Vancouver is one of the most popular cities to visit in Canada. It has all the city life amenities you can ask for while still offering epic adventures on the ocean or to the nearby mountains. There really is so much to do while in Vancouver, and even in British Columbia as a whole, so it can be overwhelming to come up with the perfect list of things to see and do during your trip.
In this guide, we are sharing the best places to stay, places to eat and things to do during your visit to Vancouver.
How to Get There:
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver is home to one of Canada’s largest International Airports. This is the main arrival place to many of the tourists that visit Vancouver every year. From the airport, you can take a taxi or Uber right into downtown. The typical cost is roughly $50-75 CAD from the airport to Vancouver. You can also take the SkyTrain’s Canada Line which takes approximately 26 minutes to the downtown terminal. The SkyTrain costs approximately $10 CAD.
BC Ferries
B.C. Ferries run regular routes to and from Vancouver Island an the surrounding areas. If you flew into Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island, this is the cheapest way to get to the mainland. The ferry costs approximately $30 CAD per person and up depending on if you are travelling with a vehicle.
Rocky Mountaineer Train
If you are looking to have a unique multi-day Canadian adventure that allows you to see all of the glory of the Canadian Rocky Mountains than look no further. This train runs multiple routes between Alberta and British Columbia as well as the USA. You can check out more information their website here for full details.
Where To Stay
There are hundreds of hotels and vacation rentals to choose from in Vancouver, which can be overwhelming. The best location for people looking to experience Vancouver’s most sought after tourist attractions is in the Downtown neighborhood. Although some hotels may be pricier in this area, all of the attractions, shopping and best restaurants are within walking distance, which means you can experience more and pay less for ubers or taxis.
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Located right on the waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim offers both the convenience of location and luxury that the Fairmont brand is known for. The Fairmont Pacific Rim offers rooms at various rates to accommodate every budget, has a rooftop pool perfect for hot summer days, and excellent restaurants right on the property. One of their Restaurants, Botanist, has been voted one of the best restaurants in Canada! The Fairmont Pacific Rim is also located right across the street from Canada Place and just a short 5 minute walk from Vancouver’s famous Gastown Neighborhood. his hotel really has everything. If you are considering visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge park (more on that later) the free shuttle is located right across the street!
Shangri-La Vancouver
Shangri-La Vancouver is located in the heart of downtown. It is within walking distance of endless shopping options and incredible restaurants. The Shangri-La has an incredible rooftop pool and hot tub offering epic city views. They also have a world class spa, and a brand new restaurant, Miantiao, right on site. The Shangri-La is just a short walking distance from Burrard Station making it easy to access public transit options as well.
AirBNB
There are so many great vacation rentals located in Downtown Vancouver. The great thing about Airbnb’s is that they offer cheaper accommodation in central locations. They also provide the autonomy of cooking your own meals if you are looking to save some money!
Things To Do
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver. There is such a variety of activities to experience here, and is perfect for people of all ages. The main attraction is the 450 foot long suspension bridge, which walks you 230 feet over the river below. Another popular attraction is the Treetop Bridges that walk through the tops of the 1300 year old Douglas Fir forest within the park. They also have the Cliff Walk which is not to be missed, and a nature trail that walks along the base of the massive Douglas Fir Forest. There are a variety of restaurants on site, which means you can make an entire day experience the culture and history of this park!
There are free shuttles that will take you straight from a few downtown locations to the park entrance. You can purchase tickets online as well as in person at the park entrance. Check out their website here for more information.
Explore Gastown
Gastown is one of the historic districts in Vancouver. From the cobble stone streets, vintage lamp posts and perfectly preserved building facades, Gastown is an incredible neighborhood to spend some time in. Gastown is home to some incredible restaurants and bars, as well as small boutiques. It is also home to the very famous Gastown Steam Clock!
Famous Gastown Steam Clock
Visit Granville Island
You will likely find Granville Island on every list of “things to do in Vancouver” and after visiting you will see why! This bustling market located right on the waterfront is just a short Taxi/ Uber or Bus ride away from the downtown area. We recommend getting here early in the morning to see the morning market in full swing. Make sure to stop at Lucky’s Donuts, this is the locals favorite spot for fresh donuts. You can also visit a little later in the day/ early evening to eat at some of the incredible restaurants and grab a drink at Granville Island Brewing Company.
Walk Around Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 400 Acre green space in the midst of a metropolis. Stanley Park is a great place to explore by foot or on bikes! You can rent some right at the entrance of the park at Stokes Bike Rental! Ride or walk along the famous Stanley Park Seawall, stop at Stanley Park Brewing company for some snacks and a locally brewed beer, or bring your own food and have a picnic. There are many options to make some memories here.
