Amelia HallWho said you needed company to have fun? There are times when you just want to be alone with your thoughts and treat yourself to a fun adventure, and there’s no better place for these moments than Vancouver.
If you’re someone who prefers to fly solo, we’ve got you covered! We’ve rounded up some fun and memorable activities you can do around Vancouver that are perfect for solo travellers like you! Let’s get started!
- Go restaurant-hopping in Gastown
- Spend a lovely day at Stanley Park
- Discover rare finds at Madleod’s Books
- Learn new cooking skills at The Dirty Apron
- Be in awe of the exhibits in the Vancouver Art Gallery
- Go back in time at the Burnaby Village Museum
- Join a yoga session at the peak of Vancouver
- Admire beautiful flora and fauna at Bloedel Conservatory
- Meet cute cats in Catoro Cafe
- Take a lovely stroll along Main Street
- Admire stunning views at Queen Elizabeth Park
- Score some steals at the Vancouver Flea Market
- Tour the city on a bike
- Shop at Granville Island
- Visit the Vancouver Lookout
Go restaurant-hopping in Gastown
Address: Gastown, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-682-6257
If you’re one to appreciate good food and an equally good atmosphere, then a visit to Gastown should be on your itinerary. This cool little neighbourhood is lined with locally established bars and restaurants that serve amazing dishes from different cuisines—talk about variety!
You can either wing this activity or book yourself a slot in one of the town’s historic walking food tours. The latter is perfect if you want to follow a roadmap for this culinary adventure, and it’s also a great way to meet new friends along the way!
From Japanese fried chicken to local classics like poutine, the dishes that you’ll get to try here are nothing short of amazing!
| Pro tip: While you’re here, make sure to take a photo by the neighbourhood’s iconic steam clock! It’s a must for every tourist to stop by this attraction, as it’s almost synonymous with Gastown itself! If you’re overwhelmed by the number of Gastown food tours available online, we recommend starting your search at Taste Vancouver Food Tours. They feature one of the best historic food tours and they sometimes hold promos based on the season! |
Spend a lovely day at Stanley Park
Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-681-6728
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sometimes, the best place to be alone with your thoughts is actually out in public, which is why we recommend solo travellers to visit Stanley Park. We know it’s a basic answer, but hey, it’s a classic and famous tourist spot in Vancouver for several good reasons!
For starters, the beautiful scenery of lush greenery combined with the beautiful skyline of Vancouver makes for a great view to admire while reflecting on oneself. Plus, watching people experience joy by walking their dogs, playing sports, etc. is highly contagious!
You can also enjoy Stanley Park in a variety of ways. You can either walk, jog, or ride a bicycle or if you’re feeling fancy, you can ride a horse-drawn carriage and get around the park in style!
| Pro tip: If you want to cycle along the park but don’t have a bike, don’t worry! The park offers bike rentals, which lets you keep them for around an hour and a half. You can also use this opportunity to take beautiful landscape photos of Vancouver so make sure to bring your professional camera! |
Discover rare finds at Madleod’s Books
Address: 455 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z3, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-681-7654
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Maleod’s Books is one of the best places to visit in Vancouver if you’re alone mostly because of its tranquil atmosphere. It’s the ultimate bookworm’s paradise, displaying various famous literature both old and new!
Speaking of old, this bookstore is also famous for offering some of the rarest antique books you’ll find in the entire country. Who knows, maybe your next addition to your book collection awaits you here!
After seeing something to your liking, you can then head to one of the city’s parks and read it there! Even if you’re not buying anything, however, exploring the rows of old used books is such a relaxing activity that’s sure to fill you with bliss.
| Pro tip: While you’re here, make sure to stop by the other attractions in Gastown, including its steam clock and its wide array of amazing restaurants and bars. |
Learn new cooking skills at The Dirty Apron
Website: https://www.dirtyapron.com
Address: 540 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-879-8588
Operating hours:
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
If you’ve always wanted to pick up cooking as a hobby, then The Dirty Apron should be right up your alley! This esteemed cooking school offers in-depth courses that will leave you feeling like the Gordon Ramsey of your home kitchen.
Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch, but this doesn’t take away the quality of the courses that you’ll enjoy in this school. Whether you’re looking to learn some Italian, French, Spanish or any kind of cuisine, you’ll find something that will suit your taste here.
