Vancouver is a destination that’s easy to fall in love with. I sure did when I visited, mostly because Vancouver gives you both the bustling city experience and the serene nature experience. This mix of city and nature is what I fell in love with, and it’s what will keep me coming back for years to come.
The largest city in British Columbia has a lot to offer travelers. Its abundance of attractions could keep you occupied for a week. I stayed there for 6 days and felt like I barely scratched the surface. I still had an amazing time, but my trip left me hungry for more.
However, not everyone has a week to spend in Vancouver. If you’re like most visitors to the city, you’re probably visiting for the weekend. Is it possible to gain an understanding of the city in two days? The answer is YES! This 2 day Vancouver itinerary will go into detail on what you should see and do during your weekend in Vancouver, as well as recommendations for a third day if you want to make it a long weekend. Now let’s get into it!
Subscribe to my Youtube channel @ Stephen Flores Travel, like me on Facebook at Passport Perspective, and follow me on Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok @StephenJFlores. And now let’s get on with the itinerary!
Introduction to this Itinerary
I decided to visit Vancouver because I had always wanted to visit Canada. I knew I could only go on a 5-6 day trip, so I scoured the internet to figure out what part of Canada I wanted to visit. Obviously, living in Los Angeles, I set my eyes on the nearest major Canadian City to LA: Vancouver.
This was the most affordable option largely due to its relative proximity to LA. After doing more research, I found out that it was basically the perfect “Intro to Canada” city. Amazing cultural institutions, stunning city life, and abundant natural beauty, all rolled into one. I was sold and immediately booked a ticket.
After visiting, I can definitely say I made the right choice. Vancouver was everything I hoped it would be and more. I was never bored while in the city, and I was glad that I chose it to be one of the first few places I cover in this blog. But I had 6 days in the city. The question is can someone only visiting for a weekend have the same experience I did?
In my opinion, I think so! Vancouver is a lot more compact than other cities. Most of the attractions are at or adjacent to the downtown core. This makes it relatively easy to plan for and visit in a short amount of time.
Vancouver also has a very robust transportation system. Buses arrive fairly often and it’s easy to get anywhere in the city. You can also pay for public transport with your Apple Wallet or contactless credit card, making the whole process a lot easier.
This means that you can visit areas of the city that are relatively far from each other on the same day because of how widespread their transportation system is, allowing you to cover most of the city quickly if need be. In the end, it’s possible to do the city in a weekend, and this 2 day Vancouver itinerary is designed to be an optimal route that will allow you to see most of the city in 2-3 days.
Before we get started, some housekeeping first. This 2 day Vancouver itinerary assumes you have a full day on Saturday and a full day on Sunday to visit the city, as well as another full day on either Friday or Monday to make it a long weekend.
It also assumes you will be taking public transportation or walking to all of these attractions. If the itinerary calls for an Uber, I will make note of it for you but generally you can get anywhere with public transport.
Now let’s get on with the itinerary!
DAY ONE: Stanley Park, Downtown, Granville Island, and VanDusen Gardens
Breakfast at Tim Hortons
I recommend waking up early (if you arrived the night before) or catching an early flight (if you’re arriving the morning of your first day) to maximize your time. Either way, the morning calls for some coffee! And what better place to grab a coffee and have some breakfast than at Canada’s favorite cafe: Tim Hortons!
Founded over 60 years ago, with its first location opening in Ontario in 1964, Tim Hortons has established itself as Canada’s favorite cafe. It has since spread all over the world, and even if you’ve had it before, it’s still an experience getting to have it in the country where it originated!
I think I had Tim Hortons every single day of my 6-day stay in Vancouver. Their breakfast sandwiches were very tasty, and while I don’t drink coffee, I did have their hot chocolate everyday. I got the bacon and egg biscuit as my breakfast every day too. Like I said, even if you’ve had Tim Hortons before, you need to drop by at least once while you’re in Canada. It’s a rite of passage, and one you would be wise to partake in.
Any Tim Hortons in the city will do. Once that’s done, hop on the nearest bus and make your way over to Stanley Park!
