This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Washington chapter.
If you’re looking for a quick getaway from Seattle, look no further than Seattle’s northern neighbor Vancouver (although you’ll most likely still be stuck in the rain)! With dramatic mountain and ocean views, gorgeous parks, nightclubs, restaurants and great shopping, Vancouver is everything you’re looking in a fun summer vacay – trust me, I’m a local.
To help guide your travels, here’s a native Vancouverite’s take on the most essential things to see, do, and eat on your Canadian adventure.
See….
- The Mountains – They’re visible from basically everywhere but some of my favorite spots are English Bay beach, located downtown, or from the waterfront area of downtown.
- The Olympic Torch – Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the beautiful icicle-inspired torch sits nestled between restaurants and the convention center in downtown’s waterfront area. It’s also near Canada Place – home of Vancouver’s iconic white sails.
- Stanley Park – This is an absolute must on a summer trip to Vancouver. You can rent kayaks, ride bikes, see totem poles, walk the seawall, take in views of the Lions Gate bridge, or lay out at one of the pools. It is one of my favorite places in the city, and every tourist should see it.
- Granville Island – This adorable “island” is located underneath the Granville Bridge, and you can access it via car or water taxi from downtown. Home to many artisan studios, shops, a public market, and fantastic seafood restaurants, this makes for a perfect outing on a summer day.
- Grouse Mountain – Located in North Vancouver and about a 20-minute drive out of downtown, this is the city’s nearest mountain. Take the gondola up (or for outdoorsy types, try hiking the very steep Grouse Grind) to the “Peak of Vancouver”. You can find all kinds of summer activities on top of the mountain, including the famous lumberjack show. Grab a delicious Beavertail (does not contain beaver – only waffley/chocolatey sweetness) and enjoy the sweeping views of Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
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Do…
- The Vancouver Aquarium – Home to beluga whales, sea otters, dolphins, sea lions, and every type of fish imaginable. This is one of Vancouver’s best and most popular attractions and will be worth your while. It’s located in Stanley Park and will probably take you 4-5 hours to thoroughly comb through.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – This is located in North Vancouver on the way to Grouse Mountain and offers a beautiful outdoor experience. Walk across a 460-foot long suspension bridge and walk around among the treetops in their new Treetops Adventure. Also, be sure to get your adrenaline pumping with the cliff-walk – stroll along a narrow pathway with a glass floor 300 feet above the rushing water in the canyon below.
- Take a beach day! – This is a vacation after all! For volleyball, city views, and hustle-and-bustle check out Kitsilano beach, right across from downtown. For a more tranquil beach experience, try out Spanish Banks or Jericho, both located near the UBC campus about 15 minutes out of downtown.
- Shop! – With the depreciating Canadian dollar, your money will go even further on your trip! Be sure to check out Robson Street, the main drag with all of your favorite stores, including Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, Sephora, and so many more. Also on Robson is Pacific Center, Vancouver’s downtown shopping mall, home to Canada’s only Nordstrom as well as many other shopping staples.
- Granville Entertainment District – For those of you 19+, this is a must-do on your Canadian getaway. Hit up nightclubs such as The Roxy, Venue, Celebrities (a couple blocks away), and Caprice and enjoy dancing the night away. Try a few new drinks and get your fill of legal partying while you can!
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Eat…
- Sushi – Vancouver was voted as having the best sushi in the world outside of Japan. You can find amazing sushi on pretty much every street – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Some local favorites are: Miku (more upscale and expensive, but highly acclaimed), Sushi Itoga, Kaide Sushi, and my personal favorite, The Eatery.
- Seafood – Even for those not head-over-heels for fish-dishes, seafood is a must in this ocean-side city! Great restaurants to check out include Rodney’s Oyster House, Blue Water Café (for those with deeper pockets), Go Fish Ocean Emporium, and Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market.
- Poutine – A very lovable Canadian Classic. It’s pretty difficult to find bad poutine (how unpalatable could fries, gravy, and cheese curds every be?), but some places are standouts. My recommendations include Fritz European Fry House, La Belle Patate, Smoke’s Poutinerie, and Frites Fries with Benefits.
- In Gastown – Gastown is in the beautiful historic part of downtown, and is a foodie’s dream. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bad restaurant here. Local favorites include The Flying Pig (seriously, go here and try everything), Tuc Craft Kitchen, Kazoku Sapporo, Bao Down, and Six Acres. Coffee lovers will also find their niche in this part of downtown.
- In Yaletown – Yaletown is a super chic neighborhood nestled between the downtown core and the sports stadiums. The main drag is packed with restaurants and there’s certainly something for everyone. Cactus Club is a casual absolute must-try (if you need convincing, my roommate would be happy to vouch for it), as is Banter Room, Lupo, and The Parlour.
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Now that you’re equipped with the perfect beginner’s guide to Vancouver, what are you waiting for? Jump in the car, grab a few friends, and start your summer adventure!