The 12 things to do in Vancouver

Vancouver is your next holiday destination? Discover the 12 essential things to do in this majestic city of Western Canada!

Visiting Vancouver is discovering a world where wild nature blends with North American urban life. The landscapes are breathtaking between sea, mountain, buildings and immense forests. It is for this scenery that many films are shot regularly. If this city of British Columbia is less known than Montreal or Toronto , it remains a unique place in the world and one of the most enjoyable to live.

What to do in Vancouver? What are the essential things to visit? How to go and where to stay? Here's what you must not miss.

1. Stanley Park

Visit Vancouver without passing through Stanley Park is unimaginable. It is the largest green space in the city, where all the inhabitants find calm and serenity. Every year, eight million tourists come to discover the jewel of the city.

With an area of 400 hectares, you can walk or cycle around the famous Seawall . The walk is simply beautiful, between sea, mountain, forest and buildings. Apart from the forest that houses 500,000 trees in North America, you can also stop in front of the totems made by the Amerindians. Enjoy the beach and sunset at the level of English Bay or Kitsilano Beach . And to find out what to do in Vancouver as a family, the aquarium inside the park is an ideal activity.

2. Downtown

Visiting Vancouver and its city centre without having a neckache is difficult because the ever higher buildings are largely imposed in the downtown area. To change the atmosphere, we can quote Gastown . It is the historic quarter of the city with its paved streets, Victorian buildings and its famous steam clock called Steam Clock that rings every 15 minutes. Yaletown is also nice to see and ideal to go out in the evening. It is the trendy district par excellence with its many cafes, restaurants and hotels. For shopping, head towards Robson Street .

3. Science World

What is this huge ball that appears on all images of Vancouver? It’s a scientific museum at the edge of the False Creek, mainly for children. Many fun activities and exhibitions are offered to understand everything about physics. Sound, light, dinosaurs, fauna and flora, a perfect place if you don't know what to do in Vancouver in raintime.

4. Fly Over Canada

What to do in Vancouver as an attraction? Try it. Fly Over Canada ! Take a seat and let yourself be overwhelmed by the emotion and intensity of a flight trip over the country. With 4D technology, your armchair moves and you can feel the effects of the wind on you, the clutches and smells, all in front of the giant and spectacular images of Canada's most beautiful landscapes. Too bad the film lasts only eight minutes.

5. Granville Island

Visiting Vancouver is also tasting the fresh produce of local producers and discovering the authentic creations of craftsmen. On this peninsula is the large covered public market, a place to relax in Vancouver.

Enjoy it for lunch on the food-court, reserved place to eat and taste the beer of micro-brewery. In summer, the waterfront is greatly appreciated to eat by listening to street musicians. You can go around the world through the dishes offered. It is also an opportunity to take a small ferry ride with the Aquabus.

6. Vancouver Aquarium

Located in the Stanley Park, this aquarium aquarium is also the largest in Canada. With its 50,000 animals and 11 aquatic themes, it attracts small and large ones who come to admire the otters, belugas, reptiles, seals, penguins and other diverse fish. It also offers multiple workshops, 30 exhibitions, 20 shows, some in 4D. If the aquarium is also known worldwide, it is partly because it is very focused on underwater life research, aimed at protecting species.

7. Jardin botanique de VanDusen

Another way to enjoy nature is to see the VanDusen botanical garden . Its 7,500 varieties of plants and its extraordinary furnishings are really worth it. Waterfalls, bridges, ponds and even a labyrinth will make you spend a pleasant day.

If it is best to visit the garden in the spring-summer, it remains open all year round. In autumn, be amazed in front of the gradients of red, orange and yellow maple colours. If you want to visit Vancouver in December, you will be entitled to the magic of Christmas lights.

8. Seawall

To visit Vancouver on foot or by bike, the Seawall Will fill you. It is a walk of about 22 km along the sea, passing through Stanley Park, Granville Island, False Creek to the Science World Museum. The asphalt road is divided into two to separate pedestrians and bicycles. For all nature lovers, this is the trip to Vancouver. The landscapes are breathtaking and the urban side that blends with nature is totally amazing.

