What are the best things to do on a romantic trip to Vancouver?
- Hayley Bosch
- Forbes Travel Guide Editor
Surrounded by the blue waters of the Strait of Georgia and backed by the mile-high peaks of the Coast Range, the most mundane of Vancouver moments elicits a gasp at the view — on public transit crossing one of many bridges or from the window of a hotel room, snow-capped peaks tower over the skyline with rainforest adventure and urban escape a short drive away. Overflowing with romance, the enchanting activities during a romantic getaway to Hollywood of the North are endless. Here’s our Forbes Travel Guide editors' list of the best things to do during your romantic trip to Vancouver:
1. Drive up to Whistler. Those beautiful mountains that you can’t help but ogle at are some of the best in the region, not to mention all of North America. While there is plenty to do in the city itself, we think a drive out to the world-famous ski resort of Whistler will sweep you off your feet. As you wind around those gorgeous mountains with the water flowing on one side and the earth rising on the other, you’ll have to pinch yourself to be sure you aren’t dreaming. Whether there’s snow on the ground or the roads are gobbled up by lush greenery, a trip to Whistler is worth it.
2. Kayak into the wind. To get the full impact of Vancouver’s magnificently romantic setting on the coast, troll the waterways under paddle power with a kayak from Ecomarine. The outfitter rents both single and double kayaks at its Granville Island headquarters and at two other outposts at Jericho Beach and English Bay. Tours are available, and first-timers can take a three-hour lesson before getting started. Navigate from placid False Creek to more rugged inlets up the shore.
3. Picnic in Stanley Park. One thousand acres of unspoiled British Columbia in the heart of the city, Stanley Park, the largest city park in Canada, is a green haven with few peers. Towering forests of cedar, hemlock and fir spill onto sandy beaches, immersing visitors and residents alike in the wild just minutes from the civilized. Pack your favorite goodies and set off to find the perfect spot — we’re suckers for the rose garden.
4. Venture to Grouse Mountain. For skiing in winter, hiking in summer and sightseeing year-round, Grouse Mountain draws flocks of visitors to Vancouver’s North Shore. The area’s first ski mountain is still its most convenient, with ski and snowboard runs that overlook the metropolis, as well as a skating rink and sleigh rides. Rain or shine, snow or sun, hop aboard the Skyride Gondola for an unrivaled view of the City of Glass.
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On June 7Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What is the best way to see the Vancouver Art Gallery?
The Vancouver Art Gallery isn’t a mega-museum like New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Louvre in Paris, but a little planning will help you make the most of your visit. The gallery typically shows a mix of special exhibitions and works from the permanent collections, so check the gallery website before you visit to see what interests you. The gallery’s permanent collection is strong on art from British Columbia and western Canada, including the world’s largest collection of works by the BC artist Emily Carr (1871-1945), so make time to see whatever BC works are on view.
To learn more about particular exhibitions, take one of the gallery’s tours, which are offered Thursdays and Sundays. The regular one-hour tours take you through a particular exhibit; the 30-minute “hot spot” tours present a more focused look at a particular artist or exhibition. Both tours are included with your admission ticket.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, come to the art gallery in the morning. You can start your visit with coffee or a bite to eat in the Gallery Café (which opens at 9am weekdays and 9:30am Saturdays and Sundays), or wrap up your gallery tour with lunch. A number of food trucks typically park around the gallery at midday, so that’s another option for refueling before or after your museum visit. The gallery is open by donation on Tuesday evenings after 5pm, but that’s also one of the busiest times to visit.
An entertaining way to experience the gallery is to visit during the periodic Friday night “FUSE” events, when you can not only see the exhibits on display but also enjoy live music and other activities. Check the gallery website for the FUSE schedule. -
On June 2Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What is the Capilano Suspension Bridge like near Vancouver?
At the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, you can explore the rainforest with a number of different attractions. First, there’s the suspension bridge itself, a 450-foot (137-meter) swaying span that stretches high above the Capilano River below. The views of the surrounding forests and the river gorge are classic British Columbia vistas, and yes, you’ll feel the bridge swing with every step.
