Greater Vancouver, also known as Metro Vancouver, is a collection of 20 municipalities and Vancouver the city. It is known for its modern cities, grand parks and gardens, beaches, ski hills, and mild climate. People often travel to the areas to experience a great variety of things. Some people visit Greater Vancouver to socialize and enjoy a wild nightlife experience. Some would travel to ski and partake of the many outdoor activities that each municipality has to offer. Many sports fans also come to Greater Vancouver to watch sporting events like hockey, soccer, and basketball with fellow sports enthusiasts. With so much to offer, you’ll probably want to write down a comprehensive itinerary to make your travel organized. If you are still thinking about things to do in the areas, below is a list of things to do in Greater Vancouver, Canada. Keep reading to learn more.
1. View stunning pieces of art at the Museum of Anthropology
If you love viewing artwork and stunning architecture, the Museum of Anthropology in UBC is a place you should consider visiting when near downtown Vancouver. Upon entering the museum, visitors will notice the amazing interiors of the fine building designed by Arthur Erickson. The museum houses over 9,000 pieces of artwork collected from all over the world. Walking through the museum grounds, guests will see the Haida houses and poles, which exhibit the beauty of traditional Northwest Coast architecture.
Museum of Anthropology
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
Website: Museum of Anthropology
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free to 36.75 USD
2. Experience water sports at Vancouver Water Adventures LTD.
Vancouver Water Adventures provides the perfect place to enjoy all kinds of water sporting activities. The company provides all your water sporting needs, whether it be protective gear, boats, instructors, and tour guides. They currently rent out 25 jet skis, 80 paddle boats, 60 kayaks, and two tour boats. Experience the thrill and enjoyment as you navigate through Vancouver’s shorelines and partake of many of Vancouver Water Adventures’ many tours and cruises.
Vancouver Water Adventures LTD.
Address: 1812 Boatlift Ln, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y2, Canada
Website: Vancouver Water Adventures LTD.
Price: 46.14 to 248.67 USD
3. Bring the family to Science World at TELUS World of Science
Are you looking to introduce your children to the world of science? Science World (TELUS World) is a great place where you and your family can go and develop your curiosity for science literacy through fun and interactive activities. Visitors get to enjoy a good variety of cool educational exhibits, a 400-seat OMNIMAX theater, and several museums. Going outside the building, you will have a great place to take photos of the iconic dome structure of Science World near the waterfront.
Science World at TELUS World of Science
Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada
Website: Science World at TELUS World of Science
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 14.52 - 21.60 USD
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4. Learn about Canada's maritime history at Vancouver Maritime Museum
Are you interested in the maritime history of Canada? Vancouver Maritime Museum is devoted to collecting and preserving artifacts, archives, and vessels taken from Canada and British Columbia. Visitors will have access to an extensive gallery of model ships, the Children’s Maritime Discovery Center, a recreation of the vessel known as Discovery, and a sizeable maritime archive. The museum also has a workshop where visitors can watch shipbuilders craft ship models.
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Address: Ferry Ramp, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Website: Vancouver Maritime Museum
Opening hours: 7:45am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 14 - 35 USD
Vancouver Tour Guide
Nazila Najafi
I have over ten years of experience in the Tourism and Hospitality industry. My professional/volunteer background as a researcher, remote travel columnist, travel agent, travel consultant, and walking/step-on guide has helped me provide my VIP (private/group) tours with a memorable experience. As a professional Canadian Tour Guide Association of British Columbia member, I have been actively running mainly private cultural tours in Vancouver since 2019.
