City: Vancouver
Top Things to do in Vancouver
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The 10 Best Things to do in Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver was founded as “Gastown” by an Englishman with a penchant for beer and storytelling. Today Gastown is a historic section of the Canadian metropolis, and the lively pubs still reflect the area’s former status as a sort of community drinking center. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travelers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums. Relive the glory of the 2010 Winter Games with visits to Olympic venues and the marvelous Olympic Cauldron.
Restaurants in Vancouver
1. Vancouver Seawall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,058 reviews
Reviewed By zohrashahalimi - Vancouver, Canada
its a beautiful walk - being hugged by the nature on one side and the sea on the other - perfect combination!
2. Stanley Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28,724 reviews
North America's third-largest park draws eight million visitors per year, many of whom may skate or walk past you on the Seawall, a scenic, 5.5-mile path running along the water on the park's perimeter. It's just one of many trails among the park's 1,000 acres, which also house an aquarium, nature center and other recreational facilities.
Reviewed By nycshine1
Rented bikes from Spokes and spent 6-7 hours here. Thoroughly enjoyed it all, including biking along the seawall/causeway and interior paths, exploring the woods, visiting the Aquarium, and having a leisurely meal at Prospect Point with its great views of Lions Gate Bridge. Signage in the park is not always clear. Sometimes it is difficult to discern whether a path/trail is open to bicycles, and finding certain points of interest isn't always straightforward. I had to backtrack on various occasions, but that is part of the fun of exploring. I highly recommend spending several hours to enjoy and uncover the various sites and scenes.
3. Vancouver Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,444 reviews
With over 60,000 amazing aquatic creatures at the Vancouver Aquarium, what will you see today? Stop by and say hi to the adorable sea otters, or come see the mesmerizing jellyfish. Enjoy daily sea lion, otter and penguin experiences, as well as the free-roaming animals found in the popular Amazon gallery. And make sure to visit the Treasures of the BC Coast gallery to discover the unique and breath-taking animals that live in BC’s local waters, including ‘Ceph Rogen’, the Pacific Octopus. You can also immerse yourself in the 4D Experience Theatre, which combines the high-definition excitement of a 3D film with thrilling sensory effects! The Vancouver Aquarium is an Ocean Wise initiative, a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. Your visit to the Aquarium directly contributes to its conservation, education and research programs. Find out for yourself why the Vancouver Aquarium is one of the world’s favourite aquariums!
Reviewed By TravelinSuz - Chandler, United States
Despite the ticket price this is a wonderful aquarium. They are constantly updating and expanding exhibits. The beluga whales and otters are my favorites.
4. Museum of Anthropology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,773 reviews
Explore traditional and contemporary art from Northwest Coast First Nations and other cultures across the world. See magnificent Indigenous carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea. Admire the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, including his famous cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men. Explore the Museum’s Multiversity Galleries where more than 10,000 objects from around the world are displayed. Stroll the Museum Grounds, where monumental Haida houses, poles and Musqueam house posts capture the dramatic beauty of traditional Northwest Coast architecture and design. Enjoy a wide range of special exhibitions and public programs, including free guided gallery walks. Visit the MOA Shop and relax in Cafe MOA. MOA is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, United States
After visiting the Bill Reid Gallery I was told that to understand and appreciate First Nation’s history and culture I should go to the MOA. The museum is huge (and architecturally impressive) and features roughly a dozen galleries. Here, you will find totem poles, historical and contemporary Indigenous art, a 600-piece ceramics collection from the 16th-19th centuries, thousands of objects from around the world, an enormous and stunning Bill Reid sculpture housed in a former gun turret, two Haida houses, Musqueam posts and so much more. The staff is approachable and very knowledgeable, answering several questions I had. I happened to visit while a Diwali festival was taking place featuring dancing, henna painting, tea and sweets and more. There is a small cafe on the premises offering coffee/tea, soups, sandwiches, baked goods, etc. Price of admission is reasonable (adult is $17) considering the size and substance of the museum’s collection. I spent over three hours here.
5. Queen Elizabeth Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,325 reviews
Situated on Little Mountain - the highest point in Vancouver proper - this former rock quarry has been converted into a beautiful city park with flower gardens, public art, grassy knolls, and panoramic views over the city.
Reviewed By DrTM8 - Vancouver, Canada
The Queen Elizabeth Park is a 52-hectare park, located 152 metres above sea level. It’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore. It is also home to the stunning Bloedel Conservatory. There is also a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden, the arboretum with its collection of exotic and native trees, sculptures including one by internationally renowned artist Henry Moore, and diverse recreational offerings such as tennis, lawn bowling and pitch & putt. The park is also the perfect setting for fine dining at Seasons in the Park, a picnic or stargazing!
