Home to some of the most beautiful and biggest lush green parks of the world, Vancouver has some really cool natural as well as man made attractions. If you love to explore outdoor spaces, visiting this great city is a must for you, due to its amazing climate, as well as the beautiful surroundings. Below mentioned is a list of the best things to do in Vancouver on your very first travel to Vancouver.
1) Spend some time at Stanley Park: Spread over a whopping 1000 acres of green land, Stanley Park is home to some of the most important attractions of the city and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vancouver. You can easily spend a few days here, and still return unsatisfied, due to the number of attractions and activities available in the park. This iconic park has more than 17 miles of forest trail, ancient village sites, a rose garden, and its very own beach, with a chance to meet the friendly sea lions and the Pacific dolphins. You can easily rent a bicycle from nearby areas to explore this humongous park.
- Entry: Free of Cost
- Timings: Open 24 Hours
- Information Link
2) Explore the Granville Island Neighborhood: Once an industrial hub, the Granville Island has now been transformed into one of the most visited neighborhoods of Vancouver by locals as well as tourists. The former factories of this neighborhood now house some of the most trendy restaurants, theatres, and galleries. However, the main attraction of the neighborhood is the Granville Island Public Market, which sells almost everything, ranging from food to local craft items.
- Timings: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (Monday-Sunday)
- Information Link
3) Hike up the Grouse Mountain: There are two ways to reach the top of the Grouse Mountain to soak in the beautiful panoramic views. Either you can hike up the 2830 steps along the Grouse Grind trail, or you can take an interesting Gondola ride, all the way to the top. The destination is highly popular for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow activities. The best way to experience this beautiful attraction is to hike up through the Grouse Grind and take a relaxing Gondola ride back.
- Tickets: CAD 59 (Adult), CAD 52 (Senior Citizen 65+), CAD 32 (Child 5-16)
- Timings: Variable based on daylight
- Booking Link
4) Catch amazing views of the City from Vancouver Lookout: Situated on the 55th floor of the Harbour Centre building, the Vancouver Lookout allows the visitors to view 360 degree panoramic views of the city. It is the best place to capture an aerial view of all the major attractions of the city. Make sure that you do not visit the observatory on a cloudy day to prevent disappointment. It is one of the most important places to visit in Vancouver to admire the best view of the city.
- Tickets: CAD 18.25 (Adult), CAD 15.25 (Senior Citizen 65+), CAD 13.25 (Youth 13-18), CAD 9.50 (Child 6-12)
- Timings: 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. (October-May), 8:30 A.M. – 10:30 P.M. (May-October)
- Booking Link
5) Walk through the Beautiful VanDusen Botanical Garden: One of the most peaceful attractions of Vancouver for tourists, the VanDusen Botanic garden is also considered to be a hidden gem of the city. It features various theme sections such as the maze garden, stone garden, and one of the most popular sections, the Laburnum Walk. This walk is considered to be one of the most picturesque places of Vancouver tourism, covered with blooming seasonal flowers, most of the time.
- Tickets (Jan1-Mar31/Apr1-Sept30/Oct1-Dec31): CAD 8.20/11.50/8.20 (Adult 19-64), CAD 5.75/8.05/5.75 (Senior Citizen 65+), CAD 5.75/8.05/5.75 (Youth 13-18), CAD 4.10/5.75/4.10 (Child 5-12)
- Timings: 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. (Monday-Friday), 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. (Saturday, Sunday)
- IInformation Link
6) Visit the Museum of Anthropology: If you wish to learn about the history of the Vancouver city, from the very beginning, dating as far back as 10,000 years, it is a must for you to visit this unique museum. It tells you everything about the city, from ancient times to the current situations.
- Tickets: CAD 18 (Adult), CAD 16 (Senior Citizen 65+, Students)
- Timings: 10 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (Tuesday-Sunday), Monday Closed
- Information Link
7) Go Kayaking at Deep Cove: If you wish to disconnect from the crowded cities and wish to spend some peaceful time alone or with your loved ones, it is a must for you to go Kayaking in Vancouver. Deep Cove is one of the most popular places in terms of tranquility as well as the safety in Vancouver for tourists. Also, you can easily spot wild animals at the edge of the waters at Deep Cove, or taking a bath in the clear ocean waters.
- Rental Prices (2 Hours/3 Hours/Full Day): CAD 39/58/85 (Single Kayak), CAD 58/85/115 (Double Kayak), CAD 39/58/85 (Standup Paddle Board), CAD 39/58/85 (Surfski)
- Timings: Variable
- Booking Link
8) Do your shopping at Gastown: If you wish to experience the Vancouver nightlife or wish to shop at some of the most flashy boutiques of the city, this is the place to be. Gastown is also home to some of the most popular European style eateries, and pubs of Vancouver. Also, the neighborhood holds a rich history as well as a great architecture to admire and explore. You will find ample of things to do in Vancouver at night in this area.
9) Explore Chinatown & eat Dim Sum: If you wish to explore the Chinese heritage of Canada, Chinatown in Vancouver is the place to be. It is one of the oldest as well as the largest Chinatowns of Canada. You will find family run traditional shops and local markets, and eateries in the neighborhood, with each street looking like a festive location. Do not forget to try the most popular food item out there, the delicious Chinese Dim Sums.
- Information Link: Click Here
10) Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 450 foot long, 230 foot high suspension bridge, which dates back to 1889. The bridge allows a fantastic view of the Capilano River flowing below the bridge, along with forested grasslands. The park also has various other activities to indulge in with various interesting trails to explore along the canyon.
- Tickets: CAD 54.95 (Adult 17-64), CAD 49.95 (Senior Citizen 65+), CAD 29.95 (Youth 13-17), CAD 18.95 (Child 6-12)
- Timings: Variable
- Information Link
If you are confused about what to do in Vancouver and which places to go in the city, these 10 things to do in Vancouver will help you generate the best itinerary to explore the city in the best way possible in a limited time. Also, to plan out your visit to the city of Seattle and Vancouver in a budget friendly way, do not forget to check out these 10 tips to save money and travel cheap in Seattle and 10 tips to save money and travel cheap in Vancouver.
