Looking for the best things to do in Vancouver, Canada? You’re in the right spot! Vancouver is an incredible city to visit surrounded by beautiful mountains, vibrant rainforests, skyscrapers and the Pacific Ocean. We’re so excited to share our top things to do in Vancouver with tips on where to stay and how to get around.
Vancouver is the most populous city in Western Canada and the third biggest city in the country. If you love cities, beaches and mountains – Vancouver is the perfect spot for you.
The city ranks in the world’s top ten most livable cities in the world!
We lived in Vancouver for one year and completely fell in love with the lifestyle. We explored every weekend and always found something fun to do! This is when our Vancouver bucket list started.
So after our experience in Vancouver, we’ve created this travel guide, with the top 25 best things to do in Vancouver including hiking, skiing, city walks & more!
If you’ve been wondering what to do in Vancouver, this guide will help you create the perfect Vancouver bucket list for your next trip to the city! We’ll also share some activities you may want to book in advance!
This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you.
Vancouver is one of our favourite cities in the world and we were lucky to call it home for one year! We went camping in the summer and skiing in the winter and were never bored! From discovering new cafes to hiking on Sunday mornings, we adore Vancouver and the PNW.
There are so many areas to explore, so we’ll try our best to share them with you during this Vancouver bucket list. The best things to do in Vancouver can be found inside the city, inside the parks and in the beautiful mountains. Let’s find out what to do in Vancouver!
Planning the Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada
- Currency – Canadian Dollar $ (compare the currency here)
- Renting a Car in Vancouver – Evo Car Share or Discover Cars – Browse prices here!
- Most Popular Vancouver Activity – Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver
- Best City Tour – Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Granville Island & Stanley Park
- Most Unique Activity – Vancouver Seaplane Tour
Other Vancouver guides – The 12 Best Easy Hikes in Vancouver, Bowen Island Day Trip from Vancouver & The Best Vegan Restaurants in Vancouver!
Where to stay in Vancouver
The best area to stay in Vancouver is close to downtown, preferably on the west side. Mount Pleasant and Kitsilano are always great areas.
- Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA $$ – A beautiful hotel in Coal Harbour with amazing views! – Find the Booking.com link here!
- YWCA Hotel Vancouver $$ – A modern hotel with private rooms right in the centre of downtown Vancouver – Find the Booking.com link here!
- Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park $$-$$$ – The easiest access to Stanley Park in Vancouver – Find the Booking.com link here!
Top 25 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada
Whether you are a city person or prefer to be in nature, Vancouver is the perfect city to visit. Here’s our list of the best things to do in Vancouver!
1. Find the Totem Poles in Stanley Park
If you wander over to downtown Vancouver, you’ll definitely find Stanley Park, one of the largest parks in an urban city. On the east side of the park near Brockton Point, you can find Totem Poles (a type of northwest coast art)!
Totem poles are monuments created by First Nations of the Pacific Northwest to represent and commemorate ancestry, history, people, or events. You will find many Totem Poles all over British Columbia! Spotting them in Stanley Park is something to add to your things to do in Vancouver list.
2. Eat everything at Richmond Night Market!
Just below Vancouver is a city called Richmond, you can get there by the sky train from Vancouver and it almost feels like the same city! In the summer months, Richmond hosts the largest night market in North America – The Richmond Night Market!
It’s very popular with locals from Vancouver and people from around the world. The night market can be compared to those in parts of Asia and you will find some incredible food. Even as vegans, we found a few dishes (yes Beaver Tails are vegan!).
Check out their website to see how to get tickets for your weekend in Vancouver! – Richmond Night Market Website 2024! We had to add it to our best things to do in Vancouver!
We also have a few more Vancouver articles, if you’re interested in a Day Trip to Bowen Island, The Sunshine Coast or 3 month Canadian Road Trip itinerary!
3. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Garden
One of Vancouver’s tourist attractions, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a beautiful home to miniature trees, koi fish, and many different plants brought from China.
It is extremely unique for western Canada and it’s only a small admission fee to see the garden. You can buy those tickets online via their website Vancouver Chinese Garden. There is a neighbouring park that is free to enter, definitely worth checking out on your weekend in Vancouver.
