Sophia SmithVancouver is known for many attractions that have been considered picture-perfect for the longest time, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
From conquering our fear of heights to learning about human history, we’ve curated the top tourist attractions in Vancouver.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- VanDusen Botanical Garden
- Vancouver Lookout
- Grouse Mountain
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Bloedel Conservatory
- FlyOver Canada
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Chinatown
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
- Science World
- Stanley Park
- Brockton Point Totem Poles
- English Bay Beach
- Kitsilano Beach
- Granville Island
- Seawall in Vancouver
- The Museum of Anthropology
- Harbour Air
- Gastown
Capilano Suspension Bridge
– Media credit: capilanosuspensionbridge
Website: https://www.capbridge.com/
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Contact details: 604-985-7474
Operating hours:
- Monday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Our first spot isn’t for the fainthearted, especially when you have a fear of heights! That’s because the 450-foot Capilano Suspension Bridge hangs 230 feet above the rushing Capilano River.
After crossing the swaying bridge, the Cliffwalk, a series of cliff-side suspended walkways won’t seem as daunting. It’ll get your confidence up and ready for anything.
The Treetops Adventure, with seven bridges suspended by 250-year-old Douglas Firs, 110 feet above the forest floor, becomes a piece of cake. After that exhilarating walk, you’ll feel like conquering the world!
| Pro Tip: The Capilano Road for the Capilano Salmon Hatchery is a great area, especially in the fall, to spot salmon attempting to swim upstream. The underwater windows give you better views and firsthand looks at their efforts. |
VanDusen Botanical Garden
– Media credit: vandusengarden
Website: https://vandusengarden.org/
Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
Contact details: 604-257-8463
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM – 2 PM
The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre outdoor oasis with over 7,500 plant species. Here, you can spot local wildlife, explore the hedge maze with the kids, and relax in a serene setting in the heart of Vancouver.
Woodlands and five lakes frame the grounds, with Vancouver’s unique climate allowing plants from the Arctic Tundra to the Himalayas to bloom at different points throughout the year.
Aside from the plants, you’ll get to enjoy a rare Elizabethan Maze, a botanical library, and various totem poles and sculptures.
Not enough? They’ve got a meditation garden, the Rhododendron Walk, the Korean Pavilion, and a sino-Himalayan area too.
| Pro Tip: Look for the cherry trees in spring, followed by rhododendrons, laburnums, roses, and hydrangeas in the summer. In fall, get to the Japanese maples, ginkgo trees, and rudbeckia for the warm colors of the season. |
Vancouver Lookout
– Media credit: vancouverlookout
Website: https://vancouverlookout.com/
Address: 555 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6, Canada
Contact details: 604-689-0421
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM – 6 PM
For an all-encompassing city panorama, your visit to the top of the Vancouver Lookout is a must. Information panels throughout the deck and a multi-language, complimentary self-guided audio tour offer you insights about the city.
Situated atop the soaring Harbour Centre skyscraper, the lookout stands 550 feet above street level, providing you with unrivaled 360-degree vistas of the city, surrounding mountains, and the sea.
Still scared of heights? You can also stop for a meal to calm your nerves at the revolving restaurant, making your visit one that’s stuffed with information and food.
| Pro Tip: Take the glass elevator up 168 meters, or 553 feet, to enjoy the panoramic view that includes Stanley Park, historic Gastown, the Northshore mountains, and the vibrant downtown core. |
Grouse Mountain
– Media credit: grousemountain
Website: https://www.grousemountain.com/
Address: 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9, Canada
Contact details: 604-980-9311
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 9 AM – 9:30 PM
Grouse Mountain is a mere 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver and offers everything you’d expect from a mountain. It’s also known as the Peak of Vancouver.
Year-round, you’ll see an unmatched panorama, especially in the evenings when the city lights illuminate the landscape. A daily operating gondola runs from street level to the summit, where dining, activities, and wildlife await explorers like you.
In winter, Grouse Mountain transforms into a winter wonderland with outdoor skating, snowshoeing, and excellent skiing and snowboarding. The ski runs are not overly challenging, making it a fun family outing and an ideal place for beginners.
