Vancouver Attractions
Vancouver has an endless supply of attractions and things to see and do. It doesn't matter what time of day or what time of year - whether you want to be indoors or out, there’s something for everyone.
This year make the most of your visit to Vancouver by booking your attraction tickets in advance with the Vancouver Attractions Group. You can choose from up to 23 different attractions and sightseeing experiences and receive up to 35% off your admission tickets. Below you can see which attractions are included. Click here to book your tickets and start planning your trip!
Outdoor Attractions & Gardens
In a city as green as Vancouver, it’s no surprise that there are over 200 public parks in the City of Vancouver alone. Add to this the number of exquisitely-tended gardens and vibrant beaches, and you’ll have no problem getting close to nature while still in the city. Check out these outdoor attractions and gardens to add to your itinerary.
Just 15 minutes from downtown, Grouse Mountain sits on the edge of wilderness and civilization. As Vancouver’s most visited attraction, the resort’s unique combination of soft adventure, sophisticated leisure, and rugged recreation truly make it a must-see destination. Take the Super Skyride to a mountaintop of adventure featuring ziplines, helicopter tours, paragliding, hiking trails, restaurants and a Refuge for Endangered Wildlife. Pair this attraction with the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, just five minutes down the road from Grouse Mountain. Here you can really appreciate nature from three breathtaking perspectives – on the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, Treetops Adventures, a series of seven mini suspension bridges high in the trees and Cliffwalk, the newest addition to the park, a cantilevered walkway overlooking the Capilano River. The two attractions make for a perfect day on Vancouver’s North Shore.
Vancouver’s parks and gardens are the perfect locations to stop, breathe and take it all in. After all, what is a vacation if you can't relax and experience at least a moment or two of complete Zen - where time stops, beauty prevails and life is just…good. Sometimes it takes a peaceful environment to inspire those moments. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is an urban oasis in the heart of Chinatown. Named the World’s Top City Garden by National Geographic and awarded ‘Places that Matter’ status by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation.
At the VanDusen Botanical Gardens spot and photograph local wildlife, enjoy the hedge maze with the kids and relax in a serene setting located in the heart of Vancouver. Take a visit to the Bloedel Conservatory located in Queen Elizabeth Park, a fun, family-friendly, affordable indoor attraction where you can discover 120 exotic birds and over 500 kinds of tropical plants inside the dome and then explore the fountains, gardens and sculptures around Queen Elizabeth Park.
At the University of British Columbia Gardens and Treewalk you can experience three garden experiences together including the UBC Botanical Garden, Canada's oldest university botanical garden, the Greenheart Treewalk where you can navigate suspended walkways and tree platforms high above the forest floor and the Nitobe Memorial Garden, a traditional Japanese Tea and Stroll garden, considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Nitobe Garden includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House.
Museums & Galleries and Indoor Attractions
If you're seeking creative inspiration or are curious about Vancouver's cultural history, the city's Museums and Art Galleries are worth exploring. Whether you want to learn more about anthropology, local art and history, or the sea, Vancouver's Museums and Art Galleries offer plenty of insightful exhibitions. If you're an arts lover, you'll feel right at home in Vancouver. At the Vancouver Art Gallery, immerse yourself and discover historic masterworks and groundbreaking contemporary exhibitions.
Curious by nature? Fall in love with the diversity of life at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum as you discover over 500 exhibits, and stare through the jaws of the largest creature ever to live on Earth—the blue whale. Long-established as a global leader in marine research, education and conservation, the Vancouver Aquarium is an informative and fascinating attraction featuring sea otters, sea lions, snakes and sloths…plus 60,000 other aquatic creatures. The Vancouver Maritime Museum is a fun, family-friendly place to explore and learn about the sea and the ships that sail it. Climb aboard the historic St. Roch, the first ship to make the west-east traverse of the Northwest Passage. Wander the decks and immerse yourself in the experience of the crew who worked aboard the boat in the 1940s.
Maybe you have a sports fan in the family? The BC Sports Hall of Fame is located in BC Place stadium. At this local attraction you can relive some of BC sport’s greatest moments including the 2010 Olympic Games, learn about Canadian heroes such as Terry Fox, Rick Hansen, and Greg Moore, and see artifacts from their personal collections, including one of Greg Moore’s race cars and the wheelchair Rick Hansen toured the world in. This hidden gem is definitely worth a visit.
Immerse yourself in interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits, inspirational feature exhibitions and jaw-dropping live science demonstrations at Science World, an interactive science centre and a family favourite.
Gain a deeper understanding of the city through stories, objects and shared experiences at Museum of Vancouver (MOV). Learn about Vancouver's past from 1900 to 1970 by visiting MOV's History Galleries. For an aerial view of Vancouver’s city skyline and a perfect starting place to get your bearings in the city, see the spectacular 360-degree view of cosmopolitan Vancouver, the majestic North Shore Mountains and perhaps even Vancouver Island at the Vancouver Lookout. Enjoy a private 30min tour to learn about Vancouver and take it the spectacular views.
After the Lookout, walk to Canada Place and experience Canada like never before at FlyOver Canada! Soar from the East coast to the West coast on this virtual flight ride across some of Canada’s most spectacular landscapes. Wind, scents and other effects will make you feel like you are truly flying!
Just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC houses one of the world’s finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations arts in a spectacular Arthur Erickson designed building overlooking mountains and sea. See magnificent carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks inside the soaring glass and concrete structure of the Museum’s Great Hall. Combine this museum with the gardens in UBC for a balanced Vancouver day of culture and nature.
Sightseeing Experiences
Seeing the top sights of Vancouver is easy, either with experienced locals on guided sightseeing tours or hop-on, hop-off attraction loop tours where you can take it all in at your own pace.
Enjoy a one-day ticket to tour the city with Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing on their Hop on Hop off City Tour. This is a perfect way to enjoy the sights and take in a few attractions along the route.
Vancouver is surrounded by mountains, but you don’t have to leave the city to experience nature. Despite being located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, it’s easy to feel like you have escaped to the wilderness in Stanley Park. To take it all in at a leisurely pace, step aboard an old-fashioned horse-drawn vehicle with Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours and meander in comfort through the natural beauty of Stanley Park, Vancouver’s thousand-acre wonderland.
If you want to get more active while exploring the city, Cycle City Rentals is Vancouver's top bicycle tour and rental company offering a great selection of adult bikes, youth bikes, and children's' accessories along with complimentary detailed city bike touring maps and riding advice.
Expand your Visit
Outside of downtown Vancouver are additional attractions to explore.
Stroll through the 1920’s village and visit historical exhibits at the Burnaby Village Museum. See the Burnaby Lake General Store and learn about popular store purchases in the 1920s, visit the Jesse Love Farmhouse to experience a historic family home and find out what a blacksmith does during daily demonstrations at Wagner’s Blacksmith Shop.
If you’re heading up to the Sea to Sky Highway towards Whistler you should consider allowing time to stop at the Britannia Mine Museum, an old BC mine where you can tour underground to learn what life as a miner was like, pan for gold and engage with interactive exhibits as you explore 10 acres of history on this National Historic Site.
As you continue up the highway make time to check out the Sea to Sky Gondola, located just south of Squamish, a scenic 45 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. A 10-minute gondola ride will take you up to a truly magical place with some of the most spectacular views you will ever see and activities for all interests and ages.
To discover more ways to #LoveVancouver visit the Virtual Visitor Centre at tourismvancouver.com and chat with a Visitor Experience Specialist who can help answer questions as you plan your trip.