Located between breathtaking mountain ranges and the Salish Sea, Vancouver is a vibrant coastal city renowned for its natural scenery. With numerous outdoor activities that can be found year-round in Vancouver’s mountains, forests, and bays, there’s fun to be had for everyone. And it’s not just the natural beauty of the region that draws millions of tourists a year. Vancouver also boasts a rich cultural scene with plenty of arts and music festivals, and a wide range of fantastic cuisines and locally crafted brews.
With so much to see and do, we’ve narrowed it down to our top 10 best things to do in Vancouver, so you can jump right into the best this beautiful city has to offer.
Most of the best things to do are located within downtown Vancouver. Vancouver is very densely packed with fine-dining restaurants, grand hotels, beautiful parks, and galleries for the arts. The downtown area is almost completely surrounded by water, featuring a 28 km (17 mi) continuous waterfront pathway where pedestrians can enjoy the best views of the city’s bays and beaches.
Best Things to Do in Vancouver
1. 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.
Visitors to Vancouver could very well spend a full day exploring Stanley Park. Our favorite way to experience the park is to walk the 6.2-mile (10 km) section of the Vancouver Seawall that runs along the perimeter of Stanley Park. On your walk you’ll pass several beaches, cafes, indigenous sites, and viewpoints out over the city. On a warm, sunny day, this is easily one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
Other notable things to see in Stanley Park include the Vancouver Aquarium, the Totem Poles, and enjoy the view from Brockton Point Lighthouse. You can also rent bicycles just outside the park for a more fun way to get around. For those looking to sample some local beer, stop by Stanley Park Brewing.
2. 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 a late breakfast or lunch.
A visit to Granville Island can take 1 – 2 hours.
How to Get To Granville Island: 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. There are several ferry stations along False Creek that can take riders to Granville Island. To learn more about taking the ferry, see the official website.
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.
3. Wander through 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.
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Gastown also makes a great spot for a food tour in Vancouver. Some of our favorites were The Old Spaghetti Factory, Clough Club, and Guilt & Co.
4. 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.
Cliffwalk
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.
We recommend arriving before 11:00am on weekdays, as parking can fill up pretty early. A visit here can take anywhere from 1 – 2 hours. For more information, visit the official website.
5. Lynn Canyon
Looking to avoid the crowds at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and find more immersive trails into nature? Then Lynn Canyon Park is your way to go.
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, get up-close with Lynn Creek, and cross over another suspension bridge.
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.
A visit here can take 1.5 to 3 hours and it is free! You can learn more at the official website.
6. Grouse Mountain
From skiing, hiking, ziplining, and spectacular views of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is your gateway into the North Shore Mountains. Only a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, Grouse is a local ski resort with plenty of year-round attractions.
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.
In the winter, gear up with some skis, glide down the slopes and admire the beautiful Vancouver backdrop. In the summer, shed your skis for a pair of hiking poles, or for a harness and embark on a zipline tour or Mountain Ropes Adventure. Don’t forget to say hi to Grinder and Coola at the grizzly bear habitat!
You can find more detailed information on tickets, hours of operation, and activities at the Grouse Mountain official website.
7. 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, a 28 km (17 mi) long waterfront pathway.
Inukshuk
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.
There are plenty of fantastic restaurants right along the main road, some of which overlook the beach. We recommend grabbing a bite at Cactus Club Cafe. Here I had my favorite lunch while in Vancouver!
Cactus Club Cafe
8. Vancouver Aquarium
Having opened in 1956 as Canada’s first and currently largest aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium is a must-see for lovers of marine life. Located within Stanley Park, this massive attraction is open year-round and a great visit for all ages.
We recommend spending a few hours here to wander the exhibits. With over 65,000 animals, it’ll be tough not to find something that could impress you. To learn more about visiting the Vancouver Aquarium, visit their website.
9. Day Trip to Squamish
For those with plenty of time in Vancouver, we recommend making the day trip up into Squamish, the adventure capital of Canada. Less than an hour drive north of downtown Vancouver, Squamish is a town surrounded by mountains and perfect for those looking to enjoy the beauty of British Columbia.
