FreeStanley Park
Stanley Park
Open daily, 24 hours
The best place to be in summer, Stanley Park is Vancouver's 1,000-acre public park, surrounded by the waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay. Rent a bike or take a stroll to the Seawall for world-class views of the ocean, the mountains, and our favorite urban forest.
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FreeGranville Island Public Market
Granville Island
Fri–Sun 9 am – 7 pm
Explore the vibrant waterfront district known for its famous public market, artisan shops, galleries, theaters, and lively food scene set among former industrial buildings.
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FreeGastown & the Steam Clock
Gastown
Always open; shops roughly 10 am – 6 pm
Cobblestones, indie shops, and the famous steam clock. The city's oldest neighborhood is best explored on foot.
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FreeLynn Canyon Park & Suspension Bridge
North Vancouver
Open daily, daylight hours
A free suspension bridge over a rainforest canyon, with swimming holes and easy trails 20 minutes from downtown.
outdoorshikingfreeTrail info
FreeSunset at Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano
Open daily; sunset around 8:50 pm on the wedding weekend
Logs on the sand, volleyball courts, and the best sunset view in the city. Bring a blanket and stay late.
beachsunsetchillBeach info
Wild Whales Vancouver
Granville Island
Daily departures in season; book ahead
Granville Island's original whale watching company. Head out on the Salish Sea looking for orcas, humpbacks, seals, and bald eagles; $2 from every ticket goes to conservation.
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Featured$$$$Miku
Coal Harbour
Flame-seared aburi sushi with a harbour view. The salmon oshi sushi is the dish everyone crosses the city for.
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Featured$$$Chambar
Downtown
Belgian-Moroccan icon known for moules frites and one of the best cocktail lists downtown.
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Featured$$$$Blue Water Cafe
Yaletown
Yaletown's seafood institution, with a raw bar and West Coast fish in a converted warehouse.
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Featured$$$Vij's
Cambie Village
Vikram Vij's legendary Indian kitchen. The lamb popsicles have earned every bit of their reputation.
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Featured$$$Ask for Luigi
Railtown
Tiny room, handmade pasta, big line. It's the kind of neighborhood Italian spot every city wishes it had.
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Featured$$Café Medina
Downtown
The brunch of record: Belgian waffles, tagines, and lavender lattes. Book ahead; the line is famous for a reason.
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$$$$iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House
Cambie Village
Chinese — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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$$$$Sushi Hyun
West End
Japanese — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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$$$$Masayoshi
Fraserhood
Japanese — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
japanesemichelin starMichelin Guide
$$$$Kissa Tanto
Chinatown
Japanese-Italian fusion — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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$$$Published on Main
Mount Pleasant
Contemporary — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
contemporarymichelin starMichelin Guide
$$$$Okeya Kyujiro
Yaletown
Japanese — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
japanesemichelin starMichelin Guide
$$$$Burdock & Co
Mount Pleasant
Contemporary — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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$$$$AnnaLena
Kitsilano
Contemporary — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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$$$$Sumibiyaki Arashi
Mount Pleasant
Japanese charcoal grill — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
japanese charcoal grillmichelin starMichelin Guide
$$$$St. Lawrence
Railtown
French — recognized with one MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide.
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Rain or Shine Ice Cream Truck
Stanley Park
One of Eater's 38 essential Vancouver restaurants.
eater 38Map
Featured$Revolver Coffee
Gastown
Gastown's cult coffee bar, pulling a rotating lineup of the best roasters on the continent. Worth the line.
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From ~$45Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park
Daily 10 am – 5 pm
Sarah's pick! Say hello to the rescued sea otters and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Pacific Northwest's underwater world. One of the top aquariums in the world.
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From ~$35Science World
Olympic Village
Daily 10 am – 5 pm
The geodesic dome on False Creek, with hands-on galleries, OMNIMAX films, and the best building on the skyline.
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From ~$25Museum of Anthropology at UBC
UBC
Fri–Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Marvel at the breathtaking totem poles and world-renowned First Nations art housed in one of the city's most iconic architectural landmarks. Widely considered one of Vancouver's most essential cultural landmarks.
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From ~$29Vancouver Art Gallery
Downtown
Fri 10 am – 8 pm · Sat–Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Rotating international exhibitions plus the definitive Emily Carr collection, right on Robson Square.
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From ~$67Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
North Vancouver
Daily 8:30 am – 8 pm
Test your fear of heights and find your inner adventurer among the towering evergreens and swaying bridges in the heart of Vancouver's lush rainforest. Avoid if you have a fear of heights or poor balance (the bridge sways).
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Chinatown
Fri–Sun 9:30 am – 7 pm
This is the first Chinese garden built outside of Asia! Vancouver's Chinatown is one of North America's largest and oldest (est. 1885). A vibrant, historic neighborhood blending traditional Asian culture with modern, trendy restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
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VanDusen Botanical Garden
Shaughnessy
Daily 9 am – 7 pm (last entry 6:30 pm)
Get lost in the Elizabethan hedge maze or take a tranquil stroll through 55 acres of rare blooms. A stunning and peaceful oasis in the summer.
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From ~$75Grouse Mountain
North Vancouver
Daily 9 am – 9 pm
Ride the Skyride gondola up for alpine views, resident grizzlies, and the lumberjack show.
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From ~$29Greater Vancouver Zoo
Aldergrove
Daily 9 am – 6 pm (last entry 5 pm)
120 acres of wildlife a short drive from the city. A full-day outing for the whole crew.
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Varies by showCommodore Ballroom
Downtown
Showtimes vary; check the calendar
The city's storied live-music room since 1929. Check the calendar for who's playing that weekend.
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Varies by showVancouver Symphony at the Orpheum
Downtown
Showtimes vary; check the calendar
A night with the VSO under the Orpheum's gilded ceiling, in the most beautiful room in the city.
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