Vancouver is one of Canada’s most notable cities, and for good reason. The city’s stunning cityscapes mixed with its breathtaking nature make it one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, and maybe even North America. But just like every first world city, it can be expensive to visit. I have a full post explaining ways you can explore Vancouver on a budget (which you can find here) but for this post I wanted to talk about the various things you can do in Vancouver at no cost. While its major attractions, like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Grouse Mountain, and the Museum of Anthropology all have entry fees, there’s still a lot you can do in Vancouver at no cost. So let’s dive in!
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Stanley Park
Tied with Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Granville Island as my personal favorite attractions in Vancouver, Stanley Park is probably one of the most beautiful urban parks in the world, and one of my favorite Vancouver at no cost attractions. Its myriad of winding pathways, comprising over 27 kilometers of trails including an over 10km long sea wall, offer stunning naturescapes mixed in with picturesque views of Downtown Vancouver and its surrounding mountains.
While some of the attractions within the park will cost you a fee to enjoy them, such as the Vancouver Aquarium, it is completely free to take a stroll around the park. While you’re here, don’t forget to see the totem poles, as well as the statue of a woman on the beach that is reminiscent of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen. It’s also the perfect place to people watch as you’ll see a myriad of people exercising, walking their dogs, cycling, or just enjoying a walk through the park. I cannot recommend it enough.
Granville Island
Less of an island and more of a peninsula, Granville Island has one of my favorite markets in the world, coupled with a bunch of cute boutiques and performance venues that contribute to the area’s distinct character. The Public Market is filled with different stalls selling different kinds of food as well as a wet market area. Theaters also dot the island, featuring productions from plays to comedy shows. Shops sell everything from souvenirs to chocolate to toys and everything in between.
While it will cost you to buy things on the island, it is completely free to explore. Like I said above, this is probably tied with Stanley Park as my favorite spot in Vancouver City. I would also recommend getting here by water taxi as cruising the waters of False Creek is an experience in itself (although you would have to pay for this).
Queen Elizabeth Park
The second major free park in Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park is located on a hill overlooking the city. At the top of the park sits Bloedel Conservatory, and while it will cost you to enter it, it’s a lot cheaper to visit than the nearby VanDusen Gardens. If you don’t want to visit the conservatory, the view from the top of the hill is still breathtaking on a cloudless day. There are also manicured gardens and art installations sprinkled throughout the park. While not as visually arresting as Stanley Park, it’s worth exploring if you’re in the area.
Downtown Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver has a long list of attractions and sights to see, a lot of which are free to enter. Here are a few that should be worth your time.
Robson Street
Downtown Vancouver’s main drag, Robson street is chock full of shops and restaurants that are worth exploring. Grab yourself a coffee or hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and walk up and down the street, window shopping as you go along. The road terminates at BC Place on one end and bisects Robson Square and the Vancouver Art Gallery on the other. If you’re visiting Downtown Vancouver you’ll inevitably pass this street, which will lead you to some of the other iconic Downtown Vancouver attractions.
Vancouver Public Library
Opening in 1995 and housing over 1 million books, the main location of the Vancouver Public Library looks like it was lifted straight out of Gladiator, being reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome. The main thing to do here, other than peruse their collection of books, is to head to the roofdeck and hangout in the roodeck’s open air garden area. It’s filled with greenery and includes some tables and chairs, making it the perfect place to relax. I spent about 20 minutes here taking a break from touring. It was so serene and peaceful that you’ll forget that you’re in the middle of a metropolis. I’d highly recommend it, especially because it will cost you nothing to go up there.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is a modern church with a long storied history. It was initially dedicated in 1895 but was derided by the people of the city because it took forever to finish and was deemed an eyesore. It was remodeled in 1995, welcoming in the sophisticated feel that currently permeates it. When you enter, take a moment to admire the wood paneling and the massive organ at the rear of the church. The stained glass adorning the walls of the church is equally as beautiful. It’s a quick stop but one well worth your time if you can spare some, especially because it’s free to enter.
Canada Place
The location of FlyOver Canada, Canada Place is a hotel and cruise terminal rolled into one. I like the little nods to the different parts of Canada that you can find on the grounds outside the building, and the iconic white sails displayed on its roof make it an iconic part of the city skyline. If you walk all the way to the end, you can get incredible views of the mountains across Vancouver Harbor. This is also where you’re going to find the free shuttles to Capilano and Grouse Mountain, as well as FlyOver Canada, a simulated ride over various Canadian landscapes which you can ride for a fee.
West End
Making up the other half of the Downtown Area, the West End is more residential than Downtown Vancouver, but it has a couple of attractions that are free and worth visiting.
A-maze-ing Laughter and English Bay Beach
Located in the southwest corner of the West End, English Bay Beach is a quaint strip of sand that is nice to relax on. It offers views of Kitsilano and has on its shores one of the most recognizable art installations in Vancouver. A-maze-ing Laughter is a series of sculptures depicting men with exaggerated features, particularly their smiles, faces, and hunched backs. They were made by Yue Minjun and were then purchased by Lululemon owners Shannon and Chip Wilson who then donated it to the city government. Take a look at these unnerving but intriguing statues when you explore the neighborhood.
Gastown
Known as Vancouver’s old town, Gastown is full of Victorian buildings and is a haven for boutiques and restaurants. It’s the most historic of Vancouver’s neighborhoods, and a trip to Vancouver is incomplete without a romp through Gastown.
Gastown Clock
Built by Raymond Saunders, the famous steam-powered clock was completed in 1977. Its main purpose was simply to cover a steam gate, but it has since evolved into a symbol of the city. It’s an intricate apparatus, featuring a pretty cool contraption where the pendulum should be. It’s interesting to watch it work, and it chimes every 15 minutes. You can find it on a random street corner in the middle of the neighborhood. Best part is that it comes at no cost to view it! I would time your visit to every quarter hour so that you can hear it chime.
Kitsilano
The birthplace of international athleisure brand Lululemon, Kitsilano is a laid back residential area in the south of the city. The neighborhood is known for its quirky shops and restaurants, as well as for its amazing beach, which I will go into detail more below.
Kitsilano Beach
Similar to English Bay Beach, Kitsilano Beach offers incredible views of Vancouver but this time from across English Bay Beach. The beachfront is also lined with tasty restaurants and unique shops. When I visited it was cloudy which dampened my experience, but it’s still a fun place to hangout in and people watch. If you only have time for one beach while you’re in Vancouver, I would recommend this one.
Yaletown
Home to the former westernmost terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Yaletown is a small but distinct area of Vancouver. Its ties to the railroad industry can be seen all over the neighborhood, with the area being redeveloped in 1986 when Vancouver hosted the world’s fair. While you’re here, you have to see the old train depot, which is where our final free attraction resides.
Engine 374
Engine 374 is the first locomotive to traverse Canada from east to west way back in 1887. It made the long journey from Toronto to Vancouver multiple times before being retired in 1945, then sat decaying in Kitsilano Park until the 1986 World’s Fair when it was restored. It now sits at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Center. The room it’s in is a small museum with some informational signs that tell you more about the engine and the history of the Trans-Canadian railway. It’s an interesting piece of Canadian history, and is well worth a stop if you’re in the area.
There’s a lot you can do in Vancouver at no cost, so I hope this post was helpful in helping you plan your visit to the largest city of British Columbia!
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