5. Enjoy visiting the popular Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a 52-hectare (128.5-acre) park that contains a landscaped quarry garden, Bloedel Conservatory, and several sporting facilities where visitors can play tennis, basketball, roller hockey, and lawn bowling. Located at the heart of Vancouver at an elevation of 125 meters (410 feet) above sea level, visitors will have easy access to the area and gain a great view of the North Shore mountains. You will also love the other features scattered within the park, like the fountains, sculptures, a duck pond, and the greenhouse.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2Z1, Canada
Website: Queen Elizabeth Park
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
6. Enjoy a bird's eye view of Vancouver aboard a seaplane (from USD 128.0)
Are you tired of navigating through the busy streets of Vancouver? This Vancouver seaplane tour provides the ultimate sightseeing experience in the area. Glide through the city with a small group of 14 people and enjoy the sublime views of downtown Vancouver, its harbor, skylines, and the mountain peaks surrounding the area. The tour is a short 20-minute flight that will start in downtown Vancouver and end at the city harbor. There are three departure times per day: one in the morning at 10:30 am, the second at 2:30 in the afternoon, and the final one in the evening at 6:45.
Vancouver Seaplane Small-Group Tour with Carbon Offset
Duration: 30 minutes
7. Snap a photo of you at the Olympic Cauldron
The Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza is a neat detour whenever you are near downtown Vancouver. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky lit this cauldron during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Today, people take a break at Jack Poole Plaza to take photographs of the cauldron and enjoy their leisure time shopping and eating at the nearby establishments. If you visit at night, the cauldron will be glowing with neon lights, which provides a grand display that offers the perfect photo opportunity.
Olympic Cauldron @ Jack Poole Plaza
Address: 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada
Website: Olympic Cauldron @ Jack Poole Plaza
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Observe exotic birds at Bloedel Conservatory
In the 60s, Prentice Bloedel (a leader of the timber industry) decided to donate to Vancouver’s government for the construction of a conservatory. When the conservatory opened in 1969, it was officially named Bloedel Conservatory. Today, visitors can visit this attraction within Queen Elizabeth Park, found at the highest point of downtown Vancouver. Visitors will be able to view over 120 exotic birds and 500 species of exotic plants and flowers inside the temperature-controlled domed structure. The conservatory also boasts a lush indoor tropical garden, the perfect habitat for the bird species.
Bloedel Conservatory (botanical garden)
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
Website: Bloedel Conservatory
Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 10am - 3:45pm (closed on Tue)
Price: 5.36 USD
9. Visit the iconic Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
Founded by ‘Gassy Jack’ back in 1876, Gastown has grown from being a tavern to the oldest neighborhood in Vancouver. The area features buildings of Victorian architecture, restaurants with outdoor seating, and numerous fashion boutiques. One of the most iconic places in Gastown is the Gastown Steam Clock. The steam clock is a literal clock powered by steam, and it is located just beside the road. Although steam clocks can be found all over the world, the one located in Gastown is known to be the original piece that started the trend.
Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
Address: 305 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9, Canada
Website: Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Take photos of the Gassy Jack statue
The Gassy Jack statue is a popular monument in Gastown depicting the town’s founder Capt. John Deighton (Gassy Jack). John Deighton was a pilot turned saloonkeeper and he is famous for being talkative, or in slang terms, gassy. Today, the statue has become a place commemorating John Deighton for founding Gastown. People often visit the statue to take photographs while enjoying their leisure time shopping and dining near the area.
Gassy Jack statue
Address: 1 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2H9, Canada
Website: Gassy Jack statue
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
11. Explore Vancouver's popular gardens (from USD 347.0)
If you are looking to visit the most popular gardens in Vancouver but you don’t know anyone to show you around, this tour might pique your interest. This four-hour tour will take you to Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Rhododendron Walk, Sino Himalayan Garden, and a walk around China Town. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the sunken gardens and they’ll get to find out why the parks are placed throughout the city.
Private Tour: Gardens of Vancouver
Duration: 4 hours
12. Experience the 1920s at Burnaby Village Museum
Re-live the past in a well thought out museum that spans 4 hectares(10 acres) of land inside Deer Lake Park. Burnaby Village Museum is an open-air museum where visitors get to experience living in the 1920s. Visitors will love the replication of old buildings and the street that seamlessly transports them to the 1920s. Kids will love riding the vintage carousel and listening to the costumed performers telling stories about the past.
