10 of the best things to do in Vancouver: adventure, wildlife and food

Vancouver is considered one of the most livable cities in the world. British Columbia's biggest metropolis sits on the water, surrounded by trees and framed by mountains, so you could swim, cycle and ski all in one day. Its mild climate means outdoor adventures can be enjoyed year-round.

But you don’t have to love the outdoors to experience the best the city has to offer. You can take in a spirited spectator sport, dine on delectable dim sum, connect with Indigenous culture and stroll the spectacular shopping districts too. In Vancouver, there’s an activity for everyone. Here are some of the city's best things to do.

1. Connect with Indigenous culture past and present

There’s no better way to connect with the city than to listen to stories and experiences shared by the people who first called the land home. Vancouver sits on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and an abundance of experiences found throughout the city offer engaging and educational ways to connect with the people and places that shaped what we now know as Vancouver.

Advertisement

Take a walking “Talking Trees” tour through Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours and learn about the local plants that were harvested by the Coast Salish people, while hearing stories about the rich cultural history from a First Nations guide.

After a $40 million (US$29 million) upgrade, the renowned Museum of Anthropology has recently reopened. It houses close to 50,000 works of art from around the world, as well as collections, programs and innovative exhibits centered around First Nations archaeological and ethnographic objects. Be sure to also visit the Bill Reid Gallery – Canada's only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous art of the Northwest Coast – and spot original fine-art pieces by Bill Reid, a world-famous Haida artist. 

For Indigenous cuisine, dine at Salmon n' Bannock, the only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant in Vancouver, serving up modern cuisine made with traditional Indigenous ingredients. Try the Bison Pot Roast, a melt-in-your-mouth meat dish that simmers for 24 hours before serving. Indulge in a full sit-down meal at the South Granville location, or pick up a plate at Salmon n’ Bannock’s On the Fly, a food stall found inside the Vancouver International Airport (post-security at International Departures).

Give back to the community with an overnight stay at Skwachàys Lodge, Canada’s first Indigenous Arts Hotel. Located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the lodge offers unique experiences such as in-studio visits with local artists-in-residence. Using a self-sustaining social enterprise model, the lodge funds supportive housing and income-earning opportunities for urban Indigenous artists.

2. Take to the water by beach, boat or board

Soak up the city’s sparkling seascape from the water’s surface. Vancouver offers ample aquatic adventures, with premium paddling, ocean swimming and mini-ferry rides, all easily accessible directly from downtown.

For kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, you can choose your own adventure right in the city, with water access and rentals available in Granville Island, Jericho Beach, False Creek, Yaletown or Stanley Park, or venture further afield to Deep Cove, located on Vancouver’s North Shore.

If you’d prefer some power, Granville Island Boat Rentals is a popular choice for renting a private speed boat. For something a little more special, enjoy a BBQ on the water while you take in the sights. Rather have someone else take the wheel? The rainbow-colored Aquabus mini pedestrian ferries will take you for a tour or transport you between Granville Island and some of the city’s best waterfront spots.

For ocean swimming, head to one of Vancouver’s best beaches, such as Kits Beach or Second Beach, where you can soak up the atmosphere, sizzle in the sun, and then cool off with a salty dip in the Pacific Ocean.

3. Eat and explore the arts scene on Granville Island

An industrial wasteland turned cultural wonderland, Granville Island, one of Vancouver’s best neighborhoods, is as alluring for its fine art as it is for its culinary prowess.

Art lovers are lured by the creative scene here, with hidden studios and hands-on workshops found around every corner. Foodies flock to Granville Island too, with a melange of mom-and-pop shops like Lee’s Donuts (a celebrity favorite), fine-dining spots like the Sandbar and the Granville Island Public Market, an indoor food market where the city’s best chefs like to shop for produce, seafood and sweets.

Advertisement

Kids Market – a three-story, kid-centric shopping and activity center on Granville Island – is the biggest draw for families. And only steps away, the largest free outdoor water park in North America provides the perfect place to cool off and play on warm summer days.

Local tip: Grab some grub from Granville Island Public Market and stroll along the wooden boardwalk, from the southeast corner of Granville Island to Ron Basford Park, for a quiet picnic on the grass with water views.

4. Cycle around the Stanley Park seawall

Topping the list of Vancouver’s best parks, Stanley Park shines as the city's crown jewel. The park is often referred to as the Central Park of Vancouver, only it’s much larger, spanning 400 hectares (988 acres) in size.

Home to an outdoor public pool, plenty of playgrounds, sandy beaches, winding trails through dense woodland, tourist attractions and top-notch dining spots, the park certainly has something for everyone, but it’s the 8.8km (5.5-mile) paved seawall that draws the biggest crowd. Rent a bike from downtown and an entire day can be spent cycling through the park, exploring all of its best assets.

Detour: Veer off the seawall into the park and visit the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s first and largest aquarium. It's home to thousands of aquatic species, and you can get up close with everything from jellyfish to sea otters.

5. Take a trek through the treetops

Vancouver is packed with tree-lined hiking trails, but for a more unique experience – and a sky-high adventure – take an above-ground trek through the trees.

On Vancouver’s North Shore, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is the most popular choice, enjoyed by visitors since it was first built in 1883. As the world’s longest and highest suspension bridge, dangling 70m (230ft) high above the Capilano River and stretching 137m-long (450ft), it’s certainly a must-visit site. It's especially breathtaking from November to January, when the bridge is fully illuminated with more than 50,000 lights for the annual Canyon Lights event.

For a free version with smaller crowds, consider a visit to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which hangs 49m (160ft) above the canyon and connects to a series of hiking trails. It is also home to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and a quaint cafe where you can grab a coffee and a treat once you’ve completed your treetop trek.

6. Hit the local ski slopes

Vancouver may have mild temperatures year-round, resulting in many winters without snow, but the city’s three local mountains have no shortage of the white stuff. From early December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders ascend the mountains in droves for slopeside adventures, accessed in 30 minutes (or less) from downtown.

Known as the “Peak of Vancouver,” Grouse Mountain is the most popular local ski hill, accessed by a gondola and offering all-season attractions. Cypress Mountain Resort is the largest of the three, and when the snow melts, visitors can take an exhilarating ride down the Eagle Coaster, Canada’s longest mountain roller coaster. Mt Seymour Resort is smaller, more laid-back and family-owned, and is known for its fresh powder and scenic snowshoeing trails.

7. Dine on dim sum along the Dumpling Trail

Deep-fried dumplings, pork-stuffed pouches and steaming hot wontons are just some of the tasty treats you’ll discover on a self-guided tasting tour along the Dumpling Trail. Just 15km (9.5 miles) south of downtown Vancouver, Richmond is home to the largest Chinese population in the world beyond Asia, and as a result, the city is stocked with hundreds of great traditional dim sum restaurants, street food shacks, and hidden mom-and-pop shops serving up the best dumpling dishes found this side of the Pacific.

Planning tip: Stretch out your stay and spend a night at Versante Hotel, Richmond’s only luxury boutique hotel, with chic designs that celebrate Asian and Western influences. There you’ll find Bruno, an upscale restaurant that serves up global fare sourced from local farms, like the truffle-lavender duck dish, a fan favorite.

8. Take in a spectator sport

Vancouverites love their sports and welcome visitors to join them as they cheer on their favorite teams. For hockey fans, a Vancouver Canucks game is the hottest place to be (if you’re lucky enough to snag a ticket). The city is also home to the Vancouver Giants, a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League.

The BC Lions are Vancouver’s CFL team, with a big following of football fans easily spotted as they shower the city in a sea of orange on game days. A Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match is sure to be high energy, and for an afternoon of baseball, catch a Vancouver Canadians game. Interested in checking out Canada’s other national sport? Head to a Vancouver Warriors lacrosse game and cheer on the city's newest professional sports team.

9. Browse and buy along the city’s best shopping streets

Robson St is likely Vancouver’s most popular urban promenade, where high-end chain stores sit alongside smaller local shops, food options are aplenty, and the streets are abuzz with busy chatter. While downtown, book lovers will want to pop into Massy Books, an Indigenous-owned book shop in Chinatown.

For vintage fashion and independent shops, Main St (recognized as one of North America’s “coolest streets”) is your best bet. Commercial Drive (or “the Drive” to locals) features bohemian boutiques and quirky cafes, and is home to Little Italy. 

Stroll along the cobblestone streets of Gastown, where an eclectic mix of high-end boutiques and specialty souvenir shops are set within the walls of historic buildings. Be sure to join the crowds and snap a photo of the Steam Clock while you shop, found about halfway along Water Street. 

West 4th in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood is a trendy hub for athletic clothing, fashion finds, home goods, and great food. And head to the Granville St strip in South Granville for swanky high-end shops and art galleries.

10. Watch for West Coast wildlife: whales, grizzlies and more

Granville Island is the best departure point for whalewatching tours. Climb aboard a catamaran on a Prince of Whales whalewatching tour to spot whales and other marine mammals along the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. Head up Grouse Mountain and meet the resident grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, once orphaned and now living in a protected habitat that is part of the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.

BC is home to some of the best bird-watching in North America, and the Fraser Valley stop on the BC Bird Trail houses a diverse range of bird species along its waterways and marshlands. Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon leads to a slew of wildlife, and it’s just steps from downtown. Look for ducks, geese, herons and swans, and spot eagles soaring overhead as they search for prey.

And of course the Vancouver Aquarium, a great spot to get up-close with West Coast wildlife, is home to thousands of ocean species and aquatic life found in the region.