There’s something about being surrounded by dazzling wild nature that makes you want to dive straight in to explore, and Vancouver gives plenty of opportunity to indulge. Join its sporty locals running, climbing, biking, and paddling the city parks, mountains and waters – just minutes from the downtown core – to understand why Vancouver so frequently makes it into the top of any Most Liveable City poll.
Within that compact downtown there’s also a treasure trove of arts and culture to explore; although a young city, Vancouver has a storied past, and thanks to the Indigenous Peoples of the Musquem, Tsleil-Watuth and Squamish First Nations, a fascinating depth of culture.
For those considering an extended stay or seeking a more homelike experience while exploring the city's culture, Vancouver Apartments at britishcolumbiahotels.net offers a variety of accommodations to suit your needs.
Below our expert shares her tips for the best attractions in Vancouver. For further inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants and bars, plus how to spend a weekend in Vancouver. Moreover, if you're in search of top-rated accommodations that align with your preferences and budget, tophotels.com is an excellent resource to help you find the perfect stay.
West End
Learn the secrets of the forest with a First Nations guide
Join one of the Talaysay Cultural Ambassadors to discover the rich heritage and living culture of the Coast Salish First Nation. Learn how plants and trees provided everything from medicine and food to clothing, shelter and transport – the myriad uses for cedar alone are amazing. Taste wild salmonberries (which do not taste fishy) and hear traditional songs and perhaps learn a few words of Squamish.
Insider tip: Book a Talaysay tour at the start of your time in Vancouver to gain a deeper understanding of the Skwxu7mesh Uxwumixw – Coast Salish People and their traditional unceded territory, where Vancouver now stands. Far more than just a city tour, the Talaysay experience shines a fascinating light on one element of the Indigenous experience in Canada.
Contact:talaysay.com
Price: £
Book a Talaysay tour to gain a deeper understanding of the Coast Salish people
Dive into marine life at the aquarium
As well as being one of the city’s most popular attractions, handily placed in the heart of Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium operates as a centre for marine research, conservation and marine animal rehabilitation. The perfect rainy day activity, it’s home to more than 50,000 animals covering 30 exhibits from the tropics to the Arctic. Don’t miss snapping an arty silhouette photo by the jellyfish wall.Timed entry tickets are sold online due to capacity limits.
Insider tip: Currently suspended due to Covid, but check if the program is running again.Children will enjoy the Animal Encounters sessions (reservations recommended) where they can touch, feed and play with critters such as sea turtles and adorable sea otters under the guidance of professional trainers.
Contact: vanaqua.org
Price: £
The Vancouver Aquarium serves as a hub for studying marine life, protecting the environment, and rehabilitating marine animals.
Experience the thrills of cycling along the world's longest unbroken waterside path
Embarking on a cycling adventure through Stanley Park offers quintessential Vancouver moments. The fully paved Seawall stretches out over a comfortable five-and-a-half miles of flat terrain, making it an ideal leisurely activity. Equip yourself with a camera and a water bottle in preparation for the stunning views that you'll encounter, which include: the majestic Lion's Gate Bridge, the intricate masterpiece of Elek Imredy's 'Girl in a Wetsuit' bronze statue, and the historically rich totem poles at Brockton Point. Other than man-made marvels, the natural beauty is breathtaking, ranging from the rugged charm of the North Shore Mountains to serene sandy beaches shielded by cedar, hemlock, and Sitka spruce trees.
Expert tip: The park takes on a vibrant surge of colors in the spring and summer, with the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron gardens standing out as particularly stunning. It's well worth exploring the small road diverging from the main cycling path to take in this riot of color. Bike hire is available from numerous providers on Denman Street, near the park's entrance. Spokes comes recommended.
For more information, visit: vancouver.ca
Estimated cost: None
Biking along the Stanley Park Seawall is a quintessential Vancouver experience you should not miss
Bask in the ambience and observe the local scene
The bustling and vivid pocket of Vancouver known as the West End offers a stunning array of temptations. Its beachfront, the renowned Stanley Park, the Festival of Lights during summer, and a high-spirited Pride festival are only some of the highlights. When it comes to food, your international palate has options. Opt for the life-altering deep-fried pickles and tender brisket from Buckstop, relish the savoury Five Spice Pork Belly Banh Mi at Café Phin and Pho, or savour sushi from Yummy to Go. With food in hand, head over to English Bay to soak in the vibrant local culture under a gradually setting sun.
Additional note: It's important to mention that at Vancouver's parks and beaches, alcohol consumption is strictly allowed in marked areas. Keep in mind to enjoy your beverages within these designated boundaries to sidestep an unwelcome $230 fine and the seizure of your drinks! The city's law enforcers are notoriously committed to applying this regulation.
