31 Tips I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Vancouver, Canada

26 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:04

   Grouse Mountain

   🚡 Activity · North Vancouver

   Pricey, but riding up just for the views is an option; free shuttles run from downtown.

2. 1:50

   Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

   🚡 Activity · North Vancouver

   Expensive entry but judged well worth it; a free shuttle is available.

3. 2:43

   Lynn Canyon Park

   🌳 Park · North Vancouver

   Reachable by bus in 20–25 minutes; wear shoes with traction, as mossy ground can be slick.

4. 3:31

   Stanley Park

   🌳 Park · West End

5. 3:52

   Stanley Park Seawall

   🚡 Activity · Stanley Park

   Great spot to watch seaplanes land, take off and circle.

6. 4:14

   Vancouver Aquarium

   🏛️ Museum · Stanley Park

   Not big and not a must-do if short on time.

7. 4:50

   Granville Island

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Granville Island

   Ferry tickets can be paid on board, no need to buy ahead; not a place to plan a lot of time.

8. 4:56

   Granville Island Public Market

   🛒 Market · Granville Island · brief mention

   Expect lots of tourists.

9. 5:36

   Sunset Beach

   🌳 Park · West End

10. 5:39

    English Bay

    🌳 Park · West End

11. 5:49

    Kitsilano Beach

    🌳 Park · Kitsilano

    Recommended as the beach for a city-with-mountains view.

12. 6:05

    West End Farmers Market

    🛒 Market · West End

13. 6:19

    Gastown

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Gastown

    Good base for proximity, but can be noisy and pricier than other areas.

14. 6:27

    Gastown Steam Clock

    🏢 Landmark · Gastown

    Arrive at the top of the hour for the full show.

15. 6:49

    MacLeod's Books

    🛍️ Shopping · Downtown

    Called the best hidden gem near Gastown; filming is not allowed inside.

16. 7:22

    Livia Forno e Alimentari

    🍴 Restaurant · Grandview-Woodland

17. 7:36

    Garden Strathcona

    ☕ Cafe · Strathcona

18. 8:00

    Kissa Tanto

    🍴 Restaurant · Chinatown

    Described as one of the best meals of a lifetime.

19. 8:16

    Lee's Donuts

    ☕ Cafe · Granville Island

    Judged overrated: a standard doughnut place with long lines and lots of tourists.

20. 8:38

    Revolver Coffee

    ☕ Cafe · Gastown · brief mention

21. 8:45

    Timbertrain Coffee Roasters

    ☕ Cafe · Gastown · brief mention

22. 8:55

    Nemesis Coffee

    ☕ Cafe · Gastown · brief mention

23. 9:26

    Yaletown

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Yaletown

    A good base for quiet, but not a money-saving option.

24. 9:45

    Kitsilano

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Kitsilano

    Suggested for longer stays; an easy commute into the city.

25. 10:06

    Commercial Drive

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Grandview-Woodland

    More affordable place to stay than downtown.

26. 10:44

    West End

    🏘️ Neighborhood · West End

    Top pick as a base; Gastown is a 25–30 minute walk away.