Iโve at all times observed that Vancouver recurrently tops the charts as being one of many worldโs most habitable cities, however Iโve at all times been curious as to why itโs at all times deemed to be simply so excellent! Decided to search out out for my myself I flew out to spend per week within the diversely populated metropolis situated on the west coast in British Columbia.
From hovering mountain views to seaplane rides, laid-back markets to axe-throwing on mountaintops, right here is my dreamy week spent within the famously easy-on-the-eye Canadian metropolis and Iโve included my weekโs itinerary on the finish too, in case you need to do the identical journeyโฆ
1. Grouse Mountain Adventures โ Skyline Views and Axe-Throwing Thrills
To actually respect a metropolis like Vancouver, I wished to view it from above so I headed straight for Grouse Mountain. This was one of many metropolisโs most well-known spots which was additionally residence to the Skyride Gondola.
The gondola journey to the highest had a definite twist โ I opted to face securely on the roof of the gondola (sure actually)! I’ve to confess it was barely vertigo however I loved actually jaw-dropping views of town, forest, and shoreline far under me.
As soon as on the high, I shortly realised Grouse Mountain was greater than only a lookout, there was zip-lining, paragliding, cheesy-but-fun lumberjack reveals, and even helicopter ridesโI may have simply spent a full day up there.
I noticed the mountain was additionally residence to 2 rescued โ and really beautiful โ grizzly bears who have been named Grinder and Coola, who’ve lived in a protected wildlife enclosure since 2001. Seeing them up shut (in an surroundings that fortunately mimicked their pure habitat โ Iโm not a fan of zoos in any respect!) was an actual spotlight.
I additionally indulged in a little bit of axe-throwing. As a complete pacifist, I didnโt count on to get pleasure from it as a lot as I did however I discovered not solely was it surprisingly addictive, I additionally discovered I used to be surprisingly good at it!
Earlier than leaving I additionally found the bizarre attraction the Eye of the Wind, which was a 65-metre-high wind turbine with a singular viewing pod the place I noticed excellent panoramic vistas of town and its environment.ย
Grouse Mountain โ At a Look
Location: quarter-hour north of downtown Vancouver
Getting There: Drive or take the free shuttle from Canada Place (seasonal)
My High Experiences: Journey the Skyride Gondola (or take the Skyride Surf Journey on the roof!), Watch the lumberjack present (seasonal and family-friendly), Go to Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzly bears, Strive axe-throwing or zip-lining, Take within the views from the Eye of the Wind turbine
My Tip: Arrive early in summer time to keep away from crowds and luxuriate in cooler climate for hikes
โ2. Stanley Park by Bike & Granville Island
After taking within the metropolis from above, I got here again all the way down to discover it at floor degree โ and there was no higher method to try this than by hopping on a motorbike and using the loop round Stanley Park. The park was a shocking city oasis within the coronary heart of town which spanned over 1,000 acres.
One of many largest metropolis parks in the entire of North America, it genuinely felt like using by means of a slice of West Coast paradise.
The path was simple however with some very fascinating highlights, I handed quiet forested paths, sandy seashores, colourful totem poles, beautiful views of town skyline and noticed wildlife round Beaver Lake and Misplaced Lagoon.ย
Stanley Park โ At a Look
Location: Bordering downtown Vancouver, wrapped by the Pacific Ocean
Dimension: 1,000 acres (bigger than NYCโs Central Park!)
Greatest For: Nature lovers, cyclists, households, photographers, and tradition seekers
High Issues to Do:
Cycle or stroll the 9 km Seawall for epic water and skyline views
Go to Brockton Level Totem Poles โ essentially the most visited in BC
Spot seals close to the seawall or herons close to Misplaced Lagoon
Wander forest trails by means of dense coastal rainforest
Loosen up at Second & Third Seashore or catch sundown at Prospect Level
Entry Charge: Free (sights inside the park might cost individually)
My Tip: Go early to get pleasure from peaceable paths and the higher gentle for photographs
I then cycled 2 kilometers to close by Granville Island which was aย full of life cultural and culinary hub within the engaging Canadian metropolis. It was residence to bustling public market, artisan retailers, waterfront eating places, cool craft beer breweries, theaters and a really vibrant arts scene โ all set on a scenic peninsula underneath the Granville Road Bridge.
