The CN Tower stands high above the city of Toronto. Its the defining feature of the city’s skyline, and it has even been recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World (as named by the American Society of Civil Engineers). It used …
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. Its not the Canadian capital – that honour goes to Ottawa, but its definitely my favourite city in the entire country. Its situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, …
A trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without spending some time in Stanley Park. Known for its natural beauty and ample greenery within walking distance of the city’s downtown, the people of Vancouver are blessed with this sprawling public space, and they know it! Make sure you dedicate at least a few hours of your Vancouver trip exploring the park and you’ll learn to appreciate it as well. Fair warning though, the park is huge. Like seriously, HUGE. There’s no way you can see it all in one visit. That’s where this post comes in though, as I’ll give you a run down of some of the best things to do in Stanley Park as a first time tourist.
Covering a whopping 405 hectares, the area that makes up Stanley Park today was originally home to the Squamish and Musqueam First Nation tribes, with villages dating back some 3,000 years ago. With the late 17th century arrival of Europeans, early Spanish settlers established trading posts with the local tribes in the area. By the mid 19th century, the park was used as a military reserve due to its strategic position, overlooking the entrance to Vancouver harbour.
As Vancouver’s population expanded following the Canadian Gold Rush, Stanley Park was eventually declared a city park in 1888. It was named after the Governor General, Lord Stanley. The park underwent massive development throughout the 20th century, with the eviction of residents and a conversion of the area to focus on recreational activity. Despite the range of tourist attractions throughout the park however, it also remains an oasis for nature lovers. The park today is home to numerous species including coyotes, beavers and hundreds of types of birds.
You could spend a whole day in Stanley Park (if not more). If you’re only in Vancouver for a few days, you probably don’t have time to do that. Therefore here’s some of the highlights to help you decide how best to spend your time in the park.
Ask someone about Stanley Park and chances are you’ll hear about the Seawall. Its the park’s defining feature and is a must when visiting. Construction of the Seawall took place from 1917 to 1980 and the trail stretches the entire 8.8 kilometres around the park’s exterior. It takes about three hours to walk the whole loop (or less if you rent a bike) and provides some of the best waterside views in Vancouver. Not only will you see the city skyline and the impressive ships docked in English Bay, but you’ll continue along to spectacular mountain vistas to the north and eventually the Pacific Ocean when you hit the park’s west side.
If you don’t plan to walk the entire Seawall (or even if you do but aren’t sure if you’ll make it the whole way) definitely travel around the park in a counter clockwise direction – most of the park’s highlights are on the east side of Stanley Park. When I visited, I walked along the Seawall until I got to Prospect Point (site of the Lion’s Gate Bridge to the city’s north) before doubling back through the park’s interior. If you’re renting a bike, you’ll have to go counter-clockwise anyway since cyclists are only permitted to ride in one direction.
One of the most popular spots in the park is Brockton Point. While its also is where you’ll find the park’s lighthouse, its better known for the famous collection of totem poles that pay tribute to the park’s original inhabitants. There’s 9 totem poles in total at Brockton Point and they were all crafted by local First Nations tribes found throughout British Columbia. While many of the original poles have now been replaced by replicas, they remain awe inspiring regardless. They’re also culturally significant, telling stories of individuals and communities, providing insight into First Nations’ beliefs.
The newest of Stanley Park’s totem poles was only added in 2009. Unlike the other poles, its an original and was carved by Robert Yelton of the Squamish Nation.
You’ll also find the Vancouver Aquarium in the middle of Stanley Park. Known as Canada’s largest aquarium, its home to over 65,000 fish and other aquatic animals, both from the local area and those found further abroad. You’ll see the usual aquarium suspects of sharks, eels, octopus and others, but there’s also a rainforest area included in your admission where you can see exotic birds, turtles, sloths and more. And of course, you can’t miss the adorable otters.
I didn’t personally visit the Vancouver Aquarium when I was in Stanley Park, but that was mainly due to time constraints. I’ve heard great things from everyone that has been there though, so have no problem recommending it. Admission to the aquarium will cost you approximately $38.00 CAD, but exact price depends on the date you visit. Check out the aquarium’s official website here for more details and to buy your tickets in advance. The aquarium is open daily, generally from 9.30am – 5.30pm.
If you need a break after all that walking but still want to see more of Stanley Park, why not see more from a horse drawn carriage?. If you’re at the park between February and November, you can organise this relatively easily. No pre-booking is necessary – just show up to the kiosk at Coal Harbour and you’ll be all set for a fully narrated tour that takes you around much of the park’s major highlights. It is pricey (expect it to cost around $50.00 CAD per person), but if you’re looking for a special way to see the park in comfort, this is it. You can find out more here.
