The summit of Grouse Mountain features some of the best vistas in all of British Columbia—spanning from downtown Vancouver to the green expanse of Stanley Park and the entirety of Fraser Valley. Ride the Skyride Aerial Tram or Blue Grouse Gondola to the mountaintop, or hike up to the 3,642-foot (1,110-meter) peak, where you can enjoy four seasons of mountain fun.
Perched 545 feet (167 meters) above sea level, this well-kept park affords wonderful views over downtown Vancouver. A sunken quarry garden, a 1,500-tree arboretum, a rose garden, floral displays, and public artworks make this 128-acre (52-hectare) recreational space one of the most pleasing outdoor hangouts in the city.
Dating back to 1917, when it was created to protect the city from erosion, Vancouver’s Seawall is the highlight of Stanley Park. The 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) stone wall hugs the edge of the park’s entire waterfront, providing a wonderful place for walkers, runners, and bikers to get their exercise with views of the harbor, sea, and forest.
A century-old lighthouse and a collection of First Nations totem poles—one of Vancouver’s most-visited attractions—sit on this exposed knob of land at the eastern tip of Stanley Park. The waterfront lookout, set between the Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour, offers views of North Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains.
An inlet dividing downtown Vancouver from the rest of the city, False Creek borders some of Vancouver’s busiest shoreside neighborhoods, from chic Yaletown to Granville Island. The inlet hums with the activity of ferries, kayaks, and other boats, while the water’s edge is lined with scenic paths.
Situated in Vancouver’s forested North Shore, this hatchery was established in 1971 to help boost depleting salmon stocks in the Capilano River. As well as breeding and releasing steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon, the hatchery also serves an educational purpose, chronicling the life cycle of salmon in an on-site interpretive center.
Set at the eastern edge of False Creek, Science World’s geodesic dome—originally built for Expo 86—is an icon of the Vancouver cityscape. Experience its wide range of curiosity-igniting exhibits that cover topics ranging from the human body to sustainability.
Hip Yaletown is one of Vancouver’s most happening neighborhoods, where former warehouses and other red-brick structures now house lofts, fashionable boutiques, and buzzy eateries favored for their patios. Its setting between downtown Vancouver and False Creek makes it popular with both locals and visitors.
Originally built to host the athletes who stayed in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, this waterfront development offers views of the city. Stroll or bike the False Creek Seawall, seeThe Birds sculptures at Olympic Village Square, and dine and people-watch at the area’s restaurants and bars.
A reminder of one of the city’s proudest moments, the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron was first set ablaze at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Although it’s no longer regularly lit, the striking 33-foot (10-meter tall structure—consisting of four glass and steel arms—provides a popular photo-op for visitors.
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, in Vancouver’s Chinatown, was the first “scholar’s” garden built outside of China in the Ming Dynasty tradition. This cultural and natural oasis offers a serene break from Vancouver’s hustle and bustle, and the nonprofit organization was named the one of top 10 city gardens in the world by National Geographic.
Set in a former courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the largest public art museum in Western Canada. Its collection, which amounts to more than 11,000 works, includes international artists—both contemporary and historical—but a strong emphasis is also placed on British Columbian art, including First Nations artists.
Meandering paths weave through this tranquil green retreat in the heart of Vancouver, where more than 7,500 plant varieties grow in themed displays, ranging from a Canadian heritage garden and a Japanese garden to a formal rose garden. Wildlife species, including blue herons, ducks, and turtles, live within the garden limits.
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.
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.
Though it’s a short hop from downtown Vancouver, Deep Cove feels far removed from the city. Set at the foot of Indian Arm, Canada’s southernmost fjord, this waterfront village is surrounded by pristine wilderness, with numerous opportunities to hike, kayak, view wildlife, or simply enjoy scenic views and fresh air.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Part of the University of British Columbia campus, Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology displays a variety of works of art and cultural artifacts from around the world, with a focus on First Nations pieces. Visit to see a variety of items, including huge carved sculptures, hand-built canoes, traditional masks, and ceramics.
Set in a former boat house on the edge of Lost Lagoon, the Stanley Park Nature House hosts exhibits about local wildlife and conservation projects. The nature house is run by the Stanley Park Ecological Society, and staff are on hand to offer tips and advice on wildlife-viewing and other things to do around the park.
This unusual museum casts light on Vancouver’s criminal justice system and the history of the city’s policing practices and legal institutions. Housed in the former coroner’s court, exhibits document high-profile investigations, unsolved crimes, and policing methods, and include access to the old autopsy room and the morgue.
Set on the seafront overlooking English Bay, the Vancouver Maritime Museum charts Canada’s connections to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Collections include maritime art, model ships, the Children's Maritime Discovery Centre, andSt. Roch, a 1928-built Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner that once trawled the icy Arctic.
With sheer cliffs carved by glaciers, dozens of waterfalls and creeks, and thick, old-growth forests, this fjord is one of southern British Columbia’s wildest back-to-nature escapes. Though it’s only about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Vancouver, its limited road access keeps it remote and unspoiled.
