18 Fun Things to do on Granville Island, Vancouver & Guide to Visiting

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Vancouver, British Columbia, is known as an outdoor lovers paradise, and with the ocean, mountains, and forests all around, it’s easy to know why! It’s also a world-class city with great food, shopping, and entertainment.  

But of all the top things to do in Vancouver, spending a day at Granville Island is an absolute must. This not-quite-an-island island is a little getaway in the middle of the city. There is more than meets the eye here, from incredible restaurants to art galleries and even whale watching. It’s a must-add to your Vancouver itinerary!

So if you’re ready to visit Granville Island, then this blog is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a complete guide to visiting Granville Island, Vancouver, including how to get there, the best tours to Granville Island, where to stay, and of course, the best things to do.

18 Things to do on Granville Island, Vancouver

1. Visit the Granville Island Public Market 

The Granville Island Public Market is iconic and absolutely must be your first stop when visiting Granville Island. It is an indoor market with so many different stalls and shops selling seasonal produce, delicious pastries, handcrafted products, fresh seafood, and beautiful gifts. You can honestly explore for hours, checking out all the amazing local products! 

The best way to experience the market is to just wander. Get yourself lost, try some free samples, talk to the stall owners, and purchase a few things to eat! It’s also a great place to pick up a souvenir or gift from a local artisan.

We had a hard time deciding where to start, so we took this Granville Island Public Market food tour to hear from the experts. This tour is unique because it’s led by a chef, so you learn about the rich culinary history of the market! You’ll try all the best products in the market that are famous around Vancouver including Canadian cheeses, maple salmon, homemade bread, and more. This two-hour tour is $112 CAD and includes all your tastings – food lovers should book this tour in advance, as it’s popular!

If you love pairing wine with your delicious food, this guided food and wine tour will be perfect! Come hungry because you’ll try 20 different dishes, such as truffle salami, artisanal cheese, and locally sourced wine – wow! This 2-hour food tour meets at Granville Island Public Market and includes all of your food and wine tastings, your local guide, and a plethora of culinary knowledge. You can book this tour in advance for $185 CAD.

We loved our experience with a Granville Island food tour because it was a unique way to see the public market! Regardless of which you choose, it will be a memorable and tasty experience. The Granville Island Public Market is open from 9 am to 6 pm every day, including holidays.

Related Read: Need more indoor activities in Vancouver? Check out all the best things to do in Vancouver when it rains!

2. Go whale watching

If you didn’t know already, Vancouver is one of the best places to go whale watching on the entire west coast!

This Sunset Whale Watching Adventure Tour from Granville Island is one of my favorite ways to take in all the beauty of Vancouver while getting up close and personal with the whales. Sail aboard the Salish Sea Dream through the Howe Sound towards the Georgia Straight, admiring the stunning city and mountain views.

With this tour company, you can expect a quality experience and guaranteed whale spotting (or a future whale tour voucher to be redeemed anytime). When we went, our crew instantly made us feel super safe and explained all the beauty of the ecosystems we were passing. They also take amazing photos, which are included in the tour price!

The ship is built for sightseeing with multiple viewing decks. And if the weather is cold, you can enjoy your experience from inside the heated cabin (featuring floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed views of the water).

This tour lasts for 5 hours and meets up on Granville Island, so you can spend time exploring before or after your tour! This whale watching experience is $235 CAD and should be booked in advance, as it is popular.

With over 3,000 positive reviews on Viator, you know this is an experience to boast about! Don’t just take our word for it, check out the reviews and book your tour in advance here.

Related Read: You can find other fun experiences on the water with our list of the best Granville Island boat tours!

3. Enjoy beer from Granville Island Brewing 

Those who know us know we love craft beer. You’ll often find breweries in our city guides, and why not? Craft beer is so delicious. The Pacific Northwest is the mecca for craft beer, so you have to grab a pint (or two) while here!

Granville Island Brewing Co. is one of my favorite breweries in Vancouver and in all of Canada! You can purchase their beer all over the country but, it never tastes as fresh as it does from the brewery on Granville Island. Their brewery is also one of Canada’s original microbreweries being founded in 1984.

