I won’t pretend to be an expert on the absolute best things to do and see in Vancouver, but after our current trip (and many previous trips) there are definitely some musts on my list! This time around we lucked out and got to experience some August events like gay pride and the Celebration of Lights fireworks display, and we got to spend a night on the town with special people. But there are some great things to do anytime! Today, I am happy to share Ryan and I’s best of Vancouver!
#5. Kitsilano
I absolutely adore the Kitsilano area! If we could ever afford to live there, Ryan and I would seriously consider a move! We stayed on Yew street, where a quick walk down the hill takes you to the beach and then a quick walk up takes you to 4th ave, full of cute shops and great places to eat and drink. We could have spent the whole time just exploring this area. My top recommendation for dining in Kits would be Fable Kitchen. So fresh, so delicious!
#4. Biking the Seawall
The views in Vancouver are stunning. And one of the best ways to see them is biking the seawall. Ryan and I rented bikes from Bayshore right near Stanley Park to hop on the wall, complete with our large helmets 🙂 (couldn’t post that embarrassing photo though!)
On a beautiful day, the seawall is busy! But the lane system works well and there are lots of little places to stop and appreciate the surrounding beauty. It is a definite must do!
#3. Granville Island
A trip to Vancouver has to include a stop on Granville Island. Especially if you are a foodie like us. We had some killer food in the market and then spent some time browsing the shops. I also love that there are some great entertainment venues on the island and there is always someone playing live music in the square. Ryan and I almost had time to check out an Improv show – something we love to do at home.
After exploring the island, I recommend taking an Aquabus to your next destination to see Granville from the ocean!
#2. Stanley Park
There is so much to do in Stanley Park! Besides biking the seawall, there are beaches, pools, and trails to hike. There are several great places to eat too like the Teahouse. We spent a couple of hours in the Vancouver Aquarium, where the sea otters stole our hearts and we were awed by the all the jellyfish. We hiked up to the hollow tree after our lunch on Stanley Park. If only we had thought to bring our bathing suits to cool off after our trek in the heat!
#1. Taking a Sunset Dinner Cruise
For a romantic evening for two, we highly recommend a sunset dinner cruise. Not only was the food delicious, but the views were gorgeous. Watching the sun go down with live music playing in the background can never get tiring either. We went with Harbour Cruises and thought they were a great company!