Daredevils may also get some thrills with a stroll on the Cliffwalk, a glass-floored walkway cantilevered out over the gorge. More gentle is the Treetops Adventure, a network of gently swaying bridges and suspended walkways between the trees. Back at ground level, you can follow a network of easy walking trails through the woods, or check out the small exhibit area that features local First Nations culture. -
On May 30Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best vegetarian restaurants in Vancouver?
No meat? No problem. Vancouver has plenty of upscale vegetarian options.
The Parker has a well-edited vegetarian menu (with clearly marked gluten free and vegan options), with ingredients sourced from BC farms and producers. The chickpea fries and meat-free take on the Korean Bi Bim Bap bowl are surefire crowd pleasers.
Heirloom Vegetarian Restaurant in the South Granville specializes in fresh and inventive dishes like the Smoked Tofu Banh Mi (a veggie take on a Vietnamese tradition) and a seasonal Rhubarb Crumble with cashew cream. Organic ingredients are used as much as possible, and Heirloom works extremely closely with Vancouver suppliers to source their produce, baked goods and desserts.
Bandidas Taqueria on Commercial Drive is home to an incredibly popular brunch and some of the most robust and tasty Mexican dishes in the city. Inventive offerings include the Wolf & Goat tacos with purple cabbage and pinto beans and the Stella burrito with spinach and butternut squash. -
On May 30Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best bakeries in Vancouver?
Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe opened this year to the delight of French-baking aficionados. The rotation of buttery, fresh and delicious desserts is incredible: lavender brownies, double baked almond croissants and pain au chocolate are just a few of the mouth-watering offerings.
Butter Baked Goods & Cafe is a mix of old-fashion favourites done in a modern, aesthetically delightful way. Colorful cupcakes topped with sprinkles, fluffy house-made marshmallows and childhood treats like the peanut butter sandwich take nostalgic favourites to the next level.
Giovane at the Fairmont Pacific Rim does triple duty as a bakery, cafe and deli. Sticky cinnamon buns topped with cream cheese frosting, sugar buns filled with custard and the popular apple galette are packaged in sleek boxes make for easy take out (if you can manage not to take a bite before getting out the door.) -
On May 30Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best bakeries in Vancouver?
From macarons to almond croissants, Vancouver's bakery scene has taken a decidedly French turn in the last few years. Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe opened this year to the delight of French-baking aficionados. The rotation of buttery, fresh and delicious desserts is incredible: lavender brownies, double baked almond croissants and pain au chocolate are just a few of the mouth-watering offerings.
Butter Baked Goods & Cafe is a mix of old-fashion favourites done in a modern, aesthetically delightful way. Colorful cupcakes topped with sprinkles, fluffy house-made marshmallows and childhood treats like the peanut butter sandwich take nostalgic favourites to the next level.
Giovane at the Fairmont Pacific Rim does triple duty as a bakery, cafe and deli. Sticky cinnamon buns topped with cream cheese frosting, sugar buns filled with custard and the popular apple galette are packaged in sleek boxes make for easy take out (if you can manage not to take a bite before getting out the door.) -
On May 30Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best places for high tea in Vancouver?
Those hoping to raise a pinky at a traditional afternoon tea can find many a spot to enjoy a cuppa in Vancouver. The 4-star Startle rated Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver has high tea with a twist of Asian influence. At Xi-shi, traditional bites like raisin scones with clotted cream are complemented by custom blended teas, like the Splendid Oolong, a rare Taiwanese varietal.
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's high tea is steeped in tradition. Cucumber sandwiches, freshly baked pastries and strawberries with Devonshire cream are on offer daily, as well as little extras like a glass of Moet & Chandon and Children's Bubblegum Tea and PB&J sandwiches for the little ones in the group.
Urban Tea Merchant takes high tea seriously - there is even a tea concierge on hand to help with selection and custom blends. With white tablecloths and three-tier presentation, it's quite a delightful way to spend an afternoon. For variations of taste and appetite, Petite Tea Service and the Signature Sweet Plate are also on offer. -
On May 29Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What is Commercial Drive like in Vancouver?
