Vancouver

Eco-friendly travel guide to Vancouver advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Air quality: 4.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 5 / 5

Public transportation: 4.7 / 5

Parks: 4.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 5 / 5

Safety: 4.4 / 5

Accommodation: US$30 - $1,700

Budget per day: US$100 - $2,000

Responsible Travel

Vancouver is a very pleasant city to live in. It's often the only North American city to crack the top ten and it consistently ranks among the top five most livable cities in the world. Vancouver, is no doubt, one of the best cities in the world, and while some feel it doesn't have all that it takes to be a “world-class” city, particularly for its quiet nightlife and the fact that it's too provincial, Vancouverites do exert a lot of pride in this city because they believe that it's the greatest place on earth to live in.

Engulfed by sandy beaches and skiable mountains with a mild climate and proud progressivism, it's a year-round treasure trove of activities and experiences for visitors as it's naturally amazing and abundant in diversity, culture, and arts. Taking pride in being the largest city located on Canada's west coast, it's a city you should devote lots of time to visiting, and it offers everything from incredible urban parts to get lost in and microbrew and markets on Granville Island to stunning food scene, an intriguing art scene, and lots more. Since Vancouver is one of the favorite cities of many, travelers can use these few tips to move around responsibly;

Understand that Vancouver is tiny. Vancouver is a compact city and nothing is more than an easy twenty-minute walk away. If you're in the middle of downtown, you'll find lots of things to do, and looking at the fact that Vancouver is mostly flat, it only takes about forty minutes or so to walk from one extreme corner of downtown to the other. Nevertheless, do well to explore beyond downtown in this city because there's more to see.
Uber and Lyft just started operating here, recently. After years of government foot-dragging kept Uber and Lyft out, these ride-hailing services have started running in Metro Vancouver, and this development recently came to be very early in the year 2020. However, one still can't tell; the possibility of the continuation of their services, but whichever way, you can always use a SkyTrain, the bike rental, or the car share programs; amidst the several options of getting around; if you're weary of exploring the city by foot. However, don't forget that Vancouver is super walkable and your feet can take you to so many places conveniently.
Use public transit. There's nothing stopping you from riding public transit in Vancouver because everyone uses it. Unlike some other parts of the world with inconvenient, unreliable, and dirty public transit, Vancouver's public transit offers the very opposite with a very positive experience you'll appreciate.
- Know how to pay for public transit before you ride. You'll have to pay exact change ($2.95 for one zone) if you don't have “high-tech” payment methods like Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and contactless Visa and Mastercard credit cards which Vancouver’s transit system accepts. However, take note that getting a Compass Card is the best way to go if you know you'll be using public transit a lot or you'll be staying longer.
- Keep transit zones in mind. Make sure to check the map for apt confirmation because if you'll be going into different zones, you'll need to pay extra, especially if you're going outside of Vancouver’s city limits and you're taking the SeaBus or the SkyTrain. You actually won't have to pay extra for crossing zones when you’re taking the bus when you understand that all buses are one zone.
- Even if you’re not taking the bus, ask the bus drivers. If you're going somewhere and you're not sure of your stop, don't hesitate to ask the driver. In fact, you shouldn't be scared to ask them for directions when you spot one at a stop because the bus drivers in this city are known to be generally friendly and helpful — this is one of the unique things about Vancouver.
- Don't be tempted to squeeze your way onto a full bus. It's very possible that when you want to board a bus, you'll find the space to be almost occupied. However, there's no need for you to scamper for a seat because there's a high possibility that there will be a next bus coming soon which will have more room. Just chill. The busy routes in this city have a very frequent service.
You don't have to taxi everywhere. As earlier highlighted, walking and public transportation are the best way to get around this city, more reason why you should have your comfortable shoes on. Nevertheless, there are still places like the University of British Columbia Museum and a few others where you can enjoy taking a taxi to.
From the airport, take the SkyTrain into town. This is a very easy and convenient way to get into town from the airport, but it's not ideal if you're a group of three or more because in this case, a taxi will be more preferable. The SkyTrain, however, is often faster and cheaper than taxis.
Don’t rent a car. There's no need to rent a car because it's pretty easy to get around the city via public transit, bike, or by foot. If you're bent on renting a car, understand that finding a space to park in could be quite challenging because Vancouver is tiny, and parking fees can be very high.
Vancouver is very bike-friendly, rent a bike. Biking is an enjoyable activity in Vancouver because of the plenty bike lanes that litter the city that even tend to provoke complaints from car lovers who feel the bike lanes are becoming excessive. Using Mobi, which costs about $10 a day; Vancouver’s shared bike system, is the cheapest way to enjoy biking around. In fact, if covering more ground with one-way bike routes is your plan for the day, you can put your bike on the SkyTrain or put it onto the racks on the front of busses if you've rented one. Putting your bike on the bus to get out there is a common thing done in this city and you shouldn't be scared to follow suit. To include, you'll find plentiful dedicated bike parking spots along the streets of the city, and bike parking is free for all in Vancouver. Be that as if may, you shouldn't leave your bike locked overnight on the street and don’t ever leave your bike unlocked and out of your sight if you don't want to be a victim because bike theft is a huge problem in Vancouver — don’t ever leave your bike unlocked lest you risk its disappearance.
Wear whatever is comfortable for you. In this city, there's no hassle or fuss over what to wear because people often wear whatever they feel like in public and one can even say that Vancouver is probably the least-stylish city in the world.
- However, never forget your comfortable walking shoes as you'll find several places you'll enjoy exploring on foot in this city.
- Don’t be afraid to walk at night. No matter which part of town you go, Vancouver is super safe night and day. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean you should wave your valuables around because this city does have its share of opportunistic criminals just like any city.

