Vancouver

Best things to do in Vancouver

1. 

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   1. Victoria, Vancouver Island (day trip)

   • A full day or longer
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families
   • No car needed

   British Columbia's capital, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 100 km from Vancouver. Known as the Garden City, it keeps many historic buildings, including the Parliament Buildings (finished 1897) and the Empress Hotel (1908), and has the second oldest Chinatown in North America.

   Check sailing or flight times with a ferry or seaplane operator before planning the day.

   34,585 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Victoria, British Columbia
   • Destination Greater Victoria
2. 2

   2. Whistler

   • A full day or longer
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Active
   • Couples
   • Families

   A resort municipality in the Coast Mountains, about 125 km north of Vancouver. More than two million people visit each year, mainly for skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking in summer. It hosted most of the alpine events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

   Activities and lift operations change with the season, so check what is running on your dates.

   7,863 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Whistler, British Columbia

3. 

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   3. Stanley Park

   • 2 to 4 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Families
   • Active
   • Couples
   • No car needed

   A 405-hectare public park that fills the northwest half of Vancouver's downtown peninsula, surrounded by Burrard Inlet and English Bay. The Brockton Point lighthouse marks its eastern tip, and it is the site of the Vancouver Aquarium.

   5,018 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Stanley Park

4. 

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   4. Gastown

   • 1 to 2 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • Adults
   • No car needed
   • Rainy day

   The original settlement that grew into the city of Vancouver, now a national historic site and a downtown neighbourhood next to the waterfront.

   3,725 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Gastown

5. 

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   5. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Tickets needed
   • Families
   • Couples
   • Active

   A 140 m suspension bridge spanning the Capilano River, 70 m above the water, in North Vancouver. The park also has the Treetops Adventure rainforest walkway and the Cliffwalk along the canyon.

   The park says only tickets bought from its own website or authorised partners are guaranteed for entry. Time slots are limited at weekends and holidays, so book ahead.

   3,086 readers a month

   Sources

   • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
   • Wikipedia, Capilano Suspension Bridge

6. 

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   6. Butchart Gardens (day trip)

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Tickets needed
   • Couples
   • Families

   A 55-acre display garden in Brentwood Bay near Victoria, created by Jennie Butchart and still privately run by the family. Its areas include the Sunken, Rose, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean gardens. It is a National Historic Site of Canada.

   Opening hours change through the year; from 1 November 2026 the gardens open at 10:00. Check the garden's site for current times and tickets.

   2,682 readers a month

   Sources

   • The Butchart Gardens
   • Wikipedia, Butchart Gardens

7. 

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   7. Grouse Mountain

   • 3 to 5 hours
   • Tickets needed
   • Families
   • Active
   • Couples

   A North Shore mountaintop attraction above the city, reached by the Skyride. Admission includes the grizzly bear habitat, ranger and owl talks and scenic lookouts. It is also a ski area in winter.

   Some activities are closed or seasonal; when we last checked, the Grouse Grind trail was closed for annual maintenance. Check the Grouse Mountain site before you go.

   2,463 readers a month

   Sources

   • Grouse Mountain
   • Wikipedia, Grouse Mountain

8. 

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   8. Granville Island

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Families
   • Couples
   • Rainy day

   A peninsula across False Creek from downtown, once industrial and now home to a public market, restaurants, artists' studios and theatres. The Public Market is listed as open 9 am to 6 pm.

   Opening hours vary by business; check the island's website.

   2,158 readers a month

   Sources

   • Granville Island
   • Wikipedia, Granville Island

9. 

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   9. Vancouver Aquarium

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Families
   • Rainy day

   A public aquarium in Stanley Park that is also a centre for marine research, education and the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals.

   Check the aquarium's own site for current opening times and tickets.

   1,785 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Vancouver Aquarium

10. 

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    10. Science World

    • 2 to 3 hours
    • Check entry rules before you go
    • Families
    • Rainy day

    A science centre at the eastern end of False Creek with permanent interactive exhibits and changing displays.

    Check the Science World site for opening hours and tickets.

    1,727 readers a month

    Sources

    • Science World
    • Wikipedia, Science World (Vancouver)

Just missed the list: Canada Place (11th by readers; waterfront cruise terminal and convention centre); Harbour Centre Lookout (12th by readers; a viewing deck on a downtown tower)