Based in Vancouver, B.C., Diane Selkirk enjoys writing stories where science, history, or social justice intersect with travel. Her work has appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and The Globe and Mail.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Diane Selkirk enjoys writing stories where science, history, or social justice intersect with travel. Her work has appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and The Globe and Mail.
Hi, I'm Diane!Based in Vancouver, B.C., Diane Selkirk enjoys writing stories where science, history, or social justice intersect with travel. Her work has appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and The Globe and Mail.
Hi, I'm Diane!Based in Vancouver, B.C., Diane Selkirk enjoys writing stories where science, history, or social justice intersect with travel. Her work has appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and The Globe and Mail.
Visiting a new destination offers an overwhelming number of options for things to see, do, and eat, and Vancouver is no different. Whether you’re seeking culture, outdoor adventure, or just the chance to explore a new place, there’s something for everyone in this diverse, welcoming city. Vancouver is an intriguing mixture of beautiful nature and city glamour, offering the perfect vacation experience for any kind of traveler. Here’s what to do and see on your first trip.
With hiking trails, gardens, and a beautiful seawall, Stanley Park is a peaceful place for a stroll. The expansive urban park showcases the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforest, home to treasures like the Vancouver Aquarium and several restaurants. The park often features events, like outdoor concerts, among the towering cedar trees. Whether you want to experience panoramic views of the North Shore mountains on a bike ride around the Seawall or simply stroll and enjoy the park’s greenery, its proximity to downtown makes it the perfect place to start exploring Vancouver.
Formerly an industrial hub, Granville Island’s warehouses and boathouses have been converted into chic galleries and cozy cafes. The Public Market is the heart of the island, a colorful, covered market featuring specialty food vendors and pottery stalls. Grab lunch and hang out at the picnic tables overlooking the city’s harbor. Enjoy the talented buskers that often serenade diners in the afternoon, but keep an eye out for hungry seagulls in search of snacks. Craft breweries are the place to be in the evening, and the island’s theaters host plays, comedy nights, and dance performances.
Nicknamed Hollywood North for the city’s thriving film industry, Vancouver is full of places to find a new look. If you have a quirky, vintage style, head to Main Street for curated thrift stores and consignment boutiques to load up on silk scarves and platform boots. For luxury shops, head downtown along Robson Street, while the Kitsilano neighborhood is home to outdoor stores galore—deck yourself out in flannel and get ready to hit the trail.
Mit seinen natürlichen Landschaften, angesagten Vierteln und seiner kosmopolitischen Atmosphäre zieht Vancouver Besucher sowohl mit urbaner als auch mit natürlicher Anziehungskraft an. Von Radfahren, Wandern und Skifahren bis hin zu Food-Touren, Craft-Beer-Verkostungen und Seilbahnfahrten bietet die Stadt eine Fülle von Aktivitäten. Hier sind unsere Tipps für Erstbesucher der kanadischen Westküstenmetropole.
Erkunde den Stanley Park
Eingebettet in die Gewässer des Hafens von Vancouver und des Burrard Inlet lockt dieser riesige öffentliche Park mit seinen unzähligen Stränden, Regenwaldpfaden, Denkmälern und Kunstwerken die Besucher an. Es ist ein Übergangsritus für Erstbesucher, die entlang des Deichs des Stanley Park spazieren, Rollerbladen oder Rad fahren und dabei die malerische Aussicht auf das Wasser genießen.
Besuchen Sie die Nordküste
Nur eine kurze Autofahrt von der Innenstadt von Vancouver entfernt erwartet Sie das North Shore mit frischer Luft und einer dramatischen Berg- und Waldlandschaft. Treten Sie im Capilano Suspension Bridge Park zwischen den Baumwipfeln oder steigen Sie in die Skyride-Straßenbahn und fahren Sie bis zum Gipfel des Grouse Mountain.
Probieren Sie kulinarische Köstlichkeiten
Vancouver konkurriert mit Toronto und Montreal um den Titel der kulinarischen Hauptstadt Kanadas. Machen Sie eine Food-Tour, um die Köstlichkeiten eines oder mehrerer der besten Restaurants in Vancouver zu probieren: Granville Island, Chinatown und Gastown sind allesamt Feinschmeckerparadiese.
Zum Wasser nehmen
Das von Inseln gesprenkelte Wasser rund um Vancouver ist reif für Erkundungen. Entscheiden Sie sich für eine Hochgeschwindigkeits-Zodiac-Bootsfahrt und suchen Sie nach Delfinen, Seehunden und Weißkopfseeadlern oder treiben Sie bei einer romantischen Dinner-Kreuzfahrt um den Hafen von Vancouver an Wolkenkratzern in der Innenstadt vorbei.
Erleben Sie FlyOver Canada
Diese Attraktion in der Innenstadt von Vancouver nimmt Passagiere mit auf eine simulierte Flugreise durch Kanada und zeigt atemberaubende Naturwunder auf einem riesigen Kuppelbildschirm. Die Fahrt nutzt Nebel, Wind und Gerüche sowie 3D-Bilder, um das Erlebnis noch realer zu gestalten.
Start in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, exploring elegant tea shops, traditional Chinese bakeries, and antique stores filled with treasures. To learn about the history of this vibrant community, stop in at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, or visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to relax during a tea ceremony. The neighborhood is packed with dim-sum shops, barbecue restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall noodle shops to keep you fueled during your adventures. In the evening, head to Gastown to take in the Vancouver nightlife. Cool basement lounges host live music, and quirky cocktail bars abound.
Related: Why Vancouver Has the World’s Best Dim Sum (and Where To Find It)
Vancouver’s culture is deeply rooted in the history and knowledge of the people who have lived on the land since the beginning. Understanding more about this is the key to discovering the city. Visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC to marvel at traditional artwork from the Pacific Northwest, and learn about the people who have always called the land home. Later, head to Stanley Park for a walking tour with an Indigenous guide, highlighting the plants traditionally used for food, medicine, and art.
Grab a bus from downtown to head to Whistler, or opt for a road trip to travel the stunning Sea to Sky highway. With views of the ocean and mountains, the road is an experience in itself. Squamish offers river rafting experiences and challenges, such as the imposing Stawamus Chief Mountain, a towering granite slab popular among hikers and climbers. Otherwise, carry on to Whistler for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking in the summer. Its pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with bustling restaurants and shopping boutiques.
Start at the Vancouver Art Gallery—this well-curated gallery features works from Canadian icons including Emily Carr as well as a frequent rotation of exhibits from around the world. The expansive building is located in downtown Vancouver, and the front square hosts a good sized farmers market every Wednesday afternoon, as well as summer movie nights. Across the street, you’ll find the Bill Reid Gallery which highlights traditional Haida art, as well as contemporary Indigenous artwork.
Vancouver is famed for its nature, and its beaches are especially well-known, spread along the sides of English Bay. There’s a beach for every occasion—if you’re after stunning sunsets, head to the aptly-named Sunset Beach, near Davie Village. Volleyball players gather at Kitsilano Beach, while families favor Jericho Beach to splash in the water and watch the population of bunnies play in the nearby grass. Spanish Banks is farther out, but it has the benefit of a shallow slope, meaning that the water warms when it comes up over the sand.
Beautiful in all seasons, Queen Elizabeth Park rises above the city, capped by the shimmering dome of the Bloedel Conservatory. In the springtime, the fluffy cherry blossoms and bright florals make it a popular spot for picnics, and in the winter, locals bring their sleds to line up at the top of the hill. Explore the sunken quarry garden, wander among sculptures, and enjoy the peace of this urban oasis.
