Travel reviews
What to do
- Noteworthy
- Worth the detour
- Must see
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is a vibrant metropolis of unrivalled beauty. It is a cosmopolitan city perched on the edge of nature, with unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation and a great cultural diversity with its European, Asian and First Nations heritages. Vancouver has it all, for seasoned travellers and the less adventurous seeking a peaceful, reassuring destination.
There is no need for a car in Vancouver. This is a city that is best explored on foot or by bike, at your own pace. For this reason, Vancouver is a perfect location to start or finish a Western Canada road trip.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is such a vast natural environment that it is easy to forget that one is in the middle of the city. This lush jewel has so much to offer: the scenic Seawall walking path, biking, beaches, swimming, and much more. The park also offers a number of activities for kids, including pony rides, water games and a miniature train. Older visitors will want to tour the spectacular flower gardens.
Stanley Park teems with an amazing variety of wildlife. At least 500 species are known to live in the park. Some of the must-see landmarks: Lost Lagoon, Hollow Tree and Siwash Rock.
Gastown
This is the birthplace of Vancouver, with historic cobblestone streets and Victorian buildings. The epicenter of independent design, culture, food and fashion, Gastown delivers one-of-a-kind experiences to visitors and locals alike.
In other words, Gastown is the trendiest neighbourhood in Vancouver! A must-see for art and culture lovers.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is not just an aquarium: it is a unique non-profit marine science centre dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. It is Canada's largest aquarium, with many exhibits and galleries presenting different aquatic ecosystems. Adults and kids alike will love the entertaining and educational "encounters" program, which allows visitors to go behind the scenes and get up close and personal with the animals and the people who train them.
Museum of Anthropology
Widely considered to be one of Vancouver's finest museums, the UBC Museum of Anthropology houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The permanent collection features a magnificent collection of First Nations art and objects, including totem poles and traditional houses.
The cutting-edge temporary exhibitions focus on arts and culture from around the world. Allow at least two hours for a good look at everything on offer!
Granville Island
Granville Island is not actually an island, but a large peninsula connected to the mainland by the magnificent metal spans of the Granville Island Bridge. Removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, it is a great place to spend a quiet afternoon. Granville Island is very lively on weekends, with its street performers and fish & chips vendors!
The island boasts many restaurants, bars, theatres, artists' studios and craft boutiques. With its wide range of local produce and products, the Granville Island Public Market is the perfect place to prepare your picnic lunch!
Robson Street and Broadway Avenue
In the mood for some shopping? Robson Street, in the West End, and Broadway Avenue, in Kitsilano, are two shopping destinations that are popular with locals and tourists alike, offering fashion and more for everyone and every budget.
In fact, two well-known Canadian brands originated in these areas of Vancouver a number of years ago: Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Canada's largest supplier of outdoor equipment, and Aritzia, an innovative women's fashion boutique.
FlyOver Canada
Take an exhilarating 6,000-km journey across Canada, from east to west, discovering some of the country's most spectacular and iconic locations without ever leaving Vancouver! The film is projected on a 20-metre spherical screen. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unique, unforgettable experience.
NEARBY
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Just outside of Vancouver floats the Capilano Suspension Bridge, built in 1889! The 137m long, 70m high bridge offers a stunning view of the oh-so-green forest of Capilano River Regional Park.
Within this park, Treetops Adventure takes guests of all ages more than 30 feet above the forest floor on seven suspension bridges attached to old-growth Douglas fir trees!
Capilano River Hatchery
Capilano River Hatchery, a government-run fish farm, is located a few minutes from the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Juvenile salmon are released into the river in the spring. Mature fish return in the fall to spawn, climbing the fish ladders by jumping from one pool to the next. From July to November, it is possible to see adult coho, chinook or steelhead salmon.
This free activity is educational and very popular with the kids.
Grouse Mountain
Located less than 15 minutes from North Vancouver, Grouse Mountain offers a wide array of activities for visitors of all ages: helicopter rides, paragliding, ascent to the top of a wind turbine, gondola rides, a lumberjack show, a demonstration of free-flying birds of prey and a tour of a wildlife refuge (home to bears, wolves, owls and other small animals).
