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Vancouver, Canada   Travel Guide

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20 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada

Enveloped by snow-dusted peaks and home to sandy beaches and an abundance of forested trails, Vancouver is meant to be experienced outdoors. Explore the nearly 1,000-acre Stanley Park and stroll along its seawall for picture-perfect views of the

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Stanley Park Stanley Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're walking along the north side of the Stanley Park Seawall, keep your eyes peeled for the Girl in a Wetsuit sculpture that sits on a rock in the water. It's a Vancouver landmark. –  Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

This nearly 1,000-acre park on the tip of Vancouver's "thumb" (just north of the West End) is home to some of the city's favorite, most-visited attractions. In fact, you could easily spend more than a day here and still not see everything this urban oasis has to offer. If you want to experience the park the way the locals do, walk, cycle or jog around the nearly 20-mile seawall that hugs Vancouver's waterfront. The path starts at the Vancouver Convention Centre and ends at Spanish Banks Beach Park . If you're not up for the walk, you'll find several bike rental companies near the park. With your bike, you'll be able to explore the more than 17 miles of forest trails that are much less crowded than the rest of the park. Travelers recommend biking the South Creek Trail, which leads to the lily pad-covered Beaver Lake. If you're not up for all that exercise, you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage or hop on the train for a 15-minute ride through the forest. Recent visitors said the park offers a great escape from the city and has one of the prettiest seawall walks around.

Granville Island Granville Island free

U.S. News Insider Tip: The food market is the main draw here, but you'll also want to peruse the unique shops in the Net Loft building. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

This former industrial site is now one of Vancouver's most beloved neighborhoods. Practically its own mini-city, Granville Island's former factories now house trendy restaurants, galleries and theaters. But the main draw here is the Granville Island Public Market, often described as one of the best markets in North America. Among the seemingly endless aisles of fresh produce and local crafts, you'll find a variety of food stalls selling everything from baked goods to authentic Mexican cuisine. If the weather is nice, try and grab a seat outside by the water. You can watch ferry boats putter back and forth in English Bay while enjoying the performances of the buskers who regularly play for market crowds. After filling up on market eats, head to the perpetually busy Kids Market. This playtopia sells toys and crafts and features an indoor play area. If you don't have kids in tow, visit Canada's first microbrewery –  Granville Island Brewing . You can enjoy a selection of ales and India pale ales.

Queen Elizabeth Park Queen Elizabeth Park free

Queen Elizabeth Park is one of Vancouver's most popular outdoor spaces (second only to  Stanley Park ). Spread out across nearly 130 acres, the park features a rose garden, a meticulously manicured quarry garden, and an arboretum with about 1,500 native and exotic trees. When you're not admiring the park's flora, head inside the Bloedel Conservatory to visit the fauna. The conservatory features more than 100 free-flying exotic birds, not to mention 500 tropical plants and three different climate zones. Step outside the conservatory and you'll spot the Dancing Waters fountain display, along with several sculptures scattered throughout the plaza. Since the park sits at the highest point in Vancouver, it offers spectacular views of the city skyline, mountains and shoreline from the fountain plaza.

If you don't have time to devote an entire day to touring Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, located about 2 miles due south of downtown Vancouver, is a great alternative. Many visitors say it has the best views of the city you can find and the grounds are well maintained.

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Museum of Anthropology at UBC Museum of Anthropology at UBC

The MOA is currently closed for seismic upgrades until June 2024. You can learn more about this closure as well as upcoming events on the museum's website .

While the city itself hasn't celebrated a large amount of birthdays, the area on which Vancouver was founded possesses a rich, cultural past. The Museum of Anthropology (part of the University of British Columbia) houses one of the world's most impressive collections of art and artifacts from the Northwest Coast First Nations. In the Great Hall alone, you'll spot ornately decorated canoes, ritual masks, totem poles and other Native American relics. Other areas of the museum display 15th-century European pottery, priceless jewelry and local art. You can embark on your own self-guided walk-through of the museum, but recent travelers highly suggest following one of the docents. Tours are offered an average of three times per day; consult the MOA website for exact times.

Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Join in-the-know locals for an intimate night out inside a dimly lit speakeasy. Find classic and elevated cocktails at Key Party , hidden behind an old-school accountant's office on Main Street. – Vivian Chung

Bordered to the north by False Creek, the south by East 16th, the west by Cambie and the east by Clark Drive, Mount Pleasant is a hipster enclave found in East Vancouver. Though a largely residential area boasting modern apartment towers and heritage homes that are more than a hundred years old, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare of Main Street is jampacked with local roasters, vintage boutiques and a bevy of Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants that range from SUYO 's modern Peruvian to Anh and Chi 's authentic Vietnamese fare. Plus, the area hosts a collection of well-loved craft breweries and leafy neighborhood parks hidden between the side streets.

Kitsilano Beach Kitsilano Beach free

When the weather's nice, follow Vancouverites down to the shores of English Bay to Kitsilano "Kits" Beach. Often compared to L.A. 's  Venice Beach , this shoreline along the northern edge of Kitsilano is the city's most popular swim spot, especially for the city's 20-something crowd. Kits is an accessible beach with a beach mat on-site and free water wheelchairs are available to borrow (on a first-come, first-served basis and you must make reservations in advance). When you're not relaxing on the sand or admiring the skyline views, you'll find areas for in-line skating and volleyball, along with tennis courts and a playground. Visitors do warn that the beach can get quite busy in summer, but it is clean and always has "good vibes." If you're in the mood for swim but the bay water is just a little too chilly for your liking, try the area's heated, saltwater Kitsilano Pool (open May to mid-September). Fido will be happy here, too, as there's dog parks and off-leash areas. You can also visit the nearby Vancouver Maritime Museum, which offers an educational respite from the summer sun. When you need to grab a refreshment, you'll find several concession stands as well as a more formal dining room at The Boathouse Restaurant.

You don't have to pay to access the beach, but you will have to pay for parking. Parking from April 1 to Sept. 30 will cost you CA$4 (about $3) hourly and CA$17 (about $13) daily. From Oct. 1 to March 31 hourly parking rates decrease to CA$3 (about $2.25); daily rates decrease to CA$9 (about $7). If you're traveling via public transportation, the No. 2 bus offers service between downtown and Kits Beach. Entrance to the pool will also cost you. Single-day admission for adults costs about CA$7 (about $5.25); youths ages 13 to 18 years old get in for around CA$5 (about $3.75) and children ages 5 to 12 enter for about CA$3 (about $2.25). Check out the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation  website  for more information on Kits Beach.

Gastown Gastown free

U.S. News Insider Tip : Book a stay at the Skwachàys Lodge on West Pender, Canada's first Indigenous arts hotel. Aside from its 18 guestrooms and art gallery, the hotel also provides on-site housing and studio space for a vibrant community of 24 Indigenous artists. – Vivian Chung

Paved with cobblestone and studded with antique lampposts, the streets of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and original downtown core oozes historic charm. A humble tavern founded by English riverboat captain and saloon keeper John "Gassy Jack" Deighton in 1867 laid the foundation for Gastown, from which the community expanded. Now boasting a thriving fashion scene and trendy wine bars alongside kitschy souvenir shops, Gastown is an eclectic neighbourhood to explore on foot. Stroll along Water Street to the part steam-powered and part electric motor-powered steam clock, which whistles every 15 minutes and its five whistles chime in unison every hour. Along the way, pass by well-preserved Victorian-era buildings and peruse galleries dedicated to Indigenous art.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

U.S. News Insider Tip: Around the corner from the garden in the historic Wing Sang building on East Pender Street is the Chinese Canadian Museum . Complete your afternoon in Chinatown by learning about the efforts of the Chinese-Canadian community that shaped this Vancouver neighborhood. – Vivian Chung

A tranquil oasis nestled at the edge of Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the first Ming Dynasty-style garden built outside of China. Guided by the Taoist principles of yin and yang and feng shui, the garden was brought to life over the course of 13 months by 53 master craftsmen from Suzhou, including architects, masons, tilers and painters. Plus, the materials, including stone pebbles, hand-made tiles, Ginkgo wood and limestone rocks, were also sourced from China. A guided tour of the garden reveals not only the legacy of the Chinese philosopher and politician, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, to whom this garden pays homage, but also the fascinating symbolism woven into the design of the garden. The zigzag pattern of the walkways, the deliberate placement of rocks and flora and the green waters of the pond all beckon visitors to dive into Chinese culture and philosophy.

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VanDusen Botanical Garden VanDusen Botanical Garden

Often described by travelers as a hidden gem, the VanDusen Botanical Garden is spread across 55 acres in the center of Vancouver. Recent visitors called the garden very peaceful. The garden features several sections, including a stone garden and a hedge maze – a favorite among past visitors. One popular feature is the Laburnum Walk. The path is made memorable by the yellow, chain-like blooms that hang from the Laburnum branches. Peak bloom for these plants occurs in mid-May, but if you're not in Vancouver during their prime blooming period, check out what will be in season during your visit with this bloom calendar  here .

You can explore all of the garden's meandering paths with a self-guided tour – themed tours are developed by volunteers and can be accessed online . Docent-led tours are subject to volunteer availability from April through early October. Contact the garden ahead of your visit to see if a tour will be available. If all that walking makes you hungry, refuel at the two eateries located on-site, the Shaughnessy Restaurant and the Truffles Cafe.

Yaletown Yaletown free

Vancouver's definitive late night hot spot, Yaletown has steadily increased in popularity since it transformed from a warehouse district to the trendy area it is today. Often compared to  New York City 's SoHo neighborhood, Yaletown features chic boutiques, restaurants and hotels (including one of the city's top properties , OPUS Vancouver). Even if you don't plan to hang your hat at OPUS, you should still plan to check out the hotel's cocktail lounge, The Spritz. Other top nightlife spots include  Yaletown Brewing Co. , Pierre's Lounge and  Bar None .

Recent visitors said there is something for everyone in Yaletown, with a wide range of dining and drinking options in a variety of prices. For a little help navigating the neighborhood, consider signing up for one of the best Vancouver tours .

English Bay English Bay free

Also known as First Beach, English Bay Beach draws visitors and locals alike in droves. It's an accessible beach thanks to Mobi-Mat paths and water wheelchairs (available from May through September). Water fun includes kayaking and slides, while land-based activities include volleyball courts and walking, biking or jogging along the Stanley Park Seawall, which runs alongside the sands. You'll also find the A-maze-ing Laughter sculpture on the beach's northeast side. And when hunger strikes, the Cactus Club Cafe dishes out a variety of meals like poke bowls, sandwiches and burgers with a heaping side of ocean views.

If the beach itself doesn't draw you, perhaps its events will. Vancouver's annual Polar Bear Swim takes place on English Bay each New Year's Day. The event features music and food trucks, as well as the star event: a plunge into the chilly waters of English Bay. If that's too cold, stop by in late July for the Honda Celebration of Light, an annual fireworks festival.

Grouse Mountain Grouse Mountain

Towering over North Vancouver, Grouse Mountain has been a popular outdoor getaway for years, especially since the views from the summit span the entire city on a clear day. Originally used only for skiing, Grouse now offers year-round activities, including the Grouse Grind, a nearly 2-mile trail often referred to by residents as "Mother Nature's Stairmaster" (there are a total of 2,830 stairs along the trail).

During a winter visit to the mountain – a favorite time for locals – you'll have a bevy of activities to occupy your time. Grouse Mountain's slopes boast 33 ski and snowboard runs, four chairlifts and six terrain parks, not to mention four snowshoeing trails. There's also a zip line, a skating pond, sledding, a high-definition cinema, a wildlife refuge and several eateries, including a Starbucks and Fondue Experience at The Observatory, a formal dining room with 360-degree mountaintop views. Many past visitors raved about the excellent (albeit pricey) food at the top.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Capilano Suspension Bridge

U.S. News Insider Tip: Set aside at least two to three hours to experience all of the park's attractions. –  Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

Overcome your vertigo and experience Vancouver the way the birds do. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is the oldest tourist attraction in the city (it dates back to 1889), and the 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high bridge offers spectacular views of the Capilano River below. Visitors call it thrilling, exciting and an overall great experience. The fun doesn't end once you reach the other side of the canyon; more suspension bridges and daredevil activities await at the Treetops Adventure. With this canopy walk – set among the park's 250-year-old Douglas fir trees – you'll have the chance to walk 110 feet above the forest floor, from viewing platform to viewing platform. Continue to tempt fate along the Cliffwalk, a set of cantilevered and suspended walkways that meander along the canyon's edge.

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Spanish Banks Beach Spanish Banks Beach free

Spanish Banks boasts a few features that set it apart from the city's other beloved shorelines. Thanks to its location about 5 miles southwest of downtown Vancouver, Spanish Banks is the least crowded and most quiet. It's also the best place to try your hand at skimboarding – a cross between surfing and skateboarding – due to the low tidal conditions (at low tide the water is more than half a mile off shore). If the ocean water is too chilly, there are plenty of volleyball courts available for pick-up games.

Recent visitors called the beach beautiful and say exploring at low tide can be lots of fun, especially for kids.

Museum of Vancouver Museum of Vancouver

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) shares the same entrance as the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, making it easy to check off two popular Vancouver attractions in one visit. – Vivian Chung

As Vancouver's oldest museum and Canada's largest civic museum, there's no better place to dive into the history of the city than at the Museum of Vancouver. Founded in 1894, the institution's more than 70,000 black and white photographs, interactive and audiovisual displays and historic fashion and household items document Vancouver's transformation from a relatively small city into a multicultural and dynamic metropolis with modern infrastructure. The stories and objects of the History Galleries also highlight the population growth, economic transformation and cultural and social changes in Vancouver between 1900 and 1970. Recount the economic hardship faced by Vancouverites during the Great Depression in the 1930s and immerse yourself in the iconic hippie movement of the 1960s, where Kitsilano stood as the epicenter of Canada's flower-power revolution. 

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

Bill Reid was a Haida artist who blended modern aesthetics with Indigenous arts through goldsmithing, jewelry making, writing and more. Throughout his career, he researched Indigenous art (especially Haida art) and it became a large influence in his work. Following Reid's death in 1998, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art opened in 2008 to honor Reid and the incomparable art created by Northwest Coast peoples.

Today, museumgoers can tour several galleries and a series of rotating exhibits. Themes have included song, beadwork, Indigenous queer identity, watercolor painting and more. Additionally, there are a variety of events, such as artist talks and art workshops, throughout the year.

Steveston Village Steveston Village

U.S. News Insider Tip: Its location at the mouth of the Fraser River makes Steveston the ideal jumping-off point for an up-close look at the region's marine life. Join Vancouver Whale Watch on a tour for the opportunity to spot orcas, humpback whales, dolphins and seals. – Vivian Chung

Seen in popular TV shows like "Supernatural" and "Once Upon a Time" as the fictional town of Storybrooke, Steveston Village in Richmond is a historic neighborhood with a rich fishing heritage. Join the locals at 75-acre waterfront Garry Point Park and soak up uninterrupted views of the South Arm of the Fraser River and the Gulf Islands, stroll along the wooden boardwalks while gorging on frozen yogurt and dive into the area's maritime past with a visit to the more than 4,000-square-foot restored Gulf of Georgia Cannery, which was BC's largest until 1902. As an active fishing port, visitors can shop freshly caught seafood at Fisherman's Wharf, depending on the season, or savor fresh catches at local restaurants, where they're skillfully featured across a range of dishes, like sushi, pizza, pasta and more.

Lynn Canyon Park Lynn Canyon Park free

Sitting less than 10 miles northeast of downtown Vancouver, Lynn Canyon Park offers all the benefits of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park , but without the hordes of tourists, according to recent visitors. The park spans nearly 620 acres and is full of winding trails, a swimming hole, waterfalls and its own suspension bridge.

The suspension bridge, which the park calls its main attraction, sits 164 feet in the air and spans Lynn Canyon. Views from the bridge are breathtaking, but walking the bridge isn't for the faint of heart: it sways as you move and is narrow, which makes it tricky for two-way foot traffic. Afterward, take a hike to Twin Falls or trek the Baden Powell Trail, which challenges hikers of all abilities. Also on-site is the 30-Foot Pool. Weather permitting, you can take a dip to cool off during your time outdoors. But be warned: the water is cold at all times of year. Before your adventure, stop by the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre to view its nature museum and get information about Lynn Canyon Park. (Suggested donation to visit the center is CA$2 per person, or about $1.50).

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Robson Street Robson Street free

Since the 1940s, Robson Street has been a hub for shops and markets. Though you may not find the classic markets and quintessential candy stores of the mid-20th century, Robson Street is the place to be for shopaholics. Stores range from well-known brands like Steve Madden and Nike to shops selling everything from high-end beauty products to eyewear to fine jewelry. You'll also find the street lined with eateries. Casual bakeries sit next to Korean restaurants. Japanese restaurants are next door to health food establishments, while a few doors down sits a gelato parlor. Needless to say, there's a wide variety to fit all tastes on Robson Street.

Travelers generally enjoy a stroll down the thoroughfare, encouraging others to save time for a meal at one of the restaurants lining the street. Some suggest that if shopping and dining aren't for you, then you may want to skip this street.

Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver Aquarium

Those in the know say the Vancouver Aquarium is definitely worth exploring, whether you're traveling with kids or just looking for a little extra marine knowledge. As the home of more than 50,000 different animals across more than 30 exhibits, this is a great place to become acquainted with local animals as well as exotic creatures. But don't come here expecting SeaWorld: Past visitors say the aquarium's focus is more on interactive exhibits and education and less on choreographed animal performances. Different exhibits mimic various habitats, from the icy tanks of the Canada's Arctic exhibit to the colorful clownfish and intimidating black-tip reef sharks sheltered in the Tropics. Don't miss the Graham Amazon Gallery, a giant atrium where three-toed sloths and caimans take shelter from the hourly simulated rainstorms.

While some recent visitors comment on the steep cost of admission, they also say that if you schedule enough time, it's worth the price. 

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Explorable neighborhoods, drink-and-dine delights and memorable cultural and outdoor activities framed by striking natural vistas – there's a superfluity of reasons to fall for this ocean-fringed metropolis.

Best Things to Do

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Must-see attractions.

Stanley Park

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VanDusen Botanical Garden

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Vancouver Police Museum & Archives

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Arbutus Greenway

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Stanley Park Seawall

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Jericho Beach

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Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art

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Second Beach & Third Beach

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Totem Poles

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Equinox Gallery

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Contemporary Art Gallery

A flexible three-room space, often with a different show in each, this smart, white-walled gallery exhibits striking, sometimes complex works in a wide…

Stanley Park Nature House

Illuminating the breathtaking array of flora and fauna just steps from the busy streets of the West End, this charming nature center is a great…

Pendulum Gallery

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The Vancouver Art Gallery's outdoor installation space next to the Shangri-La Hotel, the sometimes esoteric but always thought-provoking exhibits here are…

Marine Building

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Granville Island Water Park

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Engine 374 Pavilion

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Vancouver Public Library

This dramatic Colosseum-like building must be a temple to the great god of libraries. If not, it's certainly one of the world's most magnificent book…

RBC Royal Bank

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Kitsilano Showboat

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Morris & Helen Belkin Art Gallery

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Fresh Air Cinema

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Chung Collection

Leave your photo ID at the front desk of the lower level of UBC's main library building, and then wander around a roomful of exhibits chronicling the…

Christ Church Cathedral

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University of British Columbia

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A-maze-ing Laughter

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English Bay Beach

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Ski in Whistler, gaze out on forested mountains in Squamish, eat at the famous Richmond Night Market and more: here are the top day trips from Vancouver.