Burnaby Village Museum
Address: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6, Canada
Website: Burnaby Village Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 1:30pm - 8:30pm
Price: 1.99 USD
13. Go boating on the lake in Deer Lake Park
Deer Lake Park is a popular destination among people looking to do certain outdoor activities, like hiking, boating, swimming, or simply enjoying a stroll with the pet. Deer Lake Park is the largest park in Greater Vancouver. It offers several routes such as the Deer Lake Route, Hart House Mini Route, and the Oakland Flats. When boating on the lake, visitors will love the beautiful sceneries as well as the panoramic views of the skyscrapers scattered around the city. The park also hosts several popular events throughout the year, like Symphony in the Park, Haunted Village, Deer Lake Christmas Craft Fair, and Heritage Christmas.
Deer Lake Park
Address: 5435 Sperling Ave, Burnaby, BC V5E 2L8, Canada
Website: Deer Lake Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
14. Take your kids to the Kids Market on Granville Island
The Kids Market is another popular family destination in Vancouver. The place is a large complex housing some of the biggest toy stores, a large indoor playground going up to the second floor, a children’s-only hair salon, the 50-year-old Canadian Pacific Caboose, and several play parks. There are also cafes in the area where parents lounge while waiting for their kids, as well as a gift shop that sells clothes, shoes, and all kinds of accessories.
Kids Market, Granville Island
Address: 1496 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y5, Canada
Website: Kids Market, Granville Island
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
15. Enjoy the view from Vancouver Lookout
Vancouver Lookout is the best place to get a complete 360-degree view of Vancouver without riding an aircraft. The tower elevates visitors up 163 meters (553 feet) off the ground, providing a complete view of Gastown, Coal Harbour, North Vancouver, and downtown Vancouver. In case you are a visitor for a special occasion, Vancouver Tower also allows booking for weddings, corporate events, and dining with a view. They also offer a private tour, which will allow guests to enjoy an entire hour on the deck by themselves, access to a 30-minute guided tour, a 40-second elevator ride to the deck, and access to high-speed WiFi.
Vancouver Lookout
Address: 555 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6, Canada
Website: Vancouver Lookout
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 10 - 350 USD
16. Tour Stanley Park and the downtown area (from USD 66.29)
Experience the city of Vancouver on a guided bike ride tour. Tourists will get to explore Stanley Park’s coastal temperate rainforests, enjoy the stunning views of Vancouver’s seawall and skylines, and learn about the city’s green initiatives to help the environment. Cyclists will ride on a AAA grade bike path, allowing tourists just over 12 to join the tour. This experience will last approximately three and a half hours with a group of eight people plus an English tour guide. For those interested in joining the event, make sure to bring your rain gear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Other cycling gears such as bikes, helmets, and locks are provided.
Vancouver: Stanley Park & Downtown Morning Bike Tour
Duration: 3.5 hour
17. Experience fine dining at Blue Water Cafe
Blue Water Cafe is an award-winning restaurant that has been featured twice in WHERE magazine. The restaurant combines Asian and French culinary cuisines, providing its guests with a unique take on all kinds of dishes. Guests will love the elegant ambiance and good services provided by the enthusiastic staff of the restaurant. They specialize in serving seafood dishes such as Chef Creek, Shigoku, Fanny Bay, and Beau Soleil. They also offer over 1,000 top-quality wine labels hand-picked to match all kinds of dishes.