Get Lost in the Urban Wilderness that is Stanley Park
After breakfast, make your way by bus to Stanley Park. Stanley Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, larger even than New York City’s Central Park. It’s just over 1000 acres and makes up the northwestern half of Vancouver’s Downtown Peninsula.
The land was originally used by First Nations people until the area was colonized by the British during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. After colonization, many different people lived in the area until it was turned into Vancouver’s first park after the city was incorporated in 1886. It’s named after Lord Stanley, the former Governor General of Canada.
The park is unique in that it wasn’t created by a landscape architect but rather was shaped by the growth of the forest and the urban areas surrounding it. Most of the buildings were built in the early 20th century, with other features like the aquarium coming after World War 2. It remains as densely forested as it was in the late 1800s, with over half a million trees growing in the park.
This is my personal favorite green space in Vancouver, and possibly North America. You could spend hours walking through the entire park, discovering every nook and cranny. But since you have limited time in Vancouver, I would recommend walking the Sea Wall, a 30 km walkway that makes it the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path.
To get a good taste of the park and its woodlands, I would walk the Sea Wall until you get to the Brockton Point Totem Poles, which feature 9 specially designed totem poles all carved by local artists. Totem poles were first brought to Stanley Park in 1920, and were originally located in Lumberman’s Arch. More poles were then added and then subsequently moved to Brockton Point in 1963.
You can then take a shortcut through the totem poles until you reach the other side of the park where you’ll have a great view of the Lion’s Gate Bridge. If you want to see the park’s interior, I recommend heading for the Vancouver Aquarium, which is located within the park itself. If the Sea Wall is all you came for though, then cutting across the Totem Poles and heading back that way as well should be enough.
I visited the Vancouver Aquarium and, while it is a great aquarium, I wouldn’t recommend hitting it on your weekend in Vancouver because of the time it’ll take to go through the whole place. Unless you or one of your companions is a huge fan of aquatic animals, or there are children in your party, I would say to prioritize doing other things in Vancouver over this one.
Once you’ve walked through the park, head to a bus stop and make your way to Vancouver’s Old Town: Gastown.
Galavant Through Gastown
Once you’re done exploring Stanley Park, make your way to the eastern end of the Downtown Peninsula until you reach Gastown, the second stop of this 2 day Vancouver itinerary.
Known as Vancouver’s first neighborhood, the area was named after “Gassy” Jack Deyton, a seaman who opened Vancouver’s first saloon. He was known for talking to his customers for long periods of time, also known as gassing. The area around the bar eventually became known as “Gassy’s Town”, eventually being shortened to Gastown.
Filled to the brim with brick buildings, most of which were built after the original Gastown was destroyed in a fire in 1886, Gastown is considered, as mentioned, Vancouver’s “old town”. It, however, doesn’t look like Europe’s old towns at all. The area is now known for its many boutique shops and restaurants, as well as its two main attractions: Maple Tree Square and the Gastown Steam Clock.
Maple Tree Square was, honestly, kind of disappointing, mostly because the Gassy Jack statue that used to call this square home was toppled in 2022 during a protest and, to my knowledge, has yet to be replaced by the city. Maple Tree Square was named after the first official town hall meeting for Vancouver, which was held in the area under a Maple Tree.
I didn’t even know it was Maple Tree Square until I looked it up online and saw that the bar beside me was part of the square. It does have a cool building that resembles the Flatiron Building in New York City. It’s really nothing to write home about, though, so I would just take a quick peek then proceed to the main sight of the area.
Watching Time Tick at the Gastown Clock
The main attraction of Gastown is the Gastown Steam Clock. Located on the corner of Cambie and Water Street, the Gastown Steam Clock was made by Raymond Saunders with the purpose of covering a steam grate. It’s the second steam clock ever to be made and one of only 6 in existence.
The body of the clock is an intricate contraption that transports metal balls slowly up the body of the clock then, once it reaches the top, the balls roll back down, starting the process over again. Every 15 minutes, the clock chimes the Westminster Chimes using its bells and whistles. It’s a quirky little landmark that you should definitely see.