While everyone does the Seawalk and the totem poles, the interior of Stanley Park is often neglected by visitors. In my view that’s a mistake, as by wandering along the park’s less explored trails, you’ll truly take yourself into nature to the point where its easy to forget you’re a mere stroll from a major city. While there’s numerous options, if you’re coming back from the far side of the park along the main road, Beaver’s Lake is an easy diversion. Deep within the park’s forest, you’ll be sheltered from the sounds of urban life and traffic around this lily filled pond. I’m not actually sure if there’s beavers here (despite the name), but look hard enough and you might come across some racoons, squirrels or other local furry creatures.
There’s a myriad of sculptures and other art displays throughout Stanley Park. Take some time during your visit to spot some of them. There’s too many to list, but here’s some of the more famous ones:
As you can see, there’s a lot of things to do in Stanley Park. This is hardly a comprehensive list – we haven’t even mentioned the beaches, the restaurants or the miniature train! You could spend days if you really wanted to see the entirety of Stanley Park, but hopefully this post has given you an idea of some of its best features. Have I missed anything? Let me know!
If you’re looking up places to visit in Vancouver, chances are the Capilano Suspension Bridge is showing up fairly high on that list. Its definitely one of the most popular things to do in the Vancouver area. Having visited Capilano during my recent trip to …
Grouse Mountain is a great place to visit for half a day when in Vancouver. In fact, it was my favourite attraction that I went to while in the city. Located just a short ride north from Vancouver’s centre, Grouse Mountain is one of the …
Ah Vancouver – the capital of British Columbia. Gateway to the Rocky Mountains, and the largest city in Canada’s west. The perfect mix of city and nature. Among its many accolades, Vancouver is regularly voted one of the world’s most liveable cities – and for good reason – its beautiful and there is plenty to do! I recently spent 2 days in Vancouver. It was part of a larger trip across Canada, but this amazing city left an impression on me. While my time in the city was relatively short, I managed to see quite a bit. In this post I’ll be providing an overview of all you need to know to spend a similar amount of time in Vancouver. Over time I also hope to write in more detail about the various places I visited around the city.
I spent 2 days in Vancouver during the first week of July (I actually got in the day after Canada Day!). To be honest, its the perfect time to visit the city. Vancouver can get very cold and wet in the winter (averaging around 6 degrees Celsius), so I’d definitely recommend visiting in the summer months – especially as most of the city’s attractions involve the great outdoors. In summer, you can expect temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius and long days – the sun didn’t set until around 9pm when I was there!
Its really easy to get to Vancouver. The city is serviced by Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is the second largest airport in Canada. Its located to the south of the city and sees flights arrive from all over the world. Being the point of entry for most travellers to the western half of Canada, you won’t struggle to find a flight that gets you to Vancouver, regardless of where you’re coming from.
Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you’ve got a few options to get into the city. While there’s the usual suspects of Uber and taxis, I’d recommend taking the Skytrain’s Canada Line. You can board the train at the airport terminal, and for less than $10.00 CAD, you’ll be in the city centre some 25 minutes later. Its really convenient to use as trains run every couple of minutes from early morning until midnight. If you’re staying in the main downtown area, you’ll want to get off at Waterfront Station.
Note that most countries require a visa or Electronic Transit Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Being an Australian citizen, I was eligible for an eTA, which is valid for 5 years (or until you get a new passport) and costs $7.00 CAD. Apply at least a week in advance on the official website (the process is quite straightforward) if you are eligible. As always, make sure you check specific requirements for entry (including any covid related restrictions) well before your trip.
If you’re only spending 2 days in Vancouver, you won’t have much trouble getting around. I actually walked most of the time, though with attractions further out I had to rely on other means of transport. As far as public transport goes, Vancouver’s TransLink bus service is extensive throughout the city and fairly easy to use (though you do need exact change for fares if you’re paying cash). You can also rely on the SkyTrain to get around the city, especially when you’re venturing further out from the city centre. With the city being so well connected, I wouldn’t really bother with Uber or Lyft – they’re comparatively much more expensive.
Vancouver also has a great public bike-share scheme called Mobi. Its a popular way to get around, though I didn’t use it during my stay – if I had longer than 2 days in Vancouver, I definitely would have looked into it.
