Free things to do in Vancouver

12 places in Vancouver with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeeGastown-Chinatown
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park
Constructed by Vancouver-area designers at the same time as its classical garden neighbour, this public park shares the lake and the Chinese garden look. But this is a city park, and free to enter.
Free
SeeWest End
Inukshuk
At the southern end of English Bay is this inukshuk statue facing out to sea. It's not the inukshuk statue for the Olympics; this statue was made for the city as part of Expo 86.
Free
SeeUBC-Point Grey
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
This library has the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), an automated "robot librarian" cranes scurry along 5-story shelves holding 1.6 million books, at the beck and call of human librarians. For a geek thrill, watch them through the ground floor windows on the north side of the building. On the 2nd floor, near the Circulation desk, is a more limited view.
Mon-Thu 8AM-11PM, Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun noon-8PMFree
SeeSouth
Jewish Museum and Archives of BC
A small museum that documents the history of the Jewish community in British Columbia. Check for interesting summer programs and tours at this museum; in 2007 it operated a "Tour de Blintz" cycling tour, which took participants to local Jewish eateries.
Mon-Thu 9AM-5PMFree (except for special programs)
SeeCommercial Dr-Hastings Park
Momiji Garden
Small Japanese garden built as an apology for Japanese internment.
Free, except when the PNE is open during the second half of August
SeeUBC-Point Grey
Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
A small gallery with regular exhibitions. What looks like a woodpile outside is actually a sculpture, made of concrete.
Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun noon-5PM (closed Mondays and statutory holidays)Free
SeeYaletown-False Creek
Olympic Village
The Village on False Creek
The site of the Vancouver Athletes Village during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It's slowly being sold off as condos and becoming a community within Vancouver. The central plaza is distinctive with the deep red of the Salt Building and the giant sparrow statues. There is also a terraced slope leading down to False Creek that is lovely for sitting in the sun.
Free
SeeMt Pleasant-South Main
Queen Elizabeth Park
An old quarry that was converted into a number of gardens and ponds. The top of the park is the highest point in the city of Vancouver and offers views of the entire city.
Free
DoWest End
Second Beach Pool
A very large heated outdoor swimming pool. Alternatively you could swim at the beach or use the spray park near Lumberman's arch for no charge. There are lifeguards at both Second Beach and Third Beach.
Adult $4.40, children $2.25 (family entry at child rate)
SeeSouth
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
A teaching museum that focuses on the Holocaust, genocide, and anti-racism education. The museum has small thought-provoking temporary exhibits, but these may not be on display during the summer months when the museum traditionally works on mounting its next exhibit.
Mon-Thu 9AM-5PM, Fri 9AM-4PMFree
DoCity Centre Not mapped
Canada Day at Canada Place
A large, engaging, though somewhat corporate celebration of Canada's national holiday. The citizenship ceremony can be moving. There are usually several bands, fun activities for the kids, and exhibits of Canadian Forces and other bits of Canadiana.
1 Jul only, 10AM–7PMFree
DoCity Centre Not mapped
Canada Day Fireworks
There is a fireworks display after dark on Canada Day.
1 Jul only, 10:30PM-11PMFree viewing from streets, premium Canada Place seating for a fee

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Vancouver (CC BY-SA 4.0).