100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Vancouver Canada
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Vancouver Canada will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Vancouver Canada. If you are short on time here is a 3-day itinerary of the top attractions in Vancouver.
READ Complete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
READ Day Trip to Vancouver Island Canada
Top 5 Things to Do in Vancouver Canada
Explore the Gas Town area.
Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Spend a day in Stanley Park.
Eat Dim Sum in Chinatown.
Browse the art galleries in Granville.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Vancouver Canada
Check the Fly Over Canada Ride, an immersive 4D flight simulation ride over Canada.
View the city from above in a seaplane.
Walk across the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge and take in forest and canyon views.
Say hello to the Beluga Whales at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Explore the Gas Town area and listen to the famous steam clock chime.
Watch a Vancouver Canucks hockey game at Rogers Arena.
Check out the Granville houseboats, art galleries, and vendors.
Best Museums in Vancouver Canada
Learn Vancouver’s history at the Museum of Vancouver.
See the collection of artifacts and totem poles at the Museum of Anthropology.
Learn about the Canadian Arctic at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
Check out the blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
Tour Roedde House Museum, an upper middle-class Victorian home from 1893.
Browse contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
Get your true crime fix at the Vancouver Police Museum.
Enjoy the planetarium show at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Learn about Chinese Canadian heritage at the Chinese Canadian Museum.
Visit the open-air Burnaby Village Museum, a 1920s village complete with a historic carousel.
Outdoor Activities in Vancouver Canada
Take a walk along the waterfront at Canada Place or Coal Harbour Park.
Cycle along the seawall on the Stanley Park loop.
Say hello to orcas and humpback whales on a whale-watching tour.
Have a picnic at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, and don’t miss the garden maze.
Relax in Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden or Nitobe Memorial Garden.
Paddleboard or play volleyball at Kitsilano Beach.
Go for a swim in the Second Beach Pool.
Walk the seawall from False Creek to Granville Island.
Take a cruise along English Bay and enjoy the skyline from the water.
Kayak to the seal colony at Pam Rocks.
Take the mini tugboat ferry to Granville Island.
Ride the AquaBus around False Creek.
Watch the sunset from English Bay.
Skinny dip at the clothing-optional Wreck Beach.
Catch a Shakespeare performance on the beach.
Go for a hike at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Lighthouse Park, or Cypress Provincial Park.
Where to Eat in Vancouver Canada
Grab a Japadog and try the different fixings from a vendor.
Eat Dim Sum in Chinatown.
Stop for lunch at Granville’s Public Market.
Order poutine at The Gull or The White Spot.
Eat smoked salmon at Roe Seafood, Funny Fish Company, or the Deli and Bakery on 4th.
Vancouver Canada Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
Have rooftop cocktails at Rosewood Hotel Georgia or The Garden Terrace.
Spend a night out in Yaletown, Davie Village, Granville Street, or along Denman Street.
Spend an afternoon brewery hopping in the Brewery Creek District or check out the tasting room at Liberty Distillery.
Relax with a craft cocktail at The Keefer Bar, Alchemist, Prohibition, or The Diamond.
Dance the night away at The Roxy, Aura, Bar None, or Gorg-O-Mish.
Shopping in Vancouver Canada
Shop for souvenirs in Gastown.
Shop high-end brands and unique boutiques on Robson Street.
Wander through the Granville Island Public Market.
Browse the vintage stores on Main Street.
Instagrammable Places in Vancouver Canada: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
Photograph the Vancouver Public Library, Gassy Jack Statue, flat iron building, the “Giants” at the Granville cement plant, Chinatown Millennium Gate, Christ Church Cathedral, rainbow crosswalk in Davie Village, Pink Street, Stanley Park Totem Poles, First Nations totem poles at the Museum of Anthology, Brockton Point Lighthouse, the Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park’s Prospect Point, Inukshuk sculpture at English Bay, the city center from Little Mountain in Queen Elizabeth Park
Enjoy the views from Lonsdale Quay, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bloedel Conservatory, or the Vancouver Lookout.
