Having lived in Canada for the last 10+ years, it is crazy that I never visited Vancouver up until this past summer…because it is one of the prettiest and most picturesque destinations I have visited to date. Here is little how to do a Weekend in Vancouver post!
Getting To and Around Vancouver
The best way to explore and move around the area, especially if you’re doing a weekend in Vancouver, is 100% by car. There are a ton of spots both in and near the city center and slightly farther away like the village of Whistler, which would require having a car to truly explore. If you plan in just staying in the city, then naturally Uber/Taxi would absolutely make sense because yes, everything in city center is absolutely walkable.
We had a car rental booked in advance since it was August and we didn’t want to risk getting stuck without a car. We picked it up at the airport and it was super easy just getting a head start to the city!
Top Things to Do in Vancouver
1. Spend the morning at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Our first morning there, we made our way through the city to the most popular tourist site, the Suspension Bridge. We had bought the tickets in advance just in case of capacity limits (thank you Covid) and walked right through to the entrance point. We spent most of our morning here, doing the treetop walk and wobbling our way through the bridge capturing the beautiful green views.
2. Exploring Downtown Vancouver
We spent an entire afternoon simply walking around the downtown shopping area and hopping in and out of little stores for fun with delicious Vancouver coffee. Explore Gastown, stroll along Coal Harbour and grab dinner at a local restaurant!
3. Day Trip to Whistler
Whistler Bungee Jumping
If you are going to Whistler, then check off ‘Bungee Jumping’ off of your list! You absolutely do have to plan ahead on this because they are super strict about bookings and availability (book here for $130 CAD per jump). You can actually do this year round and it’s such an incredible adrenaline pumping experience as you jump over a river between two mountains. Definitely one of the most AMAZING experiences I have ever ever EVER had!
Explore Whistler Village
Drive on over to the village of Whistler and spend time walking around the cutest little shops, eat classic Canadian treats and lunch on patios to take in the mountain views in the summer time! We had lunch at El Furniture Warehouse patio and it was an absolutely perfect meal after the Bungee experience!
Go Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
Take in the mountain views out on a local lake in the area. Sit by the water or grab a kayak and go out into the water with your favourite music to take in the scenery in the middle of all it’s glory!
Sea to Sky Gondola Ride
Our last stop of the day was going up the Sea to Sky Gondola. We got to take in some gorgeous views as we made our way up to the mountain in minutes. There is such a cute little suspension bridge to walk on and then you can grab a bite or coffee and sit out on the patio under the sun with the lake glistening below. You can book your ride ahead and the ticket is valid for the whole day!
4. Day Trip to Vancouver Island (Victoria and Nanaimo)
Another day trip from Vancouver is to get a super early start to your day and head to the ferry port and explore one of the many islands in the area. Ideally, a better way to do this is if you’re doing more than just a weekend in Vancouver so you can take in a lot more of the area. We chose to go spend an afternoon to Victoria but to be honest the only place to really see there was the Butchart Gardens. It is a stunning heritage site with some of the most gorgeously maintained landscapes ever. The views from the ferry are also SO stunning and it is a treat in itself. Again, try to make sure to book your ticket in advance online (much cheaper and also to guarantee a spot)!