Air Quality and Pollution

Unhealthy short-term pollution spikes are not uncommon in Vancouver, and even so, this city is regarded to be one of the cleanest major cities in the world. Vancouver has a healthy air quality that poses almost no risk to people's health. The quality in Vancouver is not particularly poor, relatively speaking. Out of 168 included locations, Vancouver is ranked 65 for cleanest air in the country, and it's ranked 549th for cleanest air of 4,682 in the annual World Air Quality Report. Nevertheless, Vancouver still strives to be the cleanest air of any major city in the world, and it doesn't seem to be far from achieving this lofty goal.

Respect the Culture

The many different groups that call the city of Vancouver home make Vancouver boasts a diverse multicultural identity, which simply means that you'll meet people from different part of the world in this city. There's a good chance of you hearing other languages like Spanish, Tagalog (Filipino), Italian, German, Punjabi, and Chinese in this city, even though the two official languages are English and French. The locals in this city are known to be helpful, friendly, and they're always eager to render their assistance if you need directions. More so, the city has a large gay community, and it houses one of the largest gay pride parades in Canada.

Speaking of respecting the city's culture, one thing you should put into cognizance is not to wear shoes in the house. Whenever you're entering someone’s home, it's custom to remove shoes, and this goes pretty much for all of Canada. Shoes are not worn indoors in Vancouver; whether in a local Vancouver resident’s home or in an apartment rental. Another tangible thing you should take note of is the tipping custom in this city. Vancouver has a strong tipping culture and you're expected to tip taxi drivers (10%), spas and beauticians/barbers (10%), at bars ($0.50-2 per drink), at restaurants (15-20%), and hotel services; $10-20 to a helpful concierge, $2-5 per night for the maid, and $1-2 per bag to the bell boy. So, don't just say “thank you” in Vancouver.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Vancouver is repleted with lots of nice neighborhoods to enjoy, fine places to see, and fun things to do. It's not just one of Canada’s most popular cities, it's one of the favorite cities of many. There are lots of things to see here and if you're planning a trip to this magical seaport, you'll see that this city is full of love, life, and laughter when you arrive. Famed for its fanciful music scenes, theatre, and thriving art, it's surrounded by mountains, and it's a popular filming location.

