British Columbia attractions

Situated between Kistilano and Stanley Park, English Bay is one of Vancouver’s best spots for water sports, such as swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Two popular beaches—Kitsilano Beach and English Bay—face out onto the bay, as does part of the Stanley Park seawall, a waterside promenade used by cyclists and walkers.

Perched atop a downtown high-rise, this circular observation platform yields panoramic views of glassy skyscrapers, Vancouver Harbour, and the magnificent peaks of the North Shore and Olympic ranges. A glass-enclosed elevator zooms up to the platform so that street scenes seem to shrink before visitors’ very eyes.

Floatplanes skim sparkling water and horse-drawn carriages clatter on cobblestones at Victoria Inner Harbour, the historic waterfront of British Columbia’s pretty capital city. Landmarks here span the grand Fairmont Empress hotel and the stately British Columbia Parliament Buildings, while street performers keep sidewalks buzzing. This is also the starting point for many boat tours from Victoria, from whale-watching excursions to narrated harbor tours on open-sided vessels.

These side-by-side peaks combine to make North America’s biggest ski resort, and Whistler-Blackcomb Mountains draw crowds with their world-class runs—but they have appeal that goes far beyond ski slopes. They’re also the backdrop for outdoor experiences of all kinds, from sightseeing gondola rides to hikes on wildflower-dotted trails —plus mountain biking, ATV expeditions, wildlife spotting, and high-altitude dining with wraparound views.

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.

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.

This scenic stretch of British Columbia’s Highway 99 extends from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton, an 83-mile (134-kilometer journey past Howe Sound, Squamish, and Whistler’s rugged peaks. It’s not just a pretty drive; with so many stops along the way you could spend a week exploring hiking trails, towering waterfalls, and the region’s First Nations cultures.

The unofficial slogan of Yoho National Park, “rock walls and waterfalls,” describes the stunning mountain scenery here. Visitors seeking a quieter side of the Canadian Rockies are often drawn to Yoho, which aside from natural beauty is also a destination for outdoor adventure, from hiking to white-water rafting. Those considering a visit should be aware that much of the park is back country, accessible only via winding mountain roads or on foot.

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.

Constructed in the 1890s, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings still serve as home to the province’s legislature. Designed by British architect Francis Rattenbury, the neo-Baroque complex’s imposing size, copper domes, turrets, and stained glass provide a commanding, stately presence on Victoria’s waterfront, and the interior is almost equally impressive. Travelers can attend debates, eat in the dining room, or take a guided or self-guided tour.

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.

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.

Sheer natural beauty is just the start of the appeal of of Beacon Hill Park, which sprawls across the southern edge of Victoria, British Columbia. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with a petting zoo, splash parks, playgrounds, sports fields, seemingly endless footpaths, and one of the tallest totem poles in the world.

With its turreted roofs and ivy-covered facade, the Fairmont Empress Hotel holds court in the heart of Victoria’s Inner Harbour—and it’s more than just a destination for overnight guests. Dressing up for the hotel’s elegant afternoon tea has been a tradition for over a century, an experience complete with tiered platters of finger foods and drinks served in hand-painted china cups.

Life revolves around the water at this laid-back coastal community north of Victoria. The action centers on the seafront where you’ll find a sculpture-dotted walkway, a beach scattered with sea glass, and a pier where locals crab and cast fishing lines, as well as an aquarium housing marine life native to the Salish Sea.

First established in the mid-19th century, Victoria Chinatown is among North America’s oldest. Now a National Historic Site, Victoria’s Chinatown is home to cafes, studios, herbalists, tea rooms, and shops, as well as the narrow Fan Tan Alley, which measures 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) wide at its narrowest point.

From fairy-tale turrets to elaborate woodwork and colorful stained-glass windows, Craigdarroch Castle is one of Victoria’s most striking landmarks. Exploring the 4-story 1890 mansion is a fascinating glimpse into British Columbia’s Victorian era—and into the life of a man who was once the wealthiest person in western Canada. The furnishings are just as exquisite as the castle itself, with period pieces that give the property its time-machine feel.

Houseboats bob alongside shops, food kiosks, and commercial fishing vessels at Fisherman’s Wharf near Victoria’s Inner Harbour. A former hub of the city’s once-industrial shoreline, the wharf is now a popular hangout.

An outstanding feat of engineering, the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park were the ingenious early–20th-century solution to climbing or descending the impossibly steep 4.5-percent grade to cross Kicking Horse Pass by rail. Watch long freight trains cross themselves as they travel the tunnels in different directions at the same time.

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.

Victoria's main drag, Government Street is home to many of the city's most popular hotels, shops, and restaurants. It's also the location of many top Victoria attractions, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Emily Carr House, and British Columbia Parliament Buildings. The street is popular for visitors to stroll.

Situated along the Sea to Sky Highway, Porteau Cove Provincial Park offers easy access to Howe Sound, the southernmost fjord in North America. A popular destination year-round, the park provides waterfront day-use areas and campsites, pebble beaches, picnic areas, boat launches and mooring buoys, and plenty of ways to enjoy the water.

British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is bursting with vineyards, orchards, outdoor activities, and charming small towns. The latter offer wine-tasting rooms, fantastic restaurants, vibrant arts scenes, and resorts that serve as jumping-off points for adventures around the area. It all combines to make for a deservedly popular year-round destination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.