in the neoclassical former courthouse building. The gallery houses an extensive collection of artwork, showcasing both international and Canadian artists.

As the day winds down, make your way to Yaletown, one of Vancouver’s trendiest neighborhoods. This former warehouse district has been transformed into a lively area filled with upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants, and hip bars. Enjoy a delightful dinner at one of the many acclaimed eateries and unwind with a drink at a rooftop patio.

To end the day, take a leisurely stroll along the seawall, which stretches from Coal Harbour to False Creek. This scenic pathway offers breathtaking views of the city skyline and is the perfect way to cap off your first day in downtown Vancouver.

With its vibrant atmosphere, cultural landmarks, and stunning architecture, downtown Vancouver is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Immerse yourself in the energy of the city and get ready for more exciting adventures in the days to come!

Day 2: Stanley Park Adventure

Get ready to immerse yourself in nature as you embark on a day of adventure in Stanley Park, one of Vancouver’s most beloved and iconic attractions. Spanning over 1,000 acres, this urban park offers a stunning combination of lush greenery, awe-inspiring views, and recreational activities.

Start your day by renting a bike or lacing up your walking shoes to explore the park’s extensive network of trails. One of Stanley Park’s highlights is the seawall, a 9-kilometer paved pathway that encircles the park and offers breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains, and downtown Vancouver.

As you make your way along the seawall, take a short detour to visit the Totem Poles, a collection of intricately carved indigenous art pieces that showcase the rich history and culture of the First Nations people.

Continue your journey through the park to the Vancouver Aquarium, a world-class facility that houses a diverse range of marine life. From playful sea otters to majestic beluga whales, the aquarium offers a captivating experience for visitors of all ages.

After exploring the marine world, head towards the park’s picturesque interior to visit the stunning Stanley Park Gardens. Here, you’ll find beautifully manicured gardens, lily ponds, and vibrant flower displays. Take a moment to relax and soak in the tranquility of this enchanting oasis.

No visit to Stanley Park would be complete without experiencing its famous landmarks. Make a stop at the Prospect Point Lookout for a panoramic view of Vancouver’s skyline and the Lion’s Gate Bridge. End your day by venturing into the depths of the park to visit the famous Hollow Tree, a towering red cedar that has become an iconic symbol of the park’s natural beauty.

If you’re feeling hungry, Stanley Park offers a range of dining options, from casual picnic spots to elegant restaurants. Indulge in a leisurely lunch at one of the park’s picnic areas or grab a bite to eat at the acclaimed Teahouse restaurant, which offers stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re cycling along the seawall or exploring the park’s hidden gems, a day in Stanley Park will leave you feeling refreshed and connected to nature. Embrace the beauty of Vancouver’s urban oasis and get ready for more unforgettable adventures in the days to come.

Day 3: Granville Island Experience

Prepare for a day of culinary delights, artistic treasures, and vibrant markets as you explore Granville Island. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown, this unique peninsula offers a captivating mix of artisan shops, bustling markets, and a thriving arts scene.

Start your day with a visit to the Granville Island Public Market, a bustling hub of fresh produce, gourmet foods, and local crafts. Explore the stalls of local farmers, bakers, butchers, and fishmongers, and indulge in a delicious breakfast featuring freshly baked goods, organic fruits, and specialty coffees.

After fueling up, take a leisurely stroll through the island’s streets and alleyways to discover a wide range of art galleries, boutiques, and studios. Granville Island is home to talented artists, sculptors, glassblowers, and jewelers who create stunning works of art right before your eyes.

As lunchtime approaches, make your way to the Granville Island Brewing Company for a brewery tour and a tasting of their award-winning craft beers. Learn about the beer-making process and sample a flight of their signature brews while enjoying views of the city skyline from the brewery’s patio.

Next, head to the Granville Island Kids Market, a paradise for young visitors and families. Explore the interactive shops, toy stores, and play areas that are sure to keep children entertained for hours.

In the afternoon, hop on a colorful Aquabus or False Creek Ferry and take a scenic ride along Vancouver’s waterfront. Enjoy the picturesque views of Yaletown, Science World, and the stunning cityscape as you cruise through the False Creek waterway.

As the day comes to a close, immerse yourself in Vancouver’s vibrant theater scene by catching a show at the Granville Island Stage or the Arts Club Theatre Company. Enjoy a performance ranging from comedy to drama, and experience the city’s artistic energy firsthand.

End your day with a delicious dinner at one of Granville Island’s renowned restaurants. From fresh seafood to international cuisine, you’ll find a variety of culinary options to satisfy your taste buds.

The Granville Island experience is a feast for the senses, combining delectable food, captivating art, and unique shops. Embrace the lively energy of this cultural hub and get ready for more exciting adventures in Vancouver.

Day 4: Gastown and Chinatown Exploration

Embark on a day of discovery as you explore the historic districts of Gastown and Chinatown, two vibrant neighborhoods that showcase the diverse cultural heritage of Vancouver.

Begin your day in Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, known for its charming cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and unique boutiques. Start at the famous steam clock, a beloved landmark that lets out a burst of steam and plays melodies every 15 minutes. Take a leisurely stroll along Water Street, lined with trendy shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

Next, make your way to the iconic Gastown Vancouver Lookout, located on top of the Harbour Centre building. Take the elevator to the observation deck and enjoy panoramic views of the city, mountains, and the ocean.

Continue your exploration by visiting the Vancouver Police Museum, housed in a heritage building that was once the city’s main police station. Learn about the fascinating history of law enforcement in Vancouver and explore unique exhibits, including old police equipment and historical crime artifacts.

As you venture into Chinatown, the largest in Canada and one of the oldest in North America, prepare to be immersed in a rich tapestry of vibrant colors, aromatic scents, and cultural landmarks. Start your exploration at the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a tranquil oasis that combines nature, architecture, and traditional Chinese culture.

Afterwards, wander through the bustling streets of Chinatown and discover a plethora of herbal medicine shops, fashion boutiques, and specialty grocery stores. Indulge in a mouthwatering dim sum feast at one of the neighborhood’s famous eateries or sample aromatic teas at a traditional teahouse.

Make sure to visit the narrowest commercial building in the world, the Sam Kee Building, a testament to Vancouver’s unique architectural history. Explore the vibrant Chinese Cultural Centre, which offers insights into the history, traditions, and arts of the Chinese community in Vancouver.

As the day winds down, immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of Gastown. Enjoy a craft cocktail at one of the trendy bars or indulge in a delicious dinner at one of the neighborhood’s renowned restaurants, which offer a diverse array of cuisines, from world-famous seafood to contemporary Canadian dishes.

The Gastown and Chinatown exploration will transport you to a world of rich history, cultural diversity, and culinary delights. From the cobblestone streets of Gastown to the vibrant markets of Chinatown, you’ll experience the vibrant tapestry of Vancouver’s heritage.

Day 5: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Prepare for an exhilarating adventure as you head to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a must-visit attraction that offers a thrilling experience amidst the beauty of Vancouver’s lush rainforest.

Begin your day by crossing the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge, a 137-meter-long bridge that hangs 70 meters above the Capilano River. As you make your way across, be prepared for a thrilling sway and stunning views of the surrounding forest. Take your time to immerse yourself in the serenity of the rainforest and listen to the sounds of rushing water.

Explore the park’s network of walking trails, which lead you through old-growth trees, firs, and cedars that have been standing for hundreds of years. Experience the Treetops Adventure, a series of suspended walkways and platforms that are elevated in the forest canopy, providing a unique perspective on the ecosystem.

After your treetop adventure, venture to the Cliffwalk, a thrilling walkway attached to the cliffside that offers breathtaking views of the canyon below. Feel the adrenaline rush as you navigate narrow walkways and glass-bottom observation points that extend out over the steep drop.

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of the area by visiting the Kia’palano Totem Park. Marvel at the intricate carvings and learn about the stories behind the totems, which serve as symbols of cultural heritage and ancestral connections.

Take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the stunning surroundings or savor a meal at the park’s café, which offers a variety of fresh and delicious options.

Before leaving the park, visit the Trading Post and explore the unique selection of souvenirs, handmade crafts, and indigenous artwork. Take a piece of the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with you as a lasting memory of your visit.

If you have extra time, consider taking a short drive to the nearby Cleveland Dam, where you can enjoy a scenic walk along the reservoir and enjoy panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains.

As you conclude your day at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you’ll have experienced the thrill of walking amongst the treetops, the tranquility of the rainforest, and a deeper appreciation for the natural wonders of Vancouver. Get ready for more exciting adventures in the days to come!

Day 6: Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon Park

Get ready for a day of outdoor exploration as you venture to Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon Park, both offering incredible natural beauty and thrilling experiences.

Start your day by heading to Grouse Mountain, known as the “Peak of Vancouver.” Take the Skyride, a scenic gondola ride, to the mountaintop and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains. Once at the summit, choose from a range of activities to suit your interests and adrenaline level.

If you’re an adventure enthusiast, challenge yourself with the Grouse Grind, a steep hiking trail known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” The trail offers a rigorous workout, rewarding hikers with stunning views once they reach the top. Alternatively, opt for zip-lining, paragliding, or mountain biking to get your heart racing.

For a more leisurely experience, explore the mountaintop’s scenic trails, visit the resident grizzly bears at the wildlife refuge, or catch the entertaining Lumberjack Show, a display of traditional Canadian lumberjack skills.

After your time at Grouse Mountain, make your way to Lynn Canyon Park, a hidden gem just a short drive away. This beautiful park offers lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and a suspension bridge that rivals the more famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. Take a peaceful stroll along the park’s trails, listening to the sounds of nature and marveling at the towering trees.

Don’t miss the opportunity to cross the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which hangs 50 meters above the canyon floor. Feel the thrill as it sways beneath your feet and offers breathtaking views of Lynn Creek below. Explore the park’s various hiking trails, ensuring to visit Twin Falls, where you can witness the impressive twin waterfalls.

After a day of outdoor adventure, head back to Vancouver and treat yourself to a delicious dinner at one of the city’s renowned restaurants. Indulge in a mouthwatering meal that showcases the fresh flavors of British Columbia, from Pacific seafood to farm-to-table delights.

The combination of Grouse Mountain’s thrilling activities and Lynn Canyon Park’s serene beauty will leave you with unforgettable memories of Vancouver’s natural wonders. Relax, recharge, and get ready for the final day of exploring this incredible city.

Day 7: Day Trip to Victoria, BC

On your final day in Vancouver, embark on an unforgettable day trip to the picturesque city of Victoria, located on Vancouver Island. Known for its charming beauty, historic landmarks, and stunning gardens, Victoria offers a delightful escape from the bustling city.

Start your day by catching a ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, enjoying a scenic journey through the glistening waters of the Strait of Georgia. Upon arrival, make your way to the famous Butchart Gardens, a world-renowned horticultural paradise. Explore the stunning displays of colorful flowers, meandering pathways, and tranquil ponds. Take your time to soak in the peaceful ambiance and capture beautiful photos.

Next, head to the heart of Victoria and visit the historic Inner Harbour. Marvel at the grandeur of the Parliament Buildings, which dominate the skyline with their impressive architecture. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, lined with charming shops, restaurants, and street performers. Don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the scenic views of the harbor and the iconic Empress Hotel.

For a taste of Victoria’s rich history, visit the Royal BC Museum, where you can explore fascinating exhibitions showcasing the region’s natural and cultural heritage. From First Nations history to British colonial era artifacts, the museum offers a captivating glimpse into the past.

No trip to Victoria is complete without indulging in a classic afternoon tea experience. Head to the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel and treat yourself to a traditional high tea, complete with delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and an assortment of delectable pastries.

After tea, take a leisurely stroll through the stunning Beacon Hill Park, a sprawling green space featuring colorful gardens, meandering paths, and picturesque ponds. Visit the famous Mile Zero marker, which denotes the start of the Trans-Canada Highway, and soak in the beauty of this urban oasis.

Before returning to Vancouver, make sure to explore Victoria’s charming downtown streets, filled with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Pick up unique souvenirs or artwork to remember your trip by, and perhaps enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the city’s waterfront eateries.

As the day comes to an end, bid farewell to Victoria and board the ferry back to Vancouver, savoring the memories of your enchanting day trip.

The day trip to Victoria offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and quaint charm. Experience the best of this charming city and return to Vancouver with a heart full of memories and a desire to explore more of British Columbia in the future.

As your epic one-week journey through Vancouver comes to a close, you can reflect on the incredible experiences, diverse culture, and natural beauty that this city has to offer. From the bustling streets of downtown to the tranquil forests, stunning parks, and vibrant neighborhoods, you’ve had a taste of the best that Vancouver and its surrounding areas have to offer.

You’ve explored the iconic landmarks of downtown Vancouver, ventured into the lush greenery of Stanley Park, savored the flavors of Granville Island, delved into the rich history of Gastown and Chinatown, braved the heights of Capilano Suspension Bridge, and immersed yourself in nature at Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon Park. Finally, you took a memorable day trip to the charming city of Victoria, where you experienced the beauty of Butchart Gardens and the historic allure of the Inner Harbour.

Throughout your journey, you’ve come to appreciate the unique blend of urban sophistication and breathtaking natural landscapes that define Vancouver. The city’s commitment to sustainability, cultural diversity, and outdoor recreation has surely left a lasting impression on you.

From the stunning views of the mountains and the ocean to the friendly and welcoming locals, Vancouver has captured your heart and left you with memories that will last a lifetime. The beauty of this city lies not only in its physical landscapes but also in its vibrant communities, thriving arts scene, and culinary delights.

As you prepare to depart, we hope that this comprehensive and engaging travel itinerary and guide has inspired you to explore Vancouver in a way that truly showcases its unique character. Whether you’re a nature lover, a food enthusiast, or a history buff, Vancouver has something to offer for everyone.

So, as you bid farewell to this magnificent city, take a piece of it with you – the memories, the experiences, and the desire to return one day to continue your love affair with Vancouver.

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36 Hours in Vancouver

By Remy Scalza Updated May 25, 2023

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Late last year, the Michelin Man finally came to Vancouver, the coastal British Columbian city. The visit from France’s Michelin Guide was arguably long overdue, and left the city with eight single Michelin-starred restaurants . Of course, there’s more than just food. Vancouver boasts pristine ocean, rugged mountains, glimmering skylines and a truly cosmopolitan culture with influences from China, India and beyond. Visitors are also greeted by a city in transition. As property values have skyrocketed, the gravity of cultural life has shifted eastward — from downtown’s seaside neighborhoods to onetime working-class strongholds like Commercial Drive, areas that are now filling with trendy shops and restaurants. Against this backdrop, with its challenges of gentrification, Vancouver clings to a character all its own.

Recommendations

• Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre oasis of rainforest, beaches and gardens in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
• West 4th Avenue is an upscale retail hub with Vancouver-born retail brands, high-end bakeries and brunch spots.
• Commercial Drive offers a refreshing counterpoint to Vancouver’s glitzy downtown, with humble produce shops, first-rate pizza restaurants and great cafes lining a pedestrian-friendly drag.
• Capilano River Regional Park provides a glimpse of the city’s rugged backyard, with trails along a salmon-filled river, old-growth trees and a vertiginous canyon.
• Arts off Main is a co-op owned by nine local artists whose paintings, pottery and jewelry fill the gallery.
• Museum of North Vancouver features interactive exhibits exploring local history, including the legacy of British Columbia’s First Nations peoples.
• Kitsilano Beach is an urban oasis for those seeking sun, sand, beach volleyball and a dip in the cold Pacific Ocean.
• TurF , in the Kitsilano neighborhood, offers heart-pumping fitness classes set to dance music, plus great smoothies in the adjoining cafe.
• Stanley Park Brewpub & Restaurant pours craft beer in a restored 1930 building inside the city’s iconic central park.
• St. Lawrence is a restaurant offering a haute take on traditional Québécois (French Canadian) cuisine, with a Michelin star to show for it.
• Guilt & Co. is one of Vancouver’s premier clubs for live music, situated below street level in historic Gastown.
• Little Bird offers a modern twist on dim sum, with great craft beer pairings.
• Livia is an Italian bakery and restaurant on Commercial Drive that serves everything from fresh breads to full meals.
• Mum’s The Word is equal parts cafe and cocktail bar, with a funky, retro feel.
• Published on Main is a Michelin-starred restaurant highlighting local meat, fish and produce in an intimate setting.
• Fabrique St-George is an urban winery where local grapes are fermented on site.
• Suyo , a Peruvian bistro in a sleek space, pushes beyond the familiar ceviches.
• Earnest Ice Cream draws long lines for its popular flavors like whisky hazelnut and salted caramel.
• Catch 122 is a popular brunch spot in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
• Native Shoes , a Vancouver-born brand, sells a vibrant rainbow of slip-on shoes made of washable, recyclable and vegan foam at its flagship store in Gastown.
• Vinyl Records is an emporium of new and used LPs inside a heritage 1889 building.
• Arc’teryx , which got its start locally, sells high-end Gore-Tex jackets and footwear at its flagship store in Kitsilano.
• Fluevog Shoes sells clunky clogs and wildly colored boots from the Vancouver designer John Fluevog.
• Gatley features crafts from local makers, including higher-end pottery and clothing.
• Dilly Dally is a children’s store in the Commercial Drive neighborhood with many handmade toys.
• Fairmont Pacific Rim is a downtown hotel that has set the bar for luxury, accessibility and amenities, including an expansive spa and the chichi Lobby Lounge. Rooms from 494 Canadian dollars, or about $365.
• Sylvia Hotel is a no-frills hotel option rich with ambiance and history. It occupies a commanding perch right on downtown’s English Bay. Rooms from 325 dollars.
• The Burrard is a revamped 1950s motel in the core of downtown, with plenty of retro-chic touches, from its neon sign to a palm-filled inner courtyard. Rooms from 244 dollars.
• Local regulations limiting short-term rentals mean Airbnbs and VRBOs can be hard to find in peak season. If you reserve well ahead, the seaside Kitsilano neighborhood is a great option for a residential feel, close to shopping, beaches and amenities. Options are more plentiful in downtown’s trendy Yaletown area, with high-rise condo units in easy walking distance to transit, seawall, shops and restaurants.
• Plentiful Ubers and Lyfts are the easiest way to get around Vancouver. The city also has a modern — if modest — subway system, the SkyTrain , with three lines mainly serving neighborhoods to the east and south of downtown. The SeaBus passenger ferry provides a convenient way to access the North Shore suburbs from downtown.

