22 BEST Day Trips from Vancouver

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Vancouver is one of the most amazing cities in Canada, and we’re not just saying that because we’re locals!

There’s so much natural beauty, great food, and vibrant culture in the city itself, but don’t just stay in city limits! There are tons of amazing day trips from Vancouver to enjoy – from ziplining in Whistler, stopping to smell the roses at the famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, watching the awe-inspiring Bridal Veil Falls, visiting amazing wineries, or hiking at Joffre Lakes to see water the color of blue Gatorade!

We’ve spent a ton of time exploring the best activities in Vancouver and close to the city, and we’re still yet to get bored. Honestly, some of the best places to visit in British Columbia are nearby!

The best part is that all of these day trips are a maximum of 2.5 hours from Vancouver, but most are even closer, so you don’t need to spend hours traveling. So get ready to plan your next road trip from Van – the hardest part will be deciding where you want to go!

Best Day Trips from Vancouver

1. Whistler 

• Distance from Vancouver: 121 km (75 miles)
• Time needed: 8 hours 
• What you need: Car, bus, or guided tour

If you haven’t got time for an overnight trip to Whistler, then a day trip from Vancouver is a must! 

We absolutely love visiting Whistler. It’s a cute mountain town with a ton of outdoor activities on offer. In the summer, you can enjoy hiking and mountain biking, while Whistler in winter is all about snowsports. 

Whistler Village itself is also really fun to wander around, with tons of cozy cafes, boutique shops, and great restaurants. There are also several spas around if you’re keen to kick back and relax. The Nordic-inspired Scandinave Spa is my pick (especially if you’re honeymooning in Whistler) as this outdoor spa is surrounded by forest and it’s incredibly beautiful!

Speaking of scenery, everywhere you go around Whistler is gorgeous. The bright blue lakes and snow-capped mountains make for some breathtaking hiking trails near Vancouver. We think that the Brandywine Falls trail is perfect if you only have a short time to spend here because you can complete it in 30 minutes and the views of the waterfall are epic!

Ziplining is also one of the super popular things to do in Whistler in the summer. It’s a great way to see a lot of scenery in a short amount of time, and the Sasquatch® Zipline will certainly get your adrenaline going. It’s the longest zipline in Whistler (and all of Canada!) and definitely one of the best we’ve ever done. There’s nothing quite like flying down the side of a mountain! It’s popular though, so best to book in advance so you don’t miss out.

If adventure is calling your name, ATV tours in Whistler are a blast. We opted for this RZR Off-Road tour last time we were here. You get to explore Cougar Mountain and enjoy panoramic views whether you’re driving or riding shotgun.

There are a few different ways to get to Whistler on a day trip from Vancouver. If you’ve got a rental car, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive each way, although you should allow for at least 2 hours on the way there. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes you along the Sea to Sky Highway, so there are a ton of scenic stops. 

You can also take a bus from Pacific Central Station to Whistler, which takes 2 hours and 10 minutes. Tickets usually cost $64 CAD return, but you won’t get to make any stops along the Sea to Sky Highway, which is a bit of a shame. 

If you don’t have a rental car, then we recommend taking a tour from Vancouver to Whistler. We joined this specific full-day tour and had a fantastic time! Not only does the tour include round-trip transport, live commentary, and 3 hours of free time in Whistler, but you also get to see the majestic Shannon Falls and ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for insane views from the top.

The tour costs $214 CAD and doesn’t include lunch, but there are a ton of great places to eat in Whistler. For a hassle-free visit to see Whistler’s highlights, book a spot on this day trip online here!

Related Read: If you want to stay longer, check out our ideas for spending 1, 2, or 3 days in Whistler!

2. Capilano Suspension Bridge 

• Distance from Vancouver: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
• Time needed: 4 hours 
• What you need: Free shuttle

Capilano Suspension Bridge isn’t just a bridge, it’s a whole experience! Of course, the star of the show is the 140-meter (460-foot) long bridge suspended over the Capilano River. But there’s also a cliffwalk and treetops adventure in the park where viewing platforms are attached to huge trees, so there is no shortage of opportunities to take in stellar views along the way. 

And if that weren’t enough, there’s a bird rehabilitation facility and a living forest exhibit here, so you get to learn a ton about British Columbia’s flora and fauna along the way. 

It really is a must-visit place from Vancouver, and we love coming here. Plus, it’s super easy to get to Capilano from the city center. When you buy tickets for Capilano Suspension Bridge, your admission fee includes a free return shuttle. 

The shuttle leaves from Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver and in the summer the first one leaves at 8:30 am. Shuttles run every 15-30 minutes, and we recommend leaving fairly early in the morning to try and explore the park before it gets too crowded. 

You can also drive or take an Uber here if you prefer. If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot but it will cost you $8 CAD for three hours. 

Tickets for Capilano Suspension Bridge cost $73.45 CAD including tax. This is the same price as you’ll pay at the gate, but we like booking through Viator in advance because then you can cancel or change your booking up to 24 hours in advance – which is handy if plans or weather changes!

There are reduced hours at Capilano Suspension Bridge during winter in Vancouver, but it’s still definitely worth coming. If you’re visiting Vancouver during the holiday season, the park is decorated with amazing lights! It’s called Canyon Lights and from late November until late January the park comes alive after dark with bright lights, live music, and a hot chocolate station to warm you up!

If you still aren’t convinced to visit, just read our honest review of the Capilano Suspension Bridge to see if it’s worth it.