4. Indulge in a Cartems Donut!
Cartems donuts could be one of the best things to do in Vancouver, or maybe one of the best donuts to eat! Serving donuts made from scratch at two locations in Vancouver, this donut shop will satisfy your taste buds!
They serve many flavours, and almost all of them are vegan friendly, with gluten-free options too. Grab one to go whilst you’re out for the day! You’ll want to grab one every weekend in Vancouver after this!
Check out Cartems delicious menu here – Cartems Donut website
Hop on a Sea Vancouver City and Harbour Tour to discover the best things to do in Vancouver by boat. We missed our chance to do a boat tour whilst living in Vancouver, but we took our kayak out on the water many times!
5. See a sunset on Sunset Beach
After a long day of seeing the best places in Vancouver, you can relax on the beach to a lovely sunset. Sunset Beach and English Bay both look out towards the west side of Vancouver, where the sun will set over the sea. This is the best time to chill and plan what to do in Vancouver.
With beautiful views of the water and the mountains in front of you, a sunset ends a perfect day and it’s one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
6. Look over Vancouver with a visit to Queen Elizabeth Park
Did you know Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest point in Vancouver? It’s full of nature featuring roses, bamboo, a pond with ducks and you can even see a view over downtown with the mountains which now look huge!
This park also features the stunning Bloedel Conservatory, an indoor tropical garden that you can visit for a small price. Find tickets on their website here – Bloedel Conservatory website. As the public transport is amazing in Vancouver, it’s easy to make your way here for a stroll or perhaps an opportunity for a picnic!
Looking for more things to do near Vancouver? Check out our 3 Day Itinerary on the Sunshine Coast! A beautiful set of islands only a weekend away from Vancouver.
7. Feel the nature in Lynn Canyon
Lynn Canyon is located in North Vancouver, which is only a public bus away from Vancouver city centre. You may have seen many amazing pictures on social media of the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Did you know Lynn Canyon Park also has a suspension bridge and it’s free?! There are several hikes for you to do here for a refreshing day out of the city and to get lost in nature! Check out their website here!
One of the best things to do from Vancouver is to take a day trip to Victoria – the capital of British Columbia. In one day you can visit Victoria, the Butchart Gardens and a ferry ride to Vancouver Island – Find tickets here!
8. Shop at Granville Market
Granville Island is home to one of Vancouver’s public markets, fresh food from the field or the oven, you can find tasty treats everywhere you look. With many dining options and boutique shops, you can spend a morning here browsing what this island has to offer.
Join a Food Walking Tour of Granville Island Public Market to find the best food to eat guided by a local chef! From artisanal chocolates to fresh doughnuts, you won’t leave hungry!
You can also plan some water activities to do such as paddle boarding or kayaking! Granville Market is definitely a must when visiting Vancouver!
How to get to Granville Island?
To get to this island, depending on where you’re staying you can either jump on a bus with the help of Google Maps or from downtown, there are small ferries that run across the water. Head down to the water and you can wait for the next water ferry to take you there. They cost a few dollars and usually run every 20 minutes. Or you can cycle there!
Alternatively, you can book a Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour as the tour visits Granville Island & the iconic Stanley Park.
9. Get lost in Pacific regional park
Another great way to escape the city is to explore Pacific Regional Park, filled with extensive forested trails and close to beaches, this park is a great visit to breathe some fresh air.
On the west side of the park is North America’s largest official naturist beach, of course, clothing is optional and the beach looks out to the ocean with the magnificent islands in your view. There are so many trails here, it’s so easy to ‘get lost’ and listen to the trees. Check out some of the trails here!
10. Catch the Skyride to the top of a mountain! (or attempt the Grouse Grind)
Grouse Mountain is one of three local mountains in Vancouver, Grouse is the middle mountain that gets the best views of the city. We didn’t make it up to Grouse in the winter but are so excited to go in the warmer season, it’s on our Vancouver bucket list!
