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Looking for some fun things to do in Vancouver? You’ve come to the right place!
Vancouver has a mild climate that makes it ideal for sightseeing and exploration year-round. And as one of the biggest cities in Canada, there is no shortage of attractions and activities to do.
So, which ones do you prioritize, and which ones do you skip? Well, luckily for you, after living here for a while, I’ve figured that out and have narrowed it down for you.
I’ve listed all of the best winter activities in Vancouver below that deserve a spot on your Vancouver itinerary, as well as some helpful travel tips. So grab your rain jacket and let’s get to it!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do in Vancouver in the winter is visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Bundle up and enjoy a walk through the rainforest canopy. Cross the legendary suspension bridge, learn about Canadian culture, and see the magical Canyon Lights during the holiday season! Check out the 1,000+ 5-star reviews and book this experience here.
Tip: This activity is very popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- The BEST Things to do in Vancouver, Canada
- 1. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge
- 2. Go on a Food Tour
- 3. See the City from Above on a Seaplane (Floatplane)
- 4. Enjoy the view from Grouse Mountain
- 5. Explore Granville Island
- 6. Head to Whistler
- 7. Explore Stanley Park
- 8. Breweries, breweries, and more breweries!
- 9. Explore Canada on a simulated flight ride
- 10. Watch a hockey game
- Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in British Columbia
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
The BEST Things to do in Vancouver, Canada
1. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is an iconic landmark in the city. It is a fantastic activity to do at any time of year, but is especially awesome during the winter!
It’s a great place to visit during the colder months because there are usually fewer tourists and visitors, so you can explore at your own pace and have some time there by yourself. You might even be able to get a solo picture on the suspension bridge (check me out in the picture above!).
And although snow is not guaranteed in Vancouver, there are usually a few days or weeks of snow. So, if you’re lucky enough to be there when it does, it’s pure magic!
The Capilano Suspension Bridge also offers the Canyon Lights show in the winter, which makes for a really special evening out. At this time, you can visit in the evenings and see everything lit up with Christmas lights! It runs from mid-November to mid-January every year and the lights usually go on around 4 pm in the evening, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
Of course, a lot of the best sightseeing tours in Vancouver also pay Capilano Suspension Bridge a visit. If this sounds like your style, we highly recommend this highly-rated full-day tour! Besides visiting Capilano, your guide will also take you to popular spots including Gastown, Granville Island, and Chinatown.
Transport is completely taken care of as is your admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Vancouver Lookout. This tour lasts for 6.5 hours and costs only $176 CAD per person. It’s a great way to see a ton in Vancouver in a short amount of time!
Read the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and reserve online here!
Related Read: Not sure how to spend your time in Vancouver? Check out our detailed travel itinerary here!
2. Go on a Food Tour
Foodies will love Vancouver because there is so much amazing food to try! However, it can be hard to know where even to start. This popular food tour will let you in on all of the best local spots for amazing food.
The tour is in Gastown, a beautiful area of downtown Vancouver. Our guide taught us about the area’s history and the best food to try. We ate at several different spots that showcased the best of not only Vancouver cuisine but also iconic Canadian food.
When we went, we tried everything from sushi to poutine to ice cream (and more!). Our guide was a Vancouver local who had a passion for food and was excited to show us all of his favorite restaurants, which he had taken years to discover.
We ate so much food that we were stuffed for days (well, not really – but pretty close!) The tour costs around $135 CAD per person, which is pretty good considering it includes seven food tastings and 3 alcohol tastings. This is easily one of the best things to do in Vancouver (especially if you consider yourself a “foodie!”)
Don’t just take our word for it, read the 1,000+ positive reviews and reserve your spot here!
3. See the City from Above on a Seaplane (Floatplane)
One of the most iconic features of Vancouver is the seaplanes that take off and land in the harbor every day, all day. These seaplanes are not only a form of transport but also the gateway to the best seat in the house with views over Vancouver. To this day, it’s the most exciting thing I have ever done in Vancouver!
