Discover The Best Things To Do In Vancouver
Vancouver Vacation: Cosmopolitan City Meets a Natural Playground
By Hayley Simpson | Published on January 10, 2023
There's no city quite like Vancouver, where its urban heart has a stunning snow-capped mountain backdrop. Whether you prefer outdoor adventures like scaling a mountain or indoor experiences like visiting world-class museums, Vancouver can be the best vacation place for you. Here are the best things to do in Vancouver before embarking on a cruise.
Visit Vancouver's Life Story
Vancouver received its name from British Captain George Vancouver, who arrived in 1792 to chart Canada's west coast. Settlers soon came onshore, but it was the discovery of gold along the Fraser River in 1858 that saw 30,000 Americans arrive in Vancouver. The city grew alongside its logging industry and was incorporated in 1886. Today, agriculture and forestry are still two of the city's main economic sectors, alongside tourism and education.
Both Vancouver's population and its tourism sector boomed following the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway transcontinental line from Eastern Canada in the late 1880s. If you want to take a step back in history and visualize Vancouver at this time, head directly to Gastown. The city's oldest and most historic neighborhood, Gastown is home to distinct architecture and great dining options. Picture old-fashioned streetlights and colorful floral hanging baskets lining cobblestone streets. Don't miss taking a photo of the famous Gastown Steam Clock, either.
Vancouver may be a young city by comparison, but it's positively thriving. In its short history, it's managed to become one of the world's most liveable cities and North America's third-largest film production center. Don't be surprised if you see celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen during your time in the "Hollywood of the North." In every aspect, when visiting Vancouver you may notice that somehow the city has manages to effortlessly blend old with new as well as urban with nature. There are historic buildings nestled in the shadows of modern futuristic skyscrapers, as well as sprawling urban parks and limitless mountains. There's nowhere quite like a visit to Vancouver, where you can journey from the lively city center to a ski resort in minutes.
Ideas For Exploring Vancouver’s Great Outdoors
If you happen to visit Vancouver when it's not living up to its "Raincouver" nickname, make the most of its proximity to the great outdoors. Take your pick from parks like Stanley Park, Lighthouse Park, and Queen Elizabeth Park. Bigger than Central Park, the 400-hectare Stanley Park is located on a peninsula in downtown Vancouver. Attracting over 8 million annual visitors, it's home to the 3.4-mile Seawall that loops around the coastline, sandy beaches, the world-renowned Vancouver Aquarium, the Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake. Alternatively, Queen Elizabeth Park is Vancouver's highest point, so expect breathtaking views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains.
Best Free Things To Do In Vancouver
One of the best free things to do in Vancouver in the summer is to head to one of its beautiful beaches. Stanley Park has the aptly named First, Second, and Third Beaches, while Kitsilano has a beach and North America's largest saltwater pool at 440 feet long. Step away from the beach and head to the mountains and Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the city's top tourist attractions. The 450-foot suspension bridge stretches across the Capilano River in a dense temperate rainforest. There's also a cliff walk, nature tours, exhibits, and the Treetop Adventure to enjoy.
Vancouver's Popular Tourist Attractions
One of the most popular things to do in Vancouver is to visit Granville Island. It's an arts and crafts hub, where you'll find small galleries, theaters and the Public Market. This Canadian shopping district is home to many top tourist attractions including over 50 traders selling everything from handmade jewelry to artisan cheese and fresh produce. Pick up food inside and enjoy it along the waterfront while a local musician serenades you.
If you love museums and art galleries, you're spoiled for choice in Vancouver. The Vancouver Art Gallery is one of Canada's largest and is housed in the city's beautiful former courthouse building. The permanent collection includes over 11,000 items, including work from well-known Canadian artist Emily Carr.
Vacationing in Vancouver with kids? Head to Science World at TELUS World of Science. Besides being located in one of the city's coolest-looking buildings, it's brimming with hands-on experiences to inspire young minds. Another museum that is as well-known for its unique and award-winning exterior as it is for its interior collection is the Museum of Anthropology. Sitting pretty on the University of British Columbia campus, it houses one of the world's finest indigenous art collections. There are over 535,000 archaeological artifacts and 50,000 ethnographic objects inside, so set aside ample time to explore.
Fun Things To Do In Vancouver At Night
If you're here after dark, one of the best local things to do in Vancouver at night is to see a Vancouver Canucks hockey game at Rogers Arena. But if you visit out of season, there's usually always an international act performing here instead. Speaking of summer, the Richmond Night Market is North America's largest food market with hundreds of stalls primarily serving Asian-inspired cuisine. Other things to do at night in Vancouver is to see if there's a gig happening at the historic and award-winning Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver's most beloved entertainment venue. Music royalty like Tina Turner, David Bowie and the Ramones have performed on its hallowed stage.
Best Vancouver Restaurants To Eat, Drink, And Be Merry
You will never go hungry on your Vancouver vacation, as the city is overflowing with cute cafes, scrumptious food trucks, and award-winning ethnically diverse restaurants that will suit everyone's taste buds. Start with Hawksworth, which has been voted the Vancouver’s best restaurant. This fine-dining establishment focuses on contemporary cuisine with a modern and local twist. Then, you have the internationally recognized The Acorn Restaurant, which is the city's best vegan and vegetarian fine-dining restaurant. Their award-winning menu features dishes made with local ingredients that are designed to satisfy even the "staunchest meat eaters."
For international cuisine, you can't look past Vij's restaurant, which combines local produce with traditional Indian cooking methods to become one of North America's most beloved Indian restaurants. Alternatively, enjoy Abiru-style (flame-seared) sushi with a dazzling waterfront view at Miku Waterfront. It offers sustainable seafood, innovative desserts, and a long list of sake.
For breakfast, get up early to avoid the lines at Jam Cafe. If you do stand in line, just know their all-day breakfast menu is well worth the wait. You can't go wrong whether you opt to go sweet with the Fat Elvis Waffle or savory with one of their delicious eggs Benedict options. For lunch, Meat & Bread lives up to its name by serving the best sandwiches in the city.
Top Bars To Visit In Vancouver
Vancouver is brimming with hundreds of breweries and brewpubs. Make a beeline for CRAFT Beer Market, which has over 100 beers on tap. Alternatively, walk down Gastown's cobblestone streets to enjoy a beer with a view at Steamworks Brewing Company. Meanwhile, The Keefer Bar in the heart of Chinatown is a quirky apothecary-themed cocktail bar. It's been voted the second-best bar in Canada three years in a row. Enjoy the moody atmosphere that's perfect for couples as you try one of the 25 original cocktails on the menu.
Don't sleep on Vancouver, one of Canada's most exciting cities. From the architecture to the abundant nature and incredible food, the city has something for everyone. When you cruise to Canada, give yourself a few days to hit all the wonderful things to do in Vancouver before you cruise back home; it is more than worth the time to invest in a visit.
