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8 Incredible Things to do in Vancouver, Canada

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These are my 8 best places to visit in Vancouver ranging from the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Gastown to Stanley Park and Granville Island. Vancouver is a tiny city which you can easily explore within 2 days.

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the Vancouver trolley company touring me around town in Vancouver, Canada breath-taking view and lunch at the Sand Bar in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada exploring Granville Island south of downtown Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada harbor dock poles at Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada

Recovering from a memorable night in Tokyo, I found myself en route back to Canada with a brief layover in the stunning city of Vancouver, a pleasant interlude on my journey to Toronto.

Map

Best Places for Travel in Vancouver

  • 1. Robson Street

    The main shopping artery of Vancouver

  • 2. Sandbar

    Seafood hot spot under the Granville Island bridge

  • 3. Capilano Suspension Bridge

    One of the most popular Vancouver tourism attractions in British Columbia

  • 4. Stanley Park

    1,001-acre public park that borders the downtown of Vancouver

  • 5. Chinatown

    One of the largest historic Chinatowns in North America

  • 6. Gastown

    Gastown is a mix of hip contemporary fashion and interior furnishing boutiques

yacht harbor at Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada gorgeous view from Granville Island, Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada being such a tourist in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada cycling at Stanley Park, Vancoucer in Vancouver, Canada

With just three days to soak in Vancouver's charm, I was determined to make every moment count, fortunate to be greeted by bright, sunny weather. Here's a rundown of my whirlwind tour:

  • 7. Granville Island

    Make sure to visit the farmers market and day vendors offering local Vancouver goods

  • 8. Yaletown

    Upscale districts with lots of great restaurants and bars

exploring Vancouver on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver, Canada exploring Vancouver on the west coast of Canada

1. Arrival: My first stop after landing was the Le Soleil Hotel in downtown Vancouver. The hotel impressed me with its elegance, notably featuring one of the most comfortable beds I've ever experienced.

creepy statues in downtown Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada tanker and other cargo ships waiting in the Vancouver bay in Vancouver, Canada yacht harbor in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada downtown Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada Granville Island yacht harbor in Vancouver, Canada lunch time at Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada zuiderdam cruise ship in the Vancouver harbor in Vancouver, Canada container trains in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada

2. Exploration Begins: Post-nap, I ventured out to Robson Street for a bit of shopping and brunch. A souvenir shop caught my eye with a stylish Vancouver-themed shirt.

beautiful house on Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada beautiful house on Stanley Park

3. City Tour: I stumbled upon the Vancouver Trolley Company, offering city-wide tours. Eager to explore, I grabbed a ticket and hopped aboard.

tropical trees at Vancouver bay in Vancouver, Canada Lions Gate Bridge view from Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, Canada interesting old tree at Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada classy restaurant at Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada tour boat harbor south of Yaletown, Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada chinatown in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada sun fresh bakery house in Chinatown, Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada

4. Stanley Park: The trolley's first significant stop was Stanley Park, a sprawling 1,001-acre oasis nestled against the Pacific Ocean. It's a historical landmark and a staple of Vancouver’s urban landscape.

grilled salmon on rice at the SandBar on Granville Island, Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada grilled salmon on rice at the SandBar on Granville Island, Vancouver

5. Culinary Delights: For brunch, I ferried over to Granville Island and indulged in exquisite salmon at the Sandbar restaurant. The Granville Island Public Market was a feast for the senses, bustling with local farmers, artisans, and an array of culinary treats.

enjoying a salmon feast lunch at the SandBar in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada Vancouver Police vehicles in Vancouver, Canada view of south Vancouver from the Granville Bridge in Vancouver, Canada monument dedicated to Terry Fox in Vancouver, Canada view of Vancouver from Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada Creek Ferry near Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada ferry for Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada downtown Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada

6. Urban Journey: Back on the trolley, I traveled through the vibrant neighborhoods of Yaletown and Chinatown, passing by the Canucks Stadium and the historic Gastown.

view of Vancouver from Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada view of Vancouver from Stanley Park

7. Seaside Wonders: My final daytime adventure led me to the cruise ship docks, where I marveled at the immense Zuiderdam of the Holland America Line, poised for voyages to Alaska and the Arctic.

flying back from Tokyo for a stopover in Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada enjoying a comfy flight back on AirCanada in Vancouver, Canada dinner on AirCanada flight from Tokyo in Vancouver, Canada tourists at Gastown, Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada the Zuiderdam cuise ship about to depart Vancouver - destination ALASKA in Vancouver, Canada Dutch & Flemish Masterworks at the Vancouver Artgallery in Vancouver, Canada 17th Century Dutch & Flemish Masterworks at the Vancouver ArtGallery in Vancouver, Canada boarding at Narita Airport, Japan in Vancouver, Canada

As night descended, it was time to reconnect with my friend Natalie for a delightful evening of dinner and drinks in the bustling area of Yaletown.

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