Vancouver’s downtown might be the star of the show — and even as someone who’s lived in dozens of cities, I still find myself drawn to its glass towers and mountain backdrop whenever I visit. You can’t argue with the appeal of spots like Granville Island and Stanley Park, but these well-known attractions often come with tour buses, long wait times, and that feeling that you’re following the same path as everyone else.
What many visitors don’t realize is that Vancouver stretches far beyond its central core, with hidden neighborhoods, local markets, and peaceful green spaces that most tourists never see. From quirky community gardens to family-run restaurants and quiet beaches where locals spend their afternoons, there’s so much more to explore than what’s in the guidebooks. Here’s my collection of the best places to discover in Vancouver, including some spots you won’t find on most tourist maps.
Stanley Park
Escape the bustle of downtown when you explore Stanley Park, Vancouver’s beloved 1,000-acre urban oasis. The park’s famous 5.5-mile seawall path lets you walk, bike, or rollerblade while taking in views of the city skyline, mountains, and ocean. Stop by the Vancouver Aquarium to meet sea otters and penguins, or discover the park’s collection of towering totem poles that tell stories of Indigenous culture. For families, there’s the miniature train ride through the forest and a heated outdoor pool that’s perfect for summer splashing.
Granville Island
I always recommend Granville Island to anyone visiting Vancouver. Located under the Granville Street Bridge, this former industrial area turned public market is now a busy hub where local artisans, food vendors, and performers come together. The Public Market is the main attraction, filled with fresh produce stalls, bakeries, and craft shops, while the surrounding streets house art galleries, theaters, and waterfront restaurants.
Grouse Mountain
Just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver sits Grouse Mountain, a year-round playground that’s been drawing visitors since 1926. Rising 4,100 feet above the city, this mountain offers a completely different world across each season. In winter, the slopes fill with skiers and snowboarders carving through fresh powder, while summer brings hikers tackling the famous Grouse Grind trail – a steep 1.8-mile climb nicknamed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.” The mountain’s gondola glides visitors to the peak, where restaurants serve up meals with sweeping views of the city, ocean, and surrounding peaks. Beyond sports, you’ll find rescued grizzly bears in their habitat, lumberjack shows in the warmer months, and ice skating under the stars during winter evenings. This is where locals and tourists alike come to escape the city buzz and reconnect with British Columbia’s natural side.
Gastown
Ever heard the gentle whistle of a steam clock while sipping coffee on a cobblestone street? That’s daily life in Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood where history meets modern charm. The birthplace of the city itself, this district blends Victorian architecture with trendy restaurants and local boutiques. You can wander past the famous Steam Clock, which puts on a show every quarter-hour, or grab a drink at one of the many cozy bars housed in restored 19th-century buildings. Home to some of Vancouver’s best food spots and independent art galleries, Gastown lets you experience the city’s past while enjoying its present-day culture.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Looking for a thrill in Vancouver? The Capilano Suspension Bridge has been making visitors’ hearts race since 1889. This 450-foot long bridge hangs 230 feet above the rushing Capilano River, swaying gently as you cross through the towering coastal rainforest. It’s not just about the main bridge though – the park offers treetop walks between ancient Douglas firs and cliff-side trails that give you a true bird’s eye view of the forest below. While it can get busy during peak tourist season, going early in the morning or on a misty day offers a more peaceful experience, letting you take in the fresh cedar-scented air and the sound of the river rushing beneath your feet.
Vancouver Aquarium
Many visitors flock to the Vancouver Aquarium for its well-known marine life exhibits, but this Stanley Park institution offers much more than just fish tanks. Home to over 65,000 animals from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, the aquarium lets you get up close with sea otters, penguins, and jellyfish. While the daily sea lion and dolphin presentations draw big crowds, the facility also serves as a marine mammal rescue center and research station. You can spend hours exploring the different zones, from the tropical Amazon gallery to the local British Columbia coast exhibit, and the hands-on touch pools are especially popular with families.
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology sits perched on the westernmost edge of UBC’s campus, overlooking the Strait of Georgia. First opened in 1949, this cultural gem houses one of North America’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art and artifacts. The building itself, designed by architect Arthur Erickson, features soaring glass walls and concrete beams that frame the coastal landscape. Inside, towering totem poles stand guard alongside intricate wooden masks and ceremonial objects, while the outdoor grounds showcase traditional longhouses and monumental sculptures. The museum’s Great Hall, with its wall of windows, offers visitors a chance to see these indigenous masterpieces in natural light, just as they were meant to be viewed. Whether you’re exploring the extensive collection of global cultural artifacts or wandering through the native plant gardens, the museum provides a deep connection to the rich indigenous heritage of British Columbia.
English Bay Beach
Of all the beaches I’ve lounged on in Vancouver, English Bay Beach remains my go-to spot for soaking up the city’s coastal charm. This stretch of sand sits right where downtown meets the ocean, making it the perfect place to watch the sun sink into the Pacific while the city winds down behind you. It’s not just another urban beach – the mix of locals playing volleyball, families building sandcastles, and food vendors serving up snacks creates a welcoming vibe that keeps people coming back. Whether you’re spreading out a blanket for a summer picnic or bundling up for one of the famous winter polar bear swims, English Bay Beach shows off Vancouver’s laid-back personality at its best.
