Vancouver Travel & Vacation Guide

Every evening at 9 o'clock, this old naval artillery gun blasts a deafening shot from its barrel. The sound used to be a signal for fishermen—they knew to return to the harbour following a day's work. The daily signal continues to serve its purpose until today. If you choose to come watch the gun go off, make sure to keep a safe distance or cover your ears.

Canada Place is a building that houses the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Pan Pacific Hotel and Vancouver’s World Trade Centre. Stroll the Promenade, enjoy live music and picturesque views of the harbour and feel the pulse of the city in this important centre of urban life.

Walk the suspension bridge 85 meters above the Capilano River where millions of visitors have come to seek adventure. The bridge was originally built in 1889 and stretches almost 140 meters across, through lush green surroundings. But the bridge is not the only thing to see and do in the area, as there are tons of trails to explore.

Step through the Millennium Gate for unique entertainment, dining, shopping and history in Vancouver's Chinatown. Chinese immigrants first settled here between 1890-1920, and the community has greatly grown over the years.

Step out of your daily life and into this beautiful garden as your heart and mind relax and you renew your energy. Journey back in time to 15th Century China and enjoy this “window to another world”, named "World Top City Garden" by National Geographic.

You will find bays everywhere you turn in Vancouver. Whether you're looking for a stretch of sand to spread out and relax with a good book or an outdoor volleyball court, you're sure to find it in Vancouver. English Bay is a beautiful, vibrant beach that comes alive when it's sunny and warm with various activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, and more.

Gastown is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and every quarter-hour, steam pours out the top of the Gastown Steam Clock and whistle chimes can be heard. Gastown is an eclectic mix of contemporary fashion boutiques, tourist-oriented businesses (generally restricted to Water Street), restaurants and nightclubs. Gastown also hosts numerous annual events and festivals, such as the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix international bicycle race.

Granville is an island in the middle of the city, a center for dining, the arts and shopping, and home of the famous Granville Island fresh food market. No visit to Vancouver is complete without a day spent meandering around the island and taking in everything it has to offer.

This Chinatown nightclub is powered by a state-of-the-art sound system and features a calendar packed with top Canadian and international DJs playing a diverse range of music including hip-hop, R&B, and techno. The club also hosts live music, themed nights, and artist showcases. The intimate size of the venue makes it a great choice for concerts and shows, and the club supports local artists. With fun drinks and a cool atmosphere, this club is worth checking out if any of your favorite bands are playing here. It's located in a great spot and has a unique aesthetic.

If you love music and want to be the entertainment for the night, this East Vancouver dive bar is the place to be on a Friday. Featuring karaoke every night of the week, it has an accepting and energetic vibe and is a great spot for metalheads and punk rockers. The cheap beer will fuel you up for a night of singing your heart out. It's the best karaoke around, with a great crowd and good drinks.

Located in Downtown Vancouver, this entertainment district is the hub of nightlife on the weekends. Within a few blocks, you'll find an array of restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and other nightlife spots, making it easy to have a full night out without ever leaving the area. On the weekends, popular clubs like The Roxy and The Belmont Bar attract crowds of young adults looking to party.

L’Abattoir boasts not only their famed French cuisine and impressive wine list, they are also one of the best cocktail bars in town. The Federales comes highly recommended, made with mezcal, amaro Bigallet China-China and orange bitters.

The Cascade Room on Main Street is a modern twist on the classic UK pub. It's known for its West Coast comfort fare prepared by Executive Chef Tim Evans, expertly crafted cocktails, and extensive beer selection. In addition to B.C. beers on tap, the pub also serves fine cocktails, wine, and upscale pub fare. There's always something going on, from video game challenges and tap takeovers to live music and themed parties. Happy hour is popular, as is the late-night menu.

Located on Main Street, this hidden gem is unmarked and can only be found by looking for the red light. If it's on, the bar is open. To get there, you'll need to walk through a narrow, graffiti-covered hallway. Once inside, you'll find a chic lounge with a plush interior and a menu of classic cocktails and elevated bar fare. This spot is perfect for a sophisticated night out.

CF Pacific Centre is downtown Vancouver's premier shopping mall, with tons of shops and major brands represented, as well as a vast selection of restaurants, cafés, entertainment venues, and even the Four Seasons Hotel.

Vancouver is home to Canada’s largest Chinese population and a thriving Chinatown, full of authentic shopping experiences, leisure activities, and culture. During summer evenings, shoppers can browse handmade goods and authentic Chinese food stalls lining the streets of the Chinatown Night Market. This unique neighborhood is also a great place to stock up on inexpensive gifts and exotic ingredients.

Established in 1996, Coastal Peoples is a leading Gallery showcasing museum-quality Pacific Northwest Coast and Inuit artwork for curious newcomers as well as seasoned collectors. Recognized for representing First Nations' master artisans, the Gallery has earned a reputation for discovering a new generation of gifted talent who push the boundaries of this legendary art form. Ideally situated in the prime downtown location of Gastown by the waterfront — the Gallery is set in a historic warehouse space and focuses on representing an unparalleled collection of contemporary art identifying the distinct styles and diverse nations inhabiting both the communities of the Northwest coast and Arctic regions of Canada.