Transportation

With looming mountains and an expansive coastline, Vancouver is a wonder to explore - whether it's by bus, boat, bike or car.

Free Things to Do

Vancouver is often named one of Canada’s most expensive cities. But for budget-conscious travelers, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city for free.

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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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20 Best Things to Do in Vancouver — From Stunning Hikes to Incredible Cultural Experiences

Here are 20 of the top things to do in Vancouver.

Naimul Alam/Travel + Leisure

Vancouver’s beauty is notable, with its majestic mountains, stunning skyline, and sparkling sea luring visitors from around the world. But the city is more than just good looks — it has personality too. Culture and cuisine shine here, the people are friendly, and it’s a safe and welcoming city. Whether you take a trek through the trees, meander through the metropolitan streets, cycle the seawall, or stroll through the shops, one thing’s for certain: you’re sure to get in your steps in this city. With the help of Candace Campo (ancestral name Xets’emits’a, Shíshálh Nation), artist and owner/operator of Talaysay Tours ; Rodolfo Parra, chief concierge of JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the Douglas Autograph Collection Hotel ; and Alex Chen, executive chef, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar , we’re sharing the best things to do in Vancouver.

Related: T+L’s Guide to Vancouver

Take an Indigenous-led Talking Totems tour.

Courtesy of Talaysay Tours

The best way to start a visit to Vancouver is to learn about the area’s beginnings. Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, the city that is now known as Vancouver has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Towering totem poles have stood erect in Stanley Park since 1920, and the Talking Totems tour offered by Talaysay Tours provides an eye-opening journey from past to present through the stories shared by an engaging Indigenous guide.

Grab goodies at the Granville Island Public Market.

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Vancouver’s most celebrated chefs shop at the Granville Island Public Market , like Chef Chen, who picks up fresh sausages from Oyama Sausage Co and warm loaves of bread from Terra Breads when he wants to make a standout charcuterie on his days off. Campo loves it here too, sharing, “My dad and I ate everything here, from Chinese and Greek to Ukrainian and West Coast seafood. Then we’d explore the art studios, walk the boardwalk, and listen to live music.”

Take a tranquil stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

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The first Chinese “scholar’s garden” to be built outside of Asia, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of the city’s most ornamental green spaces — and it’s right in the heart of clamorous Chinatown. A mirror-calm pond houses colorful carp, and twisted trees and quiet covered walkways provide a tranquil space to stroll. Make time for a free guided tour, and be sure to conclude your visit with a complimentary cup of traditional Chinese tea.

Shop the Lonsdale Quay.

Leopoldine Bauer/Travel + Leisure

“The Seabus ferry ride to the Lonsdale Quay from downtown Vancouver is a fun must-do experience on its own,” shares Parra. “Once you’re there, walk through the local artisan shops, explore the pier that overlooks a picturesque view of the Vancouver skyline, and then grab a table at Tap & Barrel Shipyards and enjoy the views.”

Admire art at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

As Western Canada’s largest public art museum, the Vancouver Art Gallery is a top attraction for art enthusiasts. Browse the works of Emily Carr, British Columbia’s beloved painter, and explore the blockbuster international shows and contemporary collections found throughout the three-story historic space. 

Related: The Best Times to Visit Vancouver for Lower Prices, Beautiful Weather, and Outdoor Adventures

Take a day trip to Bowen Island.

Alex_533/Getty Images

“I highly recommend taking a day trip to Bowen Island , located in the middle of Howe Sound, just a short flight or ferry ride away. While there, experience the purest form of the West Coast. Explore the local farmers market, hike up to Dorman Point Lookout, or kayak along the shoreline and experience the stunning beauty BC has to offer,” shares Parra of his top-recommended day trip from the city.

See sea creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Set in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest. Get up-close (and in some cases, hands-on) with the over 65,000 aquatic animals that are housed here, including charming sea otters and swimming sea lions (one weighing in at nearly 1,900 pounds). Not only is this a top tourist spot, but the site is also a center for marine research, ocean literacy, and climate activism.

Walk around the Capilano River Hatchery.

L. Toshio Kishiyama/Getty Images

Built to save the declining salmon stocks in the area, the Capilano River Hatchery is a popular place for a hike. “We like to take our dogs for a walk around the hatchery,” shares Chen. “We hike around the canyon and see schools of salmon spawning there, then have a late picnic lunch by the water, with treats from nearby Thomas Haas .”

Meander through the Vancouver Mural Festival.

A self-guided walking tour of the Vancouver Mural Festival (Aug. 4-13 this year) will give you a great perspective of the city through an artistic lens. Over 300 murals and public art displays can be spotted in neighborhoods throughout Vancouver, featuring the works of both local and international artists.

Visit Olympic Village by boat.

Naimul Alam/Travel + Leisure

First created as a housing hub for athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympics, Olympic Village has now become a popular spot for pub hops and patio dining. “Take the Aquabus — just steps from the Douglas — to Olympic Village where you can explore the local microbreweries such as 33 Acres Brewing and enjoy a day of brewery hopping, a big part of Vancouver culture. While you’re there, enjoy a bite to eat at Argo Café , a hidden gem located in Olympic Village,” shares Parra on how to enjoy the experience.

Browse the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.

Located up the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art honors hailed Haida artist Bill Reid, who was known for building bridges between Indigenous and settler people through his work as an artist, broadcaster, and community activist. The space showcases some of his artwork, as well as works of art by contemporary Indigenous artists.

Entertain the family at Science World.

Vancouver’s oceanfront orb is a sight to see, but inside the geodesic dome is a multi-level space for science exploration that the kids (and parents!) are sure to enjoy. At Science World , you can get hands-on with learning galleries, watch engaging science showcases, and catch a show on the largest domed screen on the planet, the Omnimax Theatre, which puts you in the center of the action.

Eat seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston.

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Chef Chen lives in Steveston — a 30-minute drive from Vancouver — and enjoys riding his bike around the dyke towards Gary Point Park with his family. “I would ride down to the dock to check out the catch of the day. I love the side stripe prawns, and will often pick up a fresh Dungeness crab for dinner,” he shares of the city’s seafood capital. Don’t feel like cooking it yourself? The area is full of seaside seafood spots serving everything from casual fish and chips to upscale fine dining.

Dine around the world at the Richmond Night Market.

Andrew Chin/Getty Images

During the summer months, a visit to Richmond Night Market — the largest outdoor market of its kind in North America — is a must for foodies. There are over 110 food stalls here, serving 600+ dishes and drinks from all around the world. You’ll find Pan-Asian snacks, along with food offerings from Indonesia, Turkey, Mexico, and other parts of the world. Live entertainment and endless snacking make for a fun-filled evening here.

Snowshoe the Howe Sound Crest Trail.

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Found 30 minutes by car from Vancouver, the Howe Sound Crest Trail in West Vancouver is a quiet alternative to the more popular local mountains, and it’s a preferred spot by Campo for winter snowshoeing. “While snowshoeing is something I often do for winter work, I love when I can bring friends and family on an adventure to check out the Howe Sound Crest Trail, overlooking Átl'ka7tsem (Howe Sound). Our peoples have traveled these mountains for generations and I like to think I am a part of this legacy and tradition,” shares Campo of her personal connection to the experience.

Find alpine adventures on Grouse Mountain.

See Howe Sound from a bird’s-eye view with a ride in an enclosed gondola up to the peak of Grouse Mountain . At the top, hike around weaving trails, and meet Coola and Grinder, a pair of orphaned grizzly bears who call the mountaintop habitat home. Kids can climb their way through the Kids Tree Canopy Adventure, and thrill-seekers can try the zipline.

Visit the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.

Vancouver has a rich Chinese-Canadian history, with one of the oldest Chinatowns in the country. The Chinatown Storytelling Centre is a new addition to the area and the first exhibit of its kind in Canada. Inside, you’ll find a showcase of the stories and people who have shaped the city’s past, present, and future through interactive exhibits.

SUP the Salish Sea.

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Campo loves stand-up paddleboarding on the water, especially on Vancouver’s North Shore in the early hours of the morning. “I have on many occasions sat in my car and waited for daylight to launch my paddleboard and paddle from Ch’tl’am (Ambleside) to Dundarave,” she shares. Once she’s far from shore, Campo sings traditional Salish songs and watches as cormorants, loons, harbor seals, and even salmon swim past her board. “They don't see you as a threat and on occasion will swim right up to you,” she explains of one of her favorite pastimes.

Teeter across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Since 1883, the Capilano Suspension Bridge has been a top tourist spot. Visit to teeter across the bridge that hangs 230 feet above the forest floor and reaches a distance of 450 feet long. While you’re there, creep along the Cliffwalk, a cantilevered walkway that dangles over the canyon, and take a trek through Treetop Adventures, a series of seven smaller suspension bridges connected to treehouses and towering viewing platforms.

Play at Creekside Park.

Adjacent to Science World, Creekside Park is home to Vancouver’s largest playground (which cost nearly $1 million to build), featuring nature-inspired climbing structures, a massive tube slide, and a zippy zipline. Water and sand play areas keep little ones busy, and a rubberized surface makes the playground more accessible for people with mobility challenges. Water views of False Creek and tree-shaded sitting areas make for the perfect picnic spot.

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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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Vancouver Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 30, 2023

Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in the world . It has the best of both worlds: you can be in an urban environment one second and then, a few minutes later you can be out in the wilderness hiking beautiful mountains.

With its world-class food scene, tasty craft breweries, popular markets on Granville Island, and incredible art scene, Vancouver is a city worth exploring.

The city is rich in history, has amazing Chinese and Japanese food, relaxing beautiful parks, and high quality of life. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world! Sure, it’s not cheap, but the best things never are!

There are only a few places I’d live in the world, but Vancouver is one of them. Take the time to explore. Don’t rush your visit. It’s worth it.

This travel guide to Vancouver can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vancouver

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Vancouver

1. Explore Grouse Mountain

This is Vancouver’s number one outdoor attraction and North America’s third-largest park. Take the gondola up to the top where you can enjoy endless views over the city and mountains. In the summer, you can hike, and in the winter, ski or snowboard. It’s free to hike up but the gondola down is 20 CAD. Try to go during the week as it gets very busy on the weekends. At the summit, there are more hiking trails, rope courses for kids, a lumberjack show, and more.

2. Wander Granville Island

Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in the middle of the city, but it’s also a hub for food and drink enthusiasts. There is something for everyone there, from Vancouver’s first organic bakery, Artisan Sake maker, fine cheese, and Patisseries, to homemade sweet and savory tasty pies. Explore the market, grab a beer at Granville Island Brewing Company, and wander the cool shops. There are many independent theater companies and non-profit art education centers with ongoing activities or performances. In the summer, watch the boats, stand-up paddlers, and kayakers. The Public Market is open 7 days a week from 9am-6pm.

3. Relax in Stanley Park

Located right in the city center, Vancouver’s largest park is an escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Its waterfront path right on the Pacific is a favorite for locals who enjoy hiking, biking, and rollerblading. You won’t even notice that you’re in a city. The area itself spans 400 hectares of natural West Coast rainforest of beautiful trails, trees, wildlife, and more. Ride the Stanley Park old locomotive train or if you’re feeling sporty, Jo-e Cycles in Stanley Park has bike rentals starting at 7 CAD an hour, 24 CAD for a half-day (5 hours), and 32 CAD for a full day. The price includes a bike, lock, and helmet, as well as a map to get you started. Bike tours are available too.

4. Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge

This 137-meter-long (450-foot) suspension bridge over the Capilano River is not for anyone who is afraid of heights — it stands (or wobbles) 70 meters (230 feet) above the Capilano River! The bridge, surrounding trails, and lush forest scenery make for one of my favorite trips. Get your tickets online here .

5. Go whale watching

Other things to see and do in vancouver, 1. watch a sporting event.

This city is full of sporting events. If you like football, there’s the BC Lions. And if hockey is your sport, check out a Vancouver Canucks game (hockey is the national winter sport so don’t miss a chance to catch a game). During the summer, Vancouverites are passionate about the White Caps soccer team. In short, there’s always something going on!

2. Hike in Lynn Canyon Park

This park makes for a fun and free half-day trip. There’s a suspension bridge, mini-hikes, swimming holes, and waterfalls around Lynn Creek. It’s a good alternative to the crowded Capilano, even if the bridge isn’t quite as tall — it’s “only” 45 meters (150 feet) high. However, it offers a bird’s eye view of the fast-paced river and rapids, waterfalls, and pools. There are also several beautiful nature trails, from the Baden Powell North Shore region trail, with its 30 Foot Pool swimming hole where you can picnic and take a dip during hot weather, and the less accessible and yet less crowded Twin Falls Trail with a beautiful waterfall and crystal clear pool.

3. Stroll down Robson Street

Robson Street’s history dates to the late 19th century, when it was one of the first major streets in the city. It’s the street to go to for dining, window shopping, and people-watching. The street’s international history has evolved over the years; it was once called Robsonstrasse by the area’s German community. Today, you can still enjoy a ton of international flavors here, with ramen shops next to taquerias, along with plenty of hip cafes and sushi spots. Sit down at an izakaya (Japanese pub) and take it all in.

4. Let it hang out at Wreck Beach

As the only nude beach in the city, Wreck Beach is a clothing-optional space for hanging out, sunbathing, swimming, and playing music. This is one of the last remaining places to embody the free-spiritedness that Vancouver was famous for in the 1970s. It’s located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Be respectful and don’t take photos without consent.

5. Take a food tour

Vancouver is a foodie destination. Taste Vancouver Food Tours runs tours that focus on specific neighborhoods like Gastown and Little Italy. You’ll get to eat at up to eight different places, tasting local favorites like pork belly crackling, tempura bacon eggs, and more. Tickets start at about 95 CAD for a delicious 2.5-hour tour.

6. Eat at the Richmond Night Market

Between May and September, one of the coolest spots in the city is the Richmond Night Market. Inspired by markets throughout Asia, the Richmond Night Market combines Asian food, culture, and shopping. Snacks range from dumplings to meat on a stick, and everything in between. Admission is 5 CAD with food prices ranging from 2-11 CAD. Most vendors are cash only. Bring an appetite! The Richmond Night Market is currently closed until April 2023.

7. Explore the Vancouver Art Gallery

The collection of national and international contemporary artwork here is phenomenal. With over 12,000 works of art, you could easily spend an entire afternoon here. There’s a whole exhibit devoted to Emily Carr, British Columbia’s favorite historical artist, and all kinds of events take place here, including late-night parties with live music. Tickets are 29 CAD ( get your ticket online here ). Tuesdays from 5pm-8pm they have a special pay-what-you-can option available.

8. Go to The Lookout

Located in the downtown Harbour Centre, the Lookout Tower is 131 meters (430 feet) high and the perfect place to admire the city. You’ll be whisked to the observation deck in a glass elevator for panoramic views over Vancouver, the mountains, and the ocean. Tickets are 18 CAD (a href=”https://www.getyourguide.com/vancouver-l189/vancouver-lookout-all-day-admission-observation-deck-t19796/?partner_id=LLKQJ38&cmp=TTDVancouver” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>get your ticket online here ).

9. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The first authentic classical Chinese garden built outside of China, National Geographic named this urban sanctuary the top city garden in the world. Covered walkways, ponds filled with koi, 150-year-old miniature trees, and tai hu rock (a porous limestone) from China all tie together to create a tranquil spot to walk and reflect. It was built using 14th-century methods, without power tools, glue, or screws. Admission is 16 CAD.

10. Explore Gastown

Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, having grown from a single tavern founded in 1867. Nowadays, it’s a trendy place full of restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and bars (like The Flying Pig and Rodney’s Oyster House). Take a walk down the cobblestone streets by the old historic buildings, admire the Gastown Steam Clock (a clock powered by steam), and visit the statue of Gassy Jack Deighton (the man who started the tavern all those years ago). The Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes place here every summer. Food tours are also available around the neighborhood. Taste Vancouver runs a 2.5-hour tour that visits 8 tasty locations for 95 CAD per person.

11. Visit Yaletown

Yaletown is a recently converted industrial neighborhood that’s now home to some of the city’s most popular eateries and pubs. Drink a beer and get a hearty meal at the lively Yaletown Brewing Company, voted Best Brewpub in Canada. Spend some time wandering around or having a picnic at David Lam Park or George Wainborn Park, walk along the Seawall, admire the street art, or grab lunch on one of the neighborhood’s patios.

12. Sail around the shores of Vancouver with the Aquabus

If you’ve done enough walking, Vancouver’s family-owned Aquabus is a great way to sail around False Creek, marveling at the skyline from a unique perspective. The 13 aqua bus ferries are frequent (every 15 minutes or so) and stop at 8 different locations including Hornby Street, Granville Island, David Lam Park, Stamps Landing, Spyglass Place, Yaletown, Plaza of Nations, and The Village. You can get a full-day pass with unlimited trips for 15 CAD.

  For more information on other cities in Canada, check out these guides:

• Calgary Travel Guide
• Montreal Travel Guide
• Nova Scotia Travel Guide
• Ottawa Travel Guide
• Quebec City Travel Guide
• Toronto Travel Guide
• Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Vancouver Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 4-6 beds costs 40-45 CAD per night. Private rooms start at 90 CAD but average closer to 120 CAD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city for 10-30 CAD per night. This gets you a basic pitch for two people without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels in the center of town cost around 150 CAD. Expect basic amenities like Wi-Fi, TV, coffee/tea maker, and AC.

Airbnb is available everywhere in Vancouver. A private room starts at around 60-75 CAD per night while an entire home/apartment starts at 120 CAD but expect to pay around 165-200 CAD per night unless you book really early.

Food – Cuisine here varies widely from region to region in Canada. Overall, the food here is a collage of dishes from other cultures, owing to the country’s diverse history of immigration. In Vancouver, seafood is super popular since the city is right on the ocean. Asian food is also a huge local favorite, owing to the large Asian-Canadian population that calls the city home.

As a huge cosmopolitan hub, Vancouver has everything from Vietnamese banh mi for 6 CAD, to hearty all-day breakfasts for less than 10 CAD, to Jamaican patties for 3-4 CAD each. Quality sushi is super affordable, with bento boxes costing as little as 12 CAD while big bowls of ramen go for 13 CAD. Cambodian noodles are as little as 8.25 CAD.

A combo meal at McDonald’s costs about 12 CAD. A meal at an inexpensive casual restaurant is about 20 CAD for a burger and fries with a drink. A beer costs another 7 USD.

A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around 60 CAD for a multi-course meal and a drink while a latte/cappuccino costs around 5 CAD while bottled water is 2.40 CAD.

If you cook for yourself, expect to spend around 50-65 CAD on groceries per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, produce, and some meat.