3. Sea to Sky Highway and Gondola + Squamish

• Distance from Vancouver: 64 kilometers (40 miles)  
• Time needed: 5 hours 
• What you need: Car or guided tour

The Sea to Sky Highway (aka Highway 99) is a jaw-droppingly beautiful drive from Vancouver to Squamish. There are some stunning stops along the way, including the gorgeous Shannon Falls, and you can also ride the famous Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. 

The Sea to Sky Gondola takes you to the summit of Mount Habrich, which is 885 m (2,903 ft) high and overlooks Howe Sound, the Squamish Valley, and Stawamus Chief. The views from up here are breathtaking, so make sure to book your tickets in advance because this gondola is super popular. 

The gondola is the most popular of all the things to do in Squamish, but this town is known for being “the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.” So as the name suggests, there’s a ton to do here including whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing. 

Not only is the Sea to Sky Highway incredibly beautiful, but it’s also an easy drive. So if you’ve got a rental car you can easily do this day trip independently, but do remember to book your gondola tickets. 

Or for those without a rental car, this private Squamish day trip is an awesome way to experience the Sea to Sky Highway. You’ll ride the gondola, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the Capilano Salmon Hatchery, see Shannon Falls, and more.

It costs $600 CAD per person (plus the gondola ticket if you want to add that on) including all transport, and since it’s a private tour you can tailor it to your liking! For a relaxing way to see the beautiful area around Squamish, grab your family or friends and book this tour online!

4. Victoria 

• Distance from Vancouver: 107 kilometers (66.4 miles)  
• Time needed: 8-13 hours 
• What you need: Ferry or guided tour

Victoria is a beautiful city, and if you don’t have time to spend a couple of days exploring Vancouver Island then we highly recommend taking a day trip to Victoria.

Victoria’s most famous attraction is Butchart Gardens, which covers over 55 acres! There are more than 900 types of plants here and the displays are truly incredible, like a living work of art. You’ll see every color of the rainbow as you walk through the gardens, and see flowers that you probably didn’t know existed! One of our favorite parts was the rose garden, which had gorgeous rose arches and smelled absolutely heavenly. 

Okay, so we could go on and on about the Butchart Gardens, but there are a ton of other great things to do in Victoria as well. There’s a very European feel to this city and you can even visit castles here! We also love exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown. 

To get from Vancouver to Victoria, you’ll need to take the ferry. BC Ferries runs a ferry from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, which is 36 km (22 miles) from downtown Vancouver, to the Swartz Bay Terminal in Victoria. It takes 1.5 hours and ferries depart every 1-2 hours from 6 am to 9 pm, but it’s best to go early. You can also book transport to and from the ferry port if you don’t have a rental car!

Or, to make life easier, you can also take a tour to Butchart Gardens from Vancouver. My pick is this day tour from Vancouver to Victoria, which includes ferry tickets, entry to the Butchart Gardens, a coach tour of downtown Victoria, and free time to explore the city. The tour costs $275 CAD including all transport and is a stress-free way to see the best of Victoria in a single day. 

The ferry isn’t the only tour to get from Vancouver to Victoria, though. You could also take a helicopter from Vancouver or hop aboard a seaplane tour! At $572 CAD per person, it’s not cheap, but you’ll have amazing views as you fly over the Georgia Strait and the Gulf Islands. Plus, it’s so much faster – you’re looking at a 13-hour day if you take the ferry, which is pretty tiring. You get to choose a range of flight times when you book online, so this is a flexible option, and the price also includes on-the-ground transport and admission to Butchart Gardens. 

5. Deep Cove 

• Distance from Vancouver: 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles)  
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: Car, bus

Deep Cove is a super easy day trip from Vancouver, and we love coming here. You could even just do a half-day trip if you’re spending two days in Vancouver because it’s so close to downtown. But there’s a ton to do in Deep Cove and lots of natural beauty to enjoy, so we recommend staying for the whole day if you can. 

One of the reasons Deep Cove is a popular day trip destination from Vancouver is that you can access the Baden Powell Trail here. This is one of the most famous hiking routes in British Columbia! The whole thing is 48 km (29 mi) long, but most people just tackle a fairly small section of it. The part of the trail from Deep Cove to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is 12 km (7.5 mi) and should take about five hours. It’s a really scenic section with sweeping views of Deep Cove, the Seymour River, Indian Arm, and Lynn Creek as you approach Lynn Canyon. Just make sure you have a plan for a ride back to Deep Cove since it’s a one-way hiking route!

It’s not all about hiking, though. One of our favorite ways to explore Deep Cove is via kayak! You can rent a double kayak from Deep Cove Kayak for $145 CAD for the entire day and explore the area’s calm waters and gorgeous scenery. You might even spot a seal or two (or three!) along the way, as the harbor is home to a ton of them. 

And if you’d rather kick back and relax, you can also charter a boat for a 2-hour ride around Indian Arm. This is such a great way to appreciate the natural beauty of this glacial fiord, and at $420 CAD for a group of up to 6 people, it’s not badly priced!

You can either drive to Deep Cove or take the bus. Driving may seem easier at first, but you’ll need to leave pretty early as parking is super limited in Deep Cove, which can be stressful. 

If you want to take the bus, you can catch the #211 from Burrard Station in downtown Vancouver. They depart roughly every 30 minutes and the fare is only $3.15 CAD each way. The ride takes about 50 minutes, which is double the drive time, but you don’t need to worry about parking, which is a big bonus. 

