Discover what to do in Vancouver, with advice and full details on the top tours and attractions to get the most out of your Canadian holiday. Vancouver is a seaside city and Canada’s third largest. Therefore, we have put together a list of tours and attractions that cannot be omitted from your Vancouver travel plan:
1) Stanley Park
The first item on our list of things to do in Vancouver is considered the best park in the world by TripAdvisor. Stanley Park in Vancouver is the city’s main attraction and, without a doubt, the best-known park in Canada. The space has more than 400 hectares of vegetation and is completely surrounded by water. The ideal is to set aside a whole day to enjoy and explore the park.
There are countless leisure options, from hiking along the park’s 200km of roads and paths, spending the afternoon on the beach, getting to know and appreciating the various historical and natural monuments, or even visiting the country’s largest aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium, where you can see a wide variety of aquatic animals and even whales.
2) Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium, referred to hereinbefore, forms part of the complex of Stanley Park and is most popular in Canada. It’s among the public’s top-listed visitors’ spots and a great appeal is its attract ion towards kids. The setting of the spot is stunning as well as greatly massive in nature. The center shows of interest comprise dolphins’ shows as well as whales. Aside from offering entertainment, it is also a research facility and specializes in aquatic animal rehabilitation and recovery. Undoubtedly, this is a place that cannot be omitted from your list of activities to do in Vancouver.
3) Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is a mountain that sits just outside the center of Vancouver and is more than 1,230 meters tall. It is accessible year-round, but the most tourists visit it in the winter. It is one of the favorite spots both for Canadians and for tourists. Extreme sporting enthusiasts will adore it because it has more than 20 ski and snowboard slopes.
In the summer, you may hike up Grouse Mountain, take a gondola ride, or even cable car ride down the mountain, just like you do at Sugarloaf Mountain. One of the quirks about the site is that it’s the sanctuary for a couple of Grizzly bears, who’ve been around there for years and walk around freely in the neighborhood. Restaurants and outdoor theatrical productions are also offered at the complex. So make sure to see the schedule, since the activities change during the year and there are a lot of places to visit.
4) Museum of Anthropology
Vancouver Museum of Anthropology is owned by the University of British Columbia. Most of the museum collection is comprised of objects that symbolize Canada’s original inhabitants, i.e., aboriginal people, including giant-sized totem poles, which are plentiful in the area, wood sculptures, and utilitarian items. You also get to see international artifacts as well as objects of art of different nations on the planet, especially from Africa, China, Indonesia, and Oceania. The interest of the museum is to pay homage to the region’s indigenous people’s cultural heritage.
5) Museum of Vancouver (MOV)
Another museum that you can’t miss on your list of things to do is the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) , a complex dedicated to civic history, which was founded in 1894. The site has a collection of objects on the history of Vancouver and Canada, as well as ethnology, Asian and Egyptian antiquities . In addition to the permanent collection, this complex also hosts several temporary exhibitions, which make it even more interesting.
6) Vancouver Maritime Museum
Another museum that we couldn’t leave off our list of things to do in Vancouver is the city’s Maritime Museum. Opened in 1959, this museum is dedicated to the maritime history of Vancouver and Canada. The main exhibit in the complex is the St. Roth , an Arctic exploration ship that was used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The museum also has several models of ships on display, as well as a wealth of information and archives on maritime history. The complex also has temporary exhibitions, so it’s worth checking out and choosing one before your trip.
7) Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano is Vancouver’s most famous beach and a favorite destination for those who spend the summer there. The beach has a heated pool, tennis and basketball courts, a snack bar, a restaurant with ocean views, and a souvenir shop. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the beach, which are used for enjoying the sunset, considered one of the most beautiful in the city.
At Kitsilano Beach, you can also rent equipment for windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding . This is, without a doubt, the ideal activity for those who want to enjoy a sunny day in a cool environment.
8) Long Beach in Tofino
Long Beach was elected as the best beach in Canada. The beach is located on the west coast of Vancouver, and you can go there by bus. The trip will take about 4 hours, but the tour is full of beautiful scenery. While traveling, you will drive through rivers, mountains, lakes and beaches. It is worthwhile! Long Beach is located in a beautiful position, with green mountains all around and a sea whose water is as clear as crystal. Also, you can take deep-sea tours with professional companies and see sea lions and whales there.
9) Granville Island Public Market
Grandville Island is a city market with good food and affordable prices. This is certainly a place worth visiting for those tourists who prefer to taste new flavors. Their menu varies from soups, oriental and local foods. Aside from restaurants, there are also shops that offer meat, fish, spices and homemade sweets.
If going to the market, stop and spend some time in the Granville Island Brewery that brews the best Vancouver voted beer. It is easily found near the market and does have a retail shop where one can buy products as well as a cozy tavern which is well popular too.
10) Gastown neighbourhood of Vancouver
Gastown is the tourist hotspot for shopping. Strolling about the area, you can get anything from souvenirs to quintessential Canadian memorabilia, jewelry, and high-end goods shops. The area is also worth exploring for sightseeing and architecture, as it is extremely quaint, full of small cafes and diners. Make sure you check out the steam clock, a Gastown landmark constructed in 1875.