Some of my favorite places to eat in the city are Ask for Luigi, Honey Salt, Ramen Danbo, Phnom Penh, and the market on Granville Island.

Backpacking Vancouver Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Vancouver, expect to spend about 75 CAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, taking public transportation to get around, limiting your drinking, and doing most free activities like hiking and hanging out in the parks. If you plan on drinking, add another 10-20 CAD to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 165 CAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for most meals, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like taking the gondola up Grouse Mountain or going whale watching.

On a “luxury” budget of 320 CAD or more per day in Vancouver, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car or take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CAD.

Vancouver Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vancouver is not just one of the most expensive cities in Canada — it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world!!! Fortunately, there are a few ways you can lower your costs. Here are some ways to save money when you’re in Vancouver:

• Take advantage of the free parks and gardens – If you want to enjoy the city but not spend a lot of money, pack a picnic and stroll around the many parks and gardens the city has to offer.
• Get discounted attraction tickets – Destinationvancouver.com has a deals section on its website that lists current discounts to popular and lesser-known attractions. Check them out for potential savings.
• Look for the happy hours – The Ultimate Happy Hours website lists all the happy hour drink and food specials around Vancouver. It’s updated with new info frequently!
• Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery on a Tuesday – After 5pm on Tuesdays, admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery is by donation only (10 CAD is recommended).
• Indulge at food trucks – Vancouver loves the food-truck scene, and there’s no better way to sample different cuisines on a budget. Streetfoodapp.com lists current locations and opening hours for all the trucks.
• Stay with a local – Cut down on your costs by using Couchsurfing . You’ll get a free place to stay and get to connect with a local who can share their insider tips and advice. Just be sure to send your request early during the summer as that’s prime tourist season.
• Bundle your tickets – Vancouverattractions.com lets you purchase tickets in advance, and you can save up to 30% when you buy even just two tickets. This includes popular attractions like the Capilano bridge and The Lookout.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Vancouver

Vancouver only has a few hostels to choose from. Here are two of my recommended places to stay:

• Cambie Hostel Gastown
• Samesun Vancouver

How to Get Around Vancouver

Public transportation – The Canada Line and SkyTrain Rapid Transit systems are the most common ways to get around Vancouver. These trains cover just about anywhere you need to go. A one-way ticket costs 3.10-6.05 CAD, depending on the number of zones you travel.

You can also purchase a Compass Card to load with money, which requires a 6 CAD deposit to activate. You can order online, by phone, or at one of the station’s vending machines. Fares are 2.50 CAD for one zone, 3.65 CAD for two zones, or 4.70 CAD for three zones.

A day pass is 11 CAD for all zones. Use Translink.ca to find schedules and plan your route.

The Canada Line is by far the smartest way to get to and from the airport. It’s just an additional 5 CAD on top of the regular zone fare.

Vancouver’s bus system works just like the trains, but they only operate on a one-zone fare. Cash tickets are not transferable to the SeaBus or the train, but you can use your Compass Card on the bus.

SeaBus, also run by Translink.ca, is a passenger-only ferry connecting Downtown Vancouver with the North Shore. Fares are the same as SkyTrain.

Taxi – Taxis here are not cheap. Their base rate is 3.75 CAD, and it’s an additional 1.89 CAD per kilometer afterward. Skip the taxis if you’re on a budget.

Ridesharing – Uber and Lyft are available.

Bicycle – Vancouver is very bike-friendly, and there are plenty of bicycle rental businesses around town. The public bike rental system is Mobi, which costs 15 CAD per day for unlimited 30-minute rides. Spokes Bicycles and Cycle Vancouver offer longer rentals, with a day rental costing about 35-40 CAD or 8.57 CAD for an hourly rate.

When to Go to Vancouver

Vancouver is busiest in the summer. It’s hot and sunny all the time (although June can be rainy), with temperatures averaging around 25°C (78°F) per day. Everyone makes the most of the gorgeous weather and the city comes to life with people enjoying the great outdoors. This is when accommodation rates are the highest, however.

Spring can be cool and rainy in comparison, but April and May are prime whale-watching months. In the fall, September is still warm and ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities. Prices are lower during the shoulder seasons, and there are fewer crowds. Overall, the shoulder seasons make the best time to visit.

Winters in Vancouver are mild and wet, with temperatures averaging around 6°C (42°F). However, from here you can hit the slopes around Grouse Mountain or head out to Whistler. Vancouver has some of the best snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding in Canada!

How to Stay Safe in Vancouver

Vancouver is very safe, and you’re unlikely to experience violent crime during your visit. Your greatest risk is a petty crime, like pickpocketing or theft. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight, especially when on crowded public transportation.

Be cautious around Downtown Eastside. Avoid walking through here alone at night as it’s a bit sketchy.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For more information, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs in the city.

Scams are rare in Vancouver but, if you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read about the common travel scams to avoid right here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems shady, get out. If your hotel or accommodation is seedier than you thought, go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, in case of an emergency.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Vancouver Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Vancouver Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more information? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Canada and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in Quebec City: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Toronto: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Canada Road Trip: A One Month Suggested Itinerary

How to Road Trip the Yukon on a Budget

How to See Alberta: A 10-Day Suggested Driving Itinerary

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

4 Days in Vancouver: Plan the Perfect 4 Day Itinerary

Planning a 4 day Vancouver itinerary doesn’t have to be hard, though it might seem that way.

That’s why I’m here – a local born and bred Vancouverite looking to help you spend 4 days in Vancouver like a local.

Indeed, our awesome attractions and nifty nature can be done in a way that makes it easy on the odometer – and soft on the savings account.

Let’s plan a four day itinerary, shall we?

How I Planned This 4 Day Vancouver Itinerary

Having grown up in Vancouver, I’ve spent decades discovering every nook and cranny of my hometown.

That’s the inspiration for my four-day itinerary for Vancouver – I want to highlight the city’s premier attractions and offer a glimpse into the life of locals .

Whether you need outdoor Vancouver adventures , are keen to explore cultural icons , or eager to sample the best local grub , this guide has you covered.

Sorry! A quick one : We’re just two brothers trying to compete with Tripadvisor, so some links here may be affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, we may earn a commission . The revenue helps keep our site ad-free and gets us one step closer to doing this for a living – so thank you so much .

So, what’s in store for you here?

My four day itinerary includes 2-3 key sights each day , each with a trip through one of Vancouver’s distinct neighbourhoods + lunch, dinner, and even where to grab a nightcap .

I’ve also arranged it all to minimize travel time and maximize enjoyment .

Looking for personalized tips? Follow me on the Vancouver Planner Facebook page and send me a message – you’ve got a friend in Vancouver!

How to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver – Day 1

Day one in our guide on how to spend 4 days in Vancouver is all about discovering the city’s origins.

By sundown, you’ll be an expert on its pre-colonial aboriginal history and live British Columbia’s growth from a backwater logging spot to a place fit to host the 2010 Olympics.

And all of this visiting Vancouver will be done with delicious food and a few drinks thrown in.

Get Caffeinated Downtown

Get to downtown Vancouver by taking the Skytrain from the airport and getting off at Vancouver City Centre Station.

Conventional advice would suggest legendary Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons : ask for the ‘double-double’ (two sugar, two creams) to sound like a local.

For my money, though, I’m doing Fabourg. This local Parisian-style cafe has bountiful brew and the baked goods to match – you’re doing four days in Vancouver, so you should start as you mean to go on!

Take a left outside the cafe, and in quick walking distance, we find:

The Bill Reid Gallery

It’s fitting to start any Vancouver trip at the Bill Reid Gallery : Canada’s only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast.

It’s one of the best things to do in Vancouver , and it’s named after Haida artist and sculptor Bill Reid .

The mandate here is to create an awareness of Indigenous culture and values and bridge gaps between First Nations and settler populations.

Highlights include Reid’s 8.5-meter-long bronze masterpiece Mythic Messengers and a full-scale totem pole featuring Wasgo, the Haida seawolf.

Just 30 seconds up the street, we move ahead a bit in Vancouver’s history to:

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

This luxury Châteauesque hotel was Vancouver’s tallest building for over 30 years – and is arguably the city’s fanciest hotel to this day.

The light green copper-pitched roof is emblematic of the prosperity brought west to British Columbia by the Canadian Grand Railway. Famous past guests include Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill.

You should go into the lobby and stand under its great chandelier.

It’s said that here is the exact city center  – so imagine that the original 1888 incarnation of the hotel used to be considered a ‘foolish location’ due to its location between two forests!

Robson Square and the Vancouver Art Gallery

Right across the street from the Hotel Vancouver is the northern end of Vancouver’s largest plaza .

The 1,300,000 square foot square is bookended with the Vancouver Art Gallery to the north and the British Columbia Law Courts to the south.

Local architect Arthur Erickson’s vision was the foundations of society (law and art) at either end with people in the middle – so go be people in the middle!

This is a super fun place with a waterfall, a beautiful garden pathway, and even an ice rink (winter, free admission), which hosts salsa/ballroom dancing events in warmer months.

The VAG Food Truck Scene

Vancouver’s best restaurants are great, but we’re on a mission to move to as many places as possible while visiting Vancouver – so we need quick bites.

Right outside the Art Gallery, you’ll find a dozen food trucks catering to all tastes.

My go-to trucks are Mom’s Grilled Cheese for the classic sourdough with pickles and Japadog for its Japanese-inspired hot dogs (go for the ‘terimayo’).

You can get the full list with Streetfoodapp.com .

The Vancouver Lookout

I know, in a city so praised for natural beauty, I’ve done nothing in this 4 day trip post but force you to visit galleries, admire man-made chandeliers, and eat pork products.

That ends here – 551 feet above the city at the Vancouver Lookout .

The glass elevator takes you up to this observation deck and rotating restaurant for a 360-degree view of the city, harbour, and North Vancouver and its mountains.

Keep in mind that your tickets are valid if you come back at night!

Gastown is a lively neighbourhood full of art galleries (like Coastal Peoples Fine Art Gallery ) and edgy fashion studios, arguably the city’s cultural heart .

The city’s most photographable object is the massive antique Steam Clock , which goes off every hour on the hour to the sounds of the ‘Westminster Quarters’ – you can’t visit Vancouver without it.

Near here is also the site of one of Vancouver’s best souvenir shops: Hudson House Trading Co .

Here, you’ll get great some of Vancouver’s best shopping , like Fluevog Shoes , a progressive art-deco brand from Vancouver. One of a Few is a great shop for curated women’s collections.

Gastown Happy Hour

Gastown is full of great bars, and the prices don’t get any better than during the 3:00 – 6:00 pm happy hour. Expect to pay around $6.00 for a beer and $8.00 for wine.

When it’s warm, and you want to sit outside and watch Vancouver go by, I suggest the stone-clad heritage building Water Street Cafe .

If you want trendy but old-timey, head for the Clough Club and their craft cocktails and elevated South American tapas with local ingredients.

Related: The Best Bars in Gastown

If you’re staying downtown, it may be wise to go back to your hotel and freshen up a bit, but either way, I want you in Gastown for the evening meal.

Some of the amazing restaurants in Gastown should not just be tasted but experienced.

I love opting for the Quebecois-influenced French restaurant St. Lawrence . Trout amandine is the signature dish.

On a budget? There’s great value to be had at Kito No Donburi , with high-end Japanese rice bowls at fast food prices. Plus, their sushi is great.

Cocktails at Chinatown’s Keefer Bar

Just next to Gastown is Vancouver’s legendary Chinatown . It’s North America’s second largest and the cultural heart of the city’s thriving Chinese population.

For the full effect, walk through the Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate before getting to Keefer Bar .

The Asian fusion lounge also has an oddly sleek medical equipment decor.

Keefer Bar’s mixologists are some of the best in the city. Just talk to them, establish a taste profile, and let them make you a custom cocktail – no menu needed!

Now after a full day, I’m sure you’re ready to hit the hay. But don’t worry; there’s plenty left on our list of how to spend 4 days in Vancouver.

How to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver – Day 2

After a fairly urban start, I want to transition you slowly to some of Vancouver’s more outdoorsy sites – that’s what we’re famous for, after all!

I’m mapping out the day using bikes, but it can easily be adapted for walking or even public transport.

So let’s get started on the second day of our guide to how to spend 4 days in Vancouver.

Breakfast at Catch 122 Bistro

Day 2 of our 4-day Vancouver itinerary starts back in Gastown at Catch 122 .

Even if you’ve stayed out late, you’ll be happy to know that you can grab some of the best breakfast in Vancouver – or brunch, whatever you want – served daily at Catch 122 until 3:00 pm.

The salmon toast with dill mustard sauce is my favourite, but the pork shoulder eggs Benny and Liege waffles are also delectable.

Already have a hotel breakfast? Skip ahead because it’s just a short walking distance to:

Canada Place

We can walk over to Canada Place , Vancouver’s iconic sail-shaped convention centre and cruise port, in just 10 minutes.

What was originally a Rail Canada pier has now become one of the city’s most active meeting points. There’s a great view of the water and mountains, as well as the popular Flyover Canada attraction.

That said, we’re going to look for two monuments here: the 2010 Olympic Torch and local author Douglas Coupland’s Digital Orca .

If you’re visiting around noon, keep your ears open for the 12 O’clock Horn – which plays the first four notes of our nation’s national anthem, ‘O Canada.’

This is also a common starting point of many of the best Vancouver city tours .

Bike Rental at Waterfront Station

I’ve got a car that’ll make things quicker, but there’s still no way I’d rather do it than discovering Vancouver by bike .

We wanna be able to get into all the nooks and crannies of the city without circling the block looking for parking and blowing $8.00/hour for a spot.

It’s also the best way to explore day two’s piece de resistance , the world’s longest urban/seaside bike path: The Vancouver Seawall . This is an absolute must for active travellers wondering how to spend 4 days in Vancouver.

We rent bikes with a 5-hour package, turn our backs to Canada Place, and point our tires west on the seawall.

Coal Harbour Contrasts

Look left for Vancouver in a nutshell.

It’s in this residential neighbourhood that Douglas Coupland’s City of Glass moniker for our city comes to life in a forest of towering green glass skyscrapers.

Look right for nature’s ravishing rebuttal.

The mountains book ends us on the path perfect for panorama photography and understanding the city’s nature – just make sure to stay in your lane!

This 5 km portion of the seawall also offers lush greenery and a marina.

Stanley Park

Still wondering how to spend 4 days in Vancouver? To put it simply, no Vancouver vacation can be considered complete without a visit to Stanley Park .

TripAdvisor named it the world’s best park based on visitor reviews, but this park wasn’t carved out by some landscape architect or urban planner.

It’s an old-growth forest whose half a million trees (some as high as 250 feet) have been standing in the area since before anybody knew Vancouver by name.

The first stop is at the First Nations totem poles . These gigantic monumental carvings are British Columbia’s biggest tourist attraction.

Keep following the path for the Brockton Lighthouse and the Girl in a Wetsuit monument (just offshore on the right; look out!).

Want to go all in? Consider booking one of the top Stanley Park guided tours .

Lions Gate Bridge

Us Vancouverites falsely believe our epic harbour-traversing suspension bridge can compete with San Francisco, but you’ve gotta see it anyway.

Lions Gate Bridge was completed in 1937, and the original owners were the Guinness Family (yes, the stout!) of Ireland. The original toll was just 25 cents for a car or horse/carriage.

You’ll see it famously destroyed in the movie Final Destination 5 .

In all, it’s just a great photo opportunity with compelling contrast to the mountains.

If you’re walking or driving, there’s a great vantage point of the bridge and harbour from up at Prospect Point .

Siwash Rock

Continuing along the sea wall, we start curling back around toward downtown and one of the first landmarks telling us this is Siwash Rock .

This 59-foot-high rock outcropping has a vague resemblance to a bowling pin sticking out of the sea.

The 32 million-year-old sea stack is the only one in Vancouver.

Local aboriginal legend has it that a man was turned into the rock as a monument to ‘clean fatherhood.’

From here, it’s just 7-8 minutes to our next stop.

Second Beach

It’s one of Vancouver’s best beaches , so if you’re visiting Vancouver in summer (May-Sept), I hope you’ve brought your swim trunks.

This wild sand beach gives you the option to take a dip in the ocean or even in a heated outdoor pool ( Second Beach Pool ).

There’s also a great picnic spot at Ceperley Meadow to have a quick snack, top up the fluids, or recharge your legs if you’re not used to all that cycling.

In the off-season, it’s still nice to park the bikes and go for a little walk.

The Inukshuk at English Bay Beach

Even further up the sea wall, we’re back into downtown Vancouver and stop at this grey granite structure you’ll see with sunsets in every Vancouverite’s Instagram.

The piled rocks look like they could collapse into the Pacific Ocean at any moment.

Inukshuks are actually traditional Inuit navigation aids representing friendship and hospitality.

Amateurs try to recreate mini versions of them using rocks all along the waterfront – give it a try and leave your mark!

False Creek Ferry and Granville Island Public Market

We find a False Creek Ferry stop at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

Feel free to board with your bikes! It’s just a quick 10-minute ride over to visit Vancouver’s arts and culinary hub, Granville Island .

It’s time to lock up the bikes and head straight for the food market . Nobody should be leaving without trying the double-smoked or maple-candied salmon from Longliner Seafoods .

We grab lunch at the food court or nibble our way through the market stalls and their fresh fruits, charming cheeses, and delicious deli meats.

Take another hour to explore the galleries and artisan shops of the area.

Downtown Shopping

The ticket back to the Aquatic Center leaves us back on the downtown peninsula with two options: get some afternoon rest or go shopping .

Either one requires us to get up to the bike-friendly Hornby Street.

The path back to Canada Place and the bike rental shop , and our hotels is straightforward.

If we’re going shopping, though, we’re stopping short at Robson Street . In taking a left here, we’re thrown right into Vancouver’s main shopping street.

All the big brands are here, so knock yourself out.

Dinner in Yaletown

This formerly industrial area was once Vancouver’s warehouse district.

Today, Yaletown is one of our amazing city’s most densely populated neighbourhoods. The urban regeneration here is quite remarkable – it’s now a spot for high-end restaurants and headquarters for lots of cool local startups.

If you’re going all out, make sure to have a drink at Yaletown Distillery , then go for dinner at Blue Water Cafe (seafood) or Cioppino’s (Italian).

How to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver – Day 3

Ride the Seabus

Let’s head back to Waterfront Station, only this time… we’ll be fronting the water.

The Seabus is a passenger-only ferry connecting downtown Vancouver with the suburb of North Vancouver . They run every 15 minutes.

We hop on and get across Burrard Inlet in just 12 minutes. Keep your camera handy because this is a great way to visit Vancouver by sea.

After some amazing pics, we get off at:

Lonsdale Quay

This old ship repair dock in North Vancouver is now a multipurpose waterfront space featuring Lonsdale Market .

Take a stroll through the food and crafts area, but make sure you head to Lift on Lonsdale for a bite. The breakfast sandwiches are great, but dreams are made with their French toast and Bailey’s whipped cream.

You may also want to consider the adventurous Polygon Gallery for some thought-provoking art and media exhibits.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

From Lonsdale, we hop on the 236 bus , and we’re halfway up the mountain in 25 minutes.

