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

I’ve at all times observed that Vancouver repeatedly 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 every 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 admire 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 residence to the Skyride Gondola.

The gondola trip 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 under 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 exhibits, and even helicopter rides—I may have simply spent a full day up there.

I noticed the mountain was additionally residence 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 atmosphere 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 anticipate 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 weird attraction the Eye of the Wind, which was a 65-metre-high wind turbine with a novel viewing pod the place I noticed very good 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 season to keep away from crowds and luxuriate in cooler climate for hikes

‍2. Stanley Park by Bike & Granville Island

After taking within the metropolis from above, I got here again all the way down to discover it at floor stage – and there was no higher method to try this than by hopping on a motorbike and using the loop round Stanley Park. The park was a shocking 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 using by a slice of West Coast paradise.

The path was simple 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!)
• Finest 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 by dense coastal rainforest
• Loosen up at Second & Third Seaside or catch sundown at Prospect Level
• Entry Charge: Free (points of interest inside the park might cost individually)
• My Tip: Go early to take pleasure in peaceable paths and the higher mild for pictures

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 – recent produce, baked items, deli treats, Artisan outlets & galleries – native ceramics, jewelry, and textiles and Granville Island Brewing – one in all Canada’s first microbreweries, “Giants” mural by OSGEMEOS – huge, vibrant public artwork painted on silos
• Vibe: Artistic, vibrant, and at all times buzzing with vitality
• My Tip: Go within the morning to beat the crowds or within the night to observe the sundown

3. Granville Island Market – recent produce and artisanal delights

One among my favorite elements of the island was the unbelievable Granville Island Market which was a busy and common indoor market which was residence to unbelievable recent produce, connoisseur meals, baked items, artisanal merchandise, and native specialties, all set in a energetic waterfront ambiance.

All my senses have been overloaded as I spent two hours strolling round making an attempt the tasty meals samples and selecting 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 (attempt the Terimayo!)
• Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – Interactive DIY grilling at your desk, enjoyable and flavourful
• Granville Island Market – Indoor public market with artisan items, recent produce, and baked treats—good for DIY picnics
• Bonus: Don’t miss making an attempt 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 one in all my favorite elements 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 subsequent 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 (essential supplier)
• Departure Level: Coal Harbour Terminal, close to Canada Place
• Flight Length: round 20 minutes (for the basic metropolis panorama tour)
• What You’ll See: Downtown skyline, Stanley Park & Lions Gate Bridge, North Shore Mountains, False Creek & English Bay
• Finest Time to Go: Clear mornings for clean flying and crisp mountain views
• Value: Ranging from round $160 CAD per particular person (guide upfront for offers)
• Vibe: Brief, thrilling, scenic—very best for first-timers and photographers
• My Bonus Tip: Ask for a window seat (all of them type of are, however nonetheless!)

5. Artistic Metropolis: Road Artwork & Sculptures

One of many issues I cherished 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 in all places!

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 matches of exaggerated laughter.

I additionally cherished 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 really 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 various the town was.

My Last Ideas

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

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

️ My 7-Day Vancouver Itinerary 

This itinerary covers the whole lot I managed to squeezed into my fun-filled, easy-paced week in Vancouver week… 

Day 1 – Get the Finest 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 thrilling issues I’ve carried out

• 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 (hiya glowing lampposts and cocktails!)

Day 2 – Stanley Park + Totem Poles + Seaplane Trip

• Cycled the complete 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 recent 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 pictures of the Giants mural silos at Ocean Concrete — one of the 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 trip throughout False Creek

Day 4 – Quirky Statues & Chinatown Discoveries

• I discovered my method 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 outlets and heritage facades within the space — filled with character and distinction

Dinner concept: 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 proper free various 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!

Last 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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