Guide to Vancouver, Canada
Rated as the world’s most livable city, Vancouver combines all the advantages of a big city with the geographical advantage of being surrounded by mountains and nature. The city is often used as a gateway for travelers heading further into British Columbia and Canada, but visitors are advised to spend at least three to four nights in the city, as it has a lot to offer. So, here’s our guide to Vancouver.
Before you arrive in town, it’s good to know that it’s one of the most popular movie filming locations in North America, second only to Hollywood. Vancouver has a striking resemblance to New York City (Gastown), and with dramatic scenery within minutes of the city, it’s no wonder so many TV series and movies are filmed in Vancouver. Some of the famous works you may be familiar with include: Riverdale, Fifty Shades of Gray, The Butterfly Effect, Twilight Series And so on.
Visit Capilano Bridge
Just like you can’t go to Los Angeles and not see the Hollywood sign, you can’t come to Vancouver and not visit the Capilano Bridge. Capilano Bridge is the city’s most popular tourist attraction and provides an insight into British Columbia’s flora.
capilano bridge is a 140-metre-long suspension bridge that leads to an arboreal adventure in the rainforest, just 15 minutes from the town centre. It’s the most popular tourist spot, so expect it to get crowded as the day goes on, but if you arrive early in the morning (15 minutes before the doors open), you can often have it all to yourself.
Admission is $47 for adults, and a free shuttle from town is included in the ticket price.
Epic escape: fly above the city and into the mountains
It would be no exaggeration to call this one of the most surreal moments of my life. Imagine taking off from downtown Vancouver and within minutes being immersed in an endless ocean of blue, green, lakes, trees and blue skies, with British Columbia mountains stretching out below you.
sky helicopter Take your guests on an epic adventure into the wilderness, stopping your plane intermittently on top of a mountain. It’s incredible. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the backcountry and see the city of Vancouver from above.
Prices start at $629 per person for a 45-minute mountain adventure.
Discover Vancouver’s vegan scene
One aspect of Vancouver that I was particularly excited to rediscover on my second visit was the vegan food scene. Surprising to most people, Vancouver has long been ahead of the trend, with most restaurants serving delicious vegan food for years, and some even having vegan-only restaurants.
Some of my favorites include Heirloom for brunch, The Acorn for dinner, Virtuous Pie for pizza and ice cream, Uma Luma for ice cream (try the salted caramel), and Be Fresh for vegan cookies and pastries.
read more: Best vegan food in Vancouver
Vancouver food scene: Bakeries and artisan coffee
Another thing that stands out about Vancouver’s food scene is both the quality and quantity of bakeries across the city. With many bakeries vying for your attention, believe me when I say the food quality is high and you are about to experience the best baked goods. The key is to know where to go and what to order (and you’re welcome, of course).
Similarly, Vancouver’s coffee scene is the scene where caffeine dreams are made. There are some coffees that stand out above the rest, so be sure to remember the names below. This is where you’ll find the best coffee in town.
Purebred – Try the Hummingbird Cake and Cinnamon Scroll.
Turf – Try the vegan banana bread. It will change your life.
Be fresh – Try vegan cookies. Your life will change too.
small victories – Three words: pain au chocolat.
Revolver – coffee. The best in town.
Timber Train – We also had very good coffee. My preference is cold brew beer.
small victories – Not only the bakery but also the delicious coffee!
read more: Best bakery in Vancouver
Granville Island
If you’re looking for local food and craftsmanship, Granville Island is the place to go. Of course, this is one of the more popular spots on the tourist route, so be prepared to pay ‘island prices’ and be willing to wade through the tourist crowds.
If you visit us for lunch, be sure to check it out. Popina Restaurant For lunch. Although they specialize in seafood, they also have vegan salads and falafel wraps. If you like dairy products, be sure to try the soft-serve ice cream dessert.
leeds donuts A perfect place to spend a sweet afternoon. They also serve crepes. Lee and his wife have been in the industry since 1979, so it’s safe to say they know how to find the sweet spot.
loved by locals Terrabred Enjoy artisan breads, pastries, and our famous homemade granola. The first bakery opened in Kitsilano in the early ’90s and has now expanded to four locations in town.
If you’re in Vancouver during the cold season, be sure to stop by stock market For a hearty soup. These guys don’t use preservatives, additives, or MSG. The split pea soup is outstanding, you can’t go wrong here. They really know how to make a mean soup to beat the winter cold.
hiking in vancouver
Finally, at least one day in Vancouver should be set aside to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains on your doorstep. Hiking goes hand in hand with Vancouver, with a variety of day hikes and multi-day treks available if you’re feeling up to it.
read more: Best hikes in and around Vancouver
Check-in: The Westin Bayshore
I checked in for my stay in Vancouver. The Westin BayshoreOne of the closest hotels to Stanley Park. This location is ideal for adventure travelers looking to be close to a park with plenty of hiking trails and the city’s famous bike loops around Stanley Park. It’s only a short walk or bike ride from the town centre, so be sure to take advantage of the hotel’s bikes, which guests can use free of charge during the day.
Thank you to Tourism Vancouver for welcoming me to experience this city. All opinions and photos are my own.