10 of the Best Tourist Activities Around Vancouver
The first and last time I visited Canada was in 2021 and I can’t wait to go back. We spent several days in Vancouver before heading north to Whistler and spending an amazing 3 days among the snow, mountains and incredible scenery that was straight out of a postcard.
Vancouver is a city that I can only describe as an adventurer’s playground and city lovers nest, with everything from amazing shopping to incredible scenery all wrapped up in a beautiful city, its no wonder that a lot of Kiwis find themselves moving to Vancouver in search of bigger and better opportunities, whether it is for work or play.
Hike Lynn Canyon park
Lynn Canyon Park is a 617 acres forest in Vancouver, the free entry and suspension bridge stretched 50m above the canyon floor are only two reasons as to why thousands of visitors flock here every season. Opened in 1912, the park is a great place for young families to get a little adventurous, the hiking trails are easy and all you need is a day pack and a bottle of water.
The Lynn Canyon Ecology centre showcases historical information about the park and surrounding areas of Vancouver, make sure you check it out for some souvenirs or even the children’s puppet show which runs most days in the theatre.
Take yourself on a self guided tour through many of the walking trails through this north Vancouver forest, Lynn Canyon Park features a 30 foot pool perfect for swimming, waterfalls and the pristine Rice Lake. Swimming is not permitted at Rice Lake but you can bring your fishing rod as Rice Lake is well stocked with trout. The incredible canopy of trees throughout each trail will have you thinking you’ve walked into middle earth.
Take a Ride on a False Creek Ferry
The False Creek Ferries of Vancouver are a must if you’re looking for something fun and cheap to do in Vancouver. The Vancouver ferries may be small but they pack a punch in cheap entertainment, for a maximum of $20 you can purchase an all day hop-on hop-off day pass which will keep the kids entertained. The False Creek Ferries service 9 docks along False Creek which have access to all of the main tourist attractions along this Vancouver inlet.
Take a short ride to Granville Island where you can shop at quirky and alternative book and art shops, or stuff your face full of delicious goods baked fresh everyday. Educate yourself at the Vancouver Maritime Museum or science world, or if you’re planning on winding down for the evening you can find yourself a comfortable seat at Tap and Barrel and watch the ferries go back and forth across the river.
If you happen to be in Vancouver on July 1st for Canada Day, get yourself a front row seat along False Creek and watch the annual ‘False Creek Ferry Ballet’.
Cycle Stanley park
Stanley Park is an incredible urban public park on the peninsula of Downtown Vancouver. Favoured for its natural beauty and incredible views, Stanley Park is roughly 4km squared which borders the Burrard Inlet and Vancouver Harbour.
This Vancouver park is an immensely popular destination for recreational activities from swimming, squirrel spotting and cycling the Vancouver seawall. Hire a manual or electric push bike, we hired ours from English Bay bike rentals, and get your blood flowing with an easy cycle around the park to start your day.
Visit a cannabis shop
If you are visiting from a country where cannabis is illegal then a cannabis shop will be an extremely foreign concept to you. Cannabis shops are all over Vancouver so you won’t have any trouble trying to track one down, purchase cannabis gummy lollies, chocolate or simple choose a cheeky ‘cigarette’ and chill out for the afternoon.
But of course, with great power comes great responsibility; don’t take more than what you’re use to, do not drive or operate machinery after ingesting and don’t mix with alcohol. Know your limits and make sure you make safe choices.
Shop around Gastown
Gastown is a funky neighbourhood in Vancouver; with over 85 retail shops, 55 restaurants and 8 music venues Gastown is popular during all hours of the day. Lined with cobblestone streets, pubs with live music and unique and wonderful boutique shopping, This Vancouver suburb is worth the visit for more than just its steam powered clock.
