We live in the lower mainland in BC, which to locals is not actually Vancouver. But when we meet people abroad and ask where we’re from, we say Vancouver. Every so often, we play tourist and make our way around some of the best Vancouver has to offer. There is a reason people love visiting Vancouver – you can visit the ocean and the mountains all in one day.
You could experience Vancouver in a weekend and see most of the places on this list, but if you’re hoping to experience “day trips” or more of BC, you’ll need more time than a weekend. We haven’t included accommodations since, well, we live here and don’t stay in hotels here. We don’t feel like just listing random hotels that we don’t have experience with is helpful.
Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
- When to Visit
- How to Get Around
- Where to Stay
- Things to Do in Vancouver
- Two Recommendations Outside of Vancouver
- Other Things to Do (that we haven’t done, or it’s been a while)
When is the best time to visit Vancouver?
In general, May to September is the best time to visit if you want sunny weather and to avoid the rain.
Summer:
July and August are peak tourist season due to the summer off school. Vancouver won’t be quite as hot as some other areas of the province but can get humid making the heat feel hotter than it is. The beaches will be full, and streets will be busy.
Winter:
Vancouver will have rain consistently between October and April, with a chance of sprinklings of snow in December to February. If you want to ski, you can do that in Vancouver reliably between December and March (up Cypress and Grouse Mountains or head to Whistler). For reference, this picture is from early December!
Spring & Fall:
Vancouver and area will still experience rain. However, you will see many spring blossoms (cherry blossom season!) and beautiful fall colours. Early fall and late spring are great times to visit as you are more likely to have some sunny days, and it won’t be as busy with crowds as the summer.
How to get around Vancouver?
Downtown Vancouver is relatively walkable. Many of the places on our list are within walking distance to one another. The spots that are not, you can bus or Uber easily. Keep in mind Uber is not as cheap as it is in many other major cities, though, so consider other ride share apps like Lyft or a taxi. The buses within downtown and the places on this list are regular and easy to use but consider getting a Compass Card for ease and so you don’t need cash to get everywhere. Biking is another option within Vancouver, but make sure that if you’re renting a bike, you get a bike lock as bike thefts are common.
If you are hoping to take any trips outside of Vancouver, such as to Whistler or are the Okanagan, consider renting a car. There are other ways to get here (such as a bus to Whistler or a short flight to Kelowna), but a car would be most convenient. If you are interested in the Okanagan, check out our guide!
Where should you stay?
We say downtown is the best area if it’s your first time visiting. You can just leave your car at the hotel and walk the downtown core, or not need a car at all. Anywhere near a skytrain is good! People love Coal Harbour and Yaletown for their sophisticated vibes and nice restaurants.
If downtown isn’t your preference, many people love the vibe of North Vancouver and prefer to stay there. From North Van, you can hop on the SeaBus to get to the downtown core. Another popular neighbourhood is Kitsilano (aka “Kits”). There are trendy restaurants, cool shops, and it’s walking distance to the beach. It’s easy to get downtown from Kits by public transit or by car.
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN VANCOUVER:
These are all things we have personally done while in Vancouver and recommend. We do have two recommendations that are outside of Vancouver and require bussing or driving to. We also have a short list at the end of things we haven’t tried, or it’s been a while since we have, but are on many “what to do in Vancouver” lists.
Downtown Vancouver is where you will find shopping, sports events, concerts, theatre productions, and restaurants. There are many neighbourhoods you can walk through and explore – try Chinatown, Granville Street, or Robson Square. There may be an event on at Canada Place or the Convention Center, which is where you can see the torch from the 2010 Olympic Games. If you’re up for some luxury shopping, check out Robson Street.
2. Stanley Park
Located in downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is a giant oasis that takes up 1,000 acres. You can experience trails, flower gardens, and of course ocean views. In the summer, visit one of the beaches to soak in some sun. A popular tourist activity is to rent bikes at a nearby shop and bike your way around the entire park. Oh, did we forget to mention? Stanley Park is one of the world’s largest urban parks – even bigger than Central Park in New York!