6. Granville Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19,545 reviews
Former industrial site has been transformed into an artsy, posh neighborhood with quaint shops, cafes and bookstores.
Reviewed By 643darenr - Burnham-On-Sea, United Kingdom
This was somewhere where we wanted to visit on our last trip but never made it. But glad we took the time on this trip and spend a very sunny Sunday afternoon on the Island. The public market is amazing, the sights, smells and colours are breathtaking selling everything from fruit and veg (all expertly displayed), to flowers, soaps, local crafts and the dessert counters WOW AMAZING. The food court area did get extremely busy but we were able to find a seat - the Chinese food counter was our preferred meal option and it was delicious, with us opting for the Lemon Chicken and the Honey Garlic pork. The food was that good that we actually visited again the following week. There are lots of other places to visit around the market, with shops and amazing houseboats + I believe there was a childrens play area. We then used one of the aqua buses to get a different view of the area back to Plaza of Nations. I would highly recommend Granville Market if you are in Vancouver
7. Granville Island Public Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,932 reviews
Merchants and vendors from all over the area bring their wares here.
Reviewed By sunnydaygirl2014 - Peterborough, United Kingdom
We took the mini aquabus over to the island, although many of the hop-on.hop-off buses pick up and drop off there, It's a great place for a stroll, many food stalls also plenty of artisan goods and handmade jewelery/ceramics etc. Lots of lovely food to choose from for lunch.
8. VanDusen Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,020 reviews
VanDusen Garden is open under new operation procedures to best ensure public safety. Tickets are only available online at www.vandusengarden.ca so we can best monitor garden capacity and provide a touch-free experience for our visitors. Our gift shop remains closed, and guided tours are not available. VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world! Spot and photograph local wildlife, find your way through an Elizabethan hedge maze, unwind in a serene setting, dine on the patios of Truffles Cafe or Shaughnessy Restaurant, or browse the garden-themed gift shop. VanDusen has something for everyone to enjoy! The Garden's multi-award winning LEED Platinum Visitor Centre was named Most Sustainable Building of the Year in 2014. Shaped like an orchid when viewed from above, its organic lines echo the way nature and conservation have been considered at every turn.
Reviewed By sydette - Benson, United States
This is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year but Christmas, they put up over a million lights all over the gardens, it's magical, Christmas music plays throughout, every now and then by a pond, to music the lights go on and off, you can visit Santa, they have warming stations in the gardens, you can purchase hot spiced cider, hot chocolate, soups, etc...Admission includes a free carousel ride, lovely gift shop. So beautiful, it's like being a kid in a candy store. Well worth the visit. You can save a couple of dollars buying your tickets online and it avoids waiting in line.
9. Vancouver Downtown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,555 reviews
More residential than business.
Reviewed By kathybK5890JG - Tucson, United States
If you are even a moderate-ability walker, you will be able to visit many interesting sections of the city on foot. We stayed at the Georgian Court Hotel on Beatty Street, and it was 2.5 easy miles up Robson Street, a terrific shopping district, to Stanley Park with the horse-drawn carriage tours and aquarium. That's about as far as you need to go -- the Vancouver Lookout, Gastown with its steam clock and shoppes, and Chinatown and sports venues are all closer in. There are literally hundreds of restaurants on your doorstep. If you get tired, stop at any of the many sidewalk cafes that sell bubble tea, an oddly tasty concoction of a milk and flavor combination (your choice of flavors) that has some sort of gastronomical "bubbles" on the bottom that you drink up through a wide straw. Or there is a Starbucks every third block.
10. FlyOver Canada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,311 reviews
FlyOver Canada utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating 8-minute journey across Canada, from east to west. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. At FlyOver Canada you will spend approximately 25 minutes getting introduced to our great country. You will first enter the pre-show area where you will be immersed in an audio-visual show of Canada "up close and personal" before heading to the boarding zone for your preflight briefing. You will then experience the unforgettable 8-minute Ultimate Flying Ride soaring over some of the most spectacular scenery the country has to offer. Open year round, 7 days a week. Conveniently located downtown at Canada Place.
Reviewed By O9751LHmichaelr - Winscombe, United Kingdom
This is a fabulous experience even though its only a short ride. We sit in a row of seats (7 to a row) and belt up as if we're going to fly. Once secured the safety barrier drops down and the seats move forward (or give that impression) while we are still in darkness. We then "ride" through clouds and are whisked off on a coast to coast plane ride (without the plane) taking in mountains, forests, zooming through valleys and the whole effect is quite breathtaking. We went on this ride twice but you could ride it many times and be mesmerised every time. Totally and utterly fabulous!
