A Week In Stunning Vancouver – A Excellent Metropolis (With Itinerary)

I’ve at all times seen that Vancouver recurrently tops the charts as being one of many world’s most habitable cities, however I’ve at all times been curious as to why it’s at all times deemed to be simply so good! Decided to search out out for my myself I flew out to spend per week within the diversely populated metropolis positioned on the west coast in British Columbia.

From hovering mountain views to seaplane rides, laid-back markets to axe-throwing on mountaintops, right here is my dreamy week spent within the famously easy-on-the-eye Canadian metropolis and I’ve included my week’s itinerary on the finish too, in case you wish to do the identical journey…

1. Grouse Mountain Adventures – Skyline Views and Axe-Throwing Thrills

To essentially respect a metropolis like Vancouver, I wished to view it from above so I headed straight for Grouse Mountain. This was one of many metropolis’s most well-known spots which was additionally dwelling to the Skyride Gondola.

The gondola experience to the highest had a definite twist – I opted to face securely on the roof of the gondola (sure actually)! I’ve to confess it was barely vertigo however I loved actually jaw-dropping views of the town, forest, and shoreline far beneath me.

As soon as on the prime, I rapidly realised Grouse Mountain was greater than only a lookout, there was zip-lining, paragliding, cheesy-but-fun lumberjack reveals, and even helicopter rides—I may have simply spent a full day up there.

I noticed the mountain was additionally dwelling to 2 rescued – and really beautiful – grizzly bears who have been named Grinder and Coola, who’ve lived in a protected wildlife enclosure since 2001. Seeing them up shut (in an surroundings that fortunately mimicked their pure habitat – I’m not a fan of zoos in any respect!) was an actual spotlight.

I additionally indulged in a little bit of axe-throwing. As a complete pacifist, I didn’t count on to take pleasure in it as a lot as I did however I discovered not solely was it surprisingly addictive, I additionally discovered I used to be surprisingly good at it!

Earlier than leaving I additionally found the bizarre attraction the Eye of the Wind, which was a 65-metre-high wind turbine with a novel viewing pod the place I noticed excellent panoramic vistas of the town and its environment. 

Grouse Mountain – At a Look

• Location: quarter-hour north of downtown Vancouver
• Getting There: Drive or take the free shuttle from Canada Place (seasonal)
• My Prime Experiences: Trip the Skyride Gondola (or take the Skyride Surf Journey on the roof!), Watch the lumberjack present (seasonal and family-friendly), Go to Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzly bears, Attempt axe-throwing or zip-lining, Take within the views from the Eye of the Wind turbine
• My Tip: Arrive early in summer time to keep away from crowds and revel in cooler climate for hikes

‍2. Stanley Park by Bike & Granville Island

After taking within the metropolis from above, I got here again right down to discover it at floor stage – and there was no higher approach to do this than by hopping on a motorcycle and driving the loop round Stanley Park. The park was a surprising city oasis within the coronary heart of the town which spanned over 1,000 acres.

One of many largest metropolis parks in the entire of North America, it genuinely felt like driving via a slice of West Coast paradise.

The path was straightforward however with some very attention-grabbing highlights, I handed quiet forested paths, sandy seashores, colourful totem poles, beautiful views of the town skyline and noticed wildlife round Beaver Lake and Misplaced Lagoon. 

Stanley Park – At a Look

• Location: Bordering downtown Vancouver, wrapped by the Pacific Ocean
• Measurement: 1,000 acres (bigger than NYC’s Central Park!)
• Greatest For: Nature lovers, cyclists, households, photographers, and tradition seekers
• Prime Issues to Do:
• Cycle or stroll the 9 km Seawall for epic water and skyline views
• Go to Brockton Level Totem Poles – essentially the most visited in BC
• Spot seals close to the seawall or herons close to Misplaced Lagoon
• Wander forest trails via dense coastal rainforest
• Loosen up at Second & Third Seaside or catch sundown at Prospect Level
• Entry Charge: Free (sights throughout the park might cost individually)
• My Tip: Go early to take pleasure in peaceable paths and the higher gentle for photographs

