Vancouver, Canada Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Whether you want to spend your time exploring beautiful beaches, modern city streets or breathtaking mountains, Vancouver is your spot. Known for its genuine diversity and for being one of the most livable cities in the world, there are so many reasons to love this cosmopolitan city.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination? (You can select more than one)
Quiet & Relaxing, Outdoorsy, Energetic & Active, Modern, Historic
What’s the Destination Known For?
Outdoor recreation, passion for food, parks & beaches galore
Getting There
Vancouver Airports:
(YVR) Vancouver International Airport
Located just 7 miles from downtown Vancouver, this is the second largest airport in Canada.
Local Etiquette
Appropriate tipping is 15-20% for waitstaff, 10-15% for taxi drivers and tour guides and $1/drink for bartenders.
If you’re biking, make sure to wear a helmet and stay off the sidewalks!
Be conscious of the environment! Canadians are passionate about their beautiful outdoors.
The Canadians love their small talk. Expect shop workers and restaurant servers to engage you in conversation.
It is illegal to smoke in public places such as restaurant such as restaurants and workplaces. make sure to stand far enough away from public buildings and entrances when smoking outside to avoid smoke entering the buildings.
Restrooms are called washrooms here.
Fun fact: don’t put your Canadian bills in the sun, as they are made of plastic and might melt!
Weather
Temperatures
Spring:
High: 61F / 16C
Low: 37F / 3C
Summer:
High: 72F / 22C
Low: 52F / 11C
Fall:
High: 64F / 17C
Low: 37F / 3C
Winter:
High: 46F / 8C
Low: 32F / 0C
April - October is a great time to visit, as it is the warmer and drier months in Vancouver. However, due to moderate, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters, visitors are able to enjoy the city year round.
269 ft / 82 m
Getting Around
In City Transportation…
Public Transportation - All Vancouver public transportation is run by TransLink, which operates the Canada Line, SkyTrain Rapid Transport, SeaBuses, buses and the West Coast Express. Compass Cards are used to pay for all public transportation. Just make sure you don’t lose yours, as a $5 deposit is needed to buy one.
Walking - Vancouver is known for being a very walkable city. The cheapest way to get around is on foot combined with public transport.
Taxi - Since Uber & Lyft don’t exist in Vancouver, taxis are plentiful.
Bike - Biking in Vancouver is a must! You can rent a bike from a bike rental service like Spokes or download the app for Mobi, Vancouver’s public bike sharing system.
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
$-tier
Nero Belgian Waffle Bar
Belgian Waffles
Dress is casual
The best waffles around at a very reasonable price! Make sure you secure a seat before you order as the place is pretty small.
$$-tier
Red Umbrella Cafe
American Cafe & Coffee Shop
Dress is casual
Breakfast is served all day at this quaint little cafe! We recommend sitting outside if the weather is nice.
$$$-tier
Bandidas Taqueria
Mexican
Dress is casual
Breakfast burritos galore. Their house-made habanero sauce is a killer if you like hot sauce!
Brunch
$-tier
Joe’s Grill
American Cafe
Dress is casual
This cafe has a really fun vibe and serves breakfast and lunch all day and has three locations in Vancouver. Come hungry because they have large portions!
$$-tier
Cafe Medina
Mediterranean Cafe
Dress is casual
This place is considered the best brunch restaurant in Vancouver… need I say more?
$$$-tier
Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge
Type of food (BBQ, French cuisine, Thai, etc.)
Dress is casual
This elegant restaurant serves a delicious brunch 11AM-2PM on Saturdays, Sundays & holidays.
Lunch
$-tier
Meat & Bread
Canadian Fast Food
370 Cambie St, Hastings, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2N3, Canada
Dress is casual
Awesome sandwiches!
$$-tier
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
Seafood
Website
Dress is casual
You won’t find fresher seafood in Vancouver!
$$$-tier
Miku
Japanese
70-200 Granville St, Corner of Canada Place and Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada
Dress is casual
Very trendy and great atmosphere with awesome sushi!
Dinner
$-tier
Restaurant name
Type of food (BBQ, French cuisine, Thai, etc.)
Address
Website
Dress is casual
Best dish
$$-tier
AnnaLena
Contemporary Canadian
Dress is casual
Their tapas style food is original and delicious!
$$$-tier
Bishop’s
Canadian
Dress is casual
“Fine dining at its best”
Other (Food Trucks, Late Night Bites, Ice Cream Shops, etc.)
Food Trucks
Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck
Comfort Food Truck
Find them near the Vancouver Art Gallery
Dress is casual
Classic home-style gourmet grilled cheese and other comfort foods.
Tacofino
Mexican Food Truck
Multiple locations - check website
Dress is casual
“Try their fish tacos; boasted to be the best in BC!”
Top things to See and Do
Stanley Park
Escape the city and spend some time in this extensive park, which boasts beaches, trails and a miniature train. You can sit back and enjoy the views on a tour or discover the park on your own by walking or cycling.
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open daily 9AM-5PM
The 5.5 mile trail along the seawall is the most popular and would take three hours by foot or one hour by bike.
