Things to Do in Vancouver

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This post is a collaboration of travel tips and stories shared by other bloggers and travelers around the web on Things to do in Vancouver.

We hope these tips and stories will inform and inspire you to visit Vancouver. If you have already travelled to Vancouver, please share a Vancouver travel tip in the comments down below!

Top Recommendations for travel to Vancouver

As part of our city guides series, we interviewed Cameron and Nicole Wears who have lived together in Vancouver over the past 8 years.

They shared with us their insider tips on what to do in Vancouver for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, explore, and hangout.

The guys also have a lot of useful articles over at their site Traveling Canucks. We particularly recommend Visiting Vancouver? Find Out What The Locals Like To Do.

Normally we try and unearth stories and recommendations from the blogosphere, but this page was too useful to leave out.

Every city’s different, but with these handy travel tips about Vancouver, you’ll feel just like a local in no time.
From dog owners to weather worriers to people with questions about accessibility, these tips will help get you ready for your very own adventure.

A view of a city

Of all the cities in the world, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful.The cityscape, usually grey and dreary, is made bright no matter the weather with green spaces, views of snow capped mountains and the ocean breeze. It’s a city ideal for outdoor lovers, foodies and those simply looking to escape inside or out.

A top list of things to do in Vancouver for first timers, as recommended by Murissa Maurice.

There are lots of cool things to do in Vancouver, and there’s no shortage of great sites to see. But what if you’re looking for new and exciting things to add to your Vancouver itinerary? What is there to do for those who want more than just the typical touristy sites? Check out the following options.

Vancouver is a city that hardly sleeps, where you can get take away sushi 24-hours a day and has a forest on the edge of downtown. She is fun, outgoing and romantic, a perfect city to take on a date. Whether traveling alone or with a partner, Vancouver is memorable and satisfying.

A large city with tall buildings
credit: Traveling Canucks

Vancouver with Kids

Gorgeously positioned between the mountains and the sea, our trip around Vancouver was always destined to be a bit of a planes, trains and automobiles adventure! With a little shopping, a little snow and a little lunch in between, this is my kind of holiday, writes Tash McGill.

To help you plan a Vancouver trip for your own family, Trekaroo asked the expert–parents living in Vancouver for their top 10 tips. Here are a few of their favorites, plus advice for getting to Vancouver, saving money, making the most of your stay.

Stanley Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the city, and it’s also a great place to take your kids, whether you’re a tourist or a local. The park is big (1000 acres/400 hectares) with beautiful, big trees, playgrounds, restaurants, beaches, a pool, and much, much more: essentially a one-stop-shop for kid-activities.

More Ideas:

Stanley Park - Things to do in Vancouver, Canada
credit: Matt Chan

Places to eat in Vancouver

If you’re driving into Vancouver over the Lion’s Gate Bridge and through Stanley Park, you will arrive on the border of Coal Harbour and the West End. A quick turn right on Denman will take you into the West End and a great variety of delicious food. Tim & Nat of A Cook Not Mad share their new discoveries and a visit to an old favourite.

In the quest for the next new thing, we sometimes overlook solid performers who aren’t always dominating the day’s headlines — especially in the restaurant world. In Vancouver, you’ll find several excellent eateries that have been quietly serving fine food, even if they’re not trending in your Twitter feed. Here are 5 under-the-radar restaurants to add to your itinerary.

La Casita Tacos - Vancouver, Canada
La Casita Tacos –  credit: a cook not mad

Turn Your Vancouver Visit Into A Longer Holiday

If time is of the essence you can drive between the two cities in as little as 10 hours. And it’s a scenic drive for about 80% of the route. But if you have the time, plan to take three to seven days so you can get out and explore Whistler, four national parks, and the wonderful Okanagan Valley.

snowy mountains

With daily scheduled departures, the Train from Vancouver to Seattle is an easy and fun way to travel for families with children and to avoid the heavy traffic. Its time to take another look at leaving the car behind and enjoy a train ride from downtown Vancouver to downtown Seattle.

Road trip tips: Calgary to Vancouver

Driving between Vancouver to Calgary provides one of most satisfying road trips in Canada, with a number of different routes that’ll take you from towering mountain ranges and emerald lakes to California-style orchards and lakeside beaches. It’s a trip that you could do (in either direction) in anything from three or four days to a couple of weeks.

Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake, Banff National Park - Things to see near Vancouver, Canada
credit: Taylor McBride

Need More Canada Tips?

Plan Your Trip to Vancouver

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Tours in Vancouver

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18 thoughts on “Things to Do in Vancouver”

  1. I was very excited when I saw this post pop up. My next big trip is to Canada starting in Vancouver so these tips and links are going to be so helpful. Thanks guys!

  2. Thank you for the great recommendations, Craig! I made the mistake of visiting Vancouver in the winter and it literally rained every single day. But looking at your photos from the summer, especially the last one, makes me think that I really should give Vancouver a second chance and definitely turn my visit into a longer holiday… 🙂

  3. Vancouver was great when we were there to start our “Big Trip” but unfortunately we were only there for a couple of nights. We absolutely Loved the Granville Market and can’t wait to get back to explore more of that city.

  4. It’s a cool list of things-to-do in Vancouver. The list will be handy for those who are visiting Vancouver for the first time.

  5. We must admit we have never crossed the Atlantic – it’s something to do with the complex visa system. We have heard so much about Vancouver and have always envisaged it to be a really cool place. We are planning a 3 month trip to Canada (have some relatives there so will be travel + family time) in March 2015. Not looking forward to the cold though 🙂

  6. I spent 3 years of my life in Vancouver. I loved walking the city, eating at the funky restaurants, walking along English Bay in the summer and enjoying the numerous beer gardens 🙂 I lived in Robson St, so I was in the heart of the action. Such a beautiful city with views of the mountains wherever you go! Coal Bay and North was also really nice. Also enjoyed going to the Omni theatre at Science world to watch awesome documentaries.

  7. Some other tips for you and your readers. BoltBus offers a great and cheap option to get from Vancouver to Portland or Seattle. Tickets are usually in the 10-20 range for one-way, so it will set you back way less than the train. It’s quick (about 3-4 hours), comfy, and they have free wi-fi too.

    Also, the Pink Pearl in Vancouver has some pretty solid dim sum.

  8. Thanks for all of the advice and recommendations for Vancouver. I’m looking at going in the end of May and was also told that an Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver would be a great way to get there. I looked up ticket prices and it’s very affordable, so I’m looking forward to my train ride!

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