What to do in Vancouver

For visitors to Vancouver, here are some ideas for what to see and do while you are here. All of the places shown here are within 30 minutes drive, or an hour's transit, from Downtown.

To find your way around, check out these maps of Vancouver. We're sorry we haven't had time to do a master map with all of the sights marked on it, but once you're here, just ask a local and they'll point you in the right direction. And if our guide doesn't have enough suggestions for you, then try someone else's (naturally, we will be offended!).

Downtown Area

In the heart of Vancouver, buildings with highly unusual designs are the top places to visit. Canada Place offers great views of the city, harbour and mountains, with a history lesson also available from the many plaques and signs. The Vancouver Central Library, which resembles the Coliseum, is also well worth a visit. In the same general area are Gastown, the historic heart of Vancouver with restored warehouses and the world-famous steam clock, and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Garden, and Chinatown. (If walking in this area, be sure not to loiter on Hastings Street, which is somewhat on the rough side.) For shopping, the places to go are either Pacific Centre or Robson Street. Granville Island, just across false Creek from Downtown, offers markets, shopping, food, entertainment, and a great atmosphere. To help you find your way around, here is a detailed map of Downtown.

North Shore

Across Burrard Inlet from Downtown, Grouse Mountain is the attraction to visit, for its awesome views of the entire city. The Sky Ride carries you to the top of Grouse, unless you would prefer to do it by foot, hiking the famous Grouse Grind. (It's a great summer hike, but you need to be fit!) To see some of Vancouver's great wilderness, without using as much energy as the Grind requires, a visit to Lynn Canyon is recommended.

While on the North Shore, stop in at Lonsdale Quay Market, just across the harbour from Vancouver. The SeaBus takes you straight to Lonsdale Quay, and the views from the SeaBus alone make the trip worthwhile.

Parks and Gardens

Vancouver has some great parks and gardens, with Stanley Park being the best of them all. Take a walk along the Sea Wall, around Stanley Park. But be warned, it's a 10 km walk if you do the full loop! Queen Elizabeth Park can also be worth a visit, although you may be battling busloads of tourists in the main gardens. The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens are also said to be spectacular, although being a brown-thumb, I've never been there!

UBC (University of BC)

Located at the western tip of Vancouver, UBC has a number of things to see, making it possible to spend a half or full day out there. The Museum of Anthropology is excellent, with a fantastic display of West Coast Native art. Two UBC Gardens are also well renowned, the Nitobe Memorial Garden, and the Botanical Garden. Information on the location and hours for both can be found here. For something less formal, Pacific Spirit Park, which separates UBC from Vancouver, offers good trails for hiking or mountain biking.

Commercial Drive

What can I say? Our local neighbourhood is so great it deserves special mention all on its own!

Further Afield

Venturing out from the centre, there are a number of places worth visiting for a half day. Steveston, in the suburb of Richmond, is a historic fishing village and still offers good seafood on the wharf.

Bowen Island is another great place to visit. It's just a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver), but you wouldn't even know you are close to a city! There are a couple of good restaurants here, where you can sit outside, enjoy the views (and a cold beer), and watch the ferries come and go. Check here for ferry schedules.


	Our Home > Vancouver
	What to do in Vancouver For visitors to Vancouver, here are some ideas for what to see and do while you are here. All of the places shown here are within 30 minutes drive, or an hour's transit, from Downtown. To find your way around, check out these maps of Vancouver. We're sorry we haven't had time to do a master map with all of the sights marked on it, but once you're here, just ask a local and they'll point you in the right direction. And if our guide doesn't have enough suggestions for you, then try someone else's (naturally, we will be offended!). Downtown Area In the heart of Vancouver, buildings with highly unusual designs are the top places to visit. Canada Place offers great views of the city, harbour and mountains, with a history lesson also available from the many plaques and signs. The Vancouver Central Library, which resembles the Coliseum, is also well worth a visit. In the same general area are Gastown, the historic heart of Vancouver with restored warehouses and the world-famous steam clock, and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Garden, and Chinatown. (If walking in this area, be sure not to loiter on Hastings Street, which is somewhat on the rough side.) For shopping, the places to go are either Pacific Centre or Robson Street. Granville Island, just across false Creek from Downtown, offers markets, shopping, food, entertainment, and a great atmosphere. To help you find your way around, here is a detailed map of Downtown. North Shore Across Burrard Inlet from Downtown, Grouse Mountain is the attraction to visit, for its awesome views of the entire city. The Sky Ride carries you to the top of Grouse, unless you would prefer to do it by foot, hiking the famous Grouse Grind. (It's a great summer hike, but you need to be fit!) To see some of Vancouver's great wilderness, without using as much energy as the Grind requires, a visit to Lynn Canyon is recommended. While on the North Shore, stop in at Lonsdale Quay Market, just across the harbour from Vancouver. The SeaBus takes you straight to Lonsdale Quay, and the views from the SeaBus alone make the trip worthwhile. Parks and Gardens Vancouver has some great parks and gardens, with Stanley Park being the best of them all. Take a walk along the Sea Wall, around Stanley Park. But be warned, it's a 10 km walk if you do the full loop! Queen Elizabeth Park can also be worth a visit, although you may be battling busloads of tourists in the main gardens. The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens are also said to be spectacular, although being a brown-thumb, I've never been there! UBC (University of BC) Located at the western tip of Vancouver, UBC has a number of things to see, making it possible to spend a half or full day out there. The Museum of Anthropology is excellent, with a fantastic display of West Coast Native art. Two UBC Gardens are also well renowned, the Nitobe Memorial Garden, and the Botanical Garden. Information on the location and hours for both can be found here. For something less formal, Pacific Spirit Park, which separates UBC from Vancouver, offers good trails for hiking or mountain biking. Commercial Drive What can I say? Our local neighbourhood is so great it deserves special mention all on its own! Further Afield Venturing out from the centre, there are a number of places worth visiting for a half day. Steveston, in the suburb of Richmond, is a historic fishing village and still offers good seafood on the wharf. Bowen Island is another great place to visit. It's just a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver), but you wouldn't even know you are close to a city! There are a couple of good restaurants here, where you can sit outside, enjoy the views (and a cold beer), and watch the ferries come and go. Check here for ferry schedules.