While winter in Canada usually means hunkering down, the sun is coming out and travel season is upon us, so it’s time to explore.
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful places in the country, made even more magical in the warmer months when the rain slows down and the beaches come alive. With sparkling ocean on one side and mountains around it, the city is a picturesque retreat for summer vacations.
If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver you’ll want to make sure every minute counts, because there’s a lot to fit into a visit here.
If you only have a short amount of time on the West Coast or just want to start off a longer vacation strong — here’s how to make 24 hours in Vancouver absolutely unforgettable.
Start your day with a seawall walk
Wake up bright and early, because it’s time for a jam-packed day of exploring the city.
Grab a coffee from one of the many shops downtown and head to the seawall, which is a pathway along the ocean — a big portion of it wrapping around the scenic Stanley Park. Depending on how early you managed to get out of bed you could walk a long stretch of the wall, or opt for a shorter stroll, making sure to pop into Stanley Park.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous then hop on a scooter and zip around the seawall, or rent a bike from one of the many places downtown.
However you take on the waterfront path you’ll get a look at the lush greenery in the park, the sparkling ocean views, the mountains beyond, and beautiful beaches along the way.
Fuel yourself for the day with breakfast at Medina Cafe
After a bit of activity you’ll have probably worked up an appetite, which is the perfect way to go into Media Cafe. This spot is busy, so make sure to book a reservation ahead of time because you’re not going to want to miss out on the legendary brunch menu here. Take your pick of their mouthwatering plates, but trying the Liège Style Waffles is a must here.
If this spot is booked up Jam Cafe is another go-to brunch spot in the city, but prepare yourself for the line that comes with its popularity.
Get adventurous on the coastline
What sets Vancouver apart from other major Canadian cities is its proximity to the ocean and the West Coast scenery that comes with it. Flip your perspective and get a view of the city from the water, and you won’t be disappointed. Depending on the amount of adrenaline you want on your trip, and your budget, there are a few options to make this happen.
Harbour Air has seaplane tours of the city so you can get a birds-eye look at it all. Their 20-minute flight is $160 per person and gives you a view of Stanley Park, the North Shore Mountains, and everything in between. Although pricey, it’s a pretty unforgettable experience.
Another — more low-key — option is to rent a boat and tour around the coastline yourself. There are boat rentals on Granville Island that range in price and you can rent them out by the hour. Especially on a sunny day, this is a super fun activity that will give you a classic West Coat experience.
If you’re trying to stick to a budget though, you can still get out on the water. Hop on theAquabus from Yaletown to Granville Island for about $6, and you’ll get a taste of the boating life. Plus you can then check out Granville Island after, which is a popular tourist stop.
There are also kayak and paddle board rental spots near the beaches, which also make for a fun afternoon activity.
Eat Tacofino on Kits Beach and take in the views
Tacofino has locations all around the city and is a must-try for visitors. You can grab some of their delicious tacos for lunch from their Kitsilano neighbourhood location, and walk on over to the nearby beach.
This is a popular and beautiful beach in the city and the perfect spot for a lunchtime picnic. The easily accessible beaches are another thing that sets the city apart, so soak up the sun on the shore here.
If you have time you should also visit Wreck Beach, the famous nude beach. This is yet another pretty unforgettable experience as you can imagine, and Wreck is actually one of only two official nude beaches in Canada.
Grab dinner and walk the cobblestone streets of Gastown
The Gastown Steam Clock might be a somewhat underwhelming tourist attraction, but it’s still worth visiting this area.
With cobblestone roads and romantic street lighting, there’s a European vibe here that makes for a fun date night vibe. There are also a bunch of tasty restaurants and fun cocktail bars here to check out. For incredible Lebanese food check out Nuba in Gastown.
Not too far away is The Keefer Bar, which is an award-winning cocktail spot in Chinatown and the perfect place to cheers to your vacation.
Check out an outdoor movie
If you want a wholesome way to end your night — because Vancouver’s nightlife is notoriously underwhelming — look for an outdoor movie.
In the summer there are sometimes free outdoor movies at Stanley Park which start at dusk. This gives you another chance to soak in the nature of Vancouver and it’s extra magical beneath the stars.
Options for outdoor movie nights change depending on the day you’re visiting, but there’s actually a lot of them peppered around Metro Vancouver so it’s a safe bet that you could find one.
If not, exploring other cocktail bars in the city isn’t a bad way to end your day in Vancouver.
It’s tough to pack Vancouver into one day because there’s a whole lot to see and do in the West Coast city, but this is a pretty good start. Keep tabs on Narcity’s coverage of things to do in Vancouver if you’re planning a trip any time soon, so you can compile your backlist activities.
Happy travels!
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