The 460-foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge floats through an old-growth forest, dangling you 230 feet above the Capilano River. This is one of the best day trips from Vancouver .

It’s wobbly but safe, a type of old-school thrill ride made of cedar planks and hemp rope.

Admission at Capilano Suspension Bridge also gets you the world’s largest private collection of totem poles, the legendary Cliff Walk , and the ability to climb some 350-year-old Douglas Fir trees.

Grouse Mountain

We hop back on the 236 bus and alight at its terminus: Grouse Mountain .

If you’re going skiing in Vancouver , it’ll likely be here at the closest of the three ‘local mountains’ – but Grouse Mountain is much more than just one of the best things to do in winter .

Consider this recreation destination Vancouver’s playground. There’s snowshoeing in the winter and hiking in the summer. There’s a wildlife refuge where you can see grizzly bears .

It’s got epic mountain-top dining, ziplining, sleigh rides, disc golf, lumberjack shows, a theatre, shopping, and more.

The views from the Skyride gondola that take you to the peak are incredible – though you can also take one of Vancouver’s top hiking trails up Mother Nature’s stairmaster, the Grouse Grind .

Flyover Canada

What if I told you that you could fly across Canada for $26.00?

To do so, we reverse our tracks from the morning and end up back at Waterfront Station and Canada Place . It’s here that we find Flyover Canada .

This state-of-the-art 4-D flight simulation ride replicates a coast-to-coast Canadian flight. It’s the longest flight simulation ride in the world.

The east-to-west flight is a great way to understand more about the vastness of Canada and Vancouver’s unique place within it.

Reflections Bar

If you’re visiting Vancouver in spring or summer, it’s just a 10-minute walk from Canada Place to the Rosewood Hotel and its fourth-story inner courtyard bar called Reflections .

The patio here has major garden vibes and a sophisticated drinks menu. It’s a great special occasion bar and perfect for couples.

In winter, we’ll be going to Stock and Supply for their endless list of local craft beer, $7.00 happy hour negroni, and lemon pepper chicken wings.

A Local Dinner

Any best 4 day Vancouver itinerary has to include the best restaurants in downtown Vancouver .

That said, if you visit Vancouver and need an amazing local treat, look no further than Forage .

The chef here sources his ingredients from local foragers, farmers, and fishermen from the Pacific Ocean. The result is a fresh, sustainable , finesse-driven Pacific Northwest restaurant .

The slow-cooked salmon here showcases our most prized West Coast protein perfectly.

How to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver – Day 4

Getting the Hell Out of Downtown

We’ve spent most of our Vancouver 4 day itinerary in downtown Vancouver, so let’s change that in a hurry by hopping on the #2 bus (‘Macdonald’) .

We cross the Burrard Street bridge and get off at the first stop, dipping into Vancouver’s bohemian beachside district : Kitsilano .

The Museum of Vancouver

I like using the largest civic history museum in Canada as a way to supplement knowledge already learned.

At the Museum of Vancouver , you’ll find the Ćəsnaʔəm ‘City Before the City’ exhibit, which details life in the area before European settlement.

Most of the other exhibits are broken down by decade; of particular interest is the 1950s Gallery and its focus on Vancouver’s legendary neon signs .

The Wild Things showcase also has valuable information on local wildlife.

Kits Beach & Vanier Park

Just outside the museum is Vanier Park, the site of many summer festivals in the city, like Bard on the Beach and the Children’s Festival.

We head to the water and trace a path west until reaching the throngs of Kitsilano Beach, the city’s most popular swimming and people-watching waterfront.

This path is part of the same Seawall we saw before in Stanley Park.

The beach is also home to Canada’s longest swimming pool , so a nice dip in summer is always welcome.

Shopping in Kitsilano

Up the road about 8-10 blocks is the locally famous 4th Avenue.

Between Burrard and Larch is a commercial area famous for locally made, sustainable activewear shops and high-end fashion boutiques .

If you’re so inclined, I’d suggest taking a wander around there. It’s about a 12-minute (slightly uphill) walk from Kits Beach.

Peaceful Restaurant

I may take some heat for this simply because it was on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, but I’m going to suggest eating at the top of my list of Chinese restaurants: Peaceful Restaurant .

Handmade blade-sheared noodles and premium Northern Chinese food are great ways to experience Vancouver’s Chinese culture.

Get the beef rolls : you’ll thank me later.

Museum of Anthropology

From Peaceful, we can grab the 99 B-line bus (‘UBC’) to the Museum of Anthropology .

Here, we get one of the premier collections of Northwest Coast Indigenous  sculptures ,  totem   poles and artifacts anywhere.

Of the 535,000 archaeological objects, the Bill Reid masterpiece Raven and First Men is the most popular by far.

Many tourists have told me this was the highlight of their trip.

Plan to spend two hours here – there’s that much to see.

Downtown’s Entertainment District

We’ll be back downtown with plenty of time to round out our Vancouver 4-day itinerary with some of the city’s premium entertainment offerings like:

• Theatre at the QE or the Centre for Performing Arts
• Tagging along on one of the best Vancouver food tours
• A Canucks , Lions , or Whitecaps game
• A walk along Vancouver’s Star Walk on the Granville Strip
• A visit the biggest casino in British Columbia: Parq Vancouver
• Check out some of the most unique things to do in Vancouver

It’s been four days in Vancouver, and you’ve got a feel for the city, so it’s really up to you. That said, if you’re not in the mood for a big-ticket night out, I’m gonna give you a second option.

Related : Best Vancouver Festivals

Commercial Drive

From downtown Vancouver, you can get on the Skytrain and get off at Commercial-Broadway to access our city’s cultural heart.

Commercial Drive is an area officially known as Vancouver’s Little Italy. It’s full of quirky bars, enotecas, and thrift shops. Beer lovers can hit some tasting rooms in the nearby Yeast Van Brewery District, the beating heart of Vancouver’s craft beer scene .

It’s a fun place but with a residential feel, and this is what I want you to get on the last day – a true local neighbourhood where Vancouverites live their day-to-day.

My favourite bar here is Bar Corso , and the pizza at Via Tevere is fantastic.

Spend the evening drinking and eating here, and that’s four days in Vancouver, done!

Big on beer? Check out the best brewery tours in Vancouver , or head to Main Street .

⚠️ Think you need longer already? Check out my Vancouver 7 day itinerary .

Think four days is too much? Check out my Vancouver 3 day itinerary .

Before You Arrive in Vancouver

Before planning your trip to Vancouver, make sure you read the following:

• Getting from Vancouver airport to downtown quickly
• How to get around Vancouver using public transport
• Brush up on the things to know before you visit Vancouver
• How to get top savings using the Vancouver Attraction Passport
• The best areas to stay in Vancouver
• Getting a room at some of Vancouver’s top hotels and hostels
• What Vancouver food you’ll absolutely have to try
• Check the best time to visit Vancouver along with weather expectations.

4 Day Vancouver Itinerary FAQ

Is 4 days enough in vancouver.

Yes, four days in Vancouver are enough to explore major attractions and enjoy some outdoor activities.

How to spend 4 days in Vancouver?

Spend 4 days in Vancouver exploring urban parks, markets, historic neighborhoods, savoring local cuisine, and planning a nearby excursion.

What to see in Vancouver in 4 days?

In 4 days in Vancouver, you should see Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Gastown, and enjoy a day trip to Victoria or Whistler.

Figured out how to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver?

There you have it – you should be locked and loaded for 4 days in Vancouver. That said, it may not be how you would do it.

So feel free to tell me your vision, and I’ll add some custom advice to get it all planned. You can reach me in the comments below or via the Vancouver Planner  Facebook page.

Whether it’s about how to spend 4 days in Vancouver or anything else, we’re always here for all your BC travel needs.

Happy planning!

Related posts

Where to Stay in Vancouver – Best Areas to Stay

3 Days in Vancouver: Plan the Perfect 3 Day Itinerary

2 Days in Vancouver: Plan a Perfect Weekend Itinerary

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My husband and I are both retired teachers from CT but haven’t had a chance to enjoy it yet due to COVID but we’re going to make Vancouver happen next spring!

We’re big walkers but probably won’t be getting bikes. Is the Stanley Park/seawall portion of Day 2 possible with a car?

Thanks so much for your amazingly helpful post… I’m sure we’ll be bothering you again! 😛

Thanks for writing in 🙂

That’s a very good question and you’ll be happy to know that there’s a road for cars which goes through most of the park. You’re going to want to take Georgia Street out of downtown and then take the Stanley Park turn.

From here there are three main parking lots where you can stop to take in the sites: one at the totem poles (look for the gift shop), one at Brockton Point (the lighthouse and the Girl in a Wetsuit), and one at Prospect Point (there’s a cafe and a great panorama of Lions Gate Bridge).

It also loops around to the beach and back out toward the West End of downtown.

In all you can probably do the drive in less than an hour including stops.

Hope that clears it up!

Thanks Ash for some insightful tips and ideas, some not expected. However, I only count three days in your itinerary, not 4. Or do you count the fourth day as the departure day, like so many tours do?

Wow, thanks for bringing this up! For some reason the 4th day was hidden… I really don’t know how to explain this, but it was a problem in the back end.

We’re back in business now 🙂 Thanks for letting us know.

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Home » North America » Canada » Vancouver

EPIC 3-DAY VANCOUVER ITINERARY (2024)

Vancouver, British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places to see in Canada! Every type of traveler will find something to love about this beautiful coastal city. With magnificent wildlife to awe-inspiring natural landscapes, lush mountain ranges, urban culture, vibrant art, theatre, and scene – Vancouver has it all!

There is something here for everyone, and your soul will be fed from the experiences on this 3-day Vancouver itinerary! Vancouver is a city that is thriving with many people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. You can truly enjoy a rich culture on your trip to Vancouver!

Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime and make memories that will stay with you forever! There are so many reasons to travel to Vancouver, and with this itinerary in hand, you are sure to see the best this city has to offer. We will share everything you need to know and give you all the best Vancouver landmarks for you to sightsee whilst you indulge in the joys of the city!

A Little Bit About this Vancouver Itinerary

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Finding your way around big cities can be challenging, especially when they are busy. Luckily, Vancouver has plenty of transportation options available! We will share a handful of the best options so that you know how to navigate your way around the city in the most stress-free way with our 3-day Vancouver itinerary.

The most popular option to use is The Sky Train. The vast majority of its track runs along on an elevated track, so you can sometimes score good views around the city this way as well as getting where you want to go quickly!

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Buses are everywhere in Vancouver during the day and make for an excellent option for group travelers to get you from A to B on this itinerary! Your driver will know exactly where to take you and can sometimes give you helpful pointers about each neighborhood.

It doesn’t stop there, Vancouver also has SeaBuses! This bus sails the oceans and will connect you from downtown Vancouver to the North Shore.

Walking is also a popular way to get around Vancouver, and with so much to see when you do so, it can be incredibly worthwhile. A lot of Vancouver’s bars and restaurants can be found in single areas, so if you decide to spend some time pub-hopping or enjoying a food tour, the best way to do it is by foot!

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3-Day Vancouver Itinerary Overview

Day 1 in Vancouver: Stanley Park , Vancouver Aquarium , Canada Place , Vancouver Lookout ,  Gastown

Day 2 in Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery ,  Pacific Spirit Regional Park , Museum of Anthropology , Granville Island

Day 3 in Vancouver: English Bay ,  Capilano Suspension Bridge , Grouse Mountain , Lions Gate Bridge

More Places to See in Vancouver: Queen Elizabeth Park , VanDusen Botanical Garden, Science World at TELUS World of Science

Part of planning a trip to Vancouver that will blow you away and leave you with memories to last a lifetime is choosing the right neighborhood to stay in! Knowing where to stay in Vancouver will help you have the best time, allowing you to be close to activities within walking distance whilst enjoying our Vancouver itinerary.

Yaletown is a wonderful neighborhood to consider and is the best place to stay in Vancouver during three days or more if you want to be close to the magnificent waterfront. Once this area used to be an exclusively industrial zone, but now it has become one of the hottest areas to stay in Vancouver! Yaletown boasts a bevy of independent boutique shops, modern restaurants, and hip bars.

Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest city, and it is thus incredibly rich with heritage and is made up of charming cobblestone streets. You can see some of the most stunning old-school architecture of Vancouver in Gastown, as well as enjoy the many bars and restaurants. History is brimming in this part of Vancouver, so it is an excellent place to base yourself if you want to immerse yourself in classic charm that has a modern twist. There are a lot of great Vancouver Airbnbs in Gastown too.

Kitsilano is found in the south of downtown Vancouver, and it is a super stylish and lively neighborhood that is especially family-friendly! This neighborhood is famous for coffee culture and poetry readings. The ‘flower children’ call this place their home, and you will meet a lot of free spirits in ‘Kits’ that will inspire you.

Best Hostel in Vancouver – Samesun Vancouver

Found within the city center, Samesun Vancouver is a hostel that provides you everything you need in a cozy and friendly environment!

You will be surrounded by the city’s best pubs, clubs, and restaurants, making it easy for you to walk to places with your travel companions at night.

Samesun Vancouver is one of the most enjoyable hostels in the city and it will add a touch of festivity to your travels!

Best Airbnb in Vancouver – Deluxe Junior One Bedroom with 2 Beds

Located just one block away from the world-famous Robson street there are a lot of various restaurants, stores, groceries are nearby. The condo building has a swimming pool, sauna, exercise gym, and jacuzzi.

Best Budget Hotel in Vancouver – GEC Granville Suites Downtown

This fabulous hotel is great for the price! GEC Granville Suites Downtown provides everything you need to have a fantastic stay.

You will find beautifully decorated rooms, comfortable beds, and an on-site restaurant serving scrumptious meals! The hotel also features a rooftop deck and sauna for those days when you want to relax.

Best Luxury Hotel in Vancouver – Rosewood Hotel Georgia

For 5-star luxury and exceptional facilities, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a must! It is found conveniently across the street from Vancouver Art Gallery, this hotel offers an indoor saltwater lap pool for you to keep in shape.

The bathrooms have heated floors, and you will find the rooms to be exquisite!

There is a lot to do in Vancouver . Spend your first day on this Vancouver itinerary admiring the lush beauty of this city’s natural landscapes and diving into the art world. Enjoy the best Vancouver attractions and more during the start of your two days in Vancouver!

10:00 AM – Stanley Park

As the largest and first park ever to exist in Vancouver, Stanley Park is a hub that pumps with life and showcases some of the city’s most incredible history, talent, and beauty.

You can stroll Stanley Park and find an endless amount of new sites and meet some of the friendly locals as you settle in before continuing with the exciting activities lined up on your 3-day Vancouver itinerary.

You will find yourself surrounded in a breathtaking green oasis that is spotted right in the heart of suburbia.

This magnificent urban park is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Vancouver.Explore the 400 hectares of this special park and be sure to see the West Coast rainforest. Then climb some of the small mountain trails, view stunning lakes shimmering in the morning sun, and bask in the magic. Whatever you do, Stanley Park provides a massive range of unforgettable experiences that are suited for every age group and every type of traveler.

If you haven’t had breakfast yet, The Teahouse, located in Stanley Park, is a fantastic, relaxed, and stylish place to grab breakfast and enjoy scenic views.

• Cost:  Free to enter. Parking is $3.50/hour.
• How long should I stay here?  1-2 hours walking around.
• Getting there:  Bus #19 stops at several different places in the park.

12:00 PM – Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest aquarium in British Columbia and attracts people from all over Canada. The aquarium is not only an outstanding place to view and learn about all types of marine life, but it is also a center for ground-breaking marine research, conservation, and of course, rehabilitation.

You will find a vast number of fantastic displays and meet inspired professionals whose passion is to learn from and protect the lives of sea creatures and their habitats.

Enjoy engaging exhibits and insightful shows that provide a rare chance to get up-close and personal with charming creatures like otters, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and many varieties of mesmerizing fish species.

The aquarium houses an impressive amount of facilities, including a 4D cinema where you can educate yourself of the ocean and the animals that call it their home. This is a must-see during your first day in Vancouver.

• Cost:  Adult=$38/$30/$21 for adults/students/children.
• How long should I stay here?  1-2 hours
• Getting there:  The aquarium is located inside Stanley Park, which you should be in already. Walk, ride, or take public transit there.

2:00 PM – Canada Place

Canada Palace is one of the most beloved and iconic buildings in Vancouver, and it has become a legendary landmark among the sea of skylines and skyscrapers.

The structure itself is made up of white sails, adding a picturesque effect that makes Canada Place stand out from the other buildings along Vancouver’s waterfront.

With an innovative design, you will be automatically attracted to this unique venue. You can view it all the way from the Seawall in Stanley Park or from the North Wall.

You can catch every type of lively event happening at Canada Palace, but it is most famous for hosting the  biggest Canada Day celebrations .

Close to Canada Place, you’ll also find one of the greatest hidden gems in Vancouver:  the Marine Building.  It features some of the most impressive Art Deco art in the world and is considered one of the finest examples of the movement. If you’re a fan of architecture, be sure to make the quick detour here along the way to the waterfront.

For lunch, there are lots of great places to eat around Canada Place and Downtown Vancouver. Drop by Chewies for some local oysters (make sure they’re from around Vancouver Island).

• Cost:  Free.
• How long should I stay here?  1-3 hours depending on how many attractions you visit.
• Getting there:  Walk 30 minutes or 20 minutes by bus (#19).

5:00 PM – Vancouver Lookout

Start winding down your first day in Vancouver by enjoying an unforgettable panoramic view from the Vancouver Lookout!

Watch the sunset over the sweeping vistas, shining over the mountains and glimmering on the ocean waters. Watch as the city starts to come alive. People file out onto the streets after a hard day’s work to meet their friends and family for snacks and drinks.

The Vancouver Lookout tower is a brilliant place to get expansive views over the city and the majestic mountain ranges and the ocean. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee at the Revolving Restaurant.

The most fascinating and high-tech feature of this sightseeing tower is its elegant glass elevator that rides up the side and will take you to the top. Ultimately, this will be a highlight of our 3-day Vancouver itinerary.

• Cost:  $17.50/$12.50/$9.50 for adults/youth/children.
• How long should I stay here?  Around 1 hour or so.
• Getting there:  The Vancouver Lookout is right next to Canada Place and is less than a 10-minute walk.

7:00 PM – Gastown

Gastown is one of the most energetic neighborhoods in Vancouver and it is especially active after dark. This is one of the most popular places to eat and drink in the city and it seems that every other shop is either a restaurant or a bar.

Gastown’s reputation as a late-night area is nothing new either – this is used to be Vancouver’s redlight district way back when the city was no more than a logging town. It’s a bit more clean-cut now but still hangs on to a bit of that old grittiness.

The most infamous attraction here these days is the Gastown Steam Clock.

There is a huge variety of places to eat and drink in Gastown. Feeling like Latin-inspired dishes? Go to Cuchillo. Maybe something a bit more canuk? Check out Belgard Kitchen instead. Need a drink afterward? The Diamond serves up some amazing cocktails.

