VANCOUVER TRAVEL TIPS FOR 1ST TIMERS | 20+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Vancouver, BC + What NOT to Do
Discover Vancouver, Canada, with this essential guide for first-time visitors! From breathtaking natural wonders like Stanley Park and Capilano Suspension Bridge to vibrant urban hubs like Gastown and Granville Island, this map covers the must-sees. Plan your adventure with insider tips on dining, activities, and the best times to visit.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
A beautiful, but pricey, special place and popular attraction.
Vancouver Lookout
Offers a nice view, but more impressive views can be found elsewhere for free.
Grouse Mountain Gondola
A pricey gondola trip up Grouse Mountain, which can be bypassed by hiking the Grouse Grind.
FlyOver Canada
A paid attraction in Vancouver.
Victoria
A popular choice for a day trip from Vancouver, but involves a long ferry ride.
Squamish
A location for day trips from Vancouver.
Whistler
A location for day trips from Vancouver.
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
A great starting point in Vancouver to incorporate activities involving indigenous culture and history.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
A great starting point in Vancouver to incorporate activities involving indigenous culture and history.
Salmon n' Bannock
A restaurant for First Nations Cuisine, with a location at the airport.
Coal Harbour
An area of choice to stay in Downtown Vancouver, close to the sites.
West End
An area of choice to stay in Downtown Vancouver, close to the sites.
Yaletown
An area of choice to stay in Downtown Vancouver, close to the sites.
Robson Street
A generally safe area to walk around in Downtown Vancouver.
Lonsdale Quay
An area in North Vancouver with hotels that are cheaper than downtown, and a short SeaBus ride from Waterfront Station.
North Vancouver
An area where hotels can be way cheaper than downtown Vancouver.
Waterfront Station
A convenient station to return Compass Cards for a full refund and is on the way back to the airport.
False Creek
A scenic area where small ferries operate.
Vanier Park
A park accessible by small ferries, especially scenic.
Granville Island
A destination accessible by small ferries, especially scenic.
Cactus Club Cafe
A well-known chain restaurant known for 'casual fine dining'.
Earls Kitchen + Bar
A well-known chain restaurant known for 'casual fine dining'.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Alberni Street
A well-known chain restaurant known for 'casual fine dining'.
Tom Sushi
A good bet for decent sushi downtown.
Miku Restaurant
A more luxurious sushi restaurant downtown, especially for its signature aburi style sushi.
Minami Restaurant
A more luxurious sushi restaurant, especially for its signature aburi style sushi.
JAPADOG
A place that serves hot dogs with Japanese toppings, a quintessentially Vancouver food.
The Score on Davie
A classic place for Caesars (Canada's national cocktail) with many options.
La Belle Patate
A go-to spot for poutine (fries topped with gravy and cheese curds), another Canadian specialty.
Phnom Penh Restaurant
A place in Chinatown known for its butter beef and fried chicken.
Chinatown
A neighborhood with diverse cuisine, including Phnom Penh known for butter beef and fried chicken.
Mello
A place in Chinatown with amazing donuts.
Earnest Ice Cream
A place with a few different locations that serves amazing ice cream.
Mount Pleasant
A neighborhood where brewery hopping is a big thing.
Jam Cafe YVR
A popular casual favorite for brunch.
OEB Breakfast Co.
A popular casual favorite for brunch.
Maxine's Cafe & Bar
A good place for a higher-end brunch.
Costco Wholesale
The Costco in downtown Vancouver offers food court access for everyone, even without a membership.
Rogers Arena
A venue across from the Costco in downtown Vancouver.
BC Place
A venue near the Costco in downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Aquarium
A specific paid spot in Vancouver, and unlike other large cities, there aren't any sightseeing passes that will save you a great deal of money.
Science World
A specific paid spot in Vancouver, and unlike other large cities, there aren't any sightseeing passes that will save you a great deal of money.
Stanley Park Seawall
Walking or biking the Stanley Park Seawall is a must to get the full Stanley Park experience.
Stanley Park
An area with a seawall that gives the full Stanley Park experience.
Vancouver Convention Centre
An incredibly scenic walk starts by the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Queen Elizabeth Park
A gorgeous park with great views of the skyline.
Bloedel Conservatory
A very underrated and more affordable paid attraction in Vancouver.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Has a suspension bridge that's free, and offers unreal scenery.
Cypress Mountain
The viewpoint at Cypress Mountain has gorgeous views.
Burnaby Mountain Park
A park with great views.
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch
Has a free rooftop terrace that most people don't know about.
Gastown Steam Clock
A typical guidebook must-do that is just okay.
Vancouver Island
A popular choice for day trips, where Victoria is located.
Bowen Island
A good recommendation for a day trip if you don't have a car, with ferry sailings from Horseshoe Bay.
Sunshine Coast
A good recommendation for a day trip if you have a car, with ferry sailings from Horseshoe Bay.
Horseshoe Bay
Has ferry sailings to Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast, with an express bus to and from downtown.
Fraser Valley
An area with amazing spots for day trips.
Grouse Grind
A popular hike that is all stairs, and you don't get any nice views along the way.
East Hastings Street
An area to avoid due to issues around unhoused individuals, mental illness, and addiction.
Gastown
The eastern end of Gastown is an area to avoid due to issues around unhoused individuals, mental illness, and addiction.
Granville Street
Granville Street isn't the most pleasant place to walk anymore due to issues around unhoused individuals, mental illness, and addiction.