10 best things to do in Vancouver, Canada

Home to some of the world’s largest parks and gardens, Vancouver has some must-see green spaces.

Beaches, an aquarium, playgrounds, a pool and splash park, botanical gardens, a golf course, 17 tennis courts and 40 miles of trails through ferns and century-old cedars — this park truly has it all!

The third largest urban park in North America, Stanley Park spans more than 1,000 acres. And one of the best ways to see the highlights is via a Princess excursion. After you disembark your cruise in Vancouver, hop on the city tour, and expert guides will show you the best points of interest in Stanley Park. The excursion is wheelchair-accessible and makes for a relaxing day in the city. Or, take the Princess motorcar tour during a port of call and see the park alongside other stunning natural sites in Vancouver.

Gardeners, birders and budding botanists won't know what hit them in Queen Elizabeth Park. The second largest park in Vancouver at 130 acres, this spot offers a rose garden, a meticulously manicured quarry garden and an arboretum with some 1,500 native and exotic trees. Stop at Bloedel Conservatory to spot 100 free-flying exotic birds and more than 500 types of plants. While you walk the park, be on the lookout for sculptures and spectacular views of the Vancouver skyline.

With miles of walking paths, a stone garden, a hedge maze and some 7,500 plant species and varieties, this park is a true oasis in the city.

The 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden is particularly known for the Laburnum Walk, which has yellow, chain-like blooms hanging down from the branches above. These flowers bloom during May, so if you're cruising through in spring, you'll get to experience this blossoming scene.

Vancouver is set between the ocean and the mountains, offering both flat terrain and hills and mountains to explore.

Grouse Mountain is sometimes dubbed the peak of Vancouver, and it’s the perfect spot to see 360-degree views of the area and get a taste of adventure. There’s hiking, ziplining, lumberjack shows, grizzly bear viewing, a cinema, restaurants and even a Starbucks. You can hike up 2,830 stairs to the top or take a ride on the gondola to climb 4,100 feet into the sky. For an even better view, take the Super Skyride tram up the mountain.

Walking across this 450-foot suspension bridge hanging over a gorge carved out by the Capilano River is not for the faint of heart — but the stunning views are worth it.

After you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, you can explore a series of platforms that will take you deeper into the primordial forest of British Columbia.

Picture this: sitting in a glass gondola watching the ocean disappear beneath you as you ascend a staggering peak into the clouds. That’s the Sea to Sky Highway that takes you from the seaside to the top of a mountain in just eight minutes while you relax on the gondola. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the views, take a hike, and walk along a suspension bridge for 360-degree views.

From shopping on an island to seeing over 50,000 sea creatures, these experiences you won’t find anywhere else offer a unique way to soak up the best of Vancouver.

In what used to be an industrial hub of factories, you’ll find the trendiest neighborhood around and Vancouver’s largest food market. It’s a mini-city itself where you can savor baked goods, authentic Mexican food, and fresh produce before checking out a modern art gallery or handmade goods. Bring the whole family! The kids will love the indoor play area with slides and a jungle gym to climb.  

Grab a seat on the hop-on, hop-off bus for a front-row seat to the history and highlights of Granville Island, plus plenty of time for exploring.

Walk through halls lined with octopi, playful otters diving in their pools, and tide pool touch-zones where you can pet starfish. This is what you can find at the Vancouver Aquarium that sits on the edge of Stanley Park. Filled with more than 50,000 critters and 30 exhibits, you can learn about what fish eat in the Vancouver bay or how sea anemones eat. 

There’s a heavy focus on animal conservation, and the exhibits are educational and allow you to dive into the intricacies of each creature. Stop in and surround yourself with ocean life by taking the hop-on-hop-off bus and getting off by Stanley Park.

Vancouver is surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in Canada and home to incredible wildlife. Take a hike along the ocean or spot a whale while you’re in town.

Humpbacks, orcas, and fins, oh my! Hop aboard a whale-watching boat in the bay to see what magnificent creatures you can see in the waves. The peak season is during the summer where you can see orcas hunting and playing, but you can still spot humpbacks in the spring and fall. Other species to keep an eye out for are minke and gray whales, other summer-time favorites, peeking up from the sea.

With everything from scenic strolls to longer hikes, Vancouver has miles of trails to explore. Try the 6-mile Seawall Trail by foot or bike for an overview of Stanley Park and picturesque ocean views. The trail is paved — and wheelchair and stroller accessible — and makes for a convenient way to access sites like Vancouver Aquarium.

Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge, meanwhile, is one of the city's best-kept secrets for a burst of adrenaline. Walk the Baden Powell Trail, then cross the bridge that hangs 160 feet above the canyon below. (Bonus: It's free!)

From Lions Gate Bridge, which spans the bay, you can people-watch and view boats cruising the waters.

Whether you’re in port for a day or spending a few days in town after your cruise, you’re not going to want to miss some of the iconic Vancouver neighborhoods.