The scenic flight I did was this 20-minute Vancouver City seaplane tour. Although short, it was such a fantastic experience, and we got to see so much of the city and surrounding mountains. The best part is, it only cost $187 CAD! Can you believe that?
Aside from the views, taking off and landing on the water was a brand-new experience for me. I must admit, I was a little scared! Don’t worry, though – the pilots are trained professionals.
The flights depart every day of the year at multiple times throughout the day, making this a great activity to do even in the colder months. It is popular (look at the 700+ 5-star reviews here) and tends to book up quickly, so make sure you reserve in advance.
Check availability and book the same scenic flight I took here!
Related Read: For a full overview of the 5 best seaplane tours in Vancouver, have a look at our post here!
4. Enjoy the view from Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is called the “Peak of Vancouver” because it has epic views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains at the top. While it’s a popular place to go skiing and snowboarding, there are so many more things to do at Grouse.
To get up the mountain, you will take a gondola ride to the top. From there, you can check out options to go snowshoeing, skating, ziplining, or just walk around and enjoy the views. There are many different seasonal attractions that happen throughout the year, but I highly recommend going in the evening during the colder months to experience the twinkling Light Walk!
If you’re after a truly magical experience, you can also go for a sleigh ride at the top of Grouse Mountain. Your gondola ticket includes the sleigh ride with it, so there’s no extra charge. Look for the sleigh rides behind Santa’s Workshop throughout the winter as long as there’s enough snow!
Grouse has a full-service restaurant and cafe, so you can make a day of it and enjoy everything it has to offer. Admission costs $87 CAD which includes the gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain and back down again.
Please note: The gondola is the only way to get to the top of Grouse Mountain during the winter months, so make sure you reserve your tickets in advance!
Book your Grouse Mountain Gondola tickets online here!
5. Explore Granville Island
Granville Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vancouver, and I totally understand why. It’s a great stop on your Vancouver itinerary any time of the year, but I think winter is especially nice since it’s less crowded with tourists, making it easier to explore.
Thanks to Vancouver’s mild winters, you can still enjoy the scenery by taking a walk and watching boats in the marina. To warm up, you can visit one of the excellent restaurants for a bite to eat and drink.
Of course, the Granville Island Public Market is one of the main attractions here. Luckily, it’s an indoor market, so you can enjoy it even if it’s a cold day! While you can wander around by yourself, my favorite way to explore it is on this VIP market tour – especially if it’s your first time here. You’ll be shown around the market in a small group and get to taste some of the delights from the market’s best spots!
This tour starts at 10:30 am on select days of the week and lasts for two hours, so it’s basically like brunch and lunch combined! You’ll have an expert local guide to tour you around the market as you sample at least 20 of the best culinary delights on offer. Think fluffy doughnuts, truffle salami, fine cheeses, chocolate, and even Thai food. My mouth is watering already!
This tour costs $186 CAD including all of the food you’ll sample. It has rave reviews (read recent reviews here!) and is thought to be one of the best culinary experiences on Granville Island! In fact, it’s even received the designation as a Canadian Signature Experiences tour which basically means it has the tourism stamp of approval as an authentic Canadian travel experience.
Check the tour schedule and secure your spot on this market tour here!
Related Read: For some more great ways to explore Granville Island, check out our 9 favorite Granville Island tours here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Head to Whistler
Ready for a road trip? Whistler is a two-hour drive away from Vancouver on the famous Sea to Sky Highway and is an amazing place to explore all year round!
Whistler Village is fun to explore, with tons of great shops, restaurants, and bars. Plus there are outdoor activities galore and luxurious hotels and spas to indulge in.
My favorite winter activity here is snowmobiling! This snowmobiling experience is one of the most raved-about experiences in Whistler and is available from mid-December to mid-April each year (weather dependent of course). Your guide will take you on a three-hour tour through the mountains, across frozen lakes, and even to the 2010 Olympics location. The tour includes instructions, all safety gear, and an expert guide for $293 CAD.
