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Vancouver is such a beautiful city and I feel very fortunate to have called it my home for over 20 years. People often ask me for recommendations of Vancouver attractions which can be difficult because there are so many great ones. I created a roundup of my personal favourites, the ones that I keep returning to, even as a local. I excluded parks and beaches, as that would make my list too long. You can find a detailed list of all things to do in Vancouver on Local Adventurer, where I recently guest wrote a blog post of the ultimate Vancouver Bucket List.
Keep reading for my favourite Vancouver attractions!
DR. SUN YAT-SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden is one of my favourite spots in downtown Vancouver. When you walk into the garden, it’s amazing how serene and quiet it is, considering it is located right in the heart of Chinatown. This cultural heritage site is truly impressive. It is modeled after ancient Chinese scholars’ gardens, with beautiful lattice windows, a water lily pond, pagoda and a multitude of plants. To enter the Classical Chinese Garden, admission is $16 CAD, but visitors can access the Sun Yat-Sen Park for free.
UBC BOTANICAL GARDEN
If you love nature, I highly recommend UBC Botanical Garden, located on the campus of the University of British Columbia. It is Canada’s oldest university botanic garden. I love taking walks here on clear days and admiring all the different types of trees. Inside the botanical garden is the Greenheart Treewalk, with suspended walkways and tree platforms that allow you to explore the forest from a higher vantage point. The garden is quite big, so I would allocate over an hour to fully explore everything.
BLOEDEL CONSERVATORY
Bloedel Conservatory is probably my all-time favourite attraction in Vancouver. It is an indoor tropical garden in Queen Elizabeth Park, most recognizable for its dome shape. Though the garden is not big, there are over 120 exotic birds, as well as 500 exotic plants and flowers. I have spent many hours watching the macaws, cockatoos and cute little finches. If you’re lucky, you may see pheasants darting in and out of the bushes. This is a popular spot for photography, as the lush trees and flowers make a great backdrop. The greenery reminds me of one of my favourite films, Jurassic Park (probably part of why I enjoy spending time there so much). Tickets are very reasonably priced, just $6.90 for adults. Due to COVID, there are now designated visiting times and slots must be booked online.
GRANVILLE ISLAND
Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s most well-known tourist attractions, but also popular among locals due to its public market. If you love food, the Granville Island Public Market is a great place to shop, with more than 50 independent food vendors and a food court. Its waterfront location offers great views of False Creek and downtown. Be warned, if you are dining outside, beware of the aggressive seagulls! They may try to steal your food :). In addition to the public market, there are over 300 businesses, including museums, theatres, art stores and more. Granville Island is also family-friendly! As a child, I visited frequently with my family to play at the Splash Park and explore the Kids’ Market. If you are driving to Granville Island, I would recommend going early as parking can get hectic!
VAN DUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
Wow, I have a lot of gardens on this list, but they are truly beautiful attractions that should not be missed! VanDusen Botanical Garden is another Vancouver attraction that is very popular with tourists. Depending on the season, different trees and flowers are blooming, but with over 7,500 plant species, the garden is impressive at any time of year. I like to take long strolls through the garden and get lost in the trees. Throughout the year. VanDusen has special events for Halloween and Christmas, where the garden is decked out with lights and decor. Be sure to allocate a bit more time for VanDusen, as the garden spans over 55-acres. Admission ranges from $8-$12 for adults.
SCIENCE WORLD
Another well-known dome in Vancouver is Science World! This is a great spot to bring kids, but it is also very popular with adults. There are lots of interactive displays, live demonstrations and optical illusions. Science World has very cool exhibits (some permanent, some temporary), including BodyWorks, massive Lego towers and various art displays. Locals like me look forward to Science World’s annual fundraising event every year, the Science of Cocktails (may be on hold due to COVID). Please note that COVID protocols are in place and tickets must be booked online in advance. General admission for adults is priced at approximately $27 CAD.
CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Located in North Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is 137m long and hangs 70m above Capilano River. Does this sound scary to you? I am not afraid of heights so I quite enjoy the view. The suspension bridge does feel shaky and can swing slightly, so be warned! In addition to the bridge, there is also the Cliffwalk, where you can explore suspended walkways on the cliffs above the river. Because there are open grated walkways, this may be frightening for some people. There is also a smaller set of elevated suspension bridges, connecting the trees for a walk on the Treetop Adventures. Tickets for this attraction are not cheap, at about $55 CAD per adult. I do think everyone should experience it at least once though! My favourite time to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge is during the holidays, when the entire park is lit up for the annual Canyon Lights event.
MOUNT PLEASANT MURAL + BREWERY WALK
Mount Pleasant is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Vancouver. It is vibrant and fun, with lots of amazing restaurants and shops. I love walking through the streets and hunting for the many murals painted on walls of buildings. Every year, more art is added as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival, which began in 2015. Guided mural tours are available, but you can also download a map online that shows the locations of each mural. In addition to the murals, Mount Pleasant is becoming quite the brewery district, with over a dozen cool breweries all within walking distance. This makes it a great neighbourhood for nights out, where you can brewery hop and enjoy the murals between each stop.
There are really too many amazing attractions in Vancouver, so I chose only my personal favourites. What Vancouver attractions do you enjoy the most?