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Vancouver Travel Guide

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to Vancouver, Canada. It's too cold, it rains all the time, it gets so dark, etc. Not only are these preconceived notions misguided, Vancouver actually has some of the most temperate weather in the entire country, making it an ideal destination to play, explore, and have adventures inside and out.

Once you realize you're not going to be swept away by freezing rain year-round, you can begin digging into the wide variety of things to see, do, eat, and explore. Canada's third largest city is a multicultural hub with stunning architecture that sits on the Strait of Georgia and is surrounded by epic mountains and lush green forests.

Because of its natural beauty, the city is set up for outdoor adventurers, whether cruising the streets of one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, riding bikes along the city's seawall, or hiking in nearby woodlands for some of the freshest air on earth.

Vancouver is a city that is proud of its diversity, its indigenous history, and its tolerance. Davie Village is a neighborhood in the city's West End where a thriving LGBTQ+ community comes out to play, while the city also boasts the third-largest urban Indigenous population in all of Canada.

So, throw your mistaken beliefs out the window and think about booking a ticket to Canada's western hub, you will not regret it.

Pacific Standard Time

Best Time to Go

There aren't any bad times to go to Vancouver, but because it's a northern city, there are reasons for every season. The summer months draw in the most tourists and boast the longest daylight hours, but the winter (which is surprisingly mild) is the least crowded time of year and has sprouting trees and flowers as early as February. Keep in mind that the rainiest months are from November to March, which leaves the month of September as the most idyllic time with changing leaves, cooling temps, and dry skies to get outside.

If you're into whale watching, April through November is prime time. For events and festivals, think about Chinese New Year, which lands between January and February, the Vancouver Marathon in May, Vancouver International Jazz Festival in June, or the Vancouver Pride Parade in July or August.

Things to Know

One of the best things about Vancouver is how easy it is to get around. Not only is the city incredibly walkable and bike-able, but there is also a plethora of public transit options. Don't bother renting a car here as hotel parking is pricey and taxis, buses, ferries, trains, and ride-share apps make moving around a cinch. Check out this handy transit guide by the Vancouver Tourism Board.

Another great item to note about Vancouver is that the city boasts 550 separate locations with free WiFi service. Look for the #VanWifi public network to connect in case you need touring advice at your fingertips. Also, if you're visiting Vancouver from the United States, you do not need an adapter for your electronics as all of Canada runs on standard 120 V.

As far as the geography of the city, Vancouver is broken up into neighborhoods. Popular hoods include the Downtown Centre, which is in the middle of the city; Gastown, which is known as the historic quarter filled with cobblestoned streets and trendy restaurants; Kitsilano for the beach and water enthusiasts; Yaletown for high-end shopping and eating; Chinatown for great eats and sites; and the West End, which leads outdoor lovers to the expansive Stanley Park.

Lastly, Vancouver is considered one of the safest cities in the world. But like all major metropolises, mind your belongings — especially in the highest touristy areas of the city.

Currency: Canadian Dollar – nicknamed the "loonie." (Check the current exchange rate )

Language: English

Calling Code: +1 604

Capital City: Victoria (capital of British Columbia)

How to Get Around

Trains: Vancouver SkyTrain is one of the most-efficient means of getting around the city. There are three lines: the Expo Line with four downtown stations, including Chinatown and the Waterfront; the Canada Line, which can take you to and from the airport, in addition to Vancouver City Centre and Yaletown; and the Millennium Line that links with the Westcoast Express commuter train. Depending on where you're going, fares run from $1.95 to $5.75.

Buses: Vancouver has an extensive bus system that typically runs from 5am to 1am with stops in every major neighborhood and beyond. Vancouver's TransLink website has a simple plug and play that can help you get to wherever you need to go and includes fare prices.

Taxis: If you plan on taking a taxi from the airport, the fares will change depending on the zone of your destination. Airport rates range from $20-$40. All taxis are regulated in the city and run on meters.

Ferries: Connecting downtown Vancouver with the North Shore is the SeaBus, a passenger-only ferry that departs every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. SeaBus fares are similar to SkyTrain fares.

Car service: When you arrive at the Vancouver International Airport, you have a bevy of transportation options. One of the most comfortable rides is hailing a luxury vehicle to whisk you into the city in style. There are officially-licensed limousine services from the airport that do not require any advanced bookings.

Best Hotels

Fairmont hotel vancouver.

Address: 900 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6, Canada Phone: +1 604-684-3131 Website

Arguably the nicest hotel in the entire city, the Fairmont resides in the central part of the city with epic waterfront views. The classic Châteauesque-styled hotel was built in the 1930s, has more than 500 rooms, and features an indoor pool. Other highlights of the property include its lavish afternoon tea and a pet-friendly policy.

Shangri-La Hotel

Address: 1128 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 0A8, Canada Phone: +1 604-689-1120 Website

Part of the luxurious Shangri-La chain of hotels, the Vancouver iteration is home to 119 rooms and 15 floors within the tallest building in the city. This central downtown spot is known for its Zen-inducing spa, award-winning service, and excellent dining at Miantiao — a Chinese/Italian fusion spot that's filled with surprises.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Address: 801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada Phone: +1 604-682-5566 Website

This vintage downtown hotel was originally opened in 1927 and has played host to A-list celebrities and British royalty alike. In 2011, the hotel unveiled a massive renovation, bringing the property into the 21st century with today's finest amenities. Guests here are treated to an incredible spa, 52-foot indoor saltwater lap pool, and personalized experiences that range from rainforest hikes to helicopter journeys.

Skwachàys Lodge

Address: 31 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1R3, Canada Phone: +1 604-687-3589 Website

Indigenous-owned and operated, the Skwachàys Lodge is a hotel in the Gastown areas of the city. This arts-forward property hosts an urban Indigenous artist residence and a gallery featuring Indigenous art. If you're looking for the soul of the Indigenous experience, the hotel offers a private sweat lodge purification ceremony on the rooftop garden, in addition to a smudging ceremony meant to purify the body.

Address: 1177 Melville St, Vancouver, BC V6E 0A3, Canada Phone: +1 604-669-5060 Website

This boutique hotel is close to Stanley Park and is constantly recognized as one of the best hotels in Vancouver. Known for its health and wellness program, each room comes with its own yoga mat and a 24-hour yoga channel on the in-room TVs. Other unique amenities include an infrared sauna and free use of electric cruiser bikes that can zip you around the city with ease.

Hotel Belmont

Address: 654 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6K4, Canada Phone: +1 604-605-4333 Website

For tourists wanting to be in the fray of Vancouver's bustling nightlife, Hotel Belmont is in the perfect spot. This funky hotel is right off Granville Street, which is home to some of the city's best bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Inside, the hotel leans into kitsch with multicolored layouts and retro design. And if you want to keep the entertainment going at the property, The Basement has a neon-lit arcade with a bowling alley and late night DJ-led dance parties.

Address: 322 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5Z6, Canada Phone: +1 604-642-6787 Website

A Yaletown mainstay, Opus Hotel is a hip boutique that features in-house Muses who are there to design your entire stay in Vancouver – virtually anyway. The pre-ordained characters give you a helpful guide to the city based on your mood or personality. In addition to making your stay more personalized, the hotel also features a delectable Italian restaurant called Capo with tasty pizzas and slick cocktails.

Best Restaurants

Address: 200 Granville St #70, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada Phone: +1 604-568-3900 Website

Not only does Miku have some of the best sushi in Vancouver, but it also prides itself on its sustainability. The restaurant is part of the Ocean Wise Program, which is overseen by the Vancouver Aquarium and recognizes restaurants for their commitment to sustainable fishing practices. As a result, you can feel good when you devour the specially curated Kaiseki meals or a la carte albacore, yellowtail, and king salmon nigiri.

L'Abattoir

Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2, Canada Phone: +1 604-568-1701 Website

There isn't a Michelin Guide in Vancouver, but if the French publication ever decided to review the city, L'Abattoir would be star worthy. Located in Gastown, the restaurant leans into West Coast cuisine with heavy French influences. Menu highlights include chilled marinated octopus, fillet of wild Pacific halibut "à la nage," and pigeon paillard.

Address: 207 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1K6, Canada Phone: +1 604-688-1655 Website

If you're looking for some of the best vegetarian and vegan options wrapped in Middle-Eastern flare, Nuba is the restaurant for you. This Lebanese spot is famous for their falafel, red lentil soup, Merguez meatballs, and creamy hummus. There are four separate locations, so you can generally fill up on Mediterranean delights anywhere in the city.

Cioppino's

Address: 1133 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P6, Canada Phone: +1 604-688-7466 Website

Easily the best Italian restaurant in the city, Cioppino's is helmed by chef Giuseppe Posteraro, who is as much an artist as he is a cook. The restaurant is the recipient of the coveted three-fork rating from Italian food and wine magazine, Gambero Rosso—basically the Italian version of the Michelin guide. You'll quickly understand why when Pino whips up original, artistic meals on a nightly basis themed on whatever is in-season and whatever has inspired him on that day.

Burdock & Co.

Address: 2702 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E8, Canada Phone: +1 604-879-0077 Website

Burdock & Co. was one of the first restaurants to adopt the concept of the 100-mile meal. The idea is to source all ingredients from the area and make out-of-this-world farm-to-table dishes that literally can't be seen anywhere else. As a result, the menu is chock-full of locally-forested mushrooms, freshly-caught mussels, charcoal-grilled steaks from local farms, and more. If you care about true sustainability, this is the restaurant for you.

Address: 801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada Phone: +1 604-673-7000 Website

Typically one of the top-rated restaurants in the city, Hawksworth is a proponent of modern West Coast Canadian dining that sources only the finest-quality ingredients and delivers them in the most innovative of ways. A walk through chef Hawksworth's menu is a foodie's dreamscape that seems to travel around the globe with specialties like Korean-fried cauliflower, wagyu beef carpaccio, spring ricotta agnolotti, and his take on baby-back ribs.

Salmon n' Bannock

Address: 1128 W Broadway #7, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G5, Canada Phone: +1 604-568-8971 Website

The focus of Salmon n' Bannock is to highlight First Nations' traditions within the culinary space. The staff is a cacophony of First Nations' peoples, and the food represents a variety of First Nations' cultures. Classics include a bison pot roast, a "Fiss n' Rice" that's a wild sockeye atop Ojibway wild rice, and loads of Bannock breads with creative toppings.

Things to Do

Vancouver mural festival.

Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada Phone: +1 604-675-1793 Website

The Vancouver Mural Festival is a non-profit that was formed in 2016 with the aim of enhancing the artistic side of the city. Murals are created throughout the city every year and culminates in a yearly, multi-week event that spans 11 neighborhoods, and includes art walks, live shows, and more.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada Phone: +1 604-985-7474 Website

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high bridge that crosses the Capilano River and has been freaking out acrophobes since 1889. The bridge is also part of an expansive park that traipses tourists through bridges and walkways among the coastal rainforest.

Talaysay Tours

Address: 334 Skawshen Rd, West Vancouver, BC V7P 3T1, Canada Phone : (800) 605-4643 Website

The guiding ethos of the Talaysay Tours is to simply 'love the land.' If you want to discover authentic cultural experiences, Talaysay Tours can give you an inside look at indigenous culture throughout Vancouver's history and ventures through Stanley Park and other historic sites.

Museum of Anthropology

Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada Phone: +1 604-822-5087 Website

Since 1947, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) has been displaying and celebrating the arts and cultures of First Nations' peoples and other communities in and around British Columbia. MOA is a teaching museum that houses upwards of 50,000 works from across the globe and is famous for its vast collection from the Northwest Coast.

Vancouver Art Gallery

Address: 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7, Canada Phone: +1 604-662-4700 Website

One of the largest museums in all of Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery was first established in 1931 and features art from around the world with an emphasis on First Nations and Canadian art. Past exhibits include everything from Picasso and Monet to Murakami and anime.

City Cycle Tours

Address: 648 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G2, Canada Phone: +1 604-618-8626 Website

Vancouver is an incredibly bike-friendly city and riding is one of the best ways to see all the sites. A guided bike tour by City Cycle Tours can take you through Stanley Park, into Chinatown and Gastown, around the Public Market at Granville Island, and so much more. One of the true highlights is biking the seawall that has views of Vancouver's stunning seascapes and architecture.

Stanley Park

Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada Phone: +1 604-681-6728 Website

Vancouver's largest play area, Stanley Park is a massive green space on the northwest side of the city that is home to Vancouver's famous Seawall, the Vancouver Aquarium, multiple beaches, and dozens of walking and biking trails. The 400-hectare park is a local's favorite and includes multiple dining outlets, swimming pools, ice rinks, golf courses, and more.

Grouse Mountain

Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada Phone: +1 604-980-9311 Website

If you want to take in the overwhelming beauty of Vancouver and British Columbia, think about jaunting up Grouse Mountain aboard the Super Skyride. Grouse Mountain is only 15 minutes from the city center and the gondola rises 4,100 feet to the summit for mesmerizing views. The mountain is also home to disc golf, paragliding, zip lines, and more.

Best Shopping

Granville island public market.

Address: Public Market, 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada Phone: +1 604-666-6655 Website

Just across the Granville Bridge, Granville Island Public Market is home to dozens of food stalls that can provide a full sampling of Vancouver's entire culinary scene. Outside the market are theaters, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Access to the island is via the Granville Bridge or one of Vancouver's SeaBuses.

Alberni/Robson Street

Address: 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A7, Canada Website

For all kinds of shopping finds, the parallel streets of Robson and Alberni are a spender's paradise. Stores run the gamut from Zara and Lululemon to Tiffany & Co. and Jimmy Choo. If you can't find what you're looking for, you're not trying hard enough.

West 4th Avenue

Address: West 4th From Fir Street to Balsam Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M4, Canada Phone: +1 604-617-9070 Website

West 4th Street has been a shopping hub in Vancouver since the 1920s and shows no signs of slowing. There are more than 250 unique businesses along the street that include clothing, sporting goods, homeware, health and wellness, and a wide variety of specialty shops.

Address: 1100 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B2, Canada Phone: +1 604-684-3251 Website

This Vancouver-born brand is known for high-end ladies' fashion. Since 1984, the brand has grown to more than 100 locations in North America and eight in Vancouver alone.

Herschel Supply Co.

Address: 347 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8, Canada Phone: +1 604-620-1155 Website

Another Vancouver-born brand, Herschel Supply Co. is known for its wide range of bags, backpacks, duffels, totes, and so much more. The company now has more than 40 locations around the globe as their fine craftsmanship sees higher demand every year.

Saje Natural Wellness

Address: 2252 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N8, Canada Phone : +1 604-738-7253 Website

Saje Natural Wellness is a Canadian-owned-and-operated wellness business that prides itself on all-natural products. The company is known for their soothing oils, lotions, diffusers, soaps, and shampoos. There are multiple Saje locations around Vancouver.

Neighborhoods to Know

Coal Harbour : Sitting on the north side of central Vancouver, Coal Harbour is a sleepy narrow neighborhood that is bordered by Canada Place to the east and Stanley Park to the west. Canada Place is home to the Vancouver Convention Centre that attracts international expositions. One of the main attractions of the neighborhood is the waterfront views where pedestrians can stroll and peer out into Vancouver Harbour while browsing small shops and eating at quaint cafés.

Chinatown : Vancouver's Chinatown dates back to the late 1800s and is considered a National Historic Site in Canada. One of the largest Chinatowns in the world, the central Vancouver neighborhood is filled with incredible Chinese restaurants and bakeries, apothecary shops, Asian markets, and more. A must-stop is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is a Ming Dynasty style garden, and plays host to festivals, concerts, and educational activities.

Davie Village : Vancouver has an incredibly diverse and thriving LGBTQ+ community, and Davie Village is a stretch of streets where you'll find rainbow-colored flags flying with pride. You'll know you're in the right place when you step over the vibrant rainbow crosswalk that leads to a bevy of great restaurants and cafés during the day and buzzing bars and clubs at night.

Gastown : For lovers of historic areas, the cobblestoned streets of Gastown are the place to be. The neighborhood dates back to 1867 and features buildings with classic Victorian architecture and restaurants that are a foodie's dream. Instagrammers might want to take a picture in front of Gastown's most famous landmark, an antique clock that's partially powered by steam.

Granville Island : Technically not an island (it is bordered by water on three sides), Granville Island is a short ferry ride or bridge drive across False Creek on the southwest side of town. Once there, a must-stop attraction is the Granville Island Public Market where vendors hawk every type of local food imaginable. Around the market are theaters, galleries, and waterfront restaurants and breweries.

Kitsilano : Across the water to the west, Kitsilano is one of Vancouver's bigger neighborhoods. Within its confines includes West 4th Avenue, which is one of the best shopping streets in the city, the Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver's Greektown, and lots of green space for joggers, bikers, and lazy weekend hangouts. Kitsilano was once considered the Haight-Ashbury of Vancouver and its hippy roots can still be seen with loads of healthy vegan restaurants and wellness shops. It's also the birthplace of famed clothing brand Lululemon.