What began as a humble tavern in 1867 is now one of Vancouver's trendiest neighborhoods. Home to delicious restaurants, trendy shops, wine bars and a thriving fashion scene, Gastown is the area's oldest neighborhood and original downtown. Here, you can spot well-preserved Victorian homes and stroll along Water Street to find the steam- and water-powered clock that whistles every 15 minutes.

Stop in for a few hours via the hop-on, hop-off bus, or immerse in the area's history before heading to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. If you’re disembarking in Vancouver, join a city highlights tour that takes you to the airport.

As the sun goes down, the Richmond Night Market comes to life with 600 international food options and 110 retail and craft booths. Try some of the unique food options like crab meat noodles, BBQ squid, Japanese poutine, Brazilian pastries, Afghan bolani, even sausage in a waffle cone! After you finish eating, bouncy castles and games will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

Vancouver may have become an official city in the 1880s, but its history and influence extends centuries before that — and it’s still contributing to the world now.

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the University of British Columbia and houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from the Northwest Coast First Nations. You can see beautiful canoes, ritual masks, totem poles and other Native American relics, as well as 15th-century European pottery, jewelry and local art. This is an indoor-outdoor museum, allowing you to see the totem poles in the natural world.

How do plants grow? Why do volcanoes erupt? How does the human body work? You'll get the answers to questions like these at Science World, an interactive museum with hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits and exciting live shows. 

Kids, in particular, will love getting to build computer sets — creating animated characters, adding texture to computer-generated surfaces and making a stop-motion film. Take in a show in the Omnimax Theatre, where you'll learn about everything from pandas to the biodiversity of the Amazon.

Fun fact: The building is an iconic part of the Vancouver skyline, and some people call it a golf ball or snow globe!

No tour of Vancouver is complete without savoring local cuisine, especially regional seafood the area is known for, like fish and chips and salmon.

Vancouver is home to some amazing seafood eateries. One of the most popular spots is Blue Water Cafe, which uses high-quality and sustainable seafood. Try the seafood tower with shrimp, oysters, and clams for the whole table. 

The Fish Counter, meanwhile, offers a quick bite along with its own fresh fish market with some of the best fish and chips around. 

No matter where you go in Vancouver, consider trying wild spot prawns, which are a dish unique to the area. There’s even a festival to celebrate the beginning of prawn season in May. The Wild Spot Prawns are large and taste sweet with a firm texture. 

Other must-try dishes include the local halibut and salmon.

Farmers markets are a delicious way to explore the city and try a sampling of regional fare. Vancouver is home to at least 10 seasonal or year-round markets. Check out the year-round Downtown Market for fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, great poultry and local artisan beer. If you’re in the west side of the city from spring to summer, explore the Kitsilano Farmers Market that’s a great spot for local food trucks and coffee. 

During the colder months, the Winter Market has some seasonal favorites: pickles, jams and preserves.

Can-ada, eh? Crack open a cold one and experience Vancouver through the local beers. Take a brewery tour and tour some of the top breweries with an expert guide to sample the best of what the city has to offer. Check out Granville Island Brewing and its pseudo-Mission style brewery with delicious IPAs and lagers. Serious beer-lovers flock to Main Street Brewing Company for the creative new brews that pair well with the savory sausages there.

Vancouver can be the adventure destination of your dreams, even if you’re only here for a day during your port of call.

Get out on the water in False Creek, a narrow inlet separating the Downtown and West End neighborhoods. From your kayak, you can see the city skyline on both sides, but make sure to stay on the shore side of the green and red buoys to avoid faster boat traffic! For pleasant weather and smooth sailing, head out during April through September.

Put the pedal to the mettle and bike through Vancouver. The Sunset Beach to Kitsilano Beach trail gives you a little bit of everything: views of the historic Granville Island, False Creek and two of the most famous beaches. If you’re looking for a longer ride, the 15-mile Central Valley Greenway takes you through metropolitan neighborhoods, historic shopping districts and lush greenery.

Sometimes the best part of a vacation is a chance for downtime and relaxation, and you can enjoy Vancouver as a place to unwind.

Vancouver is a coastal city, so the perfect spot to relax is on the beaches. Lounge on English Bay Beach in the downtown area right off of Beach Avenue. There’s a swimming raft with a slide for water lovers and sand volleyball courts for a day on shore. At Kitsilano Beach, you can see Stanley Park, and it’s right next to sports courts and a swimming pool. 

Both beaches have lifeguards from May until September. 

If your cruise is in the winter months, it will likely be far too chilly to swim, but walking along the shoreline can be the perfect way to unwind. Grab an Irish coffee — a local favorite — from the Jam Cafe on Beatty and enjoy the beautiful ocean views.

Whether it’s a port city or an extended vacation, Vancouver is a place to make unforgettable memories. From beaches to downtown shopping, there’s something for the whole family. With Princess excursions, you can easily see all the highlights! 

Book one of the many Princess cruises from Vancouver and come visit.