Ocean-flanked and blessed with a bounty of natural good looks, Vancouver is well-deserving of its status as one of Canada’s must-see cities. Trendy neighbourhoods, top attractions and a vast culinary scene will make you feel like you’re down with the locals.
Vancouver is located on the southwest coast of Canada, in the province of British Columbia. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Coast Mountain Range to the north and east, Vancouver is famed for its striking natural beauty and vibrant urban life.
From its vibrant downtown core, filled with high-end shopping, diverse dining options, and modern architecture, to its numerous outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and kayaking - Vancouver provides a unique blend of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure.
The city is also home to a number of prominent cultural institutions, including the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the historic Gastown district.
Totem poles, wildlife encounters and national monuments: there’s no doubt where you are in the world when you set foot in Stanley Park. This sprawling urban oasis encompasses 400 hectares, making it around a fifth larger than Central Park. Meanwhile, Kitsilano Beach offers the chance to take a dip in the ocean or an outdoor swimming pool, or rent a bike and cover some impressive miles. See the views of downtown Vancouver as night falls, flanked by the mountains that lie beyond.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers a heady mix of thrills and rainforest views - once you’ve acclimatised to the wooden suspension bridge, you’ll be able to marvel at the verdant landscape that lies below. Further escapades come in the form of a stroll through a rainforest canopy and, as if your thirst for lofty heights hasn’t already been well and truly satisfied, the Cliffwalk will do the trick. A granite precipice snakes above Capilano River, where you’ll tackle a labyrinth of narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms.
For a catch-all immersion into Vancouver’s food, drink and cultural scene, a trip to Granville Island will fit the bill. The former industrial hub houses a hive of often independent eateries, as well as Granville Island Brewing, which has been the area’s resident craft beer creator for almost 40 years. You must also try the Nanaimo bar, a local treat which combines a crumb base, creamy custard filling and chocolate topping, laced with more than just a hint of coconut.
The Museum of Vancouver documents the history of the city, where you learn more about the communities that call - or have called - it home. Also on the site at Vanier Park is the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre. If you find yourself in trendy Gastown, there’s every likelihood that you’ll encounter a throng of tourists loitering on the corner of Cambie and Water Street. This is where the Gastown Steam Clock springs to life every 15 minutes, when it will bellow steam and whistle the Westminster chime. It’s been there since the 1970s and remains one of Vancouver’s most photographed locations.