This beautiful city is a must-visit if you love great food, music, art, scenic views, and unique architecture. It's a place where visitors can explore affordable hostels to their advantage and as well enjoy kayaking, romantic restaurants, and great shopping. From exploring the city's vibrant neighborhoods which include Yaletown, Granville Island, and Gastown to seeing rare marine animals at Vancouver Aquarium, visiting the Museum of Vancouver, and strolling along the water’s edge in Stanley Park, you'll find a wide array of things to do, and here are some of the finest places you shouldn't miss out on in Vancouver;

Stanley Park: It’s an absolute delight that should not be rushed and it's home to the largest aquarium in Canada. To make your exploration even more pleasant, you can opt-in for a horse carriage or take a mini-train or a horse carriage. There are Native American totem poles scattered around and you can enjoy playing tennis or golf here, unwind on the beach, admire sweeping trees, watch birds, or enjoy solitude. You'll go along the seawall, through the mountains, by the sea, and go through the rainforest in one stroll. It has 400 hectares of space and it's one of the top attractions in Vancouver. Serving as a rich, verdant oasis in the center of the city as a national historic site, it's the largest urban park in the city, and the residents of this city do adore it. At 28km, it boasts being the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the world, and it offers guests plenty to see in and around the park.
The Seawall in Vancouver: Considering the weather in Vancouver, if you'll be coming here, it's advisable that you come with an umbrella, and even bring snacks and drinks. Throughout your trip here, you can enjoy taking in some spectacular views, have some fun in the fresh air, enjoy biking and rollerskating, go for a jog, or just take a walk around. It's a long uninterrupted path that runs at a very massive length and you'll come across a wide array of stunning attractions as you journey through. It's one of the best things to do in Vancouver, it's the world's longest waterfront path, and it's a fine place to be when the weather is nice.
Museum of Vancouver: It includes a planetarium and the museum’s home was built in 1967. Displaying compelling temporary exhibits, it also features a permanent collection. From the early 1900s through the late 1970s, it recounts stories of Vancouver around this period with its permanent collection of over 65,000 items. It became the Museum of Vancouver in 2009 for it used to be known as the Vancouver Museum. It gives its devotion to exhibitions and programs related to Vancouver and, the Art, Historical, and Scientific Association of Vancouver founded this museum in 1894 as the Vancouver Museum. It's the largest civic museum in Canada, it's the oldest museum in Vancouver, and it's situated on Chestnut Street in Vanier Park.
Gastown: You’ll always find something to do in Gastown from hitting up the Salt Tasting Room for tapas and good Spanish wine to chilling at the Pourhouse for Sunday Jazz and stopping by Jules Bistro for piano night. It's a place where many feel at home and this neighborhood is also renowned to be a tourist attraction. Offering a fun mix of new and old and casual and upscale, it's one of Vancouver's most vibrant, hip, and popular neighborhoods. Amidst other plentiful neighborhoods in Vancouver, Gastown stands out, and it's as old as Canada. Vancouver is comprised of colorful and lively neighborhoods and a neighborhood like Gastown adds to its beauty.
Vancouver Aquarium: This place is renowned to be kid-friendly and kids are guaranteed to love it as it's fun for the entire family. If you happen to visit this place during feeding time, you'll be able to catch a live show and see several animals like dolphins and whales. This place is a stunning spot to hit up, especially if you'll be coming around with kids. Animals are displayed in a number of fascinating galleries based on their origin and habitat, it's home to more than 50,000 animals, and it covers over 100,000 square feet. It's one of the largest in North America and it's the largest in Canada. More so, it's one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver, and it's a center for animal rehabilitation, research, and marine conservation.
