10 Iconic Vancouver Experiences
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Vancouver next month! If you’re in town, here are the top 10 iconic Vancouver experiences as told by a local! Don’t miss my other Vancouver related travel posts.
10. Take the Aquabus
Vancouver is lucky to be situated on so much water but that means bridges to get downtown. With road closures for the FIFA world cup, take a short cut as a tourist and enjoy the view on the Aquabus. You can check out their stops and routes here. It will take you to all the hot spots like Granville Island, Science World and Yaletown.
9. Shop on West 4th (Kitsilano)
Kitsilano is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Vancouver. It’s got beautiful views on Kitsilano beach but just a few steps away, all the best shops and restaurants are on West 4th ave. If you’re looking for luxury shopping, that is on Robson/Alberni street downtown. West 4th is best for independent shops and local Canadian retailers. Some of my favorites are: Saje, Monos, Reigning Champ, Aritzia, Hills, Mine & Yours.
8. See Canada Place/Waterfront
Located at the northern end of downtown, Canada Place is an iconic place to visit as a tourist in Vancouver. You’ll see the famous white sails, most likely a cruise ship or two in the summer time, and there are often events happening at the convention centers or the outdoor plazas.
7. Kayaking at Deep Cove
If you come to Vancouver, you have to go on a hike. One of the most accessible hikes is at Deep Cove. The Quarry Rock hike is about 30-45 minutes and you’ll enjoy a beautiful view that Vancouver is famous for. If you’re even more adventurous, kayaking at deep cove is a very fun experience. The water is quite calm as it’s protected from the ocean so it’s suitable for beginners.
6. Visit Coffee Shops
There’s no shortage of aesthetic coffee shops in Vancouver! We have some local chains and also 3rd wave coffee shops that focus on award winning pour overs. Find your favorites using Google Maps or check out my shortlist of my favorite coffee shops in Vancouver!
5. Walk the seawall around Olympic Village
Before the FIFA World Cup in 2026, Vancouver held the Winter Olympics in 2010. Olympic Village was originally built for the athletes but is now a thriving community. I love visiting for the well paved path along the seawall. There’s no admission fee but you’ll likely pay for parking. There are a number of restaurants along the seawall and you can even walk all the way to Granville Island.
4. Eat Dim Sum/Chinese Food
You may have heard about a large Asian population in Vancouver and this stereotype is totally true. This results in some of the best dim sum/chinese food you’ll find outside of Asia. A few popular spots are: Dynasty Seafood, Sun Sui Wah, and Din Tai Fung. You’ll also find lots of Japanese (this is #2 on my list), Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, and Indian food options.
3. Visit Kitsilano Beach
Even if you don’t want to shop along west 4th per my recommendation at #9, EVERYONE needs to come see Kitsilano Beach during their stay. Start around Kitsilano Pool and walk east along the paths all the way to Vanier Park. It’ll take you 30 minutes to an hour as you’ll be guaranteed to stop and take photos. It’s honestly incredible to have a city beach with a view of downtown and the North Shore mountains. There is also an outdoor bar called Batch that is very vibey. Again, access is all free but you’ll just likely have to pay for parking.
2. Eat Sushi
After every vacation, the first thing I do after coming back to Vancouver is eat sushi. I just think we have the best value and delicious tasting sushi anywhere in the world (outside of Japan of course). In places like LA and New York, sushi is often an upscale place and a good for a night out. But in Vancouver, there are a lot of hole in the wall sushi spots and they serve fresh delicous rolls and nigiris. As a tourist, I’d probably recommend something midrange. Some of my favorites are: Tozen Sushi, Sushi California, Hello Nori, and Sushi Mura. Of course you can always go to Miku for an iconic Vancouver experience – make sure to order the aburi salmon sushi that made them famous.
1. Bike Stanley Park
Lastly, the crown jewel of Vancouver downtown – Stanley Park. It’s our version of Central Park and it’s a beautiful reminder of how important nature is. The park is way to big to walk around so I highly recommend renting a bike from a shop on Denman street. Follow the bike lanes and ride around the park in a one way circle. There are lots of spots to stop and my favorite scenic moments are under the Lions Gate Bridge and the pineapple rock (Siwash Rock).
Splurge Experiences
Here are some additional experiences but costs a bit more money so check them out and see if it’s worth the splurge for you.
- Harbour Air Seaplane Tours
- Grouse Mountain Gondola + Activities at the Top
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Whale Watching Tours!
Get out of the City
If your schedule allows, I would definitely get out of the city! For a day trip, visit Squamish (full day guide coming soon!). Or if you have a few days, Whistler is a must visit even during the summer time. I have a comprehensive post of all weekend trips from Vancouver, so make sure to check that out.
