1. Why is Vancouver famous?

The mild climate and stunning landscape featuring skyscrapers surrounded by unparalleled nature are what draw people’s attention to Vancouver. Its well-balanced natural and city life, along with its friendly locals, make it one of the popular Canadian cities for vacation and residency. Due to its sustainability efforts, Vancouver is dubbed as one of the greenest and most liveable cities in the world. With sites like English Bay, Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the largest Chinatown in Canada, there are more than enough things to see and do in Vancouver that can convey why it’s famous in these aspects.

2. Is it cheaper in Vancouver or Toronto?

Both cities of Vancouver and Toronto often land on the list of top places in Canada, and with popularity comes the price tag. Most of the online data resources show that Vancouver is a more expensive place to live in compared to Toronto. This result is commonly linked to Vancouver’s natural barriers and smaller land mass. But it doesn’t fall short of economical accommodations as there are affordable Airbnbs under 57 USD in Vancouver.

However, the Cost of Living City Ranking 2022 survey of Mercer, an asset management company, reveals otherwise. Toronto ranks 89th in the list of most expensive cities in the world for international employees while Vancouver is lagging at the 108th spot. Generally, both of these cities are similarly expensive and it all boils down to lifestyle.

3. Where is the best area to stay in Vancouver?

When exploring Canada, Vancouver is one of the greatest places to begin your adventures. But where you stay in this city can still make or break your trip. Those visiting for the terrific nightlife must lodge in Gastown, the oldest but hippest part of Downtown Vancouver. The quaint Airbnb vacation rentals in Gastown are just the perfect retreats after all your partying pursuits.

Meanwhile, traveling families can head straight to Yaletown, which is the upmarket district of Downtown Vancouver. The Seawall, trendy restaurants, cafes, galleries, parks, and hotels in Yaletown altogether make it a quiet yet deluxe neighborhood.

The laid-back area of West End is another great option, especially for those who would want to enjoy a warm day away from the busy downtown. There are relaxing Airbnb vacation rentals in West End that you can return to after admiring the parks and beaches abound.

4. How many days is enough in Vancouver?

There are plenty of things to do in Vancouver that you could spend a week and still miss out on worthwhile spots and attractions. Since most vacations here are short visits, you can do justice to your trip and get a better grasp of Vancouver by devoting three days to an adventure in the city, ocean, and mountains.

Exploring the city would be effortless through the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus service as it will take you to diverse urban neighborhoods, the vibrant city center, and the tranquil harbor district. For a day at the sea, embark on one of the several boat tours in Vancouver. With this activity, you’ll not only get a glimpse of migratory whales but also of the city from a new perspective. Your getaway will end on a high note through a journey in the mountains. The forested Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is just a quick bus ride from downtown and the ideal spot to enjoy towering cedars and the river.

5. What is the most beautiful part of Vancouver?

There is a bundle of beautiful places to explore in Vancouver but the true stars of this city are its natural sites: remarkable parks, breathtaking mountain ranges, and spectacular coast. A must-visit in this city is Queen Elizabeth Park, a notable horticultural gem showcasing floral displays, an arboretum, and a quarry garden. Any visit to Vancouver isn’t complete without strolling its Seawall which offers visitors more than 17 miles (28 kilometers) of uninterrupted waterfront path and scenery. One of the romantic places in Vancouver that also showcases its majestic shoreline is Sunset Beach. The scenic spot is less crowded and, as its name implies, a great vantage point to catch the Canadian golden hour.

6. When is the best time to visit Vancouver?

With Vancouver’s coastal location, the best time to schedule your trip here is during summer, from July to September. You’ll love the sunny days in this city as they are rarely scorching and the weather offers a hint of a cool breeze. Spring, which is from April to June, is also a great season to visit if you wish to catch the phenomenal pink cherry blossoms in full bloom. Be well aware of the weather during November and December as these are the time when Vancouver is saturated and experiences frequent rainfall. But don’t let the downpour kill the fun as there are still enjoyable things to do in Vancouver when it rains.

7. What should I not miss in Vancouver?

Nestled between the crystal-clear ocean and snow-capped mountains, Vancouver is unsurprisingly home to several natural marvels. And if you fail to explore Vancouver’s nature-oriented attractions, did you really go there? So you wouldn’t doubt that your visit is immersive, you must include Stanley Park in your itinerary for a day spent enjoying a beach, aquarium, golf course, pool, tennis courts, and more. Tourists also mob Grouse Mountain no matter the season for thrilling outdoor pursuits such as hiking, ziplining, and snowshoeing. Moreover, one of the exciting things to do on a weekend in Vancouver is to explore Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is a destination for adrenaline and tranquility alike.

