Dawn’s Recommendations
Amusement Park
The PNE hosts a number exciting events and concerts throughout the year and particularly through the summer. The PNE grounds are only one block from our house, with endless activities for all ages and Vancouver's biggest amusement park.
174 locals recommend
Playland at the PNE
2901 E Hastings StThe PNE hosts a number exciting events and concerts throughout the year and particularly through the summer. The PNE grounds are only one block from our house, with endless activities for all ages and Vancouver's biggest amusement park.
Neighbourhoods
Vancouver's downtown Granville street is known for dancing and shopping!
172 locals recommend
Granville Street
Granville StreetVancouver's downtown Granville street is known for dancing and shopping!
Commercial Drive is just a 5-minute drive from our house and has endless coffee shops, artisan shops and restaurants. It's known for the Arts and it's funky and eclectic scene.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveCommercial Drive is just a 5-minute drive from our house and has endless coffee shops, artisan shops and restaurants. It's known for the Arts and it's funky and eclectic scene.
Historic Gastown is a tourist hotspot, for the amazing shopping, historical buildings and great restaurants.
1068 locals recommend
Gastown
Historic Gastown is a tourist hotspot, for the amazing shopping, historical buildings and great restaurants.
Vancouver's Chinatown is a thriving neighbourhood and community. Amazing restaurants and shops and walking distance to downtown. Make sure to visit the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, which is a modern interactive museum, illustrating Chinese history in Vancouver and British Columbia.
171 locals recommend
Chinatown
Vancouver's Chinatown is a thriving neighbourhood and community. Amazing restaurants and shops and walking distance to downtown. Make sure to visit the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, which is a modern interactive museum, illustrating Chinese history in Vancouver and British Columbia.
Burnaby Heights is just up the hill from our neighbourhood, across the highway. Lots of great little shops and restaurants.
29 locals recommend
Burnaby Heights
Burnaby Heights is just up the hill from our neighbourhood, across the highway. Lots of great little shops and restaurants.
Local Artisan Shopping
Granville Island Public Market, is filled with local artists and food stalls. Amazing westcoast shopping. https://granvilleisland.com/
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
Granville Island Public Market, is filled with local artists and food stalls. Amazing westcoast shopping. https://granvilleisland.com/
Hiking
Beautiful hike in the North Shore mountains starting from Deep Cove Beach, just 20 minutes drive from our house. The end of the hike you arrive at a beautiful rocky look out, over looking the inlet.
158 locals recommend
Quarry Rock
Baden Powell TrailBeautiful hike in the North Shore mountains starting from Deep Cove Beach, just 20 minutes drive from our house. The end of the hike you arrive at a beautiful rocky look out, over looking the inlet.
Lynn Canyon Park
3663 Park RdBeautiful Hiking and a huge suspension bridge over the canyon.
This is a wonderful hike, but is also on the advanced side. Squamish is an hour's drive from Vancouver, up the Sea to Sky Highway. Its a gorgeous drive and a wonderful hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief, with gorgeous views down Howe Sound Inlet. Please read all the descriptions online before hiking this route, as it is not a beginner's hike.
132 locals recommend
Stawamus Chief
This is a wonderful hike, but is also on the advanced side. Squamish is an hour's drive from Vancouver, up the Sea to Sky Highway. Its a gorgeous drive and a wonderful hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief, with gorgeous views down Howe Sound Inlet. Please read all the descriptions online before hiking this route, as it is not a beginner's hike.
Inter River Park in North Vancouver is a 10 minute drive, and has very easy hiking trails through the wood, looping through the Seymour river systems. This is beginner hiking, close by in in lovely forests.
6 locals recommend
Inter River Park
Inter River Park in North Vancouver is a 10 minute drive, and has very easy hiking trails through the wood, looping through the Seymour river systems. This is beginner hiking, close by in in lovely forests.
Alice Lakes just outside Squamish has beautiful and easy trails and great swimming.
90 locals recommend
Alice Lake Provincial Park
British Columbia 99Alice Lakes just outside Squamish has beautiful and easy trails and great swimming.
Activities
Super fun indoor rock climbing and yoga studio, for the active traveller.
9 locals recommend
The Hive North Shore and Hive Yoga
2270 Dollarton HwySuper fun indoor rock climbing and yoga studio, for the active traveller.
If the weather is good, definitely go kayaking in the inlets around Deep Cove. Where the ocean is typically calm and the scenery is beautiful from the water. The Deep Cove Kayak Center will rent Kayaks for the day for your whole group.
