8 Must-Do Experiences in Vancouver for Your Travel List

Explore Vancouver for its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant urban attractions. It's renowned as one of the world's most livable cities for a reason.

As the largest city in British Columbia, Vancouver is set against the water and enveloped by lush forests and towering mountains, allowing for swimming, cycling, and skiing all in a single day if you wish. Thanks to its mild climate, you can indulge in outdoor activities throughout the year.

You don't have to be an outdoor enthusiast to appreciate what this city has to offer. Enjoy thrilling sports events, savor delicious dim sum, immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, and explore fantastic shopping districts. Vancouver caters to everyone, making it a perfect destination for all. Here are some top activities to consider.

1. Discover Vancouver's Indigenous heritage and modern culture

Connecting with the city is best achieved through the stories and experiences of those who originally inhabited the land.

Vancouver is located on the unceded ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Numerous experiences across the city provide engaging and informative ways to connect with the people and places that have shaped Vancouver as we know it today.

Join a walking 'Talking Trees' tour in Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours, where you'll explore local plants used by the Coast Salish people while hearing captivating stories about their rich cultural history from a First Nations guide.

Visit the Bill Reid Gallery, the only public gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Indigenous art from the Northwest Coast, and admire original works by the renowned Haida artist Bill Reid.

For a taste of Indigenous cuisine, try Salmon n' Bannock, the sole Indigenous-owned restaurant in Vancouver, offering modern dishes crafted from traditional Indigenous ingredients.

Consider staying overnight at Skwachàys Lodge, Canada's first Indigenous Arts Hotel. Centrally located in downtown Vancouver, the Lodge provides unique experiences, including sweat lodge and traditional smudge ceremonies, as well as opportunities to meet resident artists. Operating on a social-enterprise model, it supports housing initiatives.

2. Enjoy water activities by beach, boat, or board

Experience Vancouver's stunning seascape from the water. The city provides a variety of aquatic adventures, including kayaking, ocean swimming, and mini-ferry rides, all easily accessible from downtown.

For kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, create your own adventure right in the city. You can find water access and rentals at Granville Island, Jericho Beach, False Creek, Yaletown, or Stanley Park, or explore further to Deep Cove on Vancouver’s North Shore.

Prefer a power boat? You can rent one too! Granville Island Boat Rentals is a popular option for private speedboat rentals. For a unique experience, consider having a BBQ on the water while you take in the views. If you’d rather relax, hop on the colorful Aquabus mini ferries for a tour or to travel between Granville Island and some of the city's top waterfront destinations.

For ocean swimming, visit one of Vancouver’s best beaches, such as Kits Beach or Second Beach, where you can soak in the ambiance, enjoy the sunshine, and then take a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

3. Discover fine art, family fun, and fresh food on Granville Island

Once an industrial wasteland, Granville Island has transformed into a cultural gem, renowned for both its artistic offerings and culinary delights, making it one of Vancouver’s best neighborhoods.

Art enthusiasts are drawn to the vibrant creative scene, with hidden studios and interactive workshops around every turn. Food lovers also flock to Granville Island, where charming mom-and-pop shops like Lee’s Donuts (a celebrity favorite) coexist with fine dining establishments like the Sandbar and the bustling Granville Island Public Market, a hub where the city's top chefs shop.

The Kids Market, a three-story shopping and activity center designed for children, is a major attraction for families. Just a short walk away, North America’s largest free outdoor water park offers the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy on warm summer days.

Local tip: Pick up some delicious food from Granville Island Public Market and take a leisurely stroll along the wooden boardwalk, starting from the southeast corner of Granville Island to Ron Basford Park, for a serene picnic with beautiful water views.

4. Bike along the Stanley Park seawall

As the top contender among Vancouver’s best parks, Stanley Park is truly the crown jewel of the city. Often likened to Central Park, it boasts a much larger footprint of 400 hectares (988 acres).

With an outdoor public pool, numerous playgrounds, sandy beaches, meandering trails through lush woodlands, popular attractions, and excellent dining options, the park has something for everyone. However, it's the 8.8km (5.5-mile) paved seawall that attracts the largest crowds. Rent a bike downtown and you can spend an entire day cycling through the park, discovering all its treasures.

Detour: Step off the seawall and explore the Vancouver Aquarium. As Canada’s first and largest aquarium, it hosts thousands of marine species, allowing you to encounter everything from jellyfish to sea otters up close.

5. Embark on a journey through the treetops

Vancouver boasts numerous tree-lined hiking paths, but for a truly unique experience and an aerial adventure, venture on a sky-high trek through the trees.

On Vancouver’s North Shore, the Capilano Suspension Bridge stands out as the most popular destination, drawing visitors since its construction in 1883. As the world’s longest and highest suspension bridge, soaring 230ft above the Capilano River and extending 450ft, it’s a must-see attraction. It’s particularly stunning from November to January, when it sparkles with over 50,000 lights during the annual Canyon Lights event.

For a complimentary option with fewer crowds, check out the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, which hangs 160ft above the canyon and connects to a network of hiking trails. It also features the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and a charming café where you can enjoy a coffee and snack after your hike.

6. Hit the local ski slopes

Despite Vancouver's mild climate often leading to snowless winters, the city's three local mountains are abundant with fresh snow. From early December to mid-March, skiers and snowboarders flock to these mountains for thrilling slope-side escapades, all within a 30-minute drive from downtown.

Revered as the “Peak of Vancouver,” Grouse Mountain is the area's top ski destination, accessed via gondola and featuring year-round attractions. Cypress Mountain Resort holds the title for the largest, offering visitors an exciting ride down the Eagle Coaster, Canada's longest mountain roller coaster when the snow melts. Meanwhile, Mt Seymour Resort is cozier, family-owned, and celebrated for its fresh powder and picturesque snowshoeing trails.

7. Experience dim sum along the Dumpling Trail

From crispy dumplings to pork-filled pouches and steaming wontons, a self-guided culinary adventure along the Dumpling Trail reveals a variety of delicious treats.

Located just 9.5 miles south of downtown Vancouver, Richmond boasts the largest Chinese community outside of Asia, resulting in a vibrant selection of traditional dim sum restaurants, street food vendors, and charming family-run eateries offering the finest dumpling delights on this side of the Pacific.

Planning tip: Extend your visit with a stay at the Versante Hotel, Richmond’s sole luxury boutique accommodation, featuring stylish designs that blend Asian and Western elements. There, you can dine at Bruno, an upscale restaurant known for its globally inspired dishes sourced from local farms, including the much-loved truffle-lavender duck.

8. Enjoy a live sporting event

Vancouverites are passionate about their sports and invite visitors to join in cheering for their favorite teams. For hockey enthusiasts, catching a Vancouver Canucks game is a must (if you can score a ticket). The city is also home to the Vancouver Giants, a junior ice hockey team competing in the Western Hockey League.

The BC Lions represent Vancouver in the CFL, boasting a dedicated fan base that turns the city into a sea of orange on game days. If you’re looking for high-energy action, a Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match won’t disappoint. For a leisurely afternoon, enjoy a game with the Vancouver Canadians baseball team. And for a taste of Canada’s other national sport, don’t miss the Vancouver Warriors lacrosse team, the city’s newest professional sports franchise.