Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver, Canada, Explore and Experience

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In this post we will be introducing the vibrant, west coast city of Vancouver B.C. We will be discussing a brief history and revealing our top 10 things to do! For any tours and activities, you might be interested, you can book with Expedia, Viator or Get your Guide all very easy to use, reliable and what we recommend.

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Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Vancouver
2. Vancouver’s Historical Run Down
3. Top 10 Things to do and experience in Vancouver.
4. References
5. The Wrap up

1. Introducing Vancouver, Canada:

The city of Vancouver is located on the west coast of Canada, in the province of British Columbia. Vancouver is Canada’s 3^rd largest city with a population reaching just over 3 million in the metropolitan area. Vancouver is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains and is a vibrant, multicultural city that blends urban sophistication with breathtaking natural beauty. Known for its scenic parks, beaches, world-class dinning, Indigenous lifestyle, and active outdoor living, it’s a place where you can ski or hike in the mountains in the morning and paddleboard in the afternoon. Not only does it have one of the largest urban parks in North America, but it has the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, reaching 28kms (17miles), running from Canada Place in Coal Harbour, through Stanley Park, past English Bay, around False Creek, past Granville Island and Kitsilano Beach then ends at Spanish Banks Beach. So whether you’re wandering through historic Gastown, biking around the seawall in Stanley Park, or exploring the flavours of its diverse neighbourhoods, Vancouver offers a little something for every kind of traveller.

2. Vancouver’s Historical Run Down:

• For thousands of years this area has been home to the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and you can still see their influence today.

• In 1791-92 Spanish and British explores charted this coast, including George Vancouver, and this became part of the major fur trading route in the early 1800’s.

• In 1867, Gassy Jack Deighton opened a saloon in the original settlement, founding Gastown.

• In 1886, Vancouver was officially incorporated as a city.

• In 1887, the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Vancouver, joining Canada and solidifying Vancouver’s role as a vital port and gateway to the Pacific.

• The 1900’s saw waves of immigration, transforming Vancouver into one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

3. Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver:

1. Explore Stanley Park:

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s crown jewel, it’s a lush, 1000-acre urban oasis nestled between the city and the ocean. Surrounded by the iconic Seawall, it offers scenic bike rides, serene forest trails, and panoramic views of the mountains and skyline. Visitors can explore the towering cedars, visit the Vancouver Aquarium, or admire the Indigenous Totem Poles. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a peaceful escape, Stanley Park blends nature and culture in the heart of the city. If you want to experience the seawall, you can either rent bikes or walk, from Coal Harbour to English Bay it is approx. 10 -12 Kms. On the way you’ll pass by the Totem Poles, the Aquarium, multiple Lighthouses, the famous Lions Gate Bridge, Siwash Rock, the Girl in the Wetsuit Sculpture, several beaches, the Teahouse in Stanley Park, and the Stanley Park Brewing Company. So, there is a lot to see and enjoy in this beautiful outdoor setting.

2. Walk around or take a water taxi through False Creek:

False Creek stretches from the Vancouver Maritime Museum at one end to Sunset Beach on the other. It makes a beautiful and relaxing walk, which is approx. 8kms, passing marinas, under bridges, past parks, beaches, the BC Place Stadium, Science World, Granville Island and ends close to Kitsilano Beach. You could also bike it or take some of the very cute and fun water taxis, which you should do at some point regardless. There are two water taxi companies, and they can take you across the waterway, or form one end to the other. A popular destination for the water taxis is Granville Island. The two companies are False Creek Ferries and Aquabus, they have slightly different routes and schedules, but both offer convenient and scenic transportation around the creek. Whichever way you make your way around or through False Creek, you’ll love it!

3. Tour Granville Island:

Granville Island is another must-see site in Vancouver, it’s located in False Creek, and can be accessed by water taxi or on foot. There are a lot of shops, restaruants, artisan studios, performing arts venues and the Public Market here. The Granville Bridge towers over top of the island, making it very unique. It used to be an industrial area, but was transformed into a vibrant cultural hub in the 1970’s. This is a great place to wander and explore, give yourself a few hours here. We’ve enjoyed eating at the Tap and Barrel Bridges, especially when enjoying the amazing views from their patio.

4. Experience the Gas Town Steam Clock and area:

Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, Gastown, the historic, original neighbourhood, blends old-world charm with a vibrant modern vibe. The cobblestone streets, vintage lampposts, and Victorian architecture sets the scene for cozy cafes, indie boutiques, and a thriving culinary experience. At the centre of it all is the iconic Gastown Steam Clock, a one-of-a-kind attraction that draws visitors who want to experience its blasts of steam and Westminster chimes through its 5 whistles. Built in 1977, this beloved timepiece is powered by steam from Vancouver’s downtown heating system and stands as a tribute to the city’s industrial roots, it goes off every 15 mins, so be patient and enjoy. A stroll through Gastown offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and photo-worthy moments. A great place to wander, catch a glimpse of the famous steam clock, take photos, and enjoy a meal.

