Counted among one of the most livable cities in the world, Vancouver in British Columbia (BC), Canada, is a very interesting place to visit. It is dotted with many natural and man-made tourist attractions, perfect for both travel junkies and adventure seekers. So, if you are planning to visit this bustling west coast seaport in Canada anytime soon, then this travel guide is for you. Here we have rounded up 16 fun things to do in Vancouver, BC, so make sure to read it till the end.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a world-renowned tourist attraction. Established in 1887, it was Vancouver’s first city. It is a magnificent green oasis right in the heart of the Canadian city’s urban landscape.
The park covers a very large area and is, in fact, one of the largest urban open spaces in the entire country. Take an up-close look at the natural West Coast rainforest. You’ll surely be amazed by the scenic views of mountains, water, sky, and lush green landscape of Stanley Park in Vancouver.
You can explore kilometers of hiking trails, local wildlife, and natural landmarks along with enjoying different types of adventures. It is surely one of the best places to visit in Vancouver.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is often dubbed as the city’s horticulture jewel, and for good reason. Home to a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden and many native and exotic tree species, it is a major attraction for nature enthusiasts and view-seekers who are on a trip to Vancouver city. The park is located at an elevation of 125 m above sea level, it’s the highest place in the port city. Owing to its unique positioning, the place offers spectacular views of the surrounding urban and natural landscapes.
Queen Elizabeth Park spreads over 52 hectares. It is home to the very famous Bloedel Conservatory. It also features different types of sculptures, including the one made by an internationally acclaimed artist Henry Moore. Visiting this urban park is one of the best things to do in Vancouver as it also offers many recreational activities, including a tennis court, pitch and putt, and lawn bowling.
Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium is a highly popular recreational facility located in Stanley Park. It is a very large place, where you’ll find the largest collection of fishes as well as marine invertebrates. Vancouver Aquarium has nearly 3,000 specimens of more than 300 different fish species. Along with it, there are thousands of marine animals belonging to around 150 different invertebrate species.
The collection of this aquarium is so vast that it is considered one of the most outstanding aquariums in the world. Upon your visit to this aquarium in Vancouver, you can take an up-close look at the giant octopus among other fascinating marine species that live in the deep sea, including killer whales and dolphins.
Vancouver Seawall
Looking for the best natural attraction in Vancouver to take a trip to? Check out Vancouver Seawall. This Canadian city is home to the longest uninterrupted waterfront in the world. There’s also a pathway along the sea, which stretches 28 kilometers and is known as the Seaside Greenway, which also includes the Stanley Park Seawall.
This seafront tourist spot extends from the Vancouver Convention Centre, all the way to Spanish Banks Park. It is a perfect way to spend a day out in the city. You can take a walk, cycle, or jog, some of the best outdoor things to do in Vancouver. It is important to follow the precautionary signs installed at different places near the Vancouver Seawall for your own and others’ safety.
Granville Island
Granville Island has an interesting history. In the early 1900s, the place was an industrial hub, home to factories, different types of manufacturing plants, and sawmills. However, the neighborhood now looks a little different today. It has a huge public market and attracts a large number of tourists. The positioning of this locality is also very unique. It is located in the south of the Vancouver downtown peninsula.
There are many other factors that have made Granville Island everyone’s favorite. For instance, it has theaters, craft studios, artisan workshops, and many other related facilities, which makes it one of the most popular cultural districts in this city. This is why visiting this unique place is one of the best things to do in Vancouver.
Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach, which is popularly known as the “Kits” beach, is a highly famous tourist attraction in Vancouver, BC. It is found on Cornwall Avenue, exactly at the north end of Yew Street. There’s a seawall built alongside this very famous beach. Another very amazing recreational attraction on this coastal belt is Kitsilano Pool, which is located on the west side.
Some of the most noteworthy features of Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver include the seaside seawall system, activities for sports enthusiasts like tennis and basketball courts, public washrooms, a vast playground, ample parking arrangement, on-duty lifeguards, and Boathouse, which is a waterfront restaurant with picturesque views. You can also spend quality time, hanging out with your friends and playing basketball.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Looking for some fun things to do in Vancouver to add to your travel bucket list? Check out VanDusen Botanical Garden. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a great place to enjoy natural beauty. It is a 55-acre urban open space right in the heart of Canada’s most acclaimed port city. The garden is huge and has more than 7,500 plant species, which are not only local but also from different parts of the world.
There’s a lot you can do upon your trip to VanDusen Botanical Garden. How about spotting and photographing the local wildlife species? Yes, you can be a part of many different types of amazing and adventurous activities upon your trip to VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Grouse Mountain
If you are looking for an adventurous experience in Vancouver, then Grouse Mountain should be your go-to destination. It is best known for offering a variety of adventures and memorable experiences all year round. It is one of the most conveniently accessible natural attractions in the city, which is only a 15-minute drive away from downtown.
Grouse Mountain is also known as Vancouver’s premier four-season destination. You would surely be thrilled by the Grouse Mountain’s Super Skyride which lets you experience adventurous activities at a height of 1,250 meters (4,100 feet) above sea level, surrounded by an awe-inspiring alpine environment. Offering the very best of outdoor and cultural experiences, visiting this attraction is among the best things to do in Vancouver with family.
Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver Lookout is one of the best tourist attractions in the Canadian city. It is an observation deck located at the Harbour Centre. The very unique structure of the facility allows you to enjoy a spectacular unobstructed view of the surrounding metropolitan area as well as the majestic North Shore Mountains. You may also catch a glimpse of Vancouver Island, which is also nearby, just off the Pacific Coast.
It is surely going to be a memorable experience, which starts right at the moment when you enter a glass elevator attached to the exterior of the building. In just 40 seconds, you’ll be 167 meters above sea level, looking at the gorgeous views of the city.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Are you a nature lover who is always in search of a perfect spot to appreciate the natural beauty of this world?, then you must visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It is one of the oldest and most iconic man-made tourist attractions in Vancouver surrounded by nature. The total length of this suspension bridge is 450 feet (137 meters) and has a height of 230 feet (70 meters).
As discussed, Capilano Suspension Bridge is a pretty old structure, which was constructed in 1889. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is surely one of the best natural experiences that British Columbia has to offer. It is where history, nature, and adventure all come together in a very exciting and unique way.
Museum Of Anthropology at UBC
The Museum of Anthropology, which is a part of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver’s campus is one of the oldest museums in Canada. It was originally founded in 1947. The museum that we see today was completely renovated and inaugurated in 2010. The Museum of Anthropology is an internationally acclaimed facility. Its exhibits are based on the arts and cultures from all around the world. The museum displays thousands of ethnographic and archaeological objects.
Besides being a top-notch tourist destination in Vancouver, it is also a research and teaching facility, mainly targeting historians. It is where many different types of UBC courses are offered. For example, students here could enroll in studies related to art, conservation, anthropology, archaeology, and museums.
Drive On The Sea To Sky Highway
One of the craziest things to do in Vancouver is to drive on the Sea to Sky Highway. The road is 120 kilometers long. To cross it, you would need an hour and a half without making any stops on the way. While driving on this road, you’ll get incredible views of nature. However, if you are not in a hurry to get somewhere, you can make the most of your trip on this highway.
You’d come across many different types of outdoor destinations, historic attractions and hidden cultural gems in proximity to the Sea to Sky Highway. To have a safe trip, make sure you are observing the speed limits on the highway properly. Also, check the weather conditions before beginning your trip because driving on this road during the rainy weather can be very risky.
Hike In Lynn Canyon
Vancouver is dotted and surrounded by many picturesque natural attractions, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Lynn Canyon Park is one such example. The place is home to several beautiful and adventurous hiking trails that are certainly ideal for different hiking levels. You can either briskly climb uphill or go for a leisurely stroll, exploring nature in Lynn Canyon. It is a very long hiking trail, which covers the North Shore region, crossing the Lynn Canyon Park.
To hike the section of the trail that runs through this canyon park in Vancouver, it would usually take you around 1 to 1.5 hours. There’s also a very popular 30-foot pool, which is frequented by both tourists and locals, just a short distance away from the hiking trail.
Sea-To-Sky Gondola
One of the greatest adventurous places to visit in Vancouver is the Sea to Sky Gondola. It is where you can enjoy many different types of outdoor activities all year round. This includes brisk and leisurely walks, panoramic views of nature from the viewing platforms, and of course, the dining experience at the Summit Lodge, which is a very large facility that specializes in foods prepared from fresh and locally fetched ingredients.
To reach the top of this natural attraction would take you only a 10-minute ride. At the height of around 885 meters above sea level, you would enjoy breathtaking views of the Howe Sound and surrounding coastal mountain ranges.
During the winter season, the Sea to Sky Gondola looks no less than a winter wonderland. The place also enjoys access to a backcountry terrain that spans more than 3,000 acres and offers winter activities for people of all age groups.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
You would also want to add Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to your list of the best things to do in Vancouver. It is a well-established museum, which has also become one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions. We can describe this museum as a very interesting and unique venue, which is best known for hosting cultural events and programs based on concerts, guided tours, exhibitions, festivals, and many other types of educational, entertaining, and informative activities.
It is also the first-ever Ming Dynasty-style garden home built outside China. This urban open space in Vancouver, which has been themed after Chinese culture has transformed into a top global attraction. You should definitely visit it upon your trip to Vancouver. It’s a joint effort of many local Chinese community members as well as the People’s Republic of China and the government of Canada.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
On the western side of the city near the University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus lies another very awe-inspiring natural retreat known as the Pacific Spirit Regional Park. It is surely a great place to explore the natural landscape of the region without even leaving the city. The park protects and displays nature at its best.
From lush green forests and incredible wetlands to babbling streams, and pristine beaches, there is a lot to explore in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which is indeed one of the best places to visit in Vancouver. You can use the map detailing the routes around the park. It will help you find the right way around. The hiking trails in Pacific Spirit Regional Park are around 55 kilometers long, which certainly means it is a great place for adventure seekers.
The aforementioned fun things to do in Vancouver will certainly let you make the most of your trip to this vibrant port city. There are also many famous things to do and see in Toronto, which is another major Canadian city, so make sure to add them to your travel bucket list as well.