8. Is Banff near Vancouver?

To put the vastness of Western Canada in perspective, taking the city of Vancouver and the resort town of Banff as examples is the perfect way to visualize its immensity. These two destinations have a distance that traverses three mountain ranges and spans roughly 900 kilometers (559 miles). At this stretch, it appears that Paris, France, and Munich, Germany are closer to one another.

You can reach Banff from Vancouver via different modes of transportation including plane, train, bus, and car. The long journey will be well worth it once you start embarking on the exciting things to do in Banff.

9. Do you need a car when visiting Vancouver?

Vancouver boasts an extensive network of public transportation systems that provide service across major attractions, mostly traversing the inner city. If you’re staying in Downtown Vancouver, it doesn’t quite make sense to drive a car. You will find it effortless to walk or use public transit when hopping from one attraction to another. Plus, you’ll save yourself from the hassle of finding a proper parking spot for your vehicle when touring. But if you’re keen to arrive by car, you can check into one of the hotels with free parking in Vancouver for a more convenient experience.

Downtown has plenty of fun attractions to explore, but don’t neglect the sights elsewhere around the city as every neighborhood is within biking distance and never beyond 40 minutes away via bus.

10. How can I spend my evening in Vancouver?

It would be a blunder to rush back to your accommodation after dusk in Vancouver. Extending an outdoor escape in this city is a breeze for any interest as there are lots of things to do at night in Vancouver. Those who want to gulp a pint (or more) of beer and savor tasty light bites can head over to Craft Beer Market Restaurant. If you’re feeling romantic, you can watch the glorious sunset aboard a dining cruise with your significant other.

For something offbeat, delve into the mysterious side of Gastown with the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour or uniquely dine in the dark at Dark Table Restaurant. Shopping is surely one of your top plans in this city so you must not miss out on the best night markets in Vancouver, especially Richmond Night Market.

11. Does Vancouver have a good nightlife?

With amazing clubs, perky dance venues, live music, comedy bars, and celebrity hotspots, Vancouver has it all. The live entertainment options here are varied and vibrant, you’ll be spoiled with choices for eventful nightlife. The Granville Entertainment District, for instance, is the place to be up until late at night as several dance clubs, restaurants, and bars line up the whole block. Nightclubs such as The Belmont Bar and The Roxy Cabaret do get packed, so get there ahead of the big crowd and take advantage of your early arrival with a crafty cocktail.

Who says Chinatown doesn’t know how to party? This area of Vancouver tucks Fortune Sound Club, a party venue that highlights up-and-coming Canadian and international DJs and a variety of themed nights.

12. Where is the party scene in Vancouver?

You’ll be enticed to party hard when you stay in the districts of Granville Street, Yaletown, and Davie Street, which are all located in midtown. These areas are epicenters for nightly entertainment, where the club and bar scenes are intense. One of the top dance and beer venues in Granville is The Roxy Cabaret while Opus Bar takes the upscale nightlife spotlight on Davie Street in Downtown Vancouver. Meanwhile, the trendy Bar None is the staple for partygoers in Yaletown.

As these upbeat places tend to get crowded, you might just want to consider throwing your own party in one of these districts. There are party houses for rent and party hotels in Vancouver that you can check out for a more exclusive night of grooving, drinking, and partying.

13. Why is Vancouver so expensive?

Present any gorgeous and pleasant place to live; everyone would want to live there. The world-renowned beauty of Vancouver continuously attracts more people to its limited land mass, making real estate tightly competitive. On the other hand, Vancouver’s stunning topography is also one of its drawbacks as it is restrained by the ocean on three sides, which leads its downtown core to get densely populated and have an expensive land area. This follows nitty-gritty economics but simply put, costly land area leads to higher business prices and operations, hence the higher cost of living.

Although the average lifestyle in Vancouver is pretty pricey compared to other Canadian provinces, people still choose to flood there. The reason might be the remarkable standard of living that it offers to its locals.