Blue Water Cafe
Address: 1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4, Canada
Website: Blue Water Cafe
Opening hours: Sat - Wed: 4:30pm - 10:30pm; Thu - Fri: 12pm - 2pm, 4:30pm - 10:30pm
18. Hike the Seawall Water Walk
Feel refreshed after strolling through Coal Harbour’s Seawall. Walk along 5.77 kilometers (3.5 miles) of paved pathway while enjoying the waterfront’s cool breeze and beautiful scenery. Half of the route is beside the waterfront, while the other half is deep inside Coal Harbour. Along the path, visitors will pass through numerous works of architecture and historical places. A great thing about strolling in the area is that you can take detours whenever something interests you on the trail.
Seawall Water Walk
Address: 1199 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4T1, Canada
Website: Seawall Water Walk
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
19. Learn about the historical Abbott House
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Learn more about Vancouver’s history by visiting Abbott House. This house is known to have been owned by Henry Bloomfield, the first General Superintendent of the Pacific Division. The house is an essential piece of Vancouver’s history as it is the last remaining mansion from the once well-known Blueblood Alley. Although repainted, visitors should still be able to learn about the architectural style used in houses in the year 1900.
Abbott House
Address: 720 Jervis St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4N9, Canada
Website: Abbott House
20. Wander around Devonian Harbour Park
Devonian Harbour Park is a popular place where people go bird watching, hiking, or simply walking their dogs while enjoying the area’s scenic views. The park has a 2.6-kilometer (1.6-mile) trail that connects Stanley Park and Coal Harbour. People visiting the park can also go to other famous places nearby, such as Lost Lagoon, Pitch and Pull Golf Course, West End, False Creek, and English Bay. If you are visiting with your dog, there’s also has an off-leash area where you can let your dog play.
Devonian Harbour Park
Address: 1929 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2W9, Canada
Website: Devonian Harbour Park
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
21. Visit the historical Haywood Bandstand
Haywood Bandstand was a bandstand built in the year 1914. It is located at the center of Alexandra Park and it is still in use until this today. A majority of people visit the area to enjoy the live performances and events held at the park. Since the bandstand is mainly unaltered, a few people visit to observe a piece of Vancouver’s past architectural styles. The bandstand is made out of Cedar and it is octagonal shaped, resembling the Blackmore bandstand built in the year 1911 (no longer standing). Visitors can also walk around the area and view the fountain made by Charles Marega.
Haywood Bandstand
Address: Beach Ave, 1755 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L1, Canada
Website: Haywood Bandstand
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
22. Take photos of Inukshuk Sculpture
The Inukshuk Sculpture is the work of Bing Thom, commissioned for the Expo 86 event. The sculpture is shaped like a five-story igloo and it was made from the stones quarried in Fraser Valley. Inukshuks are usually small and used as a welcome sign in the north, as well as an object to convey the distance of a place on a flat horizon. However, this specific Inukshuk sculpture was intended to be a reminder of the ingenuity of the Inuit people for addressing the language barrier they had with the outsiders. Today, people visit the sculpture to take memorable photographs and enjoy its surrounding scenery.
Inukshuk Sculpture
Address: 1700 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC V6E 1V3, Canada
Website: Inukshuk Sculpture
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
23. Go swimming at English Bay Beach
If you’re in downtown Vancouver and you would like to swim, English Bay Beach is just around the corner. This is the most popular beach in the area, featuring Mobi-Mat accessible pathways, lifeguards, a swimming raft with a large slide, two sand volleyball courts, public washrooms, two water wheelchairs, and optional kayak rentals and lounge area rentals. After visiting the beach, visitors can then go biking or stroll to the nearby Stanley Park Seawall and enjoy the beautiful views of the waterfront.
English Bay Beach
Address:Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1, Canada
Website: English Bay Beach
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
24. Have a fun night out at Celebrities Nightclub
Are you looking for a great place to socialize, dance, and enjoy your night in Vancouver? Celebrities Nightclub is a premier dance club in Vancouver that features a spacious split-level venue with high ceilings, two luxury VIP sections, a Funktion One sound system, grand lighting displays, and large collections of alcoholic drinks and beverages. This is one of the few clubs that has been able to stay relevant for several consecutive years despite all the setbacks that all clubs in the area have experienced. Celebrities Nightclub is also known for launching successful events, from fashion to corporate.