Another great option is this zipline tour. This particular experience operates all year round (sun, rain, or snow!) and it is easily one of the best tours in Whistler. Prices start at $158 CAD and the experience lasts for only 2.5 hours, so you can spend the rest of your day exploring!
Book your snowmobiling experience here OR the zipline tour here!
Getting to Whistler:
You can either drive yourself to Whistler, take a shuttle, or go on an organized day trip from Vancouver. If you are driving, we recommend renting a car in Vancouver with Discover Cars to find the best rental car price.
Alternatively, book this shuttle transport from Vancouver to Whistler. This is a luxury shuttle bus with free WiFi, washrooms, and extra legroom. It’s $47 CAD for a one-way ticket and I’d recommend planning to stay a couple of nights in Whistler if you go this route since shuttles take a bit longer so it would make for a very long day trip (book your hotel now for the best selection!).
An organized tour is likely your best option if you’re short on time. This particular full-day tour combines your trip to Whistler with the Sea to Sky Gondola ride. It costs $231 CAD and includes your Sea to Sky Gondola ticket, as well as all of your transportation, free time in Whistler to explore, and a bonus stop at the stunning Shannon Falls.
This tour has a maximum group size of 30, so it doesn’t feel like you’re part of a massive herd. It’s also very well organized and everything runs super smoothly, so you don’t waste time hanging around when you could be exploring!
book this day trip from Vancouver to Whistler easily online here!
7. Explore Stanley Park
No trip to Vancouver is complete without spending at least some time in Stanley Park. This park is huge and it’s located right in the heart of downtown! As you’d expect with such a large park, there are plenty of things to do in Stanley Park from walking the trails, golfing, visiting the brewery, bicycling, to visiting restaurants and the Vancouver Aquarium!
Stanley Park is still open and accessible at any time of the year. Just make sure you do as the Canadians do, and wear a few layers if you’re visiting during the colder months. An umbrella is also handy during the rainy winter months in the city.
One of the best ways to explore Stanley Park is on this particular bicycle tour. Since the park is so large, it’s hard to get around the entire thing on foot, so a bike just makes sense! Plus being with a guide means you don’t have to worry about getting lost and can just enjoy the scenic ride.
And the best part? This 3-hour guided tour doesn’t cost much more than you would pay for a bicycle rental for the day at only $108 CAD!
Read all the great reviews and book your spot on this tour here!
Related Read: If the tour above is sold out or you’re looking for a different type of Stanley Park tour, check out our 6 favorite ones here!
8. Breweries, breweries, and more breweries!
Vancouver aka “Raincouver” is known for getting a lot of rain, especially during the colder winter months. One of our favorite activities on these kind of days is to visit some breweries!
Vancouver is a hot spot for craft breweries, and there are honestly so many to choose from. If you’re new to the city or only here for a short time, we highly recommend joining this VIP brewery tour as it will bring you to 3 of the best ones so you can taste a variety of Vancouver’s best craft beers. Not only that but you will also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the tasty brews are made.
The tour includes a designated driver, of course, and all of the tasting samples for $125 CAD. It’s no wonder this is the highest-rated brewery tour in the city! You can read the reviews here, but we highly recommend it from our great experience.
Check availability and reserve your spot on this brewery tour here!
Related Read: Vancouver is known for its thriving craft beer scene, and the best way to dive in is on one of these epic brewery tours!
9. Explore Canada on a simulated flight ride
You might be in Vancouver, but did you know there’s a way to actually explore the whole country? FlyOver Canada is a simulated flight ride that gives you epic views of Canada’s diverse and dramatic landscapes. The ride is eight minutes long and totally immersive, you are sitting in a seat that moves slightly over the screen, so you truly feel like you are flying.
There is also a pre-show part of the experience where you will learn about the people of Canada. You can expect the entire experience to last around 25 minutes.
During this “flight,” you will see everything from the west to north to the east coast of Canada, including the plains of the prairies, rivers, and lakes, and all the cities along the way. If Vancouver is your first stop in Canada, then this flight might be the perfect activity to help curate your Canada travel bucket list!
