The varied beauty of Western Canada stretches from modern cities to lakeside charm and rugged mountainous vistas. Often all accessible within the same day across Vancouver, British Columbia, they all leave indelible memories and leave great stories for visitors.
An ideal place to visit in September, downtown Vancouver edges around the bustling port, and is just a few miles north of the International Airport. Newcomers to the city will find the Museum of Vancouver and the Maritime Museum near Kits Point a great way to start any tour.
Duly informed on the city’s history and naval past, you can traipse down the cobbles of Gastown, home to a funky steam clock, where parts of the old city still stand, and make your way north of the river to enjoy the Capilano suspended walkways and bridge to get a great view (weather permitting) of the city.
Vancouver Does Sports, Food and Nature Fantastically Well
If you time your trip well, you can find plenty of big-city sports (even though Vancouver’s population is under a million) taking place. At the Rogers Arena, home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and BC Place home to Major League Soccer’s Whitecaps, there are also plenty of big-name concerts and events. And in the Olympic Village area is Science World, a great time out for all the family.
If downtown has proved a bit much for you, the adventurous can hit Stanley Park where an aquarium, many lakes and beaches can get you away from the hustle and bustle for a while. At which point the hunger pangs will probably hit hard, and you’ll want to find some great food from the many Vancouver restaurants. If you’re visiting during a major sporting event, you can also check out restaurants where FIFA fans can feel victorious, which captures the city’s lively match-day atmosphere.
As French is still an official language in Canada, Tableau Bar Bistro is likely a great place to start, but don’t worry – everyone speaks English in Vancouver, as French-speaking Quebec is on the Atlantic coast, some 5,000 km away. Located near the waterfront, Tableau offers modern French cuisine, from steak tartare to steak et frites, fresh oysters or a croque madame for early guests.
For contemporary Canadian food, try Dovetail in Yaletown, just down the road from the sports stadium. From Steelhead trout served with tarragon remoulade, lemon and herbs to mighty striploin or ribeye steaks, there’s also plenty of small plates like bang bang shrimp and butter beef tataki for those planning on keeping moving.
Across Vancouver, there’s a fine mix of Japanese, Asian, European and American restaurants, with something for every taste and budget, whether you’re travelling alone or with family. Topping the wow factor eateries are the likes of Five Sails in the harbour and Botanist for a very green and ecological experience.
The Many Views of Vancouver
With floatplanes, helicopters, cruise ships and water taxis zipping around the waterline, you can spend hours enjoying the view of Vancouver Harbour from over a 100 different places, especially if you’re from an inland city. Or, book a flight to get the best scenic vistas and get closer to the mountains and raw Canada just to the north.
For smaller budgets, you can take a bendy-bus or aquabus to Granville Island. Once a major industrial zone, it has been turned into an arts and market centre with plenty of great places to eat, craft beers to sup and live performances happening across the area.
Perhaps smaller than you might think, there is still plenty to see and do in Vancouver before you even think of exploring the wider metropolitan area or heading out into the woods and wilderness. With plenty of amazing views from the likes of Grouse Mountain and inland to Crystal Falls, you can also visit smaller-town Canada in the guise of Maple Ridge and many others to get to know the country and people a little better.
Unsurprisingly, Vancouver is pretty cold out of season and prone to rain. But most places in the city are still busy with visitors and locals, making it a great city to visit anytime, either as a solo traveller or bringing friends and family, for somewhere a little off the usual Pacific Coast beaten track.
Richard Morrisanters, author at TravelBeautyVision brings a unique perspective to travel and culture. With a passion for exploring hidden destinations, he blends storytelling with modern digital tools to give readers an authentic journey through his writing.
