The Local's Guide to Vancouver
Favourite Things To Do
There's so much to do in Vancouver in any season! Here are a few of my favourite things to do in and around Vancouver.
Bike (or walk) the Stanley Park seawall
It takes about 30 mins to bike around the seawall, or 2 hours to walk. There are several bike rental stores on Denman Street that will set you up with a bike for the day. Enjoy takeout or a picnic at a locals beach (Third Beach) or in English Bay.
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스탠리 공원
610 Pipeline RdBike (or walk) the Stanley Park seawall
It takes about 30 mins to bike around the seawall, or 2 hours to walk. There are several bike rental stores on Denman Street that will set you up with a bike for the day. Enjoy takeout or a picnic at a locals beach (Third Beach) or in English Bay.
Visit the Beach
Kitsilano beach is quite popular in the summertime, along with the giant saltwater Kits Pool and there’s no denying its appeal. Another favourite is Spanish Banks Beach. At low tide, you can walk out for hundreds of meters on the tidal flats which makes for fun exploring. There is a walking/biking path all along the beach as well so it’s also a nice place for walks in the spring and fall.
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스패니시뱅크스
Visit the Beach
Kitsilano beach is quite popular in the summertime, along with the giant saltwater Kits Pool and there’s no denying its appeal. Another favourite is Spanish Banks Beach. At low tide, you can walk out for hundreds of meters on the tidal flats which makes for fun exploring. There is a walking/biking path all along the beach as well so it’s also a nice place for walks in the spring and fall.
Take a tram almost straight up the mountain to the top. There is lots to do at the top in summer (eg. hiking, giant windmill, see owls and bears) and winter (ice skating, sledding, skiing). Heaps of fun! And if you're looking a tough workout you can even hike the "Grouse Grind" up to the top, then take the tram down.
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그라우스산
6400 Nancy Greene WayTake a tram almost straight up the mountain to the top. There is lots to do at the top in summer (eg. hiking, giant windmill, see owls and bears) and winter (ice skating, sledding, skiing). Heaps of fun! And if you're looking a tough workout you can even hike the "Grouse Grind" up to the top, then take the tram down.
Quarry Rock in Deep Cove is a relatively short hike at about 45 mins round-trip. At the top, there is a large rock which acts as a viewpoint to the cove below. After the hike, stroll Deep Cove’s charming Main St which is popular for offering well-earned donuts and ice cream.
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쿼리록
Baden Powell TrailQuarry Rock in Deep Cove is a relatively short hike at about 45 mins round-trip. At the top, there is a large rock which acts as a viewpoint to the cove below. After the hike, stroll Deep Cove’s charming Main St which is popular for offering well-earned donuts and ice cream.
Lynn Valley Park in North Vancouver also has many hiking paths, some flatter and some steeper. As an added bonus, in and among these trails is a special spot called the 30-foot pool. It’s a local’s destination with a picturesque swimming area fed by a river. Note: Use caution! You may see people cliff jumping in the summer but it’s not safe if you don't know the river bottom. Also, if you plan to swim you’ll need to walk on the river rocks, use caution as they can be slippery or wobbly. Water shoes are recommended.
30 Foot Pool, Lynn Canyon, North Vancouver
Lynn Valley Park in North Vancouver also has many hiking paths, some flatter and some steeper. As an added bonus, in and among these trails is a special spot called the 30-foot pool. It’s a local’s destination with a picturesque swimming area fed by a river. Note: Use caution! You may see people cliff jumping in the summer but it’s not safe if you don't know the river bottom. Also, if you plan to swim you’ll need to walk on the river rocks, use caution as they can be slippery or wobbly. Water shoes are recommended.
You can drive and park there, or take the water taxi across False Creek to Granville island (about a ~5 min ride). You can catch the water taxi from Science World, David Lam Park in Yaletown or at the foot of Howe St. If you want a longer ride, you can stay on the water taxi while it putts around False Creek for a scenic (and affordable tour). The Granville Island public market is full of local vendors selling food and wares, while the side streets around the island house artists workshops and small studios which are fun to wander and browse. For those with kids, there’s a Children’s Market at the South end of the island with a playground directly beside.
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그랜빌 섬
You can drive and park there, or take the water taxi across False Creek to Granville island (about a ~5 min ride). You can catch the water taxi from Science World, David Lam Park in Yaletown or at the foot of Howe St. If you want a longer ride, you can stay on the water taxi while it putts around False Creek for a scenic (and affordable tour). The Granville Island public market is full of local vendors selling food and wares, while the side streets around the island house artists workshops and small studios which are fun to wander and browse. For those with kids, there’s a Children’s Market at the South end of the island with a playground directly beside.
The Quay itself has a market similar to Granville Island’s. In addition, if you have kids, right beside the Quay there is a giant outdoor area covered from the rain called The Shipyards. In the winter they turn it into an ice rink with public skating, and the spring, summer and fall, it’s an open paved area with small gas fires to warm up at and various fun things to play (eg. Basketball, ping pong). Restaurant patios and coffee shops line the area.
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Lonsdale Quay Hotel
123 Carrie Cates CtThe Quay itself has a market similar to Granville Island’s. In addition, if you have kids, right beside the Quay there is a giant outdoor area covered from the rain called The Shipyards. In the winter they turn it into an ice rink with public skating, and the spring, summer and fall, it’s an open paved area with small gas fires to warm up at and various fun things to play (eg. Basketball, ping pong). Restaurant patios and coffee shops line the area.
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is devoted to cultural artifacts from around the world, but it’s special draw is an incredible collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art including large carvings, sculptures and weaving. Well worth a visit.
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Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrThe Museum of Anthropology at UBC is devoted to cultural artifacts from around the world, but it’s special draw is an incredible collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art including large carvings, sculptures and weaving. Well worth a visit.
Favourite Lakes
Alouette Lake (Golden Ears Park in Maple Ridge) or White Pine Beach (Port Moody) are both very picturesque lakes with a beach, suitable for swimming the summertime or hiking in other seasons. Tip: If you go in summer, go early as the parking lots fill quickly.
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Alouette Lake
Favourite Lakes
Alouette Lake (Golden Ears Park in Maple Ridge) or White Pine Beach (Port Moody) are both very picturesque lakes with a beach, suitable for swimming the summertime or hiking in other seasons. Tip: If you go in summer, go early as the parking lots fill quickly.
You can rent a kayak (or paddleboard) at Deep Cove and it’s a wonderful natural location for kayaking with very little boat traffic.
Note: You can also kayak in false creek which is much closer (downtown), but just be aware there will be more boat traffic, although you’ll get a nice view of the city.
딥 코브 공원
You can rent a kayak (or paddleboard) at Deep Cove and it’s a wonderful natural location for kayaking with very little boat traffic.
Note: You can also kayak in false creek which is much closer (downtown), but just be aware there will be more boat traffic, although you’ll get a nice view of the city.
Food scene
Nearly every Saturday from May through October there is a large farmers market nearby at Trout Lake which sells the most beautiful produce around. (In the wintertime, a winter market is located at Riley Park). And just like a typical farmers market, there are also all kinds of goodies to be found such as gifts, chocolates, etc. Side note: if La Boheme Creperie just happens to be there, consider trying one of their buckwheat crepes for lunch. They’re amazing!
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Vancouver Farmers Markets
1991 Grant StNearly every Saturday from May through October there is a large farmers market nearby at Trout Lake which sells the most beautiful produce around. (In the wintertime, a winter market is located at Riley Park). And just like a typical farmers market, there are also all kinds of goodies to be found such as gifts, chocolates, etc. Side note: if La Boheme Creperie just happens to be there, consider trying one of their buckwheat crepes for lunch. They’re amazing!
Amazing vietnamese food. Reservations recommended during the dinner rush, or do takeout!
