Some cities give you culture with a capital C. Others give you rocky cliffs, rugged trails, and dramatic coastline. Vancouver asks, “Why not both?”
Located on Canada’s west coast, the British Columbian city is the rare kind of place where you wake up in a glittering glass tower (stay at the Douglas), kick off your morning with a hike beneath towering firs and a dip in the water (consider Kitsilano Beach a nonnegotiable), wander around a few stellar museums or eclectic neighborhoods by afternoon, and end the night with Cantonese-style dim sum. Basically, it’s the overachiever of Canadian cities — and we mean that lovingly.
🌲 Whether you are a lifelong REI loyalist or just dusted off your high school Nalgene, Vancouver has outdoorsy pursuits for everyone. Some of the most popular activities? Walking or biking the 5.5-mile seawall that wraps around Stanley Park (think: Central Park, but bigger and with more–notable bald eagles) or exploring VanDusen Botanical Garden, home to 7,500-plus plant species and an impressive Elizabethan hedge maze. But if you're feeling extra adventurous, hitch a gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain, where, in the summer, you can hike, mountain bike, and zip-line over the treetops. Or, cross the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hangs 230 feet above Capilano River and, yes, wobbles.
👟 Apologies to the Vancouver Aquarium, but the city’s best attraction is its vibrant neighborhoods, which are full of character, culture, and carbs. Start in Chinatown — one of the largest in North America — to stroll through the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, dive into local history at Chinatown Storytelling Centre, snack on New Town Bakery & Restaurant’s barbecue pork buns, and go all-in on dim sum at Jade Dynasty. Next, head to Granville Island — a former industrial site turned creative hotspot. Highlights include: the bustling Public Market (grab a Honey Dip at Lee’s Donuts), art galleries galore (check out the Indigenous pieces at Wickaninnish Gallery), unique shops, and an array of theaters (catch a comedy show at The Improv Centre).
🍴 Start the day at Livia, an Italian bakery and restaurant where the pastries are decadent, the sourdough is tangy, and everything feels like it was made by someone’s nonna. For dinner, lean into the city’s diverse food scene: Vij’s Restaurant serves up inventive Indian dishes, like lamb Popsicles and portobello mushroom curry, while Maenam is a standout Thai restaurant that goes heavy on locally caught fish (see: Pacific halibut green curry, grilled salmon salad). Finally, no matter how full you think you are, end the night with a waffle cone from Earnest Ice Cream (get the Whiskey Hazelnut or Matcha Green Tea).