Granville Island: It's incredibly exciting and fun and it does reflect the multicultural, multiethnic vibe in the city. This unique urban oasis boasts all the condensed essential elements of Vancouver and it's fondly referred to as “Vancouver’s Town Square.” There are lots of fun things to do here. You can watch the world go by as you relax by the water, grab something to eat, pick some flowers for your darling, see what the fishermen caught in their nets, or check out the produce that grows in the area. Some of the popular features of the island are the market, cafes, shops, studios, theatres, galleries, and waterfront restaurants, and you can take it all in by taking a stroll around the area. You can as well rent a boat and go out on the water, visit the brewery, catch a show, visit the Water Park or hit up the Adventure Zone. You can as well see the city from a fresh perspective with a 25-minutes tour of False Creek by taking the colorful Aquabus.
VanDusen Botanical Garden: At least, 16,000 volunteers put in their time and energy to the upkeep of this place so as to keep it in its exquisite shape. From botany and ecology to gardening, photography, and art, the garden is always organizing courses of all kinds, and you can as well take advantage of the regular guided tours if you are the organized type. Strolling through this place aimlessly and leisurely is the best way to enjoy the garden. David Marshall, Bill Reid, and a host of other renowned celebrated sculptures call this garden home. From the Himalayas to the Pacific coast and from the Mediterranean to Louisiana, you can enjoy going from one ecosystem to another with its carefully maintained, elegant landscapes, and enjoy the pleasure of strolling through 22 hectares. This place used to be a golf course but you'll find it hard to believe once you step in through its whimsical visitors center.
Queen Elizabeth Park: The view here is out of this world so, remember to take some pictures before leaving this park. There's a Rose Garden here which will take your breath away and you'll get to experience it if you visit during the rose season. There are as well more than 1,500 trees from all over Canada at the Arboretum, and you can listen to the peaceful sound of the waterfall or take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the cool stream. Bustling with bright and vibrant colors with enormous specimen trees, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, and perennials, it's home to the thriving Quarry Garden. There's Henry Moore’s magnificent sculpture Knife Edge just outside of the Conservatory and the Conservatory features free-flying birds, trees, and a tropical retreat full of flowers. This park is no doubt a horticulturalist’s dream.
English Bay Beach: Here, you can enjoy the slide from the large swimming deck or rent a kayak during the warmer months. There's an interesting activity hosted here on New Year’s Day and you'll often find some kind of beach volleyball tournament going on here because it's a fun and lively place. You can't resist being tempted along the way by a couple of activities and if you aren't cooling off in the sea, you shouldn't miss out on taking a walk on the fine sand. While strolling along the Seawall, you can see English Bay Beach.
Bloedel Floral Conservatory: This conservatory hosts several exhibits and events which include sculptures, orchid shows, the Walk in the Tropics, and the Jewel Box of Lights. The Tropical Rainforest Habitat, the Subtropical Rainforest Habitat, and the Desert Zone are the three climate zones it is made up of. It has been designated as a heritage building ever since it opened in the year 1966. Macaws, Chinese pheasants, and African parrots are included on its over 200 free-flying birds it's home to and there are as well over 500 exotic flowers and plants calling this place home. This temperature-controlled conservatory is a great place to be. It displays tropical birds and plants as a domed conservatory and it's situated at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park on Cambie Street.

