5 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

      Rent a bike on Denman Street and ride the seawall counter-clockwise, the required direction for cyclists, allowing about an hour plus stops. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Vancouver Aquarium

      Plan your visit around the sea otter feeding and talks listed on the daily schedule. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Arrive by mini-ferry rather than by car, as parking fills quickly, and eat lunch on the docks behind the market. (Half a day, free).

   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 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Lynn Canyon Park

      Stay on marked trails and never jump from the cliffs into the pools; the river is colder and stronger than it looks. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   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. (Half a day, expensive).

   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

      Leave time for the visible-storage galleries, where thousands of objects from around the world fill glass cases and drawers. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Canada Place

      Walk the promenade at sunset, then continue west along the Coal Harbour seawall towards Stanley Park. (1 hour, free).

   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

      Join a guided tour to understand the symbolism of the rocks, water and plants. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Gastown

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Whistler

   About 2 hours by car or coach each way. Getting there: Sea-to-Sky Highway by car, coach or shuttle.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Whistler

      About 2 hours by car or coach (Sea-to-Sky Highway by car, coach or shuttle); about 125 km.

   2. Day

      Whistler

      The resort town that co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics has one of North America's largest ski areas and, in summer, mountain biking, hiking and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Best for families, couples and luxury.

   3. Evening

      Back in Vancouver

      Dinner: try Japadog.

5. Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Garden

   Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory, VanDusen Botanical Garden and Science World, then Granville Entertainment District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory

      The park is free; pay only for the conservatory, which makes a warm rainy-day stop. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      VanDusen Botanical Garden

      Visit in May for rhododendrons and magnolias, or in December for the lights, booking evening slots ahead. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Japadog

      Japadog carts and shops downtown, including on Burrard and Robson streets.

   4. Afternoon

      Science World

      Arrive by SkyTrain to Main Street–Science World station, or by mini-ferry along False Creek. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Granville Entertainment District

      Clubs, live-music venues and late bars on Granville Street downtown, busiest at weekends.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 27–36 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Vancouver
• 4 days in Vancouver
• 7 days in Vancouver

Questions travellers ask