Generations of immigrants and an artistic counter-culture scene have made “The Drive” one of the most diverse areas in Vancouver. After World War II the northern part of Commercial Drive came to be known as "Little Italy". The Drive is also home to sizable Portuguese, Asian and Latino communities. Today, it is the spot to score vintage clothing, vinyl records, smoking paraphernalia and unique books — not to mention, it is the ideal neighbourhood for sampling ethnic and vegetarian cuisine. Commercial Drive is where Vancouver's Car Free Day first took place in 2005. The initiative grew, and now regularly busy streets are closed to car traffic and used for day-long community festivals to promote active transportation, sustainability, and public spaces.

The Fazakas Gallery specializes in Contemporary Art, featuring work by Northwest Coast Native artists to more eclectic pieces from around the world. They offer a comprehensive approach to helping clients build their portfolios while reviewing existing collections to identify ways of bringing such work to a broader audience.

You can see glimpses of Vancouver’s origins preserved in the Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets of this once bawdy frontier post. Today it’s an official historic area with antique street lamps, shops and bars, First Nations art galleries, and the famous 2-tonne Gastown Steam Clock, and it is packed with quaint boutiques and cutting-edge fashion.

Granville is an island in the middle of the city, a centre for dining, the arts and shopping, and home of the famous Granville Island fresh food market. Wander through colorful stalls displaying homemade products and fine gastronomic delights.

Cutting right through downtown is Vancouver’s main entertainment district, featuring bustling shops during the day and happening clubs and bars at night. Spend some time in the Pacific Centre, where you’ll find more than 100 brand-name shops and services. For a sampling of authentic Vancouver fashion, visit the trendsetting shops dotting the blocks between Robson and Drake streets, where you can find the latest styles in apparel, club gear and accessories.

Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, about 65 km east of Vancouver, Abbotsford International Airport is a smaller regional airport that primarily serves domestic and regional flights within Canada and the United States. The airport is accessible by car, public transportation, and taxi, and offers a range of amenities and services for travelers, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and other amenities.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located 16 km from downtown Vancouver. Canada Line (the city's rapid transit railway system) connects the airport to downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes, departing every 7-15 minutes. There are also numerous car rental companies present at the airport, as well as taxi services.

In Vancouver, private vehicles are the most popular mode of transportation. Mass transit includes local buses, Skytrain, and Seabus. A Translink Day Pass, which can be purchased at many stations, grocery stores, and 7/11s, can be used on all of these. Bicycle rental is another very popular way for visitors to get around the city and cover more ground than walking. Several companies located around the city offer these services. Vancouver has a comprehensive public transportation system, which includes buses, trains, and ferries. The main agency responsible for public transportation in the city is TransLink, which operates a network of buses, trains, and ferries that serve the Metro Vancouver area. Buses: The bus system in Vancouver is extensive, with routes serving the city and surrounding areas. Buses run frequently, and many routes operate 24 hours a day. Trains: The SkyTrain is Vancouver's rapid transit rail system, which consists of three lines: the Expo Line, the Millennium Line, and the Canada Line. The SkyTrain serves a number of cities in the Metro Vancouver area, including Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond. Ferries: The SeaBus is a passenger ferry service that operates between downtown Vancouver and the North Shore. The SeaBus operates every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours. In addition to these services, TransLink also operates a number of other public transportation options, including community shuttles, HandyDART (a door-to-door service for people with disabilities), and the West Coast Express (a commuter rail service). Public transportation in Vancouver can be accessed using a variety of fare payment options, including fares paid in cash, fares paid using a Compass Card (a reloadable electronic fare card), and fares paid using the TransLink mobile app.

Taxis in Vancouver are generally reliable and can be a convenient option for getting around the city. Most taxis in the city are metered, with rates determined by distance and time, and there are a number of different companies operating in the city. Ridesharing services, such as Uber, Lyft and Blacklane, have become increasingly popular in recent years, and offer a convenient and often more affordable alternative to traditional taxis.

In Canada, the electrical system operates on a 120V supply voltage at a frequency of 60Hz. The country uses two types of plugs: type A and type B. Type A plugs have two flat parallel pins, while type B plugs have two flat parallel pins along with a grounding pin.

Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Rexall, and Pharmasave: these Canadian chains have numerous locations throughout Vancouver and offer a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as health and wellness products, beauty products, and more. In addition to these larger chain stores, there are also many independent pharmacies throughout the city that offer a range of medications and other health-related products. Many of these pharmacies also offer additional services such as prescription refills, flu shots, and other immunizations.

In Vancouver, Canada Post offers a variety of services, including letter and parcel delivery, post office boxes, and money orders. The company also provides a range of shipping options for individuals and businesses, including priority, express, and international shipping.

Country code: +1 Area code: 604