Granville Island

Explore

Boasting an incredible dining, fantastic shopping, and a busy cultural life, Vancouver is a paradise for outdoor activities, and it's appealing to many for its mild temperatures throughout the year, agreeable climate, and extensive parks. There are tons of attractions to explore in this city and there are loads of world-renowned fun and educational spots calling this city home. Vancouver is a great place to explore because it's pretty much walkable and you can as well enjoy biking around to cover more grounds for the city is very bike-friendly. Having rightly earned the reputation of being one of the world's most beautiful cities with its urban beaches and mountain backdrop, this scenic city is a favorite of many who dream to come to Canada.

City Parks

Visitors can catch a glimpse of the area’s flora and fauna and locals can as well enjoy a break from urban living at city parks. There are lovely nature walks and gorgeous views to be enjoyed in this city with plenty of fine spots and greenery in the city. Vancouver is home to a handful of world-famous parks and it has parks for kids, parks where the dogs can run free, parks with great hiking trails, and an amazing array of scenic parks.

Stanley Park: It offers a waterpark, a 15-minute train ride, a pitch and putt, a swimming pool which is open seasonally, playgrounds, and restaurants. There are some enormous 400-year-old trees you should keep your eyes open for and this park is perfect for hiking and biking with its almost 17 miles of forest trail. Spending a full day at this park is pretty easy because spending the day in the woods is not herculean as there are lots of restaurants and snack bars around. Home to Vancouver’s Aquarium, there are many paths and trails that run through the park with a lush green forest full of plants, and it has some of the city’s most beautiful views. It's completely surrounded by water and it's bordered by the Vancouver Harbor and the English Bay.
Queen Elizabeth Park: As earlier noted, don't forget to take some pictures before leaving this park. It's renowned for holding the popular Bloedel Conservatory. It catches a glimpse at the city’s skyline and its 130 acres hold mountains along the north shore. Its extravagant flora can be viewed year-round and it's a small, worthwhile park. There's a Rose Garden here which will take your breath away and you'll get to experience it if you visit during the rose season. There are as well more than 1,500 trees from all over Canada at the Arboretum, and you can listen to the peaceful sound of the waterfall or take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the cool stream. Bustling with bright and vibrant colors with enormous specimen trees, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, and perennials, it's home to the thriving Quarry Garden.
Lynn Canyon Park: There are simple awe-inspiring views featured here and you'll enjoy the atmosphere provided by the lofty branches of the evergreens and the long suspension bridge for crossing over the canyon. It's a place for a challenging workout or a casual stroll with its many hiking trails that vary in difficulty. It's over a century old and it opened in 1912.

Stanley Park Gardens

National Parks

Canada boasts 46 national parks with coastal reserves with diverse landscapes, islands, lush rainforests, and rich mountain ranges.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia is the closest national park to Vancouver. There are black bears, sea lions, and seals that are often spotted here, and you can as well encounter exceptional marine wildlife here. Surfing, kayaking, and hiking are some of the adrenaline-boost activities you can enjoy in summer and you can as well try out the famous storm-watching during winter. It's bustling with a backdrop of coastal mountains, verdant rainforest, endless beaches, and it stretches along Vancouver Island’s west coast.

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is another close-by national park. While bald eagles circle overhead and black bears roam the beaches; sea lions, porpoises, and whales are attracted to the protected waters offshore. Scattered amongst the dense rainforest are fallen totem poles, and with ancient longhouses, it offers a fascinating insight into First Nations culture. ‘Islands of Beauty’ is what Gwaii Haanas literally means.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Beaches

Vancouver’s beaches are some of the very best in the world!

English Bay Beach: It's the top spot for viewing some of the fireworks in the city and during the annual Celebration of Light International Fireworks Competition, which is one of the biggest summer events in Vancouver, it does play a major role. It's one of the best beaches for swimmers and it's the epitome of an urban beach. You can enjoy the slide from the large swimming deck or rent a kayak during the warmer months and you can't resist being tempted along the way by a couple of activities. If you aren't cooling off in the sea, you shouldn't miss out on taking a walk on the fine sand. It's situated along the Seawall and in the West End on the edge of Stanley Park.
Kitsilano Beach: The longest outdoor pool in Canada; the awesome Kits Pool, can be found at the beach's park. The waves are calm, it's great for swimmers, and it's family-friendly. You'll find a lot of beach-goers whenever you come here and you can enjoy mingling with different people. The real eye candy here is on the sand and this beach boasts gorgeous scenery. It's renowned to be the most "glamorous" of Vancouver's beaches and the locals in this city do refer to it as Kits Beach. Kitsilano Beach is Canada's version of Venice Beach.
Spanish Banks: If you come here when low tide lets you walk far out to sea which is usually during the morning and early afternoon, you'll have a great time enjoying your pleasurable long walks. There are some designated zones where dogs can run freely, and this beach is perfect for family barbecues. This beach is far from the hubbub of the city's urban beaches and it stretches along the west coast of Vancouver. Spanish Banks is a favorite beach among Vancouverites.

English Bay Beach

Landmarks

Landmarks are plentiful in Vancouver!

