Vancouver has always found a place of pride on the list of most liveable cities in the world and a visit to this city reiterates this fact.
As the name suggests, the city is flanked by the peaks of the North Shore Mountains on its northern coastal edge with its famous Grouse Mountain ski resort and by the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean on the west.
Nestled between the mountains and the ocean is the beautiful city of Vancouver.
My first and foremost tip for anyone visiting the city is to check the weather forecast for the day before making any bookings since it rains quite a lot in Vancouver. The summer months of June to August are the driest, so planning a vacation during that time would be ideal, also since most of the activities are outdoors. We were there in June 2024 so although it rained now and then, it was dry for the most part.
We spent four days in Vancouver, our second visit to the city. Our first trip was in the summer of 2011, for a week when my kids were still very young.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the city has retained its charm even after so many years, although, like most metropolises, it looked more crowded.
If you're a first-time visitor to the city, you must plan to keep at least a week aside to see its many wonders. There are an endless number of things to do and the city boasts something to cater to all tastes.
On this trip, we wanted to see what we had not seen on our previous visit. In this post, I'll cover all the Top 5 must-do things in Vancouver that we saw on our previous trip and this one and try to give you insights into both.
I. Stanley Park
If you're an outdoor enthusiast, go for a run or bike around this massive 405-hectare public park.
The park has the famous Stanley Park Seawall Path which is a 10-km long loop around the park that runs along the ocean and offers spectacular views. It takes about 3 hours to walk and 1 hour to cycle around the park.
In my opinion, if you wake up on a sunny day in Vancouver, then don't miss a chance to go to Stanley Park.
Conducted biking tours are also available if you wish to learn about the local history and see all the important points within the park.
We had spent a day at the park on our earlier trip, we had hired bikes that were easily available around the many shops very close to the park.
We made a short stop this time too. The park looked pretty much the same except there were way more tourists along with the locals and the free shuttle service that used to ferry passengers from the city is no longer there.
II. Granville Island
Located on False Creek, Granville Island is a perfect place to spend an evening.
On first look, it would look like any other seafront promenade with eateries, boat rentals and souvenir shops. But after having spent an evening here, I think this should be on your not-to-miss list.
The Granville Island Public Market is a great place to try fresh produce and gourmet delicacies. The entire area is bustling with eateries and breweries and local shops selling trinkets and handicrafts.
You can also opt for a ferry ride called the Aqua Bus that will take you around the scenic harbourfront.
III. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park lies in the District of North Vancouver and is known for its 140-metre-long suspension bridge, 70 meters above the Capilano River.
But it's not the bridge alone that makes this park special, the entire 30-acre park has 7 other suspended footbridges, treetop adventures and Cliffwalk, a cantilevered walkway above the Capilano Canyon.
The park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. During Christmas, it stays open until 9 p.m. for a display of lights called Canyon Lights.
Please check the official website for more details if you happen to be in Vancouver in winter https://www.capbridge.com/events/canyon-lights/
The park is a must-see attraction if you're travelling as a family with kids and this is exactly what we had done on our previous trip to Vancouver. This time, though, we decided to visit Lynn Canyon instead.
IV. Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Lynn Canyon Park also lies in the District of North Vancouver at a distance of about 9 km from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
Unlike Capilano, entry to the park is free but you have to pay for the parking. There is an East Parking lot that is free. If you happen to enter the park from there, then you won't have to pay for the parking too.
Spread over an area of 617 acres, the park has many beautiful hiking trails with different levels of incline and narrow to wide streams of water flowing from Lynn Creek.
The favourite trail is the Lynn Canyon Loop which is 1.4 miles long and kid-friendly with a moderate incline. Except for some parts of the park which can be reached only by the wooden staircases, most of the park is wheelchair friendly.
The park boasts a suspension bridge about 50 meters high and all the basic amenities like toilets and a small refreshment area too.
My Tip -
After having seen both the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge this time and the Capilano Suspension Bridge on our earlier visit to Vancouver, I'd say that you must see the latter if you're a first-time visitor.
Capilano is paid but every bit touristy with dangling bridges, colourful totem poles and a fun adventure park with cute cottages and small hiking trails.
That doesn't take away the fact that Lynn Canyon is also a great place to spend a day in the outdoors but it's more for nature lovers and not for tourists, especially the ones travelling with family.
I'm pasting some pictures of Capilano from our earlier trip for your reference.
V. Flyover Canada
This was our day three in Vancouver and it turned out to be cloudy with scattered rainfall.
We decided to shop around and check out Flyover Canada, a recreation facility that offers simulated flying journeys over Canada.
I'd seen a trailer for this show on YouTube and found it very impressive, but the actual experience was more fun than we could have imagined.
Located in Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver, the simulation ride lasts about 20 minutes but it's 20 minutes of sheer thrill.
We were made to sit in flight-motion seats with seat belts to give us a real feeling of flight as the seats swooped over mountains, lakes, and volcanoes, leaving us in raptures. The 4 D experience includes wind, mist, and the scents of the region we flew over.
The show covers Canada's entire length and breadth with spellbinding special effects.
My Tip -
This show was spectacular. The only negative is that it should have lasted a bit longer than 20 minutes. By the time the feeling of euphoria kicks in, it's time to get off the seat. The facility is very organised. Photography inside is strictly prohibited.
Apart from these top 5 not-to-miss attractions, a day trip to the beautiful mountain town of Whistler and Victoria, the stunning capital city of British Columbia should be on your itinerary too.
We visited Whistler on our last visit, so I'll share my experience with you here. We visited Victoria this time again. On our last day trip, we opted for a whale-watching cruise. It was super fun, to say the least, but that left time for little else. This time, we drove around the city and visited the famous Butchart Gardens and the beautiful area around Ogden Point Breakwater, the popular walk near Downtown Victoria.
Day trip to Victoria, the picturesque capital of British Columbia
Day four turned out to be sunny again. Based on this weather forecast, we'd planned a day trip to Victoria and were glad to see that our plan had been successful.
Read more about the beautiful capital of British Columbia by clicking on the link below
Day trip to Whistler
We had done a day trip to Whistler from Vancouver on our previous trip. Sharing the link below
So, that is Vancouver for you. After having visited it twice, I'd like to sum up by listing these Top 5 Not-to-Miss attractions that are unique to the city and a great way to spend your time in Vancouver.
If you're travelling with kids, then visiting the Science World and Vancouver Aquarium should also feature on your itinerary.
I. Victoria - Picture-perfect destination. Ideally, one should keep at least two days to soak in the ethereal beauty of this city, go on a whale-watching tour and see the Butchart Gardens.
II. Whistler - Visit for its world's longest and highest lift system called Peak 2 Peak Gondola and Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America.
III. Capilano Suspension Bridge - This unique park is a perfect getaway for families.
IV. Stanley Park - The park offers great outdoors and the Seawall is a must-see.
V. Granville Island - A great way to spend a memorable evening, it has great eateries and the place is vibrant and fun.
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