Best Places To Visit In Vancouver
Vancouver Quick Facts
Climate
Vancouver has a moderate climate and it rains an average of 161 days a year. They can get snowfall, averaging 8 days a year with 17 inches. The higher elevations may have larger accumulations. Vancouver is normally snow-free from May to September.
(This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of my links, I may receive a commission or credit at no additional cost to you. For more info, please read my Affiliate Information Policy.)
Language and Culture
The city of Vancouver has a population of over 600,000 and the metro area over 2.3 million. Federal government agencies speak English and French but most everyone speaks English. Vancouver is very multicultural, and many languages are spoken including Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish and more.
Vancouver is in the Pacific Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time. If paying with cash, it is suggested that cash currency is converted to Canadian dollars. Canada phased out the use of the 1 cent (penny) coin in 2013. If you are paying cash, the total amount of your purchases will be rounded either up or down to the closest 5 cents. Credit card and debit card payments are not rounded.
What To Wear
With Vancouver’s mild weather year-round, the best way to tackle the weather is by wearing layers and packing casual clothes to see you through most situations. During Spring, Summer and Fall take a raincoat, umbrella, and light jacket. During Winter you will need warm clothes and if going to the mountains bring hats, gloves, and scarves.
Voltage and Measures
Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada.
Canada follows the International Metric System. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, velocity are expressed in metric units. Distance is measured in kilometers.
For the most part, Vancouver has free public Wi-Fi.
Vancouver Activities
Vancouver has a wide range of things to do from urban arts to outdoor adventures and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Best Things To Do In Vancouver
Grouse Mountain
There is so much to do at Grouse Mountain. Start with a mile-long Skyride to the Peak Chalet. At the Peak Chalet, you can shop, eat at several places and learn about wildlife in the high def theatre.
From the Peak Chalet, you can check out the Wildlife Refuge, Lumberjack Show, Birds in Motion, Pollinator’s Garden, play Mountain Disc Golf, go Ziplining, Paragliding, Ride the Peak Chairlift and go up in the Eye of The Wind observation tower for even more spectacular views. The Eye of The Wind tower was a little scary because I have a fear of heights. The view is well worth a little stress :-). The top of the tower is a glass pod that gives 360-degree views. Plus there are clear sections in the floor (remember my fear of heights 🙂 )
Winter activities include ice skating, ski trails, and other snow activities.
Carvings Birds In Motion
Grouse Grind
This is a 1.8-mile trail up to the top of Grouse Mountain. It is very steep – about 30 degrees. Not for the faint of heart! (including me!).
Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is the oldest tourist attraction in the city (it dates back to 1889), and the 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high bridge offers spectacular views of the Capilano River below.
Across the river, there is an area called Treetop Adventures. With this canopy walk – set among the park’s 250-year-old Douglas fir trees – you can walk 110 feet above the forest floor and from viewing platform to viewing platform.
At Capilano Suspension Bridge you can tempt fate along the Cliffwalk, a set of cantilevered and suspended walkways that meander along the canyon's edge. #Vancouver #Capilano #Travel #Cruise #JanetBPearson Share on X It was exciting and also scary! The Cliffwalk has only 16 anchor points supporting it!
It’s worth it to spend as much time as needed to see everything Capilano Suspension Bridge has to offer.
In our pictures, you see are wearing rain ponchos. It was drizzling that day and also a little chilly. The ponchos were provided with entry.
Stanley Park
This almost 1000 acre park is one of Vancouver’s top attractions. You can walk, cycle or jog around the nearly 20-mile-long Seawall that hugs Vancouver’s waterfront.
Discover trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife, great food, natural, cultural and historical landmarks, along with many other adventures.
Chinatown
Beyond the ornate Millennium Gate marking its entrance, Vancouver’s exotic and interesting Chinatown features modern buildings amid many older ones dating from Victorian times.
Signs in shops and restaurants are often written in Chinese characters. Local attractions include the walled Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, modeled after a traditional garden from the Ming Dynasty.
This was the first Chinese garden built outside of China. Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America.
We found this area of town to be fascinating. There are restaurants, tea shops, souvenir shops, markets, clothing stores, and other shops catering to both the local community and tourists.
Gastown
The oldest part of the city, Gastown is an area of restaurants, galleries, and shops set in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobblestone streets, and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. Gastown came into existence in 1867 when a man called John Deighton arrived on the scene. He had a habit of launching into lengthy stories and soon acquired the nickname “Gassy Jack.” As a result, the vicinity became known as “Gassy’s Town” or “Gastown”. A statue of the proprietor now watches over the neighborhood in Maple Tree Square. Tourists stop for photos with Gassy Jack and also love to visit the nearby Steam Clock, which puffs steam-powered chimes every 15 minutes.
Vancouver Public Library
Grab a book, enjoy the peace and quiet, check out the impressive soaring ceilings or wander the rooftop garden at the Coliseum-like Vancouver Public Library. The architecture is amazing! Inside there are shops and restaurants.
This is definitely not your ordinary library.
Granville Island
This former industrial site is now one of Vancouver’s most beloved neighborhoods. Practically its own mini-city, Granville Island’s former factories now house trendy restaurants, galleries, and theaters.
But the main draw here is the Granville Island Public Market, often described as one of the best open-air markets in North America.
Vancouver Lookout
From the panoramic observation deck, you get a 360-degree view of the city below, including the North Shore and Olympic Peninsula Mountains, as well as the sprawling Stanley Park.
Sitting on the 55th floor of the Harbour Centre building in downtown Vancouver, the lookout is reached by a glass elevator, where the 40-second ride takes visitors up more than 550 feet to the top!
Beaches
Vancouver has several beaches worth checking out if you have time.
Kitsilano “Kits” Beach
Kits Beach is often compared to L.A.’s hip Venice Beach. The beach is representative of the laid-back Vancouver lifestyle.
There are plenty of things to do including water sports, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, swimming in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool, sunbathing, cycling, dining and enjoying the view.
Spanish Banks Beach
Spanish Banks Beach is the least crowded and most quiet. It’s also the best place to try your hand at skimboarding – a cross between surfing and skateboarding.
It is an expansive beach that offers picnicking opportunities, swimming, beach volleyball, or simply a great view of Vancouver and the mountains.
Spanish Banks is very family-friendly.
English Bay Beach
English Bay Beach, also called First Beach, is the most populated beach area in Vancouver’s downtown area. The Stanley Park Seawall runs along the east side of the beach.
English Bay Beach is also where members of the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club take the plunge on New Years Day every year.
I highly recommend the Hop On Hop Off buses or trolley. They go all over town for a low fare. We found it was the easiest way to see as much as possible in a short period of time.
Find and book Vancouver tours and activities on Viator.com. Book ahead to save time and money!
Hope you enjoyed this review of things to do in Vancouver!
The form you have selected does not exist.
Some of my other travel posts:
Disney Halloween On The High Seas
Leave a Reply