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Heading to Vancouver for a weekend away? Well, first of all, I am jealous – we absolutely love Vancouver!
Second of all, I’m here to help. We used to live in Vancouver and know just how many awesome things there are to do in this city.
To help sort out your plans, we put together this streamlined weekend itinerary that hits the best sights and has top tips that only us locals know. If you’re looking for outdoor adventure and some bucket-list experiences (like a sunset dinner cruise, perhaps?) we have included it all for an epic couple days in Van!
Day 1
Breakfast – Jam Cafe
Let’s kick off this weekend itinerary with breakfast at my favorite spot: Jam Cafe! They have two locations one in Yaletown and the other in Kitsilano, but we prefer the Yaletown spot.
If you’re after a hearty breakfast, you’ll certainly find it here. Jam Cafe makes amazing southern-inspired dishes, like fried chicken french toast and pulled pork pancakes. I opted for the buffalo blue eggs benedict, and oh boy was it good – but definitely filling! They also make specialty coffees, I had the lavender latte and it was the perfect pair to my benny.
You can swing by the Jam Cafe from 8 am to 3 pm on weekends and until 2:30 pm on weekdays. Like most highly-rated brunch spots, this one can get very busy on the weekends, so I recommend coming early (even a few minutes before they open!).
Morning – Granville Island
Now that you’re plenty full, it’s time to start exploring. Granville Island is the perfect place to begin, as there are loads of things to explore (check out our full guide on Granville Island here!). Don’t be fooled by the name, this isn’t an island but a peninsula! You can get there via taxi/Uber, but we always take the Aquabus ferry. Plan on spending the full morning exploring this part of the city.
You can get incredible views of Vancouver on the Aquabus ferry, it’s like a mini cruise! The ferry terminal is located just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Jam Cafe and departs every 5 minutes. So simply wander over whenever you finish breakfast and grab the next ferry. You can buy tickets on the day for $8 CAD roundtrip or $6.50 CAD if you book online.
Once you get to Granville Island, the top thing to do is explore the Granville Island Public Market. This is a massive market with hundreds of vendors selling anything you can think of. I love wandering through the market and seeing the local art, checking out the street performers, and of course, stopping by Granville Island Brewing for lunch.
Another great way to explore Granville Island is by taking a guided tour. We joined this 2-hour walking tour which gave us such an insight into the city and the history of the market. Worth noting that this is a food tour, so you will want to skip breakfast because you will eat a lot, trust me.
This tour is $185 CAD (although sometimes it’s on sale for even cheaper!) and departs from the Granville Market at 10:30 am, giving you plenty of time to get there and have a relaxed morning.
This tour has hundreds of 5-star reviews – check them out and book your tour here!
Lunch
As I said earlier, there is a ton to explore on Granville Island, and you’ll spend the full morning here. At some point, you’re going to get hungry again, and you’re in luck because there are some great food options on the island.
Check out the food stalls in the public market or hit one of the many restaurants around. For our seafood lovers, you will be thrilled to find The Lobster Man which is right around the corner from the market. They make some incredible lobster rolls, and if you’ve never had a lobster roll before – you need to here!
If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, The Sandbar is our preferred option. Their lunch menu features sushi, poké, or seared scallops. This is also a short walk from the market!
But our usual go-to spot for lunch is Granville Island Brewing Co. They make some of the best craft beer in Vancouver and we love the location. Our favorite brews are the Island Lager and the Juice Box Hazy IPA, but you really can’t go wrong! They serve typical pub fare but it’s tasty all the same. Even if you don’t grab lunch here, it’s worth a stop for a pint.
Afternoon – Stanley Park
Next, we are going to visit one of the most iconic parts of Vancouver. Stanley Park is a massive park in the middle of the city, it’s even bigger than Central Park in New York! You can imagine that there is a lot to explore and some really unique parts of this park. Vancouver is an outdoor lover’s city after all!
You can reach Stanley Park by a 15-minute Uber ride from Granville Island. Like I said, there’s a lot to see here so we like to rent bikes and ride around to maximize our time. You can find a lot of bike rental shops right at the park entrance and rentals are about $20 CAD for 1.5 hours.