Not to mention the gruelling 2.9-kilometre Grouse Grind Trail, an invigorating workout for seasoned hikers!
Where to eat
- $ Inexpensive
- $$ Moderate
- $$$ Upscale
- $$$$ Fine dining
Maenam ($$)
Maenam is one of Vancouver's best Thai restaurants, offering refined, beautifully-presented, authentic cuisine prepared using the best seasonal and local ingredients. The menu includes familiar classics like the sweet and sour tom kaa soup, curries and pad Thai. Wine, beer and cocktail menu is also avalable.
Salmon N’Bannock ($$-$$$)
British Columbia is known for its high quality wild salmon! This small restaurant showcases Aboriginal cuisine with a range of menu items inspired by a variety of First Nations culinary tradition. The homemade bannock, or flatbread, is one of the house specialties!
Bao Bei ($$-$$$)
This cozy, modern Chinese brasserie is a far cry from the Chinese restaurants of old. You will be charmed by the fresh ingredients, friendly staff, trendy atmosphere and the impeccable presentation. In a city that has long embraced Chinese cuisine as part of its culinary heritage, Bao Bei exemplifies the changing face of Chinatown.
L’Abattoir Restaurant ($$$)
The restaurant was built in the 19th century on the site of Vancouver’s first jail. The French influenced West Coast fare is prepared and served with flare for a unique dining experience. A meat-lover's paradise!
Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar ($$$$)
Blue Water Cafe is the ultimate fine dining experience for lovers of fresh seafood. This warm and inviting restaurant offers impeccable service and an abundance of the freshest seafood, prepared in a multitude of ways: sushi, oysters, caviar, fish, and so much more. The menu also includes meat and vegetarian options. Wine-lovers take note, they carry over 1,000 labels and have a cellar of 14,000 bottles!
Where to sleep ?
Festivals calendar
Dragon boat Festival
Dates: late June
Dragon boating is quickly becoming a favourite pastime in Vancouver, a city that is a natural haven for water sports. The annual Dragon Boat Festival attracts over 100,000 people and close to 180 dragon boat teams from the area and around the globe.
Festival d’été francophone
Date: mid-June
Founded in 1990, the Festival d’été francophone is one of the most important francophone cultural and musical events in Western Canada.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Dates: late June
Vancouver comes alive to the sound of jazz music of all kinds during this internationally renowned music festival as the world's best jazz, funk, Latin, fusion, & world music artists perform at venues across the city. There are many free outdoor concerts in addition to paying concerts.
Vancouver Folk Festival
Dates: mid-July
This annual three-day festival features folk music from around the globe, performed in a beautiful outdoor venue. One of Canada's most popular folk music festivals, it attracts some 30,000 folk music fans every year and features 30 to 40 concerts on eight outdoor stages.
Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival
Dates: end of July
Celebration of Light is an international musical fireworks competition. Competing countries light up the sky with spectacular fireworks, carefully synchronized to music. Whether you watch it from the shore or from a boat out on the water, this festival is a delight for all ages.
Pride Vancouver
Date: early August (Pride Parade)
Like Montreal, Toronto and many other big cities across the globe, Vancouver celebrates diversity. A week of festivities culminates in a flamboyant parade stretching along two kilometres of city streets and attracting close to half a million spectators and participants.
Map
When to visit
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Climograph
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| Month | Average temperature min (°C) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 6 | 200 | |
| February | 3 | 8 | 69 | |
| March | 5 | 11 | 154 | |
| April | 7 | 14 | 83 | |
| May | 10 | 17 | 65 | |
| June | 12 | 20 | 46 | |
| July | 14 | 23 | 30 | |
| August | 14 | 23 | 40 | |
| September | 12 | 19 | 66 | |
| October | 8 | 14 | 151 | |
| November | 5 | 9 | 205 | |
| December | 2 | 6 | 166 |
Travel reviews
Beautiful city
Such a beautiful city with the water and the mountain backdrop. Plenty of interesting activities to do. Stanley Park is the ultimate place. Mandatory to walk/ride the perimeter but the highlight are the internal tracks. So pretty.
Whale watching is another great activity. We saw orcas and humpbacks!
Bike Riding
Biking in Vancouver is excellent. The city has made biking, even in congested areas, quite safe.
