5 Awesome Things to Do in Vancouver, BC in Summer
Vancouver, BC is one of our favorite cities to visit in the summer. In this post, we will cover the best things to do in Vancouver to enjoy beautiful outdoor activities and delicious food.
Updated: Summer 2020 with the help of Theresa Ladner and Taryn Nicole.
Originally published: Summer 2014.
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Table of Contents
Top Things to do in Vancouver, BC, Canada
If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver in the summer, we hope these recommendations and tips will help.
1. Stanley Park
Stanley Park sits on a peninsula, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, accessible through downtown Vancouver. You can go for a picnic, play a pick up ball game, enjoy playgrounds and water parks, drive around and stop at various viewpoints, or – as we prefer – bike around the perimeter.
Since we had our bikes with us, we took an hour in the morning to ride around and enjoy the views on the Seawall path.
Other major attractions in the park are the Vancouver Aquarium and the First Nations Totem Poles at Brockton Point.
(Check out the extra special Jumping Jedd photo at Stanley Park here)
Tour the best of Vancouver by bicycle with a guide >
2. Granville Island
The Granville Island Public Market is situated on an island in the middle of the city, under the Granville Street bridge. No offense to our neighbors in Seattle but I personally think this place is a step up from Pike’s Place.
With a wide selection of vendors including cheeses, charcuterie, hand-made pasta, local and international produce, cafes, and more, it is a feast for the eyes and the mouth! Outside, you can enjoy the beautiful waterfront view and roam around art galleries, restaurants, etc.
We had a stuffed bagel for the first time at Siegel’s. I don’t know how they pull that off logistically but the meat, cheese, and tomato combo was delicious!
Also, I had to highlight these pastries because – as some of you know – I come from a family of cinnamon roll experts. Stuart’s Bakery in Granville offers a cinnamon sticky bun as well as a cream cheese frosting cinnamon bun. Of course, we had to taste test. The winner? The caramelized sticky bun knocked our socks off!
Taste test your way through Granville Island Market with a guide >
Finally, if you have a chance, I recommend taking one of the Aquabus or False Creek mini ferries to Granville Island at least once. We didn’t do it on this trip but we have in the past, and it’s a great way to see the city from the water.
Hiking and Outdoor Adventures in Vancouver BC
Part of Vancouver’s charm is its proximity to nature. No trip to Vancouver is complete without experiencing a bit of the outdoors. Head to Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, or the Capilano Suspension Bridge to get easy access to the beauty of the coastal rainforest without breaking a sweat.
But if you want to get off-the-beaten-path and live like a local, go for a hike. With literally hundreds of trails to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Check out this list of easy hikes in Vancouver. It’s geared for beginners and tourists to get you the best views of the ocean, mountains, and hidden lakes.
3. Grouse Mountain
Just 15 minutes from downtown and over the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Vancouver, you’ll reach the base of Grouse Mountain. Take the gondola to the top and enjoy a host of activities! There’s a wildlife refuge, zip lining, shopping, dining, hiking, disk golf, or ride a chairlift to the peak.
Cost: The mountain ropes adventure and the kid’s tree canopy adventure have an extra charge. You could spend all day up the mountain and not get bored. A ticket for one adult is $59 CDN and includes a round trip on the gondola. Seniors are $52 and children are $32. Of course, in the winter there’s skiing as well.
On a clear day the views of Vancouver from the mountain are stunning. Alternatively, some people choose to take the Grouse Grind instead of the gondola to the top. It’s a 2.9 kilometre (1.8 mile) hike right up the mountain. The fastest time is just over 30 minutes.
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
On the way to Grouse Mountian, just a little further down the hill, is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Originally built in 1889, this 140 metre (460 foot) long bridge spans the Capilano River in North Vancouver. Since then, a number of things have been added: there’s a cliffwalk, a treetops adventure, the Living Forest walk, a story centre, and in winter there’s the Canyon Lights Festival. There’s a trading post for shopping and several places to dine or get a snack.
The bridge itself is the main attraction and although it may feel scary to cross it, as it’s 70 metres (230 feet) above the river, it’s really very safe. Over 1.2 million people visit each year.
Cost: Adult tickets are $54.95, seniors $49.95, and children are $18.95 CAD.
Purchase your full Capilano Park ticket plus transportation from downtown included >
5. International Summer Night Market
*Currently closed due to COVID
Technically, this is in Richmond (not Vancouver- but it’s essentially a suburb), which has the highest immigrant population in all of Canada and the largest proportion of Asian people in all of North America. Hence, the Richmond international market.
Location: 8351 River Road, which is right next to the River Rock Casino and one block from the Bridgeport Skytrain Station.
This is our super quick (30 second) video from the market in 2014:
Cost: Admission is around $4.75. Kids and seniors enter free.
Note: Many vendors only accept cash.
We rented an AirBnB room near the market so we could pop over for dinner on Sunday night.
Our simple AirBnB room rental in a Chinese-Canadian family’s home near the market; $49
Our memories did not fail us. The food was delicious!
Vancouver BC Tours To Try
Where to Stay in Vancouver BC
Most hotels in Vancouver are on the peninsula that makes up the downtown area. However, Downtown Vancouver is split into several different neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe.
Book a hotel in the core area of downtown near the intersection of Granville and Georgia streets if you want to be close to everything: shopping, transit, entertainment, and restaurants. Most of the big chains have hotels in the neighborhood. The elegant and historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and the modern and luxe Rosewood Hotel Georgia are both great choices.
Check rates and availability for the Fairmont Hotel >
Check rates and availability for Rosewood Hotel Georgia >
Stay in the Coal Harbour Neighborhood to be close to the waterfront, Stanley Park, and the cruise ship port. The Westin Bayshore Vancouver has a fabulous location right on the water near the park. If you want something a bit more central, book a room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim and indulge at their rooftop pool.
Check rates and availability for Westin Bayshore Vancouver >
Check rates and availability for Fairmont Pacific Rim >
To experience a trendy locals neighborhood known for amazing restaurants, head to Yaletown in the southern part of downtown a few minutes’ walk from False Creek. Boutique hotels like the vibrant and quirky Opus Hotel, dominate here.
Check rates and availability for Opus Hotel >
If you want to be close to the airport and save some money, book a hotel in the southern suburb of Richmond. It’s home to the area’s thriving Chinese-Canadian community and known for its outstanding Asian cuisine.
✈️ Protect your Vancouver, BC trip with Travel Insurance – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.
What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Canada?
Find post-pandemic travel updates for Canada here:
What you need to know about Canada travel right now
We hope you’ll enjoy your time in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of our favorite North American cities!
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