The vibe felt splendidly artsy, and delightfully native โ to me it felt like a inventive village tucked proper into town,
I spent a number of hours there going for an artisan espresso on the Off the Tracks Espresso Bar & Bistro, browse handmade ceramics and blown glass within the artistโs studios, dined on a connoisseur dinner within the fashionable Dockside Restaurant, after which sit by the marina merely watching the boats drift by because the solar set.
Granville Island โ At a Look
Location: Simply south of downtown, accessible through Granville Bridge or False Creek ferry
Well-known For: Granville Island Public Market โ contemporary produce, baked items, deli treats, Artisan retailers & galleries โ native ceramics, jewelry, and textiles and Granville Island Brewing โ certainly one of Canadaโs first microbreweries, โGiantsโ mural by OSGEMEOS โ huge, vibrant public artwork painted on silos
Vibe: Inventive, vibrant, and at all times buzzing with power
My Tip: Go within the morning to beat the crowds or within the night to look at the sundown
3. Granville Island Market โ contemporary produce and artisanal delights
One in every of my favorite components of the island was the unimaginable Granville Island Market which was a busy and widespread indoor market which was residence to unimaginable contemporary produce, connoisseur meals, baked items, artisanal merchandise, and native specialties, all set in a full of life waterfront ambiance.
All my senses have been overloaded as I spent two hours strolling round making an attempt the tasty meals samples and selecting up heat, flaky almond croissants from A Bread Affair and gluten-free flourless chocolate muffins from La Baguette et lโรchalote.
I additionally sipped on freshly-brewed connoisseur espresso and craft beer whereas people-watching, browsed the handmade pottery, soaps, and jewellery, and listened to the proficient dwell buskers.
The place To Eat in Vancouver โ At a Fast Look
Blue Water Cafรฉ โ Upscale seafood platters, sushi & oysters in fashionable Yaletown
Tacofino โ Legendary fish tacos from a cult-favourite meals truck turned native chain
Japadog โ Iconic meals truck serving Japanese-style hotdogs (attempt the Terimayo!)
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ โ Interactive DIY grilling at your desk, enjoyable and flavourful
Granville Island Market โ Indoor public market with artisan items, contemporary produce, and baked treatsโexcellent for DIY picnics
Bonus: Donโt miss making an attempt native BC wines andย craft beers
4. Seaplane Thrills & Sky Views
Simply after I thought Vancouver couldnโt get any extra scenic, I hopped aboard a Harbour Air seaplane โ and this turned out to be certainly one of my favorite components of the entire journey!ย
The take-off alone was exhilarating โ one second we have been gliding gently throughout the water close to Canada Place, the subsequent we have been hovering into the sky with the North Shore Mountains on one aspect and the glistening metropolis skyline on the opposite.ย
From above, Vancouver revealed itself in layers โ I noticed the neat inexperienced grid of Stanley Park, the shimmering waters of False Creek, and past that, the misty blue peaks that appeared to stretch so far as I may see.
Seaplane Excursions โ At a Look
Operator: Harbour Air Seaplanes (essential supplier)
Departure Level: Coal Harbour Terminal, close to Canada Place
Flight Period: round 20 minutes (for the basic metropolis panorama tour)
What Youโll See: Downtown skyline, Stanley Park & Lions Gate Bridge, North Shore Mountains, False Creek & English Bay
Greatest Time to Go: Clear mornings for easy flying and crisp mountain views
Value: Ranging from round $160 CAD per individual (e-book upfront for offers)
Vibe: Brief, thrilling, scenicโvery best for first-timers and photographers
My Bonus Tip: Ask for a window seat (all of them form of are, however nonetheless!)
5. Inventive Metropolis: Road Artwork & Sculptures
One of many issues I liked most about this metropolis was how creativity appeared to spill out into each nookโfrom murals to metalwork to quirky outsized sculptures, I noticed them all over the place!
My favorites have been the โA-maze-ing Laughterโ statues in Morton Park close to English Bay which have been 14 larger-than-life bronze figures by Yue Minjun are all frozen in suits of exaggerated laughter.
I additionally liked the daring โGiantsโ mural on Granville Island and created in 2014 by Brazilian twin artists (Gustavo and Otรกvio Pandolfo), they reworked six 70-foot-tall concrete silos on the Ocean Concrete plant into colourful, whimsical characters.