West End : The West End is the largest neighborhood on the peninsula, encompassing Davie Village, and is bordered by Stanley Park on the northwest, and Nelson Park and Robson Square to the southeast. Within the area is the Vancouver Art Gallery, the shopping Meccas of Robson and Alberni Streets, and multiple beaches. One of the more popular attractions is biking the Stanley Park Seawall that hugs the west side of the neighborhood.

Yaletown : This tony neighborhood is home to some of the nicest restaurants in the city alongside chic boutiques and luscious green space. To the southeast is BC Place, Vancouver's largest sports complex for soccer and football matches, as well as mega concert performances. The parks along the waterfront draw in locals and tourists alike.

Summer is peak tourism season with the least amount of rain and long sunny days that are rarely unbearably hot. Winters are milder than you'd expect for a Canadian city, but you'll encounter more rain from November to March. Shoulder seasons of spring and fall feature stunning blooms and changing leaves.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month. January: 37°F to 44°F February: 38°F to 47°F March: 40°F to 51°F April: 44°F to 56°F May: 49°F to 63°F June: 54°F to 67°F July: 58°F to 72°F August: 58°F to 72°F September: 53°F to 66°F October: 47°F to 57°F November: 41°F to 49°F December: 37°F to 44°F

Apps to Download

Mobi-Bikes : Vancouver is such a great biking city with dozens of trails that weave in and around the streets, parks, and boardwalks. Mobi is cheap and easy way to find bikes anywhere in the city. iOs | Android

Uber : For quick ride services, download the popular Uber app to zip you around the city with ease. iOs | Android

Street Food Vancouver : Vancouver has an excellent street-food scene and if you want to know where, when, and how to find it all, download this app and you'll be street-feasting in no time. iOs | Android

Vancouver Transit : This app will help you catch a train, bus, or ferry to anywhere you want or need to go in Vancouver. iOs | Android

OpenTable : For all your restaurant reservation needs, download OpenTable. iOs | Android

8 essential Vancouver experiences to add to your itinerary

Feb 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Vancouver has a mild climate year-round, so you can enjoy four full seasons of outdoor adventures © Getty Images

Visit  Vancouver for the natural beauty, stay for the urban sights. It's not known as one of the most livable cities in the world for nothing.

British Columbia's biggest metropolis sits on the water, surrounded by trees and framed by mountains, so you can swim, cycle and ski all in one day if you choose. And with a mild climate year-round, you can enjoy four full seasons of outdoor adventures.

But you don’t have to love the outdoors to experience the best the city has to offer. You can take in a spirited spectator sport, dine on delectable dim sum, connect with Indigenous culture and stroll the spectacular shopping districts too. In Vancouver, there’s an activity for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do in town.

1. Learn about Vancouver's Indigenous roots and contemporary culture

There’s no better way to connect with the city than to listen to stories and experiences shared by the people who first called the land home.

Vancouver sits on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and an abundance of experiences found throughout the city offer engaging and educational ways to connect with the people and places that shaped what we now know as Vancouver.

Take a walking “Talking Trees” tour through Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours  and learn about the local plants that were harvested by the Coast Salish people, while hearing stories about the rich cultural history from a First Nations guide.

Explore the Bill Reid Gallery – Canada's only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast – and spot original fine art pieces by Bill Reid, a world-famous Haida artist.

For Indigenous cuisine, dine at Salmon n' Bannock – the only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant in Vancouver, serving up modern cuisine made with traditional Indigenous ingredients.

Consider an overnight stay at Skwachàys Lodge , Canada’s first Indigenous Arts Hotel. Located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Lodge offers unique experiences such as sweat lodge ceremonies, traditional smudge ceremonies and in-studio visits with artists-in-residence. Using a social-enterprise model, the Lodge funds supportive housing.

2. Take to the water by beach, boat or board

Soak up the city’s sparkling seascape from the surface. Vancouver offers ample aquatic adventures, with premium paddling, ocean swimming and mini-ferry rides, all easily accessible directly from downtown.

For kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, you can choose your own adventure right in the city, with water access and rentals available in Granville Island, Jericho Beach , False Creek, Yaletown or Stanley Park, or venture further afield to Deep Cove, located on Vancouver’s North Shore . 

If you’d prefer a power boat, you can rent those too! Granville Island Boat Rentals is a popular choice for renting a private speed boat. For something a little more unique, enjoy a BBQ on the water while you take in the sights. Rather have someone else take the wheel? The rainbow-colored Aquabus mini pedestrian ferries will take you for a tour or transport you between Granville Island and some of the city’s best waterfront spots.

For ocean swimming, head to one of Vancouver’s best beaches , such as Kits Beach or Second Beach , where you can soak up the atmosphere, sizzle in the sun, and then cool off with a salty dip in the Pacific Ocean.

3. Find fine art, family fun and fresh food on Granville Island

Industrial wasteland turned cultural wonderland, Granville Island – one of Vancouver’s best neighborhoods – is as alluring for its fine art as it is for its culinary prowess.

Art lovers are lured by the creative scene here, with hidden studios and hands-on workshops found around every corner. Foodies flock to Granville Island too, with a melange of mom-and-pop shops like Lee’s Donuts (a celebrity favorite), fine dining spots like the Sandbar  and the Granville Island Public Market , an indoor food market where the city’s best chefs like to shop. 

Kids Market – a three-story, kid-centric shopping and activity center on Granville Island – is the biggest draw for families. And only steps away, the largest free outdoor water park in North America provides the perfect place to cool off and play on warm summer days.

Local tip: Grab some grub from Granville Island Public Market and stroll along the wooden boardwalk, from the southeast corner of Granville Island to Ron Basford Park, for a quiet picnic with water views.

4. Cycle around the Stanley Park seawall

Topping the list of Vancouver’s best parks , Stanley Park shines as the crown jewel of the city. The park is often referred to as the Central Park of Vancouver, only it’s much larger, spanning 400 hectares (988 acres) in size.

Home to an outdoor public pool, plenty of playgrounds, sandy beaches, winding trails through dense woodland, tourist attractions and top-notch dining spots, the park certainly has something for everyone – but it’s the 8.8km (5.5-mile) paved seawall that draws the biggest crowd. Rent a bike from downtown and an entire day can be spent cycling through the park, exploring all of its best assets.

Detour: Veer off the seawall into the park and visit the Vancouver Aquarium . Canada’s first and largest aquarium, it's home to thousands of aquatic species, and you can get up close with everything from jellyfish to sea otters.

5. Take a trek through the treetops

Vancouver is packed with tree-lined hiking trails, but for a more unique experience – and a sky-high adventure – take an above-ground trek through the trees.

On Vancouver’s North Shore, the  Capilano Suspension Bridge  is the most popular choice, enjoyed by visitors since it was first built in 1883. As the world’s longest and highest suspension bridge, dangling 230ft high above the Capilano River and stretching 450ft long, it’s certainly a must-visit site. It's especially breathtaking from November to January, when it’s fully illuminated with more than 50,000 lights for the annual Canyon Lights event. 

For a free version with smaller crowds, consider a visit to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge , which hangs 160ft above the canyon and connects to a series of hiking trails. It is also home to the  Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and a quaint cafe where you can grab a coffee and a treat once you’ve completed your trek.

6. Hit the local ski slopes

Vancouver may have mild temperatures year-round, resulting in many winters without snow, but the city’s three local mountains have no shortage of the white stuff. From early December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders ascend the mountains in droves for slopeside adventures, accessed in 30 minutes (or less) from downtown.

Known as the “Peak of Vancouver,”  Grouse Mountain  is the most popular local ski hill, accessed by a gondola and offering all-season attractions. Cypress Mountain Resort is the largest of the three, and when the snow melts, visitors can take an exhilarating ride down the Eagle Coaster, Canada’s longest mountain roller coaster. Mt Seymour Resort is smaller, more laid-back and family-owned, and is known for its fresh powder and scenic snowshoeing trails. 

7. Do dim sum on the Dumpling Trail

Deep-fried dumplings, pork-stuffed pouches and steaming hot wontons are just some of the tasty treats you’ll discover on a self-guided tasting tour along the Dumpling Trail .

Just 9.5 miles south of downtown Vancouver, Richmond is home to the largest Chinese population in the world beyond Asia, and as a result, the city is stocked with hundreds of great traditional dim-sum restaurants, street-food shacks and hidden mom-and-pop shops serving up the best dumpling dishes found this side of the Pacific. 

Planning tip: Stretch out your stay and spend a night at Versante Hotel , Richmond’s only luxury boutique hotel, with chic designs that celebrate Asian and Western influences. There you’ll find Bruno , an upscale restaurant that serves up global fare sourced from local farms, like the truffle-lavender duck dish, a fan favorite.

8. Take in a spectator sport

Vancouverites love their sports and welcome visitors to join them as they cheer on their favorite teams. For hockey fans, a Vancouver Canucks game is the hottest place to be (if you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket). The city is also home to the Vancouver Giants, a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League.

The BC Lions are Vancouver’s CFL team, with a big following of football fans easily spotted as they shower the city in a sea of orange on game days. A Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match is sure to be high energy, and for an afternoon of baseball, catch a Vancouver Canadians game. Interested in checking out Canada’s other national sport? Head to a Vancouver Warriors lacrosse game and cheer on the city's newest professional sports team.

This article was first published December 2022 and updated February 2024

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The Best Time to Visit Vancouver

Weather & Climate

Vancouver International Airport

Neighborhoods to Know

Vancouver Public Transportation

The Best Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Where to Ski Near Vancouver

The Best Vancouver Beaches

Hiking Near Vancouver

Vancouver's Best Parks

Vancouver's Best Museums

Shopping in Vancouver

Itinerary: Three Days in Vancouver

Day Trips From Vancouver

Best Tours in Vancouver

The Best Food to Try in Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver's Top Restaurants

Nightlife in Vancouver

Breweries in Vancouver

Your Trip to Vancouver: The Complete Guide

James O'Neil/Getty Images

Two hours away from world-class ski resort  Whistler/Blackcomb  and perched on the Pacific Ocean coast, the city holds appeal for soft to extreme adventure lovers and attracts more than 11 million visitors each year .

Vancouver is surrounded both by water and mountains and its proximity to nature gives residents love for the environment and a laid-back charm and friendliness. And although Birkenstocks are more the norm than Manolos, this cosmopolitan city also has upscale shopping, fabulous restaurants, and a happening nightlife.

Vancouver is on the southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada's most westerly province. It is about a three-hour drive from Seattle, Washington .

The City of Vancouver is one of more than 20 municipalities that makes up Greater Vancouver and sits on the edge of the Strait of Georgia, which separates it from Vancouver Island—home to the provincial capital of Victoria.

Vancouver's location is beautiful as it is surrounded by water and tucked into the slopes of the BC Coast Mountain Range.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: Vancouver is the Canadian city with the best climate and the worst weather according to writer Allan Fotheringham. Mild and wet in winter, there's no bad time to visit Vancouver but the springtime brings cherry blossoms and the summer is typically high travel season in Vancouver; hotel rates and flights will be more expensive at this time of year. But the extra cost does assure you of better weather (generally speaking, August is the least rainy month). Whilst summer has plenty of festivals, including the incredibly popular  Honda Celebration of Light  fireworks display, there's always something amazing happening in Vancouver—from  fall foliage  to  winter snow sports  or springtime whale watching. 

Language: English, French.

Currency : Canadian Dollars are the official currency but US Dollars are also widely accepted, especially in the tourist shops of Gastown near the cruise terminal at Canada Place.

Getting Around: Vancouver's transit system TransLink is affordable and reliable, with an extensive system of buses, ferries, and Skytrain lines. Monthly, weekly, and daily passes are available and 90-minute passes can be bought onboard transit with exact change (starting at $3 for adults). Use contactless Visa or buy a Compass pass for $6 from 711s and London Drugs; it can be loaded with money to use during your visit.

Travel Tip: Vancouver is an outdoorsy city so be sure to bring your activewear to get out on adventures. It's also a casual city so there's no need to waste luggage space by bringing fancy clothes.

Things to Do

Vancouver is famous for its beautiful surroundings. From the sandy beaches of English Bay, Kitsilano, and Wreck Beach to the extensive forest and lakes of Stanley Park and the snow-sprinkled mountains of the North Shore, there are plenty of outdoor adventures from hiking and biking to kayaking and sailing.

• One of the city's top attractions , Stanley Park sits on almost 1,000 acres of land and offers plenty to do and see. With 6 miles of Seawall around the perimeter of the park, it's the perfect place to take a stroll or bike ride and see all the scenery, from Lions Gate Bridge to Point Grey. Visit Vancouver Aquarium or take a horse and carriage ride to explore the park.
• Canada Place is home to Vancouver's cruise terminal but it also has the incredible FlyOver Canada attraction and the seaplane terminal. Visit one of the waterside restaurants to watch the planes take off, with a stunning backdrop of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains.
• Granville Island Market is a popular place to visit, thanks to the colorful produce stalls, delicious eating establishments, and variety of artisan shops.

Explore more attractions with our guide to the best things to do in Downtown Vancouver and the top things to do in Vancouver in the springtime .

What to Eat & Drink

Vancouver is a foodie paradise and here you'll find everything from hole-in-the-wall sushi joints to award-winning fine dining. The cuisine is varied but fans of Asian food such as sushi and ramen will be blown away by the selection on Robson Street and in Richmond. Fusion food such as West Coast meets Asian is a popular combination and fresh seafood can be found on most menus. Look out for Vancouver Aquarium's Oceanwise logo, which is a sign of sustainable seafood.

The city also has its share of cocktail bars, from Tiki-themed ones at The Waldorf and Shameful Tiki Room to Chinese apothecary-inspired bars ( The Keefer) and high-end hotel bars.

Explore our articles about the best restaurants in Vancouver and great restaurants to try in Downtown Vancouver .

Where to Stay

Vancouver has a lot of options when it comes to accommodations. There are luxury hotels, romantic hotels, budget hotels, hostels, and Airbnb rentals (including apartments and houses).

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is an elegant, historic favorite. The Listel Hotel is a smaller, art-infused downtown hotel with many perks, and the  Sandman Hotel  is a perfectly acceptable less-expensive alternative. Downtown and the West End are the most desirable places to stay as they are safe, central and on the main tourist tour routes .

Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or a romantic partner, use these guides to find the perfect accommodations for your next trip:

• Why You Should Stay in Downtown Vancouver
• Boutique Hotels in Downtown Vancouver 
• Top 10 Family Hotels in Vancouver

Getting There

By Air: The  Vancouver Int'l Airport  (YVR) is 25 min by car to downtown. Airport bus service is frequent and the Canada Line Skytrain travels between downtown and YVR.  Seattle, WA , airport is a three-hour drive.

By Train: Rocky Mountaineer Tours  go through the Rockies between BC and Alberta. ​ Amtrak Cascades  travels between Seattle and Vancouver. Check ​ VIA Rail .

By Bus: Greyhound Lines  serves Vancouver from numerous cities in the US and Canada.

By Water: Clipper Ferry  and ​ BC Ferries  sail between Seattle and Vancouver via Victoria.

By Car: Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, reaches Vancouver from points east. If driving, allow 12 hours from Calgary and five days from Montreal. Vancouver is three hours north of Seattle. Take Interstate 5, which becomes Highway 99 at the  U.S.-Canada border .

Money Saving Tips

• Vancouver Art Gallery is open by donation (suggested $10+) on Tuesday evenings between 5-9 pm.
• Stanley Park is free to visit and can be explored via foot, bike, rollerblades or even a horse-drawn carriage ride.
• Don't bother paying for Wi-Fi at any hotels or elsewhere—Vancouver's downtown area (and most of the surrounding areas) is equipped with free public Wi-Fi   .
• Vancouver's Tickets Tonight website offers discounts on tickets for arts, sports, attractions, and music events around the city.

Tourism Vancouver. "Vancouver's Tourism Industry Fast Facts."

City of Vancouver. "Stanley Park."

Tourism Vancouver. "Free Public Wi-Fi."

Top 16 Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver

20 Top Things to Do in Downtown Vancouver, Canada

Top 10 Things to Do at Stanley Park, Vancouver

The Top 10 Things to Do in Coal Harbour, Vancouver

Best Vancouver Day Trips & Weekend Getaways

Canada Place, Vancouver: The Complete Guide

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19 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, BC, on a Budget

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15 Los Angeles-Area Road Trips and Getaways

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12 Top Things to Do in Vancouver in Spring

The Ultimate Cross-Canada Road Trip: Montreal to Vancouver

22 Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Vancouver, BC

Written by Chloë Ernst and Michael Law Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Michael Law has lived in Vancouver and returns frequently, usually adding on some time to ski at Whistler.

With its mountain backdrop and urban beaches, Vancouver has the rightly earned reputation of being one of the most beautiful cities in the world .

Downtown Vancouver is picturesquely situated on a peninsula in the Strait of Georgia, with the often snow-covered ranges of the Coast Mountains rising in behind. The setting is one of the city's main attractions.

With its extensive parks and agreeable climate keeping temperatures mild throughout the year, outdoor activities are high on the list of things to do in Vancouver. But it also boasts a busy cultural life, fantastic shopping, and incredible dining. This scenic city was showcased to the world when it hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, in conjunction with nearby Whistler .

Find your way around the city with our list of attractions and things to do in Vancouver.