Drive and park here (parking can be tough on weekends), or take the False Creek foot ferry or Aquabus across False Creek to get here. The main attraction here is the Public Market, full of stalls of meat, cheese, and fresh fruit. You’ll find many baked goods, tea, and coffee here as well. Grab something to eat here and sit outside enjoying the sites and sounds of the city. If you leave the Public Market and walk around the island, you’ll discover many local shops such as jewellers, pottery, and art galleries. There are many shops you can buy tourist-y items and souvenirs at as well. If you come at night, you can catch a comedy show and/or grab dinner at one of the seafood restaurants.
You can’t miss the Vancouver Art Gallery as you walk down Granville St at West Georgia St downtown Vancouver or pass through Robson Square. They have some permanent collections as well as rotating featured collections. Permanent collections include famous BC artist Emily Carr, as well as many Coastal Indigenous works. Outside of the gallery in Robson Square you can often find events, festivals, or rallies.
5. Gastown
One of the trendier neighbourhoods in Vancouver, Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver. It has cobbled streets, designer shops, and hip restaurants and bars. Visit the iconic Steam Clock, which releases steam throughout the day. Be vigilant as you head toward the edges of the neighbourhood, as they can be a bit grittier than you’ll experience while in Gastown.
There are many parks and gardens throughout the city, but VanDusen Botanical Garden may be one of the better gardens you’ll find. Covering 55 acres, flowers bloom much of the year, starting in February. There is a maze in the center, hidden nooks with fountains, and blooming bushes. During the winter months (December and January), VanDusen turns into a magical wonderland, open in the evenings covered in lights.
7. Yaletown
Yaletown is a hip neighbourhood easily accessible from downtown Vancouver. Here you’ll find cute boutiques, high end spas, many coffee shops, and fantastic restaurants. The brick buildings make the area feel like you are outside of the busy city. If you have kids or are into trains, you can see Canada’s historic CPR engine at the Roundhouse Community Center. Visit David Lam park for some gorgeous views of the city and walk along the False Creek waterfront.
Located inside Stanley Park, the aquarium is fun for the whole family – and for adults! This is a non-profit aquarium including education about the sea creatures they house. They have an After Hours event every few months for adults only, which we have yet to try but seems pretty cool. Suzanne’s favourite are the brightly coloured jellyfish!
Hanging above Capilano River, this bridge is not for those who are afraid of heights! Walk across this swaying suspension bridge that hangs 70m (230ft) above the river below. There are trails you can walk through, and you can learn about forest sustainability and the bridge’s history.
Queen Elizabeth Park is a popular wedding spot due to its beautiful view of the city – it’s the highest point in Vancouver without going up a mountain. In the park you’ll find the exquisite Bloedel Conservatory, a quarry garden, fountain, and many sculptures. Wander through the weaving pathways and take in the nature, with flowers blooming seasonally. There is a very nice restaurant you can visit as well for a bite to eat.
11. Lonsdale Quay
Take the SeaBus from downtown to the Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Check out the Lonsdale Quay Market (open 9am-7pm daily), where you can find good food, local art, and souvenirs. Walk along the waterfront and explore the Shipyards. Here you can find restaurants, shops, and coffee. There are always activities going on, like festivals, live music, food trucks, and artisan markets. This is a great place for families, too – there is a water park in the summer and skating in the winter. Walk down the city’s largest pier to get a view of Vancouver’s waterfront.
OUTSIDE OF VANCOUVER (close by, and well worth it!)
1. Whistler
Even though Whistler is best known for its skiing, you can enjoy Whistler any time of the year. In the summer, you can find trails with cycling and hiking, along with golf, kayaking, and beautiful nature and scenery. In the winter, you’re likely visiting Whistler to experience the skiing on one of the two mountains: Whistler or Blackcomb. You can also ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola for some great mountain views.
Okay, so this is sort of like a separate trip. And not really a day trip (I mean it could be, but you wouldn’t be doing it justice). If you can manage, take a ferry or float plane over to Victoria and explore for a day or two. Visit Butchart Gardens if you have enough time. Deciding to make Victoria a longer stay? Check out our entire Victoria City Guide!
OTHER VANCOUVER THINGS TO DO
Here are some places to visit or things to do in Vancouver that we haven’t personally checked out, or haven’t visited in a long time, but are on many “what to do in Vancouver” lists:
- Science World
- Planetarium (especially good if you’re visiting with kids)
- Museum of Anthropology
- UBC Botanical Garden
- Whale watching tour.
- English Bay beach