A funky mix of coffee houses, Italian pasta shops, vintage clothing stores, and eclectic eateries, Vancouver’s Commercial Drive is a fun district for browsing and nibbling. Once the center of the city’s Italian community, this East Side neighborhood now blends hipsters, hippies, and long-time residents. Stop for an espresso at the laid-back Continental Coffee, pick up an overstuffed Italian sandwich at La Grotta del Formaggio, or graze on freshly shucked oysters at Merchant’s Oyster Bar. Later on, see what’s happening in the tiny theatre at the Havana Restaurant, or detour off the Drive to the nearby Vancouver East Cultural Centre, known as “The Cultch,” which offers an always changing menu of eclectic theatre, music, and dance events. -
On May 29Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What is there to do in Stanley Park in Vancouver?
You could spend days in the 400-hectare (990-acre) Stanley Park before running out of things to do. One of the park’s main attractions is the Vancouver Aquarium, which is hugely popular with families. If you’re interested in aboriginal culture, head to Brockton Point with its nine towering totem poles, then visit the summer-only Klahowya Village, for First Nations storytelling, dance, and art. Take a walk in the Stanley Park Rose Garden when the 3,500 rose bushes are in bloom.
Rent a bike and pedal the seawall that circles the park for great views of the surrounding mountains and ocean, or stroll shorter stretches of the seawall path on foot. Stanley Park has two beaches, Second and Third Beach, where you can swim or sun. If the ocean water is too brisk, go for a swim in the oceanside pool at Second Beach. Near Third Beach, look for Siwash Rock, a dramatic rock tower that’s millions of years old. You can play tennis or practice your golf skills at the Stanley Park Pitch & Putt, and you can even try your hand at lawn bowling. The Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club welcomes visitors.
And when you get hungry, you can settle anywhere around the park for a picnic, grab a snack at Prospect Point, tuck into a west coast seafood dinner at the Fish House in Stanley Park, or have a drink at the Teahouse in Stanley Park as you watch the sun set over the sea. -
On May 29Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What are the best kids’ activities in Vancouver?
Vancouver has a very good science museum, Science World, as well as a popular aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park. Most kids enjoy a ride on the cute mini ferries that cross False Creek; you can get to Science World on the ferry or visit Granville Island where you can stop for snacks and check out the Kids Market. Grouse Mountain has lots of family activities, from skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, to a bear and wolf sanctuary, to a lumberjack show. Another fun family activity is to rent bikes and ride the flat seawall path around Stanley Park, and on a summer day, you can take the kids to any of the city’s sandy beaches. If you’re in town with the family in May, don’t miss the annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival. -
On May 29Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What are the best day trips near Vancouver?
One of the most popular day trips from Vancouver is to the North Shore, just across the Burrard Inlet from downtown, where you can visit Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
If you get an early start, you can make a day trip to Whistler for skiing, mountain biking, or hiking; it’s about a two-hour drive from downtown Vancouver. You can also visit the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island in a day trip, particularly if you hop on a float plane that whisks you from downtown Vancouver to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in under an hour. -
On May 29Carolyn B. Heller answered the question:
What are the best festivals in Vancouver?
Vancouver has numerous festivals throughout the year, celebrating art, music, theatre, and many different cultures. Here are a few of the best:
Celebration of Light: On three summer nights in late July or early August, it seems like the entire city gathers around False Creek for this annual fireworks competition. Find a spot along English Bay if you can; the fireworks are launched from a barge in the harbor.
Vancouver Pride Festival: Vancouver’s large gay community celebrates with a lively multiday Pride Fest in July/August, including the city’s biggest parade.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival (mid-July): If you enjoy folk music, join the throngs who’ve been turning out for this weekend-long folk celebration that been held outdoors at Jericho Beach for more than 35 years.
Vancouver Fringe Festival: For theatre lovers, the annual Vancouver Fringe Festival (September) is an eclectic smorgasbord of stand-up comedy, serious plays, amateur musicals, and professional productions. It’s always great fun.
Chinese New Year: Vancouver’s large Chinese community celebrates the annual lunar new year (January-February) with fireworks, parades, and other special events. The festivities are big in Vancouver’s Chinatown, but even more events take place in the nearby suburb of Richmond, where more than 60 percent of residents are of Asian heritage. -
On May 28Maria Tallarico answered the question:
Where are the best cocktails in Vancouver?