1. Go for a Walk in Stanley Park

2. do some shopping on granville island, 3. see the brockton point totem poles, 4. ski grouse mountain, 5. visit the vancouver aquarium, 6. visit the museum of anthropology, 7. relax on kitsilano beach, 8. explore gastown, 9. tour canada place, 10. soak up some culture in chinatown, 11. go for a stroll in english bay, 12. walk across the capilano suspension bridge, 13. take a ride on the aquabus, 14. shop robson street, 15. learn about history at the museum of vancouver, 16. queen elizabeth park, 17. take the kids to science world, 18. enjoy the sights of richmond, 19. go whale watching, 20. vandusen botanical garden, 21. vancouver art gallery, 22. day trip to whistler or the gulf islands, where to stay in vancouver for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to vancouver, frequently asked questions, when is the best time to visit vancouver.

Stanley Park is a lush peninsula of huge trees adjacent to Downtown Vancouver. If you are looking to get outside and enjoy some nature, this is the best place to visit in Vancouver. A paved seawall path encircles the green space and is a wonderful place to explore on foot or by bicycle.

Inland, the park offers many things to do, and you can spend a full day exploring attractions like the totem poles at Brockton Point or the Vancouver Aquarium . Spectacular views are a standard throughout the park either back towards the city or out to the ocean.

Come spring, the park's gardens and shrubs burst into a rainbow of beautiful colors, led by the cherry trees and closely followed by the rhododendrons.

In the summer, an outdoor pool operates right at the edge of the ocean. This 80-meter pool is heated and is a popular spot for families because of its gently sloped entry.

Once mainly industrial, Granville Island is now a thriving center of activity with a relaxed and distinctive atmosphere. Artists and retailers have moved into converted warehouses alongside houseboats, theaters, galleries, and restaurants.

The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions selling fruit and vegetables, seafood, and a great variety of other specialties as well as ready-to-eat items. Not truly an island, the arts hub is linked to residential areas by one road and footbridges to the south, and to the Downtown peninsula (across False Creek) by ferry.

Location: South of and underneath the Granville Street Bridge

The Brockton Point Totem Poles are a must-see when visiting Stanley Park. These intricately carved poles are one of the top attractions in British Columbia . The totem poles were first placed in the park at a different location in the 1920s, and over the years, the collection grew and was eventually moved to Brockton Point.

Today you'll find nine totem poles carved from red cedar in addition to three gateway portals. The colorful totem poles line a wide walkway and are set back against tall evergreen trees. Nearby is a visitor center that provides additional insight into First Nations history and the totem poles themselves.

In both winter and summer, Grouse Mountain offers an unmatched panorama in clear weather. That's especially so in the evenings when the city lights are on.

A gondola operates daily running from street level to the summit, where dining, activities, and wildlife await mountaintop explorers year-round.

Skiing: When the snow flies, Grouse Mountain is a winter wonderland offering outdoor skating, snowshoeing, and some of the best skiing and snowboarding near Vancouver . The ski runs are not particularly difficult, and Grouse Mountain is a fun family outing. It's also a great place to learn how to ski.

Hiking: Come summer, Grouse Mountain is a hiker's paradise with trails, including the famed Grouse Grind - affectionately called Mother Nature's StairMaster.

Day Trip Tour: If you are staying downtown, consider this tour: North Shore Day Trip from Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mountain . On this 6.5-hour tour, you'll hit two of the major attractions on the North Shore.

Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, British Columbia

A trip with the family to Stanley Park for most folks would be incomplete without visiting the Vancouver Aquarium . This wonderful facility teaches young and old about the wonders of the ocean and how we can protect it.

Experiences: Fun and entertaining experiences include a cold-water touch tank; a wildlife rescue area complete with a Burmese tortoise; Penguin Cove, full of cute creatures; and the non-stop action of the sea otters in their habitat. One thing not to miss is the 4D Theatre Experience with special seats, effects, and a large screen that make you feel you are part of what you are seeing.

Exhibits in the aquarium educate visitors on the unique habitats of the Amazon, the tropics, and BC's Wild Coast.

In the past, the aquarium used to have whale performances and belugas; however, the animals have since died and have not been replaced, or they have been relocated.

Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, British Columbia

Part of the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology deals with cultures from around the world, but places particular emphasis on British Columbia First Nations.

Exhibits display native art, including large totem poles in the Great Hall. Other presentations explore ethnographic and archaeological objects representing Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

The interesting building was originally part of a WWII-era fort, and local architect Arthur Erickson transformed the spaces into this world-class museum.

Other attractions on the university campus include the clothing-optional shoreline of Wreck Beach, the natural-history-focused Beaty Biodiversity Museum, and the rambling UBC Botanical Garden with its many interesting plantings and delicate Nitobe Japanese Garden.

Address: 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia

The sandy shoreline of Kitsilano Beach defines the laid-back, fun-loving Vancouver lifestyle. It's a place locals hang out with friends or take a dip in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool . The wide beach here is popular with sun bathers in the summer.

Views from Kitsilano over the city center are wonderful. In addition to the beach and oceanfront, the area has a number of cafés and walking trails, and a vibrant shopping strip lies a few blocks south on West Fourth Avenue .

A short stroll to the east of Kitsilano is Vanier Park, where you'll find wide-open spaces and the Vancouver Maritime Museum . Catch a small Aquabus to downtown Vancouver or Granville Island from the docks located here.

Address: 2305 Cornwall Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia

• Read More: Best Beaches in Vancouver, BC

The oldest part of the city , Gastown is an area of restaurants, galleries, and shops set in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobblestone streets, and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. Gastown is a short walk from Canada Place.

Gastown came into existence in 1867 when a man called John Deighton arrived on the scene. Deighton had a habit of launching into lengthy stories and soon acquired the nickname "Gassy Jack." As a result, the vicinity became known as "Gassy's Town" or "Gastown."

A statue of the proprietor now watches over the neighborhood in Maple Tree Square. Tourists stop for photos with Gassy Jack, and also love to visit the nearby Steam Clock, which puffs steam-powered chimes every 15 minutes.

If you arrive in Vancouver on a cruise ship, Canada Place is where your trip begins. The unusual roof design creates the impression of a huge sailing vessel. The architecturally remarkable structure is part cruise ship terminal, part convention center and hotel, and part hub for sightseeing bus tours.

At the end of the pier are panoramic views and the Flyover Canada attraction - a flight simulator that assaults all your senses while giving you a Canadian geography lesson. Also nearby, Waterfront Station is a major transit hub with ferries departing for the public market at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver .

If you exit the building and turn right, a scenic waterfront walk towards Stanley Park begins. Along the way, you'll see the seaplanes take off and land, and massive seagoing container ships heading out to sea.

Address: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver

Beyond the ornate Millennium Gate marking its entrance, Vancouver's exotic and interesting Chinatown features modern buildings amid many older ones dating from Victorian times.

Signs at shops and restaurants are often written in Chinese characters, particularly along East Pender, Keefer, and Main streets – the main shopping areas. Local attractions include the pretty walled Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden , modeled after a traditional garden from the Ming Dynasty.

Also worth seeing is the Sam Kee Building , which at barely two meters wide, claims to be the narrowest office building in the world. Every year, Chinese New Year is celebrated with an exuberant parade.

Oceanfront English Bay centers on one of the city's loveliest and busiest beaches . Part of the West End neighborhood, English Bay offers shopping and high-end restaurants, but is also a popular outdoor area where people come to walk, bike, rollerblade, or hang out with the public art installations.

English Bay is not far from Stanley Park , and a waterfront trail joins the two. The beach is strewn with large tree trunks, which make a perfect back rest for sunbathers.

One of the biggest events of the summer is Celebration of Light. Generally occurring around the last week of July, spectacular fireworks are set to music. Another popular event is the New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim, when hardy swimmers take a dip in the chilly Pacific waters.

Vancouver's first tourist attraction, the Capilano Suspension Bridge opened in 1889 and has been thrilling visitors with its swaying bridge over a plummeting canyon ever since. The footbridge spans a 70-meter deep river canyon leading to an activity park filled with forest trails and a treetop walk through old-growth giants. There's also a collection of totem poles and a transparent suspended platform known as the Cliffwalk.

If you are staying in Vancouver and looking for an easy way to visit the bridge and see some city highlights, the Vancouver City Tour including Capilano Suspension Bridge is a convenient option. This trip includes a half-day tour of Vancouver, a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and a cliff walk adventure.

Also along Capilano Road, Capilano Salmon Hatchery is worth a visit (in fall especially) to spot flashing salmon as they try to swim upstream. The fish ladder - a series of staggered pools - allows fish to bypass Cleveland Dam. Check out the underwater windows for a first-hand look at their efforts.

Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia

One of the best views of Vancouver is fortunately one of the cheapest. Jump on the small Aquabus and bob your way across and around False Creek while soaking up the incredible views. It's easy to get on board – eight pickup points are strategically placed around the downtown waterfront.

You'll never have to wait long, one of the colorfully painted 13 Aquabuses will be by to pick you up every 15 minutes. The boats are pet friendly, bike friendly, and can accommodate wheelchairs. The Aquabus is particularly handy if you are walking around downtown and would like to grab lunch or do a bit of shopping at Granville Island.

Robson Street is best known for shopping. But international brand names aside, it's also the setting for many inventive Vancouver happenings.

The main hub of activity on Robson Street is centered between Burrard and Jarvis Streets . Over these three blocks, you'll find over 150 stores and restaurants. Take a stroll up and down the street, and see if you can snag a patio seat to engage in some serious people watching.

Robson Street is central to many of the city's top attractions, so a visit here is easily combined with a stop at the Vancouver Art Gallery or nearby Robson Square.

Location: Robson Street at Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

In Vanier Park near Burrard Bridge, the Museum of Vancouver is a large institution devoted to all things Vancouver. It covers the city history from the first Coast Salish communities to Japantown, Kitsilano hippie days, and urban development.

In the same building is the HR MacMillan Space Centre with its planetarium, an observatory, and the waterfront Maritime Museum , where splendid views capture English Bay with the North Shore mountains beyond.

If you are staying downtown, catch the Aquabus across False Creek to Vanier Park and get off at the Maritime Museum Ferry dock.

Address: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

The center of Queen Elizabeth Park, Little Mountain, marks the highest point in Vancouver, and its elevated position affords excellent views of the city center and the mountains to the north.

Things to do in the park include pitch-and-putt golf, tennis, disc golf, and visiting the extensive outdoor arboretum. If the day is grey and cool, escape to the tropical environment of the Bloedel Conservatory .

Queen Elizabeth Park has an excellent restaurant called Seasons in the Park. Walk the park in the mid-morning, then stop in for lunch while you soak up the amazing views of downtown Vancouver.

The sunken Quarry Garden makes a lovely spot to stroll on a warm summer day. For more horticultural explorations, head a couple of blocks west to VanDusen Botanical Garden, where there is always something in bloom amid beds representing various regions and species.

Location: Cambie Street and West 33rd Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia

The futuristic sphere-like building of Science World is home to a child-friendly exploration center that explains phenomena through 12 hands-on exhibits and demonstrations. Themes include water, air, motion, and invention.

Visiting exhibits are often impressive and part of world tours. The building, which is an unmistakable waterfront landmark in Vancouver, was originally built for Expo 86, a World's Fair.

Address: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

South of Vancouver, Richmond is Vancouver's second Chinatown, hence you'll see many shops with Chinese characters on their signs. If you crave authentic Chinese food, you are in the right spot. Hundreds of restaurants line the streets, serving delicious food.

Richmond is also packed with sightseeing attractions, from a renowned Buddhist temple to the picturesque former fishing village of Steveston where you'll find waterfront restaurants and shops in restored old boatsheds. Located in the latter, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is one of the most historic settings in Richmond, and it relays the history of the West Coast fishing industry.

Once you've had your fill of tourist attractions, head to the malls to find imported Asian goods and much more. In the warmer weather, come down at night, when vibrant night markets take place and are similar in nature to ones you'd find in Hong Kong.

The waters off Vancouver's coastline, known as the Salish Sea, are an excellent place to see whales. Humpback and gray whales, along with smaller minke and orcas swim in these waters.

The main whale watching season runs from March through October. Options for seeing the whales range from aerial viewing from a float plane to Zodiac boats, or for those looking for a more stable platform, larger tour boats. If you are lucky, you might even spot a few whales from the BC ferries that transit between Vancouver and Victoria .

Strict regulations are in place that limit how close the boats can get to the whales. A popular option leaves from in front of the Westin Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver takes you out on the Salish Sea Dream, an 80-foot double decker catamaran. Along the way, interesting commentary is provided. You'll have a good chance of sighting a whale from one of the multiple viewing decks.

The British Columbia climate is ideal for producing spectacular displays of flowers, and there's no better place to see them in their full glory than the VanDusen Botanical Garden . The garden is handily located a short distance from downtown on Oak Street near the aforementioned Queen Elizabeth Park.

The garden is a pleasant place to wander, and something is always in bloom no matter when you visit. To maximize your enjoyment, be sure to check out the bloom guide that the gardens put out on their website prior to each season.

Highlights of any visit include the cherry trees bursting into color in the spring followed by the rhododendrons and laburnums, then the roses and hydrangeas putting on their show in the summer. Come fall, the Japanese maples, ginkgo trees, and rudbeckia step up and do their part in impressing guests.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is the city's premier arts institution, located in Downtown Vancouver. The gallery presents innovative, world-class exhibitions year-round featuring the works of local and international artists on a rotating basis. The gallery's collection includes paintings by renowned BC artist Emily Carr (1871-1945), as well as contemporary works by Asia-Pacific and First Nations artists.

The façade of the building faces Robson Square , an interesting public space designed by Arthur Erickson, which includes a winter ice-skating rink and law courts.

The steps with their carved lions out front of the gallery are a popular meeting spot and demonstration site for whatever causes are in the news. The Vancouver Art Gallery is located on Hornby Street, not far from Robson Street, and a visit to both is easily accomplished.

One of the most popular day trips is a drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler . If you want to do some sightseeing along the way, stop in at Squamish and Shannon Falls. Then, spend the afternoon wandering around Whistler Village, where you'll find shops, restaurants, and beautiful scenery around every corner. If you are a skier and you're visiting in winter, plan on a day of skiing here.

Other popular day trips from Vancouver include visiting some of the Gulf Islands, like Salt Spring Island , or taking a ferry all the way to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Ferries run regularly and the trip to Victoria is only about 1.5 hours.

Read More: From Vancouver to Victoria: Best Ways to Get There

To experience the best of Vancouver, it's a good idea to stay right downtown. Vancouver has a vibrant and active city center, where people live, work, and play. Many of the top attractions, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Robson Street, Gastown, and Granville Island, are located in the city center, along with great shopping and dining. Below are some highly-rated hotels in convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels:

• With a superb location, looking out over Vancouver Harbour, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is one of the city's finest hotels.
• Just off Robson Street near the famous Vancouver Public Library, the boutique L'Hermitage Hotel is a great luxury option for families or groups, with regular rooms and multi-room suites with kitchens.
• Near Robson Square, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia , first opened in 1927, is one of Vancouver's classic luxury hotels in the heart of downtown.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• True mid-range hotels are in scarce supply in the city center. At the top-end of mid-range, the centrally located Executive Hotel Le Soleil is a lovely boutique hotel with elegant suites.
• Near False Creek and Granville Island, the Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown is an extended-stay hotel with studios, as well as suites with full kitchens.
• At the east end of downtown, close to Roger's Center, Science World, and Gastown, is the well-appointed Georgian Court Hotel, BW Premier Collection.

Budget Hotels :

• Located near Roger's Center, the non-profit YWCA Hotel Vancouver welcomes all travelers to their clean, modern, and comfortable rooms. All room revenue, less operating expenses, is put back towards social programs for women, children, and families.
• Near Gastown, is the Victorian Hotel , in a late 1800s Victorian-style building, with comfortable rooms and modern décor.
• In a very central location and within walking distance to the Vancouver Convention Center and the Olympic Cauldron is the basic but comfortable Days Inn by Wyndam Vancouver Downtown .
• Sightseeing : Vancouver is a big city, and it can be somewhat confusing with the water and bridges. A great way to see the attractions and get acquainted with the layout of the city is on a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour . The bus tour stops at 24 locations. Tickets are valid for either one or two days.
• Day Trips : Vancouver Island is one of Canada's most beautiful destinations, and it's less than two hours away by ferry from Vancouver. One of the easiest ways to see a bit of the island, including the beautiful provincial capital of Victoria, is on a Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour . This tour takes you by bus and scenic ferry ride through the Gulf Islands to Victoria, where you'll have time to explore the city and see the famous Butchart Gardens, located just outside the city. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip ferry, bus, and admission to the gardens.

Tourists tend to flock to Vancouver in the summer when the days are long and the sun is shining. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are less busy, but the weather is a little less predictable. Even the winter — known for being dark and damp — has something to offer.

Spring: Vancouver experiences spring much earlier than the rest of Canada, and it is arguably when the city is at its most beautiful . It doesn't take long for the daffodils to poke out of the earth and for the infamous cherry blossoms to make an appearance, covering the city in delicate pink petals.

Of course, it takes rain to make flowers grow — and early spring can be a rainy time in Vancouver. Luckily, the temperatures this time of year are relatively warm, meaning it is still very pleasant to take in the sights of the city — though you may prefer to do so from under an umbrella.

In late spring, the rainy days become fewer, and the days get longer, but the crowds tend to stay away until the end of June. The late May to mid-June period offers the optimal conditions for a perfect Vancouver visit: great weather, but not too busy.

Summer: If you'd rather skip out on experiencing the notorious rain, then the summer months are your best bet for a visit to Vancouver. While there are no guarantees, the odds are good that you'll be treated to plenty of clear, sunny days in July and August , which are traditionally the warmest and driest months in Vancouver.

In the summer, the entire city tends to head outdoors. Whether exploring Stanley Park by bike, hiking the surrounding mountains, or just lounging at one of Vancouver's many beaches , there's simply no better way to experience summer in Vancouver than by being outside.