Hike to the summit of the iconic Stawamus Chief, the giant granite monolith that towers over Squamish. Rock climb hundreds of routes within Smoke Bluffs Park. With plenty of great rock climbing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and snowshoeing, there’s adventure to be had any time of year.
Most people will drive past Squamish on their way to Whistler, one of the largest ski resorts in all of North America. But with plenty of adventure to be had here, it’s definitely worth spending the extra day here.
Our Guides on Squamish
10. Take a Stroll along the Vancouver Seawall
One of the best ways to tour Vancouver is to simply walk along the waterfront. Stretching from Coal Harbour, along the outskirts of Stanley Park and even past Granville Island, the Vancouver Seawall is the longest continuous waterfront pathway in the world. Along the way you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and harbors.
Many of the other best things to do in this article are located along the seawall, such as Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, Science World, and Canada Place. No matter where you are along the waterfront, the views are sure to be astonishing.
Vancouver Seawall
Coal Harbour
We recommend walking the 3 km (1.8 mi) segment along Coal Harbour (between Canada Place and Stanley Park). Along the way there’s a handful of fine-dining restaurants, and the views of North Vancouver are absolutely breathtaking (you may even see a seaplane land on the harbour). Here’s a map of the Seawall.
More Things to Do in Vancouver
Here are a few more ideas of things to do on your trip to Vancouver.
1. Canada Place
Canada Place is a large convention center that sits along Coal Harbour. Notable for its iconic white sail design, the convention center doubles as a port for cruise ships, and also features a wide range of shops and a five-star hotel. Walk further down the waterfront to enjoy a jaw-dropping view of Canada Place and the distant mountains.
2. Spend an Afternoon Brewery Hopping
One of our top experiences in Vancouver was bouncing between some of the city’s top breweries and pubs. What better way to tour a city than by enjoying some of the finest locally brewed beer?
Perfect for a rainy day, we recommend mapping out a handful of brewpubs within the city. We ordered a flight at each of our stops to sample as much as possible, and at every stop we found something new we loved.
We recommend Stanley Park Brewing, CRAFT Beer Market, and R&B Ale & Pizza House. All three had fantastic selections of locally brewed beer (some of which is brewed in-house!), and great atmospheres.
3. Science World
Full of fun and interactive exhibits, Science World is a good spot to take kids while traveling in Vancouver. This is a place for your young ones to learn more about topics ranging from Earth’s history to human anatomy. If you’re not traveling with kids or have limited time in Vancouver, you may be better off seeing something else.
We found the exhibits to be geared towards small children, with many concepts being pretty basic. Still, we found room for fun even as college students. The 2nd floor is full of interactive exhibits that test physical and mental abilities, such as reaction time, flexibility, and grip strength. Testing our skills here was a fun challenge that made our visit worth it.
Learn more on the official website.
4. Classical Chinese Garden
A quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden provides visitors with a moment of serenity. Tucked away on the western edge of Downtown Vancouver, just south of Gastown, this Chinese Garden is certainly a hidden gem. You’ll find a zen combination of Imperial Chinese architecture, tranquil ponds, stone walkways, and lush plant life.
A visit here takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Learn more on the official website.
5. Whale Watching
Who doesn’t want to see Orcas and Humpback Whales in their natural habitat? Consider spending a half-day on a boat tour through the Salish Sea for your chance to spy some of British Columbia’s amazing marine wildlife.
6. Seaplane Tour
We’ve discussed seeing Vancouver by land and by sea, but what about from the air? On a seaplane tour, admire views of the city’s most iconic sights from the air, as well as the surrounding mountain ranges.
7. Vancouver Lookout
For 360° views of downtown Vancouver, ride the glass elevator up to the top of the Vancouver Lookout tower. For a unique dining experience with a great view, enjoy a meal at the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant.
The Vancouver Lookout is open every day from 10am to 6pm. You can find more information on their website.
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 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.
Best Tours in Vancouver
From food tours to day trips, here are some of the highest rated tours in Vancouver that make great additions to your trip.
Tours of Vancouver
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Vancouver, let us know in the comment section below.
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