When in Vancouver: 10 Things to Do
Nestled between the North Shore Mountains and English Bay, Vancouver combines the hustle and bustle of the city with the laid-back lifestyle of the high country. Whether you’re stopping in the city on your way to other Canadian adventures, or British Columbia’s largest metropolitan area is your final destination, pencil in some of these sites, shops and restaurants we have our eye on.
SHOP
The Public Market
1661 Duranleau St.
Located on the cultural hub of Granville Island, the Public Market operates daily, featuring an assortment of vendors with goods ranging from fresh seafood and local produce to fine jewelry and handmade soaps. Tip: Make sure you stop at an ATM first; many vendors only accept cash. granvilleisland.com/public-market
Yaletown
202-1290 Homer St.
A stroll along the historic brick walkways of Yaletown presents an eclectic mix of stylish cafes, entertainment venues and boutique shops. Stop by Karma for fashion-forward active wear, Woo to See You for trendy accessories or Calligaris for functional furnishings. yaletowninfo.com
EAT
Via Tevere
1190 Victoria Dr.
This family-owned pizzeria was inspired by many summers spent on Via Tevere, a street in the heart of Naples. Rooted in tradition, Via Tevere’s pizzas are made the true Neapolitan way—using simple Italian ingredients and baked in a 900-degree wood-fired oven for just 90 seconds. viateverepizzeria.com
The Farmer’s Apprentice
1535 W. Sixth Ave.
Voted Vancouver Magazine’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year, the Farmer’s Apprentice offers a locally sourced daily dinner menu focused on fresh meat and seafood dishes for the table. farmersapprentice.ca
Hawksworth Restaurant
801 W. Georgia St.
Award-winning chef David Hawksworth’s eponymous restaurant has risen to the top of many “best of” lists after just a few short years in business. Set in the center of the city, Hawksworth offers contemporary dishes inspired by seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, an impressive wine list and an elegant setting. hawksworthrestaurant.com
STAY
L’Hermitage Hotel
788 Richards St.
Traditional and chic in style, L’Hermitage was named the No. 1 hotel in Canada by Trip Advisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice awards. Relax in intimate boutique rooms, take a dip in the heated salt-water pool or curl up with one of over 2,000 books available in the library. lhermitagevancouver.com
Hotel Vancouver
900 W. Georgia St.
Known as the “Castle in the City,” Hotel Vancouver’s rich history dates back to 1888. With two grand ballrooms, 556 bedrooms and 37,000 square feet of meeting space, the English-style hotel is as sprawling as it is charming. fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver
SEE
Grouse Mountain
Whether you choose to reach its 4,000-foot summit by foot, chair lift or Skyride, Grouse Mountain offers panoramic views of Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. Activities include skiing, hiking, zip lining, ice skating and even learning about mountain wildlife at a mountaintop cinema. grousemountain.com
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby St.
This 80-year-old gallery houses a permanent collection of over 10,000 artworks, with a focus on Canadian artists. View the works of world-renowned local artists Jeff Wall, Rodney Graham and Emily Carr, among others. vancouverartgallery.com
Photo: Nancy Wong
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St.
Take a guided tour through more than two acres of gardens that represent ecosystems ranging from the Himalayas to the Mediterranean. No matter the time of year, the VanDusen Gardens feature more than 255,000 individual plants, outdoor sculpture and a chance to get lost in the Renaissance-style hedge maze. vandusengarden.org
While you have your sights set on Vancouver, read more about another one of our favorite Canadian getaways, Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort.