Artisanal cocktails are flourishing in Vancouver - one can hardly take a sip of their drink without experiencing a sprig of roof-top grown mint or a dash of bitters from a small-patch producer. Choosing the best cocktails spots is no easy feat, but we can start with literally the best - David Wolowidnyk, who beat out thousands of spirit slingers to take the title of World's Most Imaginative Bartender at a competition held in Marrakech and hosted by Bombay Sappihre. Wolowidnyk plies his trade at Startle 4-star rated restaurant West Restaurant, where his inventive cocktails have attracted a loyal (and quenched) follow.
Over at L'Abbatoir in Gastown, the room (a mix of glass, steel, refurbished wood and French finishings) and West Coast-influenced French plates are elevated by the stunning cocktail menu: Slaughterhouses (cognac, sugar, elixir, vegetal, organ oils, aromatic bitters) and the Banana Daquiris (Jamaican rum, bannne de Brasil, fresh lime, Ardbeg 10yr) are happily raised by the hip clientele.
The Keefer Bar in Chinatown is definitely the cities edgiest answer to posh cocktails. The Apothecary-style drinks are meant not just to swill, but also to soothe - ingredients like chilli syrup, housemaid fruit water and hibiscus rose honey syrup go perfectly with the unique atmosphere and Asian-inspired small plates menu. -
On May 28Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best rooftop bars in Vancouver?
With the abundance of wet weather, can you blame Vancouverites for getting excited over a little sun? When the sky turns from grey to blue, look for these rooftop patios to be packed with al fresco diners.
Reflections Lounge in the soon-to-be-rated Rosewood Hotel Georgia is open for the most outdoor-friendly months of the year during spring, summer and early fall. A swishy outdoor bar located on the fourth floor of the hotel, the feeling is upscale lounge, the cocktails are refined and the menu of hot and cold bites (octopus and white bean salad, manchego cheese croquetas) are perfect for sharing - along with a bottle of dry white wine.
Joe Fortes, a classic steak, seafood and chop house, is always packed with locals and one of the few notable restaurants in the Robson Street shopping district area. Its lush rooftop patio is best described as eco-urban: white umbrellas, a green living wall, an outdoor fireplace and sleek potted plants set the perfect atmosphere for afternoon wine and oysters.
The Keg, a popular group of steakhouses in Western Canada, has gone where no restaurant has gone before - a rooftop patio in condo-dense Yaletown. The space has the feeling of a living room you never what to leave: plush couches, plenty of fireplaces and constant stream of young professionals winding down after work. -
On May 28Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best sports bars in Vancouver?
When Canadians say "sports bar" they by-and-large mean, "Where is the hockey game playing?" Downtown, Red Card and Shark's Club are always sure bets to be showing the game (we jest when we say just hockey: soccer and football are also popular) and filled with jersey-wearing diehards, particularly for the home teams (the Canucks, White Caps and Lions). Commercial Drive on the east side of town is lined with Italian coffee shops - Cafe Napoli, Cafe Calabria, Cafe Roma- that overflow with football (soccer to North Americans) games. No matter how early the match, you can expect a loud and boisterous crowd and plenty of espresso to match the energy. -
On May 28Maria Tallarico answered the question:
What are the best rooftop bars in Vancouver?
With the abundance of wet weather, can you blame Vancouverites for getting excited over a little sun? When the sky turns from grey to blue, look for these rooftop patios to be packed with al fresco diners.
Reflections Lounge in the 5-star Startle rated property Rosewood Hotel Georgia is open for the most outdoor-friendly months of the year during spring, summer and early fall. A swishy outdoor bar located on the fourth floor of the hotel, the feeling is upscale lounge, the cocktails are refined and the menu of hot and cold bites (octopus and white bean salad, manchego cheese croquetas) are perfect for sharing - along with a bottle of dry white wine.
Joe Fortes, a classic steak, seafood and chop house, is always packed with locals and one of the few notable restaurants in the Robson Street shopping district area. Its lush rooftop patio is best described as eco-urban: white umbrellas, a green living wall, an outdoor fireplace and sleek potted plants set the perfect atmosphere for afternoon wine and oysters.
The Keg, a popular group of steakhouses in Western Canada, has gone where no restaurant has gone before - a rooftop patio in condo-dense Yaletown. The space has the feeling of a living room you never what to leave: plush couches, plenty of fireplaces and constant stream of young professionals winding down after work.