Visiting Vancouver and its region is discovering a city regularly ranked among the best in the world to live in. Located on the Pacific coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia, between ocean and mountains, this western Canadian city enjoys an exceptional location. It offers different natural landscapes and allows you to practice a multitude of activities. Whether you visit in winter, summer or spring, you'll always find something to see and do in Vancouver!
To organize your trip well, we have prepared a list of all the places of interest not to be missed.
What to see in Vancouver
Gastown
The Gastown neighborhood is one of the oldest areas of the city, with a typical English architecture, with four-storey buildings and with wide sidewalks for strolling. The area retains the charm of what the city was in the beginning.
Today the neighborhood is one of the liveliest areas in Vancouver as it has many cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as numerous architectural firms and offices. But what this neighborhood is famous for is the steam clock, the Steam Clock, located at the intersection of Water Street and Cambie Street.
It is a standing clock, of Victorian design but of current manufacture (1977) whose main function was to cover a street steam grill. About every thirty minutes steam is seen coming out of the chimneys located on the small roof that covers the clock.
Stanley Park
It is the largest urban park in all of Canada. It has two lakes and miles and miles of roads and trails for biking, skating or walking while enjoying the bay views.
Stanley Park is located in the northern part of the peninsula and right next to the city center, making it a perfect place to visit at any time. Within the perimeter of the park are the Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon. On the southeastern tip of the peninsula we find the totem poles, replicas of the originals sculpted by the natives of the region centuries ago.
The Vancouver Aquarium, the waterfront (Vancouver Seawall) and beaches such as English Bay or Kitsilano Beach are other places that can be visited in the vicinity of Stanley Park.
Granville Island
Grandville Island is an island located on False Creek and can be reached by bus or ferry. It is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city, with a relaxed and bohemian vibe.
It has a fresh produce market, one of the most emblematic places in the city, with a great variety of stalls and an area with many options to eat, buy handicrafts or have a beer or a coffee. It is a perfect place to spend the day and one of the best places to see in Vancouver
It is advisable to use public transport rather than take your own car, parking areas are limited and it is a very popular place.
Science World
Located east of False Creek, Science World is an interactive science museum, one of the top things to see in Vancouver, especially for lovers of science and technology. From the outside you can admire the spherical construction of the building, surprisingly illuminated at night. It is one of the most representative elements of the skyline of this city.
Many fun activities and permanent and temporary exhibits are offered to understand everything on the subject of physics. The museum is a perfect place if you don't know what to do in Vancouver when it rains.
Vancouver lookout
To admire the city from above it is possible to climb to the top of theHarbour Center, a skyscraper located in the financial district of the city and one of the most emblematic points of Vancouver.
The glass elevator gives a good idea of ​​the speed at which you go up, that is, in just 40 seconds. Once at the top, 170 meters above the ground, you have a 360 ° panoramic view of the city and the harbor.
Il Admission it is valid all day but the best time to go up is late in the afternoon when you can admire the sunset and the city lights.
Chinatown
It is the second largest Chinatown in North America, after San Francisco. You cannot miss this area with its impressive entrance gate, the Millennium Gate, its merchants and its Chinese restaurants. If you are looking for cheap souvenirs, this is the place to go.
Don't miss the Classic Garden of Doctor Sun Yat-Sen, entirely built with materials imported from China. It was built in 1985 in Vancouver City's Chinatown, created by landscapers from the land of the rising sun. Definitely one of the must see places in Vancouver!
Vancouver Art Gallery
Thanks to Vancouver's modern character, art is one of the most important spaces within this cutting-edge Canadian city. There Vancouver Art Gallery is one of the greatest exponents of modern art in the whole country, which in addition to its large permanent and itinerant collections stands out for being located in an imposing neoclassical building specifically in the former provincial court. Whether you are an art lover or not, the Vancouver Art Gallery is a must see.
Suspension bridge of Capilano
This suspension bridge is located in an adventure park north of the city of Vancouver and is famous for its impressive dimensions. It measures more than 130 meters in length and is located about 70 meters from the Capilano River. Without a doubt, it is not a place to visit if you suffer from vertigo, although we recommend that you overcome this fear as the views from this bridge are unique.
You can reach the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Treetops Adventure and the thrilling Cliffwalk with a tour that offers shuttle service from downtown Vancouver.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Another way to enjoy nature is to see the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Its 7.500 varieties of plants from all corners of the planet and its extraordinary landscape are definitely worth a visit. Waterfalls, bridges, ponds and even an Elizabethan labyrinth will make you spend a pleasant day.