Come summer, Grouse Mountain becomes a hiker’s paradise with various trails, including the famed Grouse Grind, often called Mother Nature’s StairMaster. Think of the mountain as your Vancouver gym!
| Pro Tip: In winter, you can hit the slopes for a few hours before enjoying a mountain-top après-ski. In summer, we suggest hiking or taking the gondola up, catching a lumberjack show, and meeting Grinder and Coola, two grizzly bears in a fenced-in wildlife reserve. |
Queen Elizabeth Park
– Media credit: ina_vine_cu_tine
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada
Contact details: 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 6 AM – 10 PM
The 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park is impressively maintained, drawing both locals and tourists alike.
Centered around Little Mountain, the city’s highest point, it offers breathtaking views over Vancouver with plenty of green spaces and outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
Apart from walking, jogging, and cycling, you can engage in pitch-and-putt golf or tennis, thanks to numerous playing fields and sports facilities.
| Pro Tip: The park also features idyllic gardens, including Bloedel Conservatory and Nat Bailey Stadium, where the Vancouver Canadians play their baseball games. |
Bloedel Conservatory
– Media credit: bloedel_conservatory
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bloedel-conservatory.aspx
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
Contact details: 604-257-8584
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM – 4 PM
Atop the city’s highest point, the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park you’ll feel like royalty in the middle of the lush gardens.
Got a thing for birds? The aviary within the huge historic dome teems with feathered friends both familiar and new.
Founded in 1969, it now contains three separate climatic zones and habitats. While wandering its humid tropical rainforest and dry desert areas, you can observe over five hundred species of flowers, plants, and trees.
| Pro Tip: You might get a little messy playing with the birds, so it’s always wise to bring extra clothes and baby wipes. |
FlyOver Canada
Website: https://www.flyovercanada.com/
Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Contact details: 855-463-4822
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11 AM – 7 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Looking to experience Canada like never before? FlyOver Canada is a flight simulation ride that takes you across the country, from the Prairies to the Atlantic Ocean and back to Vancouver, all in less than 10 minutes.
This is a must-visit for air explorers, especially if you’re looking to make your aviator fantasies come true.
You’ll feel the wind, mist, and outdoor air as you enjoy this unique flying experience in a huge dome screen with the latest in projection and ride technology.
| Pro Tip: Check for earlier times as the lines can be long and the wait can get delayed. Bring some water and snacks to tide you over while you wait. |
Vancouver Aquarium
– Media credit: vanaqua
Website: https://www.vanaqua.org/
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Contact details: 778-655-9554
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM
At the Vancouver Aquarium, there’s over 65,000 animals and 120 exhibits, making it an animal-lover’s playground. From the wonders of the Amazon gallery to the diverse creatures in the Canadian waters area, observe wildlife from across the globe.
Here, you can get an up-close encounter with friendly sea otters, bright jellyfish, and more. Consider attending one of the After Hours events, maybe they’ll teach you how to spot and find Nemo!
| Pro Tip: The aquarium no longer has whale performances or belugas, but you can check out the 4D Theatre Experience for that immersive under-the-sea adventure. |
Chinatown
– Media credit: visitchinatown
Website: https://www.vancouver-chinatown.com/
Address: 106 Keefer St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1X4 Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
In Vancouver’s Chinatown, marked by the ornate Millennium Gate, you’ll find a mix of modern and Victorian-era buildings. Signs along East Pender, Keefer, and Main Streets, the primary shopping areas, are often in Chinese characters.
But you needn’t worry, as you can always ask, get around, and buy without learning the language. Authentic meal ingredients, herbal apothecaries, and fruits surround you here.
Plus, if you’re in a party mood, wait for the annual Chinese New Year celebration!
| Pro Tip: Look for the Sam Kee Building, known to be the world’s narrowest office building at barely two meters wide. |
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
– Media credit: vancoverchinesegarden
Website: https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/
Address: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada
Contact details: 604-662-3207
Operating hours:
- Closed from Monday to Tuesday
- Wednesday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 2 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
In the heart of the city lies a meticulously manicured garden, the first authentic classical Chinese garden built outside of China. As you walk its peaceful paths, the harmonious elements designed in rock, water, plants, and architecture just calm you down.
Vancouver’s Chinatown proudly hosts the first Ming Dynasty-styled garden constructed beyond China, crafted with authenticity by 52 artisans from Suzhou.
Named in honor of the first president of the Republic of China, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden transports you to 15th-century China, though it emerged in the mid-1980s.