Canada Place: It's an ideal place for host meetings and conferences and there are boats and cruise coming in and out of port and seaplanes taking off and landing which visitors can feed their sight with. It offers many picturesque opportunities, a trail, event space, seaplanes, great views of ships, and it's also in walking distance to Gastown. It's almost impossible to go hungry here because you'll find a wide variety of eateries all around. If you seek to enjoy and explore North Shore mountains and the NEW Vancouver Convention Center, it's a fine place to be. Fabric roofs resembling sails are used to cover the exterior of this place and this historic monument is designed by Architect Zeidler Roberts.
Vancouver Public Library: There's are lots of educational and personal entertainment for people of all ages here. Other than English, it boasts reading material in sixteen other world languages. It's a perfect place for studying or group meetings and it has a great selection of regularly updated books. There's a small outdoor garden with a beautiful view of the city on the top floor and discussions and group projects are peculiar to the library's top floor places. From artifacts to historical photographs, it boasts an enormous collection of books and reference material, and it's reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre. It's a grand central library.

Other popular landmarks in the city include;

Museum of Vancouver
Rio Theatre
Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Storm Crow Alehouse
Stanley Park
Wreck Beach
Rogers Arena
Gastown and Chinatown
Grousse Mountain
Science World

Vancouver Maritime Museum exterior at night

Museums

From anthropology to local history, you'll find lots of museums in this city specializing in varied areas. One of the best ways to learn more about a new city and country is by visiting museums and art galleries on vacation, and here are some of the finest museums in Vancouver;

The Vancouver Police Museum: If you have the balls, check out its Movies in the Morgue events! With a self-guided tour, you can learn more here, and this museum is home to more than 20,000 documents, photos, and artifacts. It sits in a heritage building, it's the oldest museum of its kind in North America, and it's operated by the Vancouver Police Historical Society.
Vancouver Maritime Museum: There's a NASA undersea research in this museum and there's as well a maritime art collection, the Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre, and a selection of model ships housed here. Maritime history from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Arctic region is what it specializes in and it was established in 1959.
Museum of Anthropology: Renowned for hosting a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions, it's home to over 500,000 archaeological objects and one of the finest collections of Indigenous art in the world. The museum’s award-winning building was designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. Sitting on the picturesque campus of the University of British Columbia, it's applauded for its collections inside and exterior design.
Museum of Vancouver: Displaying compelling temporary exhibits, it features a permanent collection. It became the Museum of Vancouver in 2009 for it used to be known as the Vancouver Museum. It gives its devotion to exhibitions and programs related to Vancouver and, the Art, Historical, and Scientific Association of Vancouver founded this museum in 1894 as the Vancouver Museum. It's the largest civic museum in Canada and the oldest museum in Vancouver.

Museum of Anthropology

Eat

Vancouver has been described as a foodie's delight with its variety of cuisines and price points and this cosmopolitan city offers something for everyone. When it comes to food, Vancouver has some of the very best in North America. There are different kinds of Asian food available for you to enjoy in this city and the city as well boasts a fair share of delectable seafood — all thanks to its seat along the Pacific Coast. Vancouver is famous for its dim sum restaurants, there are several authentic ethnic restaurants in East Van, and Kitsilano or the West End has the highest density of restaurants. More so, at any one of the city's markets like Granville Island, you'll find casual fish and chips to enjoy.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Some of the popular traditional local restaurants in Vancouver are:

Salmon n' Bannock
Bao Bei
Marulilu Café
Kirin Restaurant
Kingyo
Maenam

Vegetarian and Vegan

In the whole of Canada, British Columbia is regarded to have the biggest population of plant-based eaters, and this is affirmed by a recent survey by Dalhousie University. So, if you want no meat, and you're in Vancouver, you're in the perfect place! Worry not for Vancouver is incredibly vegan-friendly and there are lots of options for vegetarians and vegans in this beautiful Canadian city. If you seek to enjoy some soul-satisfying vegan comfort food in this city, here are some quality spots you can trust;

