24 Hours in Vancouver, BC

You are standing downtown on a peninsula bordered by the English Bay and the Pacific Ocean to the west, False Creek to the south, and the Burrard Inlet to the north. You are surrounded by a multicultural population, excellent infrastructure, and tons of adventure. You are in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Over the past 125 years this city has been home to a wide range of ethnic groups who each bring in their own unique flavor to create a melting pot of cuisines, heritage, art, and culture.  Here are some ways you can spend your 24 hours.

Morning- Start your day with a beautiful journey through the green wonderland that is Stanley Park, a Canadian National Heritage Site and recognized as one of the great urban parks in the world.   If you are able, rent a bicycle and trek through the 1,000 acre area on an 8.8 kilometer seawall path. Your journey should take you a couple of hours depending on your fitness level. Stop off at Prospect Point, a scenic outlook where you can see spectacular views of Lion’s Gate Bridge, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver. If your morning is clear you may see the peaks on North Shore including Grouse Mountain. Visit vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx to read about the abundance of landmarks you can see in Stanley Park.

Afternoon- After your scenic ride through Stanley Park you will want to rest your legs. You can step onboard the great Grouse Mountain SkyRide, North America’s largest aerial tramway system. Departing 365 days per year, every fifteen minutes SkyRide will take you high above Douglas Firs and offer you awe inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and the city of Vancouver. Start at the base of Grouse Mountain at about 300 meters and climb to 1,100 meters in a swift 12 minutes. Enjoy your relaxing and informative ride.  Find places like the gourmet Observatory Restaurant, the Altitudes Bistro, Lupin’s Café, Rusty Rail BBQ and Grill, and Grouse Grind Coffee Bar to enjoy a bite. Plan to spend a couple of hours here.

Late afternoon/evening-For those in the mood to shop, be sure to hit Robson Street, Vancouver’s number one shopping destination. In the three block stretch between Burrard and Jervis you will find every inch covered in shops to explore. It is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Vancouver so window shopping and people watching are also a viable option. Browse a number of designer shops and funky, independent boutiques or stop at one of the many watering holes and sit on sidewalk seating and enjoy a drink.

Night- If you’ve still got some juice left in you, head down to Yaletown, Vancouver’s former warehouse and textile district that has been transformed into one of the cities hippest areas alive with nightlife. Since a world’s fair was held here in 1986 this area has been transformed into one of the most densely populated areas in the city. Its converted heritage buildings constitute one of the most significant urban restorations in North America. Walk these streets to find a trendy restaurant for your evening meal to cap off your time in Vancouver.

Photo Credit: Qole Pejorian