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3 BEST Grouse Mountain Tours from Vancouver

3 BEST Grouse Mountain Tours from Vancouver

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Looking for a great tour to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver? 

If your travel style is similar to ours, you’re probably looking for some outdoor adventure while in the city (we are always itching to get outside!). We also love getting to know the area we’re exploring, and having a local guide always makes our experience worthwhile!

It’s easy to see why you’d want a tour to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver, whether you are pinched for time or enjoy the convenience. There are a few that stand out, so we put together this list of our favorite options. They also take you to other can’t-miss sights in Van, which is simply an added bonus!

Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour

If you’re ready to book the best tour now, look no further – we love this full-day North Vancouver tour! We had a fantastic experience on this tour because we got to visit Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and a salmon hatchery (so unique!), plus we loved our guide. A full-day tour was a good amount of time to explore these sights without feeling rushed so we could enjoy all of North Vancouver’s beauty!

This tour is one of the highest rated in Vancouver and offers free cancellation 24 hours before it departs – perfect for those looking for a flexible option! All of this for $237 CAD isn’t a bad deal in my book.

Best Tours to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver

1. Full-day North Shore tour from Vancouver including admission fees

Top of the Grouse Grind where the gondola is at Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
Grouse Mountain!
People walk accross the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver
Capilano is one of the most iconic attractions in Vancouver!

Well, we already touched on this above, but we had to fill you in on more details about this tour!

Our absolute favorite Grouse Mountain tour is this full-day North Shore trip. We had a blast visiting not only the mountain but other iconic locations in North Vancouver too. We aren’t the only ones who love this tour, it also has hundreds of 5-star reviews, so it’s easily one of the most popular activities in Vancouver. 

We took off on our tour and didn’t head straight for Grouse Mountain. Instead, we started by visiting the Capilano Salmon Hatchery. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too jazzed about visiting initially but was pleasantly surprised in the end! It was fascinating to learn about salmon and their impact on Vancouver’s ecosystem, and we even got to watch them jump over walls – who knew fish could be so impressive?

Next, we headed to the Vancouver-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We’ve been here dozens of times but I never get tired of visiting! I love the slightly terrifying feeling of crossing the suspension bridge that swings 70 meters (230 feet) above the Capilano River. While I know not everyone is as keen on heights as we are, the evergreen forest that surrounds it is stunning and makes a stop here totally worthwhile. 

Finally, we made it to the star of the show: Grouse Mountain! The Skyride Gondola is probably the best part, as you get incredible views of Vancouver below. We had 2 hours here, which gave us plenty of time to meet the two resident grizzly bears and explore around for a bit. 

There is a surprising amount of things to do at the top of Grouse Mountain, but we always love playing disc golf and then enjoying a drink at the Observatory for more gorgeous mountaintop views. Be sure to read our guide about visiting Grouse Mountain to see all of the activities you can do here!

This tour is offered from May to mid-October and includes entrance fees and transportation. They also provide hotel pickup, but be sure to call beforehand to arrange this! For 7 hours and all of these stops, we thought the $237 CAD price tag was well worth it. 

2. Half-day Combo Tour: Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Skyride heads up Grouse Mountain, Vancouver at sunset
The Gondola up Grouse Mountain
Grinder the bear swims in his enclosure at Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
Grinder the grizzly at Grouse Mountain!

If you’re on a tight timeline while visiting Vancouver, I think you’ll love this half-day combo tour! You can see both the Capilano Suspension Bridge and spend time at Grouse Mountain, then make it back to Van with plenty of time to spare. 

I know what you are thinking, a half-day tour means half of the activities, right? Actually, no! You get to visit the same stops as the full-day tour mentioned above but in a more efficient fashion. Since Grouse Mountain is only about a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, you won’t be spending all of your tour time driving around – which we love!

This tour starts with hotel pickup at 10:30 am, leaving plenty of time to grab breakfast before! You’ll make a brief stop at the Salmon Hatchery, gawk at the fish jumping, and then head to the next activity. 

