15 top tourist attractions in Vancouver

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With its mountainous backdrop and urban beaches, Vancouver has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Downtown Vancouver is ideally located on a peninsula in the Strait of Georgia, bordered to the south by the Fraser River delta and to the north by a deep fjord that extends far inland (Burrard Inlet). Also gleaming to the north are the often snow-capped ranges of the Coast Mountains.

With its extensive parks and relatively similar climate temperatures that are mild all year round, Vancouver is a paradise for recreational activities. But it also has a busy cultural life and the modern city center is easy to explore on foot. The scenic city was showcased to the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics, in conjunction with nearby Whistler.

1 Stanley Park

Seawall path in Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a lush peninsula park with enormous trees bordering Downtown Vancouver. A paved seawall path surrounds the green space, and most visitors take time to explore on foot or by bike. Inland, the park offers many things to do, and visitors can spend a day exploring sights ranging from the totem poles at Brockton Point to the west coast sea life at the Vancouver Aquarium . Spectacular views are a standard throughout the park.

2 Granville Island

Formerly mainly industrial, Granville Island is now a thriving hub of activity with a relaxed and distinctive atmosphere. Artists and vendors have moved into converted warehouses next to houseboats, theaters, galleries and restaurants. The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions selling fruits and vegetables, seafood and a wide variety of other specialties as well as ready-made dishes. Not quite an island, the arts hub is connected to residential areas by a road and walkways to the south, and by ferry to the downtown peninsula (across from False Creek).

Location: South of the Granville Street Bridge

Official site: https://granvilleisland.com/

3 Grouse Mountain

In both winter and summer, Grouse Mountain offers an unparalleled panorama in clear weather. This is especially true in the evenings when the city lights are on. A gondola runs daily from street level to the summit, where year-round restaurants, activities and wildlife await mountaintop explorers. Especially for families, Grouse Mountain is a winter wonderland with ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, Grouse Mountain is a hiker’s paradise with trails including the famous Grouse Grind – affectionately called Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.

Opening hours: daily from 9am to 10pm

Admission: Adults $42, Seniors $38, Youth (13-18) $24, Children (5-12) $14

Adres: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver

Official site: https://www.grousemountain.com/

4 Museum of Anthropology

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the University of British Columbia and features cultures from all over the world, but places a particular emphasis on British Columbia First Nations. Exhibits showcase indigenous art, including large totem poles in the Great Hall. Other presentations explore ethnographic and archaeological objects representing Asia, the South Pacific, North and South America, Africa and Europe. The interesting building was originally part of a WWII era and local architect Arthur Erickson transformed the spaces into a world-class museum.

Other attractions on the university campus include the clothing-optional shoreline of Wreck Beach, the natural history Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the walking UBC Botanical Garden with its many interesting plantings and the delicate Nitobe Japanese Garden.

Opening hours: daily from 10am to 5pm (until 9pm on Tuesdays)

Admission: Adults $16.75, students and seniors $14.50

Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver

Official site: https://moa.ubc.ca

5 Kitsilano-strand

The sandy coastline of Kitsilano Beach defines the laid-back, fun-loving Vancouver lifestyle. It’s a place where locals hang out with friends or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool and visitors come to admire the mountainous backdrop. View from Kitsilano over the city center is great. In addition to the beach and ocean, the area has a number of cafes and walking paths, and a lively shopping district is located a few blocks south on West Fourth Avenue .

Address: 2305 Cornwall Ave, Vancouver

6 Gastown

The oldest part of the city, Gastown, is an area of restaurants, galleries and shops in carefully restored Victorian buildings. Heritage structures, cobbled streets and iron lampposts give the district its distinctive atmosphere. Gastown was founded in 1867 when a man named John Deighton arrived on the scene. Deighton had a habit of telling long stories and was soon nicknamed “Gassy Jack”. As a result, the area became known as “Gassy’s Town” or “Gastown”. A statue of the owner now watches over the neighborhood in Maple Tree Square. Tourists stop for photos with Gassy Jack and also enjoy visiting the nearby Steam Clock , which blows a steam-powered chime every 15 minutes.