Celebrities Nightclub
Address: 1022 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3, Canada
Website: Celebrities Nightclub
Opening hours: Tue: 10pm - 3am; Fri - Sat: 10pm - 4am (closed on Mon, Wed, Thu, and Sun)
25. Visit Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Are you Looking for a place where your entire family will enjoy? Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Center is a unique place that combines an arts center, a recreational facility, and historic landmarks all in one venue. People of all ages and abilities can visit Roundhouse and find something that they enjoy. Some of the key features of Roundhouse are the performance center, the gymnasium, Roundhouse Turntable Plaza, the arts and crafts room, dance studio, board room, multimedia room, music room, and several other rooms for hosting events and activities. They offer programs focused on all kinds of topics such as education, fitness, martial arts, sports, yoga, art, and cooking.
Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Address: 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3, Canada
Website: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm
26. Stroll around Van Dusen Botanical Gardens (from USD 7.0)
Stroll through a large variety of elaborate gardens and learn about all the native plant life in Vancouver. Van Dusen Botanical Garden houses over 7,500 species of native and exotic plants in its 55-acre (22-hectare) garden oasis. Aside from viewing all the lovely garden arrangements, guests will also have the chance to view a collection of sculptures created by well-known artists such as David Mashall and Bill Reid. If you stay until dark, you’ll be able to appreciate all the wonderful lighting arrangements placed throughout the park.
VanDusen Botanical Garden Admission Ticket
Duration: 1 day
27. Learn about marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium (from USD 32.0)
Are you looking for a fun place to visit with the family? The Vancouver Aquarium allows you and your family to observe over 50,000 marine life species, including dolphins, piranhas, sharks, otters, sea stars, and tropical fish. Learn more about marine life through their interactive exhibits. Have a chance to feed and handle marine wildlife at the interactive pool. There is also a 4D movie theater that provides an immersive watching experience for you and your family to enjoy.
Vancouver Aquarium Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket
Duration: 1 to 8 hours
28. Admire historical and contemporary art at the Vancouver Art Gallery (from USD 17.0)
Immerse yourself in fine art pieces at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This gallery collects and displays both historical and contemporary art pieces from British Columbia and several international centers. The building itself is a beautiful 20th-century work of architecture. Visitors can expect to view a collection of at least 11,800 artwork, including curated works from famous artist Emily Carr. After observing all the artworks, visitors can then enjoy a lunch break and good food at the 1931 Gallery Bistro’s rooftop patio.
Vancouver Art Gallery Admission
Duration: 1 day
29. Explore Vancouver on a bicycle (from USD 68.0)
If you like the idea of exploring Vancouver through biking, you may want to consider this tour. This Vancouver tour aims to navigate Vancouver’s popular parts on a bike ride with a group of 15 people. All gear such as the bike, basket, helmet, and locks will be provided for all those joining the tour. This five-hour tour will be visiting key areas such as Gastown, Olympic Village, English Bay, and Granville Island. Infant seats are also available for cyclists joining the tour with their children. If you are interested in joining the tour, make sure to wear comfortable clothing with closed footwear to ensure your comfort throughout the experience.
Best of Vancouver!
Duration: 5 hours
The perfect destination
Greater Vancouver is a large place with many municipalities, filled with all kinds of attractions. If you love doing outdoor activities, viewing beautiful sceneries, exploring historical sites, and taking part in fun events, Greater Vancouver has got a place for you and your entire family to visit and enjoy. With so much going on in Metro Vancouver, these listings aim to help you find an activity that will pique your interest. The great thing about visiting the places listed above is that the attractions are usually near other attractions. That means that you can visit more places in a shorter amount of time, allowing you to experience more of Greater Vancouver.
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