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The main attractions of Vancouver are able to amaze you with their diversity and beauty. Therefore, before you go on a trip, you should decide what to see in Vancouver is a must, and what – only if you have free time.
What to see first in Vancouver
There are some of the most significant and interesting sights that experienced guides in Vancouver will definitely advise you to see. Consider their features:
1. Queen Elizabeth Park
Magnificent park landscape of Queen Elizabeth Park
Luxurious and magnificent – these are the epithets tourists choose when describing this Vancouver attraction. We started our review with the national park, given that it offers everything you could possibly need for a comfortable pastime. On the territory of more than 50 hectares there are restaurants and cafes, tennis courts and a rose garden, a wedding pavilion and a golf course, a delightful winter garden created from more than 1500 plexiglass bubbles. When planning a trip to the national royal park, allocate at least one whole day for its inspection.
2. Stanley Park
Pedestrian embankment in Stanley Park – a place of rest for citizens and guests of Vancouver
If you are interested in the natural attractions of Vancouver, a trip here must be organized by all means. One of the features of this famous park is that it is the result of many years of evolution of urban and forest space. Many trees are over 200 years old. It has its own aquarium, playgrounds, lakes and beaches. There are paths, paths and a beautiful promenade for easy walking.
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3. Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Van Dusen Botanical Garden is a great place to relax Daderot
The main specialization of this Vancouver attraction is introducing guests to various ornamental plants. The collection of green spaces is really rich, including the rarest specimens. In addition, in cooperation with the Association of Botanic Gardens, the Van Dusen Garden conducts general education programs. If you don't know what to visit in Vancouver with the whole family, this option will be the best for you.
4. Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium Exotic Inhabitants
Like many other Vancouver attractions, this one is located on the grounds of Stanley Park. The giant modern complex, with an area of over 9,000 square meters, has both outdoor pools and indoor galleries. The number of inhabitants is incredibly large: birds and mammals, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates and fish, including sea urchins and starfish, octopuses and African penguins, reef sharks and seals, porpoises and dolphins. Throw in well-equipped and open to tourists laboratories and classrooms, a wonderful playground for children and a 4D theater, and you will understand why such interesting places in Vancouver cannot be ignored.
5. Gastown
The steam clock at the intersection of Water and Camby streets in Gastown
The history of this ancient city quarter began more than 150 years ago. Any tourist planning a visit to Canada and Vancouver should definitely walk along its ancient streets. You can visit the famous Chinatown, Maple Tree Square and the Anglican Church of Christ. Get acquainted with the architectural masterpieces of the Victorian era, and take memorable photos while walking along the cobbled pavements. Shining neon signs of trendy restaurants, boutiques and clubs here successfully coexist with old baked brick mansions. A peculiar symbol of the quarter is the Steam Clock.
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6. Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Art Gallery at Robson Square Wilson Hui
What to see in Vancouver in 1 day? If you're an art aficionado, the answer is simple: a local gallery with tens of thousands of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and other contemporary Canadian art. Many of the exhibits presented here are not only rare, but also incredibly valuable. Examples include the works of Marc Chagall and Jeff Wall. The collections of the art gallery are based on the works of Emily Carr (more than 150 works of art).
7. Vancouver City Museum
The Crab Fountain in front of the main entrance to the Vancouver City Museum goatling
The collection of this Vancouver landmark took over a hundred years. Buy a ticket and you can learn about the many achievements of world culture, the history of the city and its surroundings. There is also a planetarium and the astronomical exposition of the Macmillan Space Center.
8. Museum of Anthropology
Museum of Anthropology with a collection of Indigenous art
If you are passionate about the history of our planet, hundreds of thousands of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts and objects brought to this authoritative museum from different parts of the Earth will interest you more than all other attractions in Canada.
9. Vancouver Maritime Museum
Vancouver Maritime Museum in Vanier Park
In addition to viewing hand-drawn maps, real ships, photographs, artwork, books and artifacts, you can participate in an educational lecture or visit the huge local library, available to everyone. All exhibits are dedicated to the maritime history of Vancouver and Canada.
10. Science World Center
Science World Center on the bay in Vancouver at night
When making a list of Vancouver's “best attractions,” this museum of modern science, housed in a globe-shaped building with a dinosaur figure on top, is not to be missed. You will be able to set up a lot of non-standard experiments: overtake your shadow, launch square soap bubbles or find yourself inside a large-format camera. Now you know what to see in Vancouver will be interesting not only for you, but also for your children. Many people compare this museum with a real city. In six galleries-pavilions, each dedicated to its own theme, people of any age can have fun.
