Vancouver 7-day itinerary

Rent a bike at Spokes on Georgia Street (C$12/hour) and ride the 10km Stanley Park Seawall — a paved loop around a 1,000-acre urban rainforest peninsula. Pass the totem poles at Brockton Point, Lions Gate Bridge, Siwash Rock, and Third Beach. The North Shore mountains rise dramatically across the inlet. Stop at Prospect Point cafe for views and coffee. Allow 1.5 hours for a leisurely ride with photo stops. Early morning has fewer pedestrians.

Walk to Gastown — Vancouver's oldest neighborhood (1867). The cobblestoned Water Street has the famous Steam Clock, heritage buildings, and Indigenous art galleries. Lunch at Meat & Bread (C$13–16) — the porchetta sandwich is legendary. Or Tacofino (C$6–8 fish tacos). Browse the boutiques on Water Street and Abbott Street — local designers, outdoor gear, and Indigenous art. Revolver Coffee (C$5–7) is Vancouver's best specialty coffee shop with rotating single-origin beans.

Walk to English Bay Beach for sunset — the golden Pacific light with mountains behind you is Vancouver's signature moment. When the sun dips below the horizon, the beach erupts in applause (a genuine Vancouver tradition). Dinner on Denman Street — Guu with Garlic for Japanese izakaya (C$10–18 tapas, shouting staff), Danbo for Hakata-style ramen (C$15), or Espana for Spanish tapas (C$8–16 plates). The West End is Vancouver's most walkable dining neighborhood.

Take the AquaBus (C$3.75) to Granville Island. The Public Market is a massive food hall with artisan cheese, smoked salmon, fresh seafood, baked goods, and abundant free samples. Stuart's Bakery has excellent pastries (C$3–5), and the oyster bar does fresh shucked BC oysters (C$3 each). Browse the artisan studios — glassblowing, pottery, and printmaking. The Kids Market has a water park in summer. Granville Island Brewing (C$8–10 pints) was Canada's first microbrewery.

AquaBus back and walk to Chinatown — one of the oldest in North America with the world's thinnest commercial building (Sam Kee Building, just 4.9 feet wide). The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (C$14) is a serene Ming Dynasty-style garden — the first built outside China, using traditional techniques and materials imported from Suzhou. Walk Pender Street for Chinese bakeries (BBQ pork buns C$2–3) and the Chinatown Millennium Gate. Lunch at Bao Bei (C$14–24) for modern Chinese-Taiwanese.

Head to Main Street for Vancouver's brewery crawl. "Brewery Creek" runs from 2nd to 7th Avenue with some of the city's best: 33 Acres (C$7–9, minimalist design), Brassneck (C$7–9, experimental rotating taps), and Main Street Brewing. For dinner, Bao Bei on Main (C$14–24) blends Taiwanese and Sichuan flavors in a gorgeous heritage building. Or the Acorn for vegetarian fine dining (C$18–26) — even meat-eaters leave impressed. Late night, Shameful Tiki Room has flaming cocktails (C$14–18) in a dark tropical hideaway.

Take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay (C$3.10, 12 minutes) — the crossing has the city's best skyline views. Bus 228 to Lynn Canyon Park (free entry). The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free (vs C$62 at touristy Capilano) and equally thrilling — spanning a 50-meter gorge above the rushing Lynn Creek. Walk the old-growth forest trails — 600-year-old Douglas firs, ferns, and moss-covered boulders. The 30 Foot Pool is a natural swimming hole in the canyon (summer only, cold but refreshing).

Bus 236 to Grouse Mountain. The Grouse Grind ("Mother Nature's StairMaster") is a 2.9km trail that climbs 853 meters — intense but rewarding (1–2 hours up). The gondola down is C$20 (or C$69 for gondola both ways with mountain activities). At the summit: grizzly bear refuge, lumberjack shows, and panoramic views of the city, ocean, and mountains. In winter, it's a ski resort 15 minutes from downtown. Lunch at the Altitude Bistro (C$16–24) at the summit.

Descend to Lonsdale Quay — a waterfront market with food vendors, artisan shops, and the best view of the Vancouver skyline across Burrard Inlet. The Shipyards District east of the Quay has craft breweries (Beere Brewing, C$7–9), the Polygon Gallery (free contemporary photography), and the Friday night Shipyards Night Market in summer (free entry, food trucks, live music). SeaBus back as the city lights appear across the water.

Head to Kitsilano — Vancouver's beach neighborhood. Kits Beach has mountain views, volleyball courts, and the Kitsilano Pool (C$6.50) — 137 meters of heated saltwater overlooking English Bay. Walk the beachfront path to Jericho Beach for quieter sand and windsurfing. Breakfast at Fable Kitchen on 4th Avenue (C$14–18) or the Naam (C$10–14, open 24 hours) — Vancouver's legendary vegetarian restaurant since 1968. The 4th Avenue shopping strip has independent boutiques and bookstores.