You’ll find all of their craft brews as well as seasonal beers and limited editions at their bar and tasting room. Hang out here for a bit and get a flight to try even more of their beers! I recommend trying their classic Northwest Pale Ale, or if you’re here in the summer, try their seasonal Peach Sour.

Granville Island Brewing is a spot not to miss for some of the best beers in the region!

If you’re a true craft beer enthusiast, consider taking a brewery tour in Vancouver. While they don’t stop at Granville Island Brewing on this 3-hour tour, you’ll get to explore more of Vancouver’s legendary brewing scene and try an array of creations. I was so impressed by our guide, as they had such a deep knowledge of the brews and it made me appreciate what I was sipping on, even more! You can check the details and book this brewery tour in advance for $125 CAD.

4. Enjoy waterfront drinks  

Granville Island is located in a beautiful area of the city and is surrounded on all sides by the Burrard Inlet. There are tons of places to grab a drink with a view of the ocean and city in the background, or of the Granville Island Marina. 

The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant and Dockside Restaurant are both popular Vancouver restaurants that have amazing views from their patios or indoor dining rooms. Bridges has more of a casual menu serving items like burgers, sandwiches, bowls, and salads whereas Dockside has more elevated items such as flatbreads, seafood, and steaks.

Make sure to check out their websites for their happy hour times! For something extra special, visit at sunset for an amazing view – perfect for any couples visiting Vancouver on a honeymoon!

5. Watch the street performers 

It is very common to see street performers around Granville Island! It is a pedestrian-friendly area, with small outdoor plazas and squares where crowds will often gather to watch.

Some regular performers and buskers perform in 5 designated bustling locations throughout Granville Island. You can actually find them here as well as info on each performer.

You are likely to see a variety of acts, including musicians, magicians, and circus acts like juggling. Most buskers will send around a basket to collect donations after their performance, so if you enjoyed it, you can support their art by providing a small donation.  

6. Ride the Aquabus 

This item is both fun and practical! The Aquabus is a water taxi service that takes you in between eight different stops along False Creek – an inlet that goes into the center of downtown Vancouver. The Aquabus has a dock at Granville Island, so you can use it to get to and from the area or simply hop on and go for a ride – the views are pretty spectacular!   

Some of the other popular destinations on the Aquabus route are The Village (access to Science World) and Plaza of Nations (access to BC Place). 

Alternatively, you can also ride with False Creek Ferries to get to Granville Island. Prices are very similar, and both companies visit Granville Island.

The views of Vancouver are beautiful from the water, and it’s a fun and unique way to explore the city. You can go on a 20-minute guided mini cruise for $9.50 CAD or purchase roundtrip tickets for anywhere between $6 -$14 CAD. Day passes are also available for $19 CAD. 

Related Read: For more amazing views of the city, take a Vancouver sunset dinner cruise – we’ve done it twice and want to go again!

7. Visit the Kids Market 

If you’re traveling with kids, the Kid’s Market is absolutely worth a stop. It starts with a child-size door to enter through, and then you are in the middle of any kids’ fantasy!

There are over 25 stores and activities for families. There are some of the most unique and creative toy stores in addition to a multi-level play area with an arcade and bumper cars.  

While your kids are having fun and exploring, you can relax with a bite to eat or coffee at the café. Many of the shops in the Kid’s Market are by local creators, so it’s a great place to pick up a gift for a baby shower or birthday party. There is even a kids-only salon!

8. Go shopping

Granville Island is a unique shopping destination because it has so many local, unique, and quirky shops. This isn’t your typical mall shopping experience!  

Some of the more interesting shops to check out include Beadworks (more crafting beads than you’ve ever seen in your life!), the Hamuhk Hangout Place (a designated hammock store with options from Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia), or the Granville Island Broom Company (handcrafted brooms of all different designs). 

This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the fun and creative shops on Granville Island. Many stores sell indigenous artwork or products, so you can take home a piece of history and culture. You shouldn’t have any issue picking out a special souvenir to take home from your stay in Vancouver! 

9. Check out the art galleries 

In addition to the quirky and creative shops, there are plenty of art galleries on Granville Island – nearly 30 of them! There are art galleries of all different kinds of mediums, from painting to sculpture to glassblowing.  