6. Howe Sound 

• Distance from Vancouver: 35 kilometers (21.7 miles)  
• Time needed: 5 hours 
• What you need: Kayak, guided tour 

A day trip to Howe Sound is a must for wildlife lovers. This triangular sound is much quieter than the Burrard Inlet, which tends to get busy, so you tend to spot more creatures around here and you just get a more tranquil experience. And, fun fact, it’s the southernmost fjord in North America!

You pass by the Howe Sound along the Sea to Sky Highway and get beautiful views, but you can also kayak around its waters and see it from a totally different perspective. 

You can rent kayaks in the city and then drive to Horseshoe Bay. Rental prices vary but you’re typically looking at around $125 CAD to rent a double kayak for the day. You can only rent a single kayak if you have a Paddle Canada Level 1 Skill Certification (or an equivalent qualification). 

Alternatively, this 5-hour tour with Sea Dragon Charters takes you on a boat from Horseshoe Bay across to Pam Rocks, where you’ll see a seal colony basking on the rocks and playing in the water. Then, you’ll don a wetsuit for a guided snorkeling tour before finishing off with a kayaking session.

Finally, you’ll warm up with snacks and hot soup on your way back to Horseshoe Bay. The tour costs $150 CAD when you book online and is an awesome way to explore this beautiful sound. 

7. Mount Seymour Provincial Park 

• Distance from Vancouver: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles)  
• Time needed: 4 hours 
• What you need: Car

Mount Seymour Provincial Park is just a 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver and it offers amazing views of the city, as well as gorgeous mountain scenery. It’s a popular place to go mountain biking, but we love hiking here. 

If you’re in the mood for a challenge, you can hike to the summit of Mount Seymour. It’s a 7.9-kilometer (4.9-mile) round trip with an elevation gain of 555 meters/1,820 feet, but the views from the top make it all worth it. It’s an epic trail and it’s very popular, so there’s little chance of you getting lost! 

But if you’re not an avid hiker, don’t worry, because there are also plenty of easier trails in the park, like the Goldie and Flower Lake Loop. This is only 3.1 kilometers (1.9 miles) long and it’s mostly flat, and you’ll pass by lots of pretty lakes and meadows on the way round. 

You can only do these hikes during the summer, but Mount Seymour Ski Resort is a super popular destination in the winter. If you want to get out of Vancouver to go skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or tubing, you should definitely consider coming here! 

A day ski pass for Mount Seymour costs between $39-$79 CAD, and you can rent full ski equipment for $50 CAD per day. 

You need a car to get to Mount Seymour during the summer, but during the winter the ski resort operates a shuttle to and from the Rupert Station. It’s fairly cheap at $15 CAD per ticket and it’s much safer if you’re not used to driving in the snow and ice. 

Related Read: If you’re planning a winter getaway, here are our picks for the best hotels around Whistler for ski trips!

8. Grouse Mountain 

• Distance from Vancouver: 12.4 kilometers (7.7 miles)  
• Time needed: 4 hours 
• What you need: Car, guided tour, gondola, hike

Grouse Mountain is one of the most popular places to visit in Vancouver, and you can easily spend a whole day here. It’s super close to downtown Vancouver, and you can either hike to the top or ride the sightseeing gondola. 

The Grouse Grind is a pretty famous hiking trail and it’s 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and I’ll warn you that it’s pretty steep. People actually get competitive about completing this trail and you can buy a timer card for $25 CAD if you want to join in the fun. 

You can only go up the Grouse Grind, so when you get to the top you’ll need to buy a one-way ticket and take the gondola back down. And if you’re not into hiking, don’t worry, because the Skyride cable car is fun too, and a lot easier. Return tickets can be purchased online for around $80 CAD.

If you visit Grouse Mountain during the summer, there’s a ton to do at the top. You can see Coola and Grinder, the resident grizzlies, watch the lumberjack and bird shows, play disc golf, and ride the Peak Chairlift to the summit. Plus, you get insane views pretty much the entire time! 

Meanwhile, in the winter, Grouse Mountain is a fantastic place to go skiing in Vancouver and also features a 743 square meter (8,000 square foot) ice rink. There’s a really fun sliding zone where you can rent a sled for $5 CAD per day, too. Basically, it transforms into a winter wonderland! 

It’s pretty easy to get from downtown Vancouver to Grouse Mountain by yourself. It’s a 20-minute drive or during the summer, free shuttles run from Canada Place every 20 minutes. 

However, if don’t have much time in Vancouver, thn you can also book a tour that combines Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge. This private tour includes skip-the-line entry to both attractions and handles all of your transport so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy your day trip. 

You’ll need at least four people and tickets are $490 CAD each, but that includes all your admission fees, transportation, and a local guide. Plus when you book online with Viator you can use the book now, pay later option which is nice for budgeting for a trip!

9. Golden Ears Provincial Park + Alouette Lake 

• Distance from Vancouver: 55.4 kilometers (34.4 miles)  
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: Car, bus

We love Golden Ears Provincial Park because of its stunning scenery and fantastic hiking trails. If you’re the outdoorsy type, this provincial park makes for a wonderful day trip from Vancouver or a good stop on the road trip from Vancouver to Golden, BC.  

My personal favorite trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park is the Gold Creek Falls Hike. It’s a fairly flat 5.5-km (3.4 mi) trail so it’s one of the nice and easy hikes in the Vancouver area, and the falls are really pretty! 

Meanwhile, avid hikers can tackle Evans Peak. It takes you to a viewpoint with gorgeous views of the park, but it’s not for the faint-hearted! This trail is known for its slippery sections and STEEP inclines that require rope assists and holding onto tree roots for grip!