The Seawall Trail is my favorite bike path, it’s 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) and follows the coast. You can see the ocean, mountain tops, and skyline all along this route, it’s incredible! Plus, you can bike this in about 1.5 to 2 hours, so it’s perfect for the afternoon.
If you want to learn more about Stanley Park as you pedal, I highly recommend joining this small group cycling tour. They provide bikes and helmets, plus your local guide who tells all about the history and significance of the park. It’s 3 hours long and also stops by Third Beach and the famous totem poles.
And if you’re looking for an inclusive tour, you can book this tour of Granville Island and Stanley Park, which makes your day of exploring seamless! They provide transport and can arrange hotel pick-up, and they will also pass by Chinatown and Gastown, letting you see more of the city.
This is a great option if this is your first time in Van and want a relaxed way to explore the city. The tour departs at 10 am or 3 pm, so we suggest booking the morning tour to fit into the itinerary. This tour has nearly 1,000 5-star reviews, so you know it’s a good experience! You can check the details and book it in advance here.
Optional add-on: Vancouver Aquarium
If you love animals, a stop by the Vancouver Aquarium is essential! It is located within Stanley Park, so it’s easy to tag onto this itinerary and honestly a lot of fun for all ages (we always really enjoy visiting!).
Not only is this a great place to see marine life, but known as one of the best aquariums in Canada. So believe me when I tell you this is a fun Vancouver activity!
The Aquarium is committed to animal rescue, research, and environmental stewardship. They also offer educational programs to help visitors learn more about animals and how to care for them. The aquarium has put a ban on dolphins and whales, which is great to see! But you can still see some amazing animals, like otters, seals, reef sharks, turtles, and more.
It can get super busy here and I’ve actually seen people turned away if they don’t reserve tickets before you go. Be sure to reserve tickets online ahead of time here! Prices vary between $42 and $57 CAD for adults (13-64) and $26-$33 CAD for kids, depending on the date and time you choose.
It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, and if you are here before 2 pm you can see the feedings – my favorite part! You’ll need about 2 hours to see everything.
Sunset
I am a sucker for a good sunset, so we love to add this to our agenda whenever we get the chance.
Vancouver has to be my favorite city to see the sunset in all of Canada because there are dozens of beaches to choose from. The best is arguably Sunset Beach (can you guess how it got its name?) and it’s located just a 20-minute walk from the entrance of Stanley Park. Even though this is a great sunset spot, it’s nice and quiet, perfect if you’re on a romantic weekend away.
Another great option is Second Beach, and no, it’s not second best, that’s just a coincidence! They have a heated outdoor pool for $7 CAD, so it’s a unique way to see the sun go down. English Bay Beach is a busier option, but if you’re looking for a lively sunset spot, this is the place to be. They have a volleyball court and locals love to hang out here, and you can sip on some cocktails at the Cactus Club that overlooks the beach!
But our absolute favorite sunset spot, drumroll please, is Kitsilano Beach! It’s about a 15-minute drive outside the city, but this allows you to see the entire skyline, the mountains, and the gorgeous water as the sun sets. The vibe is relaxed and there’s even a saltwater pool if you want to go for a swim!
Kitsilano is home to some of Vancouver’s best restaurants, so we love stopping for dinner here. Danbo Ramen is a standout, and it’s always busy so you know it’s good! A bowl of high-quality ramen is only $12 to $18 CAD, so it’s not going to break the bank either.
Optional – Sunset Whale Watching Tour
If you want to take your sunset experience to the next level, I highly recommend joining this sunset whale watching tour. Vancouver is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, and the sunset is even more magical! You’ll spend about 5 hours cruising around with the expert crew who points out wildlife and gives tons of info about them.
The best part about this tour is that you are guaranteed to see a whale, and if you don’t on this tour, you can come back to any of their locations and go on another tour until you do! This tour is $215-$224 CAD, takes place on a large catamaran, and has floor-to-ceiling windows so even if the weather isn’t ideal, you can see wildlife.
