Guidebook for Vancouver
Sightseeing
On Saturday's there's a farmer's market, otherwise walking around the lake is beautiful anytime of year. There's also an excellent playground for kids.
192 locals recommend
Trout Lake Beach
On Saturday's there's a farmer's market, otherwise walking around the lake is beautiful anytime of year. There's also an excellent playground for kids.
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
It's one of the largest urban parks in North America. The seawall that sprawls around its circumference is 10km, perfect for a jog or a long walk with beautiful views back to the city and out over English Bay. If you're feeling adventurous, rent a pair of roller blades, a bike, or even a tandem at one of the many places along Denman Street, just outside the park. It's a must see in Vancouver.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdIt's one of the largest urban parks in North America. The seawall that sprawls around its circumference is 10km, perfect for a jog or a long walk with beautiful views back to the city and out over English Bay. If you're feeling adventurous, rent a pair of roller blades, a bike, or even a tandem at one of the many places along Denman Street, just outside the park. It's a must see in Vancouver.
Granville Island is a large public market and collection of boutique stores. There's lots of interest here: great food to eat on the spot or to bring home, buskers, restaurants on the water, fantastic views, and lots of interesting little shops in which to get lost. There's also a brewery, a market entirely for kids, and lots of artisans selling their work. It's a great place to wander and wile away a day.
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
Granville Island is a large public market and collection of boutique stores. There's lots of interest here: great food to eat on the spot or to bring home, buskers, restaurants on the water, fantastic views, and lots of interesting little shops in which to get lost. There's also a brewery, a market entirely for kids, and lots of artisans selling their work. It's a great place to wander and wile away a day.
West fourth, mostly between Burrard and Arbutus Streets, is an upscale area full of young people. People mostly come here for the shopping or the wandering. It's also just up from Kitsilano Beach, one of the city's most popular bits of waterfront.
190 locals recommend
Kitsilano
West fourth, mostly between Burrard and Arbutus Streets, is an upscale area full of young people. People mostly come here for the shopping or the wandering. It's also just up from Kitsilano Beach, one of the city's most popular bits of waterfront.
Entertainment & Activities
Grandview Park
1657 Charles StGreat kids playground and water park.
Conveniently located at the entrance to Stanley Park, this store is one of several in the vicinity that rents bicycles, including tandems. Perfect for a day in the park!
61 locals recommend
Spokes Bicycle Rentals
1798 W Georgia StConveniently located at the entrance to Stanley Park, this store is one of several in the vicinity that rents bicycles, including tandems. Perfect for a day in the park!
A science centre laden with activities. Really interesting for younger kids, but likely of less interest to teens. There's lots to see and do, so if you plan to go count on spending a good half day.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StA science centre laden with activities. Really interesting for younger kids, but likely of less interest to teens. There's lots to see and do, so if you plan to go count on spending a good half day.
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayNew Brighton Pool
3201 New Brighton RdSecond Beach Swimming Pool
735 Stanley Park DrEverything Else
City Avenue Market
2279 Commercial DrGreat small, family-run grocery store.
Food Scene
Carthage Cafe
1851 Commercial DrFantastic north African food.
It has the best sushi on The Drive. Try the Dragon Roll.
95 locals recommend
Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial DrIt has the best sushi on The Drive. Try the Dragon Roll.
It has some of the best breakfasts on The Drive. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
136 locals recommend
Bandidas Taqueria
2781 Commercial DrIt has some of the best breakfasts on The Drive. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
This is an upscale coffee place with barstool seating at the windows. Excellent pastries!
62 locals recommend
Moja Coffee
1102 Commercial DrThis is an upscale coffee place with barstool seating at the windows. Excellent pastries!
Great local pizza from a wood-fired oven. IT's small and cozy, so there are often line ups. But it is only a 10 minute walk up Victoria Drive so one of you can always go up and have a look.
159 locals recommend
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrGreat local pizza from a wood-fired oven. IT's small and cozy, so there are often line ups. But it is only a 10 minute walk up Victoria Drive so one of you can always go up and have a look.
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StDrinks & Nightlife
Supposedly this is a restaurant, and certainly the food is worth checking out, but the real reason locals show up is the abundance of international beers, particularly Belgian brews. If you're a beer fan, you've come to the right place.
76 locals recommend
BierCraft Tap and Tapas
1191 Commercial DrSupposedly this is a restaurant, and certainly the food is worth checking out, but the real reason locals show up is the abundance of international beers, particularly Belgian brews. If you're a beer fan, you've come to the right place.
