Public Library.

Vancouver Public Library

Vancouver

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This dramatic Colosseum-like building must be a temple to the great god of libraries. If not, it's certainly one of the world's most magnificent book-lending facilities. Designed by Moshe Safdie and opened in 1995, its collections (including lendable musical instruments) are arranged over several floors. Head straight up to floor nine for the newly opened Rooftop Garden, a lofty, tree-lined outdoor plaza lined with tables and chairs: it's perfect for a view-hugging coffee break.

There's free wi-fi, and computer terminals if you don't have your own device. The library also hosts a lively roster of gratis book readings and events. Save time for the library shop; it's crammed with cool bookish gifts.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Colors of the autumn. Gorgeous sea walk in the park. Stanley Park in Vancouver. Canada.; Shutterstock ID 115945702; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Stanley Park

    1.63 MILES

    One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, Stanley Park is revered for its dramatic forest-and-mountain oceanfront views. But there’s more to this…

  • Sea to Sky Gondola

    Sea to Sky Gondola

    27.38 MILES

    On a warm summer’s evening, with a 7.5km ascent under your belt and a pint of craft beer on the table in front of you, there are few better places in…

  • June 29, 2011: Visitors explore the Capilano Cliff Walk through rainforest vegetation. The cantilevered and suspended walkways jut out from the granite cliff face 230 metres above the Capilano River. 510655579 Deep, Hanging, Crossing Bridge, Walking, Tourist, Plant, Granite - Rock, Cliff Walk, Crossing, Anticipation, Travel, Vancouver - Canada, Valley, Bridge, Outdoors, Vancouver, Capilano, Park, Rainforest, Vacations, Forest, Rock, Canada, Adventure, North Vancouver, Woodland, Capilano Park, Suspension Bridge, Horizontal, Scenics - Nature, Bridge - Built Structure, Hill, Cliff, Tree, Suspended Bridge, District Of North Vancouver, Rock - Object, British Columbia, Bridge Crossing, Summer, Photography, Mountain, North America, Public Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

    4.34 MILES

    As you inch gingerly across one of the world's longest (140m) and highest (70m) pedestrian suspension bridges, swaying gently over roiling Capilano Canyon…

  • Vancouver at night architecture, british columbia, british columbia canada, buildings night, canada, city, city night, city reflection, modern, modern architecture, modern buildings, reflection, science museum, science world, vancouver, vancouver british columbia, vancouver canada, vancouver night

    Science World

    0.69 MILES

    Under Vancouver's favorite geodesic dome (OK, it's only one), this ever-popular science showcase has tonnes of hands-on galleries and a cool outdoor park…

  • Roedde House Museum

    Roedde House Museum

    0.89 MILES

    For a glimpse of what the West End looked like before the apartment blocks, visit this handsome 1893 Queen Anne–style mansion, now a lovingly preserved…

  • Beautiful Laburnum (Golden Chain) blossoms in the mid of May at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, BC Canada.

    VanDusen Botanical Garden

    2.89 MILES

    This highly popular green-thumbed oasis is a 22-hectare, 255,000-plant idyll that offers a strollable web of pathways weaving through specialized garden…

  • Police Museum exterior

    Vancouver Police Museum & Archives

    0.77 MILES

    Illuminating Vancouver's crime-and-vice-addled history, this quirky museum has had a recent makeover, uncovering the former coroner's courtroom (spot the…

  • The Arbutus Greenway is transformed from historic rail corridor to a nature walkway for people to do cycling, rolling and strolling, in Vancouver BC Canada.

    Arbutus Greenway

    1.57 MILES

    A former disused urban rail line that's being transformed by the city into a cool linear park, this 8.5km-long flora-fringed walking and cycling route is…

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Nearby Vancouver attractions

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