As a local who works in tourism in Vancouver, this is the perfect guide for you to discover the vibrant tapestry of Vancouver's diverse neighborhoods. From the historic charm of Gastown to the laid-back beach vibes of Kitsilano, and the cultural allure of Chinatown, this guide takes you on a journey through the city's most iconic and captivating districts. 


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Your Guide to Vancouver

There are so many reasons to visit the beautiful city of Vancouver. Not only does it have the mildest climate in Canada but it’s the 10th cleanest city in the world! I was fortunate enough to go on 3 occasions. Let's explore together!

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Day 1-3 Vancouver
Day 4-6 Jasper National Park and Icefields Parkway
Day 7-10 Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Banff National Park

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First time in Vancouver? Only one day to explore? This guide is a great introduction to some of Vancouver's most popular and beloved neighborhoods!

Starting at the historic Gastown, followed by a visit of the busy harbor, a little shopping or just a stroll to explore some (or all) of the beautiful Stanley Park, followed by a visit to the eclectic Granville Island before watching a sunset on the beach, finished off with some late night dinner and drinks in the bustling Yaletown. This see it all and do it all guide is perfect for those looking to get as much as possible out of their visit!

Food/drink recommendations have been visited by yours truly, recommended by some very trustworthy friends that are just as passionate about having a delicious meal and drink(s), or found through online recommendations.

This guide is walking, biking, ride-share service, and public transportation friendly. 



Have questions? Want to see and explore more? Need help planning a trip? Check out my other guides or reach out to me to discuss how I can help you plan your next trip

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West Vancouver

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✈️Vancouver Trip✈️

“Van City” is one of the most popular destinations on Canada’s west coast. It is also one of my favorite destinations that I will keep on coming ba

This beginners guide to Vancouver includes: 

🛏 Best areas for accommodations & tips
🍽 The best eats by neighborhood
🌲Outdoor activities + attractions
🚃 Getting around with public transit 


A Beginner’s Guide to Vancouver

Vancouver has so many cool areas to visit around every corner! Here are our six favourite spots in Vancouver, including a selection of activities, restaurants, bars, and other things to do. 

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Planning a long-weekend to Vancouver? Here is my 5-day guide bringing you through the city, mountains and everything in between. Equipped with restaurant and activity recommendations, you will not be wondering how to fill your time.

This guide will be formatted as a storytime, with a recap of itinerary & recommendations at the bottom if you want to skip to the good stuff.

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How to see the city like a cool girl 😎

The cool spots to stay, eat & play!  

Cool Girl’s Guide to Vancouver 

Here's a guide to one of my favorite places in Canada! 
I love exploring food places in Vancouver, so you'll find a lot of food recommendations and a couple of parks that I absolutely love to visit. I would suggest going to one park each day since most parks take two to three hours to cover and spend your evenings getting the best food downtown.
To make the bookings more accessible, I am throwing in some hotel options for you as well. Hope you fall in love with this city just as I have! :)

Vancouver Weekend!

On a budget? Here are some things to do where you don't have to spend a dime! 

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Free Things to do in Vancouver

Growing up south of Vancouver and having lived in East Vancouver as an adult, I can say that this west coast city is one of the most beautiful and visitable cities in North America. Yes, I might be biased but if you like nature, mountains, the ocean, a diverse culinary landscape coupled with a chill city vibe, VanCity is the spot for you! 

I'll give you the best off-the-beaten-path tips for what to see in and around this pacific north west delight 🏔🌲🚴🏻‍♀️⛱️

Vancouver // 3 Day Itinerary and Guide From A Local

Metro Vancouver Summer Travel Guide

Our Premium Travel Guide is packed with destination inspiration to help you make the most of your visit this summer. You'll find over 40 curated places for you to discover with:
- Free and paid attractions around Metro Vancouver 
- Shopping and dining recommendations
- Transportation tips and recommendations including airports, airlines, rail and bus lines, public transit and more
-  Plus: Interactive maps, photos, videos, links and more.

Our guides are perfect for the solo traveller, partner travel and family travel.

Located on the west coast of Canada, Metro Vancouver is made up of 22 municipalities from small towns and villages, like Belcarra and Bowen Island, to major cities such as Vancouver, Richmond and New Westminster.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, City Trail Wander publishes walking and cycling videos on YouTube of the Metro Vancouver region and beyond.

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Vancouver is a popular city for cruise ships to take out of in the summer. You may find yourself with a day or even just a few hours to explore Vancouver and thanks to how easy it is to get around, you can see a lot. Explore the perfect blend of city and nature in Vancouver, B.C.!

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Considering an Alaskan Cruise? 🚢 

Wondering which cruise line should I take? And what is there to do, see & eat on shore? 

Look no further I have that all covered in my Alaskan Cruise Guide! 

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Explore Canada's stunning natural landscapes on this weeklong road trip of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Relax and enjoy the journey as you visit top destinations like Fraser Valley, Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Banff, and Jasper National Park. Discover some of Canada's most famous natural attractions with this activity packed itinerary.

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Short on time, and want to make the most of your time in Vancouver? Then this itinerary is perfect for you! 

We visited Vancouver in August-September 2024 (Labor Day weekend)

FREE Vancouver 4-day Itinerary

Stanley Park

From riding your bike around the seawall to exploring the vast network of trails, Stanley Park is touristy for a reason. The biggest urban park in North America (yes, bigger than Central Park) there are a range of landscapes to explore. A forest with massive Cedars and Douglas Firs to manicured parks with totem poles and swimmable beaches. You could spend all day here.

The old growth trees in Stanley Park are gigantic! 

The park also has a some attractions tucked away inside of it: 

➡️ An aquarium 
➡️ Beaver Lake
➡️ Lost Lagoon
➡️ Beach access points
➡️ Japenese Canadian war memorial 

The park is quite large and if you want to cover a lot of ground, I would recommend biking.


Stanley Park is a 405-hectare public park that borders downtown Vancouver. It’s surrounded by Burrard Inlet and English Bay. There are many ways to explore the park. You can drive and stop at the many points of interest or you can hire a bike and stroll on the bike path.

Sprawling over 1,000 acres, this vibrant green oasis offers a delightful escape from the bustling city with its dense forests, trails, and picturesque seawall. Take a horse drawn carriage around, bike, or walk along the park, you will enjoy every part. 

British Columbia has some of the most beautiful parks in the world and this is certainly one of them. My favorite thing to do here is to bike around the park on the seawall. There are also smaller trails all around the park for people to explore. 

5 PM - Stanley Park is a huge and popular park in Vancouver. Make sure to see the Totem Poles and the Rose Garden. Definitely recommend renting bikes if you want to see more of the park. The park is nice during sunset

Places of note within the park: Nine o'Clock Gun, the abandoned Polar Bear Compound, Girl in a Wetsuit, Totem Poles, Prospect Point, Beaver Lake, the Rose Garden, the Seawall, Brockton Point Lighthouse.

Tip: this is a very big park and in my opinion best explored by bike. There are plenty of bike rental options throughout the city that will be sure to meet your needs (private and public owned). 

Vancouver's largest urban park that offers beaches, trails & family attractions. You can also walk or bike around the famous picturesque seawall.

A beautiful park with so many good views. Great place for a walk, stroll, run and to sight see! Vancouvers skyline has never looked so good. 

Trails in Stanley Park can be found in Apple Maps and Google Maps. Walk or bike around the park along the Seawall.

There are horse drawn carriage rides, a lighthouse, an aquarium, totem poles, beaches and so much more.

Stanley Park

About Stanley Park

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