10 Essential tips for visiting Vancouver

Vancouver is one of those places I just can’t get enough of.

Even after living there for two years, I didn’t get a chance to see, do or eat everything the city had to offer. It’s a spectacular destination to look at, with mountains looming over it and water surrounding the glistening high-rises. But it’s so much more than a picturesque metropolis.

Vancouver is a vibrant, modern city with a heart and soul that’s unmistakeable. Vancouverites are fiercely proud of their city – don’t you dare say anything negative about it in their presence – and they’ll happily point out the best things to try, so that you’ll fall in love with their city too.

If you’re travelling to Canada, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, make sure you spend some time in this sometimes hipster, sometimes chic, sometimes something-in-between city, and when you do, make sure you follow these 10 essential tips for visiting Vancouver to get the most out of your time.

1. Bring your workout gear

You’ll see signs of Vancouver’s fitness fanaticism everywhere: walking, jogging, skiing, hiking, kayaking, cycling, tai chi-ing, yoga-ing…

It seems that everyone in Vancouver is constantly active, and their enthusiasm is contagious, so don’t be afraid to join in. My personal favourite fitness activity is running around Stanley Park on the famous Seawall, which offers some of the best running views in the world. Go early to beat the crowds.

2. In winter, try night boarding

For a truly local experience in winter, grab your skis or snowboard and follow the after-work crowd, dressed in suits and snow gear, to Vancouver’s local mountain. Floodlights illuminate the very top of Grouse Mountain, where you can do a few runs while looking out at the glittering city below you. It’s breathtaking.

3. In summer, hike the Grouse Grind

When I moved to Vancouver, this was one of the first things my local friends recommended. A hiking track that starts at the bottom of Grouse Mountain, The Grind climbs 2,830 steps to the peak of the mountain, offering stunning views over the city.

The trail is nicknamed Nature’s Stairmaster for a reason – it’s truly brutal – but it’s a great workout and it’s worth the effort for the scenery you’ll be rewarded with along the way. Plus, the locals will be proud of you.

4. Get to know the city’s different areas

Vancouver’s neighbourhoods each have their own personality and quirks. Gastown is a mix of grungy startups and maple syrup laden tourist shops. Yaletown is all about the yuppies (look out for well-dressed handbag dogs), East Van is the hipster hangout, and Kitsilano is young and trendy.

Spend some time in, and get to know, as many areas of Vancouver as you can. They’re all different, but each neighbourhood offers its own reasons to stay a while and soak it all in.

READ: Best of Vancouver – Shopping

5. Watch the sun set at English Bay

There’s no better place to be at sunset than English Bay, Vancouver’s beach in the heart of the city. Grab some fish and chips, settle on one of the rugged tree trunks scattered across the sand, and be treated to a gorgeous painting of light across the sky.

6. Tip generously

Americans aren’t the only good tippers in the world. Canadians are generous, and Vancouver is no exception. At restaurants, 18% is considered to be the acceptable tip these days, but 20% is seen to be more appropriate, especially if you’ve had great service. It’s worth noting that services such as taxi drivers, hairdressers and hotels all expect tips, too.

7. Use public transport

The best way to get around Vancouver is by using its fast, clean, safe and efficient public transport system. The Skytrain, a monorail system that criss-crosses the city, is the fastest way to get around, but buses are also regular and can get you to places where the Skytrain doesn’t go.

To get over to Grouse Mountain, or anywhere else on the North Shore, jump on the SeaBus, the public transport boat that shuttles commuters and tourists from one side of the Burrard Inlet to the other.

8. Look for film sets

Did you know that Vancouver is often called ‘Hollywood North’? Due a number of factors (including the almost constant cloud cover, which is ideal for filming), the city is often used as a substitute for American cities in major movies.

Chances are, if you wander through Downtown Vancouver for long enough, you’ll spy a film crew setting up, packing down or, if you’re really lucky, shooting a scene. In my time there, I saw Twilight, Smallville and The A-Team being filmed at various points around the city, and it gave me goosebumps every time.

9. Eat, eat, eat

The food scene in Vancouver is incredible, with everything from street food to gourmet dining delivering outstanding meals. Don’t miss Japadog, once a street food stall and now a brick-and-mortar restaurant selling hot dogs with a Japanese twist.

If you’re a sushi fan, be sure to indulge in some super-fresh seafood while you’re in the city – the best I’ve tasted outside of Tokyo. It’s hard to find a bad meal in the city, so eat out as much as you can and enjoy the fresh, local ingredients that chefs in Vancouver pride themselves on using.

READ: Best of Vancouver – Food and Drink

10. Get out of the city

Vancouver is an incredible destination that you’re bound to fall in love with, but there’s so much worth exploring beyond the city boundary that it’d be a shame not to go further afield.

Whistler is less than two hours away, Seattle is approximately the same distance and some unbelievable hikes are also within easy reach. Vancouver Island, a rugged natural paradise, should be on everyone’s bucket list, and ski and snowboarding enthusiasts should head to the interior of British Columbia for quiet mountains and epic powder.

READ: The Ultimate Guide to Whistler (for non-skiers)

Have you visited Vancouver? What else would you add to this list?

Pin this for later: