2 Days in Vancouver for First-Timers: What to Do, See & Eat

One of Canada’s most scenic and well-visited cities, Vancouver is a bucket list destination for many. With a wonderful blend between vibrant city life, natural beauty, and rich culture, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re here for a quick weekend getaway or just passing through, this 2 day Vancouver itinerary will help you make the most of your time.

This itinerary is a wonderful mix of must-visit neighborhoods, adventures into the outdoors, plus a few great places to grab a bite to eat. Prepare to be amazed with everything Vancouver has to offer.

About this Itinerary

This 2 day Vancouver itinerary gives you just enough time to see the best sites while not feeling overly rushed. You will have options to slow down and explore at your own pace or move faster to throw in extra sightseeing. That is up to you.

You’ll spend your first day visiting all the top sites within downtown Vancouver, before crossing over the water to North Vancouver on day two. Here, you’ll spend much more time in the outdoors, exploring forests and trails at the base of the North Shore Mountains.

If you have an extra day in Vancouver, we recommend renting a car and driving over to Squamish. Just an hour north, a visit here is packed with great hiking, rock climbing, good eats, and scenic views.

Best Things to Do with 2 Days in Vancouver

Below is a list of the places to visit if you have 2 days in Vancouver. All of these are included on this Vancouver itinerary.

• Stanley Park
• Gastown
• Granville Island
• Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Lynn Canyon
• English Bay Beach
• Grouse Mountain
• Vancouver Aquarium
• Vancouver Seawall

Best of Vancouver

Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada

Here are the top 10 things to do in city, the perfect list for first timers with limited time.

2 Days in Vancouver Itinerary

Day 1: Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, & Granville Island

Welcome to Vancouver! On your first of two days, you’ll be taking a tour through all the main sites within downtown Vancouver. Explore Vancouver’s most iconic park, stroll along the waterfront, visit the beach, and enjoy some great eats along the way. Be prepared to spend plenty of time up on your feet today.

8:00 AM: Breakfast

Grab a quick breakfast to start your day. Our favorite spot was Mario’s Coffee Express, located near the heart of downtown Vancouver. Two blocks from Coal Harbour is Guffo Café, which gets excellent reviews. For those staying further south, near Granville Island, consider Maxine’s Cafe & Bar, a cute French bistro.

Breakfast at Maxine’s

9:00 AM: Coal Harbour

Coal Harbour provides the perfect intro to Vancouver. You’ll find a waterfront full of fine-dining restaurants, entertainment, sleek high rises, plus some stunning mountain views. This was the first spot we visited while on our trip to Vancouver, and it set the tone for the rest of our time here.

It’s hard to miss Canada Place, the large convention center notable for its iconic white sail design. Canada Place doubles as a port for cruise ships, features a wide range of shops, and a five-star hotel. The best views of Canada Place are further down the waterfront, where you can also enjoy jaw-dropping views of the distant mountains.

Walk the 3 km (1.8 mi) between Canada Place and Stanley Park. You’ll be taking a stroll along a portion of the Vancouver Seawall, the longest continuous waterfront pathway in the world. The Seawall stretches from Coal Harbour, around Stanley Park, and even past Granville Island. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and you may even see a seaplane land on the harbour.

Stanley Park and the Vancouver Seawall

10:00 AM: Stanley Park

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest and most popular attraction. Covering an area of over 1000 acres (405 hectares), this massive park was founded in 1888 as Vancouver’s first park and today receives over 8 million visitors a year.

On this itinerary, you have a little over three hours to spend in Stanley Park. You won’t have enough time to see everything here, but we’ve laid out several recommendations on how best to spend your time here.

Our favorite way to experience Stanley Park was to walk the 6.2 mi (10 km) segment of the Vancouver Seawall that runs along the park’s perimeter. On your walk you’ll pass several beaches, cafes, indigenous sites, and plenty of viewpoints of the city skyline. With three hours, you’d have just enough time to walk the full perimeter, but it could be rushed.

If you’re interested in traveling the full perimeter of Stanley Park without the rush, then how about renting bicycles? There’s a number of bike rental shops just outside the park and cycling around Stanley Park is a popular and fun thing to do.

If walking the seawall doesn’t interest you, consider visiting the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s first and largest aquarium.

1:30 PM: Lunch

You have several options for lunch today. We recommend grabbing lunch at English Bay Beach, where you’ll find plenty of fantastic restaurants only a minute’s walk from the beach. Our recommendations are Cactus Club Cafe and Hook Restaurant. There’s also CRAFT Beer Market for those looking to get their beer fix for the day.