Nearby, you’ll also find the local Chinatown. Vancouver is very famous for its authentic dim sum and one could easily spend an entire evening (or day) in search of the perfect dumpling.

• Cost:  Food and drink are not cheap here…
• How long should I stay here?  All night!
• Getting there:  Gastown is less than 5 minutes walking from the Lookout.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Get ready to enjoy day two in Vancouver! You will get to take in the most beautiful, intriguing points of interest and all of the facets of this glorious seaport city.

10:00 AM – Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver Art Gallery is world-renowned and is arguably the most respected innovative and visual arts museum in North America. The gallery houses revolutionary art and marvelous exhibits that will inspire you and open up your eyes to the fantastic world of Vancouver’s art scene and its truly excellent talent.

The gallery is relatively large (the 5th largest in Canda) and showcases historical art, contemporary art, and international pieces.

There is a special exhibition that places Asian Pacific Region artworks and First Nations artworks firmly into the limelight. You will be blown away by the variety of mediums, textures, use of color, and stories told by these impressive works of both modern and olden day art.

Take this chance to explore everything that art gifts to us: inspiration, emotion, movement, cultural philosophy, design, and architecture.

Once you’ve finished at the museum, be sure to grab a sandwich at Hubbub to-go. You’ll need it for the next activity.

Note : The Museum opens and closes late on Tuesday and Friday (12 pm – 8 pm) but between 5 pm and 8 pm on Tuesday nights,  tickets are free.  Donations are asked for instead.

• Cost:  $24/$20/$18/$6.50 for adults/seniors/students/children.
• How long should I stay here?  At least 2 hours.
• Getting there:  There is a metro stop (City Centre) nearby on Granville Street. Otherwise, several bus lines stop right outside the gallery on Howe Street.

1:00 PM – Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Vancouver has a host of incredible wildlife for all travelers to spot during their Vancouver trip, and one of the best places to bask in the bliss of nature is at the Pacific Spirit Regional Park! One of the most relaxing things you can do is to simply enjoy the magical natural parks, and this is a prime spot to do just that.

Amble through the dense rainforests, find canopies and breathe in the fresh air found in this magical park.

Escaping into the Pacific Regional Park will give you a chance to take a breather from the city and embrace the wonders of Vancouver’s abundant nature.

While walking, you will visit many different ecosystems, from the beach, the forests, wetlands, calm streams, and evergreen meadows. You can spot animals like bald eagles, salamanders, snakes, and squirrels.

There are many hiking trails here, leading you to peak viewpoints, relaxed coves, green oases, lush forests, and thriving natural habitats. We recommend making your slowly northwest towards the University of BS, either via the Salish Trail or the Clevland Trail.

• How long should I stay here?  2-3 hours.
• Getting there:  Pacific Spirit is located pretty far away from Downtown Vancouver and we definitely recommend using a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft for this leg.

3:00 PM – Museum of Anthropology

Dive into the world of First Nations artwork and other cultural community pieces following your hike in Pacific Spirit Park. The Museum of Anthropology is an establishment run by people passionate to shed light and awareness of diverse cultures across the globe and celebrating the differences between nations.

They run a lot of programs with indigenous, local, and global communities to keep the fire of history and culture alive in today’s modern world.

The museum has a reputation worldwide for being a hub that protects cultural knowledge from all nations and all eras. You are going to be in for a whirlwind of new information and eye-opening knowledge when you visit this museum.

The museum houses a plethora of artwork and artifacts from old tribes and indigenous people, and it strives to protect the right for people to, “maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expression.”

Enjoy art from all around the world, and treat yourself to a walkabout. You will find yourself captivated by the murals, exhibits, and artworks all housed within the Museum of Anthropology!

Insider Tip:  On Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm, tickets are only $10!

• Cost:  $18/$16 for adults/seniors & students.
• How long should I stay here?  1-2 hours.
• Getting there:  The museum is about 5 or so km by foot from the center of Pacific Spirit Park.

6:00 PM – Granville Island

Let’s wrap our second day in Vancouver by visiting one of the coolest parts of the city: Granville Island. Known mostly as a shopper’s paradise, Granville is also a great place to grab a bite to eat or beer.

Shoppers can spend hours milling in and out of the endless variety of trendy shops, finding everything from clothing to gifts and kids’ toys.

Foodies will stumble across incredible cafes to have a cup of coffee or some homemade baked goods. If fine dining is more your scene, you can also find that here.

The art scene in Granville is also  huge . You will run into design studios everywhere and have many chances to take a peek at some truly mesmerizing art done by the gifted artists in Vancouver. See things made from every type of material, from ceramic bowls and vases to stylish furniture and handcrafted jewelry.

This is a place for you to have fun and experience the joys of Vancouver’s atmosphere and all of the wonderful artistic creations made from the people who call ‘The City of Glass’ their home.

• Cost:  A bit cheaper than Gastown but still slightly expensive.
• How long should I stay here?  The rest of the day!
• Getting there:  Bus #084 leaves from atop University Hill on Chancellor Blvd and takes around 40 minutes to reach Granville. Otherwise, take another rideshare.

Today’s our third and last day in Vancouver so we’re making a good one! We’re heading to the mountains but not before we get some beach time first. 🙂

9:00 AM – English Bay Beach

English Bay is one of the most-loved of them all refers to both the bay itself as well as a beach near Stanley Park.  English Bay Beach is also known as ‘First Beach.’

There’s a lot do here in the morning: you can go for a run or bike ride along the popular Seawell, go kayaking in the bay, or rent a chair and umbrella, then catch some early morning rays!

Only in Vancouver can you find a beach like English Bay in the middle of an urban landscape.

If you’re feeling brave, you can also use this opportunity to take a dip in the frigid Pacific waters.

You will find all sorts of fun things to do in English Bay and may even meet a four-legged friend along the way! English Bay has a designated ‘dog-off-leash’ areas where pooches can run freely, meeting people, and playing together. You will also find areas where people are playing volleyball, soccer, or cricket on the shores.

• How long should I stay here?  Around 2 hours.
• Getting there:  Bus #023 stops right in front of the beach.

12:00 PM – Capilano Suspension Bridge

This is probably the most touristy place featured on our 3-day Vancouver itinerary. That being said, it still shouldn’t be missed.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a well-built and simple bridge that crosses over the scenic Capilano River. You can walk along the relatively narrow bridge and take in breathtaking views of the forest landscape surrounding you and the flowing river underneath you.

The bridge is 140 meters long and quite a unique attraction in Vancouver. The entrance fee is somewhat pricey, but all proceeds go towards maintenance and other worthy causes that keep the surroundings pristine.

If you’re looking for something to eat after the bridge, DON’T go to the places near the bridge itself. Instead, head north and have food at Sushi Mori or look around Edgemont Village.

• Cost:  $43 per person.
• Getting there:  Head to West Georgia Street near Marina Square and take bus #246. The ride takes 30 minutes and will drop you off very close to the bridge.

2:00 PM – Grouse Mountain

What better way to wrap up our trip in Vancouver than by seeing it from afar? Grouse Mountain offers one of the most expansive views of the city and features a couple of interesting attractions as well. It is the perfect place to visit on a Vancouver day trip .

There are two ways to arrive at the top of Grouse Mountain:

The first via a somewhat expensive chair lift that operates in both summer and winter.

This is obviously the easiest and most convenient way to get the up mountain.

The other, more hardcore way to get up the mountain is via grueling hike called the “ Grouse Grind .” This hike is not at all easy and finishing it is like a right of passage for visiting Vancouver. You’ve been warned.

Once you arrive at the top of Grouse Mountain, bask in the views. If you’d like a bit more information about the mountains, you can find everything you need to know at the  Blue Grouse Sustainability  program. Grouse Mountain is a magnificent place to enjoy the beauty of the city and treat yourself to a fun adventure at the same time.

• Cost:  Lift tickets are $59/$52/$32 for adults/seniors/children.
• How long should I stay here?  A half-day.
• Getting there:  Bus #232 or #236 goes direct from Capilano to the foot of Grouse Mountain.

7:00 PM – Lions Gate Bridge

On the way back to Vancouver, we’re going to stop by one of its most iconic locations: Lion’s Gate Bridge. Known officially as the First Narrows Bridge, this bridge holds a lot of historical significance , and that is something that makes it a major spot to visit whilst touring Vancouver. Fun fact: a pair of sculpted lions once used to stand proudly at both sides on the entrance of the bridge!

This spot may not be the kind of place you could laze out and enjoy an afternoon, but it is a spectacular place to go see during sunset. You can’t walk along the bridge, but you can relax in the areas nearby and observe it from the safety of the bush or the sandy ocean shore. As the sun goes down, lights on the bridge come to life, and it becomes quite a spectacular sight to behold.

The scenery around the bridge is jaw-dropping and is a great way to end your 3 days in Vancouver.

Once you’ve gotten your fill, head back to the city to grab your last dinner, and pack your bags. Unfortunately, our time is up 🙁

• How long should I stay here?  Around 1 hour.
• Getting there:  It’s easiest to see the bridge from Stanley Park but there is no direct bus from Grouse Mountain. You’ll need to use a rideshare if you want to stop here.

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Vancouver:

Gastown is one of the oldest and most charming neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Located at the northeast end of Downtown Vancouver, this area is made up of cobblestone streets and stunning heritage architecture.

• Visit the Steam Clock and stand at the spot where the city began.
• Good drinks and a great atmosphere await you at the Lamplighter Public House, a classic and modern pub at the heart of the city.
• Visit the Alibi Room for a great lineup of cocktails, beer, drinks and food.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Situated on Little Mountain, Queen Elizabeth Park is a major attraction in Vancouver and has a storied past that makes it a significant part of Vancouver’s heritage.

The rocks of this park were the ones that were quarried to make the very first roadways in the city! It has scarred the garden, but it has still got so much magic to offer and remains one of the most stunning parks in Vancouver.

You will find immaculate gardens, with neatly kept shrubs and trees all growing in a way that flows and creates a tranquil ambiance. The waters of the ponds are so still you can see your reflection smiling back at you! There are also plenty of birds dancing in the trees, singing tunes, and adding to the picturesque setting of Queen Elizabeth Park!

The park is one of the best places to go for a calming walk to take in the beauty of nature or sit back with a partner for a picnic. If you’re up for it, you can also join the teams that play sports in the park, such as tennis, basketball, pitch & putt, roller hockey, disc golf, and lawn bowling!

• Cost:  Free to enter.
• How long should I stay here?  2-3 hours.
• Getting there:  The Canada Line Metro stops very near to the park on Oakridge and 41st.

VanDusen Botanical Garden

There are botanical gardens, and then there is the VanDusen Botanical Garden. This garden is expertly landscaped, with features like ponds, waterfalls, vibrant flower beds, streams, labyrinths, mazes, and hiking trails. There are all kinds of flower varieties within the garden and every species is flourishing!

The garden is operated by a joint team, the City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association.

These two organizers have been working hand-in-hand over 40 years to build and preserve the beauty of the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

With so much to see within these magical grounds, you can spend a lot of time becoming entranced by the fauna and flora, the bright colors, and tranquil atmosphere. Be sure to take a leisurely walkabout so that you can take it all in!

Insider Tip:  The most famous labyrinth in the botanical garden is found beneath the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, and it is known to be the place where the hero Theseus killed the Minotaur in a well-known myth.

• Cost:  $8-$11 depending on the season.
• Getting there:  Bus #17 stops in front of the gardens.

Science World at TELUS World of Science

TELUS World of Science building is one of the most unique and recognizable structures in the city. Inside, you’ll find an even more interesting assortment of exhibits though. This is a great place for all age groups and will fascinate everyone, even if they don’t already think science is sweet.

At Science World, you will see a huge variety of exhibits that delve into the discoveries made across different topics throughout the years.

There are also permanent interactive displays that will allow you to take your learning to a new level.

This place is overflowing with inspiring things to do and see. You will also find amazing displays of artistic developments that incorporate scientific knowledge, making it another fantastic place to gaze into the mind of Vancouver’s visionaries!

• Cost:  Adult’s tickets are $27.15, children (3-12) get in for free.
• How long should I stay here?  3-4 hours.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

When planning your vacation in Vancouver, it is essential to know the weather patterns of the city and understand what you can expect during the months that you want to visit. We will go over everything you need to know about the seasons and give a month-by-month breakdown in this Vancouver itinerary, so you can relax and leave the planning to us!

British Columbia and all of the PNW for that matter has a reputation for being dark and rainy all year long. Whilst this is certainly true in the winter and part of the spring, Vancouver is not always dreary. In fact, summers in Vancouver are almost always sunny!

As such, the best time of the year to visit is between April to October, when you are guaranteed more sunny days than any other time of the year. Vancouver’s peak seasons typically occur during late spring, between April and May, as well as during the fall between mid-September and October.

Summers in Vancouver are mild, with moderately hot days but no scorchers! As for winter, those can get icy and quite rainy, but it also adds a sense of nostalgia to the landscapes of British Columbia. This makes it a great time to go see the mountains and old-school architecture.

Vancouver’s off-season includes November through mid-December, with January being the quietest, most tourist-free month of the year. February to mid-March is also considered Vancouver’s off-season.

Deciding when to visit Vancouver is about choosing the most convenient time for you, whilst factoring in what to expect from the crowds and the weather.

Here is a table showing you exactly what is in store from month-to-month in Vancouver!

As with most big cities, there is a lot of crime, and it is an unavoidable reality in every part of the world. However, all things considered, Vancouver is a safe place to visit, and you won’t have any hassles if you keep general safety tips in mind during your travels.

Firstly, it’s important to know that Downtown Vancouver is one of the city’s biggest places for crime. This does not mean you should avoid this part of the city entirely, because it is also a magnificent place for sightseeing, but be vigilant when you are in this neck of the woods.

Try not to appear too ‘touristy’ and make sure of that when you travel Downtown. Know exactly where you are going so that you can avoid slipping down the wrong alley or getting stuck in a dodgy part of the city.

When you go out, be sure to have a group of trusted friends and companions with you, and be sure to keep an eye out for each other.

You also don’t want to drive drunk, so for women and men, take a taxi if you feel like having a night out on the town and indulging in the many bars of Vancouver.

Petty crimes can happen if you leave your stuff unattended, so make sure you have your belongings close at hand, or at least in viewing range of wherever it is that you are. When walking in the busy streets, keep your bag close, or have it in the middle of your chest and be sure it is zipped.

If you follow all of these simple precautions, you minimize any chance of a mishap, and you can enjoy your time in Vancouver knowing you’re likely to stay safe!

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Vancouver

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts

Even if you spent an entire one week in Vancouver exploring one neighborhood, you would still be finding new things to do and see! This aspect of the coastal city’s atmosphere will have you coming back for more every time with another one of your new Vancouver vacation ideas.

We know that each of our daily Vancouver itineraries will have you enjoying the best of this city, allowing you to delight in the many sensations it has to offer. If you are trying to have a longer holiday in Vancouver, you can simply pace yourself and take your time at each of these stops. Consider heading to Vancouver Island on a day trip; this one of the most beautiful places in all British Columbia and you may find yourself wanting to stay a couple of extra days here.

Book your favorite hotel or hostel and pack your bags. Don’t forget to bring your best travel camera !

Sheridan Cahoon

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The PERFECT 3 Days in Vancouver Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 9, 2024

If you’re looking for the perfect ‘how to spend 3 days in Vancouver itinerary’ you’ve come to the right place!

One of the best cities in all of Canada, Vancouver sees millions of visitors every year to admire some of the most stunning scenery in the World.

British Columbia is home to the Rocky Mountains. And those mountains are greeted by the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, gifting you with the best of both worlds.

With a laid back vibe, incredible entertainment and food scenes, Vancouver boasts some of the most picturesque views in the country.

From the North Shore mountains to the chilled out vibe of Kitsilano, Vancouver has dozens of neighbourhoods to be found no matter what it is you’re looking for.

The city has a fantastic public transit system, which will make your visit so much easier. Travel by bus, SkyTrain and even SeaBus services to get you anywhere you want to go.

Even some of the city’s best hiking trails can be reached without the need for your own vehicle. This is a huge bonus, especially when doing your best to keep your budget in check.

A saying often used by many Vancouverites is “West Coast. Best Coast” and you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with them after checking out this itinerary for 3 days in Vancouver.

Plan your trip to Canada with our comprehensive Canada Travel Guide .

Table of Contents

10 am – Stanley Park

2 pm – granville island, 6 pm – sunset drinks at sunset beach, 7 pm – dinner (and more drinks) on granville street, 9 am – robson street to main street, 10 am – shopping, beach hopping & a game, 11 am – grab a bike and head to the beach, 3 pm – queen elizabeth park, 4 pm – wander main street, 6 pm – dinner and a game, 9 am – head over to north vancouver, 10 am – capilano suspension bridge park, 12 pm – make your way to the mountains, 6pm – drinks and dinner in gastown, when to visit vancouver, getting around vancouver, the best hostel in vancouver – the cambie hostel gastown, best budget accommodation for couples – atrium inn, best boutique hotel in vancouver – the burrard hotel, budget: the warehouse granville, mid-range: twisted fork bistro, high-end: five sails restaurant, enjoy this perfect 3 days in vancouver itinerary.

Vancouver, where the mountains meet the sea and where every scene looks like something straight from a postcard.

With a variety of awesome activities to be done, you could be skiing in the morning, cycling the seawall after lunch and exploring historic and trendy Gastown by night.

From Stanley Park, to Granville Island Public Market, to Grouse Mountain, to the nightlife and more, here is the perfect Vancouver itinerary that covers all the highlights of the city.

To find out what cool things to do for 3 days in Vancouver scroll on!

Vancouver Itinerary Day 1

Start the first of your 3 days in Vancouver itinerary by grabbing a coffee and takeaway breakfast from any nearby cafe. Vancouver knows how to do coffee on a whole other level!

You’ll need the fuel to get you moving straight towards one of the city’s most visited locations.

Visited by over 8 million people every year, Stanley Park is one of the most popular places to check out in downtown Vancouver. And for good reason too.

Located at the northwestern edge of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is easily accessible from the centre of everything.

Covering over 405 hectares, this is a public park like no other you’ve experienced before.

Stanley Park starts at the corner of Denman Street and West Georgia. From here you’ll hit the path that will take you nearly 6 miles from end to end.

Hit up a bike rental shop and grab some wheels to take you along the paths or take in the views on foot.

Alternatively, sign up for a guided bike tour to get an insider’s view of what makes Stanley Park so special.

The paths are well marked with tons of cool spots to stop along the way including Brockton Point Lighthouse, Stanley Park Tea House, and the Stanley Park Boat Club.

The whole park is well signposted with tons of off-shooting trails to discover.

One of the best views is definitely from Prospect Point out over the beautiful Lions Gate Bridge.

To check out the map of Stanley Park visit the website here .

If you carry on the whole way along the seawall you’ll hit Third and  Second Beach.

While they may not have original names, these beaches make for an awesome swim/rest/picnic spot.

You’ll finish off your adventure in the West End where you can grab a bite at any of the numerous restaurants.

Or you can carry on to Granville Island on the cutest little rainbow coloured ferry.

