Vancouver has been a place we’ve wanted to visit since Huw and I first met, over 20 years ago. As a teenager I wanted to visit to experience whale watching. I’ve flown over Vancouver, on the way to Anchorage in Alaska, but we’ve never visited. It’s another destination I’d love to visit with the children, before they get too old. So, it just had to be included in our armchair travel series. Plan now for trips we can take when we’re allowed to again. I asked travelling blogging friends to suggest a single ‘must see’ place in or close to Vancouver. They have already helped us build itineraries to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Bali and Sri Lanka. I wonder if whale watching will be mentioned?!
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is one of the most popular multi day hikes around Vancouver. This remarkable trail progresses along the coast of Vancouver Island over beautiful beaches and through spectacular indigenous forest. The complete trail is a moderate to strenuous 47 km hike that takes four days, camping every night to complete.
To spend a day at one of the beaches along the route is a great thing to do in Vancouver. There are several beaches that can easily be accessed from the road with big parking areas along the route. The trail can easily be accessed from the road at Parkinson Creek, Sombrio Beach and China Beach. Sombrio Beach is a popular beach for surfing and there is a nice hidden waterfall close to it. Botanical beach has incredible tidal pools to explore. Keep your eyes on the ocean and you might spot grey whales, killer whales, seals or sea lions.
When walking in the forest, seeing black bears and cougars is possible and the biodiverse tidal pools are inhabited by starfish, sea urchins, barnacles, blue mussels, anemones, sea cucumbers and plenty more interesting animals. It is easy to reach Vancouver Island from downtown Vancouver with public ferries crossing between the city and Vancouver Island several times per day.
Submitted by Campbell and Alya, Stingy Nomads
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a 130-acre nature park in Vancouver. It used to be a rock quarry where the stone from Vancouver’s first roadways originated. In 1939 it was dedicated as a park by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It took about 30 years for the park to become most of what it is today, thanks to donations from different benefactors. It’s a really pretty place that is very peaceful to wander around. The grounds are split into the Big Quarry Gardens, Small Quarry Gardens, a conservatory, an arboretum, a rose garden, and a fountain plaza. There are various outdoor activity venues such as golf, tennis, lawn bowling, roller hockey, basketball, disc golf, and a dog park.
One of the neat things about the parks is that it’s at the geographically highest point in Vancouver; it provides stunning views of the city from many different places. Whether you want to go there for a walk, picnic, photo shoot, to search for botanical beauties, or take advantage of the outdoor recreation venues, this park has something for everyone. It is very much worth a visit.
Submitted by Erin, Traveling Thru History
Grouse Mountain
While in Vancouver you must visit Grouse Mountain. In winter it becomes a ski area, but in summer there are a whole pile of activities to do. Plan to spend a whole day.
If you are feeling particularly energetic, instead of the Grouse Mountain cable car, you can run or walk up the mountain on the famous “Grouse Grind” path. Be warned, it’s not for the faint hearted.
Once at the top, enjoy a snack or meal at one of the various food outlets before heading out to explore the walking paths around the area. Plan to stop off at the Lumberjack Show for a good laugh. Then visit Grinder and Coola, the two resident brown bears to admire these magnificent beasts. Watch the raptor show too, before catching the chair lift up even higher to the unique Eye of the Wind attraction. This is the only place in the world you can climb inside a wind turbine.
There are numerous adventure activities to be had on Grouse Mountain including zip lining, para-gliding and an adventure ropes course. In winter there is skiing, snowshoeing, skating and sliding, just to name a few of the activities.
There really is something for everyone to enjoy during a day on Grouse Mountain.
Submitted by Josie, Josie Wanders
Road trip to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway
The Vancouver to Whistler drive is 120 km and takes around one hour and a half. I recommend allocating an entire day or at least half a day for the drive. The landscape is so beautiful that you will want to plan for many stops along the way. We took the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler and stopped at a few viewpoints on the way. Shannon Falls and Stawamus Chief Park were a couple of our favorite stops along the Sea to Sky Highway road trip.
Stawamus Chief is a 700-meter-high granite dome that towers over the nearby network of fjords of Howe Sound. Stawamus Chief is divided in three distinct summits – First Peak, Second Peak and Third Peak. They all have amazing views over the surrounding landscapes. You can spend a couple of hours here and go on a few hikes. Or, just stop for a quick view and drive up the mountains to Whistler.
Submitted by Priya, Outside Suburbia
Gastown neighbourhood
One of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, Gastown, was established around 1867 and formed the city’s first downtown core. Gastown was named for Jack “Gassy” Deighton, a sea captain native of the UK who opened the first saloon.
The area has an enviable location right on the water and served many purposes over the decades; trading center, shady rowdy neighbourhood with over 300 drinking establishments in a small area, a wholesale produce distributor. It was almost demolished in the 60s when the city wanted to build a highway going through it. Local citizens protested and managed to preserve it.
