Things to do in Vancouver

Things to do in Vancouver

1. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

   Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

   Annual summer Shakespeare festival held in tents. Each year there are two mainstage productions and two productions for the smaller stage. Even if you have tickets, plan to line up at least an hour before the show to get good seats. Many people will bring a picnic lunch/dinner (purchased at nearby Granville Island) to enjoy while they wait to be admitted.

   Jun-Sep·From $60

2. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

   Cooper Boating

   Sailboat Racing. Offers drop-in Friday night racing for all comers. No skill or knowledge is required, in fact the sailing is strictly novice level.

   $25, with an additional $15 membership fee (which is valid for 2 years)

3. DoWest End

   English Bay Bike Rentals

   Offers top quality bikes at discounted prices including cruisers, city hybrids and tandem bikes in all sizes. Helmets and locks are complimentary with each rental. Children's bikes, training wheels, roller blades and dog trailers are also available. Convenient location offers easy access to the Stanley Park sea wall, Granville Island, False Creek and Science World. Call ahead to book for large groups at a discounted rate. Weekly and monthly rentals are available on request.

   Daily 8AM-9PM

4. DoSouth

   Fraser River Park

   This is a local secret that has spectacular views of the airport. One can watch the planes come and go across the river. This park is popular for dog lovers, as its secluded location is perfect for letting dogs roam free. The park is large enough to have a big field for picnics and games, while the riverfront area has its own beach, depending on the tides. At the edge of the park is an industrial park and a golf course.

5. DoYaletown-False Creek

   JV Bike

   Bicycle shop that also rents bikes, including tandem bikes and electric assist bikes to make the hills a little easier. Options to rent hourly, or daily up to a week.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun and holidays 11AM-5PM·$10-16 for first hour (depends on the type of bike) and $5-8 for each additional hour. $40-60 for 24 hours. Additional charge for trailers

6. DoUBC-Point Grey

   Jericho Beach

   Is a more family oriented sandy beach with a large picnicking area. The beach forms a crescent shape which creates a sheltered swimming area that is relatively shallow. In the summer, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards who monitor beach near the floating dock. Jericho Beach is also a great location to go windsurfing or dinghy sailing.

7. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

   Kitsilano Beach

   Kits Beach

   It's the sandy beach for the young to hang out and be seen at. Kits beach also features beach volleyball courts and a large public swimming pool. Popular in the summer, the salt water pool is 137.5 m in length and runs along the ocean's edge.

8. DoCity Centre

   Long Table Distillery Ltd.

   A craft distillery of vodkas, gins, and other spirits, many of which bubble in the back room. Free tastings are offered on a 14-foot recovered-tree "long table" in the front room. If your only experience of gin and vodka comes from uninspiring mass-market pap, you are in for a treat. The friendly staff love explaining the finer points of which aromatics go in which chamber of their gleaming, copper 300-litre still. On Friday evenings 4-6PM, they park a food truck out front and hold a gin and tonic happy hour. Follow the buzz at #TGIGNT on Twitter.

   Fri Sat 1-9PM, Wed Thu 1-6PM

9. DoCommercial Dr-Hastings Park

   PNE

   Pacific National Exhibition

   Two week exhibition where extra rides and events are added to the usual Playland activities.

   Open daily from 11AM - late during the second half of August·Gate ticket $15, Ride ticket $27-40

10. DoUBC-Point Grey

    Pacific Spirit Regional Park

    A mostly inland park almost entirely covered with forests. It separates the University of British Columbia on the west from urban areas of Vancouver on the east. It has 55 km of hiking trails crossing through the park, of which around 30 km of trails that can be used for cycling and around 30 km can be used as equestrian trails. While It is a significantly larger park than Stanley Park, and is well used by those wanting a workout, do not expect to find any crowds like at Stanley Park.

11. DoCommercial Dr-Hastings Park

    Playland at the PNE

    Playland is a medium-sized amusement park, like something you may find at a U.S. county fair, and activities include a wooden rollercoaster, games, shows for kids and perhaps 20 or so other rides that spin, throw and hurl you in various ways.