For a first time traveller to Vancouver, I’d recommend staying somewhere in the city centre – somewhere between Stanley Park and the Gastown area (though Gastown itself can be a bit dirty). You’ll be within walking distance to some of the city’s more notable sights.
Vancouver is a fairly expensive city. You can expect to pay the following prices for a double room during summer per night:
I stayed at the Carmana Plaza during my stay in Vancouver. It was a fairly expensive hotel, but it was worth it. The rooms are amazing, consisting of a full on apartment suite, complete with a bedroom, living space, kitchen, bathroom and desk/sunroom area. If you can splurge a little, I’d highly recommend it. The staff were amazing as well.
The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Credit cards are widely used and ATMs can be found everywhere.
Vancouver is an extremely safe city. I never felt uncomfortable at all while staying in and around the city. You should of course be aware of your surroundings in case of petty theft and pickpockets (like everywhere in the world), but you’re unlikely to face any problems during your stay.
While you won’t see everything with only 2 days in Vancouver, a short stay in the city will allow you to visit many of the cities major attractions. You’ll also be able to get out of the city itself and enjoy its incredibly scenic surroundings.
The first of 2 days in Vancouver focuses on the main attractions and neighbourhoods within the city of Vancouver itself. Its a fairly busy day, best attempted in the long sunlight hours of the summer. Realistically, you could do this entire day on foot like I did, but the public transport system can help you out if you find there’s a bit too much walking involved.
Start out your day with a visit to Vancouver’s Chinatown, which happens to be the second largest in North America. This neighbourhood dates back to the initial wave of Chinese immigrants that came to Vancouver in the mid-19th century in search of gold and jobs along the Canadian Pacific Highway. Now covering the area between Carrall and Gore Streets, Chinatown is recognised as a historic area and is well worth a visit. The most famous site in the area is the Millennium Gate. You should stop by for photos of this elaborately decorated piece of architecture before moving on to the real highlight of the area – the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden.
While there are Chinese gardens in many cities around the world, Vancouver’s was the first classical garden of its kind to be built outside of China. Its a tranquil escape from the surrounding urban bustle and has even been recognised by National Geographic as the world’s top city garden. Its filled with winding paths, rock formations, pagodas and ponds that you can wander around. The garden’s design is heavily influenced by Taoist principles, and I’d highly recommend joining the free 45 minute guided tour so that you can learn more about this. There’s also an area where you can sample Chinese teas during your visit.
Your next stop should be a visit to Granville Island. Its not actually an island (its built on a peninsular along False Creek to the south), but its one of the most famous districts in all of Vancouver, primarily known for its Public Market. Filled with countless stalls, market vendors sell all kinds of food products, ranging from local berries to fresh salmon. There’s a food court offering nearly everything under the sun, as well as numerous restaurants of varying price ranges and local breweries, making this a great stop for lunch.
After grabbing a waterside feed, you can spend some time checking out Granville Island’s booming arts scene. The areas contains a myriad of small art galleries and studios that you should poke your head into while enjoying Granville’s atmosphere. While you’re at it, don’t miss the famous Giants piece – a series of murals painted on massive cement silos dating back to Granville Island’s industrial past.
Its a bit of a walk to Granville Island from Chinatown (around 40 minutes). I enjoyed the walk through the city streets to get there, as well as the water taxi ride across False Creek, but if you’d like to give your feet a rest, consider taking the 050 Translink Bus to get there in about half the time.
Once you’ve finished lunch and a bit of shopping, make your way to Stanley Park. Its arguably Vancouver’s most famous attraction and is a great place to explore on a nice day in the city. Covering over 1,000 acres of wilderness, Stanley Park is the green lung of Vancouver. Originally a military reserve, the lush, forested peninsular was converted to a city park in 1888 and named after then Governor General Stanley. Its a place where locals and tourists alike come out to enjoy the sunshine, get some exercise, and just bask in Vancouver’s natural beauty. Think Central Park, but considerably larger! And to make things even better, its just a short walk from the downtown area.
Stanley Park is best known for its Seawall. Stretching almost 9 kilometres around the park’s exterior, the three hour walk provides incredible views of Vancouver Harbour and the mountain vistas beyond. If you don’t feel like walking the whole thing, consider renting a bike for a shorter trip around the park’s fringes. Don’t neglect the park’s interior though. Along with the acres of temperate rainforest, there’s specific areas worth checking out, most notably the Totem Poles near Brockton Point.
