one day in Vancouver
 

We have 8:00am until 8:00pm to see Vancouver. Any advice. We will have a rental car

i'd spend half that time circling Stanley Park, maybe even in a horse-drawn carriage ride; the panoramic view of the Vancouver skyline from Brockton Point as well as the bay views from Prospect Point are breathtaking on top of all the great features in the vast park

you'll soon wish (as I did) that you had planned more than just one day to take in such a beautiful and cosmopolitan city

Your priorities should be:

Stanley Park (maybe even include the Vancouver Aquarium)
Granville Island
Robson Street
Yaletown
English Bay

This will show off some of the most picturesque/vibrant parts of Vancouver that will be very easy to see within one day.

While a lot of tourism literature might suggest Gastown or Chinatown, with only one day I'd give them a miss. They're only worth visiting in the morning or afternoon, but don't bother after 5pm.

Taking the ferry over to North Vancouver allows for great photos.

If the weather is good, and especially if you like scenary and the outdoors, I agree good bases for your activities are Stanley Park and/or Granville Island. You can walk around the Stanley Park "seawall" (about 6.5 miles in total, although there are loop options to cut short the distance) and there are bicycle (and in-line skate) rental shops on nearby Denman Street. There is not very much commercial activity in Stanley Park. In contrast, Granville Island has a lot of food and non-chain store options and its own website to review.

If you drive to Stanley Park, please don't leave any valuables in the car; rental cars have an unfortunate tendency to attract break-ins. In terms of personal safety, however, Stanley Park is just fine in the daylight hours.

For a unique view of Vancouver, consider renting a boat from Granville Island (e.g.www.granvilleislandboatrentals.com).

Hi I would go to granville Island, Stanley Park and Robson Street. If it's a nice day and since you have a car I would suggest substituting one of the above for a gondola ride up Grouse mtn. But only if the weather is cooperating.