Granville Island used to be home to the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art + Design, though it has now moved elsewhere in the city. A new non-profit arts education organization has moved into the old Emily Carr building – Arts Umbrella – keeping the artistic spirit alive and well in Granville Island! 

You can follow the official Granville Island Art Walk which takes you to 10 art-filled locations. This gives you a true taste of the Granville Island culture and lets you see a more local side of things.

Related Read: Exploring some more? Be sure to make the scenic drive from Vancouver to Whistler. This road is stunning and full of exciting places to stop and check out!

10. Eat lots of seafood  

While not technically an island, Granville Island is still surrounded by water! That means there are so many amazing seafood restaurants serving fresh and local seafood dishes. Some of the top recommendations are The Vancouver Fish Company, Tony’s Fish and Oyster Café, or The Lobster Man. 

If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, you can also pick up fresh fish from the Granville Island Public Market and pick some up to prepare for yourself. If you’re with kids – or just looking for some greasy fast food – there are also plenty of casual fish and chips shops, such as Celine’s Fish & Chips.  

11. Go to the waterpark 

It can get hot in the summertime in Vancouver, so the Granville Island Waterpark is a great place for your family to cool off! Your kids will love running through the different sprays and fountains, splashing around in the water to cool off.  

The water park is open during July and August whenever the sun is shining! It is located close to the Kid’s Market and the playground near the entrance of Granville Island. It’s one of the best free activities in Vancouver that kids will love.

12. Go on a fishing charter 

You know all that delicious seafood you enjoyed earlier? That’s all caught right around Granville Island! And, the best part, you can join a charter tour and catch some for yourself! Bon Chovy Fishing Charters offers 5, 8, or 10-hour tours to bring you out to catch some fish. 

You will be with an expert guide and teacher who will help you make the perfect catch. Fish are cleaned and bagged at the end of the trip so you can take them home with you to easily prepare a tasty meal. This is also a great opportunity to explore the coast of Vancouver from a boat, and if you go on the 10-hour tour, you will head all the way to the beautiful Gulf Islands.  

Prices for these tours start at $875 CAD per person and increase based on the length of time. It is cheaper to go with a group, so grab some friends and make a day of it!  

13. Attend an event or festival 

Granville Island is a hot spot for fun events and festivals in the city. Because of its artistic environment, it is host to a lot of creative festivals.  

Many of the most popular festivals in Vancouver are on Granville Island. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is truly incredible and rotates through the city, making a stop in Granville Island. It has free and paid performances from jazz musicians all over the world. The Fringe Festival is another unique event, which hosts hundreds of theater and comedy shows.

You can’t also miss the Vancouver International Writers Festival, which celebrates authors from around the world. (We are obligated to boast this one as blog writers – of course!)

14. Rent a boat and get out on the water 

If you’d rather focus more on the boating and less on the fishing, Granville Island Boat Rentals has a lot of different boats available for rent by the hour. You can choose from super-fast speed boats to engage in some water sports or choose one that’s better suited for fishing and just cruising around.  

Renting a boat and getting out on the water is such a fun way to explore Granville Island, False Creek, or out further along the coast of Vancouver from a new perspective! Pack some sunscreen and a hat and have the best time! 

Boat rentals start at $60 CAD per hour and can accommodate up to eight people, depending on the type of boat.  

15. Walk the Seawall 

Technically this is not an activity in Granville Island, but is a great thing to do while you are in the area! The seawall connects Granville Island with the other side of False Creek, so you can walk around to destinations like Science World and even on towards English Bay Beach. It’s a beautiful area to walk, run, bike, or rollerblade!  

To access the seawall, head west from Granville Island and just continue on the path along the waterfront. You can also take the Aquabus over to English Bay Beach and walk along the waterfront over to Stanley Park, which also has a beautiful seawall to walk along. This is one of the best easy hikes in Vancouver that anybody can enjoy.

16. Laugh out loud with The Improv Centre on Granville Island!

Are you ready to laugh the night away? Originally formed as the Vancouver TheatreSports League, The Improv Centre’s Improv Comedy Shows on Granville Island are some of the funniest shows in the city. They have been Vancouver’s top improv comedy company since 1980.  

