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Vancouver

TRAVEL GUIDE

Vancouver

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Vancouver

# 1

You should ditch the rental car in Vancouver.

Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s most walkable cities, Vancouver can easily be accomplished on foot or by using public transportation. With three SkyTrain lines and a public ferry service, Vancouver’s neighborhoods and nearby communities of Richmond, Burnaby, and Surrey, are all well connected. Plus, Vancouver’s comprehensive system of dedicated bike paths means you can easily get from one end of the city to the other without a car.

Read More: How to Get Around Vancouver Without a Car

# 2

This is a food town, so channel your inner foodie.

Home to a dynamic culinary scene, Vancouver is a destination for food lovers. Thanks to its cultural diversity, the city’s culinary landscape is comprised of flavors from all corners of the world. Feast on Indigenous dishes, and sample Japanese, Chinese, and Indian-inspired cuisine in various settings ranging from casual food trucks to coveted Michelin-starred fine dining establishments. Bound to the north by Burrard Inlet and to the south by the Fraser River, the city’s geographic location combined with its sustainability ethos means seafood and locally-sourced produce feature prominently on menus throughout the city.

Read More: The 15 Best Restaurants in Vancouver

# 3

Vancouver is a very active outdoor city.

Enveloped by several bodies of water and glacial peaks, and boasting several sandy beaches and vast networks of boulder-strewn and root-filled terrain, Vancouverites enjoy unparalleled access to the outdoors year-round. With a reputation for casually roaming the city in athleisure, locals are always ready to transition from office to the outdoors as they embrace the ample opportunities to hike, paddle, ski, and snowboard.

Read More: 10 Incredible Outdoor Experiences in Vancouver

# 4

There’s way more culture than you think.

Often seen as a haven for outdoor adventurers, Vancouver’s cultural offerings are largely undervalued. Aside from neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India, the city’s abundance of museums, art galleries, and cultural spaces are also dedicated to telling stories and celebrating the heritage and contributions of many of the culturally diverse groups that have shaped the city, even before its founding in 1886.

Read More: The 8 Best Cultural Attractions in Vancouver

# 5

Make sure you wander beyond downtown.

Though downtown is favored for its central location and close proximity to entertainment venues, cultural landmarks, dining options, and retail hubs, Vancouver is home to plenty more distinct neighborhoods that are also worth spending time in. Peruse the vintage shops and indie cafes of hipster Mount Pleasant, the fine dining restaurants of bougie Yaletown, and laze away on the stretches of sandy beaches in the once hippy-dippy neighborhood of Kitsilano.

Read More: A Guide to Vancouver’s 10 Coolest Neighborhoods

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Top Neighborhoods

Why is Gastown the best neighborhood in Vancouver?
  • It's Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood
  • Visit the Victorian-inspired Steam Clock
  • Popular spot for nightlife with lots of stylish cocktail bars, wine bars, and gastropubs
  • Independent boutiques and retro shops are known for eclectic fashion
  • The contemporary and Indigenous galleries make this a hub for art and culture
What makes Mt. Pleasant so great?
  • It's home to many Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended restaurants
  • Shop for second-hand treasures at the vintage boutique shops that line Main Street
  • Sip on locally brewed beers at one of the many craft breweries and taprooms
  • Discover well-preserved heritage homes that date back to the 1890s
  • Explore the exhibits at Science World
What's there to do in Downtown?
  • It's compact and extremely walkable
  • Watch a hockey game or a concert at Rogers Arena
  • Experience the theaters, nightclubs, and bars that make this a vibrant entertainment district
  • Shop along Robson Street, the city’s most famous shopping street
  • Take in spectacular views from Coal Harbour
What's special about Kitsilano?
  • You can laze on the sandy shores of Kits Beach
  • Enjoy outdoor activities, like biking, paddling, and beach volleyball
  • Shop and dine along West 4th Avenue
  • Visit the Museum of Vancouver, Canada’s largest civic museum
  • Hippie vibes are reflected in the neighborhood’s organic markets and health food stores
Why visit Chinatown?
  • It's Canada’s largest Chinatown
  • Visit the Ming-era style Sun Yat Sen Garden
  • Celebrate Chinese heritage at the Chinese Canadian Museum and the Chinatown Storytelling Centre
  • Gorge on a range of Asian cuisine, from traditional dim sum to elevated ramen bowls
  • Numerous tea shops and herbal medicine stores reflect Chinese cultural practices

Hotels

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Language

English, French

Nearby Airports

YVR

Electrical Outlets

110v/60 cycles; electrical plugs have two flat prongs (the same as in the U.S.).

Currency

Canadian dollar

Local Weather

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Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

English, French

Electrical Outlets

110v/60 cycles; electrical plugs have two flat prongs (the same as in the U.S.).

Currency

Canadian dollar

Nearby Airports

YVR

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Vancouver with curated recommendations from our editors.

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Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Vancouver with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Vancouver with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

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