I discovered my different favourite alongside the waterfront โ it was the fierce-looking bow of a conventional Chinese language junk ship, full with a vivid crimson and inexperienced dragon curling out angrily into the harbour sky.ย
This was truly a part of a placing public artwork piece situated at Vanier Park, close to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and to me it completely represented how extremely numerous town was.
My Ultimate Ideas
As every day I spent exploring town received higher and higher, I typically puzzled if there have been any downsides to town. There was the rain and in addition the nightlife wasnโt as hip or full of life as say I what Iโd skilled in Berlin and London, however to be sincere that was a small worth to pay!
It struck me as a metropolis fully relaxed in its personal pores and skin โ clear with out being sterile, fascinating with out making an attempt too arduous, stunning however by no means conceited โ and by the point I left, it had undoubtedly gained a brand new fan in me!ย
๏ธ My 7-Day Vancouver Itineraryย
This itinerary covers the whole lot I managed to squeezed into my fun-filled, easy-paced week in Vancouver weekโฆย
Day 1 โ Get the Greatest View First: Grouse Mountain + Skyline Gondola
Kicked issues off with an actual โwowโ second โ a visit up Grouse Mountain through the Skyride Gondola
Braved the Skyride Surf Journey (sure, you stand on high of the gondola!) โ simply one of the vital thrilling issues Iโve accomplished
Met Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzlies, tried my hand at axe throwing, and caught an old-school lumberjack present
Took in jaw-dropping views from the Eye of the Wind wind turbine lookout
Night:ย I grabbed dinner at The Sandbar on Granville Island however there have been additionally nice eating places in Gastown (good day glowing lampposts and cocktails!)
Day 2 โ Stanley Park + Totem Poles + Seaplane Journey
Cycled the complete Stanley Park Seawall loop โ stopped at Second Seashore and Prospect Level
Paused to admire the unimaginable First Nations totem poles at Brockton Level
Picked up a picnic at Granville Island Market earlier within the day (sure, it was excellent!)
Later, I boarded a Harbour Air seaplane from Canada Place โ hovering over town and mountains was unforgettable
Dinner: I ended the day with contemporary seafood at Blue Water Cafรฉ in Yaletown
Day 3 โ Granville Island + Public Artwork & Road Meals
Began at Granville Island Marketplace for breakfast goodies (and espresso with a view!)
Explored the artistsโ studios, indie boutiques, and waterfront walkways
Took avenue artwork photographs of the Giants mural silos at Ocean Concrete โ one of the vital unexpectedly vibrant highlights!
Grabbed lunch from a meals truck and handled myself to Japadog โ Vancouverโs well-known Japanese-style hotdog
Afternoon tip: Take the little Aquabus for a enjoyable journey throughout False Creek
Day 4 โ Quirky Statues & Chinatown Discoveries
I discovered my strategy to A-Maze-Ing Laughter sculptures in Morton Park and couldnโt assist laughing alongside
Wandered into Chinatown and admired the placing Chinese language junk sculpture close to Vanier Park
Found enjoyable retailers and heritage facades within the space โ stuffed with character and distinction
Dinner concept: Seize a cocktail at Storm Crow Tavern (suppose: board video games meets Mad Max), then discover close by eats
Day 5 โ Forest Escapes: Lynn Canyon Park
I took the bus out to Lynn Canyon Nationwide Park โ the proper free various to Capilano
I crossed the suspension bridge, wandered the shady forest trails, and watched households splash within the streams
Night: I chilled out with pizza and prosecco by the water at El Chioschetto on the Zattere
Day 6 โ Museums, Orcas & Orca Sculptures
I visited the fascinating Museum of Anthropology and realized about First Nations cultures
I noticed the Digital Orca sculpture at Canada Place โ way more humane (and photogenic!) than seeing one in an aquarium!
I walked alongside the Waterfront Promenade and watched the floatplanes come and go
Lunch: Tacofino tacos and people-watching close to the Waterfront
Day 7 โ Tradition + Catch-Ups + Sunsets
I spent the morning revisiting favorite spots or purchasing alongside Robson Road
I picked up treats and souvenirs from Lonsdale Quay
I completed the journey with sundown at English Bay โ town glowing, waves lapping, folks stress-free
I watched the sky fade from pink to purple, feeling very full!
Ultimate evening: I have fun with dinner at Alibi Room the place there was craft beer and farm-to-table deliciousness