Vancouver

Urban Coastal Beaches Riverfront

Population: 2 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: November–February

Famous For: Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown, Natural beauty and mountains, Diverse food scene, Outdoor recreation, Museums and galleries, Mild climate, Beaches, Cosmopolitan culture

Train Access: Yes (SkyTrain (Canada Line, Expo Line, Millennium Line))

Bus Access: Yes (TransLink (Vancouver public bus system))

Vancouver's downtown core centers on the Gastown neighborhood, where Victorian-era brick buildings line streets like Water Street and Cordova Street, home to independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban forest on the city's north edge, features the Seawall—a 22.5-kilometer waterfront path for walking and cycling—plus the Vancouver Aquarium and Prospect Point. The Granville Island Public Market, accessible by False Creek Ferries, sells fresh produce, seafood, and prepared foods in a converted industrial space; nearby galleries and theaters make it a cultural hub. Neighborhoods like Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant offer distinct character: Kitsilano has Kits Beach and Fourth Avenue's boutiques and cafes, while Mount Pleasant features Main Street's vintage shops, craft breweries like Parallel 49 Brewing, and the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia houses Indigenous art and artifacts in a striking modernist building overlooking the Pacific.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to Vancouver

Weather: Vancouver has a temperate oceanic climate with mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. The city experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, particularly from fall through spring.

Festivals: Vancouver International Film Festival (September–October), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July), Celebration of Light fireworks festival (July–August), Vancouver International Jazz Festival (June), Vaisakhi Parade (April), Vancouver Pride Parade (August)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Vancouver Aquarium (Stanley Park): Features Pacific Northwest marine life, interactive touch pools, and daily animal shows in a facility overlooking Burrard Inlet. Science World (False Creek): A geodesic dome housing hands-on exhibits on physics, biology, and technology, plus an OMNIMAX theater. Playland (Hastings Park): An amusement park with rides, games, and seasonal attractions; open year-round with expanded hours in summer. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (North Vancouver): A 140-meter bridge spanning 70 meters above the Capilano River, plus treetop walks and a cliffwalk carved into the canyon wall. Granville Island Water Park (Granville Island): A free outdoor water play area with spray grounds and shallow pools, open seasonally.

Hidden Gem: Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (just east of Vancouver proper) features a 2.3-kilometer loop trail around a pristine freshwater lake surrounded by old-growth forest, with a historic log pavilion and minimal crowds compared to Stanley Park. The park's quiet shoreline and forest canopy make it ideal for nature walks and wildlife spotting without the tourist traffic of more famous destinations.

Accessibility: Vancouver's SkyTrain system includes elevators at most stations and accessible cars on all trains; the SeaBus ferry between downtown and North Vancouver is fully wheelchair accessible. The Seawall in Stanley Park is paved and mostly flat, with accessible washrooms at multiple points; the Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Anthropology have wheelchair access and accessible parking. Granville Island Public Market has accessible entrances and washrooms, though some vendor stalls are crowded. Curb cuts and accessible pedestrian signals are standard downtown, but some older Gastown streets have uneven sidewalks.

For the Runner: Seawall Loop (Stanley Park): A 22.5-kilometer waterfront path with ocean views, flat terrain, and multiple entry points; runners typically do 5–10 kilometer segments. Burnaby Lake Trail (Burnaby): A 9.2-kilometer loop around Burnaby Lake with forest cover and minimal elevation gain, accessible via SkyTrain. Pacific Spirit Park (University of British columbia): Over 70 kilometers of trails through old-growth forest; popular routes include the Lost Lagoon Loop (3 kilometers) and trails to Wreck Be

Restaurants in Vancouver

Vancouver boasts a world-class dining scene with exceptional diversity, ranging from innovative fine dining to authentic international cuisines reflecting its multicultural population. The city is particularly renowned for fresh seafood, Asian fusion, and farm-to-table establishments, with numerous restaurants earning national and international recognition. The vibrant food culture spans from casual street food to Michelin-level fine dining across neighborhoods like Gastown, Mount Pleasant, and the West End.

Where to Stay

Vancouver's accommodation ranges from budget hostels in Gastown and Kitsilano to luxury waterfront properties in Coal Harbour and the West End. Mid-range hotels cluster around downtown, Granville Street, and near the airport; boutique properties occupy heritage buildings in Gastown and Mount Pleasant. Most hotels offer easy transit access via the SkyTrain and SeaBus.

Best Hotels: Fairmont Pacific Rim (Coal Harbour): A luxury waterfront hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the North Shore mountains and Burrard Inlet;

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Kimpton Hotel Vancouver (Downtown): All Kimpton properties are pet-friendly with no pet fees; the hotel offers dog beds, bowls, and treats, plus proximity to nearby parks and the Seawall. The Loden Vancouver (Coal Harbour): Welcomes dogs with a pet amenity package and easy access to waterfront walking paths and nearby parks.

Vancouver

Planning Your Trip to Vancouver

Restaurants in Vancouver

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading