Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Granville Island

"Bordered by the English Bay and the Vancouver Harbor, Stanley Park is completely surrounded by water and has some of the city’s most beautiful views. This lush green forest is full of plants found only in the area and can be viewed from the many paths and trails that run through the park, including the Seawall, a stone wall that surrounds the park and runs along the water’s edge. The park is also home to Vancouver’s Aquarium and several restaurants and snack bars to make spending the day in the woods easy."

"This magnificent 404-hectare park combines excellent attractions with a mystical natural aura. Don’t miss a stroll or cycle (rentals near the W Georgia St entrance) around the 8.8km seawall: a kind of visual spa treatment fringed by a 150,000-tree temperate rainforest, it’ll take you past the park’s popular totem poles."

"Completed in 1986 and set in the city’s historic Chinatown neighborhood, this urban park is a genuine replica of a classical Ming Dynasty Chinese scholar’s garden—a first outside of China, and a welcome respite from the surrounding area’s occasionally challenging vibe. Built by a team of 53 Chinese master craftsmen, everything in the garden with the exception of local plants was shipped from China, from the roof tiles of the graceful pagodas to the limestone rocks quarried from Lake Tai. For the full experience, you’ll want to do a guided tour that traces the arc of the city’s Chinese community, a critical part of Vancouver’s past and present."

"Here’s a Chinatown treasure, perhaps the most culturally rich of all parks overseen by the Vancouver Parks Board. (Admission to the adjoining Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden costs about $15, depending on the season.) With willows, bamboo, craggy rocks, pagodas and a pond dotted with lily pads and filled with koi, this photo-ready site is will make you feel a world away. Both the free and paid portions of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens are currently closed but will reopen July 3"

"The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park and Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver is a tranquil garden right in the heart of Chinatown."

"The Queen Elizabeth Park is a small park known for its extravagant flora that can be viewed year-round. Its 130 acres holds mountains along the north shore and a glimpse at the city’s skyline. The park also hold the Bloedel Conservatory, which houses plants from all over the world, and an arboretum, where visitors can watch breath-taking cherry blossoms bloom in the spring."

"Built in on a former quarry 500 feet above sea level, the 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest vantage point in Vancouver, with extraordinary views that extend to the North Shore Mountains and beyond. But there’s more to Queen E, as locals call it, than just the vistas. With manicured lawns and impeccably groomed flowering plant beds, the gardens are the main draw."

"Queen Elizabeth Park and Gardens: A gorgeous place for a leisurely stroll, particularly during springtime. Cherry blossom hunting: Come to Vancouver in the springtime to catch beautiful blooms all over the city. There’s even a handy map."

"Be sure to also check out the Vancouver Aquarium, the famous Stanley Park, and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. 20 Day 2: take a ferry over to Vancouver Island"

"I’ve been told the Vancouver Aquarium is pretty impressive as well although that would require entering before the building’s 5pm closing time."

"Just over the bridge is Kitsilano, Vancouver’s original hippy enclave with a bustling beach, shopping thoroughfare, and attractions like the Museum of Vancouver and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Celebrating diversity and the arts, Vancouver has a festival calendar that is bursting with exciting events, and tonight, you’re going to experience one for yourself!. Whether you’re catching a documentary screening, stand-up comedy, fringe theatre, an Asian food market or a jazz performance, these events speak to our very Canadian trait of embracing our diversity."

"With just a block separating the two, they can be viewed as one wonderful space that creates a thriving neighbourhood feel between Oak and Cambie. This is another place to work your endorfins, accessing the Heather Park’s tennis courts, or playing soccer or baseball or jogging the perimeter path at Douglas Park. A new wood-feature playground including a playhouse and tree platform at Douglas Park only adds to the appeal of this area."

"This sculpture is one of the many attractions along the Stanley Park Sea Wall. This particular statue reminds of the the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, and from far away she does look like a mermaid!. The Girl in a wet suit statue is located just off shore of the wall and sits just in front of Vancouver Harbour and the North Shore mountains."

"Not to be confused with nearby Renfrew Community Park, this serene sliver of a park makes the most of Still Creek and its corresponding ravine. On the north side of East 29th Avenue is a newly fenced off-leash dog park but the main draw attraction is the shaded walkway hugging the creek. On the south side of 29th, a newly built stairway leads down to another stretch of the creek and a short boardwalk."

"This place is known for its music, as it hosts many well-known international DJs. If you have a thing for EDM, then you’re going to have a gala time here. The psychedelic lighting will definitely make you want to put your dancing shoes on."

"A post shared by The Yale Saloon (@yalesaloon) on Oct 5, 2018 at 2:50pm PDT. Yeehawwww, get your cowboy hats and dust off those boots. The Yale Saloon will transport you the party days of the Wild West with country style BBQ and line dancing every Friday night."

"The Yale Saloon is where you'll come for the BBQ, stay for the line dancing. When you walk into the Yale, you're almost immediately greeted by a bar and an electric bull. If that isn't an indication for a good time, what is?"

"The largest in-house smoker in the city, offering up southern comfort cooking. These BBQ experts specialize in slow-cooked meats, homemade rubs and sauces with all the fixings."

"Kingyo is a quintessential Vancouver experience and one of the first places we recommend going to if you’ve just arrived. This creative Japanese small plates spot is perfect after walking along the seawall surrounding nearby Stanley Park (a forest surrounded by beautiful beaches) and being yelled at by rollerbladers for walking on the bike path. Some of the best dishes on the menu are the kobe beef that arrives with its own mini tongs and hot stone, deep fried blue cheese-stuffed lotus root, and tuna tataki."

"The flagship restaurant of the Tamaru Shoten Group, these guys do fantastic Japanese fusion cuisine, with an emphasis on Japanese and not fusion. We really enjoy their udon dishes, but you need to try their hot stone wagyu beef at least once in your lifetime. Cooking meat on a rock?"

"Samurai Japanese Restaurant is an informal eatery with a long and comprehensive menu. Their signature dish is their massive sushi rolls, but the sashimi is also quite popular. They offer a good range of appetizers such as sunomono, wakame salad, and a number of tofu dishes."

"If you prefer delicious Italian style ice cream, stop by Brazza on Lonsdale in North Vancouver. You will find a delectable array of gelato and sorbeto. Brazza gelato is made fresh daily on the premises, using only the highest quality natural ingredients."

"For a (very) traditional style bakery, head on over to Tartine bread and pies. This is the kinda joint you can count on for more savoury/lunch options if that’s more your thing. Address: 770 Beach AvenuePhone: 604-685-7437Website: www.tartine.ca"

"We all scream for ice cream but sometimes it just isn’t right for your dietary requirements. Stuffies Pastries Cafe not only offers up the Asian dessert of stuffed pastries taiyaki, but fills it with vegan soft serve!. The pastry cone is also gluten-free!"