I’ve spent years showing people around Vancouver — friends, visiting family, out-of-town clients, and more than a few “we only have two days, help” visitors. The city rewards curiosity, but it also rewards knowing a few things ahead of time.
These are the tips I give every time.
Vancouver looks like a city that needs an itinerary. It doesn’t. Build your days around one anchor plan and let the rest unfold. Some of the best moments come from wandering, stopping for coffee, or sitting longer than planned because the view got you.
If you’re anywhere near the cruise terminal, this is a no-brainer. There’s a free shuttle from Canada Place to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and it saves you time, money, and decision fatigue. The park is iconic for a reason, and the surrounding forest is just as good as the bridge itself.
If you like pasta, this one’s mandatory.
Head to Magari by Oca on Commercial Drive. Show up around 4:30 p.m., wait about 30 minutes, put your name down, and then go for a walk. The pasta is fresh, simple, and phenomenal. Worth every minute of waiting.
Also on Commercial Drive, The Lunch Lady serves what is essentially the most elevated pho you’ll ever encounter. Bone marrow, wagyu, short rib — this is not your usual bowl. It’s rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth seeking out.
Vancouver takes coffee seriously, and it shows. Three standouts I always recommend:
Each has a distinct vibe, and all of them deliver. Grab a coffee, slow down, and let the city come to you.
If you have even half a day free, go north. Squamish offers two perfect options: hike Stawamus Chief if you’re active, or take the Sea to Sky Gondola if you want the views without the climb. Either way, it’s classic West Coast scenery.
Stanley Park deserves time on foot. Wander near Prospect Point, pass the Stanley Park Pavilion, and let the scale of it sink in. This isn’t just a park — it’s part of how Vancouver breathes.
Vancouver weather is cooperative, not predictable. Bring layers. You’ll use them. Locals don’t check forecasts obsessively — we adapt. You should too.
Some of Vancouver’s best moments happen outside the “top things to do” list. Commercial Drive, Mount Pleasant, and quieter residential streets reveal how the city actually lives. Wander with no agenda and see what sticks.
This sounds simple, but it matters. Vancouver is a city that reveals itself when you pause. A bench, a seawall, a café window. Build those moments in. They’ll be the ones you remember.
If you travel Vancouver like a local — with patience, curiosity, and a bit of flexibility — the city gives a lot back. The trick isn’t seeing everything. It’s seeing the right things, at the right pace.
