Things to Do in Vancouver
Vancouver is smaller than Montreal or Toronto but there is no shortage of things to do and see! With fabulous weather all year round, any time is a great time to go. Here are 20 things to see and do in Western Canada’s fair city:
1. Big Bus Tours: If you want a brief, extensive tour or you like to avoid walking, take the Big Bus! Hop on and off to your heart’s content and see downtown and Granville Island.
www.bigbus.ca
2. Bard on the Beach: Vancouver’s outdoor Shakespeare Festival is held under the big tents in Vanier Park.
www.bardonthebeach.org
3. Festival Cinemas- Located on Burrard and 5th Avenue, Vancouver’s only independent run theatres show quality films.
http://www.festivalcinemas.ca
4. Entertainment District-Granville Street- Granville was Vancouver’s original name. This street is for those who like to night life. Lots of nightclubs, restaurants, shops, and movie theatres…take transit to City Centre, and walk either north or south. Continue over the Granville Street Bridge to trendy South Granville, and under the bridge on the south side to Granville Island Market and False Creek.
http://www.granvillestreet.com/
5. Children’s Festival-held every year in Vanier Park. Entertainment, education, food, fun for kids of all ages!
http://www.childrensfestival.ca
6. TD Jazz Festival -Held every year in June-July this is BC’s biggest music festival.
www.coastaljazz.ca/
7. The EAT Festival- If you like to eat- check out Vancouver’s International cooking and food festival held every June.
http://www.eat-vancouver.com
8. Little Nest- If your little ones want to go to a restaurant that’s just for them, head over to the Drive ( Commercial, that is ) and relax at Little Nest- Great food- and it’s designed specifically for families of all kinds.
http://www.littlenest.ca
9. Maritime Museum-Located on the opposite side of the downtown core in Kits Point, the Maritime Museum is fun for anyone interested in the naval history and maritime traditions of the west coast.
http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
10. Marine Building- Vancouver’s ode the art deco period also doubles as The Daily Planet in the TV show Smallville. A must do: Dim Sum at the Imperial Chinese restaurant: http://www.imperialrest.com/imperial.html
http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/archives_marine_building.htm
Skytrain station: Burrard or Waterfront.
11. Canadians Baseball: Baseball, anyone? Vancouver has minor league baseball in historic Nat Bailey Stadium.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com
12. Museum of Anthropology-UBC- Located on the campus of UBC, the museum is world renowned for its collections, exhibitions and public programs.
www.moa.ubc.ca
13. HR Macmillan Space Centre-Located in Kits point. Fun for the whole family- light and laser shows educational exhibitions as well as cosmic sleepovers! This site is also home to the Vancouver Museum. Discover Vancouver and the universe in one location!
www.museumofvancouver.ca
www.spacecentre.ca/
Bus: 22 Macdonald from Burrard and Robson.
14. Yaletown- what used to be warehouse district is now a trendy shopping and people watching spot. Located just east of downtown, just walk east on Davie to the water of false Creek and you’re there! Check out the Roundhouse Community Centre and let the kids climb the train!
Skytrain: Yaletown
www.yaletowninfo.com
15. Richmond Summer Night Market: If you’re up late go to the Summer Night market in Richmond. Located just south of Vancouver next to the Knight Street Bridge, this Asian market is packed with people food and just about everything you could imagine! Parking is very limited so arrive early.
www.summernightmarket.com
Bus: take the Skytrain to Brighouse then the 407 or 430 to Vulcan Way.
16. Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens-Founded in 1981 the mandate of the garden is to bridge understanding between Chinese and western Cultures. Take a break form the hustle and bustle of downtown and relax as you wander through the serene elements of nature.
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
17. Fireworks-Celebration of Light- Every year hundreds of thousands of people watch the fireworks in English Bay. It’s free and fun- arrive early if you want a seat on the beach! Show starts at 10pm.
www.vancouverfireworks.ca
18. Steveston- Historic Steveston is just 25 minutes south of Vancouver. Walk the docks, buy fresh fish- or sit outside and enjoy a meal or the view!
www.steveston.bc.ca
19. Maplewood Farm- located in North Vancouver this people friendly farm offers the opportunity to see animals up close and personal.
www.maplewoodfarm.bc.ca
20. Metropolis at Metrotown: BC’s biggest mall knows no bounds! Take the Skytrain to Metrotown. Free parking.
www.metropolisatmetrotown.com