What to do in Vancouver, Canada – Planning a trip to Vancouver, Canada? This post is for you! Discover what to do in Vancouver, a detailed summary of the main tourist attractions, as well as tips on where to stay and some tricks to optimize your trip to Canada.
What to do in Vancouver, Canada: 25+ Tourist Attractions to add to your Itinerary
Beautiful, clean and full of charm, Vancouver is a dream to visit (and maybe even live in). You know that city that from the very first moment makes you think: “I could easily live here”?
Vancouver will welcome you with beautiful parks, a fun summer schedule, and an excellent selection of museums. Everything is well organized and public transportation works well. However, it rains a lot in Vancouver. Therefore, the tip is to create a flexible itinerary to enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities – and, if necessary, switch the order.
In this post, we’ll show you everything there is todo in Vancouver, with the most incredible tours to add to your itinerary.
1- Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest park. It covers over 4,000 square kilometers and was originally inhabited by indigenous people. Today, it is one of Vancouver’s most typical attractions and my favorite!
The park is so cool that I dare say that if I only had one afternoon to visit Vancouver, that’s where I would go.
Stanley Park Bike Tour
One of the best things to do in Stanley Park is to rent a bike and ride along theVancouver Seawall, an 8.8km paved trail. The ride takes you around the park, passing dozens of beautiful viewpoints and giving you a really cool perspective of how the city is built around the park.
We rented bikes with child seats so we could take Tom (who was 11 months old at the time) and it was perfect.
Prospect Point to see the Lions Gate from above
For those who enjoy incredible views, the Prospect Pointlookout is a great place to visit , offering a privileged view of the bridge and North Vancouver. To get there, you need to climb a short trail that starts at the point where the bridge and the park connect. The climb is steep, but it doesn’t take more than 15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take an Uber, or take the hop-on hop-off tourist bus tour that stops at the park.
What are Totem Poles?
As we mentioned, Stanley Park was inhabited by indigenous peoples, which is why there are now giant totem poles scattered throughout the park. “Totem Poles”are colorful, carved wooden monuments that pay homage to the native peoples of Canada. Some of them were built over 100 years ago!
Stanley Park Train – Vancouver’s Little Train
A great way to get around Vancouver with kids is to take the Stanley Park train. It’s a replica of the historic Canadian Pacific Railway Engine #374, the train that made the first transcontinental trip from Vancouver in the 1980s.
It’s a two-kilometer walk (a 15-minute ride), passing through cute corners of the park and some Canadian floats. Children love the ride.
Public pool and beach
Finally,Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver’s most famous beach. It is also located within the Stanley Park complex and has a heated pool, sports courts and souvenir shops. There are several tables on the sand, where both tourists and locals enjoy picnics and watching the sunset.
2- Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park is home to theVancouver Aquarium, one of the city’s most popular attractions among children. It’s also a great option for rainy days.
The aquarium has a variety of fish and sea creatures, an area with large animals such as whales and dolphins and also houses a research center specializing in the rehabilitation of aquatic animals.
Plan your visit:
Vancouver Aquarium
- Address:845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
- Opening hours:Every day from 10am to 4pm
- Admission:$39.95 adults, $25.20 children ages 3-12; ages 0-2 go free
3- Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It is about a 15-minute drive from Vancouver. The bridge is 137 meters long and stands over the waters of the Capilano River, 70 meters high.
The bridge is located inside the Capilano Suspension Park Bridge and therefore you need to buy tickets to enter the site, which range from $59.95 to $66.95. I recommend buying your ticket online in advance to get a discount.
It’s such a touristy tour that I was unsure whether it would be worth visiting or whether it would be just a typical empty tourist attraction, you know? And I loved it!
The park is beautiful, spacious, well-kept and the chance to walk through the canopy of giant trees is really cool. The place is more crowded than I like, so my tip is to arrive early. Preferably when it opens and avoid weekends.
Inside the park there is also Treetops, opened in 2004, a kind of set of seven suspension bridges between trees.
4- Gastown, the old town of Vancouver
The Gastown neighborhood is Vancouver’s historic neighborhood, a region full of charm and lots of cute little corners.
The region is super bohemian and it all started when“Gassy Jack” Deighton founded the city’s first pub in 1867. The illustrious figure, who has astatue in a nearby square, never imagined that it would become one of the city’s hubbub and a really cool area to stroll around and shop.
Why not stroll the streets and sample local cuisine or sample local craft beers? On the Gastown Food Walking Tour , you’ll visit six restaurants and sample delicacies such as Kar-age Japanese chicken, Sicilian tortellini made fresh with local wine, crispy and sweet cauliflower, Canadian poutine (handmade fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) and smooth hot chocolate. It’s a great way to get to know the locals.