It costs around $30 CAD per adult for this epic experience if you book online in advance. I highly recommend doing this, because it allows you to bypass the ticket line and head straight into the theatre for your scheduled showing. We think this is a perfect activity for families with children (must be over 40″ or 102cm) or anyone interested in seeing more of Canada’s beauty!
Book your FlyOver ticket easily here!
10. Watch a hockey game
Okay, if you happen to be traveling to Vancouver during the hockey season (generally from October to early April), then you must see an NHL game! There is nothing more Canadian than watching some hockey!
Vancouver is home of the “Vancouver Canucks” who play in the Rogers Arena. Prices can vary with the day of the week and the location of your seat. But whether you are up close to the ice or way at the back of the arena, grab a beer and hot dog and enjoy the game!
Getting tickets to an NHL game can be hard. My best advice is to buy tickets online here through the trusted booking system Viator. You can easily choose seats within your budget and know that you are purchasing legit tickets.
Try to book as far in advance as possible too in order to have your choice of where to sit. If there are two Canadian teams playing such as the Oilers (my favorite team) vs Canucks, tickets are very hard to get and can be very expensive. My advice is to look for games against USA teams if you are booking last minute or are trying to stick to a budget!
Check here if there are tickets available for an NHL game while you’re in Vancouver!
Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver has no shortage of places to stay, but choosing the right neighborhood and hotel can make a big difference in your trip. To make the most of your time, we recommend staying centrally in the downtown area, where you’ll be close to Vancouver’s best restaurants, shops, and major attractions. To help you narrow it down, we’ve rounded up our top hotel picks for every budget below!
Luxury – $$$
Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver is an elegant 5-star property right in the heart of downtown, just a quick stroll from the shops and restaurants along Robson Street. The vibe is classic luxury—think plush rooms with a hint of old-school charm, a full-service spa, a heated indoor pool, and top-notch dining on-site. It’s a great pick if you’re after a comfortable, refined stay in a super central location!
Prices can vary depending on the room category and time of year, but usually range around $300 – $600 CAD per night. Check availability and pricing for your travel dates online here!
Mid-range – $$
EXchange Hotel Vancouver is a sleek and stylish spot right in the heart of downtown—just a short stroll from Canada Place and Gastown. It’s set in the city’s historic stock exchange building, but the rooms are super modern with comfy beds, espresso machines, and rainfall showers. There’s also a great restaurant and bar on-site, so it’s perfect if you want to stay somewhere chic without splurging!
During the summer season, rooms are around $400 CAD, but drop to around $250 during the winter. It’s a very popular spot, so make sure you book online in advance to secure a room at the best possible rate!
Budget – $
If you’re visiting Vancouver on a budget but want to stay right in the heart of downtown, the YWCA Hotel is a fantastic option. It’s just a short walk from BC Place, Rogers Arena, and public transit. There’s a shared kitchen on-site so you can prepare your own meals and cut back on dining costs, plus they offer free coffee in the mornings and water in the lobby. If you’re after a comfortable, convenient stay that won’t break the bank, this is it!
You can choose a room with a private ensuite or opt for a shared bathroom to save some money. Rooms are usually around $250 CAD during the high season and $150 CAD during the low season, but you can check exact prices and reserve for your travel dates online here.
For more options, see all of Vancouver’s hotels listed here!
Related Read: For the full low-down on the best areas and hotels in Vancouver, have a look at our detailed Where to Stay guide!
Renting a Car in British Columbia
If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province, and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Car rental in Canada isn’t relatively cheap, but it’s not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Read my tips on using Motorhome Republic here before you book!
And if you’re planning to visit the Canadian Rockies during your trip, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for reading our guide to all of the best things to do in Vancouver, Canada! We really hope this has helped inspire your visit here. We really love Vancouver and are sure you will too!
If you have any questions, just leave a comment below and we will get back to you! Also, if you loved this travel guide, jump over and check out all our other Canada travel guides or these related articles below.
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