Also, these classes are held in groups so you can meet new friends in the process. Who knows, maybe you’ll continue your adventure in Vancouver along with a new group of people!
| Pro tip: If all the taste testing that you’ve done while cooking wasn’t enough to satisfy your hunger and tastebuds, you can order delicious dishes from their deli! This deli offers a great version of a charcuterie board as well as daily specials like soups and salads. |
Be in awe of the exhibits in the Vancouver Art Gallery
Website: https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
Address: 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-662-4700
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday and Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Vancouver Art Gallery should be on your radar if you’re planning on exploring Vancouver alone with an open mind. It’s the perfect place to visit in the city if you’re looking to be immersed in the country’s historical and beautiful pieces of art.
You can visit this place without any kind of expectations and just roam around while admiring different artworks from various artists. The museum holds various themes and exhibitions throughout the year, so you’ll always be in for a surprise, regardless of when you visit.
| Pro tip: Visit their website before visiting to see an updated schedule of their upcoming exhibits. This way, you’ll know what to expect from your visit! |
Go back in time at the Burnaby Village Museum
Website: https://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/
Address: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-297-4565
Operating hours: Opens seasonally (operating hours depend on the season)
The Burnaby Village Museum is one of the most unique places you can go to in Vancouver, or Canada for that matter. This is because the museum essentially takes you back in time, more particularly, during the 1920s, with its accurate depictions and replicas of old houses and tools.
The museum itself is also worth noting as well, as it’s more of a small village than a typical single building. This is great, as it further immerses you into thinking you’re exploring a village set in the 1920s instead of present-day Vancouver.
You can simply stroll down this small village and discover great exhibitions and demonstrations at every turn. There’s even a carousel ride that doesn’t necessarily take you back in time but will indeed bring back some childhood memories!
| Pro tip: Make sure to check their website for their updated operating hours. Sometimes, they’ll have periods when they’re closed for public visits and are only available through registered programs and school trips. |
Join a yoga session at the peak of Vancouver
Website: https://www.grousemountain.com/events/yoga-on-the-mountain
Address: North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada
If you’re travelling alone, chances are, you’re looking to relax and find your inner zen. And what better way to do this than doing some yoga, right?
In Vancouver, you can take this up a notch by doing yoga on top of the famous Grouse Mountain, often dubbed “The Peak of Vancouver”. This way, you can admire stunning views of Vancouver while you strike the different poses that you need to pull off in yoga.
Trust us, the views that you’ll see here will beat any kind of yoga studio that you’ll find in Canada, or the whole world for that matter. Plus, climbing Grouse Mountain is a great activity in itself, so you’ll be hitting two birds with one stone in this activity!
| Pro tip: Wear comfortable and durable sneakers if you’re planning on doing this activity. The climb up Grouse Mountain isn’t an easy feat and you’ll need all the comfort you need for your feet if you want to reach the peak. |
Admire beautiful flora and fauna at Bloedel Conservatory
Website: https://vandusengarden.org/explore/bloedel-conservatory/
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-257-8584
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Bloedel Conservatory is the perfect place to visit for a solo traveller who’s always open to discovering new things in the world. This is because this domed conservatory is home to over 600 exotic plants and animals, all of which are thriving thanks to the controlled temperature.
You’ll be amazed to see the wide collection of plants housed here, from figs to palm trees, cacti, succulents, and everything in between. You can even see some non-exotic plants here that bear fruits and spices like bananas, coffee, dates, olives and tea!
This type of ecosystem makes for a suitable home for the hundreds of birds that take shelter here, which are worth highlighting as well. It doesn’t matter what age you are or whether you’re a fan of birds or not, you’ll be in awe of these beautiful and colourful feathered creatures.
| Pro tip: Since the conservatory features a warm a humid temperature to remain suitable for its inhabitants, we recommend dressing comfortably. More preferably, we encourage visitors to wear layers. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop before leaving to buy accessories and souvenirs to remember your trip for life! |
Meet cute cats in Catoro Cafe
Website: https://catoropets.com
Address: 666 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X6, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-423-2987
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday: Closed
Are you the kind of person who would rather spend time with cats instead of people? Then you’ll fit right in place in Catoro Cafe!
This nice and little cosy cafe is one of those trendy spots where cats are free to roam around the interior while guests can freely interact with them. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual quaint cafe, where there’s no source of entertainment unless you bring your gadget.