Being the first neighbourhood in Vancouver, Gastown got its name from Jack Deighton, a Yorkshore Seaman who opened the first saloon in the area and loved a lengthy conversation. Which is where he got his nickname ‘Gassy’, and the area surrounding his saloon was known as ‘Gassys Town’. Thus forming the creative suburb we now know as Gastown.
Peak to peak gondola, Whistler
Cast your height fears aside and hop on board one if the most incredible gondola rides in the world (as voted by me). The Peak to Peak gondola in Whistler connects Blackcomb mountain to Whistler mountain allowing you to explore both snowy peaks and their incredible panoramic views in half a day. The gondola spans 4.4km between both mountains and 436m above the valley floor, so be sure to bring your camera and glasses to watch the snowboarders and skiers make their way down the mountains directly below you.
This incredible gondola ride in Canada is the best way to see the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Whistler, while stepping foot on the snowy peaks of each mountain and indulging in warm drinks and amazing memories.
The Peak to Peak gondola can be caught from either Whistler village or upper village, Whistler mountain also features a sky bridge and Ravens Eye Cliff Walk further up the mountain if you feel brave enough to face more heights.
Go Bobsledding, Whistler
You can’t visit Whistler and not experience a breathtaking experience like Bobsledding. The Whistler Sliding Centre is a sports complex which offers spectacular winter sporting experiences like bobsledding, luge or the skeleton.
With the fastest bobsled track in the world, you would be sorry if you missed out on such an incredible experience, built in 2005, the track held the Olympic and Paralympic winter games in 2010, and since then has held the world championships for Bobsled, Luge and Skeleton.
If you’re lucky enough, your pilot might even be an Olympic champion, spot the Bronze medal around Pauls’ neck! Even if taking part isn’t your thing, you can head up to the track and watch this incredible sport take place from the comfort behind a warm cup of tea.
Hike to Whistler Train Wreck
The Whistler train wreck is a cool little adventure if you don’t mind going off the beaten track a little. The walking track to the Whistler Train Wreck is generally considered an easy route, however the ground can get icy and slippery during winter so be very aware of where you are walking.
The Whistler Train Wreck sits between Whistler and Garibaldi along the Sea to Sky highway and has been here since the carts derailed in 1956 after going slightly too fast on the train track which was under repair. No one died from the crash but obviously it was far too damaged to try and drag out of the forest, so it was pulled away from the tracks to deter any further crashes from other trains and has been left here attracting adventure tourism and taggers.
Walk to Rainbow Park and Alta Lake, Whistler
Rainbow Park is one of Whistlers busiest parks in summer, and an incredible snowy wonderland in Winter. Alta Lake sits between Whistler village and Rainbow park making it an easy walk from your accommodation if you’re staying in the village.
If you want maximum satisfaction with minimal effort when it comes to getting the best holiday photos, then Alta Lake needs to be on your to do list. The 45 minute walk along Valley Trail is flat and mainly on a sealed path, we made our way past the Whistler golf club and past some of the most incredible homes built from redwood trunks. The Valley trail took us through a beautiful section of forest before we landed at the frozen over Alta Lake.
The snow capped Blackcomb mountain and Whistler mountain tower high above the horizon of Alta lake, bring a pair of binoculars to spot skiers and snowboards sliding down from the peak of each mountain.
Visit Cows Shop, Whistler
Cows in Whistler is a fantastic souvenir store and ice cream shop all wrapped in its very own tourist attraction. Their fun graphic t-shirts poke fun at expensive labels playing on cow related words “Moomoolemon” and “Udder Armour” for those who live and breath eexercise and fitness or “Moona Lisa” for those cultured swines.
Sitting in Whistler village, Cows sits on the ground floor below Bear Lodge on Village Stroll. On a good day you will be pushing your way through the entrance as Cows ice cream is top tier and any other ice cream in the village just doesn’t compare. Regardless of what time of the year you visit Whisler, don’t pay attention to the temperature outside, whether it’s 30 degrees Celsius or negative 5, treat yourself to an ice cream from Cows.