The fact that summer in Vancouver is spectacular is, unfortunately, not a very well-kept secret. Expect to pay a premium to enjoy summer in Vancouver, and always aim to show up early if you want to beat the crowds.

Fall: Fall in Vancouver can be somewhat hit or miss. If you happen to catch it on a "hit" day, then you're in for a real treat: crisp air, leaves changing colors, and clear views of the North Shore mountains as they get their first dusting of snow up top.

Hiking this time of year can be phenomenal. The bugs are a non-issue, the weather stays comfortable throughout the entire day, and the crowds of summer are long gone. Be mindful of hiking at elevation, as trails on the mountains can get covered in snow in the fall months. Always keep your eye on the time: as the daylight hours shrink, you are left with less time for those longer hikes.

Winter: While winter in the rest of Canada conjures up images of ice, snow, and bitter cold, that couldn't be further from winter in Vancouver. You'll want to dress properly if you visit Vancouver in the winter, but you're more likely to need to protect yourself from the rain than from the cold. The average temperature in Vancouver in January is 7 degrees Celsius (about 45 degrees Fahrenheit) — but the average rainfall for the month is about 140 millimeters (5.5 inches)!

While the rest of Canada is hibernating from the cold, people in Vancouver are able to get out and about thanks to its mild winters . The holiday season in Vancouver is, in a word, magical , with the Festival of Lights in VanDusen Gardens, the German-inspired Vancouver Christmas Market, and the spectacular Bright Nights at Vancouver's famous Stanley Park.

Though you're likely to experience at least some rain in the winter months, you also might get lucky with a few bluebird days. It isn't unusual to see people out on the golf course, even in the middle of winter!

If you're caught in a rainy spell, simply hop on a shuttle and head up to Whistler . Just two hours north of Vancouver, this world-renowned ski resort is best enjoyed in the winter months. If it's raining in Vancouver, chances are good that Whistler is getting covered in snow.

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The Best Things to Do in Canada

38 of the Best Things to Do in Vancouver

May 23, 2022 By Matthew G. Bailey 20 Comments

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Things to Do in Vancouver Last updated: April 18th, 2023

When people ask us what we think is the most beautiful city in Canada, Vancouver is our answer. Although it’s one of the most densely populated cities in North America, it’s also surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including lush rainforest, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s because of its setting that we often rank Vancouver, British Columbia as one of the prettiest cities on Earth.

Vancouver is also vastly urban, with hundreds of skyscrapers dotting the landscape. You can easily be surrounded by a concrete jungle in the morning and out in the forest in the afternoon. This is what makes it such a great place to visit. However, it’s also one of the most expensive cities in Canada, especially when it comes to real estate and accommodation.

If you’re looking for a vibrant art scene, loads of delicious restaurants, historic districts, thriving markets, incredible urban parks, and beautiful vistas, Vancouver should be on your bucket list. In this Vancouver Travel Guide, we’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Vancouver while also sharing some tips on saving money, how to get around, where to stay, and more.

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, which creates loads of attractions, activities, and other things to do. Below is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Whenever we go to Vancouver, we always make sure we take time to ride a bike or go for a walk around Stanley Park . It’s Vancouver’s first urban park and remains the largest with over 400 hectares of natural West Coast rainforest. It’s filled with beautiful beaches, local wildlife, and historical landmarks. It’s also home to the incredible aquarium. Whether you walk within Stanley Park while marvelling at magnificent trees, or take the seawall for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, Stanley Park is a great place to go to be immersed in nature while inside the city. The park is open from 6 am until 10 pm unless otherwise posted.

Vancouver Aquarium

While visiting Stanley Park, you may want to pay a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium as well. This is Canada’s largest aquarium with more than 70,000 beautiful creatures, such as dolphins, anacondas, sea otters, sloths, and more. The Vancouver Aquarium is also well respected for its research and marine stewardship and is a great place to learn about the region’s marine life.

Granville Island

Located right in the middle of the city is a little peninsula that’s become a popular hub for food and drink. Granville Island has a wonderful food market, a famous brewery, and a variety of cool shops. In the summer, it’s also alive with boat taxis, paddle-boarders, and kayakers.

Ride a Ferry

Speaking of Granville Island, one of the best ways to get there is by ferry! When walking around the waterfront, you’ll notice all sorts of little ferries travelling between places such as Kitsilano Beach, Granville Island, and Science World. It’s fairly cheap and is a fun way to just travel around and see Vancouver from the water. Consider buying a day pass and just enjoying it throughout the day.

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Speaking of riding a ferry, one of the dock locations is near the Vancouver Maritime Museum , a hidden gem in Kitsilano that shares stories about the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic while creating experiences that build bridges between the past and future. From their unique waterfront location,  visitors can explore  exhibitions and take part in programs about life on and around the Pacific Northwest and Arctic oceans. Their most popular exhibition is the RCMP Vessel St. Roch, a National Historic Site housed in an iconic mid-century modern A-frame shelter. 

Take a Boat Tour

Soak in the unparalleled views of Vancouver’s breathtaking coastline aboard one of Sea Vancouver’s zodiac-style vessels, which is the fastest and most exciting way to see Vancouver from the sea!

Your trip starts with a relaxing cruise along Vancouver’s Inner Harbour before soaring up to 55 km/h as you cross through the Burrard Inlet. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the sights of Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, the North Shore, English Bay, False Creek and Stanley Park. Tours are 90 mins in length and depart hourly from Granville Island.

Rent a Seadoo, Kayak, or Paddleboard

Surrounded by water, Vancouver is an excellent city to go kayaking, paddle boarding , or jet skiing . Whether you’re looking to go solo or join a guided tour, Vancouver Water Adventures has something for everyone. Their fleet includes 35 jet skis, 80 paddleboards, 60 kayaks and two beautiful tour boats. They’re located at Granville Island and at a kiosk on Kitsilano Beach. Whether you are experienced or inexperienced, a local or a visitor looking for a local experience, they will help you find the best activity for your trip.

Grouse Mountain

Quite possibly Vancouver’s top outdoor attraction, Grouse Mountain is a great place to go for gruelling mountain hikes or even an easy gondola ride to get jaw-dropping views of the city and the surrounding mountains. You can also see wildlife like bears and owls, enjoy outdoor shows like the Lumberjack show and Birds in Motion. In the winter, enjoy adventures including the stunning Light Walk, Sliding Zone, outdoor skating pond, or give snowshoeing a try on an array of trails. You can also rent skates, sleds and snowshoes.

The Gondola costs approximately $80 for a return-trip. Get your tickets here!

Rent a Bike

Vancouver is one of the best cities in Canada for biking. Whether you’re looking to share the urban streets with cars while cycling next to skyscrapers or heading off for an adventure in Stanley Park to cycle along the seawall, there’s no shortage of options for peddling a bike. In fact, due to its immense popularity, there’s a plethora of places to rent a bike from as well. Some options include English Bay Bike Rentals, Cycle City Tours, Spokes Bicycle Rentals, and Freedom Bike Rentals.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Another popular attraction is the 450-foot-long Capilano suspension bridge, which hangs over the Capilano River in North Vancouver. For those afraid of heights, it’s quite the thrill. Soar over the Capilano River as you cross the suspension bridge, climb through old-growth fir trees on the Treetops Adventure, and rise high above the canyon along a towering wall of granite on the new Cliffwalk.

Buy Your Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets here.

Lynn Canyon Park Suspension Bridge

If you’d like to live like a local and go for a hike in a beautiful area complete with another suspension bridge, Lynn Canyon Park is a great option. For one, the suspension bridge here is free and it’s still 150 feet high! There are also short scenic hikes, swimming holes, and waterfalls. It’s a great place to spend a good half day.

The Polygon Gallery

The Polygon is a vibrant art institution that inspires and provokes cultural insight through adventurous programming. The Gallery is committed to championing artists and cultivating engaged audiences. Its lens of inquiry creatively responds to shifting perceptions of the world, through the histories and evolving technologies of photography and related media.

• Vancouver Whale Watching

If you really want to see something magical while visiting Vancouver, consider a Vancouver whale watching tour. Vancouver and Vancouver Island are famous for Orca whales, including resident orca whales and transient orca whales. We’ve had spectacular whale-watching experiences around Vancouver and also out in Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. While nature can be unpredictable, your chances of seeing them are very high. Tours cost approximately $145 CAD. The only company we’ve gone with is Seabreeze Adventures, which is located in Steveston. During our tour with them, we saw a pod of resident killer whales and a pod of transient killer whales. Pretty amazing, especially when you consider it’s only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver!

Gastown and the Steam Clock

No visit to Vancouver would be complete without visiting Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood. Once home to a single tavern back in 1867, it’s now a very trendy part of the city with a plethora of restaurants, cafes, vars, and shops. It’s also home to beautiful historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and the famous Steam Clock, which goes off every hour.

Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Located on Vancouver Campus, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum gives you the chance to fall in love with the diversity of life through more than 500 exhibits, more than 2 million specimens, and Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton. Enjoy more than 20,000 square feet of exhibits, including dinosaur trackways from BC’s early Cretaceous period, and myriad fossils, mammals, reptiles, and plants from around the region and across the planet.

Take a Historic Walking Tour

If you really want to learn about Vancouver’s history while taking in the shabby East Village and Gastown districts, consider taking a Forbidden Vancouver walking tour . You’ll learn all about Vancouver’s dark history, including bootlegging, opium dens, corruption, and riots.

Go on a Date

As you can imagine, Canada’s most beautiful city has no shortage of options when it comes to romantic date ideas in Vancouver . Whether you’re looking for something in nature, such as a hike in Lynn Canyon, or something in the city, such as visiting one of the many museums, there are many options to choose from.

Vancouver Mysteries

If you love solving clues and are looking for an outdoor activity in downtown Vancouver, Vancouver Mysteries offers four outdoor games to uniquely explore the city. Choose the game, date and time and then watch for an email with digital waivers to sign, further instructions and the secret start location where you meet a Game Operator in character as a detective, spy or Agent X. They start your story and provide you with everything you need to solve your mystery, including a map, clues, artifacts and tools. This is real-life (no apps to download), self-guided, and only available in Vancouver.

Robson Street

If you’re visiting Vancouver, you probably want to spend some time in the city itself and one of the best streets to walk around is Robson Street. It’s full of delicious international restaurants, hipster cafes, and shops. It’s a great place for people-watching and feeling the soul of Vancouver. For lovers of Japanese food, there’s no shortage of it in Vancouver and you’ll find plenty of sushi bars, ramen shops, and Japanese bars to enjoy here.

This recently-converted industrial neighbourhood is now home to some of the city’s most popular pubs and eateries. It’s one of those places where you can eat lunch on a patio, go for a walk along the neighbouring Seawall, admire the street art, or just hang out in one of the nearby parks, such as David Lam Park or George Wainborn Park.

Watch a Sporting Event

If you’re into professional sports, Vancouver’s a great place to be. Vancouver is home to both a Canadian Football Team – the BC Lions – as well as a National Hockey League team – The Vancouver Canucks. If you’re visiting in the summer, football is on the agenda, whereas in the winter, it’s all about the Canucks. Vancouver is also home to the White Caps soccer team.

Find Filming Locations of Your Favourite Movies

Did you know that Vancouver is known as the Hollywood North? In fact, many Hollywood productions are filmed in Vancouver and you can join Fans of Vancouver on one of their filming location tours, seasonal walking tours, or urban adventures around Vancouver. Vancouver has productions filming all over the city on a regular basis and they will give you the best “movie tour” possible.

Go Nude at Wreck Beach

If you’re looking for a nude beach, this is the only one in the city. Here you’ll find naked folks just “hanging” out, sunbathing, swimming, and listening to music. It’s places like this that made Vancouver famous back in the ’70s. It’s located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Vancouver Art Gallery

If art is your thing, you won’t want to miss the collection of national and international artwork at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It’s home to more than 9,000 works of art, a whole exhibit devoted to Emily Carr (BC’s favourite historical artist) and late-night parties with live music. Admission is $24 CAD approx but is pay-what-you-want on Tuesdays.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Did you know? This was the first authentic Chinese garden built outside of China. It’s also been named the top city garden in the world by National Geographic and is located right in the heart of the city. Admire the ponds filled with koi fish, the 150-year-old miniature trees, and the various covered walkways as you walk around the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. It’s made even more special considering it was made using 14th-century methods, which means no glue, power tools, or screws! Admission is just $14 CAD (approx).

VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Botanical Garden is a beautiful botanical garden situated in Vancouver’s Shaughnessy neighbourhood. The Garden covers 22 hectares (55 acres) and displays plants from all over the world, including an extensive collection of native British Columbia (Northwest Coast) plants.

In addition to water features throughout the rolling landscape, special features in the garden include carved totem poles, a small Japanese garden and large stone sculptures. There’s also a beautiful maze adjacent to VanDusen’s heirloom vegetable garden.

Nitobe Memorial Garden

Located at the University of British Columbia, Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese stroll garden with an authentic tea house and is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

The garden is beautiful in all weather and highlights the passing of the seasons such as cherry blossoms in spring, blooming irises in summer, maple leaves glowing red and yellow in the fall, and both native and Japanese trees pruned in winter. No matter what time of year, carpets of moss, bridges that span a koi pond and iris bed, and stone paths that cross waterfalls, create a peaceful atmosphere that invites the visitor to reflect on both the beauty of nature and its place in their lives.

Greenheart TreeWalk

Also located at the University of British Columbia, the Greenheart TreeWalk will spark your adventurous spirit as you navigate suspended walkways and tree platforms high above the forest floor. Located in the heart of UBC Botanical Garden, the 310 metre-long treetop canopy walkway hangs from huge Douglas firs, cedars and grand firs, many of which are over 100 years old. Reaching a height of nearly 20 metres above the forest floor, the walkway will give you a bird’s eye view of Vancouver’s magnificent coastal temperate rainforest.

Get a View from Harbour Centre Observation Deck

If you’re looking for a view of the city, head on over to the downtown Harbour Centre’s observation deck for panoramic views over the city, mountains, and ocean. Admission is $18 CAD (approx).

Museum of Anthropology at UBC

If you’re looking for one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations arts, this is the place to go! Located at the University of British Columbia just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, you’ll find spectacular carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks inside a gorgeous building overlooking the mountains and sea. You’ll also find the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, 9,000 objects from around the world, a collection of European ceramic unique to North America, and monumental Haida houses and totem poles on the museum grounds. Admission is $18 CAD (approx).

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

This Gallery is the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art , making it a spectacular place to witness art from the region. Inside you’ll find the Bill Reid SFU Art Collection, as well as special exhibitions and programs that build bridges between all peoples. It’s located in downtown Vancouver, within walking distance of the Pacific Centre. Admission is $13 CAD.

Richmond Night Market

For all the foodies out there, one of the coolest – and tastiest – spots you can visit in the city is the Richmond Night Market. Open between May and September, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped foot into Asia, enjoying a wide range of Asian food, culture, and shopping. Snacks start at $2 CAD.

Go on a Food Tour

Vancouver is a great place for food lovers and Vancouver Foodie Tours is one of the most popular food tours in the city. They’ll take you to as many as eight different spots around Gastown and Granville Island, making sure your tastebuds are satisfied. Tickets start at $95 CAD.

Experience Canada with FlyOver Canada

Want to get a taste of the second-largest country on Earth in just 8 minutes? Located at Canada Place on Vancouver’s waterfront, FlyOver Canada utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while the film whisks you away on an exhilarating 8-minute journey across Canada , from east to west. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. This motion ride is extremely popular and some people even told us that it made them cry from seeing all the beauty of Canada.

Vancouver Police Museum

The Vancouver Police Museum and Archives are dedicated to preserving the history and memory of British Columbia’s largest independent municipal agency, the historic City Coroner’s Services and the City Analyst’s Laboratory, serving as an educational institution, living memorial, cultural anchor, and bridge between Vancouver citizens, visitors and local law enforcement.

The museum is located on the top floor of the city-owned Coroner’s Court building and permanent exhibits include the original morgue and autopsy suite. The museum maintains a collection of more than 30,000 objects, including archival documents, photographs, publications, confiscated firearms and other weapons, counterfeit currency, and various other artifacts and memorabilia, of which an estimated 40% is on display.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

If you’re into history, this could be a great thing to add to your Vancouver bucket list. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society honours the importance of Canada’s West Coast fishing history by sharing stories of the fishing industry and fishing communities through exhibitions, collections, programs, and events.

Explore the Sea from Sewell’s Marina

Whether you’re looking to rent your own speed boat, go fishing, or join a sea safari, Sewell’s Marina has you covered. Located in Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, Sewell’s Marina has been introducing visitors to Vancouver’s ocean playground since 1931. This includes Fishing Derbies, Sea Safari Eco Tours, Company Scavenger Hunts and their famous self-drive boat rental fleet. You can also enjoy lovely ocean and mountain views from their “deck of the bay”, even if you’re not up for an ocean adventure. Howe Sound offers over 300 sq. miles of sheltered islands and bays to explore and the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands are within easy sailing distance of Horseshoe Bay.

Take a Day Trip to Whistler

If you want to explore Whistler Village and marvel at the beautiful waterfalls in the famous Sea to Sky region, you might want to opt for a day tour from Vancouver to Whistler with BeWild Adventures . They also offer a number of guided hikes as well.

Taste Craft Beer at the Many Vancouver Breweries

Trying to decide on the best breweries in Vancouver is like trying to decide on the best pizza joint in Italy. There are so many breweries in Vancouver and all of them are good. You can’t go wrong. However, we reached out to a local and asked them to name five. Here they are:

Brassneck Brewery: According to many locals, Brassneck Brewery makes the best beer in the city. Whether you order your favourite pint or a flight of four, the prices are very reasonable and they have a great location on Main Street.

