Few cities sit as close to wild scenery as Vancouver. Glass towers rise from a peninsula ringed by ocean, the snow-capped North Shore Mountains loom just across the harbor, and a rainforest park sits at the edge of downtown.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
June to September for dry, sunny days; spring for cherry blossoms and fewer crowds.
How long
Four days for the city and North Shore; add more for Whistler or Vancouver Island.
Getting there
Vancouver International Airport links to downtown in under half an hour on the Canada Line.
Why visit Vancouver
Vancouver works because nature is never more than a short ride away. The seawall path lets you walk or cycle for kilometers along the water without ever touching a busy road. Within half an hour of downtown you can stand on a suspension bridge above a canyon, hike a steep forest trail or ride a gondola up a mountain.
The city is also one of the most diverse in Canada, and that shows on the table. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Filipino and Vietnamese communities have shaped the food scene, and the Pacific coast supplies salmon, halibut, spot prawns and oysters.
Stanley Park and the downtown waterfront
Stanley Park and the seawall
Stanley Park covers the northwestern half of the downtown peninsula, about four hundred hectares of forest, beaches and gardens surrounded by Burrard Inlet and English Bay. The seawall that rings it is the city's signature outing, roughly nine kilometers of waterfront path with views of the Lions Gate Bridge, the North Shore and the open sea.
Canada Place and Coal Harbour
The white sail-shaped roof of Canada Place is the city's cruise terminal and convention center, and its outdoor promenade is a free viewpoint over the harbor, the floatplanes and the mountains. From here the Coal Harbour walkway runs west toward Stanley Park past marinas and the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter Games.
English Bay and the West End
The West End is a leafy residential neighborhood of apartment blocks and older houses between downtown and Stanley Park. Its shoreline at English Bay Beach is the place to watch sunsets, and the stone Inukshuk sculpture nearby has become a city symbol.
Gastown, Chinatown and Granville Island
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, a district of Victorian brick buildings and cobblestone streets on the edge of downtown. Water Street is the main stretch, with boutiques, galleries and restaurants, and its famous steam clock whistles on the quarter hour.
Chinatown and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, with ornate storefronts, bakeries, herbal shops and the Millennium Gate. Its centerpiece is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, built in the Ming dynasty scholar style with help from experts from Suzhou.
Granville Island
Under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge, this former industrial peninsula is now one of Vancouver's liveliest spots.
Kitsilano Beach
A short walk or ferry ride west of Granville Island, Kitsilano is a relaxed neighborhood of beaches, cafes and yoga studios. Kits Beach has views of downtown and the mountains, and a long outdoor saltwater pool opens in summer.
The North Shore, UBC and city gardens
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
On the University of British Columbia campus at the western tip of the city, this museum is among the best places in the world to see the art of the First Nations of the Northwest Coast.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Across the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver, this private park centers on a suspension bridge that sways 70 meters above the Capilano River. Additional walkways include treetop platforms strung between Douglas firs and a cantilevered cliff walk.
Lynn Canyon Park
For a free alternative, Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver has its own suspension bridge over a forested canyon, plus trails to swimming holes and waterfalls. Allow two hours.
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain rises more than 1,200 meters above North Vancouver, and the Skyride tram whisks you up from the base for views over the whole metro area. In winter it is a ski and snowshoe area; in summer you can watch lumberjack shows, see the wildlife refuge and walk alpine trails.
Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden
Queen Elizabeth Park sits on Little Mountain, the highest point within city limits. A former quarry has been transformed into a sunken garden, and the summit plaza looks north over the skyline.
Planning a trip to Vancouver?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Vancouver on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Seafood is the foundation of Vancouver's food scene. Wild Pacific salmon appears smoked, candied or grilled, halibut and oysters are common on menus, and local spot prawns arrive in late spring for a short season.
Granville Island Public Market is the best one-stop place to sample local produce, cheese, salmon and baked goods.
Popular dishes to try in Vancouver
Where to stay
Downtown, including Coal Harbour and the area around Canada Place, is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, close to the SkyTrain, the waterfront and Stanley Park. Yaletown, a former warehouse district on False Creek, suits travelers who want restaurants and bars on their doorstep.
Kitsilano and the area around Granville Island suit beach lovers and families who want a more laid-back feel, though you will rely on buses or ferries to reach downtown.
Where to stay in Vancouver
Best time to visit
Summer, from late June through September, is the driest and sunniest season, ideal for the seawall, beaches and hiking.
From November to March, Vancouver is mild by Canadian standards but very wet, with frequent gray, rainy days in the city and plenty of snow in the nearby mountains, which makes it ideal for skiing on Grouse, Cypress and Seymour.
Getting there and getting around
Vancouver International Airport is on Sea Island in Richmond. The Canada Line, part of the SkyTrain system, connects the airport with downtown Waterfront Station in under half an hour.
Inside the city, TransLink runs the SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus, a passenger ferry from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start at Canada Place and walk the Coal Harbour waterfront to Stanley Park. Rent a bike and ride the seawall, stopping at Brockton Point and the aquarium.
Second day
Explore Gastown and its steam clock in the morning, then walk to Chinatown and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Third day
Cross to the North Shore by SeaBus or shuttle.
Fourth day
Spend the morning at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, then visit Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Practical tips
- Pack layers and a waterproof jacket at any time of year, as the weather can change quickly.
- Check the official website for current hours and fees at attractions, especially in the off-season.
- Reserve popular restaurants and summer accommodation well in advance.
- Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars, similar to the United States.
- Stay on marked trails in North Shore parks, carry water and start hikes early.
- Bring a valid passport if you are arriving from the United States, and check entry requirements before you travel.