After admiring the clock, I would recommend walking around Gastown and soaking up the architecture. Visiting Vancouver mostly consists of exploring its various neighborhoods, admiring all the buildings and soaking up the atmosphere, so I would recommend you do just that! Once you’re done, walk for about 5-7 minutes until you reach our next destination in this 2 day Vancouver itinerary: the Vancouver Lookout!
See Vancouver from the sky at the Vancouver Lookout!
Leaving Gastown, it won’t be long before you reach the Harbour Center building. Once you enter the building, head to the center of the first floor until you reach the Vancouver Lookout elevators and ticket areas. When I went there, I got there right as it opened and I was first in line to buy tickets! Quickly pay and then line up at the elevators and wait for your turn to head to the lookout.
The Vancouver Lookout is an observation deck that is situated 168 meters above the ground. It offers a 360 degree view of Downtown Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. Once you arrive at the Lookout, a friendly employee will tell you all about the free audio tour. It’s a 15 minute tour that takes you around the lookout as you spot landmarks from high above. It can be accessed on your phone via a QR code. I would highly recommend doing this tour. It was very informative and detailed.
As you’re doing the tour, be sure to look out and really soak in the beauty of the city and its surrounding naturescapes. From up there you can see landmarks like BC Place, Grouse Mountain, Canada Place, and more. In every place I visit, I always like going up a tall building or structure and looking out over the city. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery of a place.
Once you’re done with your tour, I’d recommend walking around the whole thing 1-2 more times, stopping at any of the information placards that interest you. The placards are full of interesting information that really enhanced my appreciation of the city.
In total you can expect to spend about 30-40 minutes in the lookout. This was one of the highlights of my Vancouver trip, even though the observation deck wasn’t open air like the one in Singapore. But given how often it rains I can see why it was designed that way. After taking one last peek at the city from above, head down and towards the second neighborhood we’re going to explore on this 2 day Vancouver itinerary: Downtown!
Explore the Sights of Downtown Vancouver
As luck would have it, the Harbour Centre is in Downtown Vancouver, meaning you’re already at your next destination for the day! For this section I’m going to recommend some key places in this neighborhood that I think you should visit. They can be visited in any order, although the order I’ve placed them in below is the order I would recommend. So let’s get to it!
Admire the Bright Blue Columns of the Winter Olympics Cauldron
Located near Canada Place, the Winter Olympics cauldron is a massive, imposing structure built for the Winter Olympics that were held in Vancouver in 2010. It’s currently set up in Jack Poole Plaza. It’s now being used as a piece of outdoor modern art and has also been turned into a fountain. Now it’s only used for special events, with it causing upwards of C$5000 dollars to turn on for around 4 hours. It’s a quick little diversion that shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to fully appreciate.
Take a Moment to Be Still at Christ Church Cathedral
Located a short 15 minute walk away from the Olympic Cauldron, Christ Church Cathedral is a stunning example of modern church design. It’s the oldest surviving structure in Downtown Vancouver and has recently gone through a C$25 million dollar restoration to modernize and improve the building. The Church was dedicated on February 17, 1895 and has a Gothic design.
Upon arriving, it looks like any other normal church from the outside. But the beauty of the church is found inside. The whole thing is simple, but elegant. Wooden panels make up the ceiling of the church, and intricate stained glass windows adorn the back and sides of the church. Steel beams also reinforce the structure. My favorite part of the church has to be the organ that is located at the rear of the church. Its steel and wooden design complement the church’s other features.
It should take you no longer than 10-15 minutes to walk through and appreciate the details of this church. Once you’re done, head out and to our third stop in Downtown Vancouver.
Strut Down Robson Street
After visiting Christ Church Cathedral, head southwest until you come across Robson Street. This is the main thoroughfare of the Downtown and West End areas. Shops and restaurants adorn either side of the drag, with its location making it a convenient way to get to different parts of Downtown Vancouver.
I recommend walking down the street on your way from Christ Church Cathedral to the last stop in Downtown Vancouver, stopping and perusing any store that looks interesting to you. Once you’ve walked for a bit, head to our final Downtown Vancouver spot of the day.