Stanley Park Brewing: Located right inside Stanley Park, not far from Second Beach, Stanley Park Brewing is an excellent place to sample some craft beer and munch down on some delicious food. They also have an awesome patio and are surrounded by tennis courts and nature.

33 Acres Brewing Company: If you’re looking for coffee and beer, this is the place to go.  It’s now become so popular, that they’ve had to expand…but not too much.

Callister Brewing Company: Located within walking distance of must-see Gastown, this cool little brewery creates tiny, collaborative brews. People love it not only for their great beer but because 4 microbreweries share the same space, giving you lots of options. We’ve also heard great things about the bacon cheese board.

Powell Brewery: If you love Tiny and Old Skool, this is the place to go. This husband-and-wife-team-owned nano-brewery won “Beer of the Year” from the Canadian Brewing Awards for their Old Jalopy Pale Ale. Suddenly, they weren’t so small, as more people requested their all-natural, hand-crafted beers.

If that’s not enough for you, consider a day trip out to Port Moody or North Vancouver for their walkable brewery districts. Both are accessible by transit. Cheers!

Where to Eat in Vancouver

Vancouver has so many dining establishments that an entire website could be dedicated just to that. However, if you just want some quick recommendations based on places we’ve been, here are a few that stand out.

Water St. Café : Located in the popular neighbourhood of Gastown and literally across the street from the world-famous Steam Clock, Water St. Café is a great place to go for some Italian-influenced fine dining. It has a fancy look on the inside, making it great for a date as well, in addition to a lovely patio and an upstairs dining area that is known for its nightly live music. They also have a very good happy hour menu if you’re looking to sip back on a cocktail while enjoying the variety of people across the street admiring the Steam Clock. We visited during the month of May when they were hosting their annual Crab Fest, allowing us to indulge in many crab-inspired dishes. We really loved their Crab Panzanella, which featured BC Dungeness crab served on a giant garlic crouton. Yum!

Honey Salt : Another beautiful restaurant that’s located right inside BC Place is Honey Salt . This neighbourhood restaurant combines classic comfort with a relaxed sophistication, serving chef-driven, farm-to-table cuisine with an emphasis on locally and regionally sourced ingredients that highlight the bounty of British Columbia in an approachable and comfortable setting. We were able to try a variety of dishes during our visit, such as their Pan Roasted Halibut, Delmonico Ribeye, and their delicious Crispy Brussels Sprouts, which come with lemon, Parmigiano Reggiano, and crushed chili flakes. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dessert. We recommend trying their Society Chocolate & Banana Cake.

Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub : Also recommended for anyone looking for craft beer, Stanley Park Brewpub is a great place to eat as well. Located inside Stanley Park, this brewpub serves up brunch, lunch and dinner, including some really delicious bowls. We had both their Schezuan rice bowl with chicken, crispy noodles, and kimchi, as well as the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, which features soy-marinated tuna, crab, edamame, tempura puffs, and more. Both were delicious but made even better when washing it down with a pint of craft beer . They also feature a variety of appetizers, pizzas, burgers, and snacks.

Tips for Saving Money in Vancouver

When it comes to costs, Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, especially when it comes to real estate. However, there are still some ways you save some money.

Free parks and gardens: There are loads of free parks and gardens to enjoy around the city, such as the world-famous Stanley Park. Spend some time outside, enjoy the fresh air, and don’t spend a dime.

Free Walking Tours: Every time we take a “free” walking tour somewhere in the world, we’re impressed. It’s just a great way to learn some key facts and stories before enjoying the city at your own pace. You should definitely be prepared to tip but still, it’s a cheap way to enjoy a new city.

Discounted Entertainment: If you want to experience the entertainment side of Vancouver, check out ticketstonight.ca to look for half-priced entertainment tickets.

Enjoy Happy Hour: Eating and drinking during happy hour is a great way to save money and most bars and restaurants have discounts at certain times. Search for the Ultimate Happy Hours website for updated info across the city.

Same-Day Sports Tickets: If you want to watch a sports game and save money at the same time, the Tourism Vancouver Visitors’ Centre actually offers “Tickets Tonight”, which is half-priced tickets for events that haven’t sold out.

Spend Tuesday evening at the Vancouver Art Gallery on a Tuesday: Want to check out some incredible art for cheap? After 5 pm on Tuesday nights, the Vancouver Art Gallery is by donation only.

Coupon Sites: Like most cities, Vancouver has lots of deals on sites like Groupon and Living Social.

Purchase Tickets Online: Vancouverattractions.com lets you purchase tickets in advance, saving you up to 30%!

Where to Stay in Vancouver

Vancouver is home to a plethora of accommodation , ranging from budget hostels to super high-end hotels and everything in-between. For those on an extreme budget, you might want to try Couchsurfing, which can be great to meet like-minded people as well. Other recommendations include:

Samesun Hostel: For those on a budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better hostel than Samesun Vancouver. It’s centrally located, near the Skytrain, and is within walking distance from Granville Island and Gastown. It’s one of the most popular hostels in Vancouver and for good reason.

Best Western Premier Chateau Granville Hotel & Suites : Located right in the heart of Vancouver, within walking distance to almost everything, this Best Western Premier is a great option for those looking for a mid-range hotel with all the amenities you need. Many of the rooms have balconies as well, allowing you to get some fresh air while admiring some very beautiful views of the city.

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre: Way back in 2010, we scored this beautiful hotel on Priceline for a 50% discount. While I’m not sure you’d find a deal like that anymore, all I can say is that the views from our balcony on the 27th floor were hard to beat. Like any Sheraton hotel, it’s beautiful inside and out.

Getting to Vancouver

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Vancouver, here’s some practical advice on how to get here.

Getting to Vancouver by Plane

If you’re flying into Vancouver, you’ll most likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Although there are other smaller airports around, this is the one that gets used by most visitors. It’s located just 25 minutes from downtown, is rated as one of the best airports in North America, and offers easy access to downtown Vancouver, including the Skytrain.

From the airport to downtown, take the Canada Line for just $13 CAD (approx).

Getting to Vancouver by Car

Vancouver is also a great place to visit by car. Most people would be either driving west from interior BC or the mountains or driving up from the USA. Vancouver shares one of the busiest border crossings in the country and lots of people traverse the border for work. The drive between Seattle and Vancouver is less than three hours. If you’re on a Canada Road Trip , the drive from Calgary to Vancouver is one of the most scenic drives in the country, passing through numerous national parks and jaw-dropping scenery.

Getting to Vancouver by Bus

Although western Canada lost the service of Greyhound, there are still a few options for getting to Vancouver by bus. From Calgary, there’s the Rider Express, which takes just over 13 hours. From Seattle, the bus takes around 4 hours and is served by Greyhound, Bolt Bus, and Quick Shuttle. The easiest way to check options is by using Busbud.com.

How to Get Around Vancouver

Vancouver is probably one of the best cities in Canada for public transportation. This is due to the fact that the city is so densely populated, similar to places like New York. Because of this, tourists will find it quite easy to use the train, buses, or other modes of transportation.

Train: Both the SkyTrain Rapid Transit system and the Canada Line are common ways of traversing the city of Vancouver. You can get almost anywhere with one-way tickets ranging from $3 to $5.75 CAD. You can also buy a day pass for $10.50 CAD or a Compass Card for loading money onto. For schedules and more, visit Translink.ca.

Bus: Vancouver’s bus system also works well but only operates on one-zone fares, which can be annoying at times. Tickets between the trains and the buses are non-transferable either unless you use the Compass Card. However, if you’re travelling around at night, the buses run later than the trains, so they might be your best choice.

SeaBus: If you’re travelling by water, such as from Downtown Vancouver to the North Shore, you can jump on the SeaBus, which is also run by Translink.ca.

Taxi: Like most of Canada, taxis are not cheap but they can be convenient. Prices start at $3.50 CAD and it’s $1.89 CAD per kilometre after. As of January 2020, Uber and Lyft are also possible in downtown Vancouver.

Bicycle: Vancouver is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country and there are many places to rent them. We definitely recommend renting one to bike around Stanley Park, but traversing the city can be a good option as well. The public bike rental system is called Mobi, which costs $12 CAD per day for unlimited 30-minute rides.

Weather in Vancouver (Best Time to Visit)

Vancouver is one of the mildest cities in Canada, receiving very little snowfall and rarely dipping below 0°C. It does, however, get a lot of rain, especially in the winter months.

The busiest time to visit Vancouver is just like all cities in Canada – the summer! It gets quite hot and sunny during the summer months, averaging around 25°C. Like all Canadian cities, this is when the city truly comes to life. However, prices are also the highest at this time.

As mentioned, the winters in Vancouver are milder than almost anywhere else in Canada, with temperatures averaging just 6°C. However, you can still enjoy a “classic winter” by hitting the slopes of the world-famous Whistler Mountain Resort or Grouse Mountain.

Other times to visit would be the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. These can be rainy times to visit but are generally warm in temperature. Not hot. However, prices are less, crowds are fewer, and certain activities are in their prime, such as whale watching , which is best between April and May.

Fun Things to Do Beyond Vancouver

Another great part about Vancouver is that there are so many things to do outside of the city as well. From taking the ferry over to magical Vancouver Island, road tripping up to Whistler, driving to wine country around Kelowna, or going all the way past the Canadian Rockies to Calgary, Alberta, there are so many things to do for all types of travellers.

For more on what to do outside of Vancouver, check out these articles below:

• Things to Do in British Columbia
• Things to Do in Whistler in Winter
• Things to Do in Victoria, BC 
• Things to Do in Kelowna
• Things to Do in Nanaimo

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

April 21, 2020 at 6:15 pm

This is a very high-quality report! I would like to share it with my classmates at The University of Calgary! This travel information would be helpful for those of us who will be studying at The University of British Columbia soon! And The Saver Card would be a great resource for Students also! Especially the International Students!

April 21, 2020 at 11:22 pm

Thanks, Chris. I’ll have to reach out to the universities and see what they think!

May 10, 2021 at 10:13 am

Vancouver is an awesome city. Been there many times. Can’t wait to go back for another visit.

May 12, 2021 at 12:38 pm

Love visiting Vancouver. Two of my favorites are Fly Over Canada & Stanley Park.

May 15, 2021 at 12:45 pm

Great ideas!

May 18, 2021 at 11:31 pm

Really neat reading about one’s own city…nicely done!

May 24, 2021 at 2:13 pm

We have a trip planned for the fall and are so looking forward to taking advantage of some of these great Vancouver sites!

May 26, 2021 at 12:07 am

This is a great article! Born and raised in the Fraser Valley and we are always checking out new trails or parks in all the neighbouring cities.

May 26, 2021 at 7:20 am

Thank you sharing the list of things to do in Vancouver. This will be very useful for them who are new in this city.

May 26, 2021 at 7:22 am

Thank you sharing the list of things to do in Vancouver. This city is best to explore.

May 26, 2021 at 7:43 am

I’m moving to Vancouver in the fall and absolutely can’t wait to try some of this stuff out, thanks so much for all the tips!

May 27, 2021 at 7:40 am

Hit up Wreck Beach last Friday, absolutely loved it!

February 6, 2022 at 10:16 pm

I recently started watching your videos and must have watched atleast 20 of them over the past weekend. They ave given me amazing travel goals. I came to your website from your youtube channel and while reading this article I could hear both of your voices dictating this article 😀 Thank you for your great informational videos!

February 8, 2022 at 4:47 pm

haha that’s awesome! Thanks so much, Isha!

April 5, 2022 at 11:35 pm

Thank you for sharing this informative blog. This must be very helpful for those who are new to the city.

May 25, 2022 at 9:22 pm

Looks like an amazing place. Really hoping yo visit sometime soon.

May 26, 2022 at 2:50 pm

Bang on! Been many times!

June 1, 2022 at 10:54 am

These all sound awesome!

June 7, 2022 at 6:39 am

Hope to go one day!

August 29, 2022 at 8:18 am

We plan on going west and this guide will certainly help guide us. Saved on my favorites.

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A First Timer’s Vancouver Itinerary for 7 Days

If you need the perfect little Vancouver itinerary for one week or 7 days, then this guide is for you! I think I did a pretty good amount of travel around one of Canada’s most famous cities, so hopefully this post gives you a bunch of ideas for your own trip.

My trip to Vancouver was SO much fun. It was also the first time in a while that I’d basically done all travel with very little downtime for work. I went to visit two of my friends, Maggie and Nathalie, and because I’ve never been to Canada before, Vancouver seemed like a great city to start with. Never mind I’ve grown up on the East Coast, so you’d think I’d have made it to Niagara Falls or Toronto beforehand!

Anyway, here’s my full Vancouver itinerary for 7 days!

How to Spend 7 Days in Vancouver

Day 1: Arrival + Dinner

I flew from Providence to Toronto to Vancouver and arrived around 6 pm. So, this is a bit of a cheat day because my itinerary starts quite late!

Check In: HI Vancouver Central

I checked into HI Vancouver Central , a popular hostel chain. I chose it because I knew I’d do a lot of sightseeing and walking around in downtown Vancouver for my first two days, and I wanted to be as central as possible. This city is pretty expensive, so the hostel was still about $150 CAD for two nights!

The HI hostels were the nicest I found for the best price, and I still shared a 4-female room and had a shared bathroom. For a hostel, it’s good but still quite small. I’m also getting to that age where sharing a dorm with strangers and sleeping on the top bunk is not my idea of restful.  Check here for prices & availability

If you have a better budget than I did, try these hotels in Vancouver :

• L’Hermitage Hotel
• the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection

Dinner: Wingz

I met Maggie and her boyfriend, Dustin, at the subway station and we walked over to Wingz for dinner. We basically got to catch up, see a bit of Granville Street at night, and I got to try my first poutine in Canada!

Since my biological clock was 3 hours ahead, I went back and passed out by 9 pm.

Day 2: Granville Island, Gastown, & Yaletown

Breakfast: Elbow Cafe

My hostel’s breakfast was pretty simple — cereal, toast, coffee, tea, etc. I don’t mind this, especially when it’s “free,” but the line at 8:30 am was long and the area was crowded! Instead I just looked up nearby breakfast places.

The Elbow Cafe popped up and looked fun and quirky, so I went there, and it turned out to be such a fun place! The “rules” made me laugh, and everyone was super nice and friendly. My waiter taught me some Mandarin curse words as he gave me some tea haha.

Coffee: Blenz

I also wanted some coffee to go, so I #basicbitched and got a pumpkin spice latte from a nearby coffee shop that I found out later was a chain called Blenz Coffee. It was kind of chilly/rainy out, and I wore sandals, so I needed something warm!

Granville Island

The first thing on my list for the day was Granville Island — mainly because I didn’t want to get caught in the rain! You have to take the False Creek ferry over to Granville, and it’s $5.50 CAD round trip and takes maybe 10 minutes with ferries running super frequently (the sign says every 5 minutes).

Once upon a time, Granville Island was a dumping grown for industrial waste, but over the last fifty years, it’s transformed into a cool public area for the city. The big thing to do is walk around the Public Market and see all the vendors. Try a market tour like this one to learn more. 

But the island is pretty fun to roam around. I just walked and checked out the different industrial-esque buildings and popped into a few shots. There’s a really nice park called Parc Ron Basford that was lovely to just sit and admire Alder Bay. 

I ended my Granville trip with a salted caramel ice cream sandwich and house-made ginger ale from The Bread Affair. Loved the ice cream sandwich, wasn’t crazy about the Ginger Ale.

This was one of the days I spent a few hours doing work as I had some emails to send and client work to catch up on. Plus it had started to rain on my way back from Granville, so I wanted to sit and warm up before going back out again.

I’d read that Gastown was a bit like New York City, so I thought it might be nice to visit with it being so rainy and cloudy! The big landmark is this fun, whistling Steam Clock and Gastown’s version of a flatiron building.

It was actually Vancouver’s original settlement and is considered it’s first downtown. The name comes from “Gassy” Jack Deighton who was a steamboat captain and barkeeper. Today it’s full of the kind of trendy shops and restaurants you’d expect from  neighborhood known for its similarities to New York City. 

If you want to know more about Gastown, try this walking food tour.

Dinner: Misslam Tacorea

After a quick walk around Gastown, I went to meet Maggie and Nathalie for some dinner at Misslam Tacorea in Yaletown. It’s a super yummy Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant that was also kind of the perfect reunion spot since I met both of them in Korea!

I got there when it was dark and rainy, so I didn’t spend much time actually seeing Yaletown. However, if you do have the time, it’s know for being a hip place to get drinks! 

Bonus: There’s a place called Uncle Tetsu’s that’s famous for this fluffy cheesecake from Japan. Apparently, you always have to wait in an obnoxiously long line for it. Whelp, this place has that same cake, and it’s just as good if not better depending on which local you ask!  Plus , there’s no line.

Day 3: Gastown, Stanley Park, & Chinatown

Breakfast: Revolver

I woke up a little late since I was still getting over a bit of jet lag, and I decided to venture down to Revolver for breakfast. I had bookmarked it my research and Maggie had recommended it, so I figured why not! It also meant another little trip to Gastown, this time in sunnier weather.

Revolver was lovely, especially if you’re into that minimalistic decor.  I had an iced latte and chocolate almond cake, which were both delicious. There’s not a lot of seating, though, so it got kind of crowded pretty quickly at 10 am on a Friday. If the cafe is too crowded when you try to go, two other nearby recommendations are Nemesis Cafe and Pure Bread Bakery.

