Vancouver Sightseeing Guide

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most attractive and interesting cities, and one of the most beautiful and exciting places to visit in the Pacific Northwest. Offering the perfect blend of hip urban experiences and outdoor adventure, a visit to this corner of British Columbia is a real treat for the curious traveler.

The city is vibrant, buzzing and bursting with life, while some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country are right on its doorstep. Vancouver offers an enormous amount for visitors of all stripes and styles, and should be a must-visit on any traveler’s Canada list.

To help get you started, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite spots in Vancouver, to give you some tips and advice to help shape your visit. Whether you are exploring the city on a weekend break, or have some time to spare before setting off on a cruise from Vancouver, these are some of the best sights to see.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a truly stunning urban greenspace, one of the largest city parks in North America, and a tremendous place to spend a morning, or even the whole day. Almost entirely surrounded by water, the park has a delightful and extensive waterfront path (a full 28 kilometers!), and stunning views over the sea and lagoon from almost every part.

There’s loads to do here besides just gazing at the scenery, with beaches, a miniature railway, ornamental lakes and the Vancouver Aquarium making this a superb destination for every sort of traveler.

Gastown

Gastown is one of Vancouver’s hippest neighborhoods, boasting gorgeous historical architecture, some exceptional restaurants, and a fantastic nightlife with eclectic and lively bars around every corner. It boasts one of the world’s last steam clocks, as well as the Hotel Europe which bears an uncanny resemblance to New York’s Flatiron Building. The Water Street Cafe serves some of the best seafood in the city, while spots like the Lamplighter and Peckinpah offer more hearty fare.

Museum of Vancouver

Vancouver’s interesting history and its rich and deep First Nation heritage are wonderfully explored in the Museum of Vancouver. The museum is a delightful place to wander around and broaden the mind, and offers a great chance to explore the history and culture of the city in a little more detail.

Vancouver Lookout

Everywhere you look in Vancouver there is beautiful scenery, a stunning landscape on the horizon, or a fantastic skyline reflected in the water. One of the best ways to take in the beauty and majesty of the city and its surroundings is up the Vancouver Lookout, an observation deck which towers 168.8 meters above the city, and offers extraordinary 360-degree views. Watching the sun go down from the top is a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Grouse Mountain

Of course, many people visit Vancouver for the astonishing wilderness and rugged landscapes that are right on its doorstep. Grouse Mountain is only an hour from the city, and has the famous Grouse Grind to climb, as well as live lumberjack-themed entertainment at the top!

Vancouver is a city that offers a little something for everyone, and should be high on the list of places in Canada to visit. So pack a bag, and head off to this beautiful corner of British Columbia – you won’t be disappointed!