Cozy Up in the Vancouver Public Library
Home to over 1 million books and featuring a design that evokes the colosseum in Rome, the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch is the perfect place to take a break and soak in the crisp Vancouver air. How can you do that, you may ask? Well, if you enter the Vancouver Public Library and head for the roofdeck, you can actually relax on their outdoor patio!
Their patio is a well-maintained space with some chairs and tables, perfect for taking a break. It also overlooks the surrounding skyscrapers. I spent a good 30 minutes just sitting there, watching the world go by around me. I definitely recommend it as a break in your day, and it’s accessible even if you don’t have a library card.
You’ve probably worked up an appetite at this point, so head on over to our next stop of the day for a Canadian classic: Poutine!
Try Some Poutine at La Belle Patate
You cannot go to Vancouver, or Canada in general, and not try poutine. This Quebecois dish first emerged in the 1950s, and has since become a Canadian staple, becoming a symbol not just of Quebec, but of Canada itself.
Exiting the Vancouver Public Library, head towards the nearest appropriate bus station and head to the West End neighborhood. This neighborhood is what separates Downtown from Stanley Park, and is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Vancouver. The bus stop is right outside the restaurant, so head inside once you get there.
Upon entering, you’ll immediately notice that they have 30 (yes, you read that right) kinds of poutine made with different ingredients like bacon, chicken, and barbecue pulled pork. I was tempted to try everything, but since I had never had poutine before, I decided to get the traditional poutine.
Note that the seating area isn’t that large so come before or after the lunch rush to get a table. My poutine came and let’s just say that, after trying it, poutine shot up on my list of favorite foods. It’s a fairly simple dish, or at least mine was. It’s just french fries, gravy, and cheese curds.
But the combination of all three is an explosion of flavor and texture that I just loved. I quickly devoured my order because of how delicious it was. I would highly recommend this place to satisfy your poutine cravings, and it should definitely be a stop on your weekend in Vancouver.
Now that you’ve had your fill, head out to English Bay Beach to see a few…peculiar statues.
Hit Up English Bay Beach to See the Haunting Smiling Men Statue
Once you’re done with your lunch, head on over by bus to English Bay Beach. This beach has stunning views of the Burrard Inlet and is a great place to people watch. Sit on any of the logs stationed on the beach to get a great view of the shore. This area is particularly nice if the sky is cloudless. I spent a short time when I was there soaking in the view and taking in the beautiful Vancouver sight lines.
But the interesting thing to see here are the A-maze-ing Laughter statues. A-maze-ing Laughter is a bronze art installation made by Yue Minjun. Consisting of 14 statues standing about three meters tall and weighing over 250kg each, the statues portray the creator’s own image of him being in a “state of hysterical laughter”.
Created to be part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, the statues were donated to the city of Vancouver by the owners of renowned fashion brand Lululemon in 2012.
I’m not going to lie to you: the statues are creepy. Their oversized faces, as well as their oversized features, make it the stuff of nightmares. However, they’re incredibly well made, and at this point are a Vancouver mainstay. It would be egregious not to include the smiling statues (as I like to call them) on a weekend in Vancouver itinerary. It’ll take you about 10 minutes to take photos and appreciate the sculptures, after which you will head to another Vancouver Mainstay.
Head to Yaletown, Vancouver’s Original Railyard
Heading away from English Bay Beach, we now go by bus to Yaletown, the next neighborhood of this 2 day Vancouver itinerary. This area started as a rail yard for the Canada Pacific Railway. Many of the workers that helped out in the rail yard were from Yale, British Columbia, hence why this area is now called Yaletown. There are some shops and restaurants in the area, as well as a continuation of the Stanley Park Seawall. But the number one thing to see here has to be the Engine 374 Pavilion.
Get Up Close to the Historic Engine 374
Located in the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Center, the Engine 374 Pavilion houses Engine 374, which was the first trans-national railway, connecting Eastern Canada to Western Canada for the first time. Engine 374 chugged into Vancouver from Toronto on May 23rd, 1887. After being retired in 1945, it sat in Kitsilano and casually sustained wear and tear until its renovation for Expo ‘86. It now sits in a specially created space in Yaletown.
