Top places to visit in Vancouver

• Stanley Park

  urban-park · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  1,000-acre urban rainforest park ringed by a famous seawall, with totem poles, beaches and forest trails.

• Granville Island Public Market

  public-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vibrant public market and artsy district under the Granville Bridge, with food stalls, artisans and theatres.

• Gastown & the Steam Clock

  historic-district · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and the landmark steam-powered clock.

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

  suspension-bridge · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic 140m suspension bridge soaring 70m above the Capilano River, with cliffwalk and treetops walkways.

• Vancouver Aquarium

  aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Marine science centre in Stanley Park home to thousands of aquatic species and conservation programs.

• Grouse Mountain

  mountain · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  North Shore mountain reached by the Skyride gondola, with skiing, hiking, wildlife refuge and city views.

• Canada Place

  waterfront-landmark · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Waterfront landmark with sail-like roofs, cruise terminal, convention centre and the FlyOver Canada ride.

• English Bay Beach

  city-beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Popular downtown beach on the West End, famed for sunsets, the Inukshuk and summer fireworks.

• Queen Elizabeth Park

  garden-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Highest point in the city with manicured gardens, the Bloedel Conservatory and skyline views.

• Science World

  science-centre · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Iconic geodesic dome on False Creek with hands-on science exhibits, an OMNIMAX theatre and family galleries.

• Kitsilano Beach

  city-beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Trendy westside beach with a giant heated saltwater pool, mountain views and a lively summer scene.

• Museum of Anthropology at UBC

  anthropology · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Renowned museum of First Nations and world cultures, famed for its totem poles and Bill Reid sculptures.

Things to do

• Vancouver Whale Watching Tour Wildlife · 4 h · from CAD 165 per person
• Seaplane Scenic Flight over Vancouver Sightseeing · 0.5 h · from CAD 160 per person
• Stanley Park Seawall Bike Tour Cycling · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
• Capilano Suspension Bridge & Cliffwalk Visit Adventure · 2.5 h · from CAD 67 per person
• Granville Island Food Tour Food · 2.5 h · from CAD 95 per person
• Grouse Mountain Skyride & Lumberjack Show Sightseeing · 4 h · from CAD 75 per person
• Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Food · 3 h · from CAD 99 per person
• Capilano River Salmon & Forest Walking Tour Nature · 3 h · from CAD 89 per person

Day trips and tours

• Whistler Day Trip via Sea-to-Sky Highway 10 h · from CAD 189
• Victoria & Butchart Gardens Day Trip 11 h · from CAD 239
• Capilano, Grouse Mountain & North Shore Tour 6 h · from CAD 179

Where to stay in Vancouver

• Downtown & Coal Harbour about CAD 350 per night

  Central waterfront core with luxury hotels, the seawall, shopping and the cruise terminal; the most convenient base.

• Gastown about CAD 260 per night

  Vancouver's historic quarter with cobblestone streets, boutiques, cocktail bars and the steam clock; trendy and central.

• Yaletown about CAD 300 per night

  Converted-warehouse district on False Creek with upscale restaurants, marinas and the Aquabus; lively and chic.

• Kitsilano about CAD 230 per night

  Laid-back beachside westside neighbourhood with cafes, yoga studios and Kits Beach; great for a relaxed stay.

Hotels

• Fairmont Pacific Rim 5-star · CAD 650 to CAD 1,200 per night
• Rosewood Hotel Georgia 5-star · CAD 600 to CAD 1,100 per night
• The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver 4-star · CAD 300 to CAD 520 per night
• Granville Island Hotel 4-star · CAD 280 to CAD 480 per night
• HI Vancouver Downtown Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 130 per night
• Victorian Hotel 3-star · CAD 150 to CAD 260 per night

Where to eat

• Miku Vancouver Japanese, Sushi, Seafood · about CAD 90 per person
• Phnom Penh Vietnamese, Cambodian, Asian · about CAD 25 per person
• Blue Water Cafe Seafood, Pacific Northwest, Sushi · about CAD 110 per person
• Go Fish Seafood, Casual, Fish & Chips · about CAD 22 per person
• Medina Cafe Mediterranean, Brunch, Cafe · about CAD 30 per person
• Vij's Indian, Contemporary · about CAD 55 per person
• Japadog Japanese, Street Food, Fast Food · about CAD 12 per person
• Hawksworth Restaurant Canadian, Contemporary, Fine Dining · about CAD 120 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ferry main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Metro main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Aggressive panhandling & fake charity clipboards

  Robson St, Granville St, Gastown

  Individuals approach tourists with clipboards for a "charity" or a hard-luck story, pressuring you for cash or card details.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking. Donate only to registered charities; never give card details on the street.

• Street drug-deal and theft hotspot confusion

  Downtown Eastside (Hastings St near Main)

  Tourists wandering into the Downtown Eastside can be exposed to open drug use and petty theft, especially around Main & Hastings.

  How to avoid it: Avoid the Hastings/Main blocks, especially at night; stick to Gastown's main streets and use taxis or ride-hail after dark.

• Overpriced unlicensed airport rides

  YVR arrivals

  Touts offer "cheaper" rides outside the official taxi/ride-hail zones, then charge inflated flat fares.

  How to avoid it: Use the marked taxi line, app-based Uber/Lyft, or the Canada Line SkyTrain (~$9 to downtown).

More in Canada

• Toronto
• Montreal
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City
• Whistler