2 days in Vancouver

Day by day

1. Day 1: Stanley Park and the seawall and Vancouver Aquarium

   Stanley Park and the seawall, Vancouver Aquarium, Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, then Gastown and the steam clock in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Stanley Park and the seawall

      Stops include the totem poles at Brockton Point, Siwash Rock, the Prospect Point lookout under the Lions Gate Bridge and Second and Third beaches on the western shore.

   2. Late morning

      Vancouver Aquarium

      It is one of the city's main family attractions on a rainy day.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sushi and the BC roll

      Sushi bars throughout downtown, Kitsilano and Richmond, from takeaway counters to omakase restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Granville Island

      Small Aquabus and False Creek Ferries boats shuttle across from downtown and Yaletown.

   5. Late afternoon

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

      The private park adds Treetops Adventure, a chain of footbridges between tall Douglas firs, and Cliffwalk, a walkway bolted to the canyon wall.

   6. Evening

      Gastown and the steam clock

      Combine an evening walk with dinner and cocktails; Gastown is at its best after dark.

2. Day 2: Museum of Anthropology at UBC and Canada Place

   Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Canada Place, Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain, then Richmond Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Anthropology at UBC

      Outside, Haida houses and poles overlook the sea.

   2. Late morning

      Canada Place

      Its promenade looks over Burrard Inlet to the North Shore mountains and floatplanes landing in Coal Harbour, and the FlyOver Canada flight-simulation ride is inside.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wild Pacific salmon

      Seafood restaurants and the Granville Island Public Market, which sells smoked and candied salmon for travel.

   4. Afternoon

      Lynn Canyon Park

      The small Ecology Centre has exhibits for children.

   5. Late afternoon

      Grouse Mountain

      In summer there are grizzly bears in a wildlife refuge, lumberjack shows and hiking; in winter, skiing and snowshoeing. Fit hikers climb the Grouse Grind, a 2.9 km staircase-like trail with about 850 metres of ascent.

   6. Evening

      Richmond Night Market

      Take the Canada Line to Bridgeport station and arrive early in the evening to avoid the longest queues.

Before you go

• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: Book online in summer and during the winter lights season, when time slots fill.

If it rains

• Swap in Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory (Little Mountain): The park is free; pay only for the conservatory, which makes a warm rainy-day stop.
• Swap in Science World (False Creek): Arrive by SkyTrain to Main Street–Science World station, or by mini-ferry along False Creek.
• Swap in Vancouver Art Gallery (Downtown): Check the current shows before you go, as much of the space is given to temporary exhibitions.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–28 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.2 hours in December to 16.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Metro. SkyTrain's driverless trains run on three lines: the Canada Line to the airport and Richmond, and the Expo and Millennium lines east towards Burnaby and Surrey.

More or fewer days

• One day in Vancouver
• 3 days in Vancouver
• 4 days in Vancouver
• 5 days in Vancouver
• 7 days in Vancouver

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