Granville Island – At a Look

• Location: Simply south of downtown, accessible by way of Granville Bridge or False Creek ferry
• Well-known For: Granville Island Public Market – contemporary produce, baked items, deli treats, Artisan retailers & galleries – native ceramics, jewelry, and textiles and Granville Island Brewing – considered one of Canada’s first microbreweries, “Giants” mural by OSGEMEOS – large, vibrant public artwork painted on silos
• Vibe: Artistic, vibrant, and at all times buzzing with power
• My Tip: Go within the morning to beat the crowds or within the night to look at the sundown

3. Granville Island Market – contemporary produce and artisanal delights

One in every of my favorite components of the island was the unbelievable Granville Island Market which was a busy and in style indoor market which was dwelling to unbelievable contemporary produce, gourmand meals, baked items, artisanal merchandise, and native specialties, all set in a energetic waterfront environment.

All my senses have been overloaded as I spent two hours strolling round attempting the tasty meals samples and choosing up heat, flaky almond croissants from A Bread Affair and gluten-free flourless chocolate desserts from La Baguette et l’Échalote.

The place To Eat in Vancouver – At a Fast Look

• Blue Water Café – Upscale seafood platters, sushi & oysters in fashionable Yaletown
• Tacofino – Legendary fish tacos from a cult-favourite meals truck turned native chain
• Japadog – Iconic meals truck serving Japanese-style hotdogs (strive the Terimayo!)
• Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – Interactive DIY grilling at your desk, enjoyable and flavourful
• Granville Island Market – Indoor public market with artisan items, contemporary produce, and baked treats—good for DIY picnics
• Bonus: Don’t miss attempting native BC wines and craft beers

4. Seaplane Thrills & Sky Views

Simply once I thought Vancouver couldn’t get any extra scenic, I hopped aboard a Harbour Air seaplane – and this turned out to be considered one of my favorite components of the entire journey! 

The take-off alone was exhilarating – one second we have been gliding gently throughout the water close to Canada Place, the following we have been hovering into the sky with the North Shore Mountains on one facet and the glistening metropolis skyline on the opposite. 

From above, Vancouver revealed itself in layers – I noticed the neat inexperienced grid of Stanley Park, the shimmering waters of False Creek, and past that, the misty blue peaks that appeared to stretch so far as I may see.

Seaplane Excursions – At a Look

• Operator: Harbour Air Seaplanes (fundamental supplier)
• Departure Level: Coal Harbour Terminal, close to Canada Place
• Flight Period: round 20 minutes (for the traditional metropolis panorama tour)
• What You’ll See: Downtown skyline, Stanley Park & Lions Gate Bridge, North Shore Mountains, False Creek & English Bay
• Greatest Time to Go: Clear mornings for easy flying and crisp mountain views
• Value: Ranging from round $160 CAD per particular person (ebook upfront for offers)
• Vibe: Brief, thrilling, scenic—ultimate for first-timers and photographers
• My Bonus Tip: Ask for a window seat (all of them form of are, however nonetheless!)

5. Artistic Metropolis: Road Artwork & Sculptures

One of many issues I liked most about this metropolis was how creativity appeared to spill out into each nook—from murals to metalwork to quirky outsized sculptures, I noticed them all over the place!

My favorites have been the “A-maze-ing Laughter” statues in Morton Park close to English Bay which have been 14 larger-than-life bronze figures by Yue Minjun are all frozen in suits of exaggerated laughter.

I additionally liked the daring “Giants” mural on Granville Island and created in 2014 by Brazilian twin artists (Gustavo and Otávio Pandolfo), they reworked six 70-foot-tall concrete silos on the Ocean Concrete plant into colourful, whimsical characters.

I discovered my different favourite alongside the waterfront – it was the fierce-looking bow of a conventional Chinese language junk ship, full with a vivid crimson and inexperienced dragon curling out angrily into the harbour sky. 

This was truly a part of a placing public artwork piece positioned at Vanier Park, close to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and to me it completely represented how extremely numerous the town was.