Granville Island Public Market is home to 50 different vendors and stalls ranging from fresh fish, produce, cheesemongers, baked goods and so much more.

Granville Island Public Market is a perfect place to grab a bite, and maybe even some treats to take home for later.

Granville Island Brewery is a must for any beer lover, with awesome tours of the brewery, a great menu and a range of tasting flights to enjoy too.

This is the kind of place you’ll find buskers and street performers on every corner. Expect this to be true more so on sunny days, making it the perfect kind of place to sit on a patio and watch the world go by.

You can even rent kayaks and paddleboards to take out on the water around Granville Island.

After enjoying Granville Island, grab the ferry back over to the West End or head over to False Creek if you’re in the mood to check out the Science Center .

Or if you’ve taken your bike on the ferry the cycle path around False Creek is another beauty to explore.

As the sun starts to set you’ll want to get a front-row seat to the show at Sunset Beach .

Perfectly named for the incredible sunsets that happen, this beach is a great place to post up with a picnic and watch the sky explode.

If you fancy good drinks to go with your sunset head to Cactus Club Davie Street.

Located right on the beach you’ll get all the views while enjoying a fabulous drink before heading to the entertainment district, aka Granville Street.

It’s time to end the first day of your Vancouver itinerary with a bang.

This street in Vancouver is home to a ton of clubs, pubs, music venues and theatres.

A few must-visit venues include The Orpheum, Commodore Ballroom and the Vogue Theatre.

There are tonnes of places to eat as well, so find any restaurant that takes your fancy and grab a seat.

READ MORE: Be sure to check out all the top things to do in Vancouver on your trip!

Vancouver Itinerary Day 2

You’re ready to start your second day exploring downtown Vancouver. Hope you got some sleep and didn’t party too hard at The Roxy!

The second day of your 3 day Vancouver itinerary is going to be jam-packed so you should definitely stop into Abode for one of Vancouver’s best breakfasts first.

Located right on Robson street this is a great place to start the day off.

As one of the biggest cities in Canada, Vancouver plays host to some pretty impressive shopping opportunities.

Most of which can be found along Robson Street in the heart of the city.

This is where most visitors will find themselves at least once during their 3 days in Vancouver.

From unique souvenir shops to independent boutiques and of course the big shopping centre with several floors of everything you can imagine.

After spending some time browsing or window shopping it’s time to make for VanCity Bikes to grab a bike and head to the beach.

While summer may not last all year round that doesn’t mean that you have to skip the beaches.

Canada’s west coast is famous for its mountains but you may be surprised to hear that it is also home to dozens of beaches too, all of which have spectacular views.

As a super cycle-friendly city, you’ll be able to rent a bike and cruise over the Burrard Street Bridge , stopping to catch the view over Burrard Inlet and carrying on to Kitsilano.

Known as Kit’s by Vancouverites, this laid back neighbourhood is home to one of the best beaches in the city and the longest swimming pool in Canada.

Kitsilano Beach and Kitsilano Swimming Pool are right next to each other so if you don’t fancy swimming in the ocean just head for the pool.

Tons of volleyball nets are set up on the beach, and there is a huge green space parallel to the shore great for picnics and BBQs too.

Cruise along the bike path from Kits east towards Jericho Beach for a quieter vibe and a great place to watch fireworks on Canada Day.

Nearby you’ll also find Locarno Beach, Spanish Banks and Acadia Beach.

Even if the weather is not super warm, these are all great places to check out the views and go for a walk.

These beaches can also be reached by public transit and on foot if cycling isn’t your thing.

Stop into The Namm for a fantastic vegetarian feed to fuel you up before heading to one of the prettiest places in the city.

Situated on the adorably named Little Mountain sits 130 acres of gorgeous greenery known as Queen Elizabeth Park.

Named after Queen Elizabeth herself for an impending visit in 1993, the views here are definitely fit for a queen.

The park is free to enter and has tons of trails to explore, a cool waterfall in the middle, a conservatory and even tennis courts.

The views here are gorgeous year-round, and especially lovely in Autumn when the leaves start to turn golden and red.

If you’ve already been to Queen Elizabeth Park then head next door (and then some) to VanDusen Botanical Gardens instead.

Both are gorgeous options, and not too far off from Main Street.

The dividing street between the west side of downtown Vancouver and East Vancouver, this is one of the city’s hot spots for shopping and dining experiences.

Check out Smoking Lily , an independent boutique or Assembly of Text for all your quirky stationery needs.

For a fun night of drinks, The Cascade Room has a 1950’s theme with a vintage drinks menu to fit.

Dinner at Burgoo is always a good idea for amazing burgers and legendary mac & cheese.

To cap off night 2 of your 3 days in Vancouver make for either BC Place for a Whitecaps soccer game or Rogers Arena for a Canucks hockey game.

Check out this site to find tickets. If your budget doesn’t allow for watching the game live, head to The Sportsbar Live! for drinks and a great atmosphere.

If you’re not into sports, see what events or concerts are on at the Vancouver Convention Center in Canada Place.

READ MORE: Explore the area around with these day trips from Vancouver !

Vancouver Itinerary Day 3 – North Van to Gastown

If you think you’ve exhausted your list of what to do in Vancouver in 3 days, you’re wrong!

There is still 1 full day left on your 3 Days in Vancouver itinerary and you best believe the best is definitely saved for last!

3 Days in Vancouver are definitely not complete without a trip to the mountains.

With incredible mountain ranges surrounding the city, you’ll be able to see them no matter where you are.

But the best way is to get up close and personal with them. Why not hop on the SeaBus to North Vancouver , the quickest way and the most scenic way to get there.

From Waterfront Station near Canada Place to Lonsdale Quay is a gorgeous ride and you’ll be able to kick the day off at the Lonsdale Quay Market .

With over 80 different vendors, from jewellery to fresh produce, massage therapy and so much more it’s a hub for everything you can imagine in North Van.

And just a few blocks away is Waterfront Park , the perfect place to take your finds from the market for a nice picnic and to soak in the views.

READ MORE: Check out this post on the best things to do in Victoria on your next trip.

Or if you want a nice place to take your coffee and go for a stroll, Tilford Gardens ticks all those boxes.

Three acres of themed gardens, sculpture gardens and beautiful views will be sure to make your last morning in Vancouver so much better.

And now into the mountains!

Once you’re in North Van your hiking options are seemingly endless. Suspend your senses at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park .

The Capilano Suspension Bridge itself stands at 140 meters long and 70 meters high. Up here you’ll get some of the best views possible while exploring treetop walks, beautiful forests and so much more.

Buy your ticket to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ahead of time here .

If you’re trying to stick to a budget though, Lynn Canyon Park is for you!

This park is home to an equally impressive suspension bridge, but not nearly as high or long as Capilano Suspension Bridge and is free to visit.

The park is full of incredible trails, waterfalls and beautiful pools to admire or take a swim in.

For waterfall lovers, Norvan Falls is best visited in the summer so that you can go for a dip in the falls after your hike.

Or maybe Quarry Rock in Deep Cove is what you’re after. There really are an endless amount of trails to enjoy, to see the full list click here .

For winter visitors this side of the city is where you’ll find the best mountains to hit the slopes.

There are some amazing mountains in British Columbia near Vancouver, including Mount Seymour, Dog Mountain, and Grouse Mountain.

Mt. Seymour offers 23 runs throughout the ski/snowboard season and with a rental shop on-site, you can just rock up and hit the slopes.

There are also dozens of snowshoe trails on this mountain which is perfect for anyone looking for a slower pace to the afternoon.

The best view for snowshoers, or hikers in the summer, is up Dog Mountain.

On the clearest of days, you can see all the way out to the Islands and then some, well worth the climb to get there too.

Grouse Mountain is another great option. You can go skiing or snowboarding year-round at Grouse Mountain!

The awe-inspiring views of Vancouver’s skyline and the surrounding coastal mountains from the Grouse Mountain Skyride aerial tram provide a captivating backdrop to any visit.

Other fun things to do at Grouse Mountain include hiking the intense Grouse Grind trail or going zip lining.

After a full day in the mountains hop back on the ferry to Waterfront Station where you’ll be just steps away from historic Gastown .

The oldest and possibly most charming neighbourhood, Gastown has cobbled streets, gorgeous architecture and seems to be dripping in twinkling lights.

The neighbourhood is famous for the beautiful steam clock in the middle of town which chimes and lets off steam every 15 minutes. Hearing this gives you a feeling of being in a different decade.

The streets are lined with tons of galleries, boutiques, souvenir shops and restaurants making it the perfect place to spend the last night of your itinerary for 3 days in Vancouver.

Tacofino, The Flying Pig and SteamWorks Brewery are perfect spots for that last dinner. And for a nightcap be sure to visit Six Acres or The Portside Pub .

If you’re super hungry, and want a super cool experience to finish your Vancouver travels on, sign up for this walking food tour of Gastown .

Vancouver Travel Guide

Now that you know the best things to do in a Vancouver Itinerary, here are some more travel tips. We’ll help you figure out the best time to visit, how to get around, where to stay and what to eat when visiting Vancouver.

Planning your 3 Days in Vancouver itinerary you’ll definitely want to make sure you fact in the time of year depending on what you want to do.

Home to the mildest winter weather in all of Canada, Vancouver is a great city to visit year-round.

That being said, some seasons are better than others.

Winters are mild, but also the wettest season in this city. While a little rain never killed anyone it does sometimes make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking.

When rain falls in the city, there is a good chance snow is falling on the mountains so it’s great for any skiers/snowboarders planning a visit.

May – September boasts the driest weather, June and July being the hottest and busier months of the year.

Spring and Autumn are also known to be quite mild and while some days are rainy, it won’t be nearly enough to keep you from enjoying your 3 days in Vancouver itinerary.

If you’re wondering how to get around when visiting Vancouver in 3 days there are a few options.

Most of the city is connected on the bus and the Skytrain lines connecting downtown Vancouver to the Vancouver International Airport, the North Shore mountains, and even out to Surrey.

Translink services tons of destinations including the SeaBus which will get you over to North Vancouver in the most scenic way.

The transit map is broken up into zones and the fares relate to which zone you’re travelling.

A day pass can be purchased for $10.50 which allows you to ride the SkyTrain or the bus for an unlimited amount which will make it so easy for you to get around and explore.

For more information on transit visit the Translink website here .

Getting around the downtown core is best done on foot as traffic can be quite hectic, plus the views are better while walking than from any bus window.

When the weather is good the best way to get around to all the beaches and the Stanley Park Seawall is definitely by bike, if you don’t have your own there are dozens of rental shops around to choose from. 

If you like doing those red hop-on hop-off bus tours, you can purchase your ticket here .

If you’re heading into the mountains such as Grouse Mountain, it’s easier to explore with a rental car!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Where to Stay in Vancouver , Canada

When it comes to exploring Vancouver in 3 days, you’ll want to know you have a great place to rest after a day of sightseeing.

Tons of factors come into play when making the decision, mountain view or ocean view? A quiet neighbourhood or right in the heart of the city? Rooftop spa or free breakfast?

A cozy romantic hotel suite, a dorm room to save some cash or maybe a room with a view of Coal Harbour and your own fireplace.

You’ll never be far from something incredible no matter what neighbourhood you choose to stay in either.

Whatever you’re looking for and whatever your budget might be Vancouver definitely has something for everyone.

The Cambie Hostel is located in the vibrant entertainment and cultural district of Gastown.

Enjoy discounts at the local pub, meet new friends, and share your favourite Vancouver moments with free wifi.

If you’re looking for the best place to stay for you and your other half for your 3 days in Vancouver itinerary head to the Atrium Inn .

Beautiful decor and spacious rooms will leave you hard-pressed to leave the hotel, but you’ll feel extra lucky with how close to the action this hotel is. The perfect place to sleep in and have breakfast in bed too!

Super funky and located right on Burrard Street, the Burrard Hotel is one of the trendiest spots to stay in the entire city.

One of the first hotels in downtown Vancouver, it has since been fully renovated to be hip, modern and high-end, but keeping to its roots and keeping the design from the 1950s.

Check out our full review of the Burrard Hotel here .

Best Restaurants In Vancouver, Canada

An itinerary for 3 days in Vancouver would not be complete without a few good meals to fuel your adventures.

You’ll find every cuisine to please any palette in this city and everyone’s wallet too.

If your 3 Days in Vancouver itinerary needs to be done on a strict budget look no further than The Warehouse Granville.

With the entire food menus under $6.00, this is the perfect place for anyone with a strict budget looking for a good feed, and in the heart of the entertainment district too.

In the heart of Gastown is the Twisted Fork Bistro. The cozy atmosphere is rivaled only by the menu of Canadian bistro fare with a French twist.

With brunch served daily and a perfectly matched drinks menu it would be a crime to miss out on a meal here.

With gorgeous views of the water and mountains, this fine dining restaurant is one of the best in downtown Vancouver.

They have lots of high-quality meat and seafood dishes as well as a high tea available. This restaurant is located inside the Pan Pacific Hotel in Canada Place.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Laura Oxley

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Home > Canada > Vancouver > Vancouver Travel Blog

11 Essentials for Visiting Our Hometown – A Vancouver Travel Blog

This Vancouver travel blog is your gateway to discovering even more detail on the city we grew up in, including the best neighborhoods to explore and stay in , inside travel tips , unique restaurants , non-touristy things to do , and true must-dos .

Vancouver, Quick and Easy

This Vancouver travel blog gives you a quick and easy understanding of what's where , what's good , and what's special ( and not so special ) about Vancouver.

That way, you'll be prepared to hit the ground running and make the most of your stay.

As born-and-raised Vancouverites, Kim and I have helped hundreds of visitors discover the city while working in and owning hospitality businesses here and hosting guests in our apartment through Airbnb .

And, when it comes down to it, everyone asks us the same 11 questions.

So we've put together this Vancouver travel guide to answer them for you. Quick and easy.

Vancouver Travel Blog Contents

• Why Vancouver?
• Why NOT Vancouver?
• What's where?
• Where to stay?
• How to get around town?
• What are the most popular things to do?
• What should visitors REALLY do?
• Where to eat and drink?
• Where to explore outside of Vancouver?
• What else to know before coming?
• Where else to go for Vancouver travel info?

1. Why Vancouver?

• Everything's close: Vancouver doesn't have freeways and is surrounded by water and mountains, so it's super compact and walkable / bikeable / busable.
• Fresh air: Forests, mountains, beaches, and ocean are everywhere.
• No worries:  No matter where you wander you're totally safe, even in our infamous skid-row, the Downtown Eastside (a.k.a. "Shitshow" in the map below).
• Good for your health: Like in any great beach city (and Vancouver is one ) we Vancouverites feel the pressure to have beach bodies. And we have limitless options for doing so. You won't help but be compelled to be more active and eat more healthy than usual.
• Open-minded: Vancouver's a diverse and accepting place where you'll feel comfortable no matter who you are, what you believe, and how you look.

2. Why NOT Vancouver?

• Van-boring:  Compared to other cities of its size and reputation, there aren't many parties, events, or cultural happenings going on in Vancouver.
• Van-cliquey: Locals are generally friendly to newcomers, but hard to actually befriend.
• Rain-couver:  If you visit between September and May and don't get any rain, that's probably because it snowed (which is super rare. Lucky you!). It rarely rains hard, but it's always dreary and grey.
• Van-stolen: You won't get in any trouble unless you really ask for it, but if you leave things lying around they will be stolen. Petty crime is a big problem in Vancouver.
• It's freaking expensive. Everyone wants a piece of Vancouver, but it's a small place, so prices of everything keep rising and rising.

3. What's Where?

Know the neighborhoods, boring but useful map of vancouver's neighborhoods:.

Entertaining, Un-Politically Correct, But Reasonably Accurate Map of Vancouver's Neighborhoods:

Geography Crash-Course

Super quick info so you don't get lost:

• The mountains are north .
• The airport is south .
• Downtown and Stanley Park are on a peninsula at the north of the city where 98% of tourists are, so be part of the 2% from time-to-time. 
• Outside of downtown, numbered streets go east-west and named streets go north-south .
• East Vancouver (brown areas in the map above) used to be poor. Now it's hipster.
• West Vancouver (green neighborhoods in map above) was hippy (Kits) and humble (the rest). Now it's too expensive.
• The West End (downtown neighborhood) is not the same as the West Side (half the city) or West Van (a suburb across Lions Gate Bridge).

For forty of our our top-recommend spots in Vancouver, see our Treasure Map , below.

4. Where's the Best Area to Stay in Vancouver?

Our Top Pick

As we write in our post where we rank Vancouver's best neighborhoods across various criteria , the best place to stay in Vancouver is in the West End.

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

Look to stay in the area between Davie, Denman, Robson, and Burrard streets we've zoomed into here:

For a More Unconventional Trip

For a cheaper and less conventional alternative, consider staying near Broadway and Commercial in Vancouver's Eastside.

Commercial Drive is probably the most culturally diverse street in the city. There are restaurants with cuisine from every continent, ethnic food stores, cultural community centers, and a wide-ranging mix of incomes and ages.

Try to stay as close to Broadway (which is 9th avenue) as you can. That way, you'll be right by the SkyTrain, which takes you downtown or the other way to very uncharted tourist waters like Burnaby's Crystal Mall, and the 99 B-Line express bus, which can efficiently take you to Kitsilano and UBC.

Vancouver Neighborhood Guide

Our Where to Stay in Vancouver guide explains our top-recommended neighborhoods (and ones we don't recommend so much), then helps you choose for yourself by scoring each across various categories like fine dining, proximity to attractions, and affordability.

5. What's the Best Way to Get Around Vancouver?

Our Dos and Don'ts for Getting Around Vancouver covers this in full, but here's the short version:

How to Get to and from the Airport

If there are there or less of you in your group, take the SkyTrain, Vancouver's subway, from the airport into town.

It'll get you downtown in half an hour, connects with all the city's other transit lines, and costs $9.25 each (the standard $4.25 2-zone fare plus a $5 airport fee).

Hold onto your ticket if you're transferring because you'll need it as proof of purchase.

If there are three or more of you, a taxi can be cheaper than the SkyTrain (though, depending on where you're staying and the time of day you arrive, not always faster).

There are fixed rates (PDF)  depending on the area you're going to. For example, it's currently $31 plus tip from the airport to the center of the city.

How to Get Around Town

Don't rent a car.

Parking's a huge pain and it's easier, cheaper, and even sometimes faster to get around without one.

Rent a bike if it's nice out.

Vancouver's so bike-friendly that car-lovers are always complaining 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 rent a better bike for $30 to $50 a day. We strongly recommend the route we outline in our post on our favorite 7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Vancouver ,

Also,  take public transit (it's safe, clean, and efficient here), walk (the city's compact), and, only when you really have to, use ridesharing (finally allowed in the city as of Jan 2020).

Check out our Dos and Don'ts For Getting Around Vancouver guide for a handful more tips to help you cover more ground in less time and for less money.

6. What Are the Most Popular Things to Do in Vancouver?

This isn't our person top ten things to do, but no Vancouver travel blog is complete without at least mentioning these.

Here's our honest take on each:

1. Stanley Park

Lots of trees right beside downtown. It's nice to bike around it on the Seawall as long as you avoid the crowds. Head to Lynn Canyon for a more beautiful forest.

2. Granville Island

Fish, arts, crafts, theatre, and markets on an island peninsula under the Granville Street Bridge. Take a little ferry there from downtown.

Vancouver's "old" town is good place to go for dinner and drinks… and kitschy, overpriced souvenirs. Our Vancouver neighborhoods guide provides a lot more info.

4. Canada Place  

For whatever reason, it's Vancouver's tourism epicenter. Flyover Canada may be overpriced and gimmicky, but it's something to do when the weather's crappy.

5. Museum of Anthropology

Go if you're interested in the British Columbia's Aboriginal culture and history. If you're out that way in the summer, start at Wreck Beach , stop at the museum, then bike back along the beaches (see Vancouver's best bike ride ).

6. Capilano Suspension Bridge

Many locals, including Chris, have never been. It's not obligatory for you to spend $50 to go either. Consider Lynn Canyon's suspension bridge as a free alternative.

7. Vancouver Lookout

The needle-topped, space-ship-looking building in Vancouver. Go in March for the Urban Grind . Otherwise go elsewhere—like Grouse , Cypress , or Locarno Beach —for city views.

8. Grouse Mountain

Forest, views, grizzlies, lumberjack shows, hikes. Do hike up in the summer, but instead of the often unpleasantly-busy Grind consider taking the locals' route that we share in our guide to our favorite non-touristy things to do in Vancouver .

9. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

It's a nice garden. Give it a quick walk-through if you're in the area, but don't go out of your way to see it.

10. Science World

It's the golf ball-looking structure at the end of False Creek. It's mostly for kids, though once a month they have the adults-only Science World After Dark and every February there's the Science World of Cocktails

7. What Should Visitors REALLY Do in Vancouver?

Do these Types of Things

Instead of telling you exactly what to do in Vancouver, here are the  types of things you really should do to get a true feel for the city:

1. Experience the Asian side of Vancouver

Vancouver is the most Asian city in the world outside of Asia. Dive into it (and dig into the food).

2. Get into the woods

Go even if it's raining. It's a rain -forest after all.

3. Eat by the sea

There's something about the salt in the air that makes the food taste better. We recommend a couple of places in our Only-in-Vancouver Dining Experiences post.

4. Try some Canadian food

There's no such thing as Canadian cuisine, but there are a few things you should try while in Canada such as poutine, Nanaimo bars, and Caesars.

5. Go to the beach

In the summer this is a no-brainer, but even in the winter, you should go for the views and fresh air. Our guide to Vancouver's beaches  will help you find the best one.

6. Get out of downtown

The views are nicer. The people are too. It's cheaper. And who knows what you'll discover.

7. Exercise

Vancouverites famously don't always work hard, but they do work out hard. Join the fun. Yeah, fun . As we wrote in our tips for staying fit while traveling , not only will you feel better but you'll meet some cool people and have some of your favorite travel experiences doing so. Join an outdoor bootcamp, drop in at a yoga studio, go to one of the city's calisthenic parks , or, if you're a bit crazy, try a beach rock workout .

For complete details on all of the above, read our 7 Things Everyone Must Do in Vancouver .

Try these Non-Touristy Things to Do

Whenever friends visit, these are the things we always recommend they do.

Our Non-Touristy Things to Do in Vancouver post has the full details, but if you're lazy or short on time here's the recap:

• Have a sunset picnic on the beach
• Hike up Grouse Mountain the other way
• Go foraging
• Play the People’s Golf, frisbee golf and pitch 'n' putt
• Laugh with them (or at them) at a comedy club or improv show
• Dabble in Vancouver's marijuana culture
• Do Vancouver’s BEST bike ride from UBC to downtown

8. Where Are the Best Spots to Eat and Drink?

Go to the Dining Districts

When you're hungry, walk along the following streets. You'll be sure to find something to your cravings, whatever they may be.

• Alexandra Road:  An easy SkyTrain ride south to Vancouver's southern suburb of Richmond. You'll be overwhelmed by the 200+ mostly Asian restaurant options.
• Main Street: Hipster mile. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options and casual spots to "nosh," or whatever they say these days.
• Commercial Drive:  As explained in Where to Stay , it's got options from all corners of the globe.
• Gastown:  Definitely the most popular area of the city for a dinner out, with tons of reasons why.
• Yaletown:  Where the yuppies go to pre-game and spend more than they should.
• West Robson:  Japanese and Korean row. Tons of ramen spots with ever-present lines.
• West 4th Ave:  The birthplace of Lululemon, with plenty of spots that cater to Lululemon-types. Go to Maenam for Thai food.

Related: Dos and Don'ts for Foodies Visiting Vancouver for the 1st Time

Try Some Only-in-Vancouver Dining Experiences

There are plenty of hip and/or fancy places that serve "better" food than the following places, but you'll find similar restaurants in any American city.

On the other hand, here some dining experiences you can only enjoy in Vancouver:

• Snack on unpretentious food while enjoying unbelievable views of the mountains and downtown Vancouver at The Galley Patio and Grill
• Drink your favorite chocolate bar or fruit in a wild and crazy bubble tea from  Bubble Queen
• Fill yourself up on samples of crazy flavors before settling on one or two at the pink palace, La Casa Gelato
• Put a cap on another great day with a picturesque picnic at Sunset Beach

For some more detail on these and more recommendations, check out our full Only-in-Vancouver Dining Experiences post .

Drink Craft Coffee and Beer

Just like its fellow Pacific Northwest cities, Portland and Seattle, just about everyone in Vancouver is passionate about starting their day with a brew (of coffee) and ending their day with more brews (of beer).

Cafes are everywhere, so we won't even bother trying to recommend which one to go to…

..But if you insist, we'll give you one:

If you stay in the West End, as we recommend (see: Where to Stay ), check out Greenhorn Cafe for a small-town vibe in the heart of the big city.

With regards to beer, there are a couple of microbrewery districts to do a beer crawl at:

• On and around Main Street between 1st and 7th.
• Along Powell Street between Clark and Victoria.

Savor Vancouver's Best Ice Cream

Rumor has it that Vancouverites consume the most ice cream per capita in the world.

We doubt it's true, but what's undeniable is that everyone here has strong opinions on whose ice cream or gelato is best.

So, as we love to do and recommend you try too , we blind tested the best to put an end to the debate. The winner was…

…hipsters and buy-local-supporters are going to hate this…

Haagen Dazs.

The local favorites, Earnest, Bella, and Rain or Shine, came in 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. 

Eat Vancouver's Best Sushi

Vancouverites eat so much sushi that there's a company that designs furniture with all our used chopsticks , and, like with ice cream, everyone has their own opinions about whose sushi is best.

Once again, we did a blind taste test to find out.

Surprisingly, we discovered that the best California roll sushi was not from the restaurant where it was invented (and costs $18 a roll!), Tojo's , but from the all-you-can-eat place across the street, Tomokazu !

Dos and Don'ts

Get about fifteen helpful tips for finding and enjoying great food and drink in our Dos and Don’ts for Foodies and Drinkies Visiting Vancouver .

9. Where to Go Outside of the City?

As we explained in our 16 Best Countries to Visit for 16 Unique Types of Trip , Canada is the best country to visit to connect with nature, so you really should escape the city and do so.

Here's some inspiration:

One thing that makes Vancouver special is that in as little as half an hour you can flee the city and be immersed in full-fledged, watch-out-for-bears-and-cougars, Canadian wilderness.

If you're short on time, consider hiking up Grouse Mountain (and maybe try the local route ). Or, if you're short on fitness too, walk around Lynn Canyon. Both are nice.

But, if you're able to, go for a real hike.

In general, the harder the hike is to get to, the better it is. It'll be less spoiled by hordes of others and more beautiful. To whet your appetite, here are a couple of hikes that we've put together detailed guides to:

Anvil Island

Hike up to the top of Leading Peak on this essentially uninhabited island just outside Vancouver and enjoy 360-degree views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains from the helicopter pad up top. The only thing is you'll need to hire a boat or rent a kayak to get there. Here's our Anvil Island guide .

Brandywine Meadows

If you can find someone with a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle to get you there, it's one of the fastest ways to get to the B.C. alpine. Come in August or September and you'll be rewarded with wildflowers galore as you explore the waterfalls, creeks, and mountains in this alpine playground. Read more about hiking Brandywine Meadows here .

If you want other suggestions, let us know what you're looking for in the comments and we'd be glad to help.

Nearby Destinations

Squamish and whistler.

If you're more into mountains than beaches, head up the Sea-to-Sky corridor to Whistler.

But, before going straight to Whistler, consider stopping half way in Squamish.

Squamish  is Canada's outdoor adventure capital . It's famous worldwide to rock climbers, mountain bikers, and kite surfers, but unknown otherwise. It's kind of like what Whistler was thirty years ago.

We have no posts about Squamish to share with you (yet), but Chris used to own a hostel there and his brother owns a cafe , an ice cream shop , and a climbing gym in town, so we're definitely qualified to answer any questions. Ask away in the comments below !

Squamish is also way cheaper than Whistler. And since it's only forty-five minutes away it's worth considering staying there to save money. But if you insist on staying in Whistler, at least save some money by checking out our post on  how to find cheap(-er) accommodation  and our guide to Whistler's hostels .

Vancouver Island

Some common misconceptions among visitors to Vancouver (which we cover in our Vancouver Travel Tips post) are that Vancouver Island is A) really close to Vancouver and B) not that big.

The truth is it's as big as Belgium and takes at least four hours to get to from Vancouver. Go if you have more than a few days to explore it.

Savary Island

Only 140 kilometers (less than 100 miles) from the Vancouver is a little, totally overlooked, and borderline tropical island called Savary .

It's unlike any other island in the Pacific Northwest (maybe because it's really just a giant sandbar). And they say it's got the warmest water of anywhere on the Pacific Coast north of Mexico!

The Okanagan

Located about a four-to-six hour drive from Vancouver, the Okanagan is BC's mini Sonoma Valley.

In the summer months, you can bike from winery to winery, lay by the lake in the dry heat, and munch on the fresh berries and local produce the valley produces every summer.

10. What Else Should Visitors Know Before Visiting?

Here are some tips and insights that other visitors we've helped have found most surprising and helpful:

• Vancouver is tiny.  The entire city of Vancouver is only 115 square kilometers (44 square miles), so everything is within easy biking (or even walking) distance.
• Free water. Our tap water is potable, clean, and delicious. It comes from up high in the beautiful mountains that help make Vancouver one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
• Take ID.  If you want to drink something more alcoholic than water or get into any place that serves drinks, you'll need to show ID, even if you're well past the legal drinking age of 19.
• You’re safe on your own. Everywhere. There is no unsafe part of the city, no matter at what point of day or night.
• Your stuff isn't safe on its own.  Never leave any personal items unguarded in Vancouver. There is a large underworld of thieves who prowl the city waiting for the chance to grab your stuff when you're not looking.
• Free Wifi.  Save on roaming fees and enjoy free internet throughout the city by connecting to any of the 550 (and counting) #VanWifi hotspots. Here's the map .

These are just seven of the 50+ helpful things to know before you go to Vancouver that we share in our Vancouver Travel Tips post.

11. What Are Other Good Sources of Vancouver Info?

Other helpful vancouver guides.

• Airbnb's City Guide . A little-known experiment by Airbnb, it's a compilation of all the insider tips from hosts around the city. It's better than Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, Yelp, or whatever else.
• Vancouver Tourism's Story Sheets. These aren't meant to be seen by the public. They're made to help tourism "insiders"—influencers, agencies, and media—come up with fresh things to write about. Why not skip the middleman and go straight to the source?
• The Daily Hive . Most of their content is BuzzFeed-esque mental fast food, but it is the best resource there is (for now) to find out what's going on in Vancouver.

The Rest of Our Vancouver Blog Series

To help you plan most memorable Vancouver trip possible, don't miss the other four posts from our 5-part Vancouver Series:

• Vancouver Travel Tips You Likely Haven't Heard Already

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods, Ranked

• 7 Things Everyone Actually Must Do if They Visit Vancouver
• Our Favorite Non-Touristy Things to Do in Vancouver

12. (Bonus) How to Get an Answer to Any Very Specific Question

Ask us in the comments!

Kim and I would love to hear from you and will do our best to help.

Read This Next:

Vancouver Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Vancouver Must-Dos: 7 Things You Honestly Can't Miss Out On

7 Non-Touristy, Cool Things Do in Vancouver

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 .

19 thoughts on “11 Essentials for Visiting Our Hometown – A Vancouver Travel Blog”

Very impressive collection of information. My wife and I are visiting the latter part of October to visit my son and his girl friend and big question is money or more to the point, what is our best option on exchanging US$ for Canadian and where? what credit cards are better to use as well.

Thanks in advance and really love the insider information.

Clarence Palmer

I'm glad you found our Vancouver blog posts helpful, Clarence!

Your best bet is to get an exchange-rate free credit card. That'll save you the 2.5% foreign exchange fee plus whatever extra margin the credit card companies add between their rate and the true rate. I've only studied Canadian credit cards ( this post ), but am sure you can find even better ones for Americans.

Otherwise, if you have a bunch of US cash you want to exchange to CAD, the best rates are at the Vancouver Bullion & Currency Exchange, which has a couple locations in town.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the update and info.

can you recommend itinerary for January trips let's say 3 days 2 nights. I am planning to drive from Seattle to Vancouver. Thanks a bunch

Hey Novi. A whole itinerary would be another post in itself. Weather will be a big determinant. Since you have a car, drive the Sea-to-Sky highway at least to Squamish and back. Eat at my brother's funky and very popular cafe, Zephyr, while you're there. Maybe do a meal in the Alexandra Rd area of Richmond in your way in or out since you'll be driving by. Go to a comedy and/or improv show. Eat some poutine. Walk around Lynn Canyon Park. Eat at Salmon House on the Hill or in Deep Cove, maybe. It's especially tough to give recommendations to a Seattleite since our cities are so similar. I guess you can compare each city's areas too: Pike Place vs Granville Island Market, Pioneer Square vs Gastown, etc.

Hi, Fantastic blog! Love it! Very informative.

I'm travelling to Seattle in January. Planning to go to Vancouver from Seattle for a couple days (about 2 to 3 nights stay). Have heard Whistler is an expensive but very pretty place to check out. What's your recommendation for transport up to Whistler?

Alternatively, would it be advisable to rent a car from Seattle, drive into Vancouver and back to Seattle? (I'll have to get back to Seattle for my flight home)

Thanks in advance 🙂

Hi Yen, Would a rental car company allow you to cross the border without too much additional fees? If so, definitely consider that. The drive from Seattle to Vancouver is meh but from Vancouver to Whistler it's spectacular, and worthy of taking your time on. Here's a post I wrote a while back for the hostel I used to co-own on attractions to check out along the way: https://www.squamishhostel.com/blog/sea-to-sky-highway-attractions . Some are more summer-friendly, but others are worth seeing any time of year. Then, to save money, you could stay in Squamish instead of Whistler. Enjoy your trip! (And hopefully you like Vancouver more than Seattle, haha. The cities are quite similar so there's a bit of competition between the two… an unfair one in favor of Vancouver if you ask me!)

Hi! Great blog post ( https://theunconventionalroute.com/vancouver-travel-blog/ ).

My friend and I are so excited to visit Vancouver. We live in Chicago (me) and right outside NYC (her) , and will be coming to town for our birthdays. We're aiming for early September, but…. when does the rainy season start? And is there a cut-off date you'd say not to come, b/c of the rain? Realize it's hard to predict exactly. We plan to stay 4-5 days, although it's early planning at this point.

Thank you – Suzanne (who's happy to offer Chicago or NYC travel tips, if needed)

Hi Suzanne. September's one of the best times to visit Vancouver. It's way less busy (and cheaper) and the weather's still generally not so bad. The later in September, the less likely you'll have rain, so early September you should be ok. Once you hit October, all bets are off.

Kudos for being super proactive about planning. I couldn't imagine researching 9 months in advance, but it makes sense for more availability and better prices. And thanks for the offer for NYC / Chicago tips. Kim and I aren't shy about taking these types of offers, so if and when we go you can expect to hear from us! Enjoy Vancouver and let us know if you have any questions leading up to your trip.

Leonila A. Dalanta Assistant Media Manager PhamilyPC.tk

Thanks, Leonila,

Interesting move adding an email signature to a blog comment!

Chris Blachut Blogger The Unconventional Route

Hi, great post. I might be in Vancouver for a few months, what would be the best way to pay for public transport? I tried to research the Compass card but found it quite confusing!

Thank you, Gem

Hi Gem. If you're going to be using public transit regularly, definitely get a Compass card. It's actually pretty straightforward. You pay the refundable $6 fee, load some credit (which you can set to reload from your credit card automatically), then ride to your heart's content at a lower rate than if you paid individually every time. Or get a bike if you're living centrally, sporty, and are coming during the nicer months.

great blog! enjoyed reading it. it will be very helpfull for our visit this summer, thank you.

One of the best blogs i've ever read! Thank you very much for all the information. I am going on a hike alone by myself by the end of August. I only have 2/3 hours for it. What would you recommend me: Murry loop hike or Stawamus Chief (only first peak)? Thank you in advance (and greetings from Mendoza, Argentina)

Gracias, Val. The upside of The Chief is it's more exercise, you get higher up, and it's maybe more of an accomplishment to go up and down a little mountain. But it also gets CRAZY busy in the summer. Murrin will be more peaceful—physically and in terms of people. Hope that helps.

Loving all the content on your blog about Vancouver! I'll be going next month and will also be heading up to Squamish for a few days for some hiking and camping. Do you have any recommended spots to camp (front-country)? Or must-do hikes near Squamish? Thank you!!

Hey Cari. Cool. No specific recommendations, sorry. Generally (and logically), the closer to Squamish you get, the busier the campsites and hiking. So the Chief and Sea to Summit are great, but also teeming with people when the weather's nice. Go deeper down Squamish Valley, for instance, and you'll find quieter places to camp. Or cross the Squamish River to try Lake Lovely water, for example. Curious to know what you settle on. Enjoy!

I tried to get your free Treasure Map (twice) but nothing seemed to happen. I thought I might get an email from you, but no. I'm using Chrome on a Mac.

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The largest city in British Columbia, Vancouver is a diverse city on the western coast of Canada and a must-see on anyone’s bucket list. Put on a pair of comfy shoes and come hungry! You’ll easily be able to fill your days hopping from district to district in search of good food, great attractions, and impressive scenery. Easy to get around on foot, via public transportation, or by car, you’ll have many options to explore all that awaits you. Wake up your taste buds with some strong coffee in Gastown before hopping on a ferry over to Granville Island, where you can have your fill of delicious local cuisine from baked goods to specialty food items. For those with an appetite for international cuisine, be sure to swing by Chinatown – the largest of its kind in Canada. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Stanley Park, home to the Vancouver Aquarium, a display of First Nation totem poles and more. Or take a quick trip out of the city to find even more adventures. A quick 20-minute drive out of the city will take you to the Capilano Suspension Bridge to test your fear of heights in the great Canadian outdoors. Grouse Mountain is also a short 30-minute drive and offers one of the best views of Vancouver at the end of either a hike or a quick ride to the top on North America’s largest aerial tramway. Vancouver is waiting for you with plenty to offer, no matter the season you choose to visit!

