One of my favorite parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is being a short day or weekend trip away from so many unique cities and beautiful, natural destinations. Vancouver, Canada is one of these cities as it’s just two and a half hours from Seattle. If you want to travel to Vancouver, all you need is decent transportation and your passport and you’ll be in another country before you know it.
My fiancé and I recently went to Vancouver for the weekend and I immediately saw the appeal upon our arrival. Vancouver is a very modern and classy city, surrounded by mountains and in full bloom during the month of April. The architecture alone is incredible to observe, especially buildings like Vancouver House, and there are countless cafes and breweries offering delicious beverages and bites, as well as bookstores, museums, and attractions to explore.
Where to stay
We left for Vancouver early Saturday morning and arrived before 10am, giving us plenty of time to visit our hotel, stop for coffee, and walk around Stanley Park before lunch. I would recommend staying somewhere around central Vancouver, as this is where Stanley Park is, in addition to most of the museums and attractions. Our hotel was located between Fairview and Mount Pleasant, on the other side of False Creek from Vancouver House and BC Place, where you can find even more restaurants, parks, and activities.
IHG Rewards
If you’re looking for affordable hotels and are not as concerned about the uniqueness of their appearance, I would recommend becoming a rewards member with IHG. IHG inclides a variety of different hotels located everywhere — nationally and internationally. My fiancé and I have stayed at IHG locations in bigger cities like Vancouver, as well as in small towns in the middle of nowhere. The best part is you collect points from each stay, which you can then apply to future bookings to save even more money.
If you’re looking for a more unique place to stay, Airbnb and Hostelworld have locations all over, and they can be significantly more affordable than hotels. I enjoy staying in hostels when I want to experience more diversity and am mainly in need of a place to sleep, as I may be bunking with several other people, friends and strangers alike. Airbnbs are my preference when I’m desiring something more personal and private, as they connect you to a personal host and more freedom to prepare your own meals, play games, and explore different areas.
What to eat and drink
Coffee and pastries
It’s impossible to walk around or drive through Vancouver without passing several coffee shops. The coffee culture in the Pacific Northwest is another feature I will always love and appreciate, as coffee is available for coffee lovers and addicts everywhere. After visiting our hotel, our first stop was at Elysian Coffee Roasters. This was a modest coffee shop with very tasty pastries and excellent espresso. Finding the best coffee and food pairings has become one of my favorite things since working as a barista, and it has honestly deepened my appreciation for good quality espresso.
Poutine
A classic French dish originating in Quebec, Canada, poutine combines french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Mean Poutine, La Belle Patate, and Fritz European Fry House are just a few restaurants that serve excellent poutine in Vancouver and even offer additional toppings.
Breweries
Following a walk around Stanley Park, we stopped for a light lunch at CRAFT Beer Market. It would have been incredibly easy to sit and sample every brew offered here, and the service was so good they might have actually let us. I’ve come to really enjoy trying local beers to see the difference in flavors from location to location and to get to know the local residents of a particular place. It’s no secret that people tend to bond over food and flavor, and brews are no exception, which makes trying new breweries a very enjoyable experience. In addition, the food was great and the building itself was very unique, as the False Creek location is in Olympic Village and housed in the Salt Building.
Yaletown Distillery
My fiance and I loved the service and food prepared for us here. It is a bit more formal so I would recommend dressing nicely if you choose to go to this location. You will not be disappointed in the service or your meal, though I encourage you to try one of their more unique dishes as opposed to more traditional pasta dishes. I could eat pasta almost every day, but with so many other options, you should take advantage of the opportunity to try something different. For example, my fiancé had the half chicken under a brick and it was incredible. Whatever you do, you need to get the signature fritta bread antipasto platter, whether as an appetizer or your entree.
Where to go and what to do
Museums
Vancouver is home to many museums including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, and the Museum of Anthropology. Tickets to Van Art Gallery are free for children (12 and under), $18 for students, $20 for seniors (65 and older), and $24 for adults. You can purchase tickets online or in person at the museum. If you want to plan a visit, you should visit their website for their hours and events, as they vary from day to day. This gallery is recognized as the largest art museum in Western Canada and features several impressive collections.
The Science World building itself will catch your attention, with its spherical architecture and reflection off the water. Tickets to visit Science World are $20.30 for children, $24.30 for youth and seniors, and $30.40 for adults. Again, I would recommend checking their website for hours and events, as they have many unique exhibitions and galleries to view, in addition to interactive displays.
