Best Places to See in Vancouver, Canada

If you happen to visit Vancouver when it's not living up to its "Raincouver" nickname, make the most of its proximity to the great outdoors. Take your pick from parks like Stanley Park, Lighthouse Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.

Bigger than Central Park, the 988-acre Stanley Park is located on a peninsula and easily tops many lists for the best things to do in downtown Vancouver. Attracting over 8 million annual visitors, it's home to the 3.4-mile Seawall that loops around the coastline, sandy beaches, the world-renowned Vancouver Aquarium, the Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake.

Alternatively, Queen Elizabeth Park is Vancouver's highest point, so expect breathtaking views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains. Meanwhile, VanDusen Botanical Garden is home to over 7,500 plant species, a picturesque lake and an Elizabethan hedge maze made from 3,000 pyramidal cedars.

Finally, escape bustling Chinatown into a center of calm as soon as you walk through the gates at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. A collaboration between the Chinese and Canadian governments, it was modeled after Ming Dynasty-era scholar gardens in Suzhou and built by 53 Suzhou specialists.

Beaches

One of the best free things to do in Vancouver in the summer is to head to one of its beautiful beaches. Stanley Park has the aptly named First, Second and Third Beaches, while Kitsilano has a beach and North America's largest saltwater pool at 440 feet long.

Forests

Step away from the beach and head to the mountains and Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the city's top tourist attractions. The 450-foot suspension bridge stretches across the Capilano River in a dense temperate rainforest. There's also a cliff walk, nature tours, exhibits and the Treetop Adventure to enjoy.

Mountain Hiking

Another popular summer activity is hiking, which is free to do in Vancouver. The perfect itinerary for the outdoorsy traveler is a Seattle to Vancouver cruise, soaking up all of the nature that defines this region of the world. If you want to summit one of those mountains that loom over the city, take your pick from Saint Mark's Summit, the Dog Mountain Trail and the Grouse Grind. Nicknamed "Mother Nature's Stairmaster," the latter is not for the faint of heart.

It's a 1.8-mile trail involving 2,830 stairs that takes you 2,800 feet to the top of Grouse Mountain (also known as "The Peak of Vancouver"). The jaw-dropping views at the top are worth the exertion, and you can rest on the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Skiing

If you happen to plan a winter Vancouver vacation, don't despair; there is still plenty of fun to be had outdoors. There are three ski resorts close to the city: Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour. They each have skiing and snowboarding runs, as well as cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing. Vancouver is evidently paradise for outdoor adventurers like Bear Grylls.

From historic Gastown to bustling Granville Island, each Vancouver district has its own story to tell.

Learn About Vancouver's Story

Vancouver received its name from British Captain George Vancouver, who arrived in 1792 to chart Canada's west coast. Settlers soon came onshore; it was the discovery of gold along the Fraser River in 1858 that saw 30,000 Americans arrive in Vancouver. The city grew alongside its logging industry and was incorporated in 1886. Today, agriculture and forestry are still two of the city's main economic sectors, alongside tourism and education.

Both Vancouver's population and its tourism sector boomed following the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway transcontinental line from Eastern Canada in the late 1880s. If you want to take a step back in history and visualize Vancouver at this time, head directly to Gastown. The city's oldest and most historic neighborhood, Gastown, is home to distinct architecture and great dining options. Picture old-fashioned streetlights and colorful floral hanging baskets lining cobblestone streets. Don't miss taking a photo of the famous Gastown Steam Clock, either.

A Marvelous City To Explore, Even to This Day

Vancouver may be a young city by comparison, and it's positively thriving. In its short history, it's managed to become one of the world's most liveable cities and North America's third-largest film production center. Don't be surprised if you see celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen during your time in the "Hollywood of the North." In every aspect, when visiting Vancouver, you may notice that somehow the city has managed to effortlessly blend old with new as well as urban with nature.

There are historic buildings nestled in the shadows of modern, futuristic skyscrapers, as well as sprawling urban parks and limitless mountains. There's nowhere quite like a visit to Vancouver, where you can journey from the lively city center to a ski resort in minutes.

One of the most popular things to do in Vancouver is to visit Granville Island. It's an arts and crafts hub, where you'll find small galleries, theaters and the Public Market. This Canadian shopping district is home to many top tourist attractions, including over 50 traders selling everything from handmade jewelry to artisan cheese and fresh produce. Pick up food inside and enjoy it along the waterfront while a local musician serenades you.

After dark, one of the best local things to do in Vancouver is to see a Vancouver Canucks hockey game at Rogers Arena. If you visit out of season, there's usually always an international music act performing here instead.

Other things to do at night in Vancouver are to see if there's a gig happening at the historic and award-winning Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver's most beloved entertainment venue. Music royalty like Tina Turner, David Bowie and the Ramones have performed on its hallowed stage.

During the summer, the Richmond Night Market is North America's largest food market with hundreds of stalls primarily serving Asian-inspired cuisine.

Dive into world-class art, science and history at some of Canada’s most iconic cultural institutions.

Culture-Inspired Locations

If you love museums and art galleries, you're spoiled for choice here. The Vancouver Art Gallery is one of Canada's largest and is housed in the city's beautiful former courthouse building. The permanent collection includes over 11,000 items, including work from well-known Canadian artist Emily Carr.

When vacationing in Vancouver with kids, head to Science World at TELUS World of Science. Besides being located in one of the city's coolest-looking buildings, it's brimming with hands-on experiences to inspire young minds.

Another museum that is as well-known for its unique and award-winning exterior as it is for its interior collection is the Museum of Anthropology. Sitting pretty on the University of British Columbia campus, it houses one of the world's finest indigenous art collections. There are over 535,000 archaeological artifacts and 50,000 ethnographic objects inside, so set aside ample time to explore.

Savor local flavors, sip craft cocktails and soak up the city’s nightlife for a true Vancouver experience.

Best Vancouver Restaurants To Eat, Drink and Be Merry

You will never go hungry on your Vancouver vacation, as the city is overflowing with cute cafés, scrumptious food trucks and award-winning, ethnically diverse restaurants that will suit everyone's taste buds. Start with Hawksworth, which has been voted Vancouver's best restaurant. This fine-dining establishment focuses on contemporary cuisine with a modern and local twist.

A Taste of International Flair

For international cuisine, you can't look past Vij's restaurant, which combines local produce with traditional Indian cooking methods to become one of North America's most beloved Indian restaurants. Alternatively, enjoy Abiru-style (flame-seared) sushi with a dazzling waterfront view at Miku Restaurant. It offers sustainable seafood, innovative desserts and a long list of sake.

Then, you have the internationally recognized The Acorn Restaurant, which is the city's best vegan and vegetarian fine-dining eatery. Their award-winning menu features dishes made with local ingredients that are designed to satisfy even the "staunchest meat eaters."

Your Breakfasts and Lunches Sorted

For your (one or more) breakfast runs, get up early to avoid the lines at Jam Cafe. If you do stand in line, just know their all-day breakfast menu is well worth the wait. You can't go wrong; opt to go sweet with the Fat Elvis Waffle or savory with one of their delicious eggs Benedict options. For at least one of your Vancouver lunches, Meat & Bread will live up to its name by serving the best sandwiches in the city.