However, hiking isn’t the only reason to take a day trip here. We also love hanging out by Alouette Lake. Since it’s only an hour from the city, it’s one of our favorite free things to do around Vancouver. It’s really beautiful and you can swim, kayak, canoe, and paddleboard here as you admire the peaks in the distance. It’s a bit more of a local secret than a busy tourist spot, so we trust you to keep the secret!

You can rent equipment at the southwestern tip of the lake instead of bringing it all the way from the city, which is handy.

You can either drive to Golden Ears or ParkBus operates a bus service that leaves from Burrard Station. It takes about an hour each way and costs $64 CAD round-trip, and you can book tickets via the website.

10. Cypress Provincial Park 

• Distance from Vancouver: 29.5 kilometers (18.3 miles)  
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: car

Cypress Provincial Park is yet another fantastic park close to Vancouver, and it’s a great day trip destination for anyone who loves hiking and mountain biking. There are also quite a few fun activities here for families to enjoy (like a mountain roller coaster!!), so this is a great Vancouver day trip if you’re traveling with kids. 

We love the St. Mark’s hike, which is part of the longer Howe Sound Crest Trail. St. Mark’s is an 11-km (6.8-mile) round-trip hike and the views from the top are nothing short of spectacular. 

However, beginners are better suited to the Bowen Lookout Trail, which is only 4 km/2.5 mi. You still get great views from the lookout point, but the hike only takes about an hour and a half and it’s much easier!

You can also try geocaching, which is basically a treasure hunt using GPS. There are several caches hidden in Cypress Provincial Park, so you could even end up discovering a new hobby! Or you can try ax throwing, which we always have fun doing. 

Kids (and kids at heart like us!) also love the Eagle Coaster! This monorail roller coaster is one of the best things to do in BC as it takes you right down the side of the mountain. The track is 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) long, so you can have a decent ride and it’s a nice way to take in the scenery – if you can look away from the track while speeding by!  

Cypress Park is also home to the Cypress Mountain ski area, which was used in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Or if you’re not one for skiing, there’s also a snow tubing park here which is a ton of fun. It’s pretty much impossible to get bored here!

The best way to get to Cypress Provincial Park is to drive as it’s only about 40 minutes from downtown.

11. Whale watching tour 

• Distance from Vancouver: 4 km/2.5 miles to departure point
• Time needed: 5 hours
• What you need: Guided tour

Going on a whale watching tour is one of the best things we have ever done in Vancouver. If you love these beautiful creatures as much as we do, don’t miss the chance to go on a whale watching cruise in Vancouver.

We joined this half-day tour that goes around Howe Sound, the Gulf Islands, and the San Juan Islands, loved the stunning scenery as well as keeping an eye out for whales! I even got to see orcas when I did my cruise, which was something that I had always dreamed of. 

The cruise only runs between May and October, so it’s not a winter activity, but it’s worth doing if you’re in Vancouver during the summer. During the summer months, it’s so likely that you’ll see whales that the tour company actually offers a Lifetime Sighting Guarantee. This means that if you don’t see any whales, you can go on another cruise for free until you do! 

The tour leaves from Granville Island – a quick 10-minute drive from downtown. It costs $226 CAD for adults, $182 CAD for teens, and $140 CAD for kids aged 2 to 12. Since the boat also has an indoor, heated cabin and floor-to-ceiling windows, this is something to do if it’s raining in Vancouver!

As well as the sighting guarantee, it includes a free photo package of your trip, hot drinks to warm up with, and naturalist guides who will teach you more about the whales and help you spot them. You can book your own whale watching tour online here and see how many you can see!

12. Bowen Island 

• Distance from Vancouver: 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) as the crow flies 
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: Bus or car + ferry, guided tour

Bowen Island is the perfect place for a quick island getaway. It’s the closest island to Vancouver and there’s lots to do here, so it’s an excellent choice for a day trip. 

We love the hike to Dorman Point. It’s only 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) out and back, and it takes you to a viewpoint where you can see all the way across the water to Horseshoe Bay on the mainland. 

You can also relax on Bowen Bay beach, go kayaking, walk around beautiful Killarney Lake, or visit the Copper Spirit Distillery for a cocktail tasting. It’s a really fun and relaxing place to spend the day. Day trips like this are why we love living in Vancouver so much! 

To get to Bowen Island, you can either drive or take the 257 Bus from WB W Georgia St @ Seymour St to Horseshoe Bay. Then, you can catch a BC ferry over to the island. It should take about an hour to get to Bowen Island from Vancouver if you’re driving, or 1.5 hours if you take the bus. 

You can also take this Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour to Bowen Island, which is a really fun thing to do. You start by taking a Zodiac boat, which is an inflatable sightseeing boat, from False Greek in Granville Island past famous places like Siwash Rock, Lions Gate Bridge, and Lighthouse Park. And if you’re lucky, you might see seals or even some dolphins along the way! 

Then, you get to have dinner at a restaurant on Bowen Island by the water. The price of the tour includes one alcoholic drink, but they’ll be available to purchase if you want an extra beer or glass of wine. The tour costs $189 CAD in total, and it’s definitely a fun way to do some sightseeing. You can easily book it online here!

Related Read: If you’d like to get out on the water again, we’ve done this sunset dinner cruise in Vancouver twice and wouldn’t hesitate to go again!