In the summer you can visit Grinder and Coola, two grizzly bears, in their enclosed natural habitat. They were both rescued as orphans back in 2001 and if you get a chance you can speak to the rangers for more information about these big grizzlies!
How to get to Grouse Mountain?
Grouse Mountain has easy public transport to the base of the mountain where you can then pay for a Skyride up to the top for remarkable views of Vancouver and the surrounding area. There are many walks you can do other than saying hello to the bears. Hopefully when you visit you are treated to blue skies!
I’d love to mention the Grouse Grind, however, it isn’t anything close to an easy hike. It’s a 2.9-km (1.8-mile) ascent, with an elevation gain of 853 meters (2,800 feet) and it’s extremely recommended that you are physically fit or have trained before this.
11. Catch the rays on Kitsilano Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Vancouver is Kitsilano Beach, with cafes and dining options along the pathway it’s very accommodating to visitors. From the sandy beach, you can see the tall trees of Stanley Park, the city skyline, and the mountains in the distance as your perfect backdrop.
You can dip your feet in the ocean or opt for a swim in the salty public swimming pool on the west side of the beach. It’s also a great place to catch a sunset. When the sun is shining, this beach is guaranteed to get busy! Kitsilano beach is another one of the best things to do in Vancouver!
12. Cycle the seawall of Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of the best places to visit in Vancouver. If you start googling about Vancouver, you will definitely have seen photos of the majestic Stanley Park. It’s so hard to miss!
Stanley Park is filled with nature such as majestic trees, local wildlife, and beautiful beaches. Sometimes you can even find seals in the water!
There are many trails throughout the park including its most famous one being the trail around the sea wall. As this loop trail is 10-km, it may take a little while on foot, so I believe it’s best done by cycling! You will see many locals roller skating, running, and taking a long leisurely stroll around this loop too.
You can rent bikes from many nearby shops or you can use the ShawGo bikes on the side of the street, you will need to use a debit or credit card to begin this process.
One of the most unique ways to explore the city is to hop on a Vancouver Bike Tour and have a guide take you to the best places to visit in Vancouver.
13. Take a day trip to Bowen Island
We know that Bowen Island isn’t technically Vancouver, but it’s one of the best day trips you can do from the city. Check out our Bowen Island guide here! It’s a very short journey by ferry over to Bowen Island and everything you can do is within walking distance.
It’s an amazing place to go kayaking, there are great hikes and very good restaurants too! We had to add it to our Vancouver bucket list as it was a great experience!
14. Visit the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge
Of course, we had to include the Capilano Suspension Bridge on our best things to do in Vancouver list! With pictures of the famous bridge all over Instagram, it may be worth checking out if you can justify the price.
We have previously mentioned Lynn Canyon Park as the free option to see a bridge and hike within the trees, however, Capilano is spectacular.
It is quite pricey if you’re only planning on going once, which is most likely what you’re planning on doing. (if you live in Vancouver, you can get an annual pass). Find your Capilano Suspension Bridge tickets here!
There’s not just one bridge here at Capilano, there are many bridges! You’ll be here for around 2 hours, and there is a cafe to extend your time. The bridges within the treetops are beautiful to explore and a photographer’s heaven.
Even though it’s pricey it did make it onto our top 25 things to do in Vancouver purely because of the beautiful surroundings.
15. Take the Seabus and visit Lonsdale Quay
If you chose to visit somewhere in North Vancouver, it may take you across the water using a Seabus, such a cool way to use public transport. It’s the same price as taking a metro, however, just double-check the zones.
The best thing about public transport in Vancouver is that it gives you 90 minutes to ride, which means you can catch multiple modes of transport within that time frame!
Lonsdale Quay is a Public Market with a variety of restaurants and shops! You can see the city of Vancouver over the water whilst enjoying some live entertainment in the summer months.
Only a short walk away you can capture the views of these water homes with mountains in the background. Add this to your Vancouver bucket list!
16. Ski or hike on one of the local mountains!
There’s a high chance it may not be winter when you’re visiting Vancouver, however, these mountains are great in both winter and summer!