Upon entering the museum, you’ll be greeted by the centerpiece itself: the locomotive. It’s a huge, commanding piece of engineering, and the best part is you can climb on it and view its interior. There are docents at the museum who can give you a guided tour of the engine, as well as some informational signage that talks about the engine’s history. There’s a train play area for kids and some trinkets on display for you to purchase. The best part is that this museum is free to enter!
After you’re done visiting the pavilion, head on over to David Lam Park and head to the David Lam Park water taxi station.
Cross False Creek and Head to Granville Island
There’s a water taxi station at the south side of David Lam park. David Lam Park also has a continuation of the sea wall that originates from Stanley Park. It’s a nice park, and it offers amazing views of False Creek. Upon arriving at the water taxi station, wait until a water taxi shows up. Once it does, take a seat and be prepared to pay for the fare, which will depend on what stop you’re getting off at. For this itinerary, you’ll be getting dropped off at Granville Island.
As your taxi plies the route to Granville Island, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding areas. You’ll have amazing views of Yaletown and Granville Island, and the areas in between. Once you arrive in Granville Island, get off the boat and head up the ramp to get to the island itself.
Get Immersed in the Gastronomical Wonderland That is Granville Island
Granville Island may be my favorite place in Vancouver (or at least tied with Capilano and Stanley Park) so it rightfully deserves a place in this 2 day Vancouver itinerary. Its myriad of stores, theaters, and expansive public market means you could spend hours exploring the island. The best way to experience the island is to get lost in its nooks and crannies, especially in the public market.
Granville Island actually isn’t an island, or at least it isn’t anymore. It’s a peninsula within False Creek that became a peninsula when they filled in the backwater area of the island to make it more accessible. A former First Nations fishing area, it was home to many industrial factories until the government bought the land and repurposed it in the 1970s into what it is today.
It’s named after the bridge that runs over the island and now houses what is undoubtedly one of the best public markets in North America, while also being home to shops that sell everything from artisanal sake to sculptures and souvenirs.
I’d recommend exploring the different shops that are located outside the public market before venturing inside. The public market is a cornucopia of choices. Stalls selling everything from fruit and cheese to pizza and pasta litter the space. There are two sections to it: one side that looks more like a wet market, and another side that has the food stalls.
The latter was the more popular of the two, especially around lunchtime when most people visit. I’d recommend having a mid-afternoon snack here, or if it’s late enough maybe even a full early dinner.
When I was there I sampled three different stalls: the pizza stall (as I am a sucker for a good pizza) as well as the Northern Bars and Lee’s Donuts stalls. The donuts I had were amazing, and so was the pizza, but the runaway winner for me had to be the Nanaimo Bars I got from Northern Bars. They were so rich and bursting with flavor, so much so that I went back to Granville Island on multiple days just to buy them again. They were a bit pricey, but were the perfect snack to have after a long day.
After doing some shopping and gorging yourself on food, it’s time to head to your last stop of the day!
Venture into the VanDusen Gardens, a Green Oasis
Our last stop of the day is one of my favorite green spaces in the city. The VanDusen Gardens is a botanical garden located in the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver. It’ll probably take you about 20 minutes by bus to get there from Granville Island, but believe me it’s worth the trek.
The gardens are just stunning sight after stunning sight. Beautifully manicured spaces featuring water features, hedge mazes, and even a totem pole or two. When I was there it took me about 2 hours to explore the whole garden. My favorite portion of the gardens was the hedge maze area, which actually took me a while to get through.
Another area I enjoyed was the little waterfall area located towards the back of the park. It’s obviously a fake waterfall but it’s beautifully landscaped and a nice place to relax for a bit. There were also a bunch of gardens that felt like you were walking in the middle of a European city. It was all really picturesque and, while it doesn’t compare to places like Stanley Park, I think it’s worth going to, especially because some tourists overlook it so crowds shouldn’t be a problem.