Here, you can channel your inner Mulan or Tang dynasty poet. Just be sure to keep the singing or sword-fighting to yourself though!
| Pro Tip: Watch out for special events on their website. Their most anticipated activities happen during the Lunar New Year, where workshops and traditional street food highlight the Lion dance, fortunetelling, and tea ceremonies. |
Science World
– Media credit: scienceworldca
Website: https://www.scienceworld.ca/
Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada
Contact details: 604-443-7440
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM
At Science World, you’ll be where hands-on interactive displays, inspirational exhibitions, and jaw-dropping science demonstrations await.
At the end of False Creek, this state-of-the-art center is recognizable by its distinctive geodesic dome and has exhibitions on art, the body, water, air, and animals.
Here, you’ll get to engage in fun hands-on activities and experiments and witness live demonstrations or educational films in the gigantic Omnimax Theatre.
| Pro Tip: When science exploration’s got you hungry, head right for the on-site restaurant for some energy snacks. |
Stanley Park
– Media credit: tourcanada
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx
Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Contact details: 604-681-6728
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 9 AM – 5 PM
Set on almost 1,000 acres in central Vancouver, Stanley Park is a lush peninsula of huge trees adjacent to Downtown. It’s your green escape with a paved seawall path encircling the space, ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle.
The park’s inland area provides numerous activities, ensuring a full day of exploration. You can marvel at the totem poles at Brockton Point or immerse yourself in marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium.
In spring, the park’s gardens burst into a rainbow of colors, led by cherry trees and closely followed by rhododendrons. Nature really has a way of cheering us for the warmer seasons, doesn’t it?
You’ll love Stanley Park even more as summer arrives. An 80-meter pool operates right at the ocean’s edge, offering a heated retreat popular among families due to its gently sloped entry.
| Pro Tip: You can always walk, jog, or run through the park. But if you’re famished, check out the Tea Room restaurant for some nosh. |
Brockton Point Totem Poles
– Media credit: winthegriff
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/totems-and-first-nations-art.aspx
Address: Brockton Point Trail, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
When you visit Stanley Park, check out the Brockton Point Totem Poles. These intricately carved poles stand as one of British Columbia’s top attractions.
Originally placed in the park at a different location in the 1920s, the collection grew over the years and was eventually moved to Brockton Point.
Today, you’ll encounter nine totem poles carved from red cedar, along with three gateway portals. The colorful totem poles line a wide walkway, set back against tall evergreen trees.
| Pro Tip: If you want to learn more, a nearby visitor center offers additional insights into First Nations history and the totem poles themselves. |
English Bay Beach
– Media credit: soniabfialho
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/english-bay-beach.aspx
Address: 1795 Beach Ave West End, Vancouver, British Columbia V6G 1Y9
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Oceanfront English Bay, one of the city’s busiest beaches, you get a glimpse of the colorful West End neighborhood.
Apart from shopping and high-end restaurants, it serves as a popular outdoor space for activities like walking, biking, rollerblading, or simply enjoying public art installations.
English Bay sits close to Stanley Park, and a waterfront trail seamlessly connects the two. The beach, adorned with large tree trunks, provides a perfect backrest for sunbathers.
| Pro Tip: One of the best summer events is the Celebration of Light, usually around the last week of July, with spectacular fireworks set to music. Another crowd-puller is the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim, where swimmers take a dip in the chilly Pacific waters. |
Kitsilano Beach
– Media credit: fredabouttown
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-beach.aspx
Address: 1499 Arbutus Street Vancouver, BC V6K 1B5
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
At Kitsilano Beach, you get a glimpse into the laid-back Vancouver lifestyle.
Want to sound like a Vancouverite? Call it “Kits” Beach.
Locals often gather here with friends or take a dip in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool. The wide beach is a popular spot for sunbathers in the summer.
From Kitsilano, you’ll enjoy wonderful views over the city center. In addition to the beach and oceanfront, the area features cafés, walking trails, and a cool shopping strip a few blocks south on West Fourth Avenue.
| Pro Tip: A short stroll east of Kitsilano takes you to Vanier Park, offering wide-open spaces and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. You can catch a small Aquabus to downtown Vancouver or Granville Island from the docks located here. |
Granville Island
– Media credit: granville_island
Website: https://granvilleisland.com/
Coordinates: 49°16′15″N 123°08′03″W / 49.27083°N 123.13417°W
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Below a major bridge near downtown Vancouver, you’ll find a hotspot of dining, shopping, and entertainment and that spot is called Granville Island.
Once mainly industrial, Granville Island is now a thriving center of activity with a relaxed and distinctive atmosphere. Artists and retailers have moved into converted warehouses alongside houseboats, theaters, galleries, and restaurants.