This is likely one of the most unusual breweries you will walk into. It's small and it's kinda sketchy, but good sketchy. Taste the beer (yes, they do tastings) and you'll feel your slight sense of unease evaporate. The hosts are convivial, helpful and excellent brewmasters.
Beer to go is sold in 'growlers,' large glass jugs for which you pay a deposit. Take some home with you.
61 locals recommend
Storm Brewing LTD.
310 Commercial DriveThis is likely one of the most unusual breweries you will walk into. It's small and it's kinda sketchy, but good sketchy. Taste the beer (yes, they do tastings) and you'll feel your slight sense of unease evaporate. The hosts are convivial, helpful and excellent brewmasters.
Beer to go is sold in 'growlers,' large glass jugs for which you pay a deposit. Take some home with you.
Off the Rail Brewing
1351 Adanac StExcellent beer. And a good place to stop in for a drink.
Strange Fellows Brewing Company
1345 Clark DrEssentials
A full-service grocery store within a 10 minute walk from the house. It's also open 24 hours.
48 locals recommend
Super Valu
1645 E 1st AveA full-service grocery store within a 10 minute walk from the house. It's also open 24 hours.
RBC Royal Bank
1715 Commercial DrThe closest major bank. It also has ATM's.
Choices Markets
1202 Richards StLots of organic and health food options at this small chain.
This is where we often shop for produce. Excellent selection and good prices.
59 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Market
1322 1322 Commercial DrThis is where we often shop for produce. Excellent selection and good prices.
Costco Wholesale
3550 Brighton AveThis is a private liquor store selling a variety of goods, though mostly wine and beer. There is a chilling fridge in the back, and it's open longer than the government place, both of which make it more convenient. Many of the fine wines they sell are unavailable in the government store. Their prices are also slightly higher.
46 locals recommend
Liberty Wine Merchants
1622 Commercial DrThis is a private liquor store selling a variety of goods, though mostly wine and beer. There is a chilling fridge in the back, and it's open longer than the government place, both of which make it more convenient. Many of the fine wines they sell are unavailable in the government store. Their prices are also slightly higher.
This is your fist stop for beer, wine, spirits and everything else alcoholic and liquid. In BC, only specialized shops can sell alcohol, so you won't find it in grocery stores. The vast majority is sold through government shops such as this one.
256 locals recommend
BC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StThis is your fist stop for beer, wine, spirits and everything else alcoholic and liquid. In BC, only specialized shops can sell alcohol, so you won't find it in grocery stores. The vast majority is sold through government shops such as this one.
Ok, not really a grocery store, but a great place to buy fresh seafood. And it's local.
16 locals recommend
The Daily Catch 100% Sustainable Seafood Market - Commercial Drive
1418 Commercial DrOk, not really a grocery store, but a great place to buy fresh seafood. And it's local.
This is a local upscale butcher. Although it's not cheap, they do have an excellent choice of meats.
12 locals recommend
Pasture To Plate Natural Products Ltd
1420 Commercial DrThis is a local upscale butcher. Although it's not cheap, they do have an excellent choice of meats.
Parks & Nature
There is a small park here, and the views out over the water are pretty. But the real reason I'd head out this way is to rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle up Indian Arm. Deep Cove, too, is a nice place to come back to at the end of the day, either for a libation or something more hearty.
337 locals recommend
Deep Cove
4322 Gallant AveThere is a small park here, and the views out over the water are pretty. But the real reason I'd head out this way is to rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle up Indian Arm. Deep Cove, too, is a nice place to come back to at the end of the day, either for a libation or something more hearty.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver, mostly for the backward glances of the city across the water. In fact, all the beaches along here from Kitsilano out to UBC are lovely and appropriate for families. Spanish Banks happens to be my favourite as it's the furthest one, tucked just beneath the forests and walking trails of Pacific Spirit Park, and at low tide you can walk for kilometres along the mud flats. It should be one of your foremost destinations in Vancouver.
264 locals recommend
Spanish Banks
One of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver, mostly for the backward glances of the city across the water. In fact, all the beaches along here from Kitsilano out to UBC are lovely and appropriate for families. Spanish Banks happens to be my favourite as it's the furthest one, tucked just beneath the forests and walking trails of Pacific Spirit Park, and at low tide you can walk for kilometres along the mud flats. It should be one of your foremost destinations in Vancouver.