Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in Vancouver, Canada
"Surrounded by unassuming low white walls in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden can be easy to miss. But trust us — you won’t want to. Described as an “urban oasis of tranquility and reflection,” it was named the best city garden in the world by National Geographic in 2011, and that’s an accolade that’s hard to argue."
"I just love the look of the Ming Dynasty-inspired architecture paired with lush green gardens. Entrance to Sun Yat-Sen Park is free, but tickets are required to enter the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. There’s a lot to see at Sun-Yat Sen Park in Vancouver, with tons of cute Instagrammable photo opps!"
"Vancouver’s Chinatown is quite small compared to many I’ve seen worldwide, but it’s home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is well worth a visit, time permitting. READ NEXT:The Ultimate Puerto Rico Road Trip"
"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."
"Home to the Bloedel Conservatory and Seasons in the Park, Queen Elizabeth Park in the Shaughnessy/Cambie area is a major Vancouver tourist attraction. And for that reason, isn’t my favourite place to photograph. It tends to be very busy through spring, fall and summer, especially on weekends and evenings."
"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."
"Located within Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium is a popular local attraction. As a non-profit organization, the aquarium is “dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through education, research and direct action.” Some of the animals include dolphins, sea otters, penguins, reef sharks, rays (which you can touch) and sealions."
"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"
"At last, our final day in Vancouver was spent in Grouse Mountain – The Peak of Vancouver. Here, Landon experienced snow for the first time. We spend a couple of hours here walking through soft snow, played around, and went snow sliding. What was supposed to be a simple, quick visit, lasted hours and created unforgettable memories!"
"2:00 pm Head over to Grouse Mountain: Either take a taxi (around $20 or take the free shuttle that runs from Canada Place (departing every 30 minutes in peak times). Grouse Mountain is about 15-minutes after crossing Lions Gate Bridge."
"The Peak Chalet offers lots of dining options, from grabbing a beer and nachos on the Altitudes Bistro patio through to a multi-course fine dining extravaganza at The Observatory."
"Mosquito's sleek modern decor, mood lighting and aphrodisiac-filled menu make it worthy of your proposal. Plus, you’ll be able to celebrate with a glass of bubbly immediately after your partner says yes!"
"Your first stop will be Capilano Suspension Bridge Park where you’ll take the swaying bridge across the canyon, before getting a taste of Vancouver’s temperate rainforest on the Treetops Adventure. A short stop further is the Capilano River Hatchery where you can see salmon jumping their way up the fish ladder to swim upstream, and then take an easy hike along the surrounding trails. Your final stop is Grouse Mountain – the Skyride gondola whisks you to the peak where you’ll find plenty of adventures waiting for you!. In the summer, visit the orphaned grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, hike the trails, and go ziplining!"
"Learn about the ‘Capilano Tramps' from the 1900s, the original tourists to the park Dare to do the Cliffwalk, a labyrinth of cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms 33 metres above the forest floor"
"With trails that loop through the rainforest, along the seafront, and around the boardwalk that circles bird-filled Camosun Bog, Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a favorite spot for joggers, hikers and cyclists. Covering more than 750 hectares, this green expanse of unspoiled nature connects the University of British Columbia (UBC) with the city. Whether you’re looking for a short, leg-stretching stroll through the trees, or a three-hour trek to explore hidden corners, the park is a hiker’s paradise."
"This 750-hectare haven, the only GVRD park in city limits, is well-known to many and is a wonderful alternative to the trails of Stanley Park. It only takes a few steps in to feel far away from urban existence. The forested trails pass through land blanketed by ferns and shaded by towering cedars."
"Beginning just two blocks from our hotel, this famous waterfront walking and cycling path winds 28km around the downtown peninsula, following the shoreline of False Creek and English Bay all the way to Kitsilano. Popular with fitness buffs and sightseers alike, a stroll along the seawall is one of the best ways to take in the city’s scenery."
"One of the best views of Vancouver can be found right here in Stanley Park. The Vancouver Sea Wall boasts incredible views of the North Shore and Vancouver Harbour and Burrard Inlet. This is one of the best pedestrian and bike trails to take through the park as many of the main sights and attractions are located along the way."
"If you're a die-hard fan of Napolese style pizza, but wish you could enjoy it at home, Pizzeria Farina is for you. You can eat-in, or take-out, and either way is very delicious. The thin, chewy, yet pillow-like crust is the perfect bed for the ingredients of your choice."
"The first of our trio for only pizza joints, Pizzeria Farina has been a staple for takeout pizza in our lives for years. And now they’re really coming clutch because well, we’re all eating takeout. Options: Takeout or delivery"
"Originally from Chilliwack, Jo’s recently expanded to Vancouver, and has become a go-to deli option in the neighbourhood. Sure, you can grab a few groceries, but we’re looking forward to some phenomenal sandwiches for a trip to the park. When: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 AM to 7:00 pMWhere: 2505 Alma Street"
"This “dignified spaghetti joint” offers big portions of homestyle Italian cooking in a friendly atmosphere on Robson Street. All the classics are present, from bruschetta and spaghetti al ragu to chicken parm. A great place for large groups, Zefferelli’s has tailored menus that make ordering easy."
"I have ordered from them several times and the food is ways great. The food is authentic. I would highly recommend."
"A post shared by The Coffee Bar (@coffeebar_gastown) on Mar 19, 2020 at 4:42pm PDT. As it says in the name, this is the coffee bar. Stop by here for a cup of coffee, a nice pastry, and to just hang out in general."
"One of Gastown's most popular cafes serving properly pulled 49th Parallel espresso. Much of their baking is done in-house daily; other high-end items are sourced locally. Enjoy savouring your latte?"
"If you’re looking for something a little less traditional and a little more diverse in style for your birthday celebrations, Remi Patisserie is definitely for you. This adorable bakery creates cakes where “you can find a little taste of France, Italy, and Asia in,” as quoted by the owner. We love his Cloud Cake but honestly, the entire menu is a must try and would work for a birthday cake, from rich Mango Sago cakes to elegant Thai Tea flavours, his cakes are almost too beautiful to eat, and the perfect gift for the birthday boy or girl in your life."
"Years ago, when he landed a summer job at a French Bistro, young and enterprising Remi Ho discovered the world of pastry making and was instantly inspired. His love for baking grew into a passion, and eventually resulted in a delightful bakery called Remi Patisserie located in Vancouver. This true success story melts our hearts, and the yummy treats Chef Remi concocts to perfection, keeps us going back for more."
"A post shared by Clothes and Collectibles (@clothesandcollectibles) on Jun 14, 2016 at 11:28am PDT. Wander over to Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood mini-mall to stock up on inexpensive school and office supplies at discount retailer Dollarama. No phone is beyond repair when you bring it to the electronics technicians at Cellular Repair."
"A post shared by Commercial Drive (@commerciald) on Oct 7, 2019 at 6:47pm PDT. Venture over to Commercial Drive and explore mini-mall Il Mercato to indulge in mouthwatering pizza at Lombardo’s. Replenish your stock of miscellaneous items at Super Valu before heading over to Norman’s to buy fresh produce."