The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia opens daily at 10am and hosts a variety of unique exhibitions. The Audrey and Harry Hawthorne Library and Archives is also located in Vancouver’s MOA but is available by appointment only. Tickets to the museum can be purchased online approximately two months in advance or in-person upon arrival, with prices ranging from free for children (6 and under), $16 for seniors (65 and over), $18 for adults, and $47 for a family pass (maximum of 6 people). You should refer to their website for more information, including current events, collections, and Covid-19 policies.
Bookstores
Just down the street from our hotel and Elysian Coffee Roasters was Book Warehouse. No matter where I go, I believe bookstores are a great, budget-friendly way to slow down, whether I’m seeking a specific book to read or just trying to fill the time until the next activity. Vancouver has quite a few bookstores to visit if you yourself are a bookworm.
Vancouver Lookout
Though not included in our first weekend trip, I think the Vancouver Lookout would be a fun place to go if you have the time and budget for it. Tickets can be purchased for $18.25 per adult or $13.25 per child 6-17 years old, and they have free admission for children 5 years old and younger. Lookouts are always fun places to go to get a good perspective of whichever city you’re visiting.
Stanley Park
This public park is one of Vancouver’s most beautiful features. You can commit to a 2-3 hour walk around the park or even rent a bicycle and go for a ride, as there are several bicycle rental spots on Denman Street. Whether walking or cycling, you can see beaches, massive trees, famous rock structures like Siwash Rock, floral gardens, and animals living in their natural habitats. The park hosts other historical landmarks such as the Brockton Point Lighthouse, as well as the Lost Lagoon. These are just a few of the landmarks worth experiencing.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens
If you’re interested in experiencing nature on a smaller yet still impressive scale, consider touring the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of year and age of visitors, ranging from $4.30-$11.90, with the park opening at 10am every day. The park has a cafe, gift shop, maze, and more, making it fun for singles, couples, and families.
Granville Island
This peninsula in Vancouver is a wonderful place for shopping and beautiful views lol of the city. Granville Island has several restaurants, unique shops, and even art galleries. The public market specifically has some really good food, including a soup company called The Stock Market. Whether you’re looking for candy, crystals, cheese, or great views by the water, Granville Island has it all.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Another alternative outdoor location to visit is the Queen Elizabeth Park, which hosts a variety of sculptures, fountains, florals, fields for sports, and options for dining. In addition, the park is home to the Bloedel Conservatory, an indoor garden, and the Celebration Pavilion for events like weddings. Additionally, the park is the highest point in Vancouver, providing great views of the city and the North Shore mountains. Any of these features will make a visit worthwhile.
Charleston Park
For a good view of the Vancouver skyline, Charleston Park is the place to go. Located along False Creek, Charleston Park is not far at all from the CRAFT Beer Market. This humble park includes a playground, waterfall, and pond, but goes undiscovered by many visitors.
Beaches
As I said, one of the best aspects of Vancouver is its access to nature. Vancouver not only has several beautiful parks but also many beaches. Some of these are in Stanley Park, such as Second Beach, Third Beach, and Zeus Beach, while others, like Kitlsilano Beach, is across the bay, providing more worthwhile views and outdoor activities. With warmer weather, the beaches are accessible for swimming, but even in the cooler months, beaches are often a reliable place to find good restaurants, fresh air, and beautiful scenery.
Gastown (Steam Clock)
Another one of Vancouver’s popula landmarks is the Gastown Steam Clock. As the name suggests, this is an antique-looking clock powered by a steam engine, located not too far from the Vancouver lookout. There are no longer many clocks powered in this way, which makes it interesting to observe but may be underwhelming for some.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
This one may be a little out of the way as it is located between North Vancouver and West Vancouver. The Capilano Suspension Bridge was constructed over 130 years ago and has become a popular visitor attraction. The bridge is named after a great Squamish chief, Kia’palano, which means “beautiful river.” You can purchase tickets to cross the bridge and explore the park on the Capilano website, though you may find better rates from GetYourGuide. Vancouver also has a less crowded suspension bridge in Lynn Canyon Park, which is self-guided and provides several fun activities for every season from fishing to ziplining.
Although this is not an exhaustive guide, I hope it will provide you with some ideas for whenever you choose to visit “Vancity.” I already can’t wait to go back!