Science World
Many visitors flock to Science World for its iconic geodesic dome structure, but this hands-on museum offers much more than just a recognizable skyline landmark. Inside, you’ll find three floors packed with interactive exhibits that bring scientific concepts to life, making complex topics easy to understand for both kids and adults. The facility hosts regular special exhibitions, live demonstrations, and an OMNIMAX theatre showing immersive documentaries on its massive dome screen. While the permanent galleries focus on topics like physics, biology, and sustainability, the outdoor Ken Spencer Science Park lets visitors experiment with water features and eco-friendly technology in the open air. Even if you’re not typically a science enthusiast, the engaging displays and ever-changing programs make Science World worth a visit any time of year.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Ever wanted to wander through a living museum of plants from around the world? That’s exactly what you’ll find at VanDusen Botanical Garden, a 55-acre green oasis in the heart of Vancouver. This peaceful retreat showcases more than 7,500 plant species, arranged in themed gardens that take you from Mediterranean landscapes to Korean meadows. You can lose yourself in the Elizabethan hedge maze, spot local wildlife around the peaceful lakes, or simply relax with a cup of tea at Truffles Café while watching the seasons paint new colors across the gardens. It’s especially magical in December when the Festival of Lights transforms the space into a twinkling wonderland, making it a year-round destination for both plant enthusiasts and anyone seeking a break from city life.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Explore Vancouver’s crown jewel at Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in the city at 410 feet above sea level. This 130-acre park offers panoramic views of downtown and the North Shore Mountains from its beautifully manicured gardens and pathways. Inside the park’s tropical Bloedel Conservatory, you can walk among more than 500 exotic plants and 100 free-flying birds beneath a geodesic dome. For active visitors, there’s plenty to do – from tennis courts and pitch-and-putt golf to disc golf and tai chi in the gardens. Stop by Seasons in the Park restaurant for a meal with a view, where you can watch the sunset paint the Vancouver skyline in golden hues.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Ever wandered through a Ming Dynasty garden outside of China? You can at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the first authentic Chinese garden built beyond China’s borders. Hidden in Vancouver’s Chinatown, this peaceful oasis follows the exact principles used by 15th-century Chinese scholars and artists. The garden’s carefully positioned rocks, water features, and native plants create perfect harmony, just like they did 500 years ago. You can sip traditional tea in the courtyard, learn about Chinese culture through guided tours, or simply find a quiet spot to watch the koi fish swim beneath the jade-green water. It’s especially magical during cultural festivals when traditional music fills the air and lanterns light up the pathways.
Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre
Perched 553 feet above the city streets, the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre has been a go-to spot for panoramic views since 1977. This glass-enclosed observation deck wraps around the building’s top floor, offering 360-degree vistas of the downtown core, North Shore Mountains, and the busy waters of Burrard Inlet. A quick 40-second elevator ride whisks visitors to the top, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city’s ever-changing landscape. During sunset, the fading light paints the snow-capped peaks in soft pink hues while the city below begins to twinkle with thousands of lights. The lookout’s complimentary guided tours share stories of Vancouver’s history, from its humble beginnings as a sawmill town to its current status as one of Canada’s largest Pacific ports.
Vancouver Seawall
Want to experience Vancouver from a whole new angle? The Vancouver Seawall stretches 28 kilometers around Stanley Park and along the city’s waterfront, making it the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Locals and visitors alike flock here to walk, jog, or cycle while taking in views of the mountains, ocean, and cityscape all at once. You’ll spot everything from cruise ships and seaplanes to harbor seals popping their heads above the water. The path connects you to popular spots like English Bay Beach, Granville Island, and Olympic Village, making it perfect for a full day of exploring. Even better, you can rent a bike at one of the many shops near Stanley Park and cover the entire route in about three hours.
Kitsilano Beach
Many locals and visitors head to Kitsilano Beach for its perfect mix of seaside relaxation and outdoor activities, but this stretch of shoreline offers much more than just sand and waves. The beach features Vancouver’s only saltwater swimming pool, beach volleyball courts, and plenty of grassy areas for picnics or tossing a frisbee. During summer months, the beach buzzes with paddleboarders and kayakers exploring the waters of English Bay, while the waterfront restaurants and cafes provide ideal spots for watching the sunset over the mountains. You’ll find people enjoying “Kits Beach” year-round, whether they’re jogging along the seawall, playing tennis at the public courts, or simply taking in views of downtown Vancouver across the water.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the city’s art scene since 1931, housed in a beautiful neoclassical building that was once the provincial courthouse. Sitting at the heart of downtown on Robson Street, this cultural hub spans four floors filled with rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection of more than 12,000 artworks. The gallery is particularly known for its extensive collection of Emily Carr paintings, showcasing the Pacific Northwest through her unique perspective. The gallery’s café and front steps have become a natural meeting spot for locals, while the building’s grand columns and copper roof make it one of the most photographed landmarks in Vancouver. Winter or summer, you’ll often find the plaza buzzing with street performers and pop-up art installations that bring extra life to this already dynamic space.
Canada Place
Many visitors come to Canada Place for its iconic white sails that have become a symbol of Vancouver’s waterfront, but this landmark offers much more than just photo opportunities. The multi-purpose facility serves as both a cruise ship terminal and convention center, while also housing various exhibits that showcase Canadian culture and history. During summer months, the outdoor plaza buzzes with street performers and seasonal events, but you can find plenty to explore here year-round, from the virtual flight ride “FlyOver Canada” to the promenade’s sweeping views of the North Shore Mountains and Burrard Inlet.
Robson Street
Robson Street is where I send anyone who wants to experience the heart of downtown Vancouver’s shopping scene. Running for three busy blocks through the city center, this bustling street is packed with both international brands and local boutiques, making it Vancouver’s go-to retail destination. You’ll find everything from Nike and Zara to small Canadian designers, plus plenty of sidewalk cafes and restaurants when you need a break from shopping.