Best things to do in Vancouver
Find out more about those top places in Vancouver
Vancouver announced itself as one of the world’s most striking cities with the 2010 Winter Olympics, which saw the futuristic metropolis ringed by snow dusted mountains and icy fjords broadcast across the globe. While the secret is well and truly out, Vancouver remains Canada’s hidden gem through its geographical isolation from the country’s other major cities. Located in British Columbia, Vancouver looks across the Pacific Ocean rather than towards Atlantic Canada for inspiration. Today, the city is home to North America’s best Asian dining scene, which, although scattered across majority ethnic-minority suburbs, is centered on the cobbled streets of Gastown and Chinatown. What is more, Vancouver is a gateway to the great outdoors with Grouse Mountain just a short trip on public transport away from the city center and the expansive vistas of the Sea to Sky Highway, one of the world’s most spectacular drives, starting in the city’s mountainous eastern suburbs.
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Stanley Park
Stanley Park has a very long history and was one of the first places to be discovered and explored within the city. This 405-hectare public park is almost completely surrounded by waters of the English Bay and Vancouver Harbor. It also borders the downtown of Vancouver in British Columbia.
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Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge extends to about140 meters in length and has a height of 70 meters above the river. This simple suspension bridge in the District of North Vancouver crosses the Capilano River. It attracts over 800,000 visitors every year and requires an admission fee since it is part of a private facility.
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Gastown
Gastown is well-known for its Victorian buildings that house decor stores, indie art galleries and a number of souvenir shops alongside its famous whistling steam clock. For food and drink, there are various restaurants and cocktail lounges that serve both local and gourmet cuisines. The Railtown district is where different edgy fashion studios can be found while hip eateries dot the neighboring Downtown Eastside landscape.
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Vancouver Aquarium
A tour of the Vancouver Aquarium is bound to leave you astounded at just how much there is to learn from an aquarium. Get a close look at some creepy crawlers from the Amazon or some Sea Lion show. For an adorable sight, you could catch some Sea otters holding hands and educative cum entertaining programs that include the 50,000+ animals that live in the aquarium.
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Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens can be found in Brentwood Bay close to Victoria on Vancouver Island. It is a group of floral display gardens and receives over one million visitors every year. The Butchart Gardens have been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.
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Sea to Sky Gondola
Embark on a ride to the famous Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish and drink in the sights of Howe Sound alongside coastal rainforests and mountains at the top. Similarly, go on to explore the Shannon Falls and Whistler Village while enjoying the various scenic landscapes from Sea to Sky Highway on your exhilarating tour.
