Vancouver Canada Three Day Itinerary for First-Timers
It is difficult to determine how to best use your 72 hours in Vancouver Canada, there are so many fun things to see, do, and eat. This 3-day itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, Stanley Park, Gas Town, Granville Island, Yaletown, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Lynn Valley Park. Looking for more options? Check these additional things to do in Vancouver to supplement this itinerary. Have more time? Add a day trip from Vancouver, options are listed at the end of this post. It is possible to travel the world with limited PTO, here’s how to visit Vancouver in three days. Enjoy your time out of the office!
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Do your best to fly into the city early and depart late in the afternoon. Choose a hotel at your price point near the Vancouver Library and the Canada Line Vancouver City stop. This is a great area to transfer from the airport to town and catch transportation during your visit. Purchase a compass card at the airport and ride the Canada Line into town. Check into your hotel and get ready to hit the town running. Here is how to see the best of Vancouver Canada in 72 hours.
Arrival Day: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park are 30% off at 5:00 pm. Make your way to the Vancouver Public Library at 4:30 and take the free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The shuttle stop is on the corner of Homer and Robson. Walk across the suspension bridge, follow the treetop walk, and check out the cliff walk. Catch the 7:15 shuttle back to the city arriving at 7:45. Head to Yaletown for dinner and a cocktail before returning to the hotel for the night.
Day One: Stanley Park and Gas Town
Purchase a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket. Take the park route toward Stanley Park. Get off the bus at the totem poles. Check out the totem poles before taking a walk along the seawall. Take photos of the skyline and watch the seaplanes as you walk toward the Harry Jerome Statue and past the lighthouse. Take the path back through the totem poles to jump back on the bus or continue past the girl in the wetsuit statue then follow the signs toward the pavilion and rose garden bus stop. The next bus stop is Prospect Point for a view of the Lions Gate Bridge, then move on to English Bay Beach. Take selfies with the Amaze-ing Laughter Sculptures and check out Inukshuk. Grab a Japadog from the cart. Hop back on the bus to Chinatown. Grab a bubble tea and relax in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden. Continue on to Gastown. Check out the Flatiron building and Gassy Jack Statue. Shop for souvenirs, listen to the Steam Clock chime on the hour, and have dinner. Consider watching the sunset from the Vancouver Lookout.
Day Two: Granville Island and Yaletown
Take the bus to Granville Island. Browse the galleries and shops, check out the houseboats, and photograph the “Giants” at the cement plant. Have lunch in Granville Public Market. Take the public bus to Mt Pleasant. Explore the street art and stop in a brewery. Walk down the hill to the Science Center and get back on the hop-on hop-off bus to Yaletown. Take a bike ride along the False Creek seawall toward David Lam Park. Photograph the skyline and Granville Island along the way. Have dinner and cocktails in Yaletown before returning to the hotel.
Day Three: Day Trip to Vancouver Island, Whistler, or Steveston
Take the ferry to Vancouver Island. Go on a bear-watching tour, visit Butchart Gardens, or explore Victoria. Or, take a bus to Whistler and ride the Peak to Peak Gondola, go bear watching, take a waterfall tour, or shop in the village. Another option is to take the Canada Line to Steveston Heritage Fishing Village.
Departure Day: Lynn Valley Park
Get up early and take the public bus to Lynn Valley Park. Cross the suspension bridge and take a photo of the waterfall, loop through the rainforest to a smaller waterfall, and go for a swim in the 30-foot pool. Stop for lunch at the historic End of the Line General Store before heading back to the hotel to grab your suitcase and make your way to the airport.
Be sure to check the Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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Vancouver Canada Attractions and Day Tours
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