Read the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book your sunset whale-watching cruise 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.
Dinner
Vancouver is a foodie city, there are hundreds of amazing restaurants featuring cuisines from all over the world. Luckily, we are Vancouver locals and love eating out, so we will narrow down some options to help you choose.
Minami is our favorite sushi restaurant, made by traditionally trained Japanese chefs. This is an upscale restaurant, but the delicious food reflects it! I highly recommend booking a table online because everyone loves Minami.
MeeT is located in Yaletown and has a unique offering of vegan comfort food, but you can’t even tell it’s vegan! I loved their vegan poutine. On the total opposite end of the spectrum, DownLow Chicken is a great fast food option serving up amazing fried chicken.
For a lively night out, we love going to Score on Davie, located on Davie St! It’s a sports pub with wide menu offerings, from burgers to tacos and Asian fusion. They are known for their Caesar cocktails, which is a Canadian rendition of a Bloody Mary (and to be honest it’s even better!).
Score on Davie is Vancouver famous for their Caesars because they also offer toppings like sliders, mac and cheese balls, or even chicken wings! This sounds like the ultimate hangover cure, and it will cost you a pretty penny at $60 CAD, but what an experience!
Related Read: Looking for some adventure? Grab your mixtape and check out our 8 BEST Road Trips from Vancouver blog!
Day 2
Breakfast – Medina Cafe
With so many amazing breakfast options in the city, we can’t let you settle for hotel breakfast! Another one of our faves is Medina Cafe, which is a Mediterranean-style cafe making oh-so-fresh dishes.
We tried the frittata with braised beef and a dish that had peppers, roasted potatoes, and grilled focaccia on our last visit, and it was all so tasty! They offer some great vegetarian and meat-based dishes, so everyone loves it here.
This is yet another popular brunch spot, and they don’t open until 9 am, giving you a chance to sleep in a bit. This is a weekend getaway after all!
They offer reservations by donation, so you will pay $10 CAD per person and they partner with local charities that rotate every quarter. While this adds to your budget, it’s a cool concept! They do have a handful of tables available for walk-ins if you don’t get around to making a reservation.
Morning – Lynn Canyon or Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver is a city that is made for outdoors lovers, so today we will be outside almost all day. You get to choose between visiting Lynn Canyon or Capilano Suspension Bridge, both are fun suspension bridge parks with some different perks. Our favorite is Capilano Suspension Bridge (we’ll explain below) but Lynn Canyon is free to enter. So depending on your budget, this might be the better option.
Lynn Canyon
Lynn Canyon is full of excellent hiking trails. Its iconic suspension bridge hangs 50 meters (164 feet) over the canyon, and you can find the gorgeous Twin Falls and the 30 Foot Pool.
We spend a few hours here and enjoy the easy hiking trails. During the summer, you can go for a swim in the 30 Foot Pool and stop in the Ecology Center to learn more about the area. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s important to know that the trails aren’t stroller-friendly.
The biggest perk of visiting Lynn Canyon is that it’s free to enter! The easiest way to get here is by driving, but only when the traffic isn’t heavy. During these high-traffic times, it’s actually quicker to take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station in Gastown to Lonsdale Quay. It’s way more fun too!
Tickets for the SeaBus are $4.55 CAD or get a day pass for $11.25 CAD and that covers all public transport fees! Check the SeaBus schedule online. Once you arrive in Londonsdale Quay, you can take the #228 bus to the Lynn Valley Rd stop.
For more details, check out our full guide to visiting Lynn Canyon here!
Capilano Suspension Bridge
While we love the price of Lynn Canyon, we think Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is much more impressive. It’s more than just the suspension bridge, it also has more hiking trails, Kia’palano totem poles, and the Cliffwalk which is a boardwalk on the side of a cliff! You’ll also find a restaurant, gift shop, and kids’ educational area. We usually spend about 4 hours here and wrote an entire guide to visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Tickets to the Capilano Suspension Bridge are $67 CAD during the low season and $81 CAD during the summer. We definitely recommend booking your tickets in advance, as this is a popular attraction.