Since all their shows are unscripted improv, you won’t ever see the same thing twice. The actors and comedians engage with the audience to come up with ideas for the show. It makes each show totally unique, and you’re guaranteed to laugh until your sides hurt!  

Tickets are between $10 to $35 CAD, and you can sit in theatre seats or at a table. 

17. Watch a play 

The Arts Club on Vancouver Island was founded back in 1958 and has been operating as a Theatre since 1964. They are actually the largest theatre company in Western Canada! The Granville Island location is one of three in the city.  

This is a great option for an evening activity with your family or partner, as they put on a wide variety of plays, ranging from classics to new and unique plays you’ve never heard of. They highlight a lot of Canadian talent, both playwrights and actors, so it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local arts scene.  

So check out the lineup and see what’s on during your visit!

18. Get the best donuts in the city 

It might be controversial to label Lee’s Donuts as the best in the city, but the constant line-up out the door has got to say something about them! Lee’s has operated in Granville Island since 1979 and their doughnuts which are made daily from scratch are oh-so-good.

The next step here is simple – get yourself to Lee’s and try one for yourself! They’re located in the Public Market; just look for the line of donut lovers. 

Best Granville Island Tours

If you want a more unique experience on Granville Island or something that includes transport along with other stops around Vancouver take a look at some of our favorite and most recommended tour choices!

• Independent Bike/E-bike Tour of Vancouver – This bike rental would be my most recommended choice for those of you who don’t like the structure that comes with group tours but you’ll still get a bit of guidance planning your bike route so you can hit all the places on your list. Before or after taking the Aquabus ferry over to Granville Island (yes, you can board with a bike!) we also recommend exploring Stanley Park, Olympic Village, English Bay, and Kitsilano to make the most of your rental! Prices start at $55 CAD for a standard city cruiser bike or $103 CAD for an e-bike. You’ll also get a helmet, lock, and handlebar bag.

• VIP access Granville Island Market Tour – The size of the Granville Island Market can be so exciting yet intimidating! If you want to try the best foods from the market this VIP Access Food Tour makes it easy! All you have to do is follow your guide and be prepared to eat at least 20 different samples from 10 or more of the market’s best vendors! From homemade bread to Canadian cheeses and local wines you are in for a treat!

• Vancouver City Hop-on Hop-off Tour – While it’s not necessarily our favorite way to see Vancouver, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option for touring the city, and are short on time, it might be the tour for you! The bus has 16 stops around the city including Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown, and Gastown. You are free to start, finish and get off and explore wherever for as long as you please! Prices start at $65 CAD for a full-day ticket and buses run every 20 minutes.

• Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour with Granville Island – This affordable $79 CAD tour is geared toward the person who likes to see the highlights. It would also be a nice intro choice if this is your first time in Vancouver. You’ll cruise through Gastown and Chinatown and learn some history, before being let out to explore Granville Island for around an hour – just enough time to get the vibe and try a few different foods. The last stops are inside the famous Stanley Park. You will board this coach tour from the Georgian Court Hotel or instead arrange for pick-up from your hotel.

About Granville Island, Vancouver

Granville Island is a small peninsula and suburb located in downtown Vancouver. The area of Granville Island covers more ground than just the peninsula itself. However, the best attractions are on the peninsula in what’s known as the downtown shopping district. Here is where you’ll find all the attractions below, as well as lots more!

Getting to Granville Island from the downtown area is very easy and can be done by driving, walking, biking, and taking the aqua bus – depending on where you’re located. I talk more about this below if you need more info.

In the heart of Granville Island, you’ll find lots of commercial businesses, including markets, restaurants, a brewery, and more. It’s a vibrant place to enjoy a walk, and many Vancouver locals, including myself, shop here. Although a little bit more expensive than other supermarkets, Granville Island is one of the top places to buy local produce in the heart of Vancouver. Oh, and the food is delicious!

The great thing about visiting Granville Island is it can be done all year round. During winter in Vancouver, head to the markets and brewery to hide from the cold. In the summertime, explore the outdoor areas and enjoy the beautiful BC sunshine! 

Regardless, Granville Island should be at the top of your Vancouver bucket list!