Vancouver Lookout
Take a glass elevator up to an observation deck that has 360 degree views of the city!
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open daily 8:30AM-10:30PM
Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $14.50 for seniors $12.50 for students and youth (13-18) and $9.50 for children (6-12).
Granville Island
“Practically its own mini-city, Granville Island’s former factories now house trendy restaurants, galleries and theaters. But the main draw here is the Granville Island Public Market, often described as one of the most open-air markets in North America.”
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open 7 days a week: 9AM-7PM
You can get to Granville Island by bus, boat, car, bike or on foot.
Take this quiz to help you plan your visit.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
This 450-foot treetop bridge offers scenic views of the forest below and the perfect spot to snap a cool picture.
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Hours depend on time of year. For May 19 - September 3, they are open 8AM-8PM.
Purchase tickets online to avoid long ticket lines! Admission is free for children under 6 years old and tickets range from $14.95 to $46.95 depending on age.
**Summer special - there is a 30% discount for visits after 5pm. Tickets must be purchased at the entrance.
Take their free shuttle to get there!
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
This museum, located at the University of British Columbia, “is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of culturally diverse ways of knowing the world through challenging and innovative programs and partnerships with Indigenous, local and global communities.”
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open daily 10AM-5PM
Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for students and seniors
They have specials on thursday evenings (5-9PM) for $10 tickets
Grouse Mountain
Experience views that will take your breath away at “The Peak of Vancouver”. This mountain has so much to offer, from zipling to a “Theatre in the Sky” to great hiking and more.
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open daily 9AM-10PM
From Downtown Vancouver, ride the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay, then take the #236 bus to Grouse Mountain (about a 25-minute ride).
Mountain admission tickets are $56 for adults, $49 for seniors and $29 for children and include a scenic round trip Skyride, Peak Chairlift, Lumberjack Shows and more.
Gastown
Known for its whistling steam clock, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood maintains its historic charm and unconventional spirit. It is the perfect area to explore on foot!
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Take a walking tour!
Read about 25 things locals love about Gastown...
VanDusen Botanical Garden
“Vandusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world!”
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open Thursday - Tuesday 9AM-8PM and Wednesday 9AM-3PM for June - August but hours depend on time of year.
Depending on time of year and age, tickets vary from $4.25 to $11.25.
Queen Elizabeth Park
This beautiful city park has beautiful flower gardens, great open spaces for a picnic, public art and panoramic views over the city.
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
Open daily 6AM-10PM
The park itself is free to visit but if you want to visit the observatory there is a small fee.
Kitsilano Beach
If the weather is nice, follow locals to Vancouver’s most popular swim spot!
Here are the deets you need to know before visiting…
The salt-water outdoor Kitsilano Pool is the longest swimming pool in Canada and is open annually from May to September.
Festivals/Parades
At the end of July, this festival lights up the sky over English Bay for three nights. Spectacular displays of fireworks are choreographed to music, as three countries compete to wow the crowds!
“Running from the end of March through to mid-April each year, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival offers a cultural calendar full of opportunities to capture the beauty, including a line-up of arts events, community bike rides, cherry blossom viewing tours and traditional Japanese festivities.”
I’m sure you’ve heard of the TED Conference, an event with over 100 speakers giving 18-minute presentations on topics such as Technology, Entertainment and Design. Even if you aren’t able to attend this exclusive conference though, you can still participate, as there are live stream broadcast sites set up around Vancouver.
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
“Starting in late September each year, Vancouver is home to one of North America’s biggest film festivals. There’s no question that Vancouver International Film Festival is a heavy-hitter, with more than 140,000 film fans enjoying 380 movies screened in the 16-day festival.”
Nightlife
Where to go and hang once the sun sets – bars, nightclubs, etc. Try and find BOTH places where the locals hang AND places where the tourists hang. For each location, record the name, address, website, and anything interesting it might be known for (e.g. live Tango demonstration by professional dancers every Thursday night at 9PM.)
Bellagio Wine Bar
1055 Canada Pl, 26, Vancouver
This waterfront bar has a great view of the harbour and a reasonable selection of beers and wine.
Granville Entertainment District
700 - 1300 Granville St, Vancouver
“Downtown Vancouver’s Granville Street is ground-zero for hard-partying Vancouver nightlife.”
The Boxcar
923 Main St, Vancouver
This little pub is a hidden gem in the city - if you get lucky enough to snag a seat, it’s a great place to enjoy a drink.
Mainstreet / SoMa
Main St, Vancouver
Often called “hipster-central,” the nightlife on Main and SoMa has a relaxed atmosphere that is focused on music.
Hidden Gems
Stuart’s Bakery
This little bakery in the Granville Island market has so many yummy pastries that are worth a try. We recommend the fresh fruit tart!
A Hidden Treehouse
This treehouse offers a great view of the Second Narrows Bridge… if you can find it!
Location: Just north of the Second Narrows Bridge, along the Trans Canada Trail
Cardero Bottega
This hole-in-the-wall coffee shop is hidden away in the West End! It is built into the bottom floor of a house and is a great spot to relax and sip on some coffee or tea