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Stanley Park : Surrounded by the Burrard Inlet and English Bay, this park is so huge they offer a hop-on, hop-off trolley to get around. While the park has over 17 miles of trails to keep you healthy, there's also a heated, outdoor pool, water park, the Vancouver Aquarium and even an exhibit of First Nation totem poles to check out.

Capilano Suspension Bridge : Spanning 459-feet long and 229-feet above a scenic river valley, Capilano Suspension Bridge is an outdoor haven waiting for the brave and adventurous.

Granville Island : Located near Downtown Vancouver, this tiny island is most famous for its farmer's market filled with local baked goods, produce and everything in between. It's also home to Granville Island Brewing, Canada's first microbrewery. Don't worry these islands are not just for adults, there's a fun Kids Market too where the little ones can enjoy an indoor play area and stalls selling cool toys and treats.

Grouse Mountain : Open year-round and worth the visit in any season, Grouse Mountain has plenty of activities to offer. During the winter, you'll be able to carve your way down the mountain on skis or snowboards. In the summer, enjoy a game of disc golf or paraglide down the mountain for the daring. Year-round, you'll be able to visit the wildlife refuge, experience the thrill of zip lining and take in the magnificent view at the Eye of the Wind, a large wind turbine with an observation deck.

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Vancouver Island road trip: Victoria, British Columbia, and the Gulf Islands

A wonderland of azure bays, rippling lakes, old-growth forests and lofty mountain peaks, Vancouver Island lies just off the coast of mainland British Columbia, but in many respects it feels like its own distinct province.

Although British Columbia's capital city, Victoria, lies at its southeastern tip, most of Vancouver Island is virgin wilderness. At 12,079 square miles, it's nearly six times larger than Canada 's only island province, Prince Edward Island.

Yet, as immense as it is, you can get to know the top destinations on the more populous yet still ruggedly stunning southern third of the island in less than a week. The highlights include Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula, the far southwestern coastline out to Port Renfrew, and the Gulf Islands archipelago. And if you have a little extra time, you can tack on a side trip to idyllic and idiosyncratic Tofino, on the island's wild west coast.

An adventure in this part of Canada appeals to recreation enthusiasts, foodies, artists and culture seekers. Hikers and beachcombers will discover endless opportunities to commune with nature and view dramatic wildlife, from formidable orcas (killer whales) to myriad migratory birds.

Related: From California to British Columbia: 10 best places for an idyllic West Coast getaway

Victoria, along with even the island's smaller towns, abounds with farm-to-table restaurants and third-wave cafes, along with laid-back yet sometimes quite prestigious art galleries and crafts boutiques.

Ferries ply the region's spectacular Salish Sea, making it easy to travel by car from the mainland to Vancouver Island and then among the Gulf Islands, which lie just off of Vancouver Island's southeastern coast. From Victoria, it's a scenic 90-minute ferry ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Port Angeles, Washington, making it easy to combine this adventure with an additional road trip around the Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands .

Planning advice

Timing and border crossings.

Although you can get around Victoria's Inner Harbour and several of the towns in the area on foot, a car is needed to get around the more rural parts of the island. Factoring in the time you might spend in Vancouver if that's your gateway city, give yourself at least eight days to experience this itinerary. That gives you enough time to spend two or three nights in Victoria, a night in Sooke or Port Renfrew, and three to five nights in the Gulf Islands.

Tack on two or three nights if you're also going to Tofino. If you're planning to ferry or drive into neighboring Washington, remember to travel with your passport and make sure that if you're renting a car, the agency permits you to take it over the border (most British Columbia and Washington rental agencies do allow this).

Fees and reservations

Ferry fees, especially when traveling with a car, can add some expense to your trip. In high season, for example, it costs around 160 Canadian dollars (about $118) to take the ferry (including a standard-size vehicle, driver and passenger) to Salt Spring Island via Swartz Bay and then to continue on to Tsawwassen on the British Columbia mainland. If taking the Black Ball Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, plan to spend about CA$135 ($100).

Although ferry reservations aren't required, they're a good idea if you're bringing a car, especially on weekends and during the busy mid-spring to mid-fall high season.

Best start and end points

Including time spent on the ferry, it's only a few hours' drive from Vancouver on the British Columbia mainland to get to Victoria. If renting a car, remember that you'll need to return your vehicle in the same country that you picked it up, and that returning it at a different location within Canada can result in steep one-way fees.

This trip begins in Victoria; however, the region's largest airport with the greatest number of direct flights is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), so it may make the most sense to start and end your travels there, and then catch a ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, a short drive from Victoria.

Although there are fewer direct flights to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) than to Vancouver, it can still make sense to start and end your trip there, especially if you're short on time or traveling only a portion of this itinerary.

The best time to visit Vancouver Island

The most popular season for exploring this region is mid-May through mid-October. This is when you can count on the driest and sunniest weather. That said, Victoria and the Gulf Islands are in the Olympic rain shadow and thus generally receive less rain and cloud cover than much of the rest of western British Columbia.

So even if visiting in the heart of winter, it's possible to experience at least some partly sunny days. As you might expect, hotel rates are considerably higher during the high season, and you'll also experience more crowds at this time. Try to reserve hotel rooms well in advance during the busy period, and prepare for potentially long waits to board the ferry.

If visiting during the quieter months, from mid-autumn through mid-spring, you'll have much more of the island and its scenic roads to yourself, and you'll also potentially save quite a lot of money.

Furthermore, the dramatic squalls that often blow through the coastal Pacific Northwest from mid-November through March have created a highly popular phenomenon known as storm-watching, which typically entails some combination of braving the elements to walk on or near the beach (but safely away from the potentially dangerous surf) and then holing up afterward in a cozy room adorned with tall windows and maybe — hopefully — a gas fireplace, with a good book, a favorite companion and/or a bottle of wine.

Victoria, British Columbia

From Port Angeles, it's a 90-minute ferry ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, the dignified and — by Canadian standards — balmy capital of British Columbia. With a population of about 92,000, it's also the second-largest city (after Nanaimo, which is only slightly larger) on Vancouver Island, a huge (it's nearly half as large as Ireland) but minimally developed tract of sculpted inlets, jagged mountain peaks and temperate rainforest.

As it approaches downtown's compact skyline of midrise towers, the ferry chugs slowly through the sheltered, picturesque Inner Harbour, which is home to the constant hum of seaplanes, pleasure boats and water taxis.

From the terminal, you can walk to many of this leafy city's top attractions, including the ornately neo-baroque provincial parliament buildings, the engaging Royal BC Museum and the Fairmont Empress hotel. Afternoon high tea in this venerable 1908 hotel is a treasured rite as well as a testament to Victoria's traditional — some might say fusty —British reputation.

In reality, Victoria has become rapidly younger, more diverse and dynamic in recent years, and hip craft breweries, third-wave coffeehouses, trendy international bistros and sceney (but friendly) cocktail lounges now proliferate. Many of the best dining and drinking spots are set along downtown's Fisgard Street, which forms the heart of the city's historic Chinatown.

Related: Best road trips in the US

It's a short walk from the waterfront to the city's most celebrated green space, Beacon Hill Park, with its pine-shaded trails that lead south to Spiral Beach and Finlayson Point — these are two fabulous spots for watching the sunset across the water, back toward Washington's snowcapped Olympic Mountains. A favorite part of the park is Beacon Hill Children's Farm, where you can see and sometimes pet pot-bellied pigs, miniature donkeys, goats and other cute critters. Try to time your visit to watch the ridiculously cute daily goat stampedes at around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Leave the park by driving east along scenic Dallas Road and Beach Drive, following the curving shoreline and admiring genteel Oak Bay, and then take Highway 17 north to the cute port town of Sidney, which is home to the terrific Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea aquarium.

On the way to Sidney, set aside at least a couple of hours to detour a few miles west on Keating Cross Road to the renowned Butchart Gardens , a 55-acre former limestone quarry on Brentwood Bay that in 1921 was transformed into a series of carefully planned and curated gardens.

Where to stay

Enjoy views of the ferries, yachts and seaplanes that ply Victoria's Inner Harbour from the balcony of your room at the fashionably sleek Inn at Laurel Point (rates start at CA$289 per night), with a Japanese garden, a pool and an excellent Pacific Rim-inspired restaurant, Aura.

Abigail's Hotel (rates start at CA$429 per night) is a luxurious old-world Tudor Revival inn built in the 1930s. It stands out for its attentive service and gourmet breakfasts, and it's close to both Beacon Hill Park and historic downtown.

A scenic 10-minute drive east of the Inner Harbour via famously beautiful Dallas Road, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel (rates start at CA$277 per night) features gorgeously appointed, contemporary rooms as well as three curvaceous heated mineral pools overlooking the sea and San Juan Island in the distance. This boutique resort's Boathouse Spa offers a full slate of ultrarelaxing massage services and body treatments, and since 1954, the Snug Pub has been a beloved spot for waterfront cocktails and casual dining.

With a full-service spa and a superb location steps from Glass Beach and the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea aquarium, the contemporary Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (rates start at CA$249 per night) is just a short drive from the ferries to the Gulf Islands.

Related: I spent 2 magical nights in a century-old caboose in Nova Scotia, Canada — here's what it was like

Sooke and Port Renfrew, British Columbia

For a splendid drive along Vancouver Island's verdant and unhurried southern coast, make the two-hour trek to Port Renfrew, which lies literally at the end of the road.

From Victoria, take gently rolling and lushly forested Highway 14 — stopping in Sooke, with its farm-to-table restaurants and posh country inns — and continue as the road hugs the pristine shoreline.

Magnificent vistas of Washington's Olympic Mountains await, and you'll discover several beautiful parks and beaches along the route, including French Beach, Jordan River Regional Park (where you might stop inside the quirky Cold Shoulder Cafe for an Earl Grey latte or a bowl of chanterelle mushroom soup), and Sombrio Beach. At the end of Highway 14, you'll finally come to tiny Port Renfrew, a hub of First Nations culture that lies where the San Juan and Gordon rivers empty into the sea.

Wonderful spots for a stroll include the tide pools and dramatic rock formations of Botanical Beach Provincial Park and Avatar Grove, with its hulking, gnarled old-growth cedars.

You can return to Victoria the way you came, or you can make a half-hour-longer scenic loop through dense evergreen forests to Lake Cowichan and then along the west side of Saanich Inlet.

One of the most acclaimed country inns in British Columbia, the Sooke Harbour House (rates start at CA$429 per night) closed in 2020 in order to undergo a major renovation. As of this writing, the 28-room inn was planning to reopen sometime in early 2024, and the vaunted locavore-minded restaurant — which has drawn foodies since it opened in the late 1970s — will be helmed by celebrated chef Melissa Craig.

A stunning contemporary compound of log-style bungalows perched over the sea or overlooking fragrant gardens, Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages (rates start at CA$249 per night) sits amid the ancient forests lining Port San Juan Inlet. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and many have private decks, fireplaces and hot tubs.

More affordable lodgings are found in the nearby motel-style West Coast Trail Lodge (rates start at CA$139 per night), which is owned and operated by the same team. It's just a short walk from either property to the delightful Renfrew Pub , a casual eatery with elevated Canadian fare and expansive water views.

The Gulf Islands, British Columbia

From Swartz Bay, just a 30-minute drive north of Sidney, you can catch frequent ferries to explore the easygoing and incredibly picturesque southern Gulf Islands, which are geologically part of the same archipelago as the San Juan Islands, just across the maritime border with the United States.

Like the San Juans, these emerald isles are sparsely populated and minimally developed, making them ideal for a peaceful getaway amid breathtaking natural scenery. Biking, hiking, fishing and kayaking are prime activities in these parts.

All of the islands covered in this itinerary are served by BC Ferries , but keep in mind that ferry schedules can change often, so always confirm online when boats are running and to where.

A good strategy is to spend a couple of nights on the largest and most populous of the group, Salt Spring Island, and then set aside another day or two to visit up to three more islands set along the main ferry route between Swartz Bay and the mainland town of Tsawwassen: Pender, Mayne and Galiano.

Salt Spring Island

It's an easy 35-minute ferry ride from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour, on the south side of Salt Spring Island. The largest of the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring has about 11,600 year-round residents, including a sizable number of artists, makers and other creative spirits. The lively harborside village of Ganges anchors this hilly, agrarian island and contains a wealth of galleries, recreation outfitters, cafes and shops.

For a lovely view of the harbor, grab a seat on the waterfront deck at Moby's Pub , which serves up tasty burgers and local beer. Scenic roads lace the island and access the coastal trails of Ruckle Provincial Park, an excellent place for viewing whales and sea lions in Captain Passage, and Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, where you can drive a gravel road or hike well-maintained trails to 1,175-foot-high Baynes Peak for panoramic island vistas.

Pender Island

The other stops you'll encounter if you choose the multi-island ferry route from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen each have their own distinct personalities.

Easygoing Pender Island (technically North Pender and South Pender islands, which are separated by a short bridge) draws visitors for hikes through the Roesland and Beaumont sections of Gulf Islands National Park Preserve — the 1.6-mile climb to Mount Norman is especially popular.

Reward yourself after a day of outdoor adventures by visiting the sun-filled, contemporary tasting room at Sea Star Vineyard and Winery or sampling the delicious sips at Twin Island Cider.

Mayne Island

With around 1,300 residents, compact Mayne Island is known for the stunning flower beds and carefully tended specimen trees and shrubs at Japanese Memorial Gardens.

On the island's northern tip, spend some time strolling around the 45-foot-tall Active Pass Lighthouse — the tree-shaded grounds overlooking the pass between Mayne and Galiano islands are a memorable spot for a picnic.

Galiano Island

About 17 miles long, narrow and undulating Galiano Island is a top draw among fans of wildlife viewing — you can spy everything from bald eagles and cormorants to seals and orca whales from the shores of this serene isle that abounds with hiking preserves and quiet pebbly beaches.

Bellhouse Provincial Park and Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park are among the best places to take in the splendid natural scenery. The island also boasts a top-notch golf course, and you'll find a handful of endearing shops and eateries within walking distance of the ferry terminal at Sturdies Bay.

Offering country-chic sophistication and a peaceful setting amid 22 acres of gardens and woodlands on the edge of Salt Spring Island's main village, the Relais & Chateaux-branded Hastings House Country House Hotel (rates start at CA$525 per night) offers the ultimate Gulf Islands splurge. The 18 bungalows and suites come with sumptuous touches like fresh floral bouquets, fireplaces and full gourmet breakfasts. Facials and massages in the warmly appointed Wellspring Spa incorporate local herbs, and the outstanding restaurant serves seafood, lamb and produce sourced locally.

Set on the quiet north end of Salt Spring Island, the intimate and romantic Quarrystone House B&B (rates start at CA$290 per night) has four spacious, light-filled rooms with Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, and patios or decks with sweeping westerly panoramas across the water. The three-course breakfasts feature house-made jams and local cheeses, eggs and meats.

On South Pender Island, consider overnighting at Poets Cove Resort & Spa (rates start at CA$220 per night), a wood-frame Arts and Crafts-style property nestled beneath a pine-dotted hillside overlooking Bedwell Harbour Marina. With a mix of villas, cottages and conventional hotel rooms, Poets Cove is known for its relaxing spa, complete with a eucalyptus steam cave and hot tub. There are three restaurants, too.

On the low-key east side of the isle, Mayne Island Resort (rates start at CA$139 per night) has both posh contemporary villas and cottages and moderately priced standard rooms in the original 1912 main lodge building. The resort is home to the convivial Bennett Bay Bistro, a memorable spot to sup on local salmon, prawns and scallops.

On Galiano Island, you can watch ferries and pleasure boats come and go from an airy glass-walled room at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa (rates start at CA$234 per night) overlooking scenic Sturdies Bay. Madrona del Mar Spa offers an array of organic skincare treatments, and e-bike rentals are available if you'd like to give the car a rest.

Nanaimo and Tofino side trip

If you're up for seeing more of Vancouver Island, one option is to depart Salt Spring Island by ferry from the Vesuvius Bay terminal and then drive from Crofton to the laid-back coastal city of Nanaimo, which is home to a handful of notable attractions, including the engaging Nanaimo Museum , which touches on the region's rich First Nations heritage and coal-mining heritage, and the bustling Harbourfront Walkway, a scenic pathway that fringes the city's colorful waterfront and offers easy access to a number of nearby restaurants and shops.

Be sure to treat yourself to a Nanaimo bar, the local chocolate layered confection that's adored throughout British Columbia. You can find these all over town, with Mon Petit Choux Bakery — near both the Nanaimo Museum and the Harbourfront Walkway — serving some of the best.

It's a three-hour drive from Nanaimo, via highways 19 and 4, through prolific logging towns and across the Pacific Coast mountains to secluded Tofino , a nature lovers utopia that fringes Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and enjoys a magical, windswept setting where Clayoquot Sound meets the sea.

This is one of Canada's most enchanting small towns, a wonderful place to embark on dramatic hikes through misty temperate rainforests and to set out on sea-kayaking, whale-watching and fishing tours.

Although inhabited by only around 2,500 residents, Tofino has a thriving art and culinary scene, including some of the province's most acclaimed restaurants — Wolf in the Frog and Shelter are a couple of standouts.

Although it's a 15-minute drive northwest of Nanaimo's colorful harbor, the 62-room Inn on Long Lake (rates start at 239 Canadian dollars per night) enjoys a relaxing setting on a gorgeous lake with kayak and paddleboard rentals. Many of the spacious, modern rooms face the water.

If you'd prefer spending the night right in the heart of the city, the 15-story Coast Bastion Hotel (rates start at CA$215 per night) offers sweeping views of the neighboring Port of Nanaimo and the surrounding Salish Sea and mountains — try to book a room on a high floor for the best vistas. Amenities include a popular seasonally focused restaurant with harbor views and a well-equipped fitness center.

Part of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux association, the casually elegant Wickaninnish Inn (rates start at CA$620 per night) has one of the most alluring settings on the islands — during the winter months, the 75 cushy rooms are ideal for storm-watching, but it's spectacular here year-round. The resort's Pointe Restaurant serves artfully prepared fresh-caught seafood in an airy dining room with grand vistas of the sea. Treat yourself to some pampering in the full-service spa, and help yourself to the complimentary bike rentals.

A couple of miles south on a driftwood-strewn beach overlooking pristine Cox Bay, the Pacific Sands Beach Resort (rates start at CA$307 per night) features a mix of suites and beach houses with high ceilings, tall windows, gas fireplaces and top-of-the-line bedding and bath products. Soothe your soul in one of the beachfront wood-fired saunas, and savor delicious farm-to-table fare in the three restaurants.

Steps from downtown Tofino's inviting shops and restaurants, the sleek and contemporary Duffin Cove Oceanfront Lodging (rates start at CA$299 per night) offers both two-person studios with waterfront balconies and roomier A-frame cabins with pitched roofs and fully outfitted condos.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.