Vancouver is cultured and metropolitan, diverse and colorful. It's Canada's second most-visited city (after Toronto) as well as the third largest, with a metro area population of 2.6 million. Vancouver is marked by cutting-edge technology, contemporary high rises and rugged natural beauty, from the coastal bays to the untamed mountains soaring around the city's edges.
Vancouver's tourist attractions run the gamut from world-class fine dining to cutting-edge museums with interactive displays that appeal to all ages. You'll find modern art, First Nations art, incredible architecture and a thriving theater and music scene. And alongside all those contemporary metropolitan attractions is a world of possibilities just outside of town; from hiking trails to kayaking adventures, you'll find it all nearby.
Top Tourist Attractions in Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, with its stunning scenery and rich cultural scene, is a dream destination for many travelers. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, there's no shortage of amazing attractions to explore. Finding the right places to stop on your trip can be a big task, so here are 16 must-see tourist attractions in Vancouver that will make your visit truly memorable.
1. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Address: 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1, Canada
Get a feel for Vancouver's natural beauty at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a wonder of the Pacific Northwest which combines many suspension bridges and gorgeous walking trails in a manicured park environment. Enjoy picturesque views of the temperate rain forest and Capilano River below as you walk across the largest suspension bridge, a 450-foot-long pedestrian-only suspension bridge spanning the river gorge.
2. Vancouver Aquarium
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
An incredible aquarium and one of the city's biggest family-friendly tourist attractions, the Vancouver Aquarium doesn't disappoint. It's a fascinating and pleasant place to explore, with beautiful exhibits showcasing over 50,000 sea creatures. But it's also one of Canada's largest centers for marine research and ocean education. You'll find other Vancouver Canada tourist attractions within easy walking distance of the aquarium, as well; all are located within Stanley Park, with Brockton Point and the Vancouver Seawall just a stone's throw away.
3. Gastown, Vancouver
One of Vancouver's distinct neighborhoods, Gastown might be the most highly Instagrammable areas in the city. Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and it's still a hotbed of fashion and art. It's known for its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and eclectic, fun boutique shops.
4. Vancouver Lookout
Address: 555 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6, Canada
Like getting a bird's eye view of your surroundings? The Vancouver Lookout is one of the most popular Vancouver tourist attractions thanks to its 360-degree views of the city from the observation deck at the top of a downtown high rise building. It doesn't take long to take the glass elevator ride to the top, then you can take your time enjoying the view and grabbing a few stunning shots of the city.
5. Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of Vancouver's largest city parks, spanning 1,000 acres. It's surrounded on three sides by water and offers ample walking trails; you can walk around the park in 2-3 hours, or just pick a spot for what might be the most scenic picnic you'll ever enjoy. Much of the park is covered by dense rain forest, but you'll also find a smattering of historic features, children's play areas, picnic spots, restrooms, lakes and beaches.
6. Granville Island
Granville Island isn't technically an island; it's actually a peninsula, best-known as a shopping neighborhood full of family-friendly attractions. Granville Island is home to an indoor public market, countless artist galleries and shops, a marina, a park with an outdoor amphitheatre and a lively community center with an active event calendar.
7. VanDusen Botanical Garden
Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a world-class botanical garden featuring thousands of plant varieties, a Japanese zen garden, a formal rose garden, a Canadian heritage garden and a labyrinth. Many species of waterfowl and other wildlife live within the park's confines and meandering trails lead to uniquely beautiful sights to enjoy around every bend. During the winter, holiday light displays transform the garden into a sparkling winter paradise.
8. Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
The University of British Columbia considers its Museum of Anthropology to be a heritage museum, showcasing a huge collection of First Nations artwork including enormous carved sculptures and ethnographic artifacts from local First Nations people and other cultures around the world. The architecture is magnificent, made to honor the traditional post-and-beam construction of aboriginal PNW people and the views from the museum are also magnificent. It's easy to lose track of time exploring the many exhibits at this beautiful museum.
9. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada
Perfect for adults and kids with even a passing interest in space, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre brings the wonder of the cosmos into plain view. A huge spate of interactive exhibits, shows and gorgeous displays ensure that you'll be engaged practically the moment you walk through the doors. Learn about galaxies, black holes, planets, gravity and other topics via the exhibits and shows, timed throughout the day.
10. Bloedel Conservatory
Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
The Bloedel Conservatory is a gorgeous glass-domed botanical garden, home to exotic birds and plants from three climate zones: desert, tropical and subtropical. From cacti to banyan trees, you'll spot it here--along with orchids and other flowers, gorgeous birds and more. The conservatory is located in Queen Elizabeth Park, which is a worthy destination in itself if you're in search of peace and seclusion from the city's crowds.
11. Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach, known locally as Kits Beach, is a favorite summer spot for Vancouverites. A public beach access with a saltwater pool, volleyball areas and designated zones for alcohol consumption, you'll find all the facilities you'd want from a beach--plus a good deal of seclusion and space--less than ten minutes from downtown Vancouver.
12. Vancouver's Chinatown
Just south of Gastown, you'll find Vancouver's Chinatown, another of the city's oldest neighborhoods and one of the most lively, bustling Chinatowns in North America. This neighborhood is filled to the brink with excellent eateries, shops and bakeries; Asian grocers; herbalists; and more--all with the signature color and architectural style you'd expect from a bustling metropolitan Chinatown.
13. Museum of Vancouver
Address: 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9, Canada
The Museum of Vancouver is (relatively) small, but it packs a punch. You'll see a variety of exhibits featuring historical fashion and costume, First Nations history and ethnographic artifacts from historical to contemporary. Archeology, art and building materials are all represented here. This is a great stop for history buffs or those wishing to learn a little more about Vancouver's history.
14. Vancouver Maritime Museum
Address: 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3, Canada
Take a step back in time at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, where you'll wish you could walk in the footsteps of the original maritime explorers. The Vancouver Maritime Museum features an Arctic exploration ship and a huge variety of exhibits showcasing Vancouver's maritime history. Much of that history surrounds the exploration of the Pacific and Arctic waterways to the north. This family-friendly museum even has a large open play area for kids, making it a great stop for younger explorers, as well.
15. Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain isn't a single peak, but a group of three: Black Mountain, Mt. Strachan and Hollyburn Mountain. It's a winter-sports wonderland just minutes from downtown Vancouver and it was one of the primary locations for Olympic events when Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010. One of the top tourist attractions in Vancouver Canada, especially in the winter months, you'll find a wide variety of downhill ski runs, tubing hills and snowshoe and cross-country ski trails to explore.
16. Brockton Point
Brockton Point is home to a centuries-old lighthouse and it's one of Vancouver's most well-visited tourist destinations. You'll find quintessential PNW coastal views here, with shoreline, mountains and an iconic red-and-white-striped lighthouse. Brockton Point is also home to a collection of First Nations totem poles, all sourced from various isolated areas throughout British Columbia. This is a convenient stop to combine with Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium, both of which are right next door.
Planning Your Trip to Vancouver
When thinking of the best time to visit Vancouver it’s important to know that AAA members can access perks and take advances for vacation planning such as getting the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.