To ensure we save the best for last, you’ll stop by Capilano Suspension Bridge Park before finishing the day at Grouse Mountain. You’ll have two hours at each park, which leaves enough time to enjoy the outdoors and activities. 

At Grouse Mountain, you won’t have enough time to take on the challenging “Grouse Grind” hike to get to the top (aw, shucks!) so instead you can enjoy the views from the Skyride Gondola. This is one of my favorite views in all of Vancouver! At the top, catch a lumberjack show and say hello to the grizzlies Grinder and Coola in their habitats (they are seriously cute and not so scary looking!). 

You can join this tour from mid-April to mid-October, and prices range from $246-$257 CAD, depending on the day you go. Entrance fees, transportation, and your amazing guide are included! 

Related Read: Capilano Suspension Bridge is a top destination in Vancouver. Find out everything you need to know before visiting here!

3. Small Group Tour to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Park with Skip-the-Line Access

Two Totum Poles at capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver
Two Totum Poles at Capilano Suspension Bridge
View out the window of the Skyride on the way up Grouse Mountain
View out the window of the Skyride on the way up Grouse Mountain

What’s better than an organized tour? A SMALL organized tour! We jump on small group tours whenever we can, they feel more personalized and intimate. So if you’re like us, you’ll love this small group tour to Grouse Mountain

Better yet, this tour offers priority access at all locations for the day, which means you won’t have to wait in lines. So you will truly feel like a VIP here – you and your entourage of 14 other people that is! 

This tour shakes up the itinerary a bit, as you’ll start by visiting Grouse Mountain. After riding the gondola to the top, you’ll have two hours to explore on your own. You can catch the endangered bird show, learn about the mountain at the Theater in the Sky, or ride the chairlift to the summit, just to name a few. I also recommend grabbing lunch at one of the restaurants here!

Your day of incredible views doesn’t end here as you head to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park! It has a totally different feel than Grouse Mountain because you’re walking amongst the giant Douglas fir trees, instead of being perched atop a mountain. Our favorite way to experience Capilano is walking among the trees on the suspension bridge. But, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll also love the Cliffwalk, which is a series of suspended walkways literally on the edge of a cliff!

This tour lasts for 5 hours and offers hotel pick-up and entrance to both parks. They also provide free cancellation 24 hours before the tour departs, just in case plans change – we are very appreciative of the flexibility! You can reserve tickets for $290 CAD per person. 

Related Read: Looking for another can’t-miss Vancouver destination? Check out our inside scoop on visiting Lynn Canyon – spoiler alert: it’s free!

Why Book a Tour to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver?

Bailey and Daniel sit in chairs with a view on Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
Can’t beat these views!
Bailey poses for a photo at the top of Grouse Mountain, Vancouver in Canada during summer
It’s a beautiful place to explore!

Grouse Mountain is only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, so a tour might not seem like the first option to visit. But honestly, I think a tour is ideal for a few different reasons.

If you don’t have a rental car or don’t want to deal with driving yourself, a tour makes your life so much easier – take it from my experience! Grouse Mountain can get rather busy, so dealing with parking or driving through Vancouver traffic certainly isn’t for everyone. Plus, when you’re visiting a major city, renting a car can be expensive, so it might actually be more cost-effective to take a few tours instead.

I also love taking tours because I learn so much more about the area I’m exploring! The guides on all of these tours are locals and love sharing their beautiful city. So whether you’re keen on learning the history of Van, or curious about the flora and fauna at Grouse Mountain, your guide’s got you covered.

All in all, taking a tour just makes your travel day seamless, so that’s why I would take a tour to Grouse Mountain from Vancouver!

Other Things to do While You’re in Vancouver

Olympic Village as seen from a scenic flight in Vancouver, Canada
What a view!
Bailey poses for a photo at Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver
Welcome to Kits!

Vancouver is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re here, don’t miss out on some of the top attractions and activities:

  • Go whale watching – It’s not just people who flock to Vancouver every year! From the beautiful black and white orcas to the lively humpbacks, going whale watching in Vancouver makes for a truly unforgettable memory. This half-day whale watching tour offers an amazing experience with a guarantee you’ll see whales!
  • Ride in a seaplane – One of our favorite memories in Vancouver was riding in a seaplane. Taking off and landing on the ocean is super exciting, and then the views from the air are breathtaking. This seaplane ride lasts for 20 minutes and costs $177 CAD. You can even take a seaplane to get from Vancouver to Victoria!
  • Eat ALL the food! – Vancouver is a foodie destination. Showcasing cuisine from all around the world in top-rated restaurants, you really need to make an effort to eat out a few times. For breakfast, Jam Cafe or Medina are our go-to’s. For Asian cuisine, you can’t pass up Minami for sushi or Danbo for ramen. You can also join this highly-rated food tour of some of the city’s best restaurants.
  • Explore Kitsilano – One of our favorite areas in all of Vancouver is Kitsilano. This suburb is super trendy and has many cute stores, cafés, and restaurants that are well worth checking out. On top of that, Kitsilano Beach is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and our top place to watch the sunset.

Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver city skyline
Vancouver skyline

Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada. The fact is that in the summer and winter, the city books up in advance very fast! Booking your hotel or hostel well in advance is the only way to secure the best place to stay for you!

Some great hotels and hostels in Vancouver that we love are:

Hyatt Regency Vancouver – $$$

Can’t decide whether you’d prefer to stay near Stanley Park or Gastown? Well, the Hyatt Regency might just be right for you, as it’s located right between them! Rooms here enjoy gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that help to bring in light and there is a small fridge, work desk, and toiletries in the bathroom too.

You can also conveniently enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at their beautiful Mosaic Bar and Grill just off the lobby. As you can imagine, it’s a luxury stay in a large hotel chain that is highly reviewed! So if you’re looking to celebrate something special, or just fancy taking your vacation to a whole new level, then staying here will definitely do the trick.

I’ve seen a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency going as low as $232 CAD per night, although the rooms here on average are more around the $300-$500 CAD mark. So, for the best price, don’t forget to reserve your room in advance.

Times Square Suites – $$

For a beautiful hotel close to Stanley Park, the Times Square Hotel is a fantastic choice! It’s very hard to fault this hotel, and the location really is perfect. The fully equipped kitchens and gas fireplaces are a nice touch in all of the rooms, plus the suites have living rooms and a washer and dryer.

For being pretty affordable, it has a lot of amenities, which is just one of the reasons we love staying here! You can book a room here from $232 CAD per night, but as this is a popular stay, I recommend checking your dates and booking ahead of time to secure your preferred room type!

The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $

The Cambie Hostel is a great budget-friendly hostel that’s located right in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants and attached to the hostel is a very lively bar too. The rooms are clean, although the bathrooms are a little on the small side (part of the fun when you’re staying cheap, though!).

It’s perfect for backpackers on a budget and is considerably cheaper than others offering comparable quality. A bed in a dorm here starts at around $50 CAD, and you can book a stay here through Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.

Didn’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Click here to browse all hotels in Vancouver!

For more info on the best areas and hotels, check out my complete guide on where to stay in Vancouver. It breaks down everything you need to know before choosing the right hotel!

Thanks for reading!

Daniel and Bailey take a selfie on Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
Thanks for reading!

Visiting Grouse Mountain is a fantastic addition to your Vancouver itinerary, and I personally think taking a tour is the way to go! Since this is such a popular attraction, a tour takes any stress out of the day, like finding parking and waiting in lines, and you learn a lot as you go. I know you’ll love this beautiful part of North Vancouver as much as we do!

As you continue to plan your Vancouver activities, be sure to check out our other articles. We have lots of helpful guides about BC’s West Coast so you can see even more! Here are some of my favorites below:

15 Absolute BEST Tours in Vancouver (that you don’t want to miss!)

10 Fun Granville Island Tours in Vancouver (+Our Personal Top Choice!)

5 BEST Tours to Victoria from Vancouver – Chosen by a Local!