Things to see and do in Vancouver

Like any large city, Vancouver has a multitude of things to see and do, though contrary to many cities of Vancouver’s size, one of the major attractions here is its beautiful setting. Vancouver is surrounded by stunning scenery: the mountains, forests and ocean all combine with the city skyline to result in a breathtakingly beautiful city.

Once you can pull yourself away from admiring the scenery, here are some of the most popular Vancouver attractions you won’t want to miss!

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is one of the most famous public parks in the world and attracts in the region of 8 million visitors a year, making it one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions.

The park covers an area of 1,000 acres and sits at the tip of the downtown peninsula, so is easily accessible from all the downtown hotels and other attractions. Most of the park is forested and the forest trails combined with the Seawall Promenade make this a very popular place for walking, cycling and skating at all times of the year, though particularly in the summer months.

As well as Stanley Park’s natural attractions, there are various man-made ones here too. In the western corner of the park are the famous totem poles. These are definitely worth a close-up visit to admire their intricate artwork and striking colours. Nearby is the Vancouver Aquarium which is Canada’s oldest and largest public aquarium, where you can enjoy Beluga Whale shows, Dolphin shows and Bird of Prey talks amongst others. Stanley Park certainly has enough to keep you occupied for a whole day, if not longer!

Vancouver Lookout

Vancouver Lookout at the Harbour Centre Tower is a great place from which to see the whole of Vancouver city and the amazing surrounding landscapes.

You can ride the glass exterior elevators up to the observation deck in this tower which stands 177 metres (581 feet) tall and get a 360 degree, unobstructed view of the city below you. The Lookout is open until late in the evening so is a great place from which to watch to sun go down.

Gastown

Gastown is an historical part of Vancouver’s downtown and was rejuvenated in the 1970’s. Today it gives visitors a glimpse of what Vancouver would have been like a century ago with its cobbled streets, lined with shops and restaurants. A popular attraction here is the Gastown Steam Clock.

Granville Island

Granville Island is another historical area of downtown Vancouver, which too was rejuvenated in the 1970’s. The Public Market here is well liked, as are tours of the Granville Island Brewery! This is a good place to go for entertainment and the arts as there are art galleries, a theatre, cinema, shops and restaurants here too.

Vancouver’s Chinatown

If you’re interested in Oriental architecture and gardens, a visit to the second largest Chinatown in North America is recommended. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden is a beautiful and peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Museum of Anthropology

If you visit just one museum in Vancouver, this is the one to visit! The museum specializes in Canada’s First Nations and has the world’s largest collection of artefacts from the West Coast indigenous peoples, including a collection of magnificent totem poles.