There, you can find everything from typical souvenir shops (chubby teddy bears with the Canadian flag, jars of maple syrup and delicious leaf-shaped cookies are the local sensation) to luxury stores.
The famous Vancouver clock
Gastown is home to theSteam Clock,a steam clock builtin 1977. It beeps every 15 minutes and is a huge hit with tourists! The Steam Clock is always surrounded by tourists and is the most sought-after attraction in the region.
The neighborhood also has a lot of charm, as it was here that European settlement began. Take a look at thearchitecture of the little houses and the charming Flat Iron Buildingthat is there.
5- See the city from the top of the Vancouver Observatory
Right next to Gastown is the Vancouver Observatory, a building with a rounded top and a really cool place to visit for those who enjoy seeing the city from above (I love it).
I must admit that I found Vancouver more incredible from the ground, but since I like having an aerial perspective, the view of the mountains, which are beautiful, was worth it. I recommend the tour.
6- Christ Church Cathedral
If you are the kind of tourist who loves to see historical monuments, I suggest you include a visit to Christ Church Cathedral. The first mass was celebrated in 1889 and, since then, the cathedral has undergone several renovations.
Plan your visit:
- Address:690 Burrard St, Vancouver
- Opening hours:Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, Sunday from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays
7- Eat at the Granville Island Public Market
You can’t get to know a new city without trying its cuisine, right? In Vancouver, the best place to do this is at Granville Island , the colorful municipal market.
There, you will find several restaurants and stalls serving everything from local and typical dishes to more traditional cuisine. There are also shops selling fish, meat and specialities.
The tip is to go at lunchtime, choose the restaurant that makes your mouth water the most, buy your food and sit on the outdoor benches around the Public Market. It’s easy to find tourists and locals there. For dessert, indulge in the fruit from the market (we bought a bag of super sweet lychees).
Take the Ferry (Aquabus)
The best way to get to Grainville Island is to take a ferry, the Aquabus , and travel around False Bay (there are several stops). You can buy a full-day ticket or just a round-trip ticket.
Want another reason to visit the region? The graffiti of the twins printed on giant tubes, which are glued to the bridge. I thought it was beautiful!
8- Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding in Granville Island
Another great way to explore the Granville Island area is to rent a kayak or standup paddleboard (SUP). There are a few agencies that rent equipment and on sunny days, you’ll see lots of people paddling.
Plan your visit:
- Address:Public Market, 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver
- Opening hours:every day from 9am to 6pm / closed only on Mondays in January
9- See seaplanes at Canada Place
Canada Place is a building built in 1986, originally to host the World’s Fair. It was so successful that it became one of Vancouver’s most iconic landmarks.
Since it is located right on the waterfront, it is a great place to admire the boats leaving the port. The pier has a great view of North Vancouver and you can also watch the seaplanes that leave for Victoria every few minutes. And if you feel like it, you can also take a seaplane ride .
10 – Seaplane ride
This is a great chance to see Vancouver from above and maybe even spend a day in Victoria in style. I have some friends who have done this tour and they say it’s worth every penny. And it’s really different, right?
The tour lasts about 20 minutes and, if it fits your budget, it is an attraction worth visiting (buy the tour in advance and online).
11 – FlyOver Canada
For architecture lovers, the building is a must-see, as it is shaped like a ship. It currently houses the Vancouver Convention Centre and FlyOver Canada (a simulator that makes you feel like you are flying over the country’s landscapes).
The FlyOver Canada Experience lasts 25 minutes and simulates a 6,000 km flight across Canada.
12- Vancouver Sports Museum, the BC Sports Hall of Fame
The museum is located in the BC Place stadium, which hosts games of the Canadian soccer team (BC Lions) and the MLS soccer league (Vancouver Whitecaps FC).
The museum offers a wealth of information about the history of the sport through a collection of artifacts and documents. There are also galleries that pay tribute to Terry Fox, Rick Hansen and Greg Moore.
Want to know the coolest part?
Themuseum is super interactive, children, teenagers and adults (I had a lot of fun) can enjoy the play areas trying to break the athletics record, playing hockey on the “ice”. It’s really cool!
Plan your visit:
BC Sports Hall Of Fame and Museum
- Address:BC Place Gate A, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8
- Opening hours:Every day from 10am to 5pm
- Admission:$20 (children under 4 are free)
13-Ice hockey match
Ice hockey is considered the country’s national sport. And even though Vancouver has a mild climate in the summer, they adapt and even play on grass. The city has ice skating rinks in some parks and outdoor hockey matches are held all the time.