    Open daily from late June through August and weekends only in May and September. Hours of operation are generally 10AM-6PM; during the PNE hours are from 11AM - late·$20 if under 4 feet, $30 otherwise. Parents of kids under 12 pay $13

12. 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)

13. DoUBC-Point Grey

    Spanish Banks

    Is a set of three sandy beaches further west towards UBC. When the tide is out you can walk way out on the mudflats. This is a popular spot for skimboarders and kiteboarders. The area has a large stretch of beach which makes for a popular beach volleyball area as well as a scenic multi-pathway system, connecting Jericho Beach to UBC, making a fine running or cycling course. A large field behind the beach has been designated as an off-leash area for dogs and part of the beach as well.

14. DoWest End

    Spokes Bicycle Rentals

    Offers bike rentals and guided bike tours from a fantastic location on the doorstep of Stanley Park. Various styles of bikes for adults and children, plus helmets and locks. Weekly and monthly rates also available.

    Daily 8AM-9PM·Kids bikes starting at $4.75 an hour, Adult bikes starting at $8.57 an hour

15. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

    Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

    Stanley Theatre

    The main stage for the Vancouver Arts Theatre Company. Mostly shows Broadway musicals and other large theatre productions.

16. DoWest End

    Stanley Park Pitch & Putt

    18-hole course set amid rhododendron gardens. Holes range in length from 40 - 100 yards.

    $12

17. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

    The Improv Centre

    Long-running improv company in the Improv Centre on Granville Island.

    Main shows Thu Fri Sat evenings·$25-28

18. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

    Vancouver Arts Club Theatre

    The Granville Island stage for the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre Company.

19. DoCity Centre

    Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

    A great night out at reasonable prices. Students can purchase $10 tickets with the VSO Access Pass. Concerts generally take place at the Orpheum at the noted address.

20. DoUBC-Point Grey

    Wreck Beach

    Probably North America's most famous and busiest clothing optional beach. It is a sandy beach. The trail to Wreck beach is near the West Parkade, or more precisely at the extreme west end of University Boulevard just past the Place Vanier residences. You can either park on Marine Drive or you can take transit to UBC and continue down the same road the bus brought you on foot. The steep stairs are not recommended for the faint of heart. There is always a festive atmosphere at this beach and many types of goods are for sale from jewellery, to food, to beer. Watch out as the police do occasionally crack down on drug use and open consumption of alcohol.

21. DoCity Centre Not mapped

    4:20

    On April 20th people congregate at the Vancouver Art Gallery to smoke marijuana and celebrate this unofficial holiday, a reflection of BC's relaxed attitudes towards cannabis.

22. 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–7PM·Free

23. DoWest End Not mapped

    Celebration of Light

    Seen one fireworks show, seen them all? Think again. Most Vancouverites come out to this event to enjoy the beach, the breeze and the hundreds of thousands of people who turn out. The fireworks themselves are just the excuse. Four shows, late July/early August. Make sure you take public transit; streets are closed and crowds are heavy.

24. DoGastown-Chinatown Not mapped

    Chinese New Year

    Because there is such a strong Chinese population in the city, the Lunar New Year period is often one of the most exciting and colourful in the city. There is usually a parade in Chinatown and many of the public schools usually have a day off on Chinese New Year. You can also catch celebrations at Tinseltown mall (1 minute from Stadium Skytrain station), and in Richmond at the International Buddhist Temple. There, visitors can experience Chinese New Year festivities with traditional snacks and foods, auspicious flower arrangements, Chinese calligraphy and exciting raffles.

25. DoWest End Not mapped

    Gay Pride Parade and Festival

    Takes place on the Sunday before the first Monday in August. The parade runs along Robson Street to Denman Street to Beach Avenue, with the festival happening at Sunset Beach. This is the largest celebration of its kind in Western Canada. Parties, arts and cultural events lead up to this colourful parade and beachside festival.