139 locals recommend
Deep Cove Kayak Centre
2156 Banbury RdIf the weather is good, definitely go kayaking in the inlets around Deep Cove. Where the ocean is typically calm and the scenery is beautiful from the water. The Deep Cove Kayak Center will rent Kayaks for the day for your whole group.
New Brighton Pool is an outdoor pool by the beach, just a 10-minute walk from the house down to the ocean. Its beautiful swimming out in the turquoise pool with the Mountains as a backdrop. The pool has a gradual sloped entry, like a beach, so is great for all ages and swimming abilities.
29 locals recommend
New Brighton Pool
3201 New Brighton RdNew Brighton Pool is an outdoor pool by the beach, just a 10-minute walk from the house down to the ocean. Its beautiful swimming out in the turquoise pool with the Mountains as a backdrop. The pool has a gradual sloped entry, like a beach, so is great for all ages and swimming abilities.
Kits Beach has an excellent outdoor pool, white sand beaches with ocean swimming and great shops near-by. In the summertime, it is the place to be.
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StKits Beach has an excellent outdoor pool, white sand beaches with ocean swimming and great shops near-by. In the summertime, it is the place to be.
Spanish banks beach is a more remote beach on the West Side of Vancouver near UBC. The water is the cleanest at this beach for swimming, and at low tide the sandy shore goes way out, making a great landscape for kids to play and interact with marine life in tidepools. There is also a great kite-surfing, sailing and wind surfing scene at Locarno and Spanish Banks Beach.
264 locals recommend
Spanish Banks
Spanish banks beach is a more remote beach on the West Side of Vancouver near UBC. The water is the cleanest at this beach for swimming, and at low tide the sandy shore goes way out, making a great landscape for kids to play and interact with marine life in tidepools. There is also a great kite-surfing, sailing and wind surfing scene at Locarno and Spanish Banks Beach.
The Vancouver Seawall, wraps around the many coasts of the city. Particularly the section of the seawall around Stanley Park is an incredible ride. Rent bikes from Denman Street and head out from there. Either riding or walking around the seawall and the trails through Stanley park is a must-do in Vancouver.
304 locals recommend
Vancouver Seawall
The Vancouver Seawall, wraps around the many coasts of the city. Particularly the section of the seawall around Stanley Park is an incredible ride. Rent bikes from Denman Street and head out from there. Either riding or walking around the seawall and the trails through Stanley park is a must-do in Vancouver.
The Vancouver Aquarium has an incredible myriad of rescued marine animals from local and foreign marine eco-systems on displays. Especially fun for children to see the Sea Otter, Seals, Sea Lions, Snakes, Octopus, Porpoises etc. It is also located right in the middle of Stanley park, so is perfect to combine with a hike on the trails, picnic at the beach or walk around the seawall.
663 locals recommend
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayThe Vancouver Aquarium has an incredible myriad of rescued marine animals from local and foreign marine eco-systems on displays. Especially fun for children to see the Sea Otter, Seals, Sea Lions, Snakes, Octopus, Porpoises etc. It is also located right in the middle of Stanley park, so is perfect to combine with a hike on the trails, picnic at the beach or walk around the seawall.
Science World is truly an incredible place. The installations and displays throughout will entertain and educate all ages. Definitely plan for 2-3 hours minimum to properly explore all Science World has to offer. The Omnimax theatre located in Science World is also a fantastic experience.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StScience World is truly an incredible place. The installations and displays throughout will entertain and educate all ages. Definitely plan for 2-3 hours minimum to properly explore all Science World has to offer. The Omnimax theatre located in Science World is also a fantastic experience.
Experience the Mountains and hiking at the peak, by taking the Sea to Sky Gondola.
387 locals recommend
Sea to Sky Highway
36800 British Columbia 99Experience the Mountains and hiking at the peak, by taking the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Mount Seymour has incredible hiking in the Summer time and Awesome Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding or Snowshoeing in the winter. At any point, it is worth driving to the peak and exploring.
190 locals recommend
Mt Seymour
Mount Seymour has incredible hiking in the Summer time and Awesome Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding or Snowshoeing in the winter. At any point, it is worth driving to the peak and exploring.
Queen Elizabeth Park has wonderful bontanical gardens throughout that are free entry. Also with wonderful views of the city and the Bloedel Conservatory, which shouldn't be missed.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StQueen Elizabeth Park has wonderful bontanical gardens throughout that are free entry. Also with wonderful views of the city and the Bloedel Conservatory, which shouldn't be missed.
The Bloedel Conservatory has hundreds of exotic birds and plant species, held in a climate-controlled dome-ecosystem.