While it’s a bit pricier than Lynn Canyon, there’s a lot more offered and the views are more impressive in my opinion. So if it’s within your budget, we think it’s worth the money!
It is much easier to get to Capilano, as they offer a free shuttle service. The Capilano shuttle departs from Canada Place, the Hyatt Regency, or the Blue Horizon Hotel. The schedule changes throughout the year, so double-check the details before you go!
Grab your admission tickets in advance with FREE cancellation!
Lunch
If you’re over at Capilano Suspension Bridge, you might as well stop by the Cliff House Restaurant & Bar for lunch! The views are amazing, as it sits at the top of a cliff, and the food is so satisfying! I love a pint of beer after a hike, so this is the perfect place to enjoy it.
If you’re not quite ready for lunch, our next stop has another wow-worthy restaurant choice.
Altitudes Bistro is located at the top of Grouse Mountain. This has even better views than Cliff House, and its vibe is relaxed and casual. The menu consists of traditional pub fare such as sandwiches and burgers, and they have a lot of gluten-free and vegetarian options.
They have daily specials, so if you’re truly following this weekend itinerary on the weekend, you can get Double Caesars for only $10.95 CAD on Sundays! Otherwise, the mains are on average $24 CAD, which isn’t terrible considering its location.
Afternoon – Grouse Mountain
We said today would be all about the outdoors and we weren’t kidding! Grouse Mountain is so much fun to explore, not just for the gondola ride and incredible views, but there’s so much to do up at the top.
The Skyride gondola is a fan favorite (and our personal favorite) and tickets are $81 CAD. While it’s a bit pricey, you’ll spend hours at the top and get to enjoy breathtaking views of the city below. It’s one of the best gondola rides I’ve ever been on! I recommend booking your Skyride tickets in advance here, they offer free cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Once you’re at the top, you can check out the hiking trails, go ziplining, or play some disc golf. They also have a glass-viewing pod inside of a wind turbine called The Eye of the Wind. Or catch one of the lumberjack shows to see some stereotypical Canadian activities. I really love the Birds in Motion show that has gorgeous birds of prey like Golden Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks.
But the real draw is seeing the two resident Grizzly bears at the wildlife sanctuary! They are so cute (when you’re a safe distance away). If you’re visiting during the winter, you can also ski, snowshoe, ice skate, or sled at the top. There truly is so much to do at Grouse Mountain, we never tire of visiting.
Before you visit, read our guide to visiting Grouse Mountain so you can get all the details of activities, and how to get there!
If you’re looking for a truly seamless day, you can join this tour that visits both the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain! This tour takes care of all transportation and entrance fees, including hotel pickup. It is 5.5 hours in total and leaves you 1.5 hours at each park, which is the perfect amount of time in my opinion.
This tour is $224 CAD per person. I personally love the convenience of a full-day tour, especially if you don’t have a car and don’t want to deal with public transportation. This is one of the top-rated tours in Vancouver, so be sure to book tickets ahead of time!
You can book your Grouse Mountain Skyride Gondola tickets here or the Capilano and Grouse Mountain combo tour here!
Night
As we reach the end of our weekend in Vancouver, we saved our favorite activity for last! We absolutely loved our experience on this Sunset Harbor Cruise and recommend it to any sort of traveler!
We saw Vancouver’s best sights from the boat deck, including the Lions Gate Bridge and Kitsilano Beach, and sipped on wine as the sun went down. It was as magical as it sounds!
They also have live entertainment on board to set the mood, and the food was also worth a shout-out, it was amazing! It was a buffet, but so fresh, including roast beef, salmon, seasonal salads, and desserts.
Our cruise departed at 7 pm, so be sure to get there earlier. We spent 2.5 hours cruising along the harbor, and for $211 CAD we thought the price was well worth the luxury! This included dinner and entertainment, but we had to pay for drinks on our own.
I can’t think of a better way to wind down your weekend getaway, so don’t miss out on this popular tour! For even more details, read about our experience on the Vancouver Sunset Cruise.