13. Harrison Hot Springs 

• Distance from Vancouver: 131.5 kilometers (81.7 miles) 
• Time needed: 8 hours 
• What you need: Car

Harrison Hot Springs is a scenic little town in the beautiful Fraser Valley, and we think it’s one of the best places to visit in British Columbia. 

As well as the hot springs, the town is famous for its lake. There’s a great beach that you can visit next to a man-made lagoon and it’s definitely worth spending an hour or two here on your day trip to Harrison Hot Springs. It’s pretty, but be warned that the water can be very cold! 

Or, if you prefer, you can visit Harrison Watersports, which is a giant inflatable water park right on the lake. It’s so much fun and it’s perfect for a family day out, too. For $57 CAD you can get a package that includes two hours in the waterpark, transport, a 30-minute bumper boat ride, and, crucially, a wetsuit. The water is really cold so your swimsuit alone won’t be enough!

You can also enjoy jet skiing, paddle boarding, and kayaking on the lake, or even rent a speedboat! 

And once you’ve had your fill of cold water, you can go and warm up in the mineral-rich waters of the Harrison Hot Springs public pool. The natural springs that flow into the pool were used for thousands of years by Sts’ailes First Nations people. Europeans going to the gold fields apparently found the mineral waters when their boat tipped over and they found the water wasn’t cold like they expected! The water is “cooled” to a balmy 38°C (100°F), which I think is the perfect bathing temperature, and admission costs around $10 CAD. 

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Vancouver to Harrison Hot Springs, and we think that this is a fantastic place for a day trip during the summer. But if you have more time, it’s also a stop on some of our favorite road trips leaving from Vancouver!

14. Wine tasting in Fraser Valley

• Distance from Vancouver: 123 kilometers (76.5 miles) 
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: Guided tour 

I love wine tasting, and the Fraser Valley is the perfect place to do it. With its beautiful scenery and excellent wineries, there’s really no better place to get to know Canadian wine! 

Plus, Fraser Valley is within easy reach of Vancouver. It takes just under two hours to drive from downtown Vancouver to the valley, but of course, drinking and driving don’t mix, so the best way to visit is to take a wine tour. That way, you get round-trip transport from Vancouver and between all of the different wineries, and you can just relax and enjoy your day. 

This wine tour takes you to 3-4 local wineries where you’ll get to try a great variety of local wine and enjoy lunch and snacks along the way. As well as tastings, you get to do a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the wineries to learn more about how wine is made. 

There’s a maximum of 20 people per group, so it’s a good chance to meet new people and bond over your shared love of wine. Plus, it means that no one has to miss out on all of the tasting fun because they’re the designated driver.

The tour costs $200 CAD per person (or $180 CAD each for larger groups) including transport from downtown Vancouver, tasting fees, and food, so everything is taken care of. When you book this tour, you can just relax and enjoy the gorgeous views and delicious wine. Cheers!

Related Read: Keep exploring BC (and taste more incredible wines!) on one of the wine tours in Kelowna or a wine tour in Penticton!

15. Salt Spring Island 

• Distance from Vancouver: 84.5 kilometers (52.5 miles) 
• Time needed: 10 hours 
• What you need: car or bus + ferry

Salt Spring Island is known as the “Island of the Arts” thanks to its buzzing creative scene. The island’s main village, Ganges, has so many awesome cafes, restaurants, and boutiques to check out.

We also loved the Saturday Market, which runs from April to October, so try to come here on a weekend if you can! The market has so many amazing goodies to check out, from freshly baked bread to jewelry and fine art. There’s a great atmosphere at this market, which is made even better by the live music. 

Salt Spring Island is also a fantastic place to go wine tasting. We loved visiting the Salt Spring Vineyards, where we got to taste 4 wines of our choosing for just $5 CAD! Meanwhile, the Gerry Oaks Estate Vineyard is one of the oldest wineries on the island. They grow the grapes and bottle the wines on-site, so everything is local and the views are superb.

I have to also give a shoutout to Salt Spring Wild Cider which is the most popular cidery on the island. Their ciders are made from heritage apples and pears grown right here. While you can buy their drinks at stores around the province, nothing beats sipping an ice-cold cider on the island!

There are also a ton of outdoorsy things to do on Salt Spring Island, including hiking the Mount Erskine Loop to get amazing views of Vancouver Island or chilling out next to St. Mary Lake. It’s a calm freshwater lake, so it’s great for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. 

We also loved visiting the beautiful Lavender and Black Farm, although you do need to go in season. The lavender is usually in bloom from late June to early September when it’s harvested. If you’re visiting Salt Spring Island outside of those times, it’s still worth heading to the shop to pick up some goodies such as soap, essential oils, and even lavender-infused honey! 

Honestly, we could be here for hours writing about all of the wonderful things to do on Salt Spring Island but the bottom line is, it’s definitely worth a day trip. 

To get here from Vancouver, you’ll need to head to the Tsawwassen port, which is about a 35-minute drive from the downtown area. The ferry from Vancouver to Salt Spring Island takes just under 1.5 hours and we recommend aiming for an early departure so that you can make the most of your day on Salt Spring Island. 

If you visit on a weekend, the last ferry back goes at 7:30 pm so you can even enjoy dinner on the island – we loved Auntie Pesto’s! The last ferry does take almost 3 hours though, so prepare for a pretty long day. 

Ferry tickets and times do vary slightly according to the day and how far in advance you book, but you can usually expect to pay around $30-$40 CAD for a return fare without a vehicle. 