Take selfies with the A-maze-ing Laughter statues at Morton Park.
Things to Do Near Vancouver Canada
Take a day trip to Vancouver Island.
Take the Skyride up Grouse Mountain and watch the lumberjack show.
Ride to sea to sky gondola past Shannon Falls.
Drive the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
Ride a bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
Walk the Lynn Canyon Twin Falls boardwalk and cross the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge.
Check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Cliffwalk.
Watch the salmon swim upstream at the Capilano Salomon Hatchery.
Visit the Buddhist Temple in Richmond, see the Richmond Olympic Oval and hang out in the night market.
Explore Indian Arm, Granite Falls, and Silver Falls.
Revisit the 1920s at Burnaby Village living history museum.
Go rock climbing, mountain biking, windsurfing, or white-water rafting in Squamish.
Take a black bear viewing tour.
Go wine tasting on Lulu Island or in Fraser Valley.
Wander the fishing village of Steveston.
Vancouver Canada Special Events
Check the Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan your Trip to Vancouver Canada
Why Visit Vancouver Canada
Vancouver Canada had approximately 9 million visitors last year. The city is well known for Stanley Park, the skyline of steel and glass skyscrapers, a seawall, rainforests, waterfalls, suspension bridges, sky trains, totem poles, beaches, a famous steam clock, seaplanes, and blue-purple mountains. Vancouver Canada is also full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.
How Many Days in Vancouver Canada is Enough
3 days in Vancouver Canada is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
READ 72 Hours in Vancouver Canada, Three Day Itinerary
Is Vancouver Canada Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Vancouver Canada is low and it is considered one of the least dangerous cities. As always, be situationally aware of the possibility of pickpockets in high tourist zones, and do not walk in isolated areas alone at night. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver Canada
Shoulder season in Vancouver is from March to May and from September to November; during these months the weather is mild and hotel prices are reasonable. High Season is from June to mid-September. Low Season is from November to March. The rainy season is between October and March. Grouse Mountain and Whistler are popular winter sports destinations.
How to Get to Vancouver Canada
Several airlines fly nonstop to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). A nonstop flight from LAX to YVR is 3 hours; nonstop JKF to YVR is 6 hours. Prepare for your flight!
TransLink CA operates a subway from YVR-Airport Station Platform 1 to Vancouver City Centre Station Platform 1 every 10 minutes. Tickets cost $3–4 and the ride takes 24 min. Shuttle service, bus, taxi, and Uber are also available.
How to Get Around Vancouver Canada
Vancouver is a walkable city. Vancouver public transit includes 3 SkyTrain lines, SeaBus, and extensive bus routes. You may also choose to book a hop on hop off buss pass or use Uber for rides that are a bit further away, such as Stanley Park.
Where to Stay in Vancouver Canada
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.
What Should I Budget for Vancouver Canada
According to Budget My Trip, a one week trip to Canada for two people costs $2,431 (CA$3,301). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. As always, cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Vancouver Canada
Vancouver is full of romantic restaurants, great rooftop bars, and places to watch the sunset. Have rooftop cocktails at The Kensington, Mirage Lounge, or Residences at Broadway, enjoy a waterfront seafood dinner at The Keg or Coast, or, watch the sunset with a picnic dinner at English Bay.
Things to Do in Vancouver Canada with Young Children
The interactive Science World, Vancouver Zoo, or the Vancouver Aquarium are a few of the best things to do with young children in Vancouver.
Things to Do in Vancouver Canada with Teenagers
Teenagers will enjoy watching the street performers on Granville Island, exploring the street art in Mt Pleasant, or catching an outdoor movie in Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Visiting More Cities in Canada?
Check out our Canada Travel Guide with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Bookmark and Pin 100 Things to Do in Vancouver Canada, a Bucket List City
Booking Resources for Vancouver Canada
Vancouver Canada Travel Guide Books
Pick up a Vancouver Canada Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Vancouver Canada Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Vancouver Canada Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!