Check availability and book the same cruise we went on in advance here!
Late Night – Keefer Bar
For one last hoorah on your weekend itinerary, you have to stop by The Keefer Bar in Chinatown! This is one of our favorite places to hang out and sip cocktails. What better way to finish off a fun few days in Vancouver?
This bar is super unique because it’s inspired by a Chinese apothecary, so the atmosphere is dark, cozy, and eclectic. This bar has actually been ranked as the second-best bar in Canada for the last three years, crafting over 25 unique cocktails – which is the real draw for visiting! The Keefer Bar is a local hot spot and a total hidden gem, so don’t tell the other locals that we let you in on the secret!
You can conveniently find The Keefer Bar on Keefer St from 4 pm to 1 or 2 am. I highly recommend making reservations a few days in advance, because even though it’s a local hidden gem, it’s still pretty popular. You can also find live music, DJs, and Happy Hour from 4 to 6 pm.
Related Read: Turn your weekend in Vancouver into a romantic getaway – check out our guide on planning the most romantic honeymoon in Vancouver here!
Have more time?
If you have a bit more time before your flight home or are looking for additional activities in this weekend’s itinerary, we have one more thing to squeeze in! We went on this seaplane tour over Vancouver and had such an incredible experience, that we couldn’t recommend a weekend in the city without mentioning it.
A seaplane (also called a floatplane) takes off and lands in the water. Since Vancouver is a city surrounded by water, this is one of the best places you can ride in a seaplane. While it was a little freaky trusting that this piece of machinery would float, it also made the experience even more epic!
If you just have a bit of time in the morning, we recommend this 20-minute seaplane tour. It’s short and sweet but gives incredible views of Vancouver before you head out, and it’s budget-friendly at $177 CAD. There are multiple departure times, but it’s best to book it as far in advance to secure your spot.
Check all the departure times and book your seaplane tour ahead of time here!
Where to Stay in Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada! If you’re only coming for a weekend, you’ll want to stay somewhere central to maximize your time.
Regardless of what time of year you visit, accommodations can fill up fast. So check out our full blog on where to stay in Vancouver or some of our favorite places below and make sure to book your stay well in advance.
Hyatt Regency Vancouver – $$$
The Hyatt Regency is situated right in the middle of all of the activities on this list. Rooms are spacious, super clean, and have floor-to-ceiling windows with awesome views of downtown Vancouver. The hotel has everything you could need on-site including a gym, business center, heated pool and hot tub, bar, restaurant, and even a Starbucks to start your mornings!
There are suites and rooms of all types with prices starting around $300 CAD. To book this top-notch luxury stay, check availability online here!
Times Square Suites – $$
Times Square Suites is a beautiful hotel close to both Stanley Park and the Seaplane Terminal – two stops on our itinerary! There’s a free gym nearby and a rooftop patio with great views of the surrounding area. We stayed in their one-bedroom suite, and had a super restful sleep thanks to their plush beds! Rooms start as low as $202 CAD when booked in advance online.
The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $
The Cambie Hostel is a great budget choice for backpackers and travelers looking to stay in the heart of Gastown. It’s close to many of Gastown’s best restaurants, and there’s also a great bar attached to the hostel. The bathrooms are a bit cramped, but the rooms are clean, there’s free Wi-Fi, and the staff is really friendly and helpful.
Beds in dorm rooms start at $50 CAD and private rooms are also available more around the $110 CAD mark, so book ahead on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com to snag this deal!
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!
As you can see from this busy itinerary, there is so much to do in Vancouver, I know you will have an amazing weekend getaway! This is one of our favorite cities in the world with great access to the outdoors, amazing restaurants and bars, and unique culture down every street. Trying to fit it all into one weekend is difficult, so hopefully you can come back again!
Thanks so much for reading! If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other Canada travel guides. We have heaps of resources and love sharing our travel experiences. Here are a few to get you started:
33 EPIC Things to do in Vancouver in Summer
15 Absolute BEST Tours in Vancouver (that you don’t want to miss!)