My Ultimate Ideas

As every day I spent exploring the town received higher and higher, I usually puzzled if there have been any downsides to the town. There was the rain and in addition the nightlife wasn’t as hip or energetic as say I what I’d skilled in Berlin and London, however to be trustworthy that was a small worth to pay!

It struck me as a metropolis utterly comfortable in its personal pores and skin – clear with out being sterile, attention-grabbing with out attempting too arduous, lovely however by no means boastful – and by the point I left, it had undoubtedly gained a brand new fan in me! 

️ My 7-Day Vancouver Itinerary 

This itinerary covers every little thing I managed to squeezed into my fun-filled, easy-paced week in Vancouver week… 

Day 1 – Get the Greatest View First: Grouse Mountain + Skyline Gondola

• Kicked issues off with an actual “wow” second — a visit up Grouse Mountain by way of the Skyride Gondola

• Braved the Skyride Surf Journey (sure, you stand on prime of the gondola!) — simply one of the crucial thrilling issues I’ve executed

• Met Grinder and Coola, the resident grizzlies, tried my hand at axe throwing, and caught an old-school lumberjack present

• Took in jaw-dropping views from the Eye of the Wind wind turbine lookout

Night: I grabbed dinner at The Sandbar on Granville Island however there have been additionally nice eating places in Gastown (hey glowing lampposts and cocktails!)

Day 2 – Stanley Park + Totem Poles + Seaplane Trip

• Cycled the total Stanley Park Seawall loop — stopped at Second Seaside and Prospect Level

• Paused to admire the unbelievable First Nations totem poles at Brockton Level

• Picked up a picnic at Granville Island Market earlier within the day (sure, it was good!)

• Later, I boarded a Harbour Air seaplane from Canada Place — hovering over the town and mountains was unforgettable

Dinner: I ended the day with contemporary seafood at Blue Water Café in Yaletown

Day 3 – Granville Island + Public Artwork & Road Meals

• Began at Granville Island Market for breakfast goodies (and espresso with a view!)

• Explored the artists’ studios, indie boutiques, and waterfront walkways

• Took road artwork photographs of the Giants mural silos at Ocean Concrete — one of the crucial unexpectedly vibrant highlights!

• Grabbed lunch from a meals truck and handled myself to Japadog — Vancouver’s well-known Japanese-style hotdog

Afternoon tip: Take the little Aquabus for a enjoyable experience throughout False Creek

Day 4 – Quirky Statues & Chinatown Discoveries

• I discovered my solution to A-Maze-Ing Laughter sculptures in Morton Park and couldn’t assist laughing alongside

• Wandered into Chinatown and admired the placing Chinese language junk sculpture close to Vanier Park

• Found enjoyable retailers and heritage facades within the space — stuffed with character and distinction

Dinner thought: Seize a cocktail at Storm Crow Tavern (assume: board video games meets Mad Max), then discover close by eats

Day 5 – Forest Escapes: Lynn Canyon Park

• I took the bus out to Lynn Canyon Nationwide Park — the right free different to Capilano

• I crossed the suspension bridge, wandered the shady forest trails, and watched households splash within the streams

Night: I chilled out with pizza and prosecco by the water at El Chioschetto on the Zattere

Day 6 – Museums, Orcas & Orca Sculptures

• I visited the fascinating Museum of Anthropology and discovered about First Nations cultures

• I noticed the Digital Orca sculpture at Canada Place — far more humane (and photogenic!) than seeing one in an aquarium!

• I walked alongside the Waterfront Promenade and watched the floatplanes come and go

Lunch: Tacofino tacos and people-watching close to the Waterfront

Day 7 – Tradition + Catch-Ups + Sunsets

• I spent the morning revisiting favorite spots or purchasing alongside Robson Road

• I picked up treats and souvenirs from Lonsdale Quay

• I completed the journey with sundown at English Bay — the town glowing, waves lapping, folks stress-free

• I watched the sky fade from pink to purple, feeling very full!

Ultimate night time: I have a good time with dinner at Alibi Room the place there was craft beer and farm-to-table deliciousness

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