26. DoKitsilano-Granville Island Not mapped

    Greek Day

    Greek Day is a family-oriented street festival that invites visitors to taste Greek food at its many kiosks while enjoying entertainment and activities for all ages. It is the culmination of the Hellenic Heritage Month that celebrates Greek heritage and culture. Greek Day takes place on the last Sunday of every June along West Broadway between Macdonald St and Blenheim St.

27. DoKitsilano-Granville Island Not mapped

    KitsTreeMap

    Vancouver, apart from the mountains and the ocean, is famous for its variety of trees, tree-lined streets and cherry blossoms in the spring. No area more so typifies this veritable tree heaven than Kitsilano. Walk down most of the streets in the neighbourhood and you will find yourself beneath one stunning canopy after another. As well as street plantings of the same species of tree, there are hundreds of different individual trees in front gardens, alleyways and public places. One of the most famous tree avenues in Vancouver is the Tulip trees on 10th Ave from Blenheim to Dunbar.

28. DoWest End Not mapped

    Seawall

    A paved path that begins at Canada Place in Vancouver's City Centre and follows the coast around Stanley Park through the West End and around False Creek to Granville Island and Kitsilano. It's very popular to rent bikes or rollerblades and ride/skate the piece around Stanley Park (about 9 km in length).

29. Do Not mapped

    Simon Fraser Red Leafs

    Represent Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. The Red Leafs sponsor teams in seven men's sports and nine women's sports. Notably, SFU is the only Canadian school that's a member of the U.S. NCAA, though they are in Division II, competing with mostly smaller, regional U.S. institutions. SFU no longer plays football, either American or Canadian; it had played under American rules in the NCAA, but logistical complications led the school to drop the sport after the 2022 season.

30. Do Not mapped

    UBC Thunderbirds

    Represent the University of British Columbia in the University Endowment Lands at the west edge of the Point Grey peninsula. The Thunderbirds field teams in 15 men's sports and 14 women's sports. Unlike SFU, UBC is a member of Canada's governing body for university sport, U Sports.

31. DoKitsilano-Granville Island Not mapped

    Vancouver Folk Festival

    A truly amazing folk festival featuring spectacular views of the harbour and mountains. The Vancouver Folk Festival typically features several stages, and a wonderous mix of traditional and contemporary artists.

32. DoKitsilano-Granville Island Not mapped

    Vancouver Fringe Festival

    Every year, close to 100 theatre groups and performers from across Canada and around the world perform for 11 days in diverse venues, from theatres to garages to a moving Aquabus.

33. DoCity Centre Not mapped

    Vancouver Opera

    Offers world-class performances from some of the world's best composers. The listed address is the ticket office, which is not in Vancouver's downtown. Most performances take place at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, which hosts a variety of entertainment performances in the downtown area.

34. DoCity Centre Not mapped

    Vancouver Zombie Walk

    Usually either in the summer or near Halloween, anyone can choose to dress up and act as the living dead during this parade through Downtown. Although this has only been in Vancouver for about 2 years, thousands of people have already participated, and at least 500 people each year join in on this zombie walk. It is free, and mostly for plain fun, and is also an unofficial event. Each year, there is a set meeting spot. Everyone then walks throughout Downtown and up streets and parks all in one large group.

35. DoWest End

    Bayshore Bike Rentals

    745 Denman St

36. DoKitsilano-Granville Island

    Reckless Bike Stores

    Bicycle rentals and sales.

    10AM-5PM·$23.50 for 2 hr, $38.50 for half day, $54.50 for 24 hours. Tandem bikes, trailers and baby seats extra charge

37. DoMt Pleasant-South Main

    Vancouver Canadians

    Vancouver's minor league (single A) baseball team.

    $11

38. DoWest End

    ezeeRIDERS

    1823 Robson St

39. DoCity Centre Not mapped

    Canada Day Fireworks

    There is a fireworks display after dark on Canada Day.

    1 Jul only, 10:30PM-11PM·Free viewing from streets, premium Canada Place seating for a fee

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