And that ends the first day of this 2 day Vancouver itinerary! Head back to your hotel or Airbnb and rest up for another day tomorrow. If you’re hungry, consider eating in the Kitsilano district (although we will be there tomorrow).
DAY TWO: Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Experience the Roof of Vancouver at Grouse Mountain
Welcome to Day 2 of your weekend in Vancouver! Sadly, it’s the last day, but don’t worry, you’re going to two of the best nature activities you can do in the city! Well, technically they’re outside the city, but you know what I mean!
First, grab breakfast at Tim Hortons again or, if you can wait, you can also grab breakfast at your first attraction of the day. To get there, head to Canada Place to catch the free shuttle bus to Grouse Mountain. Grouse Mountain is the huge mountain you can see across the water from Downtown Vancouver. Depending on when you go, the mountain will have different activities going on. But every visit to Grouse Mountain starts the same way: with a gondola ride!
Once you arrive at Grouse Mountain, head directly for the gondola station. To avoid long lines, I would recommend buying your ticket before you arrive at the base of the mountain. This will save you a lot of time and will allow you to maximize your day! The gondola offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, as long as you don’t go during an overcast day like I did.
Once you get to the top of the mountain, you can grab some breakfast at the bakery located beside the gondola station. If you already had breakfast, then make your way outside and prepare for a morning full of outdoor activities!
In the summer, which was when I visited, my favorite attraction had to be the lumberjack show. In this free show, two lumberjacks compete in a variety of lumberjack activities like chopping wood or scaling trees. It’s as Canadian as you can get, and it’s very entertaining.
You can also take a ski lift to the Peak of Vancouver to catch a remarkable view of Vancouver, see the two resident Grizzly Bears Grinder and Coola, watch a bird demonstration show where various birds of prey fly over your head, and attend talks on various topics like Grizzlies and Owls. You can also enjoy some paid activities like zip lining, tandem paragliding, and a mountain ropes course.
In the winter, you can enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, and a walk through an area filled with twinkling lights. Admittedly, there isn’t as much to do in the winter as there is to do in summer, but the view from the top of the mountain is unbeatable any time of year. If you’re visiting during the Christmas season, you can also attend their Peak of Christmas event, which includes meeting Santa and encountering some reindeer.
No matter when you go, you’re sure to have an amazing time on the mountain! When you’re done, head down on the gondola and go to a nearby bus stop (Google Maps should tell you where) and head for your second (and last) attraction of the day.
Wander Across a Suspension Bridge at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
It should take you about 20 minutes to reach Capilano Suspension Bridge Park from Grouse Mountain. For Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, I wouldn’t recommend buying a ticket in advance because they’re timed and you never know when you’re going to be done exploring Grouse Mountain. Capilano Park also has a free shuttle that you can take between the park and Canada Place, which you can take once you’re done visiting.
This ranks with Stanley Park and Granville Island as one of my favorite places in the entire Vancouver! The park began as a cabin on the canyon wall built by a man named George Grant Mackay in 1888. Mr. Mackay then built a bridge made of hemp, rope, and cedar planks over the canyon the following year. The bridge was anchored on cedar logs and was set in place by horses who dragged the bridge through the river and towards the other side of the canyon.
A wire bridge replaced the hemp bridge in 1903. Edward Mahon then bought the bridge and the surrounding adjacent land and reinforced the suspension bridge. The land changed hands multiple times until it was sold to Nancy Stibbard in 1983. She then changed the area and turned it into a tourist attraction, and that is what sits on the site today.
Once you enter, and before you go out and explore, it’d be best to have a bite to eat first. Head past the entrance plaza until you reach the Logger’s Grill restaurant. I had the pulled pork poutine when I visited and it tasted as good as the poutine in La Belle Patate so I’d recommend that. If you’re all poutine’d out, though, they have other dishes as well.
Once you’re done with lunch, head for the suspension bridge to begin exploring. The suspension bridge is the highest in North America, and is about 450 feet long. It may be a bit wobbly when you traverse it, but it can take the weight of a full 747 airplane. Be sure to admire the canyon below you, including the river that runs through the canyon.
