The Best Activities to do in Vancouver for Visitors

Vancouver is a popular city for tourists, who come to enjoy the stunning mountain views and the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. With so much to do and see, it can be difficult to know where to begin when visiting the area. To help make the most of your trip to Vancouver, here is our list of the best activities you should check out while there.

Explore Stanley Park

One of the city’s most popular green spaces, Stanley Park is a sprawling 1,000-acre park located at the edge of downtown Vancouver with impressive views of the ocean and the North Shore Mountains. It is a natural oasis of urban outdoor fun, with walking and biking trails, gardens, interactive children’s playgrounds, and even a seawall that circles the entire park. For those looking for cultural activities, Stanley Park is home to several of Vancouver’s famous attractions including some of its best beaches and lagoons, Canada’s largest aquarium and the popular Vancouver Seawall. There are many exciting activities for visitors and outdoors enthusiasts, including tennis courts, a public golf course, and the park’s large mountain bike trails and freshwater lakes.

See the City From Above at Grouse Mountain

Head up North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain for an incredible view of downtown Vancouver and spectacular views of the North Shore. The easily accessible peak can be reached via a series of gondolas and cable cars, leading up to the breathtaking viewpoint. Visitors can explore the mountains with guided tours, hike or bike their way around the trails, or take a thrilling sky ride over the city.At the top of the mountain, take in panoramic views of metropolitan Vancouver or check out Grizzly Bear exhibits and bird watching exhibitions. You can even learn how to ski or snowboard while you’re up there! The mountain also offers guided tours, restaurants with delicious food and drinks, and a lumberjack show. There’s something for everyone at Grouse Mountain.

Shop at Granville Island Public Market

Located on False Creek in Vancouver’s vibrant Gastown district, Granville Island Public Market is a colorful bazaar teeming with farmers’ markets, artisanal bakeries, fresh seafood stands and other local vendors. Its year-round offerings draw locals and visitors alike to experience Granville’s unique cuisine and take in the atmosphere of its cultural attractions. From fresh seafood like oysters and halibut to locally-made crafts, homemade pies and steak sandwiches, there is something for everyone here — even if you just want to walk around and people watch. As you explore Granville Island’s quaint cobblestone streets and colorful Victorian buildings, stop by to sample some of the delicious dishes made by local chefs.

Take a Stroll Through Chinatown

No visit to Vancouver is complete without a stroll through the city’s historic Chinatown area. Chinatown has been a mainstay of the city since the 1880s and is still somewhat of a hub for culture, cuisine, shopping and entertainment. The colorful shops line its streets with everything from exotic food markets and herbalists to beauty salons and vintage clothiers. Chinatown’s historical sites are also worth checking out. Here you’ll find a number of landmarks such as the Sam Kee Building (the world’s narrowest commercial building), Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (the oldest east Asian Scholars’ Garden outside China) and Dr. Chang Joe Fung Yon Ting Tombstones — which are believed to have been used as burial sites since ancient times.

Enjoy an Afternoon at VanDusen Botanical Gardens

The 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden is one of Vancouver’s best outdoor activities for nature-lovers. Located in the city’s thriving Shaughnessy neighborhood — directly across from Queen Elizabeth Park — it is one of British Columbia’s premier gardens with its stunning collection of native species and exotic plants from around the world. Visitors are welcome to stroll along tree-lined walkways or explore further in-depth with gardening classes taught by experts on botanical themes ranging from gardening basics, plant propagation and natural history. There are also themed color gardens highlighting perennials and evergreens, a picturesque rhododendron walk and native species arboretum that can be explored while paying visits to artist exhibitions or musical acts featured at VanDusen Gardens throughout the year.

Experience Sea to Sky Gondola

Nature enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers alike will find plenty of thrills at Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Just 40 miles north of Vancouver, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and lakes on a 885-meter elevation climb to the summit — one of only a handful accessible by cable car in North America. Venture on a series of trails that lead visitors past wild meadows with panoramic views, rugged lookout points including Sky Pilot viewpoint – one of the highest peaks in Garibaldi Provincial Park – or explore a variety of local animals in their natural habitat — including mountain goats, birds and more. Visitors can also choose to get even closer with guided hikes or traverse across suspension bridges during peak season. No trip to Vancouver would be complete without a visit to Sea to Sky Gondola for the full experience of the Canadian wilderness — all within an easy day trip from mainland Vancouver. Whether your idea of an ideal vacation involves indoor museums, outdoor hikes or cultural immersion — there’s something for everyone in Vancouver. With so much to explore in this vibrant city, be sure to make the most out of your visit by checking off some of these must-see experiences while you’re here!