Vancouver Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget mealCA$18.00≈ $12.72
- Mid-range mealCA$42.00≈ $29.68
- CappuccinoCA$4.50≈ $3.18
- Domestic beerCA$8.00≈ $5.65
- Taxi (per km)CA$2.30≈ $1.63
- Public transport ticketCA$3.15≈ $2.23
- Museum entryCA$21.00≈ $14.84
- Mid-range hotel (night)CA$260.00≈ $183.74
Food & Drink
- Vij'sIndian · $$$
A renowned Indian restaurant that helped redefine Indian fine dining in Canada, known for its lamb popsicles in fenugreek curry.
- Miku RestaurantJapanese · $$$
A waterfront restaurant near Canada Place credited with popularizing aburi (flame-seared) sushi in Canada.
- Medina CafeCafe · $$
A perpetually busy downtown brunch spot famous for its Liege waffles and North African-inspired dishes.
- Phnom PenhCambodian-Vietnamese · $$
A beloved Chinatown institution serving Cambodian-Vietnamese dishes, especially its garlic squid and butter beef.
- Blue Water CafeSeafood · $$$$
An upscale Yaletown seafood restaurant showcasing sustainable BC seafood and an extensive sake list.
- JapadogStreet food · $
A Vancouver street-food icon serving Japanese-inspired hot dog toppings from carts around downtown.
- The Cambie
A well-known Gastown pub popular with backpackers and locals for cheap beer and a lively patio.
- Guilt & Co.
An intimate underground Gastown speakeasy-style bar with nightly live jazz and blues.
- The Roxy
A long-running Granville Street live music bar known for cover bands and a party atmosphere.
Culture & History
- Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Renowned for its collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art, including monumental totem poles and Bill Reid's sculpture The Raven and the First Men.
- Vancouver Art Gallery
Housed in a former courthouse downtown, with a major collection of Emily Carr paintings alongside contemporary works.
- Science World
The distinctive geodesic dome on False Creek, an interactive science museum popular with families.
- Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
A gallery downtown dedicated to the work of celebrated Haida artist Bill Reid and contemporary Northwest Coast art.
- The Rio Theatre
A historic single-screen cinema on Commercial Drive showing indie films, classics, and live events.
- VIFF Centre
The year-round screening venue for the Vancouver International Film Festival, showing arthouse and international films.
- Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
One of North America's largest film festivals, screening titles across venues around the city.
- Celebration of Light
An international fireworks competition held over English Bay, drawing huge crowds to the beaches.
Nature & Outdoors
- English Bay Beach
A popular downtown beach known for its sunset views and the Inukshuk landmark statue.
- Kitsilano Beach
A large beach across the bay from downtown, popular for volleyball and its heated saltwater outdoor pool.
- Shannon Falls
One of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia, a short detour off the Sea-to-Sky Highway toward Squamish.
- Grouse Mountain
A North Shore mountain reached by the Grouse Grind trail or Skyride gondola, with grizzly bear habitat and city views.
- Mount Seymour
A North Shore peak popular for hiking in summer, with panoramic views over Burrard Inlet.
Active & Fun
- Steve Nash Fitness World Yaletown
A well-known BC-based gym chain with a large Yaletown location.
- Kitsilano Pool
One of the world's longest outdoor heated saltwater pools, right on the beach with mountain and city views.
- Playland
Vancouver's classic amusement park at the PNE fairgrounds, home to the historic wooden Coaster roller coaster.