So, you’ve got guests in town. Maybe it’s your cousin from Ontario, your college roommate from L.A., or your in-laws from somewhere flat (as my family says in Saskatchewan, it’s so flat you can watch your dog run away for 2 days).
You want to show them a version of Vancouver that skips the usual clichés and leaves them speechless. Not just another photo at the Olympic Cauldron, but something they’ll tell everyone about when they get home. Here’s how to impress without the stress.
Sure, the Seawall is great. But for something a little more unexpected, head to Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC. The forest trails here are quiet, lush, and wildly atmospheric. Even locals forget it’s there. It’s a peaceful, magical start to any Vancouver day, and it sets the tone that this isn’t going to be your average tour.
It might be famous, but it still delivers. Out-of-towners will be stunned by the views, the treetop adventure, and the thrilling suspension bridge itself. But here’s the local tip: go early or late in the day for fewer crowds, and don’t miss the Cliffwalk or the Story Centre—it adds a deeper layer of context to the experience. Capilano makes even jaded city slickers feel like kids again.
Kits and English Bay are fine, but take your guests to Third Beach in Stanley Park instead. It feels wild and peaceful, especially at sunset. Pack snacks and stay for the drum circle if you go on a Tuesday. Bonus points if you walk there via the Bridle Path or the trails from Prospect Point, two more hidden routes most tourists miss.
Everyone loves a rooftop patio—but for a truly jaw-dropping view, take your guests up Queen Elizabeth Park. The sunken gardens are a hit, and the view of downtown backed by the North Shore mountains is one of the best around. Want a fancier version? Have dinner at Seasons in the Park.
East Van’s breweries are legendary, but take your guests to the ones with character: Strange Fellows for the art, Superflux for the snacks and design, and Luppolo for the relaxed, local vibe. It’s less about beer snobbery and more about showing off our creative, community-driven culture.
Skip the packed art galleries and explore Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden instead. It’s tranquil, architecturally stunning, and full of history. Or visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (reopening in 2025) for an unforgettable Indigenous art and culture experience.
You want seafood, a view, and a space that feels like a secret. The Cliff House Restaurant at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park checks all three boxes. West Coast fare, BC wines, and a patio perched above the canyon. It’s peak Vancouver (pun intended). If you’ve got an Annual Pass or you’re already visiting the park, it’s the perfect finale to a day out.
Rent e-bikes and cruise the lesser-known parts of the city, like the Arbutus Greenway or through Trout Lake Park. Or take them on a quick ferry to Bowen Island for the day. It’s close, it’s gorgeous, and it feels like you’re worlds away from downtown.
Out-of-towners come to Vancouver expecting beauty. What they don’t expect is how easy it is to feel immersed in nature, culture, and great food, often all in the same afternoon. Show them the spots you love, the ones that locals actually go to, and you’ll give them the kind of trip they’ll rave about for years.