Hangout at Kitsilano Beach Park
If you are looking for a place to swim in the ocean near Vancouver, Kitsilano Beach is a local favorite. This expansive beach is a perfect place to enjoy the summer heat. There are beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, a playground and more here, which means endless activities for everyone. The Kitsilano Pool is a salt water pool located just a short walk from the beach if swimming in the ocean isn’t for you!
Tip: A short walk from the beach is the famous Kitsilano Wings Mural. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area!
Go on a Whale Watching Tour
Vancouver is an excellent place to see whales all year-round! Most whale watching tours in the area actually guarantee a 95% success rate in seeing whales during your tour. Humpback Whales and Orcas are mainly what is seen on tours in this area, and most tour companies offer education about the whales and their environment along with the tour. Most tour companies offer half day tours year round. We were recommended this company by so many people, so check them out if you are thinking of Whale Watching!
Take a Day trip outside of the city
The wonderful thing about Vancouver is that it is so close to the mountains. Take a shuttle to Squamish or Whistler for the day, or rent a car and find grand adventures in Chilliwack! Even take B.C. Ferries to Vancouver Island to explore! There are so many incredible places to explore while you are visiting Vancouver.
Places to Eat
Vancouver is home to some of Canada’s best restaurants, which makes it a true foodies paradise! There are endless dining options around the city with various styles of cuisine. You can have some unforgettable dining experiences ranging from casual to 5 star. If you are visiting in the summertime, there are also some incredible patios located throughout the city as well. It was so hard to narrow down a list of places we wanted to try during our 4 day visit, but these were some our favorites.
Botanist
Botanist has been voted one of Canada’s best restaurants for many years. They have also found themselves on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants a time or two as well. Located right in the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Botanist is a modern 5 Star Restaurant that showcases sustainable seafood and farming practices while highlighting food grown in the Pacific Northwest Region. Chef Hector Laguna has curated a perfectly balanced menu, where you can order A La Carte, or the Tasting Menu. We tried the “We’ll Take It From Here” Tasting menu with wine pairings, and we cannot rave about this enough. This place is a must visit in Vancouver!
Miantiao
Miantiao is a brand new asian-italian fusion restaurant located in the Shangri-La Vancouver hotel. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The dinner menu is served family style, so each course that is ordered is meant to be shared! They also have a tasting menu available where the chef will surprise you with dishes on and off the menu. We loved our experience here. We did not order the tasting menu, but we tried the Steak, The Chef’s Choice Pasta, the Fried Zucchini and had Cannoli for desert, which all were so delicious! The atmosphere is incredible and the food was tasty! We definitely recommend trying this brand new spot out if you are visiting Vancouver.
The Lobby Lounge & RawBar
Although this restaurant is located in the lobby of the Fairmont Pacific Rim, do not dismiss this spot! Found on multiple lists of the best sushi in Vancouver, this spot has some incredible Sushi and we highly recommend stopping here to try some of their creations. They serve up some epic platters of sushi for bigger parties which are true works of art! Their cocktails here are also to die for!
Local Public Eatery – Gastown
Local Public Eatery has locations all around Vancouver, but there is something about the Gastown location that we loved the most! This industrial building has a fun atmosphere, tons of local beers on tap, and one the best patios in Vancouver. They serve up some great pub style food, which makes this the perfect happy hour or late night spot!
49th Parallel – thurlow Street
This coffee shop is a bit of a hidden gem and was recommended to us by some locals! They serve Lucky’s Doughnuts (fresh from Granville Island) and Venezuelan coffee which is to die for! This is the perfect spot to grab and go with your breakfast ahead of your busy day exploring Vancouver.
Tacofino
Tacofino Food Truck originated in Tofino which is located on Vancouver Island. This place became so popular that they have expanded and now have a Brick and Mortar restaurant right in downtown Vancouver! They are known for their insane Mexican Cuisine, especially their tacos (obviously) and Burritos! This would be an awesome place to stop and grab lunch for a picnic in Stanley Park!
Stanley Park Brewing Company
Located right in the heart of Stanley Park, this is a perfect place to stop to enjoy some locally brewed beer and have some yummy bar food. They have a happy hour from 3-6pm and 9-11pm Monday through Friday and offer a great discount on both drinks and food! They have so many different beer on tap, we highly recommend trying a beer flight so that you can try a variety.
Final Thoughts
Vancouver is an incredible city located on the west coast of Canada with the perfect mix of city life and adventure! There are so many things to do, amazing places to eat and epic hotels to stay in. We hope that you found this blog post helpful. Make sure to check out our other Canada Travel guides for more epic places to explore!
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