Granville Island
Take in the glittering skyline from False Creek
It’s well worth heading out for a paddle at False Creek to see the glittering skyscrapers and soaring mountains of Vancouver from a different perspective.Vancouver Water Adventures rent out stand-up paddleboards, jetskis and kayaks, but it’s fun (and likely safer for newbies) to join a guided tour from their Granville Island location to take in the sights (hopefully including seals, herons and eagles) and hear stories of the city.
Insider tip: Splurge on a dinner trip with a difference and book a guided Seadoo (jetski) tour to nearby Bowen Island, splash through English Bay and Howe Sound, snap photos of the seal colony and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before zipping back as the sun sets.
Contact:vancouverwateradventures.com
Price:£
Paddleboards and kayaks are rented out at False Creek; or you can join a guided tour
Downtown
Stop for a culture fix in the heart of the city
Architecture fans will love the F.M Rattenbury-designed Vancouver Art Gallery, which was originally Vancouver’s law courts; the elegant staircase is a work of art all by itself. The gallery is an easily managed dip into culture, spread across three relatively compact floors, (there are plans to move to a larger space in 2023). Start with the permanent collection of Emily Carr and the Group of Seven, before exploring what’s new in the visiting collections.
Insider tip:Check to see if one of the FUSE after hours events is scheduled during your visit; pre-booked tickets are essential for this fun night of dancing, drinking, interactive art and experimental installation work.
Contact: vanartgallery.bc.ca
Nearest metro: Vancouver City Centre
Price: £
Vancouver Art Gallery Credit: Ian Lefebvre
Chinatown
Sip tea in a classic Chinese garden
Vancouver has one of the highest concentrations of overseas Chinese people in North America, and a long history of Chinese Canadians. Constructed from hand-fired roof tiles, carved woodwork, lattice windows, and prized limestone rocks from Lake Tai, the Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden was the first authentic Chinese garden built outside China. Take a tour and enjoy a tea ceremony and learn about the Tao principals of yin and ying; the more you understand, the more significance this tranquil garden reveals.
Insider tip: One of the most extraordinary facts of this beautiful spot is that it was wholly constructed in dougong style without using glue, nails or screws.Time slot tickets are available online.
Contact: vancouverchinesegarden.com
Price: £
Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden was the first authentic Chinese garden built outside China
Point Grey
See a world-famous statue up close
Although somewhat out of the way at the UBC campus, it’s well worth the trip to the Museum of Anthropology to admire 'The Raven and the First Men', Bill Reid’s large shining yellow cedar sculpture which shows the Haida legend of when Raven found the first humans in a clamshell on the beach. Home to the largest collection of Pacific Northwest First Nations art, this is a rare chance to explore this captivating style.
Insider tip: Amble over to the neighbouring Nitobe Memorial Garden, a ravishing Japanese garden cultivated to delight the sense year-round, but especially lovely in spring and autumn with cherry blossoms and maple leaves.
Contact: moa.ubc.ca
Price: £
'The Raven and the First Men'
East Vancouver
Party at the PNE
From big name live music shows to farmers’ markets, and the annual fun festival that is the summer fair, the Pacific National Exhibition - or PNE - just 10 minutes from downtown Vancouver is where locals go to let their hair down. The summertime fair is unmissable if you are in the city; running from late August till early September, it showcases outrageously calorific North American-style fair food at its very best from double-donut fried chicken burgers and rainbow-dyed gooey grilled cheese sandwiches to lava whip soft serve; attractions include the impeccably trained Superdogs troupe, and adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters and rides. Retro live acts such as Culture Club and the Pointer Sisters play each night. The fair returns for Fright Night around Hallowe’en for a spooky-themed thrills and chills with elaborate haunted houses and rides.
Insider tip: If the Smoke & Bones BBQ stall is open for business, loosen your belt, grab a stack of napkins and dive into one of their sauce-smothered brisket and ribs platters for the ultimate in carnivorous gluttony.
Contact:pne.ca
Price: £
North Vancouver
Rise above Vancouver
Grouse Mountain acts as an all-day hot spot perfect for outdoor adventure seekers. Traverse its verdant trails, learn about the local wildlife from expert rangers, or skim up and down with thrilling ski lifts. You may also indulge in enlightening films at the Theatre in the Sky adorned with advanced high-definition technology. However, the crown jewel of the experience is the Skyride tramway which ascends to a breathtaking 1,100m (3,700 feet) in a span of 12 minutes. The ride rewards you with stunning vistas of verdant Douglas firs, the infinite Pacific Ocean, and the dazzling charm of Vancouver.
A little advice: Relish the essence of Canada as you bite into a Beaver Tail. This is a delectable fried, flat doughnut coated in sweet maple sugar. To add to the fun, enjoy absolutely free access to the Lumberjack show known for its theatrics blended with engaging humor.
For more information, visit: grousemountain.com
Price Level: £
Riding the Skyride tramway alone is worth the admission to Grouse Mountain