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Anh And Chi
3388 Main StAmazing vietnamese food. Reservations recommended during the dinner rush, or do takeout!
Maenam
1938 W 4th AveMy favourite Thai restaurant. Incredible, authentic flavours.
Mexican casual (eg. tacos). Affordable option but also quite tasty and popular!
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Sal y Limón
701 KingswayMexican casual (eg. tacos). Affordable option but also quite tasty and popular!
Fantastic local pizza place. My favourite is the Fungi, but they're all good :)
Gluten free crust available if desired.
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Pizza Carano
4241 Fraser StFantastic local pizza place. My favourite is the Fungi, but they're all good :)
Gluten free crust available if desired.
Charming and authentic french bistro. The owner is lovely and very friendly.
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Les Faux Bourgeois
663 E 15th AveCharming and authentic french bistro. The owner is lovely and very friendly.
Delicious specialty ice cream. Whiskey Hazlenut is probably their most popular flavour. About a 10 minute walk from the suite.
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Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StDelicious specialty ice cream. Whiskey Hazlenut is probably their most popular flavour. About a 10 minute walk from the suite.
Hands-down the best ice cream ever. They even make their own waffle cones using waffle presses.
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Rain or Shine Ice Cream
1926 W 4th AveHands-down the best ice cream ever. They even make their own waffle cones using waffle presses.
Day Trips
Highlights of this day trip are the Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls (a very large waterfall), hiking the Stawamus Chief (“The Chief”), seeing eagles at the river in Brackendale (in the winter months) and the Britannia Mine Museum.
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Squamish
Highlights of this day trip are the Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls (a very large waterfall), hiking the Stawamus Chief (“The Chief”), seeing eagles at the river in Brackendale (in the winter months) and the Britannia Mine Museum.
Take a water taxi to Bowen Island for the day. A small passenger boat runs there from Granville Island, or there is a larger car ferry that runs from Horseshoe Bay (reservations recommended either way). Bowen island is a small but cute island with a rock beach, a few shops and lots of outdoor activities from kayaking to fishing to biking.
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Bowen Island
Take a water taxi to Bowen Island for the day. A small passenger boat runs there from Granville Island, or there is a larger car ferry that runs from Horseshoe Bay (reservations recommended either way). Bowen island is a small but cute island with a rock beach, a few shops and lots of outdoor activities from kayaking to fishing to biking.
For a nice day-trip, visit Whistler. It’s a 90-minute drive each way. In the summer try the stunning swimming lakes (Alta Lake at Rainbow park, or Lost Lake) and in the winter you can ice skate in Olympic Plaza in the village, try bobsledding, skiing, tobogganing or just walk and explore the village stroll.
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Whistler
For a nice day-trip, visit Whistler. It’s a 90-minute drive each way. In the summer try the stunning swimming lakes (Alta Lake at Rainbow park, or Lost Lake) and in the winter you can ice skate in Olympic Plaza in the village, try bobsledding, skiing, tobogganing or just walk and explore the village stroll.
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교통편
By Car or by Bike
By Car:
Depending on traffic, below are the typical times to travel by car to popular Vancouver spots:
• Main & Fraser Streets – 2 min
• Downtown – 10 mins
• Stanley Park – 15 mins
• Kitsilano Beach – 15 mins (a little further for Jericho beach and Spanish banks)
• The North Shore – 20 mins (depending on bridge traffic)
By Bike:
Vancouver is a very bike-friendly city, with an extensive network of bike streets and lanes. I recommend using https://vancouver.bikerouteplanner.com/ to plan your route via the safer bike streets.
교통편
By Transit
By Transit
There are 3 major bus routes within a few blocks:
#19 – takes you downtown and to Stanley Park
#25 – takes you to the Canada Line Skytrain (to the airport if you go South, to downtown if you go North) and UBC.
#22 – takes you downtown and to Kitsilano beach
You can find the fastest/easiest transit routes to anywhere in Vancouver using the Google Maps app (click on the transit icon while searching for Directions).