16. Chilliwack + Bridal Veil Falls 

• Distance from Vancouver: 102 kilometers (63 miles) to Chilliwack, 117 kilometers (72.7 miles) to Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park 
• Time needed: 8 hours 
• What you need: Bus, car 

Chilliwack is a small city just over an hour’s drive from Vancouver, and you can combine it with a visit to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls for a fun day trip.

Chilliwack is nestled in the Fraser Valley, which is known for its great produce, so you can visit lots of farms nearby. We loved Klaassen Farms, which is famous for its blueberries. You can pick your own berries here which is always a fun and wholesome experience, and I highly recommend a scoop (or two) of the blueberry ice cream. 

You can also take a self-guided tour of Chilliwack’s art trail using this map. It’s an open-air gallery featuring over 30 graffiti murals that largely focus on Indigenous Canadian culture. 

If you’re a bit of a bookworm, make sure to visit The Book Man. It’s one of the largest used bookstores in British Columbia, so you can find some real bargains here. 

Meanwhile, Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park is just 15 minutes from Chilliwack on the drive between Vancouver and Hope, BC. As you can probably guess, the main attraction here is the waterfall, which is 197 feet (60 meters) tall. Its name comes from the fact that the way the water cascades over the rock face makes it look like a bridal veil. 

It’s just a 15-minute hike to Bridal Veil Falls from the parking lot, but the path is usually pretty muddy so I recommend waterproof shoes. You can swim in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall during the summer, too, so pack a swimsuit! You only need about 30-40 minutes to see the waterfall if you’re in a hurry, but if you want to stay for longer there’s a picnic area where you can hang out. 

It’s possible to take the bus from Pacific Central Station in Vancouver to Chilliwack for about $110 CAD return. However, if you want to visit Bridal Veil Falls as well, it’s faster and easier to drive. Plus, driving a rental car will probably work out cheaper, especially if you’re traveling in a group of two or more people!

17. Abbotsford

• Distance from Vancouver: 71.4 kilometers (44.3 miles) 
• Time needed: 8 hours 
• What you need: Car 

The city of Abbotsford is only a 25-minute drive from Chilliwack, but there’s so much to do here that we think it deserves its own day trip from Vancouver. 

Abbotsford is known for agriculture and farming – everything from fruits and veggies to dairy and eggs. Located in the Fraser Valley, there are lots of fun, family-friendly activities, and farm-to-table restaurants. The Bavaria Restaurant is great if you’re after a hearty meal – the schnitzel is always good and we can’t get enough of the fresh seafood!

One of the most popular things to do in Abbotsford is visit Clayburn Village, which was British Columbia’s first company town. There was once a brick plant here, but although it has been dismantled, the historic village continues to thrive. You can visit the general store and buy some British candy (or sweets, as they call them) and visit the exhibition hall to learn more about Clayburn’s history. 

You can also visit Mill Lake and complete the easy, 2.3 kilometer (1.5 mile) loop around the lake’s edge, or visit the Lepp Farm Market to pick up some of Abbotsford’s famous fresh produce. 

If you’re visiting with kids, the EcoFarm Discovery Centre is a wholesome and educational family day out. You get to meet the cows, learn more about the production of dairy products, and try some yummy frozen yogurt. There’s also an Amazing Race-style game (called the Amoozing Race) where kids can collect and solve clues all over the farm to get a prize. 

The Applebarn Pumpkin Farm is another super sweet place for families to visit. You can pick apples, berries, and strawberries here, visit the pumpkin patch and petting barn, find your way out of the corn maze, and take cute photos in the sunflower patch. Plus, there are hay rides and jumping pillows on offer, so it’s basically every kid’s dream come true! 

All in all, we think that Abbotsford is perfect for a family day trip from Vancouver, although there’s lots here that people of all ages can enjoy. The best way to get here is to drive, which should take just over an hour each way.  

18. Garibaldi Lake

• Distance from Vancouver: 100 kilometers (62 miles) 
• Time needed: 12-14 hours 
• What you need: Car, guided tour

We loved hiking to Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park. The scenery is just stunning, with lots of wildlife, bright blue lakes, and snow-capped mountains all around. 

We split the hike to Garibaldi Lake over two days and camped in the park, but it is possible to do it in a day. It’s better if you can take your time, but if you’re in great shape and don’t have much time, then you can do it in a single day. The trail and the lake itself are so beautiful that you don’t want to miss out on this one. 

The Garibaldi Lake Trail begins at the Rubble Creek Trailhead. It’s 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) each way with 820 meters/2,690 of elevation gain, so you should be a fairly experienced hiker to tackle this one. It takes 3-4 hours to get from the parking lot to the campsite, which is where the trail ends, although it’s quicker to get back to the trailhead again as you’ll be going downhill. 

Once you get to the campsite, there are other trails to explore but you won’t have time for this on a day trip. However, it’s definitely still worth hiking to Garibaldi Lake because it has to be one of the most beautiful hikes in British Columbia (which is really saying something). 

If you want to complete the Garibaldi Lake Trail on a day trip from Vancouver, you should aim to get to the park at sunrise, so it’s best to drive. There’s a Parkbus that goes from Vancouver to Rubble Creek, but it doesn’t depart until 9 am which is way too late if you only have one day!

Alternatively, you can take this photography tour, which includes round-trip transport from Vancouver and a guided hike to Garibaldi Lake. The tour will pick you up around 8 am, so it’s not a painfully early start, and drive you to the park. Your guide will know exactly where to go so you don’t need to worry about getting lost!