Spend most of the afternoon in Stanley Park to get the most out of it. Try to venture up to Prospect Point, where you’ll pass underneath the Lion’s Gate Bridge and curve back around with views of the Pacific Ocean to the west. If you’re looking for something else to do, you could check out the Vancouver Aquarium near the park’s entrance, or stop for a snack at the Teahouse near Third Beach.
As the evening sets in, make your way to the Vancouver Waterfront. Venturing along, you’ll come to Canada Place, the iconic sail jutting cruise terminal that plays home to the city’s Canada Day fireworks each year. If you want to see the city from above, consider stopping in at the Vancouver Lookout, but otherwise continue along until you reach Gastown. Named after John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, this cobblestone paved zone is where Vancouver began, with Gassy Jack opening up a saloon here back in 1867. Originally a tough mill town, the heritage listed area is now filled with vibrant bars and restaurants, making it a great choice for dinner and a few drinks to put a cap on the day.
Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city, so you won’t have any trouble finding an establishment that serves your choice of cuisine for the evening. Since you’re in Vancouver, you can’t go wrong with salmon though! Definitely try some Canadian beers while you’re at it. After dinner, browse the stores and take in the heritage buildings in the area for a relaxing end to the day. While you’re doing so, make sure to stop by the Steam Clock on the corner of Water and Cambie Streets. Time your stop to coincide with the turn of the hour and you’ll be treated to a quick steam and musical number.
While it may seem strange to get out of the city with only 2 days in Vancouver, some of its best attractions are located just across the bay to the north. Despite being out of town, these attractions are extremely accessible. On today’s itinerary you’ll be visiting them to experience the natural beauty of the greater Vancouver area.
I’ll come out and say it – Grouse Mountain was my favourite part of my Vancouver adventures. Just a twenty minute drive north of the city centre, this mountain overlooks Vancouver and contains so many things to do (especially during the summer – though it converts into a ski resort in the winter). Getting to Grouse Mountain couldn’t be easier as your ticket includes a shuttle transfer from Canada Place (buses leave every half hour). Try to get on the first bus of the day to enjoy the mountain with less crowds.
When you arrive at Grouse Mountain, you’ll have to board a gondola to get to the mountain’s summit (or if you’re super fit you can take the Grouse Grind hiking track, but its REALLY intense!). Enjoy the scenery (or in my case, misty fog settling in over the trees adding to the atmosphere) as you ascend. Once you get to the top, there’s a plethora of things to do. Count on spending half a day up on the mountain in the summer. Aside from just taking in the panoramic views of Vancouver from above, there’s a lumberjack show, an informative bird show, and my favourite of all, a grizzly bear habitat where two orphan cubs have been raised and studied. Weather permitting, you can even take a chairlift to go higher up the mountain to an observatory structure.
After lunch and a gondola ride back down from the mountain, you’ll be spending your afternoon at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Its another escape into nature, this time to the evergreen forests along the banks of the Capilano River. While there’s a number of things to do here, the main attraction is the suspension bridge itself. At around 140 metres in length, the Capilano Bridge is one of the longest in the world. Hanging some seventy metres above the river, the bridge found here today was built back 1956, but there’s been one at the site since 1889. Crossing the wobbly bridge, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the river below.
A trip to Capilano doesn’t end with the bridge though. The Treetop Walk on the far side of the river is a highlight, consisting of 7 smaller bridges taking you high above the forest floor. Meanwhile, the Cliffwalk takes you out along a thin walkway jutting out from the edge of the gorge itself. In addition to these experiences, there’s a number of interpretive stations throughout the park. The section on the Totem Poles of the First Nations’ tribes from the area is particularly informative.
Getting to the Capilano Bridge is easy. If you’re coming from Grouse Mountain, all you need to do is get on the public bus (the staff at the visitor’s centre will be able to point you in the right direction). Its only a 5 minute trip and will cost you a couple of dollars. Once you’re at the park, count on spending 1-2 hours here before heading back to Vancouver (by free shuttle bus) for dinner as evening sets in.
If you’ve got more than 2 days in Vancouver, there’s a lot of other attractions you could see. Making the top of that list (and a place I wish I was able to get to during my stay) would be the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, a museum renowned for its exhibits on First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest. If you’re travelling with kids (or not), Science World is a fun and interactive science centre on the False Creek waterfront. Depending on the time of year you are visiting Vancouver, you could even take a whale watching boat tour. There’s so much to do in Vancouver, and this is just scratching the surface.
There you have it – a guide to spending 2 days in Vancouver. Is there anything I’ve missed that you’d recommend checking out? If so, let me know!