Granville Island FAQ’s

Getting to Granville Island

Contrary to the name, Granville Island isn’t an “island” at all and you can actually get there by land. You can drive yourself, although be prepared to pay for parking. Alternatively, you can take the bus or hire an Uber or taxi. False Creek Bus #50 will bring you to Granville Island from downtown or Gastown.

You can also walk or bike to Granville Island. With a very central location, this is what many people do.

My personal recommendation is to get to Granville Island by boat – it is just more fun! Jump on the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries from various locations around the city that’ll take you straight to Granville Island. These water taxis are not only practical but also a fun and cheap way to get out on the water.

Other Things to do While You’re in Vancouver

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

• Whale Watching – Without a doubt, the most popular of the tours in Vancouver is whale watching. Set off from the city on a half-day on the ocean looking for whales. If you’re lucky, you might even see Orcas (also known as Killer Whales.) This whale-watching tour is a ton of fun, and at only about $230 CAD it is good value too!

• Hiking – There are a ton of amazing hikes in and around Vancouver. Challenge yourself with the famous Grouse Grind, wander the trails near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, or even drive towards Squamish and do The Chief.

• Ride in a Seaplane – One of our favorite memories in Vancouver was riding in a seaplane. Taking off and landing on the ocean is super exciting, and then the views from the air are breathtaking. This seaplane ride lasts for 20 minutes and costs $160 CAD. It departs and returns to Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. The best part is that seaplane tours in Vancouver operate all year round, so even if you’re visiting Vancouver in the winter you can take to the sky!

• 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.

• Explore Kitsilano – One of our favorite areas in all of Vancouver is Kitsilano. This suburb is super trendy and has many cute stores, cafes, 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.

Where to Stay on Granville Island, Vancouver

There is only one hotel that is located right on Granville Island. The Granville Island Hotel is the perfect luxury hotel that is close to tons of places to eat and shop. It also has a swimming pool and great views of the surrounding harbor. It can also very budget-friendly starting around $239 CAD per night but this will also depend on the time of year you are booking. The further in advance you can book the cheaper the price will be, especially for the summer months.  

If the Granville Island Hotel isn’t what you’re looking for then don’t worry, you don’t have to stay right on Granville Island to enjoy it. Granville Island is so easy to get to that you can easily choose to stay in downtown Vancouver instead and visit Granville Island from there.

Here are some more great places to stay in Vancouver:

OPUS Vancouver – $$$

For those with a higher budget, the OPUS Vancouver is for you! It is located close to Yaletown and by the SkyTram so doing other activities in central Vancouver will be a breeze as well as getting to Granville Island. All of the rooms are styled very contemporarily with different pops of color in each room. The La Pentola restaurant serves North Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and at the Opus Bar, you can enjoy cocktails and music. A room here averages around $520 CAD a night for a king or queen bed.

You can check prices and book the OPUS Vancouver on Booking.com.

Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre Broadway – $$

Located on the other side of Granville Island (not central Vancouver) you can get a very nice stay at the reliable Holiday Inn Vancouver-Center Broadway for a fraction of the price that you would pay by being right in the heart of the city. It is also only a 10-minute walk to Stamp’s Landing which is the closest ferry terminal that goes to Granville Island. The hotel has comfortable large rooms averaging in the mid $300s CAD, an indoor pool, and hot breakfast served daily.

You can check prices and book the Holiday in Vancouver-Centre Broadway on Booking.com.

The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $

The Cambie Hostel is overall the best budget choice with a dorm bed as low as $55 CAD a night. The location is in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants and attached to the hostel is a very lively bar too. To get to Grandville Island you would need to take a tram or an Uber but it is very doable. The rooms are clean but the bathrooms are a little cramped. It’s perfect for backpackers on a budget and is considerably cheaper than others offering comparable quality. I also like that you can book on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com for this one.

Click here to browse all hotels in Vancouver!

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!

Thanks for reading!

Granville Island shows up on just about every list of things to do in Vancouver – and for good reason! But here’s the thing: there’s so much more than meets the eye. Granville Island may be a small, easily walkable area, but it packs a real punch in terms of things to do. We love exploring Granville Island and add it to our itinerary every time we are in Vancouver.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found this guide helpful. As you continue to plan your travels, check out our other Vancouver blogs, and more Canada blogs as as well!

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