Last Updated on September 10, 2024
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I recently got a chance to spend a weekend in Vancouver, and it instantly became one of my favorite cities. What makes Vancouver so attractive, is that it’s a perfect mix of a bustling, modern city with spectacular nature.
Located on the west coast of Canada, in the British Columbia, Vancouver is the third biggest city in the country. It’s surrounded by ocean and mountains, which gives a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities. You can enjoy city life one minute and be out in the nature within half hour.
If you are a foodie, this is your city. Vancouver has a vibrant food scene, with a wide variety of amazing restaurants. Especially if you are a fan of Asian cuisine. There’s a large Asian population in Vancouver, so there’s a lot of great authentic Asian food to choose from.
Is weekend in Vancouver long enough? Definitely not. The list of things to do and see in Vancouver and the area is endless. You could stay a week and still not cover everything. But with a couple of days, you’ll be able to see the top Vancouver attractions and get a nice introduction to this amazing city.
Weekend in Vancouver
Weekend in Vancouver is definitely not long enough to see all the city has to offer. Between all the Vancouver attractions and many day trips you can take, you can easily fill a week with activities. But if a short visit is all you can do, 2 days in Vancouver is a good start. You’ll be able to get a feel for the city and cover some of the most popular attractions.
How to spend a weekend in Vancouver
Day 1
Enjoy the views from Vancouver Lookout
Start your weekend in Vancouver by heading to Vancouver Lookout, an observation deck offering amazing 360 views of the city.
This is one of the most popular Vancouver attractions, so it can get a bit crowded, especially on the weekend, that’s why I recommend visiting right when it opens at 10 am. You can book your Vancouver Lookout ticket ahead of time.
Despite several people mention online, that tickets are valid all day, and you can enter more than once in one day, that information is not correct. If that was the case before, it in no longer possible and tickets are one time entry only.
One floor above the observation deck is also Top of Vancouver, a revolving restaurant. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but of course, you’re paying for the views.
Vancouver Lookout is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm ( last elevator going up at 5.30 pm )
Wander through Gastown
From Vancouver Lookout, head down the main street and make your way towards Gastown, which will be about a 5-10 min walk. You know you are there, when you see a group of people gathered around a clock. The Gas Town Steam Clock is the main attraction of the neighborhood. It was built in 1977, it’s one of the very few still working steam clocks in the world. It goes off very 15 minutes with a whistle and steam shooting out.
Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver and definitely stands out from the rest of modern downtown. With cobblestone streets, lamp posts and historic buildings, it’s a stark contrast from the mostly modern city. Gastown was named after Jack “Gassy” Deighton, a captain who opened the very first bar in the area.
Today it’s mostly a dining and shopping area. It’s a fun part of the city to explore if you are looking to shop or grab a bite to eat. There’s a variety of restaurants to try, you can also join this 3 hour Gastown Walking Food Tour and sample food from several different places.
Sadly, past a certain point, the neighborhood turns from charming to sketchy and quite unpleasant. A few blocks down the E Hasting Street is an area known as Downtown Eastside, which has a huge problem of homeless people and drug addicts. I still think Gastown is worth including in your Vancouver itinerary, but be aware and don’t venture out too far east and definitely avoid that part of the city at night.
Explore Stanley Park
You cannot spend a weekend in Vancouver without visiting Stanley Park. This the jewel of the city and hands down one of the best places to visit in Vancouver. Stanley Park often tops the list of the most beautiful urban parks in the world, which comes as no surprise.
Stanley Park is massive, covering 1000 acres and there are many things to do there. From strolling, biking, playing golf to relaxing on one of the beaches and stopping for a bite at one of the restaurants, you could easily spend a good chunk of your day there. If you love visiting aquariums, there is a great one located within the park. Could be one of the fun things to do in Vancouver on a rainy day.
But with a limited time in Vancouver, I recommend renting a bike, which is without a doubt is the best way to get around Stanley Park. By bike you will be able to cover a lot more ground and see all the highlights. You can rent a bike downtown and bike to the park (the city has designated bike lanes) or get one closer to the entrance. Spokes is one of the biggest and most popular bike rentals in Vancouver and there is one near the park as well. Also, within the park, you can rent bikes (both standard and electric) through the app Shaw Go bikes (you will need to create the account and have a credit card).