Cactus Club Cafe

Stanley Park Brewing

If you’d like to spend more time in Stanley Park, grab lunch at Stanley Park Brewing. They have a neat rustic vibe and are also a great choice for those looking to sample some locally crafted beer. We also recommend Teahouse in Stanley Park for a classy dining experience with great views.

3:00 PM: English Bay Beach

Just south of Stanley Park, this natural sandy beach is a prime spot to de-stress while in Vancouver and is the city’s most visited beach. On a warm day, soak up the sun and enjoy breathtaking views of the Vancouver skyline with a mountainous backdrop. English Bay Beach also sits along the Vancouver Seawall.

English Bay Beach

The northern end of the beach features a small public park with a collection of laughing bronze statues. Stroll along the beach to the south, where you’ll find Inukshuk, an iconic Inuit stone sculpture. This sculpture was also used in the design of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics logo.

Inukshuk

4:30 PM: Granville Island

Granville Island is a dense cultural hub found directly south of downtown Vancouver. The man-made island was originally an industrial district packed full of factories and mills. Now, this tiny island’s infrastructure has been revamped to house markets featuring artisan crafts and local cuisine, as well as a variety of entertainment options.

The main thing to do on Granville Island is to slow down and wander the streets lined with small shops selling crafts, art, and local delicacies. Make sure to visit Granville’s Public Market, a giant indoor market that used to be a warehouse. You’ll now find an interior packed with stalls selling anything from Indigenous crafts to fresh seafood. This is a great spot to grab an afternoon snack.

You can reach Granville Island via ferry, car, or by foot. Getting to Granville by ferry is the easiest option. The ferry makes constant trips across False Creek throughout the day, with a ride taking less than 5 minutes. From English Bay Beach, it is a 15-minute walk to the Vancouver Aquatic Center, the closest ferry station. Alternatively, you could Uber directly to Granville Island.

Pro Travel Tip: We don’t recommend traveling to Granville Island by car or foot, as there is no direct route and parking is limited. You’ll have to take the large highway that runs over the island, then circle back.

6:30 PM: Dinner

Return to downtown Vancouver for dinner. Our recommendations include Cardero’s at Coal Harbour and Ramen Danbo for the best ramen in Vancouver. We also recommend Suyo, which brings Peruvian culture to Vancouver with a sophisticated and delicious dining experience. Suyo was one of our favorite restaurants in Vancouver. Note it is not within walking distance and is best to get there via a 10-minute Uber ride.

Day 2: Capilano, Lynn Canyon, Grouse Mountain & Gastown

Today is all about enjoying the outdoors. You’ll spend most of your day across the harbour in North Vancouver, at the base of the North Shore Mountains. The main three activities today are Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Lynn Canyon, and Grouse Mountain. You will be able to visit all three, but it will feel rushed. If you’d like to slow things down, we recommend visiting two of your three favorites.

All of the sites today are within a 10-minute drive of each other, making it easy to get from place to place. We recommend either Ubering or renting a car. There is public transit, but this takes significantly longer and will eat up time in your busy day.

8:00 AM: Breakfast

Take your pick from one of many different cafes and coffee shops in Vancouver. For our recommendations, see the first day in this itinerary.

9:00 AM: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a great escape into nature, and only a 15 min drive from downtown Vancouver. With plenty of fun and educational walks, this is the perfect thing to do in Vancouver with kids.

The main attraction here is the giant suspension bridge that crosses over the Capilano River. Spanning 450 feet, this bridge connects the two main areas of the park. On the eastern side, you’ll find the park entrance, restaurants & shops, as well as a cliffside walk where you can get views out over the Capilano River and Suspension Bridge.

The western side of the river hosts most of this park’s attractions. Enjoy walking the number of boardwalk trails that wind around towering evergreen trees and terraced ponds. Take your adventure to new heights by walking along the canopies with the Treetops Adventure. There are also a few lookouts that are worth walking out to.

GETTING HERE: The best way to get here is by car. It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, so we recommend taking an Uber. There are buses that take passengers to Capilano Park, but these take about an hour and are not worth your time on such a tight schedule today.

10:30 AM: Lynn Canyon

Similar to Capilano, Lynn Canyon features a suspension bridge and several walking routes. However, at Lynn Canyon visitors will find a number of expansive hiking trails that lead all throughout the park. You have the option to hike out to a waterfall, stroll along Lynn Creek, and cross over another suspension bridge.

