Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver

With a seemingly endless number of things to do in Vancouver, this vibrant city exudes a unique Pacific Northwest culture and diversity that offers visitors the chance to experience world-class shopping, dining, and adventure, along with the natural beauty of British Columbia.

Our list of the top 10 things to do in Vancouver isn't in any particular order, so if you can only see some you should put a pin by the ones you're especially interested in.

Stanley Park

On the edge of the Pacific Ocean, adjacent to downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is a 988-acre nature extravaganza offering visitors the quintessential West Coast rainforest experience complete with wildlife, towering trees, beaches, and trails, including its famous Seawall. Stanley Park is also home to the world's largest collection of totem poles at Brockton Point.

Vancouver Lookout

Offering a 360-degree view of Vancouver and the surrounding areas including the beautiful North Shore Mountains, the Vancouver Lookout observation deck is also an adventure in itself. Showcasing a quick 40-second ride in a glass elevator up to the top of the tower at 553 feet above the city streets, it's easy to see why this lookout is in our top 10 lists of things to do in Vancouver.

Grouse Mountain

With epic skiing in the winter and eco-hiking in the summer, the highlight of visiting Grouse Mountain is sure to be its Skyride gondola, the largest aerial tram in North America.

English Bay

When you're brainstorming things to do in Vancouver, a visit to English Bay Beach is a great way to spend an afternoon. This popular beach tying into Stanley Park's Seawall offers swimming, kayak rentals, sand volleyball, and beachfront dining.

Vancouver AquariumAs Canada's largest aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium is a nonprofit organization focusing on marine conservation, rehabilitation, and research. Here, visitors can get up close and personal with the likes of sea otters and Beluga whales. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

This Pacific Northwest rainforest adventure offers an array of trails, walkways, and suspension bridges 100 feet above the majestic cedar forest floor. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is also home to the Cliffwalk, a thrilling suspended semi-circle walkway jutting out of the granite cliff side.

Gastown and Canada Place

The charming Gastown area of downtown Vancouver dates back to the 1860s, when it was once a hub for workers of the bustling logging and fishing industries. Today, Gastown is a hub for shopping and dining, plus its landmark steam-powered clock still whistles every 15 minutes. Only an 8-minute walk from Gastown, Canada Place — with its iconic sails — is home to Vancouver's convention and trade centers.

Chinatown

Dating to the late 1800s, Vancouver's Chinatown is Canada's largest gathering of Chinese cultural restaurants, markets, and services. One of the focal points of visiting Chinatown is a 15th-century immersion into traditional architecture and horticulture at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Granville Island

One of the top things to do in Vancouver, Granville Island marketplace is a lively waterfront community offering a combination of stalls selling fresh produce and seafood, unique restaurants and galleries, plus regular musical entertainment along the outlining wharves. It's easy to reach by taking an Aquabus Ferry.

Robson StreetA mini Rodeo Drive-like district, Robson Street is a trendy shopping and dining area in downtown Vancouver. While parking is always at a premium, Robson Street is only a 15-minute walk from Canada Place and 20 minutes from Gastown.

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