Today Gastown is a trendy area with cobblestone streets, a famous Steam-powered clock, cute stores, hip restaurants and much more.
The best way to see Gastown is with a walking tour. This will take you through the narrow streets and explain the local historic points of interest.
Combine a walking tour with visits to some of Gastown’s many art galleries. Sample the delicious cuisine in Gastown’s distinctive restaurants – Nuba and Sardine Can are two local favourites.
The area is close to other iconic Vancouver highlights like the Vancouver Lookout and Chinatown. So there is plenty to do in a one- or two-day itinerary.
Submitted by Talek, Travels with Talek
Maplewood Farm
When you picture things to do in a big city like Vancouver, a day on a dairy farm might be the last thing that comes to mind. But just 10 minutes north of downtown Vancouver, in an unassuming North Van neighborhood, you’ll find 5 acres of farm life just waiting to be explored!
Maplewood Farm in Vancouver is a working dairy farm that is home to 200 farm animals. Most of the animals are right there for kids to interact with! Gaze at the horses, pet the pigs, feed some chickens, and climb with goats. For a fun afternoon, stop by the playground just outside of the park before you come in. Bring a picnic for when everyone gets tired of petting the animals. Just be sure to bring a little extra fresh produce if you’d like to feed it to the bunnies!
If you have a little one who really loves the farm, you can sign up online for a 1-hour “behind-the-scenes” experience with the farm hands!
Complete with a gift shop and plenty of green spaces to run around, Maplewood Farm is a perfect destination to escape the city life for a couple hours.
Submitted by Dani, Diapers in Paradise
False Creek Ferry
One thing that you must-do during your visit to Vancouver is a ride of the False Creek Ferries. They are the most adorable transportation I have even seen. The False Creek Ferries, or the “little blue ferries”, are not just a tourist attraction; it is functioning public transportation that communes the locals across the creek. It connects downtown Vancouver to the rest of the city.
The operation started out small in 1982, but eventually gained traction for the idea of a ferry service on the creek. Today, it connects to nine stops year-round, with routes stretching from Granville Island to the West End, Kitsilano Beach, Yaletown, Fairview Slopes & the Olympic Village.
False Creek was originally an industrial wasteland. After Vancouver hosted EXPO-86, the area has been transformed tremendously and there are a number of attractions around the creek. A single trip costs ranging from $3.5 to $6, but for the locals, they enjoy a much bigger discount with 1-month, 3-month, or a one-year pass.
Submitted by Kenny, Knycx Journeying
Granville Island
Granville Island is located on a peninsula across False Creek in Downtown Vancouver. Although there are many ways to get to Granville Island I recommend catching the False Creek Ferry. This drops you directly at the markets.
The island has many attractions not least of which are the famous markets. Purchase fresh food, fruits, vegetables, cheese, seafood and more at the Granville Island Markets. There is also a farmers market held every Thursday from June to September showcasing the best of local produce.
Definitely plan to have lunch at the markets as there are numerous food stalls offering a variety of options to suit all tastes.
There are numerous boutiques and specialty shops on Granville Island too which deserve a perusal!
Check out the many art galleries. If you enjoy street art don’t miss the silos which are decorated with painted giants!
The views of Downtown Vancouver from Granville Island are spectacular across False Creek. Don’t miss the floating sea village. The houses rent for many thousands of dollars a month. They are an interesting contrast to the high-rise buildings of the city!
Submitted by Tracy, UK Travel Planning
Stanley Park and Seawall
Vancouver’s Seawall is a fun tourist attraction which is popular with locals and visitors alike. One of our favourite things to do in Vancouver is to walk, run, bike, and even blade around the Seawall starting at Stanley Park.
Stanley Park is part of the 1,000 acred lungs in this built-up city. It is the perfect escape from the busy city centre as it is right on its doorstep.
There’s a lot of variety throughout the park. For instance, free public beaches, outdoor swimming pools, a lighthouse, totem poles and modern art.
During summer, there is even more going on with free outdoor movie screenings and fitness classes.
In winter, you can take part in the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park. Expect to spend around one hour pedalling the Seawall or 2-3 hours on foot. If you want to ride or walk further, you can visit Yaletown and Kitsilano using the same route.
Yaletown is an upmarket area of Vancouver with hip restaurants, boutiques, expensive accommodation, handbag dogs and Vancouver science centre, Science World.
Kitsilano is a relaxed neighbourhood known for its number of yoga studios, young family residents, cafes and leafy streets.
If you prefer to use public transport to see the park, check out the Stanley Park Railway. This vintage train ride lasts for 15 minutes.
Submitted by Gemma, Two Scots Abroad
I love this! It makes me want to get back up to Vancouver again. There are a few things on this list that I haven’t done yet, including your original goal of whale watching!