TOP 10 Things to do in Vancouver - [2023 Travel Guide]

TOP 10 Things to do in Vancouver - [2023 Travel Guide]

This post is based on our fun trip to this beautiful city. Don't forget to like this post, subscribe to our channel, and enable notifications. And share your own experience or ask a question in the comments below. Sponsored by Beeyond compression packing cubes for travel - helping you save space when you travel and organize your suitcase. The link is in the description. And stick around until the end of this post because we have a bonus for you. Here are our top 10 picks:

Number 10: Gastown Known as the oldest neighborhood in the city, Gastown is a picturesque district in downtown Vancouver. It takes its name from riverboat captain John "Gassy Jack" Deighton, believed to be one of the earliest settlers in the area in 1867. Deighton’s statue was recently torn down due to his controversial past. The neighborhood now preserves its historical character, evident by its heritage buildings and Victorian-style homes. Gastown received a national historic site of Canada designation in 2009 for its notable significance. Exploring Gastown is best discovered by wandering its cobbled streets. Sit in one of the countless restaurants and choose among incredible food options. The neighborhood has a vibrant atmosphere, full of art galleries, boutique shops, historic sites, and the iconic antique-style Steam Clock from 1977. The clock is powered by steam, and every 15 minutes it whistles to tell the time. It is the world's only still-operating steam-powered clock.

Number 9: Unique transportation Forget about typical public transportation like busses and metros and rather embark on a water adventure by riding the cute Aquabus - a unique and colorful way to travel around False Creek, and a great way to use this ferry service also if you are planning to visit the Granville Island. Enjoy a breathtaking waterfront as you ride this rainbow-colored ferry. You can also take a harbour cruise with a dinner option or ride a SeaBus, a ferry service crossing and connecting Downtown and North Vancouver. There are other unique ways to discover Vancouver and its surroundings, like exploring the city from the sky by riding a seaplane, or embarking on a whale watching tour.

Number 8: Science World Science World, located at the east end of False Creek, is a museum of science and technology built for the Expo 86 World Fair. Distinctive for its giant mirrored dome, Science World is one of Vancouver's most famous landmarks. Explore interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits, galleries, and live science demonstrations that will fuel your imagination. Whether you are a local or a traveler, alone or with the whole family, Science World is an exciting destination to spark wonder and ignite one's curiosity.

Number 7: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 450 ft long and 230 ft high suspension bridge spanning the Capilano River in North Vancouver. With its convenient location, the park is one of the most visited places in Vancouver, attracting over 1.2 million visitors every year. Although the bridge has been the main attraction since 1889, there are other things to explore in the park – it also offers thrilling treetop adventures with a breathtaking rainforest view. The Cliffwalk offers a heart-stopping, spectacular view of the canyon below. Enjoy casual dining with a scenic and captivating view of the park. If you visit Vancouver between November and January, don't skip Canyon Lights - when the park transformed into a magical world. We suggest hopping on one of their free shuttle busses departing from various locations in Downtown Vancouver.

Number 6: Chinatown Vancouver's Chinatown is a historic neighborhood boasting traditional shops, cocktail bars, and rich Chinese lifestyle. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Vancouver to work on railroads and in mining operations in the second half of the 1800s. The neighborhood developed into one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. In 2010, the it was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. Taste traditional and authentic Chinese specialties like dim sum in one of the neighborhood's restaurants. Walk around Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden's fascinating pavilions and pathways, the first of its kind outside China. There are other interesting neighborhoods in Vancouver. Check our travel guide for more information. By the way, our mobile-friendly travel guide covers the top 20 things to do in Vancouver, including maps, opening hours, links to buy tickets, and other information.

Number 5: Vancouver Aquarium The Vancouver Aquarium is a popular tourist destination, home to thousands of aquatic species with over one million visitors every year. Established in 1956, it was the first and largest public aquarium in Canada. The facility is an aquarium and a center for marine research and rehabilitation. The aquarium offers a unique experience of the wonders of aquatic life through its impressive exhibits and displays. Learn about rescued marine life and watch cute sea lions in action. Vancouver Aquarium also features a 4D theatre that will transform your senses.

Number 4: Vancouver Maritime Museum Dedicated to showcasing the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic, the Vancouver Maritime Museum is a museum in Vanier Park that opened in 1959. The Vancouver Maritime Museum has a collection of over 15,000 artifacts, numerous model ships, and old photos that tell the stories of important historical voyages and lost expeditions. The museum's most prominent exhibit is St. Roch, a large arctic vessel used during the first west-to-east journey at the Northwest Passage through the Arctic in the 1940s. Because to its significance, the exploration vessel is listed as a National Historic Site. You can actually climb aboard the historic boat and explore the decks and cabins. Don't skip the Ben Franklin, a yellow submarine outside the museum, built for a 30-day study in the Gulf Stream in 1969. Of course, there are other museums in Vancouver worth exploring, like the nearby Museum of Vancouver.

Number 3: Vancouver Lookout Experience Vancouver in the best possible way by visiting a 553 ft high Vancouver Lookout Tower at Harbour Centre. The building was constructed in a popular brutalist style with large-scale use of poured concrete – a popular architectural style at the time. American astronaut Neil Armstrong opened the lookout in 1977. Vancouver Lookout observation deck gives a 360-degree panoramic view of Downtown and beyond. Vancouver Lookout also offers an audio tour and information panels that will help you learn about the different sights you see in front of you. Experience a breathtaking 40-second glass elevator ride of Harbour Centre, one of Vancouver's tallest buildings. You can even enjoy the Top of Vancouver Restaurant, a unique revolving diner.

Number 2: Stanley Park Vancouver's first and largest urban park - Stanley Park, is a green space covering 1,000 acres of land, making up half of the city's Downtown area. The area was used by Indigenous people for thousands of years before the region was colonized by the British during the 1858 Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Stanley Park was designated a national historic site of Canada for its beauty and connection to the environment and the city's culture. This large scenic landscape is filled with forest trails, an aquarium, beautiful beach areas, enchanting Lost Lagoon, and many other iconic sights. Walk around Rose Garden and Shakespeare Garden to enjoy beautiful landscaping paths. The park is also home Don't skip Vancouver Seawall which also passes around Stanley Park and has been declared the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path.

Number 1: Granville Island From a former industrial wasteland to a busy shopping and market hub, the small peninsula of Granville Island is home to over 300 businesses with a million tourists annually. Granville Island Public Market is the most popular attraction, described by many as a food paradise. The market boasts seafood, fresh produce, and gourmet goods from Asian, Mexican, and Greek specialties, and more. Granville Island is also known for its artistic side, with countless theater productions, art galleries and many events. Walk around parks with many hiking trails, enjoy a glass of beer in one of Canada's original microbreweries, or embark on a whale-watching tour; there are plenty of things to discover on the peninsula. And here is the bonus that we promised. Did you know you can experience world-class skiing less than an hour away from Vancouver? If you're there during winter months, jump on a convenient ski bus from Downtown Vancouver and ski down the slopes at Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, or Mt Seymour Resort. And if you're willing to ride just a little farther, try one of the best ski resorts in North America - Whistler Blackcomb. You can also explore the mountains during the summer or embark on a hiking adventure and experience breathtaking nature of Vancouver surroundings, like Bowen and Vancouver Islands. We wish you a fantastic trip to Vancouver.