Sights and Attractions in Vancouver

Vancouver has a varied natural landscape, an interesting urban area and numerous attractions and activities that will surely make you enjoy your stay!

Landmarks

Vancouver has several landmarks that you should not miss during your visit. One of the most popular sights of the city is Canada Place which is a building located on the waterfront of the city. It is the home of the first IMAX 3D theater of the world, the Pan Pacific Hotel, the Vancouver World Trade Center, and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center. It is the main cruise ship terminal in the region where most of the famous cruises from Vancouver to Alaska originate. The prominent white sails of the building have made Canada Place a leading landmark of Vancouver.

Another notable landmark in Vancouver is the Vancouver Public Library which is the 3rd largest public library system in Canada and it currently holds more than 1.3 million items. It has an interesting architectural design with the building’s exterior resembling the Roman Colosseum.

Other noteworthy landmarks in the city are the International Buddhist Temple which is an authentic example of palatial Chinese Architecture and it contains items that will let you explore Chinese culture and art, and Buddhist philosophy; and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden which is the first full-sized classical Chinese garden outside China.

Popular Attractions

Aside from the obvious, Vancouver is interesting because of these popular spots which attract lots of people from all over the world!

The Vancouver Aquarium is a must-see site in Vancouver since it has a world-class aquarium with interesting rare and common animals that you can interact with; the Vancouver Harbor Center Tower is as interesting with its 360-degree view of the city and the Greater Vancouver region, and the splendid North Shore Mountains; the Lyn Valley Suspension Bridge on the North Shore as well as the Capilano Suspension Bridge are simple suspension bridges which offer a fantastic nature experience to its visitors; and Grouse Mountain which is a popular ski and hiking area that has amazing overlooking views of the city.

Parks

Vancouver’s natural landscape and parks are among its popular tourist magnets. Forests, gardens, mountains, and the ocean that surrounds the city will surely make you enjoy your outdoor adventures. Stanley Park is one of the major attractions in Vancouver and it is one of the largest urban parks on the planet; the Van Dusen Botanical Garden is also popular since it has a large collection of interesting and rare plants. The Queen Elizabeth Park is located in the highest point of the city and it offers a full 360-degree of Vancouver, and it hosts a number of gardens as well as the Bloedel Floral Observatory which has over 500 varieties and tropical species of plants, swimming koi fish and flying tropical birds.

Museums and Galleries

Vancouver has more than a few museums which contain vast collections of art, artifacts and specimens.

Among the most popular galleries and museums in Vancouver are the Vancouver Art Gallery which is the 5th largest gallery in Canada with a vast permanent collection of world-renowned artists; the Vancouver Museum which is the largest civic museum in the country and has a wide collection of various pieces such as artifacts and historical memorabilia; and the Museum of Anthropology which is locate in the University of British Columbia is one of the most impressive museums in Vancouver since it holds the largest collection of West Coast Native artifacts. Other popular venues with amazing exhibits are the Telus Science World, the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the H.R. MacMillan Space Center.

Beaches and Ski Slopes

Vancouver has several beaches that you can have fun in with various water sports such as the famous clothing optional Wreck Beach; Sunset, Jericho and Kitsilano Beaches in downtown, and White Rock Beach in Greater Vancouver.

Skiing and snowboarding are among the popular sports that can also be enjoyed in Vancouver since the area is world-renowned for its ski hills and Whistler Mountain which is one on the top ski resorts on the world. Other local ski hills in Vancouver include Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour which can be found on the North Shore.

Shopping

Shopping in Vancouver is also one of the interesting things to do since it has various shopping districts across the city and greater area. Robson Street is one of the most popular shopping spots and it is lined with high-end and tourist shops; Gastown which is the oldest neighborhood in Vancouver is now a modern urban and fashion district with high-fashion shops, galleries and restaurants; Pacific Center is a huge shopping center with over 150 shops, service and restaurants; Yaletown which is a popular venue with high-end salons and non-mainstream fashion boutiques; Commercial Drive has interesting shopping and food delights; Main Street has a wide range of boutiques, small shops, cafés and independent restaurants; and Chinatown has a lot of stores you should check out.

Food and Drink

Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city and it has a multicultural cuisine that will surely satisfy your taste buds. Different kinds of Asian food are available in many restaurants across the city. Vancouver is famous for its dim sum restaurants since it has a huge Chinese population.

Most of the night clubs in Vancouver are located in the city center particularly along Granville Street.

Festivals

Vancouver has various annual festivals that attract a lot of people from various parts of the world. The most famous festival in Vancouver is the HSBC Celebration of Light which is the largest fireworks competition in the world; it last for 4 nights in late July and early August and it is attended by more than a million people every year. Other famous festivals in Vancouver are the Fringe Festival, the Illuminares Festival; the Vancouver Film Festival, the Jazz Festival; the Lantern Festival; the Pacific national Exhibition; the Pride Parade and Festival; the Dragon Boat Festival and Chinese New Year.