If you enjoy watching games, the National Professional League (NHL) team is the Vancouver Canucks and plays at Rogers Arena (address: 800 Griffiths Way), which in addition to games always has international shows. Get in the mood and enjoy a game!
14- Science World
Science World is a giant ball-shaped science center. The place has an OMNIMAX theater, science-related activities, exhibits and interactive galleries for the whole family. It is a very interesting visit.
It’s one of the best places in Vancouver to take kids, especially on rainy days. But an important tip is that if you want to eat there, you’ll only find options like popcorn and snacks, the White Spot burger joint, and further along False Creek Seawall, the Tap & Barrel pub and the Craft Beer Market. So, you can leave and take the re-entrance to go somewhere else and come back. Very close by, you’ll find Tim Hortons, Starbucks and McDonald’s.
What to do at Science World
- Science World Family Center Stage:Short live science and educational shows about gravity and energy. Great for kids and audience participation. One of the best attractions.
- Eureka:This is the most popular area because it allows you to play with water, light, sound and movement. There is also a free theater with educational science films, as well as the OMNIMAX Theater which has five floors.
- Science World Galleries: There is BodyWorks, which shows many interesting things about the human body, with models of people and body parts.
15- Stroll through Vancouver’s Chinatown
Like every major metropolis, Vancouver also has its Chinatown — a space dedicated to Chinese culture. This one is a little more special, as it houses Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, one of the few authentic Chinese gardens outside of China.
The garden has two areas, while one of them is free (and a little neglected), to visit the other you need to buy a $32 ticket, and this is the most interesting one.
If you enjoy learning about other cultures, it’s worth taking a guided tour of these gardens. That way, you can understand the techniques used to build them and even try a cup of tea at the end of the tour. I took the individual tour – and honestly, with small children, the pace of a guided tour can be quite complicated, right?! And it was great!
16- Restaurants in Little Italy
This area encompasses Commercial Drive and was the location of the first Italian community in Vancouver in 1950. Hence the name ‘Little Italy’.
The neighborhood has become a cultural hub, where you will find several Italian restaurants, tailors, shoe shops, delicatessens, espresso bars and other typical Italian businesses. You know that nice place to stroll, good for having an espresso in the afternoon or eating a good pizza at night? Enjoy life in Little Italy!
Tips on where to eat in Little Italy in Vancouver:
- Cafes and Bakeries:
- Caffe Calabria is a typical Italian café that is very charming and makes you feel like you are in Italy.
- Grounds For Coffeemakes amazing cinnamon rolls with cream every day, just sit back and enjoy.
- Il Mondo Caffe & Bakery , Fratelli’s Authentic Italian Baking
- Restaurants and Pizzerias:
- Vivace On The Drive is a great place to go day or night, and serves contemporary European cuisine. They also make a Baked Brie that will make your mouth water just looking at it!
- Lombardos Pizzeria And Ristorante , Arriva Ristorante
- Pubs and Bars:
- The Charlatan is a really cool gastro-pub. They have 17 draft beer taps, a cocktail menu and a good wine list.
- St. Augustine’s , Junior’s Bar & Grill
For beer fans, a really cool tip in the region is theBeer Tour, where you will walk and get to know the neighborhood and the main attraction, tasting craft beers along the way.
17- Whale watching: Vancouver Whale Watch
The Vancouver area is one of the best places in the world tospot whalesand take an orca tour , and you know what? The chance to see one of these big guys up close is always special.
For this tour, you can opt for a tour on a larger, more structured boat (it has a covered area and bathroom) or opt for a speedboat and an open boat. Regardless of the option you choose, they lend you warm coats during the tour.
After seeing these beautiful animals free in the wild, you will also rethink the idea of aquariums and parks with these types of attractions. In nature, everything is much more impressive!
18- Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is over 1,230 meters high and is located near downtown Vancouver. It attracts more visitors in winter, especially as the area is transformed into over 20 ski and snowboard slopes.
But the complex also has trails, a gondola to get to the top and a cable car to go down the mountain. So, it’s a great option, regardless of the season.
19- UBC Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology is part of the University of British Columbia and tells the story of Canada’s native peoples through giant totem poles.
The space is dedicated to celebrating the culture of the region’s native peoples, but also features works from countries such as Africa, China and Indonesia.
