Five awesome places to visit in Vancouver

Nestled away in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is one of the country’s most popular places to live. Not only this, it is a fantastic tourist destination. There aren’t many places in the world where you are in the heart of the city one minute, and then can walk a short distance to get up into the mountains. Vancouver is also well known for its thriving cultural scene, as well as being a popular place to do business. Unlike much of the rest of the country, its geographical location means that it doesn’t suffer from the harsh winters which sweep across much of the rest of the country. If you are planning to take a trip out here, remember that the entry rules have recently changed so you may need to obtain an Official Canada ETA. Here are the top five things to do in Vancouver when you get here.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

At 137 metres long and 70 metres high, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is not for the faint hearted. Amazingly, it has been around since the late 19th century and was the city’s very first tourist attraction. After you cross the bridge, you reach some parkland with plenty of trails for hiking and a transparent suspended platform called the Cliffwalk. Also worth a visit is the Capilano Salmon Hatchery where you see how the centre has been ingeniously designed so the fish avoid Cleveland Dam.

Stanley Park

Adjacent to downtown Vancouver, this park feels like you could be miles away from everything. Huge trees tower above the area, while there is a seawall that encircles all the greenery. You can either explore the area on foot or by bicycle, admiring the views as you get around each corner. Inside the park area itself, you can get a closer look at the sealife at Vancouver Aquarium, or marvel at the Totem Poles at Brockton Point.

Granville Island

This former industrial site is now one of the top cultural areas in Vancouver with galleries, theatres and restaurants aplenty. Also worth a visit is the Granville Island Public Market which offers a variety of fruit and veg, as well as ready to eat hot food.

Grouse Mountain

The place to go if you are looking for spectacular views over the city, Grouse Mountain can be reached by Gondola. It’s a particularly special place to visit at night when you can see the city illuminated. In wintertime, there are plenty of activities to enjoy including skiing, snowboarding, skating and snowshoeing.

Kitsilano Beach

It’s testament to the diversity of Vancouver that you can be in the mountains one minute and at the beach the next. You can enjoy a dip in the outdoor seawater swimming pool while staring up at the towering mountains ahead of you. It also provides one of the best spots to views the city centre from afar. Vancouver is one of those destinations that offers something for everyone, and is worth a trip on its own or as part of a journey around Canada. As a side trip, you can also travel to Victoria from Vancouver Island via a seaplane. Booking.com