The three mountains are Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Seymour Mountain. In the winter you can ski down a variety of slopes, snowshoe, or even go snow tubing! In the summer when the snow melts it turns into a hiking delight where you can travel between the trees where skiers and snowboarders once raced down.
A couple of hikes we can recommend are St Marks Summit on Cypress Mountain and Dog Mountain on Seymour Mountain.
Check out our The 12 Best Easy Hikes in Vancouver, Canada for some of the best beginner trails!
Mt. Seymour was our winter playground this year! We managed to get a good price on a season pass and went up to the mountain around 15 times over the season! It was amazing to watch the slopes change each time there was new snowfall.
It’s a perfect mountain for beginners and we even managed to finish our season with a black run!
A short drive up the road from Vancouver is Whistler – one of the best ski resorts in Canada. Whether it’s summer or winter, you can visit on a day trip from Vancouver! Find more details here if you want to visit Whistler without renting a car.
17. Browse the many shops of Robson Street
Robson Street is the city’s best-known shopping area and a must-visit for anyone visiting Vancouver, whether you spend hours or a short while. Along this street, you will find many eateries, major North American fashion brands, and the Pacific Centre shopping mall. There are also many luxury brands along this strip!
18. Teach yourself in one of Vancouver’s Museums
There are plenty of museums in Vancouver if you feel like learning some of British Columbia’s history. The Museum of Vancouver is located near Kitsilano Beach and Granville Island and it’s in a great location to merge your activities together for the day.
Displaying information in a fun and educating way, this museum dives into the cities history. Find tickets for the Museum of Vancouver here!
Museum of Anthropology is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of culturally diverse ways of knowing the world. You can gain insight into the native cultures within British Columbia and Canada. Everything here is astonishing! Find tickets for the Museum of Anthropology here!
There is also Vancouver’s Art Gallery and Science World and a few more museums to explore if you’re extremely interested in learning. Find tickets for Science world here!
19. Deep Cove
Deep Cove is a beautiful village on the east side of North Vancouver. You can kayak or paddleboard in the blue water whilst appreciating the scenery and checking out the nearby boats.
Another popular activity to do here is to hike the Baden Powell Trail to Quarry Rock. You will definitely be rewarded with an overlooking view of Deep Cove. After your activities, you can head into the village for ice cream or a quick snack at one of the cafes.
If you’re interested in hiking and adventures around Vancouver, check out our camping experience at Golden Ears Provincial Park!
20. Eat at one of many restaurants in China Town
Chinatown is so close to Gastown, it’s a must if you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver. Make sure to stop by a restaurant or bakery in Vancouver’s Chinatown to grab a treat. You will find dim-sum restaurants, delicious dumplings and there are even great places to find cocktails!
This Chinatown fills streets with market stalls, jewellery stores, bulk goods, and electronics. The population of Chinatown has spread into many areas of the city and also Richmond, you will honestly find amazing food anywhere in these cities.
We also found a great selection of vegan restaurants in Chinatown - here's our 100% vegan restaurants in Vancouver list!
21. See Downtown from above from a seaplane!
This was high up on my bucket list when we arrived in Vancouver! It’s hard not to miss the seaplanes flying over the city. Harbour Air will assign you a pilot that takes you into the clouds and you will be blown away by the mountains!!
Highly recommend a trip into the sky! It’s amazing to truly see the size of Vancouver and the beautiful nature that surrounds this city! Tickets can sell out fast so book your Vancouver Seaplane Tickets in advance here!
22. Take a stroll around Gastown
Gastown is known for its whistling Steam Clock and Victorian-style buildings. You will find cobbled streets here with boutique stores and classic tourist shops for all your magnet and postcard needs. There are also many restaurants and it’s right next to Chinatown.
You won’t miss it if you’re in downtown Vancouver! We are obsessed with the vegan restaurant Meet that’s in Gastown.
If you’re up for a spooky visit to Gastown, take the popular Vancouver Lost Souls of Gastown Walking Tour and learn about the haunting tales of the city’s darkest days – Find tickets here.
23. Learn at Capilano River Hatchery
Located in the North of Vancouver, accessible by public transport, is the Capilano River Hatchery. I know going to a river hatchery wouldn’t be the first idea that comes into your mind when you want to visit Vancouver, but if you’re in the area it’s worth checking out!