Although the best time to visit is in spring-summer, the garden remains open all year round.
Vancouver Aquarium
The aquarium is another interesting place to see in Vancouver. It is not only an aquarium, but it is also a marine research center whose goal is the rehabilitation of animals and the conservation of their natural spaces.
Located in Stanley Park, this aquarium is also the largest in Canada. With its 50.000 animals and 11 aquatic themes, it attracts young and old alike who come to admire otters, belugas, reptiles, seals, penguins and other various fish. It also offers numerous workshops, 30 exhibitions, 20 shows, some of them in 4D. Buy your ticket here to visit it.
Queen Elizabeth Park
If you like gardens, Queen Elizabeth Park is the perfect place to see in Vancouver. It is full of beautifully landscaped gardens. The landscapes created by the gardening specialists who take care of this park are a work of art. This park is also one of the highest points in the city, so the views from here are magnificent.
Lynn canyon park
Among the things to see in Vancouver is this fantastic natural park. It is located in the North Vancouver district and has more than 250 hectares of land with a rich lush vegetation, so much so that this park has served as the stage for various television series such as the Stargate saga.
In the park there are numerous trails and routes of varying difficulty for hiking. Don't miss the Baden-Powell Trail which crosses Lynn Canyon via a fantastic suspension bridge, which swings 50 meters above the canyon.
Canada Place
Canada Place, built for the 86 EXPO and now home to the large cruise ship terminal for Alaska, is one of Vancouver's most unique and striking buildings. It has a roof with five white sails that decorate the Vancouver skyline.
In addition to the cruise ship terminal, the building also houses the corporate offices of Port Metro, the Vancouver Convention Center, the Pan Pacific Hotel, the World Trade Center Office Complex and FlyOver Canada.
Curiosity: on the roof of the Pan Pacific Hotel there are “The Heritage Horns”, 10 huge horns that play the first 4 notes of the Canadian anthem at noon, announcing that it's time for lunch.
Vancouver Island
Although Vancouver Island is further away, it is a must visit if traveling to British Columbia. The ferry crossing takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The main tourist attraction is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, located at the southern end of the island. Here you will find calm and English charm, with its Victorian architecture, its flower gardens, its boats, its parliament and its tea rooms.
If you have some time (the island is 4 times Corsica), go to Tofino, an authentic fishing village in the west of the island. East, Cathedral Grove it is the perfect place to contemplate the beauty of the Douglas Fire trees. Some of them are nearly 800 years old, 50 meters tall and nine meters in circumference.
To end your trip, stop at Telegraph Cove, further north, and do aexcursion to see orcas and whales. It is the best place in the world.
Whistler
Whistler is a popular ski resort located approximately 2 hours drive from Vancouver. It is one of the largest ski resorts in North America and is known for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Of course you can find ski slopes but also hiking trails, spas, golf courses and many shops, as well as bars and restaurants.
This organized tour away from the city gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonders that surround Vancouver and Whistler.
What to do in Vancouver
The Canadian city is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors with an incomparable nature just a few steps from home. It is one of the few places where you can ski in the mountains, relax on the beach and play a round of golf, all on the same day.
FlyOver Canada
Canada Place is also home to a must-see attraction on this Vancouver tour, FlyOver Canada. This attraction allows you to fly over Canadian landscapes and cities in just 8 minutes and comfortably seated in your seat. It is a'4D experience. With a giant screen, dynamic seats and wind tunnel effects, you'll feel like you're visiting Canada by plane.
Join a hockey game
During your Canada tour, I recommend that you go to an ice hockey game at least once. The atmosphere during the matches is simply fantastic. In Vancouver you will have to support the Canucks, the city team.
Visit Grouse Mountain
Climbing Grouse Mountain is another essential Vancouver activity. It is located in North Vancouver and is the closest mountain to the city. There are two options to climb to the top. You can reach the summit by trekking which, although it is not very long, about 4 km, has an incline of 800 m, so the incline is quite enough. The second option is by chairlift.
Where to stay in Vancouver
Now that you know what to do in Vancouver, it's time to find accommodation. Although the city is one of the most expensive in the country, we can only advise you to find accommodation in the city center to be close to the main attractions.
On the other hand, East Hasting street is really to be avoided as it is the refuge of the homeless and drug addicts. Do not hesitate to take a look at our article "Which neighborhood to stay in in Vancouver ".
Find and book accommodation in Vancouver
