7 days in Vancouver

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Stanley Park and the seawall

      Stanley Park · Half a day · free.

   2. Late morning

      Vancouver Aquarium

      Stanley Park · 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. Evening

      Gastown and the steam clock

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

2. Day 2: Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

   Granville Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, then Richmond Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Granville Island

      Granville Island · Half a day · free.

   2. Late morning

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

      North Vancouver · 2 hours · expensive. Book online in summer and during the winter lights season, when time slots fill.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wild Pacific salmon

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

   4. 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: Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain

   Lynn Canyon Park and Grouse Mountain, then Gastown in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lynn Canyon Park

      North Vancouver · 1.5–2 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Grouse Mountain

      North Vancouver · Half a day · expensive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Spot prawns

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

   4. 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 drive along Howe Sound is one of the most scenic in Canada.

   3. Evening

      Back in Vancouver

      Dinner: try Japadog.

5. Day 5: Deep Cove and Quarry Rock and Museum of Anthropology at UBC

   Deep Cove and Quarry Rock and Museum of Anthropology at UBC, then Granville Entertainment District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Deep Cove and Quarry Rock

      North Vancouver · Half a day · free.

   2. Late morning

      Museum of Anthropology at UBC

      University of British Columbia · 2–3 hours · mid-priced.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Japadog

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

   4. Evening

      Granville Entertainment District

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

6. Day 6: Day trip to Victoria

   About 3.5 hours each way by transit and ferry each way. Getting there: BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, or a seaplane from the harbour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Victoria

      About 3.5 hours each way by transit and ferry (BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, or a seaplane from the harbour); about 100 km.

   2. Day

      Victoria

      The ferry threads through the Gulf Islands, while seaplanes make the trip in about 35 minutes.

   3. Evening

      Back in Vancouver

      Dinner: try Richmond dim sum.

7. Day 7: Canada Place and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

   Canada Place and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, then Main Street and Brewery Creek in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Canada Place

      Coal Harbour · 1 hour · free.

   2. Late morning

      Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

      Chinatown · 1 hour · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Richmond dim sum

      Restaurants around No. 3 Road in Richmond, a short Canada Line ride from downtown.

   4. Evening

      Main Street and Brewery Creek

      Taprooms, natural-wine bars and small music venues in Mount Pleasant.

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 7 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 25–33 hours of visiting over 7 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
• 5 days in Vancouver

Questions travellers ask