Things To Do in Vancouver

Thanks to Samuel Beck for collecting the first version of this list

Downtown

  • Stanley Park: walk or bike along seawall, look at totem poles, or watch the sunset from Third Beach.Canada Place (link): see cruise ships and seaplanes, walk along seawall and marina.
  • Gastown: see famous steam clock, old town, shops, and restaurants ... stay away from E Hastings St.
  • Granville Street: downtown entertainment district with lots of restaurants and bars.
  • Vancouver Seawall: walk along the longest continuous seawall in the world. Recommendation: either Stanley Park or from Science World to Granville Island along False Creek.
  • Granville Island: cultural hub with a famous public market. Either walk from Science World or take aquabus across False Creek.

    Beaches

  • Kitsilano Beach: popular beach with volleyball fields and nice views.
  • English Bay Beach: busy beach located next to downtown.

    City Parks

  • Queen Elizabeth Park: city park on a hill with nice views and the Bloedel Conservatory where you can see exotic birds and plants.
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden: botanical garden with different plant species and hedge maze.
  • UBC Botanical Garden: botanical garden on the UBC campus with a treetop walk.

    (Half) Day Trips

  • Grouse Mountain: either hike the Grouse Grind or take the SkyRide to the top for a great view of Vancouver Metro. Also has different activities like mountain zipline and bear habitat. Free shuttle transit from Canada Place.
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: park with an impressive suspension bridge over Capilano creek, cliffwalk, and treetop walk. Free shuttle transit from downtown.
  • Lynn Canyon: park with suspension bridge over Lynn creek surrounded by forest and hiking trails.
  • Bowen Island: beautiful island not far from Vancouver. Can be reached by a short ferry ride from Horse Shoe Bay ferry terminal. Different hiking trails like Dormant Point and around Killarney Lake.
  • Sea to Sky Gondola: gondola ride from the coast next to Highway 99 into the mountains. Shuttle transit from downtown.
  • Whistler: biggest ski resort in North America. Peak 2 Peak gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Recommendation: Epic Rides express bus from Vancouver to Whistler.

    Weekend Trips

  • Victoria: capital of BC on Vancouver Island. Can be reached via a 1h 30m ferry ride from Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Colonial architecture, parks, and gardens.
  • Seattle: biggest City in Washington on the pacific northwest in the US. Can be reached via a ~4h train ride from Pacific Central Station (Amtrak Cascades) or in ~2h by car. Please note US entry requirements (ESTA, visa, etc.).

    Museums for Rainy Days

  • Museum of Anthropology at UBC: temporarily closed until June 13. Collection of Northwest Coast First Nations cultural heritage.
  • Vancouver Aquarium: Canada's largest aquarium with fish, sea lions, sea otters and more.
  • Science World: interactive science exhibitions, science shows, and an omnimax theater.
  • Vancouver Art Gallery: biggest art gallery in Western Canada with contemporary art exhibitions.

    Activities

  • Downtown Walking Tour: "free" (recommended tip $30) 3h walking tour of Downtown and Gastown. Also offers bike tours in Stanley Park.
  • Whale Watching (Prince of Whales, Vancouver Whale Watch): Whale watching tours from Vancouver that take 3-5h to see Orcas or Humpback Whales.