Lotus Seed Vegan: It serves breakfast and brunch daily and features dishes like spaghetti with vegan meatballs, cashew cheese casserole, burger with kale salad, vegan pho, veggie sushi, and new specials. It offers an international cuisines menu and it's a health-minded and spiritually-conscious vegan restaurant.
MeeT in Gastown: You can try cookies n' cream in a jar, lemon tart, or a chocolate tort for dessert. It offers healthier options like salads and grain bowls and offers all from root beer floats and mac n cheese to loaded poutine, onion rings, fries, and burgers as it features comfort foods.
Vegan Pizza House: It was established in the year 2011 and you can try peanut butter chocolate cups and nanaimo bar (raw) for dessert. Caesar, creamy garlic, red hot, ranch, and vegan tzatziki are some of the sauces and dressings that are prepared in-house. It uses vegan cheese and various vegan meats and it has foods like pita, spanakopita, souvlaki, salads, baked lasagna and spaghetti, donairs, and pasta. It as well offers an extensive menu of pizzas and it's a fast-food style vegan restaurant.
Chi Vegan: There are appetizers such as gochujang sauce and cauliflower, tacos and ramen, burgers and seasoned fries, rice paper rolls with dips, and different kinds of bowls on the menu. It was established in 2020 and it has drinks like matcha lattes with tapioca (boba) and espresso lattes. It features a mix of Western fusion, Asian, and Vietnamese. It's a vegan restaurant and bar.

Street Food

Vancouver's food trucks offer you an opportunity to enjoy quality street food and here are some of the best ones you'll find around:

JAPADOG
Roaming Dragon
Le Tigre
arturosmexico2go
REEL Mac and Cheese
Chickpea Truck
JJ's Trucketeria
Mom's Grilled Cheese Truck
Tacofino Pink Truck
Tacofino Blue Truck

Drink

Vancouver is repleted with countless caffeine enthusiasts who are often in search of something new and it's known for its coffee culture. The locals in this city are very passionate about coffee and they're as well craft-beer obsessed.

Tap-water

The tap water in Vancouver is generally considered to be safe to drink.

Organic Cafés

Kokomo, Tractor Foods, and SMAK Healthy Fast Food are some of the best organic cafés and healthy restaurants in Vancouver.

Breweries

There are breweries spread around the vast and beautiful city of Vancouver and the breweries in this city come in so many different sizes and shapes.

Storm Brewing
33 Acres
Bomber Brewing
Off the Rail Brewing Company
Powell Brewery
Strange Fellows Brewing Company
Brassneck Brewery
Postmark Brewing

Activities

In this city, your adventurous side will be beckoned by skiing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking. Major motion pictures and popular television do appreciate Vancouver and its breathtaking backdrop, and it earns the nickname "Hollywood North" because of its fondness for health-conscious eating, high-fashion boutiques, and chic atmosphere. Vancouver is both an urban and a natural playground, and it's surrounded by mountains and beaches. What Vancouver lacks in history, it compensates for in scenery. Vancouver is a young city even by North American standards and it does offer some refreshing and rejuvenating activities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy;

Get lost in Stanley Park
Relax at one of the many beaches in the city
Walk, run or cycle along the Vancouver Seawall
Find tranquility at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Hike and get a workout on the Grouse Grind
Take in the view from Queen Elizabeth Park
Have a picnic, or heck, why not even a BBQ at Buntzen Lake
Play a couple of rounds of pitch & putt at Central Park
Learn how to paddleboard, or even windsurf, at Jericho Beach
Go for a scenic drive along the Sea-To-Sky Highway
Relax and enjoy a ferry ride around False Creek
Grab a couple of cold ones and drink the day away at Beer Island
Cross the bridge onto Granville Island
Roadtrip out to Abbotsford and stroll through the floral fields

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga and retreats are very common in Vancouver and here are some places you can trust for your yoga in Vancouver:

Ocean Breath Yoga School
Yoga West
Vancouver Corporate Yoga
STRETCH

Accommodation

There are lots of accommodation options within easy reach in Vancouver. Vacation rentals, VRBO, and Airbnb are affordable options you can opt-in for but take note that hotels in this city have limited availability and they can be quite expensive. Nevertheless, be aware that the West End is the most convenient place to stay, especially if you know you'll be going around the city a lot because it's close to the SkyTrain to the airport and it's within walking distance of everything downtown.