5. Have an adventure at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park:

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is another of Vancouver’s most popular attractions and once you visit you’ll see why! Walk high amidst giant Douglas-fir trees in this thriving coastal rainforest in the Treetop Adventures, over the famous Capilano Suspension bridge, along the cantilevered walkway, high above the canyon on the Cliff Walk, explore the living forest, and much more! This is an educational and adventurous experience for the whole family. The Park is located at 3735 Capilano Rd. in North Vancouver, only 15mins from downtown Vancouver. They have a free shuttle leaving from Canada Place and a few other spots, and have free luggage storage for the day, check out their website, click on the link above for more details and information on the park.

6. Enjoy a beautiful Sunset and Dinner at English Bay:

English bay is located along the waterfront path, south of Stanley Park and north of False Creek. The bay area consists of Sunset and English Bay Beaches, it has the landmark statue of the giant Inukshuk that is almost 20 feet tall, it has restaurants, park land, there are public washrooms here, kayak rentals, wheelchair access to the water, beach umbrellas and chair rentals and more. A great place to enjoy as a rest stop during your walk, to relax at during a beautiful sunset or a destination for a delicious dinner. We like the Cactus Club English Bay, for great food and views!

7. Relax in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden:

This Classical Chinese Garden is located in the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood at 578 Carrall St. The first Chinese Garden built outside of Asia. Once you’ve entered the garden, you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of a big city, it’s serene and tranquil, filled with beautiful flowers, weeping willow trees, Chinese architecture, quiet paths, koi ponds, trickling water sounds, blue herons and more. As well, they offer workshops, tours, and wellness events. Definitely worth the stop. They are open every day, but Monday from 9:30am to 4:00pm and tickets are $16.00 for adults, $13.00 for seniors and $12.00 for students. To get more information click on the link above.

8. Indulge in a night out in Yaletown:

Yaletown is bordered by False Creek at David Lam Park, and Robson and Homer Streets. Yaletown used to be an industrial area dominated by warehouses and rail yards, but since the 1986 World’s Fair, it was transformed into a trendy, historic neighbourhood. It offers a vibrant atmosphere, with its blend of old and new, consisting of converted warehouses, housing upscale restaurants, boutiques, and residential lofts. It’s a fun place to walk around and explore, they do have both high-end and more moderately price places to enjoy a meal, we ate at Tacofino, which was affordable and delicious!

9. Check out what the Vancouver Aquarium has to offer:

This is Canada’s largest aquarium and is located in Vancouver’s iconic Stanley Park at 845 Avison Way. This must-see site is a world-class marine science center dedicated to conservation, education, and rehabilitation. Visitors can get up close and personal with over 65,000 animals, from sea otters and jellyfish to sea lions and tropical fish. They offer 120 world-class exhibits, a 4D Theatre Experience, the Wet Lab, where you can learn, hands on and more. Great for the whole family and for those at any age. This makes a great stop when walking or biking the Stanley Park Sea Wall or a great escape on a raining day. For more information, click on the link above.

10. Take a walk-through Coal Harbour and the Waterfront Promenade:

Coal Harbour is a scenic waterfront neighbourhood in the downtown area, known for its stunning views, modern architecture, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s nestled between the bustling city core and the natural beauty of Stanley Park; it offers and unique blend of urban life and serene coastal charm. The waterfront promenade is popular with the walkers, cyclists, and joggers, offering panoramic vistas of the North Shore Mountains, marina and floatplanes taking off over the harbour. This part of the promenade is the starting point for Vancouvers Longest waterfront path. With upscale restaurants and cozy cafes, Coal Harbour is both a relaxing retreat and a lively part of Vancouver’s vibrant cityscape! This area is also home to Canada Place, a landmark water-front building, easily recognizable by its distinctive white “sails”. This building is a multi-use complex housing the major cruise ship terminal, the convention centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel.

4. References:

All of this information, research and suggestions came from our own experiences we had while exploring this stunning west coast city of Vancouver. As well, we spent countless hours researching and reading travel books, like DK Eyewitness, Top 10 Vancouver and Vancouver Island. We also read multiple Travel blogs and tourism websites like, City of Vancouver and Destination Vancouver.

5. The Wrap up:

After reading this, we hope you feel inspired to visit this outdoorsy, urban, west coast city, filled with incredible views, hikes, and great food. We hope you find our information helpful when you’re planning your own trip to Vancouver, Canada.

At Wild Meadow Studio, we love everything travel – planning, research, maps, books, itineraries, tours, trying local foods, meeting new people, hiking, cooking classes, relaxing and of course creating memories and artwork, through our photos! We enjoy talking travel too, whether it’s sharing our experiences or hearing about yours. So, comment, ask questions, give advice, join our mailing list, like, follow, pin, share with friends, anything goes, let’s talk travel!

Thank you,

From Wild Meadow Studio

A Travel and Photography Blog

Where we Focus on the Journey

By: Beth de Verteuil

www.wildmeadowstudio.com

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