Vancouver, Canada 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Downtown Vancouver

  • Stay: The Fairmont Pacific Rim (Luxury) / The Sutton Place Hotel (Mid-range) / Gastown Hotel (Budget)
  • Breakfast: Jam Café (Brunch) / Ekoid’s Fresh Foods (Vegan)

Morning:

  1. Start your day with a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Walk among the tall trees of the ancient rainforest and cross the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge.
  2. Head back to downtown Vancouver and explore Stanley Park. Rent a bike or walk along the seawall, visit the totem poles, and take a picture with the iconic Stanley Park sign.

Lunch:

  1. Grab a bite at The Fish Counter for fresh seafood or Tuc Craft Kitchen for contemporary Canadian cuisine.

Afternoon:

  1. Visit Granville Island. Explore public markets, art galleries, and theatres. Don’t forget to check out Granville Island Brewing Company for a beer tasting!
  2. Take a stroll along Granville Street to experience Vancouver’s entertainment district with numerous shops, restaurants, and clubs.

Dinner:

  1. Dine at Akira Back (Korean-Japanese fusion) or Nightingale (modern Canadian cuisine).

Evening:

  1. Catch a show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre or enjoy the nightlife in Yaletown or Granville Entertainment District.

Day 2: Explore North Vancouver

  • Breakfast: Belka Cafe & Bistro (Russian) / The Bird’s Nest (Vegan)

Morning:

  1. Take the Seabus to North Vancouver and explore Lynn Canyon Park. Hike the trails, visit the suspension bridge, and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls.
  2. Head over to Grouse Mountain by Skyride or bus (number 236). Experience wildlife shows, bird shows, and the Lumberjack Show. Don’t forget to take a picture with the grizzly bears!

Lunch:

  1. Grab lunch at The Observatory Restaurant on Grouse Mountain for breathtaking views or The Log Cabin Restaurant.

Afternoon:

  1. Visit Capilano University’s Blue House Gallery to experience contemporary art exhibitions.
  2. Relax at the Park & Tilford Shopping Centre and grab some souvenirs.

Dinner:

  1. Dine at Vij’s (Indian cuisine) or The Fish Counter West Van (seafood).

Evening:

  1. Take a scenic drive along the Cypress Parkway to enjoy stunning views of the city and ocean.

Day 3: Visit Gastown & Granville Island

  • Stay: The Westin Wall Centre (Luxury) / The Listel Hotel (Mid-range) / The Moda Hotel (Budget)
  • Breakfast: Jam Cafe (Brunch) / L’Abattoir (French)

Morning:

  1. Explore the historic district of Gastown. Visit the steam clock, shop along Water Street, and grab coffee at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters.
  2. Head to Granville Island for a second visit. Take a tour of the Granville Island Brewing Company or rent a kayak to explore False Creek.

Lunch:

  1. Have lunch at The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant on Granville Island or The Naam (Vegan Indian cuisine).

Afternoon:

  1. Visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (University of British Columbia) to learn about Indigenous cultures and artifacts.
  2. Take a walk along the campus and enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean, mountains, and campus architecture.

Dinner:

  1. Dine at Guu with Garlic (Japanese Izakaya) or Minami (Contemporary Japanese cuisine).

Evening:

  1. Relax at Kitsilano Beach or take a walk along the oceanfront Kitsilano neighborhood.

Things to Know:

  • Vancouver is known for its rainy weather, so pack a raincoat and umbrella.
  • The TransLink system includes buses, SeaBus, SkyTrain, and West Coast Express trains. Use the Compass Card or exact change for fares.
  • Canadian currency is the dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted.
  • Tips are usually 15-20% of the bill in restaurants.
  • English and French are the official languages in Canada, but many residents speak other languages as well.