There are many trails, but the one you definitely need to do is the 10-mile trail along the Sea Wall. The views are amazing and there are many spots to check out like Totem Poles, the Brockton Point Lighthouse, Lions Gate Bridge and Girl in the Wetsuit statue (which from afar looks a bit like the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen)
Plan for at least 2-3 hours to spend at Stanley Park.
Enjoy nightlife on Granville Street
If you are looking for nightlife in Vancouver, you want to head to Granville Street. This is where you’ll find many bars, restaurants, clubs
Day 2
Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Start your second day in Vancouver with a visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Located just outside of downtown, this outdoor park is one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver, drawing estimated 1.2 million visitors each year.
The park’s main attraction is the 137 m long bridge, suspended 70 m over Capilano River. While crossing the swaying bridge is the biggest thrill, the views of the forest and the river are beautiful as well. Once you get to the other side, there’s more fun to be had. There’s a Tree Top Adventure with 7 smaller suspension bridges and a nature walk. Also, the newest addition to the Park, the Cliff Walk, which is 70 m long and offers more amazing views of the river, forest and the Capilano Suspension bridge.
The Park is open year round, but the opening hours change depending on the season. Check the official website for up to date information.
Getting to the Park is easy thanks to the complimentary shuttle bus, that runs every 30 minutes starting its run half hour before the opening time. You can catch it at Canada Place, it also makes stops at a couple of hotels ( Hyatt Regency and Blue Horizon ). Plan at least 2 hours to spend at the Park, more if you decide to sit down for a snack/drink at the restaurant on site.
Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of the top Vancouver attractions and it gets very crowded. When we got there by mid day it was already packed with people. That’s why I highly recommend planning your visit first thing in the morning. Take the very first free shuttle bus from Canada Place and get there right when it opens. You could also try for late afternoon, before it closes.
The entrance to the Capilano Suspension Bridge is not cheap and definitely one of the more expensive things to do in Vancouver. Still, a fun place to spend 2-3 hours, especially if you are visiting Vancouver with kids.
Book your Capilano Suspension Park tickets here.
Walk around Canada Place
After your visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you’ll get dropped off back at Canada Place and I recommend spending some time there. The building is easily recognizable by the five sails on top and is home to a Convention Center and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal. It gets especially busy in the summer, during Alaska cruising season.
It’s a great area to walk around and enjoy the views looking out on the water, watching the ships come in and sea planes take off. Also, be sure to check out the Olympic Cauldron, which is right next to the Convention Center. It was built for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, but it became a permanent fixture and a popular Vancouver tourist attraction.
One of the main attractions at Canada Place is Fly Over Canada. It’s a30 minute flight stimulation ride taking you across some of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes. It definitely makes for a great rainy day activity in Vancouver.
Walk the Sea Wall
Sea Wall is 28 km ( 17.5 miles ) long waterfront path, one of the longest in the world. The loop in Stanley park is the most popular section of it, but the Sea Wall starts at the Vancouver Convention Center and goes around the city. With just a weekend in Vancouver, you will most likely not walk the entire length of it, but it is a great way to see the city for those with more time.
Take a scenic flight over Vancouver
Another fun activity you can fit into your Vancouver weekend trip is a flight on a sea plane for some amazing aerial views of the city. The sea planes take off from the Canada Place for a 20 minute scenic flight over the city.
Even though it’s not one of the cheapest things to do in Vancouver, it’s worth the price tag and an unforgettable experience. If you plan on visiting Vancouver in the summer, definitely book your sea plane flight in advance. Despite the price, the scenic flights are quite popular and book up fast.
You can book your Sea Plane over Vancouver tickets here.
Visit Granville Island
While not technically an island, but a small peninsula, Granville Island is a must visit. This former industrial area, was transformed into one of the most fun and vibrant places in Vancouver. Great place to hang out, especially on a beautiful day.
If you are a foodie, you will love this place. One of the highlights is a great Public Market, where you can find anything from fresh produce, gourmet food to variety of international food. There are plenty of restaurants, a brewery, souvenir shops and often outdoor live music.
Besides all the dining options, there are also several boat excursions to choose from. You can rent a kayak, a paddle board or go on a whale watching tour. Between all these attractions you could easily spend a few hours there.
There are several ways you can get to Granville Island from downtown Vancouver.
