There are so many premier holiday destinations around the world and one of them is Vancouver in Canada. Not to be confused with the North American Vancouver near Washington, Vancouver in Canada is ranked 8th on the big list of the Best Cities in the World, and if you ever hope to visit Canada, making a stop in Vancouver is going to be one of the best things that you do.
There is a high level of people who migrate to Vancouver for so many reasons after getting the details of ETA requirements for a holiday. The weather, the people, the salary, the safety – it’s one of the best cities in the world for a very good reason, and if you want to make this your new home, you need to know what you’ll be able to do when you get there. With this in mind, we’ve got ten excellent reasons you should go ahead and make VanCity your next destination – permanent or otherwise!
1. Stanley Park
Is there really a better natural feature than Stanley Park in Vancouver? We don’t think so! It’s one of the most popular areas to relax throughout the day and take in the beautiful British Columbia nature. You will find the Totem Poles here, which is one of the top attractions in Vancouver. You can also visit the Vancouver Aquarium and see some of the marine life that is so rare to see! There are four amazing restaurants in the park but you have plenty of opportunities for a picnic, too. Did you know that Stanley Park is bigger than Central Park in NYC? Now you do!
2. Chinatown
As you may know, Canada is as multicultural as it comes, and you can embrace so many different cultures here. Chinatown is packed with perfect places to eat, shop and learn about the traditional cultures of the Chinese. It’s home to classical Chinese gardens, and it’s an experience that no one should miss!
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge
If you are a little bit of a daredevil, you should consider walking the 450-foot suspension bridge close to the city centre. You’ll be able to take in the views and go on a historical experience and go on a guided tour through the rainforest, too. It’s an adventure in nature and you need to experience it at least once!
4. The Gastown Steam Clock
One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver is lively and vibrant Gastown. It goes way back to the 1800s and if you want a shopping experience that is loaded with fun and excitement, Gastown is the place to go. You can go on many different walking tours through the neighbourhood and find some of the best restaurants with the tastiest cocktails in Vancouver. This is not a scene you want to miss, especially as you can also have the Maple ice cream sandwich made with bacon there. There’s live music at sunset and plenty of options for fun and excitement here.
5. Science World
Not just for the kids, you can ignite your curiosities at Science World here in Vancouver. You see some of the oldest rocks in the world and go through the 11-year journey of Henry Bates in the Amazon Rainforest. You can sit through this at the biggest Omnimax theatre in the world, and you can see the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum here, too! For something to eat, head to Triple O’s and make your day one to remember forever.
6. Whistler
Is it really a trip to Canada without a trip to the slopes? You should catch up with Canada for its wintry mountain skiing and tons of snowy fun, and as Whistler is renowned internationally as one of the best ski resorts in the world, you can learn and play here. You don’t have to be a skier to learn how to master the slopes and even if you aren’t a fan, you can use the zipline or learn to snowshoe in the winter wonderland!
7. Vancouver Lookout
Have you ever seen the ocean at sunset? Of course you have! But have you ever seen the 360-degree views from the top of the Vancouver Lookout Tower? It should be the first stop on the list of your sightseeing tour, and you can learn exactly what lies in store for you here! You can feel on top of the world while you overlook the ocean, and it’s an experience that really shouldn’t be missed when you go to Vancouver.
8. Watermania
Oh, this is a recreation centre with a kick! You can take the kids for hours of water fun in the 57-metre swimming pool with wave pools, slides, diving boards, whirlpool and even a giant indoor trampoline park. You can head to a bowling alley or a skate park which means that regardless of the weather, this indoor fun centre has got you sorted for all day fun!
9. Whale Watching
Not many people get to experience the spectacular sight of whales going past, and you can get up close and personal with these oceanic giants when you take a 12 hour day trip from Vancouver to Victoria. You can see the orcas, seals, porpoises and sealions here and you can even get that snapshot of whales from the side of the boat. The best thing is that when you arrive in Victoria as part of your boating tour, you can explore the city and see the best florals in the Butchart Gardens. You get back to Vancouver via speedboat – how awesome is that?!
10. Brewery Tours
There is a huge beer craft scene in Vancouver, and the brewery tours here will show you how the award-winning beers are made and you can accompany those beers with the delicious snacks on offer. You even get a free souvenir beer afterwards – like a party bag for grown ups!
Vancouver is a place that should be on everyone’s “must-see” list and if you don’t have it on yours, then it’s time to add it now!