It’s a buzzing community with artisans creating unique gifts, passionate foodies sharing their labor, and aspiring musicians perfecting their craft. Here, you can stop in for a beer or spend the day browsing stores at the Public Market.
The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions as it sells fruit, vegetables, seafood, and a variety of specialties, as well as ready-to-eat items.
Not truly an island, the arts hub is linked to residential areas by one road and footbridges to the south, and to the Downtown peninsula across False Creek by ferry.
| Pro Tip: The common misconception is that Granville Island is only a daytime spot. When night falls, you can laugh til you drop by The Improve Centre or let the live music at The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant bring the night alive. |
Seawall in Vancouver
– Media credit: vancouverseawall
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/seawall.aspx
Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Contact details: 604-873-7000
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
Covering just over 13.5 miles, the Seawall is part of the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. A favorite among walkers, joggers, and cyclists, it has stunning views of English Bay and the mountain ranges beyond Vancouver.
Along the route, you’ll skirt the perimeter of Stanley Park and maybe get to take photos of sea otters, harbor seals, or the distinctive Siwash Rock if you’re lucky!
You can also take a detour to one of the beaches for a picnic or step into a restaurant for dining with a view. Not bad for a seawall spot, eh?
| Pro Tip: There are separate signs for joggers and walkers, so make sure to get on the right path to avoid possible risks. |
The Museum of Anthropology
– Media credit: moa_ubc
Website: https://moa.ubc.ca/
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
Contact details: 604-827-5932
Operating hours:
- To be announced upon reopening
After some anticipation, The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is set to reopen in June 2024. This place allows you a glimpse into one of the finest displays of First Nations art worldwide, set against the breathtaking backdrop of BC’s water and mountains.
Located on ancestral Musqueam land, the museum showcases the rich culture and traditions of these First Nations hosts.
As you walk through the front doors, the first thing that greets you is their artwork, and in the Great Hall, massive, intricate totem poles leave you in awe.
It can be pretty overwhelming, with over 10,000 culturally significant objects from around the world on display, with temporary exhibits providing fresh perspectives to the rich permanent collection.
But not to worry, the good thing is that you can always come back to get new insights!
| Pro Tip: Check out the Haida Village outdoor exhibition, where you can view the Yosef Wosk Reflecting Pool that reflects the changing sky above. |
Harbour Air
– Media credit: harbourair
Website: https://harbourair.com/
Address: 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada
Contact details: 604-274-1277
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 6:30 AM – 5 PM
If you’re into panoramic views of all of Vancouver, then a flightseeing tour with Harbour Air Seaplanes might just be the solution. As part of the world’s largest all-seaplane airline, they offer various sightseeing options.
You can get the Vancouver Panorama tour for a quick flight over the city and surrounding mountains. Bring your camera for memorable shots and wow-inducing videos to post on your socials.
Another option is the Fly ‘N Dine tour. The package includes a flight to Horseshoe Bay, a three-course meal, and a limousine ride back to town.
| Pro Tip: For a more adventurous option, explore the Alpine Lakes and Glacier tour, providing an unbelievable flight over Mount Mamquam’s peaks and a remote alpine lake. |
Gastown
– Media credit: mygastown
Website: https://gastown.org/
Address: Waterfront between Granville and Main Sts. North of Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2K7 Canada
Operating hours:
- Shop operating hours vary
In Gastown, Vancouver’s Old Town, you’ll find the city’s original center, named after a Yorkshire seaman, “Gassy” Jack Deighton, but later renamed Vancouver in 1886. Destroyed by fire the same year, Gastown was quickly rebuilt but deteriorated over time.
Reborn in the 1960s and now considered a national historic area, you just might be surprised to see carefully Victorian buildings house trendy shops, innovative restaurants, traditional Native and cutting-edge art, and a lively entertainment scene.
The cobblestone streets lead to good coffee, a great location, and better brunch at the Twisted Fork. You can walk through heritage structures and admire iron lampposts as you contemplate the next meal: Lebanese at Nuba or Italian at Di Beppe?
Whichever restaurant you end up at, try to visit the Clough Club for their ingenious cocktails or the Diamond Cocktail Bar for a more casual vibe.
Live music? You’ll find it at Guilt & Co.
| Pro Tip: Capture a photo with Gassy Jack and check out the nearby Steam Clock, chiming every 15 minutes. For your touristy finds, Hudson House Trading Company offers Canadian-themed clothes, toys, and maple syrup-flavored products. |
