So you’ve landed in Vancouver—aka Raincouver, the Wet Coast, or that Canadian city that looks suspiciously like a backdrop from a Netflix sci-fi series (because it probably was). Whether you’re here for a weekend, a layover, or because your friend promised to “show you nature” and now you’re wearing hiking boots against your will, you’re in for a treat.
Vancouver is a beautiful, green, slightly smug city that knows how good it looks and isn’t afraid to flex about it. Think Hollywood with less plastic and more pine trees. The locals? Chill. The scenery? Unreal. The prices? Let’s… not talk about that.
But if you’re gonna do Vancouver right—and not just spend the whole trip waiting in line at Tim Hortons—here are five things you absolutely, positively, must see. Bonus: none of them require bear spray (probably).
1. Stanley Park – Come for the Trees, Stay Because You Got Lost in Them
Stanley Park is not your average urban park. It’s 1,000 acres of coastal rainforest jammed right up against downtown. Picture a forest that said, “I’m not leaving just because you built a city here.” It’s wild, majestic, and just the right amount of spooky when the fog rolls in.
Your move here is to rent a bike and cruise the Seawall, which wraps around the park like a hug from Mother Nature. It’s 9 kilometers of pure “Wow, I should really start exercising when I get home.” You’ll pass beaches, lighthouses, a weirdly buff statue of a guy in swim trunks (look up “Girl in a Wetsuit”—don’t ask), and the iconic Totem Poles at Brockton Point.
Locals will tell you they “run” the Seawall. This is a lie. They mean they once ran it and have been dining out on the story ever since. Go ahead and take your time—stop for photos, snacks, existential reflection.
Pro tip: Avoid renting a tandem bike unless you hate the person you’re traveling with. You will crash. Possibly into a goose.
2. Granville Island – For When You Want to Spend $18 on Jam and Be Happy About It
Granville Island is not actually an island. It’s a peninsula, but calling it Granville Peninsula just doesn’t have the same tourist-friendly ring to it. Regardless, it’s a magical place where artists, bakers, foodies, and confused seagulls gather to celebrate capitalism in its tastiest form.
The Granville Island Public Market is basically a farmer’s market that went to college and studied gastronomy. It’s packed with stalls offering everything from freshly baked sourdough to chocolate you can’t afford but buy anyway because “when in Vancouver.” You’ll lose all sense of budget the moment you see a pyramid of heirloom tomatoes stacked like they belong in a museum.
Once you’ve eaten your weight in smoked salmon and truffle cheese, wander the island. You’ll find quirky shops, weird art, live theater, and buskers who either sound like angels or saxophones being murdered—there’s no in-between.
Pro tip: Get there by Aquabus, a tiny ferry that looks like something out of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It’s delightfully inefficient, which is part of the charm.
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge – A Bridge Too Far (Up)
If your idea of a good time includes walking across a 450-foot-long, slightly bouncy bridge suspended 230 feet above a canyon, you’re either a thrill-seeker or someone who was peer-pressured into this by their significant other. Welcome to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
The bridge itself is historic—first built in 1889 by a Scottish guy with more guts than sense—and it sways just enough to remind you of your own mortality. Once you’ve made it across without screaming (or only a little screaming), you’ll find a full-on forest adventure waiting: Treetops Adventure (think mini-bridges between giant trees) and Cliffwalk, a glass-floored path clinging to a cliffside, like a cat afraid of falling.
The good news? The views are chef’s kiss. The bad news? That one guy ahead of you who insists on jumping up and down to “test the bounce.” Resist the urge to push him off.
Pro tip: Skip the overpriced souvenir shop and buy a photo of yourself looking terrified instead. It’s cheaper and way more honest.
4. Grouse Mountain – Hike, Gondola, or Tap Out and Eat Fries at the Top
Known as the “Peak of Vancouver,” Grouse Mountain is a year-round adventure factory. In winter, it’s a snowy playground. In summer, it’s a mountain full of smug hikers and confused tourists in flip-flops.
You have two options here:
- The Grouse Grind – A soul-crushing, thigh-destroying 2.5-kilometer hike straight up the mountain, affectionately called “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” People do this for fun. On purpose.
- The Skyride Gondola – A 10-minute scenic lift where you can enjoy the view while pretending you could have hiked it, if not for that old sports injury you definitely have.
Once you’re at the top, the mountain becomes an odd mix of nature and entertainment. There are lumberjack shows (with actual axes), zipline tours, a wildlife refuge with two chill grizzly bears, and lots of overpriced food. You’ll either love it or feel like you wandered into a very woodsy theme park.
Pro tip: If you do the Grind, people will ask how long it took. Lie confidently. Everyone does.
5. Gastown – Steam Clocks, Cobblestones, and the Smell of Craft Beer
Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver, but don’t let that fool you—it’s also one of the coolest. Think cobblestone streets, old brick buildings, hipster boutiques, and more Edison bulbs than a Thomas Edison fever dream.
The star attraction is the Gastown Steam Clock, a Victorian-style timepiece that puffs out steam every 15 minutes. It is simultaneously charming, unnecessary, and one of the most photographed things in the city. Yes, you’ll take a photo. No, it won’t turn out well. That’s part of the experience.
Beyond the clock, Gastown is packed with cocktail bars where the drinks come with a backstory, restaurants that take kale very seriously, and boutiques that sell things like “ethical soap” and “heritage pants.” You’ll feel cooler just being there.
Pro tip: Wear shoes with grip. Wet cobblestones are nature’s banana peel.
Bonus Round: A Few Other Things That Deserve a Shoutout
We said five things, but Vancouver is a city that overachieves, so here are a few extras:
- Science World – A giant golf ball full of science. Kids love it. Adults pretend they came for the kids.
- Kitsilano Beach – Where the beautiful people go to tan, play volleyball, and pretend they aren’t freezing in the ocean.
- Chinatown – One of the oldest in North America. Great food, cool culture, and some truly intense herbal shops.
- The Vancouver Art Gallery – Come for the art, stay for the gift shop where you’ll buy a $12 pencil because it’s “inspired by Monet.”
Final Thoughts – Or, Why You’re Already Planning Your Return Trip
Vancouver is a city that manages to be both relaxed and cosmopolitan, rugged and refined. It’s where you can kayak in the morning, eat sushi by lunch, and watch a ballet or a Canucks game by night. It’s the only place where someone in yoga pants, sipping kombucha, and holding a paddleboard is probably on their way to a business meeting.
Sure, it rains. A lot. But the locals will tell you, “That’s why it’s so green!” and then hand you a reusable umbrella with a smug smile. Embrace it. The weather may be moody, but the views are worth it.
So pack your rain jacket, your hiking shoes, and a sense of adventure. And maybe a second credit card—just in case the cheese at Granville Island gets really fancy.
Vancouver awaits. And it’s already judging your umbrella game.