- Hop on the Aquabus – if you are anywhere near one of the stops of the small ferry, that is the best way to get to Granville Island. You’ll avoid sitting in traffic and can enjoy beautiful views from the water. One way ticket will cost you CAD 3.75-9, depending where you board the Aquabus.
- Regular Bus – you can also hop on the Bus 50, going towards False Creek South. There is a bus stop across the street from Vancouver Lookout. You’re looking at about 30 minutes to get there from Downtown.
- Hop on Hop off Bus – Granville Island is also one of the stops on the Hop On Hop Off bus route.
How to get around Vancouver
Between excellent public transportation and Uber, you have several option on how to get around the city. Renting a car is absolutely not necessary, especially for a short stay such as 2 days in Vancouver.
Sky Train
The most popular and efficient way of getting around Vancouver is a rapid train system called Sky Train. The three SkyTrain lines ( Millennium, Expo and Canada line ) cover pretty much anywhere you’d need to go, including getting to/from the airport.
There are 3 fare zones across the city, with most Vancouver attractions being within Zone 1.
A single ticket is called a Compass ticket and costs 3.10 CAD. You can buy it at vending machines at any station. You can also purchase a rechargeable Compass Card for 6 CAD ( which is refundable) , then load it with money. If you pay with the Compass Card, those fares are 20% discounted.
If you plan on using public transportation several times in one day, the best deal is to get a Day Pass, which costs 10.75 CAD and gives you unlimited rides in all 3 zones.
Taxi/Rideshare
The most convenient, but also most expensive way of getting around the city is by taxis. Also, both Uber and Lyft operate in Vancouver.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
Hop on Hop Off Bus is not only one of the popular things to do in Vancouver, but also one of the ways of getting around. It’s perfect for first time visitors and those visiting Vancouver for just a couple of days. You can see a lot of the city in a short time, get your bearings. The bus stops at all major Vancouver attractions and you can hop on and off as much as you want.
You can book your Hop On Hop Off bus tickets here. Choose from either 24- or 48-hour pass.
Aquabus
Aquabus is the most fun way of getting around Vancouver. The little, colorful ferries travel up and down False Creek with 8 stops ( you can see all of them here ). They run every 15-20 minutes, so you never have to wait long. You’ll get the best views of Vancouver’s skyline along the way too.
One way tickets range from 3.75 – 9 CAD, depending on the distance. They also offer a Day Pass for 19 CAD, if you want to explore the area. You can buy your tickets online, or pay on board, both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Where to stay in Vancouver
When you look at the map of Vancouver, you can see the city is quite big. But for a short stay such as a weekend or 2 days in Vancouver, Downtown is where you will most likely spend most of your time. And that’s where I recommend choosing your accommodations. Hotels will be more expensive than in other parts of the city, but it’s worth the money given the proximity to all the main Vancouver attractions and convenience.
Staying in downtown Vancouver on a budget is hard, especially during the summer months. It’s not just high season in general, but also Alaska cruising season and a lot of people stay pre/post cruises. The demand drives up the cost, so expect hotel prices to be on the higher side. You can spend less on accommodations if you stay outside of the downtown area, but with just a weekend in Vancouver, it’s best to stay in downtown.
Hotel Auberge – great hotel in prime location, perfect for exploring downtown Vancouver. Right in the heart of the city, close to SkyTrain and convention center. It’s one block from the Cruise Ship Terminal, so also very convenient if you are going on an Alaska cruise. Rooms are comfortable and spacious, and there is a parking on site, although you have to pay extra for that.
Hotel BLU – This is where we stayed during our visit to Vancouver. This hotel is in a great location, within walking distance to most points of interest and public transportation. A couple of coffee shops and many restaurant around. The price was reasonable and the rooms really spacious and comfortable. They come with a small fridge and a microwave. They also have complimentary bikes for guests’ use ( make sure to reserve the day before ).
Blue Horizon – modern, boutique hotel right on Robson St, steps away from many shops and restaurants. Choose a room on one of the highest floors for amazing views.
Pan Pacific – although not the cheapest hotel, it is the most convenient one if you are in Vancouver before going on a cruise to Alaska. Pan Pacific is located right next to the Cruise Ship Terminal. The location is also perfect for exploring downtown. The hotel is waterfront, so many rooms come with amazing views.
READ MORE:
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