This itinerary has you spending roughly 1.5 hours in both Capilano and Lynn Canyon. It will be slightly rushed, but it is possible to visit the highlights of both if you’re quick. You also have the choice to visit only one of the two, giving yourself more time at your favorite. We preferred Lynn Canyon over Capilano as we had the freedom to explore and relax alongside the creek. While Capilano is geared towards families, Lynn Canyon is a much better choice for adults.

There are more trails to explore at Lynn Canyon, so a visit here can take 1.5 – 3 hours, and it is free! Lynn Canyon is a 10-minute drive from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You can learn more at the official website here.

12:00 PM: Lunch

We recommend staying close for lunch, rather than crossing back over the Vancouver Harbour. Smoke and Bones BBQ and Orto Artisan Pasta both get great reviews and are a short drive away.

2:00 PM: Grouse Mountain

From skiing, hiking, ziplining, and spectacular views of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is your gateway into the North Shore Mountains. The best part is, it’s only a 10-minute drive from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

The best way to experience Grouse is to take the Skyride gondola up year-round to enjoy stunning views of the city. From the main complex on the mountain, you’ll be able to see the full city and surrounding bays and islands. We also recommend riding the Peak Chairlift to reach the peak of Grouse Mountain for even better views. The Peak Chairlift is included within your Mountain Admission Tickets during summer months.

For this itinerary, we recommend the Peak Chairlift for views and spending the rest of your time either exploring the hiking trails or embarking on a zipline tour. There’s also a grizzly bear habitat worth visiting.

If you’re visiting Vancouver in the winter and looking to ski, this is the best place to go that’s a short drive away. Skip Lynn Canyon to give yourself more time for skiing and grab lunch at the Grouse ski resort.

You can find more detailed information on tickets, hours of operation, and activities at the Grouse Mountain official website.

5:00 PM: Gastown

Gastown is the historic heart and old town of Vancouver. This old Victorian-style neighborhood, with its cobbled streets and number of great shops and restaurants, is a must-see while in Vancouver.

The Gastown Steam Clock is the most iconic sight within Gastown. It is one of the few remaining steam clocks in the world and resembles a mini Big Ben. The Gastown Steam Clock constantly hisses with steam, and every 15 minutes the clock chimes with the sound of a train horn.

6:30 PM: Dinner in Gastown

Gastown makes a great spot for a food tour in Vancouver. Some of our favorites were The Old Spaghetti Factory, Clough Club, and Guilt & Co. There’s plenty of great options to pick from in Gastown, and it’s impossible to go wrong.

If you want to keep the party going, we highly recommend visiting R&B Ale & Pizza House after dinner. It’s a bit far, with a 35-minute walk, so we recommend a short Uber. Out of all the bars we visited, this was our favorite. With great food and beers brewed in house, not to mention a super lively atmosphere, it’s no wonder this is a hit amongst locals and tourists alike.

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Best Time to Visit Vancouver

Vancouver has a temperate climate and never gets too warm or cold during the summer and winter months. Temperatures range from 38°F (3°C) in the winter to 75°F (24°C) in the summer. However, do expect a lot of overcast days from November to April, with higher chances for precipitation.

We recommend traveling to Vancouver in the summer months between mid-May and mid-September. You’ll have the best weather with the highest chance for warm, sunny days. Plus, with average highs around 75°F, it will never be too hot to get out and be active in and around Vancouver. If traveling in the summer months, do expect higher crowds and therefore more expensive hotel costs.

If you’re interested in skiing while in Vancouver, travel anytime between November and February for the best snow.

How to Get Around Vancouver

Vancouver is a very walkable city, with most of the top attractions located in the small but dense downtown area. We walked everywhere within downtown Vancouver and rented a car to drive to spots further like Grouse Mountain and Squamish.

Vancouver also has plenty of public transit options, such as a vast bus system that will take you to pretty much all of the top spots on our list. You can find detailed information on their bus, metro, ferry, and SkyTrain timetables and tickets at the official website here. 

Where to Stay

For mid-range travelers, we recommend Times Square Suites Hotel (take your pick from a wide variety of apartments…great for families!), Sonder at Revival (spacious rooms and a wide variety of room types), and Sonder The Sunset (studios and one-bedroom apartments near the city center).

For budget travelers, HI Vancouver Downtown is a hostel that gets the best reviews in Vancouver. It is located in Davie Village near the city center.

L’Hermitage Hotel and Exchange Hotel Vancouver are two 4-star hotels in the city center that get wonderful reviews.

For the ultimate in luxury, we recommend Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Loden Vancouver.

If you have any questions about how to spend 2 days in Vancouver, let us know in the comment section below.

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