14. Which are the cheapest hotels in Vancouver?

Vancouver has a reputation for being an expensive city to live in but that doesn’t have to deter you from visiting. There’s no need to break the bank for a Vancouver getaway as you’ll find several cost-effective hotels for accommodation. GEC Granville Suites Downtown, a budget hotel in downtown Vancouver, is a 3-star hotel that offers a gym and rooms with laptop-friendly workspaces. Likely to appeal to those who wouldn’t want to venture far for a delectable meal, English Bay Hotel has three restaurants within its premises. To widen your options, you can have Best Western Plus Vancouver Airport Hotel as a convenient base since it provides a free roundtrip airport shuttle service.

15. What is the best way to get around in Vancouver?

First-time visitors to Vancouver are always taken aback upon learning how compact the city is. From attractions to shopping and outdoor recreation, everything is easily accessible on foot, by bike, and via public transportation within Vancouver. Its tons of tourist destinations and well-known neighborhoods are located within short walking and biking distance through dedicated bike paths and greenways. But if you want to offer your feet a well-deserved break, the city’s TransLink system is always a welcoming and inexpensive option. This public transportation network system includes SkyTrain, SeaBus ferry, and several bus links that serve both locals and visitors.

A car will cause more nuisance than convenience when you’re in downtown Vancouver as parking is scarce and costly. Renting or bringing a car is only worth considering if you have certain plans for road trips.

16. What food is Vancouver famous for?

The most distinguished specialties of Vancouver pay homage to its coastal and multinational influences. Any Vancouverite would recommend that you savor dishes incorporated with high-quality seafood to relish an authentic west coast experience. Aside from the usual recipes, there are more unique bites and foods to try in Vancouver that every foodie must indulge in. You can enjoy the strong Asian attributes in this city’s culinary landscape by snacking on a JapaDog, a Japanese-inspired hotdog topped with seaweed flakes, and BC Rolls, crispy yet moist salmon sushi with a local touch. Another street food that you must try in Vancouver is Salmon Candy, which is an addictive smoked salmon coated with either maple syrup or local honey.

17. Does Vancouver have any Michelin-starred restaurants?

It is no secret that Vancouver has its own fair share of incredible restaurants. And it is not just the locals that learned to appreciate the city’s top-notch cuisine as Michelin Guide recently announced that Vancouver is now a certified Michelin Guide Destination. As of this writing, we are all being kept on our toes. Michelin Guide is scheduled to announce the roster of Vancouver restaurants that have been awarded the coveted Michelin stars on October 27, 2022, at 7:30 pm through an online live event. You better tune into the live stream to immediately snag reservations at the successful restaurants as their seats will surely run out fast.

18. How much should I budget for food in Vancouver?

Aside from Vancouver’s sights and sounds, you’ll certainly want to treat yourself to delicious food. If you’re staying for a basic vacation, your food spending will be around 15 USD per meal or 30 USD per day. This ballpark amount greatly varies based on your spending habits, how often you eat out, and your choice of dining venues. In particular, a solo meal at an inexpensive joint will cost you 20 USD while a regular bill for two at an average restaurant can reach as much as 100 USD. Don’t be afraid to visit the back alleys and food stalls of your district as you’ll find affordable yet tasty bites. For you to get your mouth watering, why not get onboard a food tour in Vancouver during your visit?

19. What do I need to know about traveling to Vancouver?

If you’ve reached this point of the article, we might have itched the wanderlust in you to travel to Vancouver soon. But before you get your plans rolling, here are a few things you need to know before traveling: i) tourists must have a valid visa to enter Canada, except for visa-exempt foreign nationals, ii) know what Canadian season your trip falls under and pack your suitcases accordingly, iii) safety is rarely an issue in Vancouver but beware of thieves who creep into the city, iv) Vancouver has a “Raincouver” reputation but the rains are hardly heavy that you can’t enjoy the outdoors, i) you actually don’t need a private car to get around as the city is tiny and has expensive and rare parking spots, vi) tipping is optional but generally expected when receiving services, and vii) free public WiFi access are available throughout the city via #VanWiFi.

20. How do I get to Whistler from Vancouver?

Nothing beats Whistler when it comes to a winter holiday in all of North America. Luckily, this premier ski resort is situated just 75 miles (120 kilometers) away from Vancouver and effortlessly accessible through several means. The traditional road trip is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to reach Whistler if you have a car. Travel time will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you don’t want to navigate the scenic highway yourself, you can choose to ride the bus which will take around 2 hours on the road. Lastly, for a dramatic entrance to Whistler, you can go by seaplane and land on Green Lake or by helicopter to disembark at the summit. This luxurious flight is the quickest way to arrive in the resort town and lasts for roughly 30 minutes.