The city of Vancouver is a vibrant major city on the west coast Canadian that boasts a ton of things to do from outdoor activities to city vibes. Vancouver is also within the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and should be recognized as such.
If you only have one day in Vancouver or a couple of days, this list will help you make the most of your trip to one of the best cities in North America.
Best time to visit
This coastal city has a pretty mild climate, but in the winter it does see a lot of rain and occasionally also snow. So heading there anytime between late spring and fall will ensure you have the best weather window to enjoy your stay.
Great things to do in Vancouver if you have limited time
Do the grouse grind
Hiking up grouse mountain is a top bucket list item for many people. The hike itself has an 800 meter (2,624 feet) elevation gain over 2.5-km (1.55-mile). It’s intense. The trail also includes 2,830 steps. So, if you are looking for a fitness challenge, this is your chance because it is the biggest challenge to take on close to the city. There is also a gondola, if you just want to take a scenic ride up and take in the views from the top. You can decide if you want hike back down after or make use of the gondola.
How to get to Grouse Mountain
You can take the Seabus from Waterfront Station, next to Canada Place, to the Lonsdale Quay and then you will have to connect with Bus #236 which will take you directly to Grouse Mountain.
Vancouver aquarium
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Hours of operation: 10AM-5PM; 7 days a week
Located in the beautiful Stanley Park (which I also recommend taking a walk or a run through) the Vancouver Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Canada. Not only is it well done, taking into account animal welfare, with an amazing team of veterinarians, technicians and staff, they are also at the forefront of marine research, ocean literacy education, climate activism, conservation and marine animal rehabilitation.
Vandusen botanical garden
Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
Hours of Operation: open daily from 9AM-6PM
There are over 7,500 plant species from around the world in this garden. Entrance costs between $10-15 for adults, depending on the season, though I would recommend going in spring or summer to see the flowers and trees in full bloom. This is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for kids, does research, and is one of the best ways to spend a few hours. With a rose garden and forest paths, there is a ton to explore.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Address: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada
Hours of Operation: 9:30AM-4PM every day except Monday
If you are looking for something a little more within the city limits and walkable this tranquil garden is the right choice. It says online that tickets are around $10, but when I visited, I was not charged a fee. It’s a small fully walled garden that is the perfect place to visit if you need to take a moment to relax from the city. It quickly became my personal favourite and one of the best things I had done in the city.
There is a pair of Canada geese that call this garden home that are used to people and being fed. The female walked right up to me and checked me out while I was sitting next to the small water feature. Please don’t feed the wildlife. The things people offer birds are often no where near their natural diet and can actually be harmful to their wellbeing.
After that you can wander around the International District with its unique shops and delicious restaurants.
Things to do in the downtown core
Visit Gastown
The oldest neighbourhood in the city, Gastown is a unique place in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The main street is lined with coffee shops (not just Tim Horton’s in this city) and a few craft breweries and bars offering live music, as well as lots of tourist shops and a steam operated clock that goes off every 15 minutes. It’s a fun place to wander around.
Places to eat in Gastown
Lee’s Donuts
Address: 199 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
They have a huge variety of donuts to choose from. I asked the person waiting on me to tell me her favourite and she recommended the churro chocolate donut, and it did not disappoint. This spot is located right next to the steam clock.
The Black Frog
Address: 108 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M8, Canada
I liked this place because it was an Edmonton Oilers fan spot (and I am a huge Oilers fan). I had no idea that they were until I walked in. But it’s a fun little sports bar with a good poutine and they make a delicious caesar (the drink, not the salad).
Palate
Address: 848 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1E1, Canada
If you are looking for brunch, this is the spot. It has a very upscale presentation but the food is well priced and amazing. They put really interesting mediterranean and middle eastern twists on their food. I recommend the eggs Benedict.
Go to Rogers Arena
Address: 800 Griffiths Wy, Vancouver, BC V6B 6G1, Canada
Whether you want to see the Vancouver Canucks play or take in one of the many live performances they hold there, visiting Rogers Arena is a fun thing to do during your evening after a full day of exploring. Though a good time to go is during winter if you want to catch the Canucks during their regular season.
Visit MacLeod’s Bookstore
Address: 455 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z3, Canada
Hours of Operation: Daily from 11:00AM-5:30PM
This was the wildest used bookstore I have ever seen. Absolute controlled chaos. There were piles of books everywhere! It was kind of amazing. It’s worth just wandering around to see it, but there are also some great finds in there as well.
Nearby top things to do if you have more time
If you have a week or more in the area I would highly recommend taking a trip to Vancouver Island. It is one of my favorite places in Canada (so far) and one of the best places to visit. The island has some great cities, including Nanaimo and my personal favourite, Victoria. There is so much natural beauty to see, with plenty of hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities, you could spend your whole vacation here and not see it all.
Getting to Vancouver Island from Vancouver’s city center
Harbour air
A great way, and a quick way, to get to Vancouver Island is by float plane (if flying in a tiny plane doesn’t freak you out like it does me). It will give you the best views of the area and can take you to couple of locations, depending on where you want to go. You will need a car, however, if you plan to explore more of the island than just one city.
Ferry
I always take the ferry. I am afraid of those little planes and have avoided them like the plague. But the ferry, which can be reached by bus from the city center, is a great way to take a little more time and enjoy the ride and mountain views. The summer is a great time to visit what I consider one of the best places in Canada. The ferry does allow cars, as well as walk on passengers, so whether you plan to take a bike ride around the island or a car, stopping at the various towns and viewpoints, getting there by ferry is my recommendation.
You can find the schedule for the ferry from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) here.
For more, check out my top hiking trails on Vancouver Island.
One big negative
I would be remiss if I didn’t let you know about the one big negative of this city. Unfortunately, Vancouver has a very significant and very real homeless and drug addiction problem. I live in Seattle, which also has this problem, but as I walked around Vancouver it was literally everywhere. There were people lighting up with their glass bowls and tinfoil everywhere. In Seattle, I feel like they tend to be concentrated in specific areas of the city, but Vancouver it was very apparent no matter where I went. I even saw a homeless man, who was obviously high, walking down the street during broad daylight trying every door of the parked cars along the street. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a police officer nearby to alert them that this was happening.
I never felt threatened or unsafe, but wanted to let you know that this is also a part of Vancouver and does detract from its amazing qualities a bit, but should not deter you from visiting. I don’t have an answer on how to fix this, but wanted to make you aware.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s a good idea to have a bit of a plan before you arrive and these are just a few of the many things to do in the city. If you are into museums, make sure to check out the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Science World. All perfect on a rainy day.
Or hop on the train and head down to my home city of Seattle and explore some of the unique things to do in the Emerald City.