Plan your visit:
Museum of Anthropology
- Address:6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver
- Opening hours:Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm – closed
- Admission: $18
20- Vancouver Museum
Another museum to add to this list? Yes! The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) is a complex dedicated to the history of the city’s civilians. Founded in 1894, the museum tells the story of Vancouver and Canada through a large collection of artifacts, Asian and Egyptian antiquities, and more.
The museum also has some very interesting temporary exhibitions. It’s worth checking out the schedule during your trip!
Plan your visit:
Museum Of Vancouver
- Address:1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver
- Opening hours:Open Mon, Tue, Wed and Sun from 10am to 5pm; Thu to Sun from 10am to 8pm.
- Admission:$17. Children under 5 go free
21- Vancouver Maritime Museum
Opened in 1959, the Vancouver Maritime Museum (as its name suggests) is dedicated to the city’s maritime history. There are several ships on display, including the St. Roth, which was used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to explore the Arctic.
Plan your visit:
Vancouver Maritime Museum
- Address: 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver
- Opening hours:Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
- Admission: $15
22- Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a municipal park located at the top of Little Mountain. For nature lovers, it is a great place to visit with many flower gardens and wooded areas.
The main garden is the highlight of the park and brings together plants of different species – all in unusual shapes, sizes and colors. Another highlight is the Bloedel Floral Conservatory, a type of aviary that houses birds that fly freely around the area.
There is a charge for entry to Queen Elizabeth Park and the Bloedel Floral Conservatory
23- Vancouver Beaches: Kitsilano Beach and Long Beach
In addition to Kitsilano Beach, which we already mentioned in the first topic of this post, Vancouver has several other beaches that are worth including on your itinerary (some closer, others further from the center).
Long Beach,for example, was once voted the best beach in Canada. It is located in Tofino and requires a 4-hour drive to get there.
SunsetBeachis in the center of Downtown and is a calmer beach than the super touristy Kitsilano Beach.
In addition to Kitsilano Beach, within Stanley Park, there is also Second Beach and Third Beach – which are worth a visit (and a sunset).
Two other options are English Bay Beach, which offers incredible sunset views, and Wreck Beach, a popular Vancouver nudist beach.
Round trip to Victoria
Victoria is the capital and an island of the Canadian province of British Columbia and is located approximately 2 hours from Vancouver. It is definitely worth including in your itinerary and making a day trip, because it is a super cute destination, with beautiful landscapes, castles, charming architecture and an interesting historical city.
As it is an island that is not connected by bridges, the only ways to get there would be by plane or ferry.
Arriving on the island, visit theInner Harbour, which is the area facing the sea where boats dock and is very busy, being the location of Victoria’s main attractions.
Visit theEmpress Hotel, theParliament Buildingand the Royal British Columbia Museum (for those who enjoy fauna and flora), these are attractions that can be visited on foot, from the Inner Harbour. In addition to the tour to see whales and other species of marine life, you can get to know theislands of British Columbia.
A great tour that we recommend is the tour from Vancouver to Victoria , followed by a visit to Butchart Gardens. The ferry ride, land tour, guide, entrance to Butchart Gardens and onboard entertainment are included. The tour lasts 14 hours.
Tip:If you’re going to Victoria, leave the tour to the orca region for later, as it’s not only cheaper, but also close by.
Day trip to Whistler
Whistles, with its charming Canadian mountains, is the perfect destination for those seeking adventure, stunning scenery and great dining options. This charming little town is located about 125km from Vancouver.
One of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the mountains is to take thePeak 2 Peak Gondola, which connects the two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb. Do you like forests and lakes? Check outLost Lake Park, a great place to have picnics and swim in Lost Lake.
Explore theWhistler Olympic Plazaarea and discover the site of the Winter Olympics, where you will find a variety of shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.
A good option is to take a day tour in Whistler . It includes a ride on the Sea to Sky gondola (with tickets) in Squamish, a visit to Whistler Village, a visit to Shannon Falls, an English-speaking guide and transportation.
Read Also:- 7 Types Of Trips To Take as a Family
What to do in Vancouver on a rainy day
It rains a lot in Vancouver, so much so that your chances of not getting a “wet” day there are practically zero. So, it’s worth having a plan B and planning indoor activities for when the weather decides to turn bad.
Take the opportunity to visit the Vancouver Aquarium and FlyOver Canada, an experience that is very similar to Soarin at Epcot but 100% Canadian, it’s beautiful.
Other cool rainy weather activities include the Sports Museum, the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Museum.
Where to stay in Vancouver
Vancouver is an expensive city to stay in, and to stay in a good location, you need to book well in advance to ensure good prices. Or, of course, have a bigger budget for accommodation.
