Vancouver, British Columbia

1. Stanley Park

Vancouver residents adore Stanley Park. It is the city’s largest urban park and a national historic site that serves as a rich, verdant oasis in the center of the city and is one of the top Vancouver BC attractions. Its 400 hectares of space has features typically found in just about any West Coast habitat. In one stroll, you will go through the rainforest, by the sea, through the mountains, and along the seawall.

It’s a place where you can enjoy solitude, watch birds, admire sweeping trees, or play on the beach or on the tennis or golf court. You will also see Native American totem poles scattered around the park as well as many other art pieces that complement the art nature has created in the form of the thematic gardens. Take a mini train or a horse carriage to make your exploration even more pleasant. The park is also home to the Canada’s largest aquarium, but you’ll need another day to see it; it’s an absolute delight that should not be rushed.

2. The Seawall in Vancouver

When the weather is nice, the citizens of Vancouver go out, and many end up at The Seawall, the world's longest waterfront path and one of the best things to do in Vancouver. The Seawall is a long uninterrupted path that runs the length of the Vancouver waterfront from the Vancouver Convention Centre all the way to Spanish Banks Park. Along the way, you will pass Burrard Inlet (Coal Harbour), Stanley Park, False Creek, a section that overlooks Granville Island, and finally end up at Kitsilano Beach Park.

You can take a walk, go for a jog, or bring a bike or roller skates, and have some fun in the fresh air, enjoying spectacular views of the city throughout the trip. It will take you two to three hours to walk around Stanley Park alone, so come prepared; bring snacks and drinks, and probably an umbrella as well, considering the weather in Vancouver.

3. Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver, located on Chestnut Street in Vanier Park, is the oldest museum in Vancouver and the largest civic museum in Canada. Formerly known as the Vancouver Museum, it was founded in 1894 by the Art, Historical, and Scientific Association of Vancouver, and is devoted to Vancouver-related exhibitions and programs.

The Vancouver Museum became the Museum of Vancouver in 2009, and its permanent collection of over 65,000 items recounts stories of Vancouver from the early 1900s through the late 1970s. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also displays compelling temporary exhibits. The museum’s home was built in 1967 and includes a planetarium.

1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Phone: 604-736-4431

4. Gastown

Vancouver is comprised of colorful and lively neighborhoods, but Gastown, a neighborhood as old as Canada, stands out. The first building erected in Gastown was a saloon in 1867, and the area continued to be pretty rough and tumble even after it was incorporated into the city of Vancouver in 1886. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the city residents realized they were in possession of a historical treasure that simply couldn’t be demolished.

At that moment, the revival of Gastown began. Today, it is one of the most vibrant, hip, and popular neighborhoods in Vancouver. You’ll find a fun mix of new and old and casual and upscale; the neighborhood is both a tourist attraction and the place where many feel at home. You can stop by Jules Bistro for piano night, the Pourhouse for Sunday Jazz, or to the Salt Tasting Room for tapas and good Spanish wine. You’ll always find something to do in Gastown.

#210 - 318 Homer St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Phone: 604-683-5650

5. Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is first and foremost a center for marine conservation, research, and animal rehabilitation, but it is also one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver.

The Aquarium is the largest in Canada and one of the largest in North America. It covers over 100,000 square feet and is home to more than 50,000 animals. Depending on their origin and habitat, animals are displayed in a number of fascinating galleries. If you are wondering what to do in Vancouver with kids, this is a great place to visit. Many animals such as dolphins and whales can be seen in live shows and some can be visited during feeding time.

Visiting the Vancouver Aquarium is fun for the entire family, and the kids are guaranteed to love it. If they happen to ask, tell them that they do not catch whales to put them in the aquarium. They bring them in if they are hurt or need help, or they transfer them from another aquarium.

845 Avison Way, Vancouver, British Columbia, Phone: 604-659-3474

6. Granville Island

They call Granville Island “Vancouver’s Town Square.” If you took all the essential elements of Vancouver, condensed them, and put them in one area, you would end up with something like this unique urban oasis. It reflects the city’s multicultural, multiethnic vibe and is incredibly exciting and fun.

Take a stroll around the area and try to take it all in: waterfront restaurants, galleries, theatres, studios, shops, cafes, and the market, which is one of the most popular features of the island. Check out the produce that grows in the area, see what the fishermen caught in their nets that day, pick some flowers for your darling, grab something to eat, or simply relax by the water and watch the world go by.

Take the kids to the Adventure Zone or the Water Park, catch a show, visit the brewery, or rent a boat and go out on the water. On the way back, take the colorful Aquabus and enjoy a 25-minutes tour of False Creek, which will allow you to see the city from a fresh perspective.

7. Vancouver Heritage Foundation Tours

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation takes the conservation of Vancouver’s culture very seriously. They provide walks, tours, talks, special events, and grants to ensure that the city’s heritage is properly recognized and celebrated. By taking a tour of one of the registered historic buildings or landmarks, you not only enjoy visiting a piece of Vancouver history, but you contribute to the city’s survival.

The tours change yearly, so be sure to check the schedule. Try the Heritage House Tour, a Mid-Century Modern House Tour, or the Laneway House Tour. You should also keep an eye out for upcoming special events such as City Drinks: An Evening in Shaughnessy, which takes place at Disher House, built in 1912 and attributed to the Architect Paul Phipps. Should you ever decide to move to Vancouver and buy one of the heritage houses, the Foundation has grants available for their restoration.

402 - 510 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Phone: 604-264-9642

8. Vancouver Foodie Tours

No matter how much of an enthusiastic foodie you are, there is no way you can navigate all the culturally and ethnically diverse cuisine a city like Vancouver has to offer by yourself – you need local foodies to take you around and show you all the best places. That’s where Vancouver Foodie Tours step in. Even they do not claim to be able to show you absolutely everything, but they do their best to come close, and the results don’t disappoint.

You have three options: Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour, a three-hour walking tour that includes 14 tastings, eight stories, and four courses, Granville Island Market Tour, which lasts for two hours and includes 20 tastings and ten stories, and World’s Best Food Truck Tour, a two-hours tour of four courses, five tastings, and nine stories.

877-804-9220

9. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of the most beautiful and most peaceful spots in Vancouver’s bustling Chinatown. The garden was the first traditional Chinese garden created outside of China and was designed to resemble the home of a Ming Dynasty scholar. Named by the father of modern China Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the garden is designed like a mosaic of surprising horticultural elements, and cannot all be seen at once. Take a stroll along narrow winding paths, through intricate moongates, under the lacy branches of willows, passing by ponds full of gold fish. The best way to really see and understand the philosophy behind the garden’s design is with the help of a 92-year-old Chinese guide Julian Law, who is himself a part of the garden’s magic.

578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada, Phone: 604-662-3207

10. VanDusen Botanical Garden

As you enter VanDusen Botanical Garden through its whimsical visitors center, you’ll find it hard to believe that it used to be a golf course. Today, you can stroll through 22 hectares of carefully maintained, elegant landscapes, and go from one ecosystem to another, from the Mediterranean to Louisiana and from the Himalayas to the Pacific coast. The garden is also home to a number of celebrated sculptures from renowned artists such as Bill Reid and David Marshall.

The best way to enjoy the garden is to stroll through it aimlessly and leisurely. If you are the organized type, however, you can take advantage of the regular guided tours. The garden is always organizing courses of all kinds, from art and photography to gardening, ecology, and botany. To keep the garden in its exquisite shape, 16,000 volunteers dedicate their time and energy to its upkeep.

5251 Oak Street, at West 37th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Phone: 604-257-8335