Bus to UBC. The Museum of Anthropology (C$18) is world-class — Arthur Erickson's glass and concrete Great Hall frames massive Haida and Kwakwaka'wakw totem poles against mountains and ocean. Bill Reid's "The Raven and the First Men" is a masterpiece. The outdoor grounds have full-size Haida houses and totem poles. Walk to Wreck Beach — a clothing-optional beach at the bottom of 400+ steps through old-growth forest. Food vendors (cash only) sell surprisingly good wraps and cold drinks.

Return to Kits for dinner. Maenam on 4th Avenue (C$18–28 mains) is one of Canada's best Thai restaurants — the wing bean salad and pad thai are extraordinary. Or naam burger at Naam. Walk to Kits Beach for a final sunset swim (the water stays warm through September). For cocktails, Grapes & Soda on Main (C$14–16 natural wines and cocktails) or the Keefer Bar in Chinatown (C$14–18 cocktails infused with Chinese herbs and tea in a gorgeous apothecary setting).

Rent a car and drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) north — one of the most scenic drives in the world. Stop at Shannon Falls (free, 10-minute walk to the 335-meter waterfall) and the Sea-to-Sky Gondola (C$55) in Squamish for mountain-top views, suspension bridges, and hiking trails above Howe Sound. The gondola summit has the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge (100 meters long, 200 meters above the valley). Squamish itself is a growing adventure town with craft breweries.

Continue an hour north to Whistler — the 2010 Winter Olympics host and one of North America's best mountain resorts. Walk the pedestrian-only Whistler Village — cafes, restaurants, and shops at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. In summer, take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola (C$69) — a 4.4km span between two mountains, the longest unsupported gondola in the world, with views that stretch to the Pacific. Mountain biking in the Whistler Bike Park is world-class (day passes from C$79).

Dinner in Whistler Village — Splitz Grill for the town's best burgers (C$14–18), Sushi Village for Japanese in a lively atmosphere (C$16–26 mains), or Araxi for farm-to-table Pacific Northwest fine dining (C$30–50 mains). Drive back along the Sea-to-Sky in the fading light — the sunset over Howe Sound from the highway is spectacular. The drive back is 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Return the car in Vancouver and sleep well.

Take the SkyTrain to Commercial-Broadway for "The Drive" — Vancouver's most independent, eclectic neighborhood. Italian cafes (JJ Bean for coffee, C$4–6), Ethiopian restaurants, Latin markets, and vintage shops line the street from 1st Avenue to Venables. Breakfast at Tangent Cafe (C$12–16) or Havana for Cuban-influenced brunch (C$14–18) in a theatre-cafe with live music. The Drive has resisted chain stores — nearly every business is independently owned, giving it a genuine bohemian character.

Take the Canada Line to Richmond — Vancouver's Asian food capital and essentially a Chinese city within a city. The Richmond Night Market (summer Fri–Sun, C$5.75 entry) has 600+ food and retail stalls — the best street food market in North America. Try Taiwanese fried chicken (C$8), takoyaki (C$7), mango shaved ice (C$8), and durian cream puffs (C$5). Alternatively, walk Alexandra Road for authentic dim sum at Sea Harbour (C$4–6 per dish) — the same quality as Hong Kong.

Return to Mount Pleasant — the neighborhood between Main Street and Cambie Bridge. Walk the murals along the alleyways (the Vancouver Mural Festival decorates new walls annually). Dinner at Toshi Sushi (C$12–20) for some of the city's best sushi at neighborhood prices — a refreshing contrast to the overpriced sushi downtown. Cocktails at the Keefer Bar in Chinatown (C$14–18) — an apothecary-themed bar using Chinese herbs, teas, and traditional ingredients in creative cocktails. Stunning design.

For one last nature hit, hike to Quarry Rock in Deep Cove (3.8km round trip, 1 hour). The viewpoint overlooking Indian Arm fjord and the mountains is spectacular. Deep Cove village has kayak rentals (C$35/2hrs) and Honey Doughnuts & Goodies — a waterfront bakery with legendary honey doughnuts (C$2.50 each). Alternatively, explore Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC — 73km of trails through old-growth forest, quieter and closer to downtown.

Back to the city for final food missions. Granville Island Public Market for smoked salmon, BC wines, and artisan cheese as souvenirs. Or Main Street for independent boutiques — Massy Books for Indigenous literature, Regional Assembly of Text for letterpress gifts, and Lululemon's original store on 4th Avenue. One final bowl of ramen at Marutama on Main (C$14–16 chicken broth that's been simmering for 16 hours) or sushi at Toshi. Pack and prepare for departure.

One last English Bay sunset and one last round of applause from the beach. Or walk to Canada Place — the convention center's sail-like roof and the waterfront promenade offer North Shore mountain views with city lights reflecting in the harbor. Farewell dinner at Vij's on Cambie (C$20–35 mains) — Indian cuisine reimagined with BC ingredients, no reservations, consistently one of Canada's best restaurants. The lamb popsicles are the signature dish. Vancouver, where mountains meet the sea, leaves a piece of itself in everyone who visits.