Let me tell you about the moment I fell in love with Vancouver.
I was standing at the edge of Stanley Park. Mountains rose up behind the city. The ocean sparkled in front of me. Everything felt perfect.
That’s when I understood why people say Vancouver is special.
Where is Vancouver? It’s on Canada’s west coast in British Columbia. And it’s honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
I’ve been to Vancouver three times now. Each visit showed me something new and amazing. Today I’m sharing my 10 favorite things to do in Vancouver BC.
These aren’t just tourist spots. These are real experiences that made me understand this incredible city.
So grab your camera and let me take you through Vancouver.
1. Toronto and Vancouver: Understanding Canada
Before I dive into Vancouver things to do, let me clear up something important. Many people confuse Vancouver with Toronto. I did too before visiting Canada.
Toronto is on the east coast. It’s Canada’s biggest city. Very busy, very urban. Vancouver is on the west coast. It’s Canada’s third largest city. Mountains meet ocean here.
The vibe is completely different. Toronto feels like New York. Fast paced and business focused. Vancouver feels more relaxed. People here love the outdoors. Nature is everywhere.
When I first planned my Canada trip, I almost went to Toronto instead. I’m so glad I chose Vancouver. It’s a place where nature and urban life blend perfectly.
2. Discover Gastown’s Historic Charm
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood.The cobblestone streets and old buildings make it feel like stepping back in time.
I loved walking through here. Every corner had character.The famous steam clock is the main attraction. It whistles every 15 minutes.
Tourists crowd around it taking photos. I did too, obviously.But Gastown is more than just the clock. The whole area deserves exploring.
Boutique shops sell local designers and unique items. I found a great leather shop and bought a wallet.The restaurants here are excellent. I had an amazing dinner at a farm to table spot.
3. Walk the Stanley Park Seawall
Stanley Park is hands down one of the best things to do in Vancouver.This massive park sits right in downtown. It’s bigger than I ever imagined.
The seawall path goes around the entire park. It’s about 9 kilometers long. I rented a bike my first visit. Big mistake. I’m a terrible cyclist. I spent more time wobbling than enjoying the view.
My second visit, I walked it. Much better. You can actually stop and take in the beauty. The views are incredible. On one side, you see the ocean and mountains. On the other, Vancouver’s downtown skyline rises up.
I saw people jogging, cycling, rollerblading. Families pushing strollers. Couples holding hands.
4. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium sits inside Stanley Park. I wasn’t sure about visiting at first.
I thought aquariums were just for kids.
I was completely wrong. This place amazed me. It’s not just fish in tanks. It’s a full ocean experience.The Pacific Canada exhibit shows you the local marine life. I saw octopuses, sea otters, and jellyfish.
The jellyfish room was mesmerizing. Tanks glowed with different colored lights. Jellyfish floated gracefully. It felt like being underwater. What I loved most? The conservation focus. The aquarium rescues and rehabilitates marine animals.
They had dolphins when I first visited. Now they focus on smaller marine life. The change shows they care about animal welfare. The 4D theater was fun too. You watch a short film and feel the effects. Water sprays, seats move, wind blows.
5. Explore Granville Island
Granville Island became my favorite Vancouver spot.
It’s not actually an island. It’s a peninsula under a bridge. But who cares about geography when it’s this cool? The public market is the main attraction. It’s packed with food vendors, artists, and local products.
I spent hours wandering through. Fresh produce, handmade jewelry, local art. Every stall offered something interesting. The food options are incredible. I tried salmon chowder, fresh donuts, and local cheese.
My tip? Go hungry. Really hungry. You’ll want to try everything. Outside the market, there are theaters, galleries, and shops. I stumbled into a cool bookstore and lost track of time.
The best part? Taking the Aquabus to get there. These tiny colorful ferries cross False Creek. Riding the Aquabus felt like a mini adventure. The views of downtown from the water are stunning. Street performers often set up outside. I watched a juggler for a while. He was actually pretty good.
6. Take the Grouse Grind
The Grouse Grind is Vancouver’s most famous hike. Locals call it “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” Now I know why.
It’s basically 2,830 steps up Grouse Mountain. Straight up. No easy sections. I attempted it on my second Vancouver visit. Emphasis on attempted.
