Streaming a sheer 230 feet (70 meters) from a rock ledge, dramatic Brandywine Falls is a sight in any season. Lucky for visitors, a short trail and viewing platform make getting to the falls a breeze, and the they aren’t the only reason to visit this provincial park, which is home to jewel-like lakes, lush forests, and rare frogs.
The childhood home of Canadian painter Emily Carr is a historic site dedicated to her adventurous life and beloved work. Period decor in the old-fashioned gingerbread house evokes 19th-century life in Victoria, and a carefully tended garden comes to life each spring. Rotating exhibits feature the work of local contemporary artists.
Atop a hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, the Bloedel Conservatory—also known as the Bloedel FloralConservatory—overlooks downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains. The domed structure is divided into three climatic zones: tropical, subtropical, and desert. It houses plants and free-flying birds with eye-catching plumage.
Once the British Empire’s biggest copper mine, the Britannia Mine’s tunnels, shafts, and structures are now preserved in an award-winning museum. Come to the Britannia Mine Museum to ride a train into a mine, pan for gold flakes, and learn about the lives of generations of miners who worked copper deposits at the edge of Howe Sound.
British Columbia’s spectacular Coast Range is home to numerous glacier-covered peaks. Visitors to Garibaldi Provincial Park will find trails that lead to backcountry lakes, campgrounds, and forests that are near the towns of Squamish and Whistler. The most famous peak in the park is Black Tusk, a pinnacle of volcanic rock that juts skyward.
Takakkaw Falls—whose name means “it’s magnificent” in the indigenous Cree language—tumble 1,260 feet (384 meters) down a rocky mountain, making it one of the highest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Located outside Field, British Columbia, the glacier-fed falls are the gateway to some of the best hiking trails in Yoho National Park.
Established in 2003, this national park encompasses 8,896 acres (3,600 hectares of forested islands and marine habitats between Vancouver Island and Vancouver city. Wildlife thrives in its Mediterranean-like climate with bald eagles, cormorants, and hawks patrolling the skies and orcas, porpoises, and seals occupying the waters.
Dotted around the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland, are the laid-back Gulf Islands. Come to browse farmers markets, visit artist studios, and experience nature—from woodland trails to pebbled beaches—all of which draw Vancouverites fleeing the city.
Known locally as Kits Beach, this broad stretch of sand is a popular summer hangout and brims with joggers, tanners, and families. Views of downtown Vancouver skyscrapers, the Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains are a big draw, as is Kitsilano Pool, a huge heated outdoor saltwater pool that spans 451 feet (137 meters) in length.
Overlooking the Burrard Inlet at the northernmost edge of Vancouver’s Stanley Park, Prospect Point promises views of the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains. Though it’s home to a restaurant and a historic lighthouse, the big draw is the expansive panoramas. On rare occasions, orcas can be seen swimming through the waters.
Attracting skiers and hikers alike, Cypress Mountain is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The title Cypress Mountain is something of a misnomer; there is no peak by this name. It instead refers to a trio of skiable mountains (Black Mountain, Mt. Strachan, and Hollyburn Mountain) that hosted events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The seaside village of Horseshoe Bay is the departure point for ferries to Vancouver Island and the starting point for the Sea to Sky Highway, which connects Vancouver to Whistler. Though many travelers rush through here, the picturesque town has plenty to offer, with pretty parks, hiking trails, and quaint cafés and restaurants.
Home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Provincial Park and Protected Area draws in mountaineers, photographers, and sightseers. The 12,972-foot (3,954-meter) Mount Robson stands out both because of its size and dramatic geological rings that spiral up the mountain. Visitors frequently spot moose, elk, bear, and caribou.
Situated in a narrow canyon abutting Capilano River Regional Park, this city-owned dam boxes in the Capilano Lake—the main water source for much of the Greater Vancouver region. Trails at the dam offer views of the dramatic 300-foot (91-meter spillway, old-growth forests, and the Lions, a pair of spearlike mountain peaks.
Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, the granite face of Stawamus Chief Mountain looks out over the waters of Howe Sound. The coastal rainforest smells of cedar and petrichor, and panoramic views of sea, sky, and forest await once you reach the top of the mountain.
The turquoise-hued Cheakamus River—a popular spot for fishing and white-water rafting—runs alongside the Sea to Sky Highway. Beginning in Garibaldi Provincial Park, it flows for more than 40 miles (65 kilometers, rushing through swirling rapids as it narrows into the Cheakamus Canyon before joining the Squamish River at Cheekye.
From totem poles to ancient fossils, British Columbia’s history is on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Explore vast collections covering the natural world and human heritage, with dioramas that place historic artifacts in context. A soaring IMAX screen and special exhibitions add to the museum experience.
On the outskirts of Victoria, close to the University of Victoria, Mt. Tolmie Park draws visitors for its views of Victoria, Saanich, and the Gulf Islands, which you can see in the distance on clear days. It’s also a fantastic spot for hiking, with plenty of trails, many of which go straight to the summit.
With heritage architecture and cobbled streets, Old Town Victoria exudes historic character. The area sprang to life in the 19th-century gold rushes, and today it encompasses the city’s commercial core, Canada’s oldest Chinatown, and the waterfront. Visit to see its brightly painted Victorian buildings, which house shops and restaurants.
Established by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1827, this former fur-trading post is often called the birthplace of British Columbia, because Sir James Douglas declared British sovereignty over the region from here during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Now a National Historic Site, the fort attracts history buffs and families.
Learn about the culture and heritage of the Squamish Nation and the Lil’wat Nation at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center (SLCC). Located in Whistler Village, this award-winning, immersive center showcases the art, history, and culture of both nations through exhibits, stories, arts, crafts, performances, films, and interactive activities.
There’s a rainbow of fluttering wings at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. The destination is also home to carnivorous plants, pink flamingos, insects, and poison frogs. The gardens are entirely indoors, too, making this a great activity on rainy days.
Every winter, thousands of bald eagles descend on the Squamish River to feast on salmon. Set on the west river bank, the 1,865-acre (755-hectare Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park serves as a winter sanctuary for the feathered migrators, with the majestic birds of prey roosting in the lofty branches of its towering trees.
With some of Canada’s wildest white water, the Kicking Horse River boasts numerous Class III and IV+ rapids that thrill even the most experienced paddlers. Originating high in the Wapta Icefields of the Canadian Rockies, the river winds through picturesque valleys, gorges, and steep canyons, offering fantastic views as well as adventure.
Vancouver Aquarium is one of the city’s top family-friendly attractions, with many visitors coming as part of a day out in Stanley Park. Explore more than 120 exhibits and encounter 65,000+ animals, from rescued sea otters and playful sea lions to tropical fish and jellyfish. Prebook your admission to enjoy daily animal presentations, interactive experiences, and the immersive 4D Theatre.
Originally built for the 1986 world’s fair, this stadium was given an upgrade—and a new retractable roof—before the 2010 Winter Olympics, for which it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. Home turf for the BC Lions football team and the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club, the arena also hosts concerts and trade shows.
Calm and free from crowds, this forested island off Vancouver serves as a retreat from the stresses of the city. With hiking trails, kayak-friendly coastline, and sheltered bays, the island offers plenty of opportunities for fun in the fresh air, while a smattering of small villages showcase its vibrant art, craft, and food scenes.
Dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of Canada’s native wildlife, the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is home to over 200 animals, including Arctic wolves, bison, and cougars, most of which have been rescued. Visitors can engage in activities ranging from observing grizzly bear feedings to holding a snake.
Just north of Whistler Village, Green Lake—named for its vibrant emerald hue—is a popular recreation area for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The glacier-fed lake, surrounded by mountains, makes for a great picnic spot too. It’s also a landing zone for seaplanes, which connect Whistler to Vancouver and Victoria.
Named after a 16th-century Greek explorer, the Strait of Juan de Fuca is sandwiched between Vancouver Island and Washington state, connecting the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The international border between the US and Canada cuts through the channel, and marine creatures—including whales, porpoises, and seals—abound.