Interacting with these adorable felines is beneficial for both parties. You get your daily dose of serotonin, while they learn how to better interact with humans—pretty good deal, right?
| Pro tips: Make sure to secure a booking because the cafe can only house 12 guests per session and each session lasts 50 minutes. Don’t miss out on their lychee rose sparkling signature and asking for additional popping boba—it’s simply delish! |
Take a lovely stroll along Main Street
– Media credit: austinashleyphotography
Address: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Visiting Main Street should always be included in any itinerary in Vancouver, whether you’re travelling alone or with loved ones. The benefit of trolling along this street alone, however, is that you can make as many stopovers as you can because you’re not following anyone’s time!
We think that time flexibility is important when visiting this street because of the many amazing local cafes and boutique stores worth checking out.
If you want an even more memorable time on Main Street, we recommend visiting when the Farmers’ Market is open. Here, you’ll experience a lively and bustling market that oozes with friendliness and good vibes.
| Pro tip: Wear the most comfortable shoes in your collection if you’re planning on exploring all of the two dozen blocks found on Main Street. |
Admire stunning views at Queen Elizabeth Park
– Media credit: lee.elan
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-873-7000
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Queen Elizabeth Park is one of the best places to go if you want to be alone with your thoughts and admire stunning views at the same time. Here, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful natural greenery, providing you with a serene ambience to reflect on your life.
It’s also here where you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful Vancouver skyline with the visible rocky mountains surrounding the city—pretty neat!
Furthermore, this park also houses an impressive collection of exotic plants of animals. However, if you want a more detailed look at these species, you’d have to go to the Bloedel Conservatory, which is inside the park—don’t worry, the entrance is free!
| Pro tip: If you want to get your daily dose of exercise while you’re here, you can bring a basketball and shoot some hoops at the park’s court. There’s also an off-leash area for dogs where you can let your furbaby run free in a game of fetch! |
Score some steals at the Vancouver Flea Market
Address: 703 Terminal Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 2M2, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-685-0666
Operating hours: Weekends from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
One of the benefits of travelling alone is that you won’t have to experience the feeling of being pressured while shopping, knowing that somebody is waiting for you. That’s why if you travel to Vancouver alone, you have to stop by the famous Vancouver Flea Market!
This place is a treasure trove that’s filled with crazy deals on various products like antique records, toys, clothes, home decorations and more. Finding some steals can be quite a challenge but hey, that’s part of the fun of going to these kinds of markets, right?
| Pro tip: Visit their website regularly to stay updated on their upcoming events! |
Tour the city on a bike
– Media credit: lalinalena
Forget driving or commuting when exploring Vancouver; riding a bike is the best way to explore the city, especially if you’re travelling alone! Thanks to the bicycle lanes of this beautiful city, you can easily get around it—plus, it’s eco-friendly.
This is a great way to explore the city up close and personal, as you can easily stop and get off when you see something interesting that’s worth checking out. It’s also the perfect way to burn calories while marvelling at the city’s different offerings—win-win!
| Pro tip: We recommend riding the Stanley Park Seawall Path if you want to experience the most scenic bicycle ride of your life. This won’t only give you one hell of an exercise, but it will also treat you to beautiful views of the ocean! |
Shop at Granville Island
– Media credit: lalinalena
Website: https://granvilleisland.com
Address: Vancouver, British Columbia
With the variety of things to see, buy and try at Granville Island, you won’t need a companion to keep yourself entertained. Ask any Vancouverites what place to visit for shopping and restaurant-hopping and they’ll tell you Granville Island is the place to be.
We can’t blame them too, as this island is filled to the brim with restaurants, bars and cafes that fit any kind of budget.
You don’t even have to spend any amount of money to have a good time here, as there are various live shows held across the many streets of the island. Whether it be busking, plays or indie art, you’ll find entertainment here with ease.
| Pro tip: Visit the Net Loft if you want to enjoy a memorable shopping experience. This building is lined with friendly vendors that sell handcrafted products and different kinds of specialty goods. |
Visit the Vancouver Lookout
Website: https://vancouverlookout.com
Address: 555 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-689-0421
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If you want to catch the best views of the Vancouver skyline, there’s no better place to visit than the Vancouver Lookout. This 553-foot tower features an observation deck that provides its guests with 360-degree views of the city.
Some of the most notable sights you’ll see from this deck include the iconic neighbourhood of Gastown, Stanley Park and the Northshore Mountains.
| Pro tip: If you don’t want your visit to be spoiled by droves of tourists, we recommend visiting on weekdays. This way, you can take better photos that are less likely to be photobombed by other visitors. |