80 locals recommend
Bloedel Conservatory
4600 Cambie StThe Bloedel Conservatory has hundreds of exotic birds and plant species, held in a climate-controlled dome-ecosystem.
The Vancouver Art Gallery hosts world-renowned artists and installations. It is located in the heart of downtown, which makes a great outing to pair with shopping or downtown sightseeing.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StThe Vancouver Art Gallery hosts world-renowned artists and installations. It is located in the heart of downtown, which makes a great outing to pair with shopping or downtown sightseeing.
The Richmond Night Market is a bustling fun and sprawling night markets, teaming with crafts, knick-knacks and food stalls from cuisines around the world.
191 locals recommend
Richmond Night Market
8351 River RdThe Richmond Night Market is a bustling fun and sprawling night markets, teaming with crafts, knick-knacks and food stalls from cuisines around the world.
Upon arriving at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, you will be met with the skeleton of a Blue Whale Above you. The museum hosts tens of thousands of species to explore.
22 locals recommend
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
2212 Main MallUpon arriving at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, you will be met with the skeleton of a Blue Whale Above you. The museum hosts tens of thousands of species to explore.
The Museum of Anthropology hosts installations displaying beautiful and interesting Indigenous Northwest art and cultural pieces. A must-visit, and amazing way to experience and appreciate the history of the Pacific Northwest and it's First Nations.
502 locals recommend
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrThe Museum of Anthropology hosts installations displaying beautiful and interesting Indigenous Northwest art and cultural pieces. A must-visit, and amazing way to experience and appreciate the history of the Pacific Northwest and it's First Nations.
Wreck beach is a NUDE beach. Which means- most people there will be completely naked. If that is your scene, it's a fun and lively place to hang out and let it all hang out. Of course you do not need to be naked to be there, but you should be comfortable with folks around you being naked. This is a body-positive place where people are encouraged to feel comfortable about their body. No photos are allowed.
It is quite a hike down to get to the beach from the UBC lands. Hundreds of stairs through the forest, so do not bring too much (no large coolers etc, that are hard to carry). And be mindful if you have bad knees (the stairs really are relentless).
55 locals recommend
Wreck Beach
Southwest Marine DriveWreck beach is a NUDE beach. Which means- most people there will be completely naked. If that is your scene, it's a fun and lively place to hang out and let it all hang out. Of course you do not need to be naked to be there, but you should be comfortable with folks around you being naked. This is a body-positive place where people are encouraged to feel comfortable about their body. No photos are allowed.
It is quite a hike down to get to the beach from the UBC lands. Hundreds of stairs through the forest, so do not bring too much (no large coolers etc, that are hard to carry). And be mindful if you have bad knees (the stairs really are relentless).
Buntzen Lake
Beautiful lakeside beaches and swimming in the mountains.
Sightseeing
A beautiful Classical Chinese garden, an oasis of botanical beauty in the heart of the urban centre.
221 locals recommend
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall StA beautiful Classical Chinese garden, an oasis of botanical beauty in the heart of the urban centre.
Lighthouse Park | West Vancouver
4902 Beacon LnBeautiful park, beach and walking trails.
Food scene
Tacofino Commissary
2327 E Hastings StAmazing Tacos and only 7 blocks away. Enough said.
Best Cambodian food in town. Don't leave without ordering the Taro pudding!
212 locals recommend
Phnom Penh Restaurant
244 E Georgia StBest Cambodian food in town. Don't leave without ordering the Taro pudding!
Amazing Asian-fusian noodle house. It is a very small restaurant with only a few items (so don't show up with a large group). But they do each one perfect. My favourite is the sweet and sour pork noodle soup.
28 locals recommend
Fat Mao Noodles
217 E Georgia StAmazing Asian-fusian noodle house. It is a very small restaurant with only a few items (so don't show up with a large group). But they do each one perfect. My favourite is the sweet and sour pork noodle soup.
Vij's
3106 Cambie StreetVij's is an award-winning Indian Restaurant.
Award-winning modern Japanese Restaurant. Make sure you have a reservation, as they usually book up in advance.
63 locals recommend
Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender StAward-winning modern Japanese Restaurant. Make sure you have a reservation, as they usually book up in advance.
Great little coffee shop just 5 blocks away on Hastings Street.
38 locals recommend
The Laughing Bean Coffee Co.
2695 E Hastings StGreat little coffee shop just 5 blocks away on Hastings Street.
Tentatsu
2430 E Hastings StTentatsu is delicious and well-priced sushi, only a few blocks away.