9. Vancouver Lookout

Visiting Vancouver from the sky is possible by climbing at the top of the Lookout 170 meters from the ground. The elevator is glazed to realize the speed at which you climb, that is, in just 40 seconds. Once at the top, it is a 360° panoramic view that offers you. To admire the sunset and city lights, your entrance ticket is valid all day long. And of course, you can take the height to eat at the rotating restaurant: Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant .

10. Chinatown

In recent years, the Asians have settled in Vancouver, mainly in the neighbourhood Chinatown . It is the second largest Chinese neighborhood in North America, after that of San Francisco. You can’t miss this neighborhood with its imposing entrance gate, the Millennium Gate, its merchants and Chinese restaurants. If you are looking for cheap memories, this is where you have to go. The garden of Dr Sun Yat-Sen is to be seen, knowing that this is the first garden of this type has been created outside China.

11. North Vancouver

By taking the bus or the Seabus (the taxi boat), you arrive quickly on the north coast of Vancouver, where the wild nature puts our eyes full. And yes, visiting Vancouver is above all enjoying a sublime setting!

Go to the suspended bridge Capilano a bridge of 137 meters long and 70 meters high above the canyon. Another similar attraction is the Lynn Canyon Park . Slightly less long and less high, it is however free and less invaded by tourists.

To admire the breathtaking view of Vancouver, climb up to Grouse Mountain By cable car. Between winter and summer, this station completely changes its face, but it is a must-see place to do in all seasons.

The last passage to see absolutely is Deep Cove more to the east. Small maritime village with a wild charm, it is a haven of peace where hiking enthusiasts will find their happiness.

12. Vancouver Island

Even if Vancouver Island is further away, it is a must-see if you are travelling to British Columbia. The ferry crossing lasts 1h30 and only by itself, it is worth a visit. The main tourist attraction is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, located at the southern end of the island. Here you will find peace and charm in English, with its Victorian architecture, flowery gardens, boats, parliament and tea lounges.

With a car and time (the island is 4 times Corsica), go see Tofino an authentic fishing village west of the island. In the east, Cathedral Grove is the perfect place to contemplate the beauty of fir trees Douglas Fire . When we know that some are almost 800 years old, that they are 50 meters high and nine meters of circumference, we feel the power around us.

To finish your journey, stop by Telegraph Cove , further north, and go on a trip to see the whales and whales. This is the best spot in the world.

How do I go to Vancouver?

Vancouver being across Canada, flights from France are less numerous than to go to Quebec. From Paris, there is necessarily a stopover. There is a minimum of 12 hours of aircraft, at very random prices depending on the seasons. In fact, to probe prices and opt for interesting folds according to your starting dates, put on the type comparisons Ulysses .

Vancouver International Airport is located in the southern suburbs of Richmond. To reach the city centre, several options are available to you:

• In SkyTrain

To reach downtown Vancouver in SkyTrain, visit the airport terminal station. Then borrow the Canada Line serving three stations in central Vancouver ( Yaletown-Roundhouse , Vancouver City Centre and Waterfront ). Have an average of 25 minutes.

• Shuttle or bus

Several shuttles are available upon arrival at the airport. Most of them take you downtown but also serve a few hotels. Also, bus lines 430 and 144 provide the route to Vancouver: if the journey is a little longer (1h), the bus remains the most economical option.

• By taxi or by car

A little more expensive, the taxi is also an option to reach Vancouver (an average of 50€ per trip). car rental It is the choice of travellers who are looking for a little more freedom of movement, especially to discover the surroundings of Vancouver (provided to be comfortable flying in a city that you don’t know and to take into account the price of parking).

Where to stay in Vancouver?

Now you know what to do in Vancouver is time to find accommodation. Although the city is one of the most expensive in the country, you could only be advised to find accommodation in the city centre to be close to the main attractions. On the other hand, East Hasting Street is really to be avoided because it is the shelter of homeless and drug addicts. Do not hesitate to use a Compare hotels for a better value for money and to take a look at our article « Which area is in Vancouver? » to find your happiness the time of a stay.