There are a few trails nearby to stretch your legs and Cleveland Dam is a great free attraction in North Vancouver. Depending on the season you may be able to catch the salmon jumping the fish ladders in the observation gallery.
We visited in September and managed to see salmon jumping up the ladder! One of Amy’s favourite films is Brother Bear and she really wanted to see wild salmon whilst being in Canada! We missed our chance to see them in the wild, but this came in as a second-best!
Here is a guide on the best time to view the salmon species: Coho Juveniles – (All Year), Coho Adults – (June-November), Chinook Juveniles – (March-May), Chinook Adults – (October-November), and Steelhead Adults – (March-April). Double-check on this website if Capilano River Hatchery is open!
24. Van Dusen Botanical Park
With over 7,500 plant species in VanDusen Botanical Park, it’s a beautiful visit throughout the year. For a small admission fee, you are greeted with acres of botanical collections.
Within the gardens, you can also find lakes, a cafe, a restaurant, and a hedge maze to get yourself lost in! There is a small fee to enter the park and it’s definitely worth it – Find tickets here!
25. See Vancouver’s skyline from Spanish Banks
Further west of Kitsilano and into the West Grey Point neighbourhood, the beaches of Jericho, Locarno, and Spanish Banks look out into the ocean with Vancouver’s skyline.
You can spot the ships and kitesurfers in the water whilst catching some sun on this long strip of sand. There are also several volleyball poles when people bring their net and ball, it’s mesmerizing to watch locals play this sport, and maybe if you ask you could join in!
This is definitely one of our best things to do in Vancouver, so it has to be on our Vancouver bucket list for you!
Thank you for reading our Top 25 Best Things to do in Vancouver, Canada, we have created the best Vancouver bucket list and can’t wait to add to it in the future.
Where to stay in Vancouver – Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA – A beautiful hotel in Coal Harbour with amazing views! – Find the Booking.com link here!
More things to do in Vancouver
- Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver – book your tickets in advance!
- Vancouver Bike Tour – Explore Vancouver by bike as well as Stanley Park.
- Book your Vancouver Seaplane tickets in advance to secure a spot!
- Take a day trip to Whistler on a Small Group Day Trip from Vancouver!
- Embark on a boat trip around Vancouver on a Sea Vancouver City and Harbour Tour!
- Hop on a The Really Gay History Tour in Vancouver, Canada!
- Don’t forget to book your Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Tickets!
Still wondering what to do in Vancouver? If you have more time, check out the surrounding area such as Whistler, Vancouver Island, The Sunshine Coast, Bowen Island and more!
What to pack for your weekend in Vancouver
This really depends on the season that you visit – if it’s winter in Vancouver, bring a coat gloves and a hat.
If it’s summer you may want to bring sunscreen, a sun hat and always bring an umbrella when travelling in Vancouver: Here are a few we can’t travel without:
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Fight the plastic and get a metal reusable water bottle!
- Anker Power Bank – A portable charger is useful any long days or beautiful hikes in Vancouver!
- Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat to help with the light rain in any season we also have a backpack cover to stop our clothes from getting wet in our backpacks.
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – GorillaPods are a great little tripod to carry around on your Vancouver bucket list trip. We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600. There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod.
- Mini First Aid Kit – You never know when it’s going to come in handy!
Browse our current Canada blog posts here:
- The 12 Best Easy Hikes in Vancouver, Canada
The Best 3-Month Road Trip in Canada Itinerary - The Best Bowen Island Day Trip from Vancouver
- The Best 3 Days on the Sunshine Coast
- 3 Days in Toronto on a Budget
- The Best 10 Day Ontario Road Trip Itinerary (2024)
- All Canada posts!
That’s the end of Top 25 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada! Have the best time in Vancouver and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!
Whale watching, sea planes and donuts would be first on my list!! So many fun options!
Hi Julie, thanks for reading! This city is filled with adventure and food 🙂
All of these please, adding them to my list 🥰
Yay!! 😀