7 Canada Place

For many Vancouver visitors, Canada Place is the place where a journey begins. The unusual roof gives the impression of a huge sailing ship. The architecturally remarkable structure is part cruise ship terminal, part convention center and hotel, and part hub for sightseeing tours. At the end of the pier there are panoramic views and the Flyover Canada attraction – a fun flight simulator and a Canadian geography lesson. Also nearby, Waterfront Station is a major transit center with ferries to North Vancouver ‘s Lonsdale Quay Public Market .

Address: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver

Official site: https://www.canadaplace.ca/

8 Chinatown

In addition to the ornate Millennium Gate that marks the entrance, Vancouver’s exotic and interesting Chinatown offers modern buildings amid many older buildings from the Victorian era. Signs in shops and restaurants are often written in Chinese characters, particularly along eastern Pender, Keefer and Main streets – the main shopping areas. Local attractions include the beautiful walled Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden , modeled after a traditional Ming Dynasty garden. Also worth seeing is the Sam Kee Building , which is the narrowest office building in the world, barely two meters wide. Every year, Chinese New Year is celebrated with an excellent parade.

9 English Bay

Oceanfront English Bay centers on one of the city’s most beautiful and busiest beaches. Part of the West End neighborhood, English Bay offers shopping and top-notch restaurants, but is also a popular outdoor space where people come to walk, bike, rollerblade, or hang out with the public art installations. The biggest event comes in the summer, when thousands of people flock to the coasts to watch three nights of fireworks set to music. Another popular event is the Polar Bear on New Year’s Day, when strong swimmers take a dip in the chilly Pacific waters.

10 Hangbrug Capilano

Vancouver’s first tourist attraction opened in 1889 and has been thrilling visitors ever since with its swaying bridge over a plunging gorge. The pedestrian bridge spans a 70-metre-deep river gorge leading to an activity park full of forest trails and a treetop walk through old-growth giants. There is also a collection of totem poles and a transparent hanging platform known as the Cliffwalk.

Along Capilano Road, the Salil Hatchery Capilano is also worth a visit (especially in the fall) to spot the flashing salmon as they attempt to swim upstream. The fish ladder, a series of staggered pools, allows the fish to pass through the Cleveland Dam. Underwater windows give visitors a glimpse of their efforts.

If you’re staying in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge access with a free shuttle to the campground is a convenient option. The shuttle runs from downtown Vancouver and the ticket covers admission to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, including the TreeTops Adventure and the Cliffwalk.

Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver

Official site: https://capbridge.com/

11 Robson Street

Robson Street is best known for shopping. But international brand names aside, it’s also the setting for many inventive events in Vancouver. The city’s premier art institution, the Vancouver Art Gallery is on Robson and houses an excellent collection of paintings by Emily Carr (1871-1945) as well as visiting international exhibitions. The gallery stands in front of Robson Square , an interesting public space designed by Arthur Erickson, which includes a winter ice rink and courts.

Location: Robson Street at Hornby Street

12 Museum of Vancouver

In Vanier Park near Burrard Bridge, the Museum of Vancouver is a major institution dedicated to all that Vancouver has to offer. It covers urban history from the first Coast Salish communities to Japantown, Kitsilano hippie days and urban development. Other interesting museums and centers are within walking distance, including the HR MacMillan Space Center with its planetarium, observatory and the waterfront Maritime Museum , which captures beautiful views of English Bay with the North Shore mountains beyond.

Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm (until 8pm Thursday)

Admission: Adults $14, students and seniors $11, youth (5-18) $8

Address: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver

Official site: https://museumofvancouver.ca/

13 Queen Elizabeth Park

The center of Queen Elizabeth Park, Little Mountain marks Vancouver’s highest point and its elevated position offers beautiful views of the city center and the mountains to the north. Park recreational amenities include pitch-and-putt golf, tennis, disc golf, dining (at Seasons in the Park Restaurant), an extensive outdoor arboretum, and the beautiful, private tropical setting of Bloedel Conservatory . The sunken quarry garden is a lovely place to walk on a warm summer day. For more horticultural explorations, head a few blocks west to VanDusen Botanical Garden , where there is always something blooming amid beds representing different areas and species.

Location: Cambie Street and West 33rd Ave

14 Science World

Science World’s futuristic sphere-like building is home to a kid-friendly exploration center that explains phenomena through real-life examples and demonstrations. Themes include water, air, movement and ingenuity. There is a theater on site, as well as a huge IMAX screen. Visiting exhibitions is often impressive and is part of world tours. But back to the building, which is an unmistakable waterfront landmark in Vancouver and was originally built for Expo 86, a world’s fair.

Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 6pm (until 9pm Thursday)

Admission: Adults $25; students, seniors and youth (13-18) $21; children (3-12) $17.75

Address: 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver

Official site: https://www.scienceworld.ca/

15 Richmond

South of Vancouver, Richmond is not a picturesque city at first glance. But the local airport is packed with attractions, from a renowned Buddhist temple to the picturesque former fishing village of Steveston (filled with waterfront restaurants and restored old boathouses). Located in the latter, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is one of the most historic sites in Richmond, and it relays the history of the fishing industry in the West Coast. Many also visit Richmond simply for shopping because of the large shopping centers selling imported Asian goods and lively night markets that take place on summer weekends.

Where to Stay in Vancouver for Sightseeing

To experience the best of Vancouver, it’s a good idea to stay right in the city. Vancouver has a vibrant and active city center, where people live, work and play. Many of the top attractions, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Robson Street, Gastown and Granville Island, are located in the city center, in addition to great shopping and dining. Below are some highly rated hotels in convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels: With a prime location overlooking Vancouver Harbour, Stanley Park and the North Shore Mountains, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is one of the city’s best hotels. Just off Robson Street near Vancouver’s famous Public Library, the boutique L’Hermitage hotel is a great luxury option for families or groups, offering standard rooms and multi-room suites with kitchens. Just off Robson Square, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, first opened in 1927, is one of Vancouver’s classic luxury hotels in the heart of downtown.
Mid-range hotels : True mid-range hotels are in short supply in the city center. The centrally located Hotel Le Soleil is located at the top end of the city center and is a beautiful boutique hotel with elegant suites. The Residence Inn by Marriott is located near False Creek and Granville Island. It is an extended stay hotel with studios as well as suites with full kitchens. On the east side of downtown, close to BC Place, Science World and Gastown, lies the well-appointed Georgian Court Hotel.
Budget Hotels : In a great location, within walking distance of Stanley Park, Robson Street and many good restaurants, is the reasonably priced Buchan Hotel. On the other side of the city center, near Gastown, the Victorian hotel is located in a Victorian building from the late 1800s, with comfortable rooms and modern decor. In a very central location and within walking distance of the Vancouver Convention Center and the Olympic Cauldron, the simple but comfortable Days Inn Vancouver Downtown is located.

Tips and tours: how to get the most out of your visit to Vancouver

Sightseeing : Vancouver is a big city and it can be a little confusing with the water and bridges. A great way to see the attractions and get acquainted with the layout of the city is a Hop on Hop-off bus tour or a Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. The bus tour stops at 24 locations and the trolley stops at 36 points of interest. Tickets are valid for one or two days for both tours.
Days out : Vancouver Island is one of Canada’s most beautiful destinations and is less than a two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. One of the easiest ways to see a bit of the island, including the beautiful provincial capital of Victoria, is on a tour from Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens. This tour takes you by bus and scenic ferry through the Gulf Islands to Victoria, where you’ll have time to explore the city and see the famous Butchart Gardens, just outside the city. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip ferry, bus, and entrance to the gardens.