11. Harbor Center
Skyscraper Harbor Center in Vancouver's CBD
One of the tallest buildings in the world (more than 175 meters). Inside there are business offices, on the roof there is a rotating observation deck with a viewing angle of 360 degrees, climbing to which you can observe the entire panorama of the city, islands, glaciers and mountain peaks, Barrard Bay. Whatever excursions you choose in Vancouver, be sure to include a visit to this skyscraper in your list. A high-speed glass elevator will help you overcome more than one and a half hundred meters up (it will take you less than one minute to ride it). At one time, the honor of opening the tower was given to Neil Armstrong.
12. Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Public Library Central Branch in Library Square
A large-scale architectural monument of Canada, erected on Library Square. The complex, in addition to a nine-story library with millions of books, has an underground parking lot, restaurants, boutiques and a social self-service center, a high-rise building with offices. All visitors are given the opportunity to download electronic and audio books.
13. Granville Island
Granville Island is a shopping center with a giant Free Market Sébastien Launay
We return to the conversation about the main attractions of Vancouver, created by the forces of nature. A unique and most suitable place for those who love shopping or want to get acquainted with the national cuisine of the country: you can visit both luxurious restaurants and small cafes of the main shopping district. Or buy products at the local market, however, it also offers industrial grade goods. After lunch or dinner, you should take a walk to the bay and enjoy the crystal clear air.
14. Canada Place Complex
Canada Place on the Vancouver waterfront
One of those places where life does not stop for a minute: exhibitions and business events are held, the best hotels in Vancouver, chain restaurants and business centers operate. Come to this port and you can admire both cruise liners and ships, and original architectural buildings on the pier.
15. BBC Place Stadium
Stadium BC Place is a multifunctional indoor sports arena
What to visit in Vancouver for sports fans? The multifunctional indoor arena has a truly rich history: it hosted the Paralympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics. Even from a distance, you will see a true illustration of the classic techno-tech building with a huge snow-white dome.
This is not the end of our list of places to visit in Vancouver. We will provide you with other useful recommendations.
What else to visit in Vancouver?
If you read the reviews of experienced tourists, the following objects can continue the rating of the best memorable places and attractions:
16. Kitsilano Beach
View of downtown Vancouver and the mountains from Kitsilano Beach
A key feature of the beach is the longest heated sea water swimming pool in the country (open only in summer). Within walking distance there are sports grounds, walking paths and small cafes. You can enjoy swimming in a perfectly clear sea or pool against the backdrop of mesmerizing mountain peaks.
17. English Bay Beach
Panorama of English Bay beach and residential area in the West End
A beach-bay, equipped for those who like to ride pleasure boats, swim and sunbathe. All sorts of Vancouver outdoor festivals are also held here, for example, the Fireworks Parade, which gathers thousands of vacationers. We recommend coming here during sunset – the spectacle will not leave you indifferent.
18. Lions Gate Bridge
Night view of the Lions Gate Bridge over Burrard Strait -Inlet
Suspension bridge for cars. One of Canada's most recognizable landmarks connects the city to the northern municipalities, and crosses Burrard Bay. Please note that vehicles with studded tires are not allowed on this three-lane bridge. The total length of the legendary “road” is 1823 meters.
19. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano suspension bridge in a picturesque area
The longest suspension bridge attracts the attention of not only tourists, but also local residents. The most reliable and durable, it stretches at a height of 70 meters above the Capilano River. The entrance is guarded by totems-pillars in the form of mythical souls of the squamish tribe and various animals.
20. Grouse Mountain
Amazing view from the top of Grouse Mountain on Vancouver and the ocean at night
If you want to see a gorgeous panorama of the mountain range, climb the mountain located near Capilano Lake (the ascent is carried out in comfortable lift trailers). Here you will be offered such entertainment as descent on a winch on a rope cable (zip-line), skiing and snowboarding, paragliding with tools and alone. If you do not like extreme entertainment, you can relax in cozy cafes (also with panoramic windows) or go skiing on flat tracks.
Traveling to Vancouver will bring you a lot of positive emotions, even if your trip will be short. In order not to lose sight of the most interesting places, plan your excursion route in advance or hire a qualified guide. Read also about the sights of Quebec and get inspired for your next trip to Canada.