Visiting Vancouver for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

Hemmed in by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and the Burrard Inlet, this vast public park beckons visitors with its myriad beaches, rainforest trails, monuments, and artworks. It’s a rite of passage for first-time visitors to stroll, rollerblade, or cycle along the Stanley Park seawall, soaking up the scenic waterfront views along the way.

Vancouver competes with Toronto and Montreal for the title of Canada’s culinary capital. Take a food tour to taste the delights from one or more of Vancouver’s best dining-out districts: Granville Island, Chinatown, and Gastown are all foodie paradises.

Related: Why Vancouver Has the World's Best Dim Sum (and Where To Find It)

Just a short drive from Downtown Vancouver, the North Shore is the place to go for fresh air and dramatic mountain and forest scenery. Tread among the treetops at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, or board the Skyride aerial tram and ride up to the peak of Grouse Mountain. 

This attraction in Downtown Vancouver takes passengers on a simulated flying ride across Canada, showcasing staggering natural wonders on a huge dome screen. The ride makes use of mist, wind, and smells—as well as 3D images—to make the experience feel even more real.

The island-speckled waters around Vancouver are ripe for exploration. Opt for a high-speed Zodiac boat ride and search for dolphins, harbor seals, and bald eagles, or drift by downtown skyscrapers during a romantic dinner cruise around Vancouver Harbor.