Once you get to the other side, I recommend walking through the Treetops Adventure Walk, which features interconnected walkways suspended high up amongst the trees. There’s also Raptor’s Ridge where you can meet some fluffy birds like owls and hawks. But the highlight of this side of the park is the Nature’s Edge walk which takes you (quite literally) to the edge of the canyon, giving you great views of the river and the bridge.
Once done, head back to the area with Logger’s Grill. Tucked away in a corner is the Cliffwalk. The Cliffwalk is the most exciting attraction in the park, and is also the newest. It features steel walkways suspended by wire cables that take you, quite literally, over the edge. It’s the most nerve-wracking experience in the park and is not for the faint of heart.
I recommend walking the park at your own pace, especially the Cliffwalk. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out. The free shuttle bus departs to the right of the exit, and with that your weekend in Vancouver has come to an end! Now it’s time to head to the airport and fly home. But what’s this? You have an extra day? Perfect! I have some suggestions down below for places you can go to in order to fill the extra day of your 2 day Vancouver itinerary! Read on down below.
DAY 3: Other Possible Places to Visit
See Millions of Artifacts at the Anthropology Museum
This museum is one of my favorite museums in the entire world. Full of distinctly Canadian artifacts, including what is probably the largest collection of authentic totem poles located in one place, the museum also has artifacts from around the world. There were ceramics from Europe, masks from Papua New Guinea, jars from the Philippines, and many more interesting pieces.
The museum is located in the University of British Columbia. It started off as an exhibit in the basement of one of the university buildings, displaying pieces acquired from the Frank Burnett Collection in 1927. It has since grown into its own entity while still being tied to the university, and has been partially funded with help from the Canadian and Vancouver governments.
You will probably spend 3-4 hours in this museum. I myself spent almost 5 hours and felt like I didn’t see and appreciate everything. There were probably millions of artifacts in there! They had one entire wing filled with these display cases that housed hundreds of thousands of trinkets. I would highly recommend coming here if you’re into history and art.
Dive Into the Vancouver Aquarium
As earlier described, the Vancouver Aquarium is the best place to visit in the city if you’re into marine wildlife. Divided into ten sections, the aquarium is a testament to all things under the sea. My personal favorite area is the sea otter area where you get to see them swimming around. The aquarium also had areas for jellyfish, sea lions, snapping turtles, and even bats!
This aquarium has over 65,000 animals in over 120 exhibits. It might take a bit of time to get through, due to the number of exhibits they have, but it’s fairly manageable to do in about 90 minutes to 2 hours. It’s located right in the heart of Stanley Park. If you’ve never been to an aquarium before I’d recommend stopping by! If anything it lets you get away from the cold outside as most of the aquarium is climate controlled.
Head to Whistler and Squamish
If you’ve got a day to spare, why not see places outside Vancouver! There are a variety of tours that go to places outside Vancouver, and if tours aren’t your thing you can always rent a car and drive to these places yourself. Top destinations outside Vancouver include Whistler and Squamish, which feature the Peak 2 Peak gondola, the Sea to Sky Gondola, the various lakes located around Whistler, white water rafting, ziplining, waterfall chasing, and many other outdoor activities.
I was planning on going to these places on my trip but the weather and my budget just wouldn’t allow it. But if you have a little more money to spare, it might be a good idea to give these places a visit. I’ll include some links to various activities and tours to Whistler and Squamish below.
Go Whale Watching
Did you know that Vancouver is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching? From the months of April to October, you can spot whales like orcas, humpback whales, and grey whales swimming off the coast of Vancouver. Many tour companies and boat operators have tours that take you to see these majestic creatures, with some operators even claiming to have a 95% success rate at seeing the whales. As with Whistler and Squamish, I’ll include some possible tours for you to do.
Conclusion of this 2 Day Vancouver Itinerary
With two to three days in Vancouver, you’ll be able to see the major sights and really understand the city and its culture. Now it’s time to book that trip! I have other Vancouver trip-planning posts which I will link down below. Have the best time!
Leave A Comment