Stanley Park

Before meeting Maggie for lunch, I decided to check out one of Vancouver’s most famous spots – Stanley Park! It’s pretty easy to grab a bus from Gastown to the entrance of the park. From there, I could walk along the seawall.

The park borders downtown Vancouver, Burrad Inlet, and English Bay and is pretty massive at over 1,000 acres. Originally settled by Indigenous peoples, it was colonized during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush in 1858. Then it became a park of the city in 1886. Its name comes from Lord Stanley, who was Governor General.

Maggie said she and her parents would sometimes come to the park to bike along the seawall, so if you have the time to do that, I’d look into renting a one or doing this guided bike tour.

Lunch: Phom Penh

Of course, I didn’t do anything super extensive in Stanley Park as I had to be in Chinatown to meet Maggie for lunch. We met at Phom Penh, which is apparently a huge local favorite and often packed. Like even during the week after the big lunch rush, we still had a 10-minute wait. 

But I highly recommend. Like, I’m writing this post a year later, and I’m still thinking about how good those chicken wings were. 

Afterwards while we were walking around, I got these cute little macarons from Crackle Creme:

Almost too cute to want to eat!

Okay, so this part of my itinerary you probably don’t really want to copy because it’s nothing special in terms of sightseeing! Maggie had an errand to run downtown, and then we decided to get our nails done. Mine were ragged, and she had a wedding that weekend, so we figured why not! 

We then got my luggage from my hostel and went to Maggie’s house in the outer Vancouver area. Dinner-wise, I think we had pizza with her family, so you’ll want to check my Vancouver food guide for actual restaurant recommendations! 

Alternative Things to Do on This Day:

Obviously, you’ll probably want to spend your afternoon doing different things! Take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off bus , go back and see more of Stanley Park, or do the Vancouver Lookout . Something tells me you’re not going to want to get your nails done or drive to Maggie’s house haha.

You could also do  this nice evening tour of Vancouver , which lasts about 90 minutes and goes through Stanley Park, Prospect Point, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Gastown. Or for something even more relaxed, there’s  this sunset cruise that goes through English Bay and Howe Sound.

Day 4: Hiking to Lindeman Lake

Morning: hiking.

We had a more relaxing afternoon on Day 3 mostly because we knew we’d have a more adventurous Day 4. From Maggie’s place, Lindeman Lake in Chilliwack was around a 2+ hour drive. Nathalie came with Dustin to pick us up around 10, and we decided to still go despite there being rain off and on.

I first saw Lindeman Lake on either Nathalie or Maggie’s instagram. It’s this beautiful blue lake that you have to hike over 3km to get to, and I figured it’d make a great little excursion with the fall foliage! 

Whelp, this easier hike was a bit more difficult as it turned out to be a miserable day weather wise! What started out as gray skies turned into cold rain during our hike. Shout out to those three for still going through with the hiking because we got pretty soaked and disgusting by the time we got back to Nathalie’s car! 

Lunch: Boiling Pot

We were all pretty beat after all the driving and hiking in the rain, so we got lunch at a place called Boiling Pot to warm ourselves back up. Mmm nothing like a nice warm stew to get you feeling normal again! Afterwards, I moved my stuff to Nathalie’s. 

She actually indulged me, and we went to see Crazy Rich Asians at her local theater so I could FINALLY SEE IT! Guys, it’s so cute and fun. If you haven’t seen it, and you like romantic movies, watch! I obviously made all my friends watch it and even went to Singapore for a quick weekend a few months later!

Alternative Things to Do: 

Anyway, I’m sure you won’t want to go to the movies on your trip! If you’re still staying in downtown Vancouver, you can head back and check out another restaurant or some other fun things to do in the city like the Vancouver Art Gallery or Museum of Vancouver. Just know both close by 5pm!

You could also stick around the area of Chilliwack and see what there is to do up there! If you have better weather than us, you could even bring camping gear to stay overnight by Lindeman Lake and do a bit of digital detox.

Day 5: Day Trip to Mayne Island

Did you know Vancouver has its own islands?! I did not, which is kind of a geographical failure on my fault, but I blame it on my public school education. They’re known as the Gulf Islands. The Southern Gulf Islands include Galiano, Mayne, North and South Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, Penelakut, Thetis, Valdes, Gabriola, Anvil, Gambier, Keats, Nelson, Pasley, and Thromanby. The Northern Gulf Islands include Denman, Hornby, Lasqueti, and Texada. 

They even have a thing called “island life,” which is as cute and charming as it sounds for someone who loved Anne of Green Gables too much as a preteen.

We spent the full day on Mayne Island, and it was so lovely, I want to visit all of them. Nathalie drove, and we went to the different bays while I just took in the views all day. Don’t miss the lighthouse at Georgia’s Point, Bennet’s Bay, or the Japanese Garden! As for where to eat, we got a late breakfast/early lunch at Sunny Mayne Bakery and dinner at Bennett Bay Bistro. 

Don’t forget that you need to  reserve ferry tickets ahead of time.

If the islands aren’t your thing, you may like one of these day trip options instead:

• Victoria and Butchart Gardens
• 7-Hour Sea to Sky Tour
• Whale Watching Safari

Day 6: North Vancouver + Lynn Canyon

Morning: attempting to find the cafe from  to all the boys i’ve loved before.

Nathalie and I decided to spend the day around North Vancouver to see some different things I had written down. The first stop was to visit the cafe from the movie  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,  which should explain to you the level of extra I’m capable of.

It turned out to be a total bust because the cafe was closed down! I already knew the exterior wouldn’t be as cute as the movie because I looked up photos before, but we couldn’t even enjoy the inside! They were completely shut down with a sign that said: “Under New Management.” The windows were boarded up and you could hear some construction going on inside. 

Anyway, since we could get lunch at the cafe, we stopped got lunch elsewhere on our way to Lynn Canyon. 

Obviously, there’s a lot more to North Vancouver, which is actually its own city separate from Vancouver! Deep Cover and Quarry Rock Hike should be nice for warm weather while Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge are a quite a popular attraction for the area ( get tickets here ).

Lynn Canyon Park

We skipped Capilano mostly because $50 CAD to enter a park seems ridiculous. Maybe I’ll go back and pay it another time! Instead we went to nearby Lynn Canyon Park which has its own cool suspension bridge for free. 

We also did some hiking! There are a number of trails which are part of the huge Barden-Powell Trail, which is 48km that goes from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cover. The Twin Falls Loop Trail will take you over two waterfalls while the Thirty Foot Pool Trail goes to, well, a natural pool where you can go swimming. 

Seymour Mountain Lookout

Afterward, we decided to go over to Seymour Mountain. We were originally going to hike a little on the trail, but we didn’t have a ton of time before meeting Maggie and Dustin for dinner, so we drove towards a lookout point on the road towards Seymour Resort!

Dinner: Tsuki Sushi in Gastown 

Then we drove down to the city and met Maggie and Dustin in Gastown for some good sushi and ice cream. Get the oshi sushi, it was so good!

Later, we got some ice cream at Soft Peaks Ice Cream, where they use all organic milk, and I said goodbye! 

Nathalie then dropped me off at my last accommodation switch, Marpole Guesthouse , which is fairly close to the airport. I checked in, showered, and organized my life before my final day! The guest house was really lovely, more like renting a room in someone’s home.  Check prices & availability here

Day 7: Day Trip to Whistle & Shannon Falls

For my very last day, I decided to do a full on day trip. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to spend my last day doing, and I saw on Get Your Guide, there was a nice trip up to Whistler, so I thought why not!

I  thought I’d get to go up in the cable cars but unfortunately they were closed for construction. However, our guide made it up to us by taking us to all these different waterfalls on the way! 

You can book the tour I did here

Day 8: Fly out

I then checked out of Marpole quite early and flew to New Orleans for the next leg of my 2-months of travel! 

For more travel in and near Vancouver, read these next

• Quick Vancouver Guide
• Where to Eat in the Iconic Pike Place Market
• Mount Fremont Lookout Trail: The Perfect Hike to See Mt. Rainier
• The Bagby Hot Springs Hike: Relaxation You Have to Work for
• Portland in a Weekend: What to Do, See, + More

Have you been to Vancouver? What would you add to your itinerary, let me know!

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Hi there! Enjoyed reading your lengthy but very informative trip to Vancouver. I can’t wait to taste those food places you recommended. Got some questions as I am planning my family vacation in Vancouver this December, 2023. 1) Do you think your itinerary is still applicable in 2023? What would you add and remove from the list. 2) Which month did you visit? Would you alter anything for a December, winter trip? 3) How would you rate your pace…fast, moderate or easy pace? I’m going with my family with 2 kids 13 yrs and 11 yrs old. Which part of your trips are crazy walking days? 4) how did you go around….bus or skytrain? 5) Would you recommend I hop from one hotel to another or just have 1 home base? If 1 home base, which area would you recommned? 6) Do you think worth staying a few nights in whistler? I heard it would take around 2.5 hrs from Vancouver. Regards, Richard

1) I would say yes. The only things I’d always double check are restaurants. Google Maps is usually pretty good at having things up to date. 2) I visited in late September! I probably wouldn’t plan any hiking in December unless you’re used to winter hiking. Whistler should be even prettier though as a day trip. 3) Probably a fairly moderate-easy pace. Besides hiking, no days felt like crazy walking days. 4) Skytrain into the city and then I pretty much walked everywhere with maybe an Uber or two. My friends also had cars, so I was with them for things like North Vancouver or hiking 5) I always prefer 1 home base personally. I’d stay downtown so you have easy access to everything. 6) I only did a day trip so I’m not sure, but I imagine it’d be really bustling and pretty in the winter. If you plan on skiing, I say stay a few nights!

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Vancouver Solo Travel Guide

Traveling to Vancouver , Canada? Here’s everything you need to know for your trip:

QUICK FACTS

• Located on Canada’s west coast (British Columbia), with a population of ~700,000 .
• One of the most diverse cities in the world – over 35% of residents are foreign born!
• The second largest film production center in North America, and the third largest for television (after Los Angeles and New York City).
• With its great quality of life and clean air, Vancouver consistently ranks at the top of world livability  rankings. One of the most desirable destinations for expats .
• Nicknames: Vancity, Hollywood North, Raincouver, Terminal City, Hongcouver.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Currency:  Canadian Dollar  (CAD).
• Spoken languages: predominantly  English . Cantonese/Mandarin also widely spoken.
• Best time to visit: from  March  to  May,  and from  September  to  November  (mild weather, lower hotel prices).
• Winter months are perfect for skiers and snowboarders . Grouse and Cypress mountains are close to downtown, and it’s only a 2 hour drive to the world-famous Whistler/Blackcomb Mountain Resort.
• Arriving via airport: the  Canada Line  light rail takes visitors to and from the airport to downtown in 26 minutes (it also stops at Waterfront and Richmond). A regular fare costs  $3.25 , though there is a  $5  airport charge for journeys from the airport. Taxi fare to downtown is approximately  $35 .

WHERE TO STAY

• Great hostel for solo travelers in Vancouver: Samesun (located a bit close to the party street, but great for meeting other solo travelers). Make sure to book in advance as this one fills up fast.
• The downtown core offers the best position for many landmarks and tourist attractions.
• For more upmarket options there are number of hotels downtown, particularly around Robson Street , or the Coal Harbour area. The latter offers great views and easy access to the marina and Stanley Park. 

GETTING AROUND

• Vancouver’s transit system is TransLink Vancouver and consists of the trains, buses, and the North Vancouver ferries.
• A single ticket costs $2.75 and is valid for 2 hours (unlimited use) across all modes of transport. A surcharge is applicable when traveling in outlying zones.
• There are several taxi companies operating in Vancouver, including Black Top, Checker Cabs,  and Yellow Cab Company.  Fares start at $3.50 , and go up by about $2 per km. Vancouver’s transit system is so well integrated and efficient that it is best to avoid taxis where possible. They will always be more expensive, and in some cases could be slower than taking public transport.

VANCOUVER NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is 19 , last call is 3 AM .
• The main club scene is along Granville Street and will be busy most nights of the week.
• Specific nightlife recommendations: Red Room Ultrabar (Saturdays), GRETA Bar YVR (relaxed bar with games), The Cambie Bar & Grill (popular with locals and visitors alike).
• For music fans, check out Main Street and further afield on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver. Both areas offer live music venues, such as The Biltmore Cabaret or The Libra Rooms and play host to a variety of local and touring bands.
• Gastown offers a variety of brewpubs and great restaurants, particularly around Gastown Square. This is a very fashionable neighborhood, so be prepared for higher prices.
• On sunny summer evenings, check out the restaurants and bars around English Bay, which offer spectacular ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere as the sun sets.

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• Canada Place : designed as a combination of a cruise ship and a convention centre, with a hotel inside. It is located on the waterfront, with a great view of the city and surrounding mountains.
• Vancouver Lookout is a tower that sits on top of Harbour Centre. With its 360 degree observation deck, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. There is a revolving restaurant at the top.
• The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge running through cedar trees situated in a forest in North Vancouver. The park is open from 9am to 9pm during the summer.
• Grouse Mountain , known as “The Peak of Vancouver,” is open all year round and is a must-see, offering spectacular views of the the city and the entire Greater Vancouver area. As well as this there are a number of year round attractions such as the famous Lumberjack Show  and the Birds of Prey  display.
• Check out the Gastown Steam Clock . Situated in historic Gastown, this unique steam powered clock is one of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks. Steam powered whistles chime the time every hour and blow steam high into the air.

INTERESTING WALKS

• Gastown makes for a lovely walk. Named after Gassy Jack, a legendary past resident, the area is a good mix of arts and entertainment with a good dose of history thrown in.
• For fitness fans, try the “ Grouse Grind” hike. This 2.9 km hike has an elevation of 2,800 ft and takes you from the base of Grouse Mountain to the peak. Average climb time is around one hour and it can be at times a very challenging ascent. The climb is commonly referred to as Mother Nature’s Stairmaster .   Novice climbers should allow for two hours.
• Take a stroll through Stanley Park . A former marine base, it was turned into a park over a century ago. The famous Vancouver Aquarium is located within the park limits. For lovely scenery, walk the 9 km  Seawall around the perimeter of the park from Coal Harbour to English Bay. It is the most popular recreational spot in the city and is very busy on summer evenings.
• Robson Street . For those visitors who love shopping, Robson Street is a three block stretch of shops, fashion stores, fine dining options, and coffee shops.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Vancouver’s 20 sq. block of West End is the most densely populated area in North America.
• Interested in hiking? You’ve come to one of the best places in the world. For a detailed breakdown of the best routes, check out the list courtesy of Vancouver Trails .
• Vancouver has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Canada. Overall, it has the highest real estate prices in the country (and a very high average cost of living).
• One of the few cities in North America with no downtown freeways .
• Instead of paying for the attractions at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, take the bus to North Vancouver and check out Lynn Valley Canyon Park. Here you will find a beautiful cedar forest park with stunning geography and a very similar suspension bridge completely free of charge !  
• Take the bus over the Lions Gate Bridge into West Vancouver to Lighthouse Park. Discover a variety of forest trails, breathtaking ocean views and beachfront cliffs. Swim, picnic and explore this beautiful park and make sure to check out the lighthouse! This really is a must see and truly is a hidden gem in West Vancouver.
• Vancouver is foodie heaven . Great restaurants that locals love: Saba Foods (Yemeni), Wild Thing Snack Bar (vegetarian), JUNO Provisions (sushi), Ashiana Tandoori, Folke, Elephant.
• Great cafes to check out: cafe & life co., In the moment coffee.
• Where to find good cheap eats :  Granville Street offers a number of bars where all meals on the menu cost $4.95. Check out the Save-on Meats  diner on Pender Street, a legendary local diner and butcher shop offering affordable dishes all day and a particularly good breakfast!
• Dangerous Areas: even though Vancouver has one of the highest crime rates in Canada, it is still quite safe Use common sense and exercise caution at night. You will constantly be asked for money by Vancouver’s many homeless, but these are mostly non-threatening and you will quickly become accustomed to this. Visitors are advised to avoid Downtown East .

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days

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Home > Canada > Vancouver > How to Get Around Vancouver

Dos and Don'ts for Getting Around Vancouver as a Tourist

The ABCs of Going from Point A to Point B in Vancouver

Cover more ground in less time and at a lower cost with our dos and don'ts for getting around Vancouver.

Learn how best to get around Vancouver then continue on our Vancouver travel blog to figure out where to go, including the best neighborhoods to explore and stay in , inside travel tips , unique restaurants , non-touristy things to do , and true must-dos .

✗  Don't worry about the rain (…too much)

Contrary to its "Raincouver" reputation, Vancouver is one of the driest cities in the country from June through September.

It does rains frequently during all other months, but rarely so hard that you can't walk wherever you're going and enjoy the outdoors. For a few years while growing up in Vancouver, I didn't even own a rain jacket!

✓ Keep in mind that Vancouver is tiny

People who visit Vancouver are always surprised by how compact the city is.

To walk from one extreme corner of downtown to the other only takes forty minutes. And it's mostly flat. So if you're in the middle of downtown nothing is more than an easy twenty-minute walk away.

You definitely shouldn't spend all your time downtown, though, but even then every neighborhood's within biking distance, some are walkable, and they're never more than 40 minutes away by bus.

✗  Don't bother trying to use Uber Do bother!

Finally, in January 2020, seven years after Uber first tried to enter Vancouver but was quickly given the boot, ridesharing is here. Lyft, Uber, and other companies have been the go-ahead to start running so people can finally get around Vancouver like they do pretty much everywhere else in the world.

✗ Don't rent a car

Vancouver is tiny, difficult and expensive to park in, and easy to get around by foot, bike, or public transit, so a rental car is not the best way to explore the city.

