Vancouver attractions

Dating back to 1968, the HR MacMillan Space Centre is an astronomy museum dedicated to providing a place where kids and adults can discover an enthusiasm for space and earth sciences. Through exhibits, interactive displays, and shows, you can find your inner astronaut in the middle of Vancouver.

The Museum of Vancouver in Vanier Park tells the story of the city and its surrounding areas. Visit the largest civic museum in Canada for a deeper understanding of Vancouver, including its First Nations roots. Learn more through its range of historical and contemporary artifacts, stories, and interactive exhibits and programs.

Explore the artwork of renowned Haida artist Bill Reid, as well as other First Nations artists, at the Bill Reid Gallery. Located in downtown Vancouver, the gallery offers an exceptional collection of art in its permanent and temporary exhibits, education programs, and presentations that celebrate artwork from the northwest coast.

The Okanagan Valley is the hub for western Canada’s growing wine industry, with nearly 200 vineyards and wineries. Kelowna, the region’s largest city, sprawls along the shores of Okanagan Lake and offers all you need for a wine-touring holiday. The town also makes a great jumping off point for outdoor adventures in the region.

Though it’s just 11 miles (18 kilometers) long, the Harrison River—a tributary of the Fraser River, which flows through British Columbia—is one of the most important fishing spots in the region. All major species of Pacific salmon can be found here, and riverside hot springs attract travelers looking to relax and unwind.

Standing 22 stories high near Vancouver’s Financial District, the Marine Building is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world—it was once also the tallest building in the British Empire. Now mostly offices, both the exterior and the interior are worth a look, and the grand lobby delights with marble, mosaics, stained glass, and more.

Situated on Grouse Mountain, this wildlife refuge has a pair of very famous residents: two orphaned grizzly bears named Grinder and Coola. Additionally, the sanctuary also houses birds of prey, including resident owls, plus a hummingbird feeding station, where researchers monitor the tiny feathered fliers in spring.

With four separate rail routes running through British Columbia and Alberta, the Rocky Mountaineer offers easy access to some of western Canada’s wildest and most spectacular scenery. From the window of this luxury train, passengers are treated to views of turquoise lakes, snowy mountain peaks, and rushing rivers.

This public square is named after the central branch of Vancouver Public Library, which sits on the plaza. Opened in 1995, the library—designed by eminent Canadian-Israeli architect Moshe Safdie—is one of Vancouver’s architectural highlights, with its spiraling Colosseum-esque form standing out amid the sea of glass office buildings.

The largest of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is a cherished getaway among Vancouverites looking to escape the city. The island’s beach and cliff-bordered coastline, rain forests, and peaks promise a tranquil, back-to-nature experience, while local restaurants and markets offer just-plucked produce from Salt Spring farms.