Along the way, you’ll learn all about how to capture amazing travel photos with your camera, whether you want to perfect using your smartphone, bring your own camera, or borrow your guide’s DSLR. It’s a small group tour with a maximum of 6 people per group, so you’ll get plenty of personalized instruction. 

We also love the fact that this tour is a one-man operation. The guide, Nafees, has been leading photography hikes in this area for over a decade, so it’s safe to say he really knows what he’s done. 

The tour costs $306 CAD for one person, $215 CAD each for two people, or $172 CAD per person for groups of 3-6. If you want to do the hike to Garibaldi Lake in a day, take some incredible photos, and come away with a new skill, we think booking this tour is a fantastic way to do it!  

19. Brewery tour of the Sunshine Coast

• Distance from Vancouver: 70.5 km (43.8 miles) as the crow flies
• Time needed: 6 hours
• What you need: Guided tour

British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is a 180-kilometer (112-mile) stretch of coastline along the mainland. It goes from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, and it’s a treasure trove of beautiful lakes, vibrant towns, and hidden beaches. 

Getting here is a bit of an adventure as access is only by plane or ferry. But since we’re big fans of the breweries in Vancouver, taking a brewery tour on the Sunshine Coast was a must! This awesome brewery tour is a great option for a day trip from Vancouver if you’re looking for a way to get out of the city and sip some amazing drinks.

You’ll visit Persephone Brewing Company, with a taproom in the style of a traditional red farmhouse, the Bricker Cider Company, and Tapworks Brewery, where you can enjoy beer out on the deck, overlooking the water. 

This tour is another one-man operation and the guy who runs it, Douglas, is super knowledgeable and will provide you with some great recommendations. Getting around the Sunshine Coast can be a bit complicated but with this tour, all you need to do is kick back and relax as you drink beer amid the magnificent scenery! 

The tour costs $149 CAD per person and drinks are on your own account. You’ll have to make your way to the Langdale Ferry Terminal and pay the fair (only about $14 CAD round trip), but Douglas meets you right at the terminal and is your personal guide for the entire trip.

The tour also includes a delicious charcuterie board for lunch and since it’s a personalized tour you can always make some adjustments. For example, if your group prefers cider to beer, you can focus the tour more on that! So for a VIP day on the Sunshine Coast – complete with drinks – don’t miss booking this private tour!

20. Porteau Cove Provincial Park

• Distance from Vancouver: 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) 
• Time needed: 6 hours 
• What you need: Car

The lookout at Porteau Cove Provincial Park is another popular stop on the Sea to Sky Highway when driving from Vancouver to Squamish. However, if you’ve already been to Squamish then the park itself is also worthy of a day trip. 

Porteau Cove Provincial Park is just a 45-minute drive north of Vancouver, and there’s a ton to do here. You can walk the 2.1-kilometer (1.3-mile) Lookout Trail for beautiful views of Howe Sound, and you’ll even pass a cliff-jumping spot if you’re a bit of a daredevil. We love this walk because, between March and October, you can spot lots of sea life along the way – including orcas, if you’re lucky! 

You can also bring kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to Porteau Cove Provincial Park and head out on the calm waters. But best of all, you can even go scuba diving here! There are three shipwrecks in the marine park to explore that were purposely sunk to explore. The biggest one is a WWII minesweeper that’s around 27 meters/90 feet underwater depending on the tide, and there are over 100 species of marine life to be found here. 

There are also lots of picnic spots throughout the park and after dark, it’s an amazing place to stargaze. So if you don’t mind driving back to Vancouver at night, then stick around to see the sky light up!

21. Joffre Lakes

• Distance from Vancouver: 182 kilometers (113 miles)
• Time needed: 10-12 hours
• What you need: Car, bus

This is the longest day trip from Vancouver on our list, but I couldn’t leave this one out! Hiking Joffre Lakes is a must-do as each of the alpine lakes here (there are three!) seems to be more beautiful than the next.

All the lakes are in Joffre Lake Provincial Park along the Joffre Lakes Trail which is a 9.4 km (5.8 mi) round-trip hike filled with scenery that’s among the best in Canada – icefields, snow-topped mountains, a pine forest, and those vibrant blue lakes. Hiking to all three lakes (my fave is Middle Joffre Lake!) took me around 2 hours, but can take up to 3 hours as it’s pretty steep the entire way.

If you are planning to hike at Joffre Lakes, you’ll need a day-use pass – but good news, it’s completely free! These passes are required from May-October to prevent the park from getting too busy. The passes open up online at 7 am two days before a planned visit, although you can grab one closer to the date if some are still available.

Now, if you’re driving yourself, the parking situation can be challenging. The parking lot looks big, but it’s often completely full by 8-9 am in the summer. We typically leave our Vancouver apartment at 4 am to make it for a relaxed morning hike before the crowds and guarantee we get a coveted parking spot!

If that sounds too stressful, the Vancouver to Joffre Lakes ParkBus service operates on weekends and holidays from June to September. It costs $108 CAD for a return ticket leaving from downtown Vancouver at 8:30 am and returning to the same spot about 12 hours later.

If you have a bit of extra time and want to stay overnight, camping is allowed at the Upper Joffre Lake campground. There are 26 sites here that must be booked in advance on the BC Parks camping website. If you have a campsite booked, you won’t need a day pass. We like the sites here as there’s still a lot of privacy as they are all located at different elevations.