Green Hotels

Eco-friendly hotels are plentiful in Vancouver:

The Westin Grand
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Fairmont Waterfront
The Listel Hotel Vancouver
Coast Coal Harbor Vancouver

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels and guest houses are great options to go for if you're visiting Vancouver and you don't want to spend too much on staying in a hotel which is often expensive and limitedly available:

Samesun Vancouver
The Cambie Hostel - Gastown
Urban Hideaway Guesthouse
St. Clair Hotel-Hostel
HI Vancouver Downtown Hostel
The West End Guest House

Apartments

Vancouver is renowned to be one of the most expensive places to live in; not just in North America but in the world at large. However, note that the cost of renting an apartment in the city is quite high, especially in the downtown area.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing will help you cut down your cost on accommodation because Vancouver is not a budget-friendly destination. However, take note that before you travel, you should try to find a host ahead because of the traffic of people which can likely be heightened.

Camping

You can enjoy camping in Vancouver at any of these places:

Capilano River RV Park
Nothing Doing
MacDonald Park
Sparwood Park
Strathcona Park
Riverfront Park

How to Get There

Flying into Vancouver International Airport is arguably the easiest and best way to get into Vancouver.

Air

Vancouver International Airport is the principal airport serving the city. Upon your arrival, you have several transportation options to get to your main destination.

Vancouver International Airport

Bus

Various places nearby and afar in Canada and the United States are served by bus lines coming into town — Vancouver is well-served by bus services.

A bus in Vancouver

Train

VIA Rail, the Rocky Mountaineer, and Amtrak Cascades are rail options to get into Vancouver. Taking the train to this city offers a scenic experience but it doesn't seem to be the cheapest option.

A train of Vancouver's Skytrain Rupert station

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Vancouver is technically legal.

Others

BC Ferries in the Lower Mainland are served by two ferry terminals; Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, and you can as well get into Vancouver via a cruise ship.

Moving Around

On foot, by bike, and via public transportation are the best means to get around Vancouver.

Walk

Central Vancouver is very easy to navigate on foot and Vancouver is very walkable.

Bicycle

Biking is an enjoyable activity in Vancouver due to the plenty of bike lanes that litter the city but take note that biking on the sidewalk is illegal.

Electronic Vehicles

Moving around via an electronic vehicle is pretty much feasible as there are lots of places in the city where you can rent an electronic vehicle.

Public Bus

Vancouver has an efficient and effective public transportation system. Children's one-way fares cost CA$1.80, one-way adult fares cost CA$2.85 (about $2.20), and regular service runs from about 5 a.m. to around 1 a.m.

Tram, Train and Subway

SkyTrain is the city's light rail and it operates just like the public buses in the city.

Sustainable Shopping

There are lots of eco-friendly stores in Vancouver and this makes the city a great place to shop sustainably.

Food Markets

Looking for the best food markets in Vancouver? Check out any of these;

Granville Island Market
Main Street Market
Yaletown Market
West End Market

Flea Markets

Vancouver Flea Market, 21st Century Flea Market, and the Eastside Flea are the popular flea markets in Vancouver.

Second Hand Stores

There are lots of second-hand stores in Vancouver;

Wildlife Thrift Store
Aunt Leah's Urban Thrift
Still Fabulous Thrift Shop
Hunter and Hare
F as in Frank

Eco-Fashion

HOB Thrift Boutique, My Sister's Closet, and C'est La Vie Boutique are some of the best places you can trust for your eco-friendly fashion in Vancouver.

Recycling

Vancouver is a city that takes recycling seriously and it does recycle.

Waste

Waste collection is well organized in the city and there are scheduled collections for the residents.

Work and Study Abroad

Vancouver is regarded to be one of the top cities in Canada and the world at large and it's a fine place for work and study abroad.

Exchange Student

The exchange student program is run by virtually all the universities in the city.

Au Pair

There's a possibility of finding opportunities as an au pair in Vancouver.

Volunteering

There are lots of places you can volunteer for in Vancouver and all you have to do is to make a few researches online or ask some of the knowledgeable locals around you.