3 days in Vancouver

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Stanley Park and the seawall

      This 400-hectare peninsula of rainforest, beaches and gardens is circled by a seawall path of about 9 km used by walkers, runners and cyclists.

   2. Late morning

      Vancouver Aquarium

      Plan your visit around the sea otter feeding and talks listed on the daily schedule.

   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

      Beneath the Granville Street Bridge, this former industrial island is home to the Granville Island Public Market — produce, seafood, bakeries and food counters — plus artists' studios, a brewery, theatres and a Kids Market of toy shops.

   5. Evening

      Gastown and the steam clock

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

2. Day 2: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Lynn Canyon Park

   Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain, then Richmond Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

      Go at opening time or late in the day to avoid tour groups, and wear grippy shoes on the damp boardwalks.

   2. Late morning

      Lynn Canyon Park

      A free alternative to Capilano, Lynn Canyon Park has a suspension bridge about 50 metres above a rocky gorge, short rainforest loop trails and the 30 Foot Pool, a swimming hole popular in summer.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wild Pacific salmon

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

   4. Afternoon

      Grouse Mountain

      If you hike the Grind, buy a one-way gondola ticket down; the trail is uphill-only and closes in winter.

   5. Evening

      Richmond Night Market

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

3. Day 3: Museum of Anthropology at UBC and Canada Place

   Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Canada Place and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, then Gastown in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Anthropology at UBC

      Arthur Erickson's concrete-and-glass building at the University of British Columbia holds one of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art, with towering totem poles in the Great Hall and Bill Reid's yellow-cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men.

   2. Late morning

      Canada Place

      Walk the promenade at sunset, then continue west along the Coal Harbour seawall towards Stanley Park.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Spot prawns

      Fisherman's Wharf near Granville Island, where boats sell direct during the season, and seafood restaurants citywide.

   4. Afternoon

      Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

      Built in 1986 by craftsmen from Suzhou, this was the first full-scale classical Chinese garden constructed outside China.

   5. Evening

      Gastown

      Cocktail bars and restaurants in Victorian buildings along Water and Cordova streets.

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

With 3 nights, Downtown and Coal Harbour keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, West End ($$$) suits couples, beach, nightlife and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask