Are you considering Vancouver for your fall or winter getaway? The answer here should be “Yes!” and if it isn’t, allow us to follow up with: “Why the heck not?!”
Known for its world-class cuisine, proximity to nature, cultural attractions and seasonal festivals, Vancouver has no shortage of things to do to make the most out of your vacation.
In fact, we could give you 100 things to do right now with the help of TheVan100. But that might be a little bit much, so we’ll start with ten.
VanDusen festivities
Fancy a stroll, anyone? The VanDusen Gardens boast gorgeous colours in the fall and stunning silhouettes in the winter, along with seasonal festivities, including the VanDusen Festival of Lights in December.
Fly over Canada
Well, not literally. But it’ll sure feel like it on FlyOver‘s immersive flying journey, which connects riders with the spectacular sights and sounds of Canada. With the wraparound screen, flight motion seats and 4D effects, you really will feel as though you’re in the clouds!
Strap on some skis
Or a snowboard. Or snowshoes. Whatever floats your boat. Cypress Mountain promises winter adventures for seasoned skiers and novices alike. With 600 skiable acres, six lifts and 53 runs, you can go all day without ever hitting the same run twice!
Conquer Grouse Mountain
Breathe in that fresh mountain air and get ready for adventure, because Grouse Mountain is ripe with activities for all ages and skill levels. Get your heart pumping with activities like snowshoeing, pond skating, and of course, skiing and snowboarding.
And if you prefer the laid-back mountain experience, you can still enjoy the scenery with a ride on the Peak Chairlift or Skyride, or a stroll through the Light Walk.
Dine with the stars
Remember that world-class cuisine we mentioned earlier? We meant it — Vancouver is home to several MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
AnnaLena, Burdock & Co, Published on Main and Barbara feature contemporary dishes, Masayoshi and Okeya Kyujiro specialize in Japanese cuisine, St. Lawrence is French, Kissa Tanto is fusion, and iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House serves Chinese dishes.
Yes, Chef!
Take a spooky stroll
Vancouver is no stranger to dark secrets and sordid pasts. Uncover these mysteries on the Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours… if you dare. Whether you’re communing with the lost souls of Gastown, taking in the hidden history of Stanley Park, or strolling through the prohibition era, you’re sure to learn something new and end up with a few stories to share of your own.
Loop the seawall
This 10-km trail is Vancouver’s most popular fresh-air attraction for a reason. Start the Seawall destination walk at the east side of Stanley Park Drive by Coal Harbour and take the circular path through a full range of scenic vistas, landmarks, monuments, and sculptures. Just because it’s too cold to swim doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to enjoy the sea!
Watch a show like a local
There are plenty of live performances planned for the fall/winter season at The Vancouver Civic Theatres. Live music, comedy, lectures, opera, musicals, ballet, drag, and more — all at a series of gorgeous venues throughout the city. You’ll feel like royalty!
Crafty crawling
East Vancouver — perhaps better known as Yeast Vancouver — is one of the favourite brewing districts in town, and with such a flourishing craft beer industry, that’s saying a lot! Book a Vancouver Brewery Tour, or take things into your own hands with a self-guided pub crawl. Just make sure to plan a safe ride home.
Wander a gallery
Goran Kosanovic via Destination Vancouver
Enjoy a slice of Vancouver’s history and culture at one of its many museums. We especially love the Bill Reid Gallery, which showcases contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art, and the Chinese Canadian Museum, which honours the history, contributions, and heritage of Chinese Canadians. And of course, you can never go wrong with the Vancouver Art Gallery.
And this all only scratches the surface of what Vancouver has to offer. Start planning your perfect vacation today with 100 ideas from Destination Vancouver and get ready for a getaway you’ll remember forever.