22. Lynn Canyon

• Distance from Vancouver: 15.7 kilometers (9.7 miles)
• Time needed: 4 hours
• What you need: Car, SeaBus + bus, guided tour

Lynn Canyon is one of those places that is even better than the pictures! We’ve been back many times since living in Vancouver and it’s one of our favorite spots to take family and friends whenever they come to visit.

This huge park is completely free to visit and only 25 minutes from the center of Vancouver, but it feels worlds away. The biggest draw to the park is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge above the forest. It’s 50 meters (164 feet) high – basically the size of a 15-story building!

All of the trails at Lynn Canyon are really well-maintained and easy to wander along – even if hiking isn’t your thing! We saw lots of kids and families enjoying their time here. Lynn Canyon is part of the huge Baden Powell Trail we mentioned earlier that goes to Deep Cove, but there’s no need to plan for a huge hike – most people spend a couple hours here to see the bridges, waterfalls, and Lynn Canyon Ecology Center.

It’s easy to drive to Lynn Canyon over either the Lions Gate Bridge or Iron Workers Bridge to North Vancouver. Parking here is $3 CAD an hour from March-October and the parking lot gets pretty full during summer. To avoid parking hassles, we typically hop on the SeaBus (ferry) from the Waterfront Station in Gastown. Then catch the #229 or #228 bus from the Lonsdale Quay Bus Loop.

If you are driving here, we recommend coming in the morning – as early as you can. We arrived right at 9 am and when we were leaving a couple hours later, there was a line to cross the suspension bridge!

Another option is joining this Lynn Canyon photography tour which includes transportation and a guide who doubles as a professional photographer. Your guide will help you capture amazing photos with your phone or borrow a DSLR camera for no extra charge. The best part is you’ll get professional-quality pics after your tour!

It’s a great way to guarantee some amazing postcard-worthy photos of your trip and learn some tips from a pro in a beautiful setting. So check availability and book online here for $92-$153 CAD each depending on group size.

Lynn Canyon is open all year long and is really beautiful in all different seasons. It’s even fun to walk here in the rain – the forest is just as beautiful and it’s much less busy!

Related Read: If you have more than a day, read about the best Vancouver to Banff tours here! They run from 2-8 days and cover so many gorgeous sites along the way.

Other Things to do While You’re in Vancouver

While taking a few day trips from Vancouver is fun, don’t forget to leave time to explore the city itself! Vancouver 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:

• 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 the views from the air are breathtaking. This seaplane ride lasts for 20 minutes and costs $168 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 while in Vancouver. 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 that takes you to some of the city’s best restaurants in the area of Gastown.

• See Granville Island – Granville Island has such a fun energy and you can easily spend an afternoon wandering through the streets seeing the street performers, checking out the famous Granville Public Markets, or hitting Granville Island Brewing. If you’re short on time or want a stress-free stop, there are some Granville Island tours we love like this VIP market access tour where you’ll get to sample all the best foods!

• 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 the perfect place to relax. It’s also our favorite place to watch the sunset.

• Visit the aquarium – The Vancouver Aquarium is home to some 65,000 animals, from adorable penguins to stunning tropical fish! Whether you’ve got little kids who dream of swimming with mermaids or bigger kids who love all things ‘shark’, it’s an amazing place for families, as well as anyone with a love for animals! It’s also a great activity for those looking for things to do in Vancouver when it rains.

Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada

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 one of the top places to stay in Vancouver.

Here are a few great hotels in Van that we love:

The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $

If you’re traveling on a budget, look no further than The Cambie Hostel. It’s located in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants, and there’s also a great bar attached to the hostel too.

It can always be a bit of a gamble trying out a budget hostel, but from our own experience, this one is a real gem! While the bathrooms are a little bit small, the rooms are clean, there’s free Wi-Fi and the staff are really happy to help you out with anything you need. Private rooms here start at $100 CAD or bunks in dorm rooms are more around the $50 CAD mark. You can book your stay over on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com!

Times Square Suites – $$

For a beautiful hotel close to Stanley Park you can’t pass over the Times Square Suites. Toeing the line between affordability and comfort, it’s very hard to fault this hotel and its location in Vancouver’s west end is nothing short of perfect!

We stayed in their one-bedroom suite, and I’ve got to say I had the most restful sleep in that bed that I’ve had in weeks! Rooms here start at $224 CAD per night and can be booked over on Booking.com.

Hyatt Regency Vancouver – $$$

The Hyatt Regency is situated right between Gastown and Stanley Park, so right in the heart of Van’s action. As you can imagine, this is a luxury hotel stay at a well-known hotel chain, so you know your stay will be top-notch.

With a 42″ flat-screen TV is provided in every room. free Wi-Fi, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, the views of downtown Van don’t get much better than this. The Mosaic Bar and Grill serves some truly amazing food, and if you fancy something a bit stronger, the Grain Tasting Bar has some awesome signature cocktails. Book a luxurious stay here online.

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!

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!

Thanks for reading!

Vancouver is one of our favorite cities in Canada, not only because of how much there is to see in the city, but all the places to go nearby! Hopefully, this guide on the best day trips from Vancouver has given you lots of ideas for where to go. Whether you’re looking for some incredible hikes, beaches, mountain scenery, or just new adventures, a day trip from Vancouver is worth adding to your itinerary!

If you need more inspiration or travel tips before heading to Vancouver, make sure to have a look around at our other blogs on BC’s West Coast or leave us a comment or question below!

How to Spend 4 Days in Vancouver – By a Local!

16 BEST Hot Springs in BC, Canada

6 BEST Vancouver City Tours

22 BEST Things to do in Golden, BC in Summer