Only consider renting if and when you're heading out of the city. For our top-recommended places to go, check out our 11 Essentials for Visiting Vancouver .

✗ Don't be afraid to walk at night

Like any city, Vancouver has its share of opportunistic criminals, so don't be a complete idiot and wave your valuables around while drunkenly stumbling down dark alleys.

But as long as you don't do that, you'll be fine.

Vancouver is super safe night and day, no matter which part of town you go.

✓ Pick a conveniently-located base

The most convenient place to stay for getting around Vancouver is the West End.

It’s a relaxed but densely-populated local area within walking distance of everything downtown and close to the SkyTrain to the airport.

Specifically, look to stay in the square between Davie, Denman, Robson, and Burrard. The Burrard is a good bet for a funky and perfectly-located hotel.

See our guide to Vancouver's best neighborhoods , where we rate each area on criteria like dining, location, and local feel, to pick the perfect base for your needs.

✗  Don't ever get turned around

If you get spun around and forget which way's which, look for the mountains. That way's north.

✓ Beware of Skid Row

The area between Gastown and Chinatown, centered on the intersection of Hastings and Main, is called the Downtown Eastside.

For fellow fans of the TV show The Wire , it's Vancouver’s version of Hamsterdam . It’s where all the city’s—and really much of Canada’s—drug addicts and untreated mentally ill people are concentrated.

If you go, you will see people injecting themselves with drugs in broad daylight and high out of their minds, screaming at everyone and anyone.

✗  Don't avoid Skid Row, though

The area is heavily policed and totally safe.

We actually recommend walking through it once to experience the gritty underbelly of beautiful Vancouver.

Bonus fun fact:

The term skid row, which now refers to an impoverished urban area, originates from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. In Vancouver's early days, that's where they once skidded, i.e. dragged, logs.

✗  Don't expect to do a day trip to Vancouver Island

Many visitors we've met think Vancouver Island is super close to Vancouver and an easy day trip.

A couple of them pulled off a day trip nonetheless, but that's crazy. If you want to go to Victoria or Vancouver Island, go for a few days. Or fly.

✓ Take the SkyTrain to and from the airport

The SkyTrain, Vancouver's light rail / subway system, directly connects the airport and downtown. Often, it's faster than taxis and it's cheaper for individuals and couples.

For groups of three or more, a taxi costs about the same.

✓ Use public transit

  Many tourists we've hosted during our time as Airbnb hosts, Americans especially, tend to disregard public transit as an option because back home it's dirty, unreliable, and inconvenient.

It's the opposite here in Vancouver.

Everyone rides public transit in Vancouver and you should too.

✓ Know how to pay for public transit before you ride

Vancouver's transit system accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard credit cards and Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

If you don't have such "high-tech" payment methods, you'll need to pay exact change ($2.95 for one zone).

Your best bet if you're staying longer or planning to use public transit a lot is to get a Compass Card . For $6 (refundable only at the Stadium-Chinatown station) it gets you about $0.50 off each ride and can be prepaid or linked to your credit card for automatic reloading.

✗  Don't throw out your transit receipt

You can transfer and ride on Vancouver's public transit system as many times as you want during the ninety minutes after you pay.

It's more than ninety minutes, really, because as long as you're on the bus/train/ferry when you're ninety minutes expires, you're fine.

✓ Keep transit zones in mind

If you take the SkyTrain or the SeaBus outside of Vancouver's city limits, you'll need to pay extra for going into different zones. Check this map  to be sure.

Note that all buses are one zone, so you don't have to pay extra for crossing zones when you're taking the bus.

✗  Don't be afraid to ask the bus drivers

Unlike in many other cities, Vancouver's bus drivers are generally friendly and helpful, so don't be scared to ask them for directions or to let you know when it's your stop.

You can even ask them for directions if you're not taking the bus.

✓ DEFINITELY Rent a bike if it's nice out

Vancouver’s so bike-friendly that car-lovers always complain that bike lanes are taking over the city.

You can’t beat ’em, so join ’em.

The cheapest way to do so is to use Vancouver’s shared bike system,  Mobi , which costs about $10 a day.

For bigger bike rides, like our top-recommended route that we share in our post on  7 Cool Things to Do in Vancouver , rent a better bike for $30 to $50 a day.

✓ Put your bike on the bus to really get out there

If you rent a bike (which we highly recommend) don't be scared of putting it onto the racks on the front of busses or taking it on the SkyTrain. This allows you to cover more ground with one-way bike routes.

✓ Lock your bike just about anywhere

There are tons of dedicated bike parking spots along the streets of Vancouver, but if none are nearby don't hesitate to lock your bike to the nearest sign, parking meter, tree, or whatever looks secure and doesn't get in the way of pedestrians and traffic.

✗  Don't ever leave your bike unlocked

Bike theft is a huge problem in Vancouver.

To avoid being a victim, don't ever leave your bike unlocked and out of your sight and don't leave your bike locked overnight on the street unless all the wheels and the seat are locked too.

✓ Find our favorite spots in Vancouver with our Treasure Map

Using Google Maps' way-overlooked Saved Places functionality , we put together a complete list of our forty favorite restaurants, attractions, and more.

In just one click you can save this treasure map to your Google Maps on your phone for quick reference—even if you're offline—when moving around Vancouver.

Getting Around Vancouver Quick F.A.Q

It's not as quick and easy as Uber, which the taxi mafia has successfully kept out of town, but you can use an imitation app called eCab . You can also try your luck at hailing a cab on the street, but we wouldn't recommend it unless you're right downtown by Granville and Georgia streets. Otherwise you might be stuck waiting a long time.

There are two private companies, False Creek Ferries and the Aquabus, that run similar, competing services. They are the most convenient—and quirky—way to get between downtown, Olympic Village, and Granville Island.

Ask us in the comments and we'll gladly help.

Read This Next:

✗  don't miss our other vancouver travel tips.

If you found some of these tips helpful, you'll find a lot more where that came from here:

11 Essentials for Visiting our Hometown: A Vancouver Travel Blog

Where to Stay in Vancouver: Ratings of the Best Neighborhoods

Vancouver Travel Tips: What You Don't Know, but Should, Before You Visit

Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. It costs you nothing, so we'd be crazy not to. Read our affiliate policy .

16 thoughts on “Dos and Don'ts for Getting Around Vancouver as a Tourist”

We wanted to stay in the West End near Stanley Park, but also wanted to visit the Richmond area for the Asian food and tea. We are not planning to rent a car. Google maps seems to estimate close to an hour using public transportation from West End to Richmond. Any recommendations for better/faster way to get from West End to Richmond?

Hey D.M. What makes it take so long is that the West End and the main dining areas of Richmond aren't right on the SkyTrain. If you want to speed up your trip without taking a taxi the whole way, you could a taxi to/from the stations. The SkyTrain ride itself is fast, 20min.

Thanks, Chris!

I am arriving one day earlier than the main group. I will be meeting the group at the airport 9am the next day Any recommended place for me to stay?

Hi Lotus. Hard to say without more info. Generally, I'd suggest sticking close to the SkyTrain—anywhere along the line that interests you and fits your budget—so that you can get there and back quickly and easily.

Our family of 4 are avoid bikers and want to explore the city with our own bikes (not rentals). Is there a good hotel that is bike friendly? Is it generally ok to bring our bikes in the hotel room at night?

Hi Mix. I don't know about that, sorry. Maybe consider an Airbnb with a garage?

I'm arriving at the airport in Vancouver on Aug 1st. We'll be driving and we're heading to the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Looking at a map, the most direct route through Vancouver is the 99 (Granville St). But it looks like it won't be fast. Is there a quicker/better way to bypass the city and get to Horseshoe Bay? Thanks, much appreciated Tom

Hi Tom. Yeah, you may be faster taking SE Marine along the south edge of the city to Highway 1, and circling Vancouver on the highway. Depends on traffic, though.

I use a fold up wheelchair, which my kind husband pushes, to get around and visit museums. Can I take this fold-up wheelchair (non motorized) onto the public transportation buses? Thank you for your thoughts!

Hi Nikki. Yes, all buses have ramps for wheelchairs. I see them used regularly.

We’ll be leaving our car at the Rocky Mountaineer train station, so we need transportation from there to the Hampton Inn on Robson Street. What’s the best way to do this? Thanks!

Really helpful guide, thank you for putting this together!

Super helpful guide. Thanks so much.

My wife and I are doing four nights in Vancouver in August and then three in Victoria. Do we need reservations in advance for the ferry? we do NOT have a vehicle on this trip. Thanks Frank Surette Washington, DC

Hi Frank. If you're walking on, you don't need reservations for the ferry. Enjoy!

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14 glorious things to do in Vancouver, the ‘California of Canada’

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It was a sunny day in Vancouver, Canada. From the beach at English Bay (like Santa Monica, but cleaner), you could see snow atop the mountains and hear kids laughing. After a bike ride in Stanley Park (like Griffith Park, but with beaches), I had just bought a hot dog from a cart and taken two bites when a voice rang out.

“No,” it shouted, startled and helpless.

That’s when everyone by the beach turned my way, with faces showing great concern. Because it was my voice. A sea gull had swooped, grabbed my hot dog and carried it away. The shout had left my body before I could think.

Immediately, the Vancouverites understood this. Then, with the same equanimity that allows so many Canadians to commit violence in ice rinks while displaying civility at all other times, they turned away and resumed their day.

Planning your weekend?

Stay up to date on the best things to do, see and eat in L.A .

Let this be a lesson, all you who daydream of escaping to this place that people call the California of Canada. Amid the seaside parks, forest paths, stylish skyscrapers, good food and mingled cultures, you may begin to suspect that Vancouver is a superior version of home. But its seagulls are no better than ours.

In fact, the city is full of moments like that for a Southern California visitor. One minute, you’re feeling at home or slightly better than you do at home. The next, you’re confronting a menu full of poutine. Or realizing that the toilet is in a place called the Washroom. Or getting rained on.

Everyone drives on the right, but somehow, no freeways connect to downtown.

Every year, movie, TV and streaming studios spend billions on shoots here, yet much of the time Vancouver is standing in for Seattle, San Francisco or some other city.

There’s volleyball on the beach — but when the temperature dips near freezing, they keep playing.

And all the while you hear people speaking English that’s mostly like ours, but the signage is riddled with references to travellers, colours, harbours and Tim Hortons. (Horton, whose name is on Canada’s leading coffee-shop chain , was a pro hockey player and, apparently, an enemy of possessive apostrophes.)

This almost-familiarity kept me on my toes through several days of roaming Vancouver in March. For all those thinking about their own escapes, here are 14 very Vancouver adventures.

By the way, I’m talking about a short-term escape, not a post-election change of residence . I’ve also included a few spots on Vancouver Island, a popular side trip. All the prices here are in U.S. dollars. (At recent trading rates , $1 U.S. is worth $1.34 Canadian.)

Taste and sniff postindustrial Granville Island

Meet a pioneering painter in the Vancouver Art Gallery

Play on Kitsilano, a beach where hippies once crashed

Tiptoe high above a misty forest on the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Savor the game (or veggies) at Vancouver's only Indigenous restaurant

Cruise False Creek by ferry

See the 65-foot-high raindrop by Canada Place

Pedal (or walk or skate) along the scenic Stanley Park Seawall

Find the big dome (and lots of beer) in Vancouver's Olympic Village

Soar by seaplane between Vancouver and Vancouver Island

Climb and slide the open-air Malahat Skywalk

Roam among riotous flowers at Butchart Gardens

Board a Victoria Harbor warship that's been taken over by sauna people

Chase history around Victoria's Inner Harbor on Vancouver Island

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Getting around Vancouver

Planning to travel in Vancouver? Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, let this guide help you make the most of your Vancouver experience. Travel from the airport to a hotel using Uber and discover popular routes and destinations. Depending on your city, you can even use the app to get around with public transport, bikes or scooters, and more.

Plus, check out Uber rates for riders and drivers and learn how to use Uber to get paid to drive or deliver in Vancouver.

Reserve car service in Vancouver with Uber

Arrange your car service needs in advance with Uber in Vancouver. Request a ride up to 30 days ahead, whether you need transportation to the airport, you have plans to visit a restaurant, or you’re going somewhere else.

Ride Sharing in Vancouver

Getting around Vancouver without a car is easy with Uber. Find places to visit in the area, then request a ride on any day and at any time of the week. You can request a ride in real-time or request a ride in advance so your ride is ready when you are. Whether you’re traveling in a group or alone, you can use the app to find a ride option for your needs.

Open the Uber app and enter your destination to begin exploring Vancouver.

Choose the best ways to get around Vancouver

Taxi in vancouver.

Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when getting around Vancouver. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. Request a ride from an airport to a hotel, head to a restaurant, or visit another place. The choice is yours. Open the app and enter a destination to get started.

Public transport in Vancouver

Getting around with public transport is an affordable way to travel. Depending on the area, you can view nearby bus or subway routes with Uber Transit to help plan your travels. Open the app to see if Uber Transit is available in your neighborhood or visit popular places in Vancouver by ridesharing with Uber.

Bike rentals in Vancouver

Biking is an eco-friendly way to get around the heart of a city. In select cities, you can find and ride electric bikes with Uber. Open the app to see if bikes are available in Vancouver. If bikes are available in Vancouver, remember to wear a helmet and follow traffic laws while riding.

Uber does not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs by drivers using the Uber app. If you believe your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please have the driver end the trip immediately.

Commercial vehicles may be subject to additional state government taxes, which would be over and above the toll.

Prices are shown in Canadian dollars.

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Adventure company expands to launch aurora tour out of Calgary

Las vegas tops list of best u.s. cities to party, tour operator pulls plug on ‘harmful’ animal attractions, in vienna, what's old is new again – and it's stunning, make a splash in these 5 stylish one-piece swimsuits, vancouver and montreal make ‘coolest streets’ top 30.

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Commercial Drive in Vancouver and Saint-Hubert Plaza in Montreal have been named among the “30 coolest streets in the world.”

Vancouver and Montreal make ‘coolest streets’ Top 30 Back to video

In a survey conducted by Time Out, the British Columbia thoroughfare in the city’s East End landed fifth, behind only boulevards in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Austin in Texas and Buenos Aires. The London-based magazine praised the Vancouver street for remaining “defiantly ungentrified” and for boasting a range of shops and boutiques selling vintage and ethically sourced goods.

“Sure, there’s a low-flying doughnut chain outlet and one of the street’s best (former), dives is now a generic watering hole, but nearly everything else is unique and one-of-a-kind,” the editors said. The “Drive” — as it’s known — has yet to fully shake off its post-pandemic malaise, however, losing three of its five live-entertainment venues.“ But it’s still the best hang-out-and-people-watch show in town,” the publication said.

Montreal’s Saint-Hubert landed in the 27th spot — a “Latin enclave and hipster hot spot” that is “ripe for exploring whatever the season.” The editors described its vibe as “deliciously relaxed.”

Rounding out the top ten were Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur; Rua da Boavista, Lisbon; Arnaldo Quintela, Rio de Janeiro; Chazawa-dori, Tokyo; and Consell de Cent, Barcelona. Describing streets as “the heart of local life,” Time Out consulted a network of local experts and contributors to compile the guide. It said: “Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character.”

Selections were whittled down to create a “definitive ranking” on the best avenues, back streets and boulevards on the planet. “And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities.”

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Canada's largest tulip festival to showcase over 35 acres of beautiful blooms

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The Lakeland Flowers Abbotsford Tulip Festival returns with row after row of beautiful blooms. 

Part of the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, the tulip festival's tentative opening date is April 15 but it could be sooner, depending on conditions.

Attendees can stroll through 35 acres of tulips and fields of flowers, featuring over 100 varieties of vibrant tulips. There are also walking trails and places to snap breathtaking photographs on raised viewing platforms. There will be fun items like baby grand pianos, giant shoes and swings.

The stunning coastal mountains will frame snaps taken "during gorgeous sunrises and sunsets" and at peak Instagrammable "golden hour." 

The festival will showcase tulips and assorted field flowers in April and May. It will feature over 30 acres of peonies, lupins, Siberian wallflowers, and lavender in May and June. 

The Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival is Canada's largest flower festival. It lasts six months and will wrap up with the sunflower festival , which runs from July through September.

Tickets for the annual event go on sale a week before the opening date, so guests should check the festival's social channels for updates. 

The Abbotsford festival is one of three tulip festivals in the Fraser Valley, including one in Harrison and one in Chilliwack . It is the closest to Metro Vancouver, right off No. 4 Road. 

Lakeland Flower Abbotsford Tulip Festival

When: The tentative opening date is April 15; it will close on May 12 (open from dawn to dusk).

Where: Lakeland Flowers - 3663 Marion Rd.

Cost:  Ticket prices will range from $8 to $25. Get tickets .

Stay updated on the opening dates of the Abbotsford Tulip Festival on  Instagram , Facebook  and TikTok . 

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Vancouver's top attractions

• Start your visit at Canada Place, home to the Vancouver Convention Center and the Marine Building.
• Explore the popular Stanley Park, offering miles of trails, picnic areas, beaches, amazing views and a display of native totem poles.
• Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Gastown, the original site of the city. Admire its restored buildings and old steam clock, dine at some of the best restaurants in Vancouver and browse its local shops for souvenirs.
• Take in panoramas of the skyline and nearby mountains at the Harbour Centre and Vancouver Lookout.

Best time to travel to Vancouver

Vancouver offers festivities year-round. Visit in summer for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, a weekend-long event that brings together famous and up-and-coming folk musicians and poets. The Vancouver International Children's Festival, also held during the summer, offers theater shows, playgrounds and plenty of kid-friendly games and activities. During winter, see the VanDusen Festival of Lights, when the VanDusen Botanical Garden is converted into a winter wonderland.

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