Vancouver, British Columbia, is a bustling, diverse city home to the Canucks, mountain scenery, Tim Horton's, and much more. Vancouver is only two and a half hours north of Seattle, making it a great place for a day trip or 48-hour excursion. Here are my must do's for visiting Vancouver.
Things To Do
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is my favorite attraction in Vancouver. The park features the famous suspension bridge, cliff walks, and paths through the trees. I would highly recommend going during the holiday season - the park is decorated with lights. Be sure to take advantage of the student discount.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park has trails, bike paths, and look out points. The best part is that the park is in the city, so you won't have to drive far to get a break from city traffic and bustle. The Vancouver Aquarium is also in Stanley Park.
Vancouver Aquarium
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This aquarium blows others out of the water.
They have it all, including sloths, monkeys, birds, sea lions, rays, penguins, otters, dolphins, and much more. I spent nearly five hours here and didn't have a chance to see everything.
Pack some loonies to make souvenir pressed pennies here.
Fortune Sound Club
At night, head to Chinatown for clubbing. This club has a full bar and dance floor. Check out Facebook for free events hosted here.
Ride the train
Don't feel like driving? Save some time driving by taking the Canada line. At night, the train is a great place to see some views of the city.
Shopping
Granville Public Market
If you enjoy farmer's markets and a diverse range of food, this is the place for you. Granville Island has tons of shops and great stores for kids.
Robson Street
Want to shop until you drop? Head to Robson street. From the massive Victoria's Secret to LUSH to Roots, this district has some pretty cool stores. You can snag some free skin care samples by walking in front of the right stores.
Bars
The Cambie Bar & Grill
The Cambie is a lively sports bar that gets packed on beer pong night. I have never competed on a team, but this could earn you some serious bragging rights.
The Bourbon
Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and Air Hockey are some of the best things about this bar. On Saturdays, mechanical bull riding is another attraction. What happens in Vancouver stays in Vancouver.
Restaurants
Jam Cafe
Breakfast lovers, rejoice. Jam Cafe has helpful staff, great atmosphere, and tasty food. Be warned that there might be a line out the door and a possible waiting time.
La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop
It may seem odd to order tacos in Canada - but this restaurant is a must. The restaurant is extremely clean, the prices are great, and the food is fantastic.
Tacofino Taco Bar
If you need a higher end taco place, go to Tacofino. They have a wide variety of drinks, tacos, and even dessert. As a bonus, they have really cool interior and branding.
La Casita - Gastown
Can you tell I love Mexican food? This place has the best margaritas. Order a pitcher to share with friends.
The Old Spaghetti Factory
You can never go wrong with pasta. This restaurant is in the heart of Gastown — an easy walk from parking garages.
Hostels
Cambie Hostel
If you plan to go bar hopping, this is the place to stay. It is directly above the Cambie Bar and is close to other local bars like the Bourbon. You will bunk with other people, but you will save a lot of money compared to staying in a hotel. The more people you book for, the cheaper it will be.
Vancouver Backpacker House
This hostel is about a 20-minute drive out of the city. It is very clean and cozy. When I stayed here, I had a private room that was the same price as sleeping in the bunks. It cost me $20 for two people to spend the night. The hostel also had a shared bathroom and communal kitchen. If you want to get away from the city at night, this is the best place to go.
