It almost Springs when we moved to Burnaby (Greater Vancouver Area) in British Columbia. Spring and summers bring out the best time to plan short trips in and around Vancouver. With little knowledge about the area, we started compiling our list of places we must visit during summers and all year round. British Columbia is full of everything intriguing, beginning with amazing attractions, historic sites, and vivid charm that pervades the city. Furthermore, there are other locations outside of the city that provide the ideal setting for a road trip. These sites around Vancouver are not only stunning, but they also provide a multitude of things to do.
Vancouver and the surrounding region are popular filming locations. Surrounded by mountains and well-known for its booming art, theatre, and music scenes, Vancouver is also one of the most vibrant cities in British Columbia, full of love, life, and laughter. The best time to visit Vancouver and explore the city while you enjoy the warm and sunny weather of the city is April to October. Here is a selection of the best places to visit in and around Vancouver that give some incredible experiences to remember as a newcomer.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park, Vancouver’s first, largest, and most popular urban park, is one of the city’s most well-known attractions. This park is available to explore km of trails, stunning beaches, local animals, fantastic food, natural, cultural, and historical sites, as well as many more activities, spread throughout 400 hectares of pristine West Coast rainforest.
The Stanley Park miniature railway receives approximately 200,000 visits each year, and it is popular with both locals and tourists, especially children. This 20-gauge, 2 km track travels through the forest on land cleared by Typhoon Freda, Vancouver’s most catastrophic storm in 1962. Passengers can get a close-up look at a vintage engine which offers a photo opportunity before boarding for the 15-minute ride.
The Seawall – The world’s longest unbroken seaside promenade, measuring 28 kilometres, is ideal for strolling, cycling, and running. The Seawall is one of the top locations to visit in Vancouver since it is the most popular recreational area. Seawall, which is divided into two defined parts for runners and bikers, is the ideal area to spend a tranquil evening with your friends and family.
Lonsdale Quay Market
The Lonsdale Quay Public Market, which opened in 1986, is a landmark in North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay and Lower Lonsdale District. Visitors may purchase anything from fresh food to local artisan crafts at the market, which is home to around 60 locally owned and managed shops.
The market’s famous Q tower is also well-known. To get to the top of the tower, exit the building onto the patio and ascend the 77 stairs. It may appear like there are a lot of steps, but the view from the top is well worth the effort!
The market is easily accessible by public transportation via Seabus, which takes about 15 minutes from the waterfront sky train station in downtown Vancouver. Apart from food and shopping, it has an open patio which offers a unique view of Vancouver downtown and the open sea with seaplanes flying around The Market and Retail levels of the market have different hours of operation. Both locations are open seven days a week. The Market level is typically open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the Retail level is open one hour later, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both floors normally shut at 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is 140 metres long and 70 metres above the river, receives over 800,000 tourists each year. Its appeal stems from its visual splendour, making it one of the most popular Vancouver tourist attractions. One may spend a fantastic day out exploring the lovely surroundings and taking an adventurous stroll along the cliff-hanging walkways.
Granville Island Public Market
Granville Island Public Market is a must-see for foodies and shopaholics alike. This island market is a renowned tourist attraction in Vancouver. Learn about Vancouver’s varied food culture, shop among a variety of items, and meet local craftsmen and sellers on a 2-hour walking tour. Taste regional dishes in a small group, including superb cheeses and meats, as well as local wine and freshly baked pastries. If you’re interested, you may acquire culinary training as well as insider information on the greatest restaurants in the region. It is also a good place to enjoy evenings with a great cultural experience.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Aquarium in Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s most famous tourist attractions. It’s also a popular site for youngsters and children, who may witness over 50,000 species of native and foreign aquatic life. Apart from being a major Vancouver tourist destination, the aquarium is also a centre for marine research, conservation, and animal rehabilitation.
Bloedel Floral Conservatory
The Bloedel Floral Conservatory is one of the most intriguing locations to see in Vancouver. This lovely aviary, perched 500 feet above sea level above Queen Elizabeth Park, has three habitats: tropical rainforest, subtropical rainforest, and desert. The conservatory is home to approximately 200 bird species, as well as Bougainvilleas, Browallias, citrus and coffee trees, Eucalypti and epiphytes, Euphorbia, and much more. It also offers a stroll along the beautiful park and a scenic view of Vancouver downtown from the top of the park.
Shannon Falls
Shannon Falls is British Columbia’s third highest waterfall and offers the calmest and most stunning vistas. It is located within the Shannon Falls Provincial Park. If you’re looking for a good old hike, you may walk all the way up to the famed Stawamus Chief and enjoy a tour to one of Vancouver’s top waterfalls. Also, if you enjoy rock climbing or want to attempt it, there are several excellent routes to be found on the south side of the falls. The falls are a 5 mins walk from the famous Sea-to-Sky highway and take around 40 – 50 mins. to reach by car from Downtown Vancouver.
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls is a great place to visit if you’re passing through Squamish or Whistler and want to take a short stroll to a beautiful waterfall. The walk begins at the parking lot and winds its way through the woods, crossing a covered wooden bridge. The bridge crosses a small stream heading towards a railroad track along the way. Don’t forget to click a picture, the view is awesome. After a couple of minutes’ walk, you reach the platform with a spectacular view of the waterfall. The falls drop around 70 metres and the cavern around them are filled with rockslides that have fallen off the walls over hundreds of years. A short distance past the platform, the walk continues for a glimpse of Daisy Lake.
Whistler
Whistler, about 125 kilometres north of Vancouver, is a tiny town known as the “Four Season Resort Town.” It covers an area of 8,000 acres and is surrounded by various mountain peaks. This town, which is also known for being an adventure destination, sprang to fame in 2010 when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics with Vancouver. In the last ten years, this community has established itself as one of the greatest summer destinations near Vancouver. Skiing, ziplining, mountain biking, kayaking, and a classic Spa are just a few of the activities available in Whistler. You will find Whistler in most people’s best places to visit in and around Vancouver.
A must experience is Peak 2 Peak gondola. The PEAK 2 PEAK is more than a gondola; it’s innovation on a whole new level. It is a 4.4-kilometer/2.7-mile, 11-minute excursion that connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The way you ride Whistler Blackcomb is altered by linking the high alpine terrain of both mountains. It enables you to ride the greatest terrain on both summits on the same day. In the morning, ride Whistler’s Peak, then in the afternoon, 7th Heaven on Blackcomb.
Victoria
Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, located on the edge of Vancouver Island. The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, not Vancouver, as many people believe. The city is one of the nicest cities near Vancouver, Canada, and is around 100 kilometres from both Vancouver. You will often hear the phrase “Victoria is a place for newlywed or nearly dead”, which tells a lot about its relaxing lifestyle. Ferries sail from Tsawwassen BC Ferries Terminal, or passengers may take a bus from downtown Vancouver. Victoria offers a variety of things to do like visiting the museums, spending the day at Beacon Hill Park, and taking a drive along the Marine Route and many others.
Hope you enjoyed reading the list and will plan to visit these places soon!