The first 20 minutes were okay. I thought, “This isn’t so bad.” Then it got steep. Really steep. My legs burned. My lungs screamed.
I saw people zoom past me. Fit Vancouverites who do this before work. Showing off their west coast fitness. It took me an hour and 40 minutes. Some people do it in under 30 minutes. They’re not human.
At the top, there’s a restaurant, lumberjack shows, and grizzly bears in a habitat.
7. Relax at English Bay Beach
English Bay Beach is Vancouver’s most popular beach. It’s right downtown. You can literally walk here from most hotels.
I went to English Bay on a sunny Saturday. The beach was packed. Families building sandcastles. Friends playing volleyball. People just lying in the sun.
The vibe was so relaxed. Very Vancouver. I grabbed fish tacos from a nearby spot. Sat on the sand. Watched the sunset.
The sunset at English Bay is famous. People gather every evening to watch. When the sun touches the horizon, everyone stops. Phones come out. Photos get taken.
Then people clap. Actually clap for the sunset.It’s cheesy. It’s touristy. And it’s absolutely lovely. English Bay also has a great seawall path. You can walk or cycle for miles along the water.
I walked from English Bay to Stanley Park. The whole route hugs the coastline.
8. Explore Chinatown and Try Authentic Food
Vancouver has one of North America’s largest Chinatowns. I’m not going to lie. Parts of it feel rough. But it’s worth visiting.
The food here is incredible. Some of the best Chinese food I’ve had outside of China. I wandered into a tiny dim sum place. No English menu. I pointed at what others were eating.
The soup dumplings changed my life. Seriously. I think about them still. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the main attraction here.
It’s the first classical Chinese garden built outside China. Everything was authentic. Walking through felt like being transported to another country. The rock formations, the water features, the architecture.
It’s peaceful in there. You forget you’re in the middle of a city. The garden is small but beautiful. I spent an hour wandering and taking photos. Things to do in Chinatown NYC… wait, wrong city again. Things to do in Vancouver’s Chinatown include eating. A lot.
9. Enjoy Canada’s Multicultural Food Scene
Vancouver’s food scene blew my mind. This city has some of the best Asian food outside of Asia. The Chinese, Japanese, and Korean restaurants are incredible.
I tried authentic ramen that made me close my eyes and smile. The broth was perfect. The noodles had the right chew.Sushi here is fresh and amazing. Vancouver is on the ocean, so the seafood is top quality.
I went to a small sushi place in downtown. The chef recommended what to order. Every piece melted in my mouth.But it’s not just Asian food. Vancouver has everything.
I had incredible Italian pasta. Greek souvlaki. Mexican tacos. Indian curry.The food truck scene is huge too. I found a Korean taco truck that combined two cuisines perfectly.
10. See the City from Above
My last must do Vancouver experience? Get a view from above.I took a seaplane tour on my third visit. It was expensive but worth every penny.
We took off from Coal Harbour. The plane lifted off the water smoothly.Within minutes, we were flying over downtown. The glass buildings reflected the sun below us.
We flew past Stanley Park, over the mountains, around the islands.The pilot pointed out landmarks and shared facts. But honestly, I was too busy staring to listen.
Seeing Vancouver from above showed me how special this city is.Mountains, ocean, forests, and city all in one place. It’s rare.
If seaplanes are too much, there are other options.The Vancouver Lookout downtown has 360 degree views. You take an elevator up and walk around.
Things to Do in Vancouver This Weekend
Vancouver always has something happening.
I visited during a food truck festival once. Dozens of trucks lined up in a park. I ate my way through them.
Another time, I caught an outdoor movie screening. People brought blankets and wine. Very chill.
The city hosts festivals year round. Music, food, art, culture. There’s always something.
Check local event calendars when you visit. You might catch something special.
Summer brings the most events. But even winter has Christmas markets and ski events.
Vancouver things to do change with the seasons. That’s part of its charm.
Final Thoughts
These 10 things to do in Vancouver barely scratch the surface.
I could list 50 more activities and still miss amazing experiences.
But these ten captured what makes Vancouver special for me.
The blend of nature and city. The incredible food scene. The relaxed west coast vibe.
Vancouver isn’t perfect. It rains a lot. It’s expensive. Traffic can be frustrating.
But standing on that Stanley Park seawall, looking at mountains and ocean, you forget all that.
