Susanne Located on the North Pacific Ocean, Vancouver enjoys much warmer weather than most other cities in Canada, even during winter. Indeed, the mild weather in Vancouver attracts a lot of tourists and Canadian residents, drawing around 6 million people to the city each year. This map of Vancouver will help you to navigate this exciting city.
Vancouver was really put on the map in 2010. The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games were a major world event and Canadians are proud of this successful event. 2600 athletes from 82 nations participated, and Canada as the host nation led the gold medal count and broke the record for most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics.
To make life convenient for locals and tourists alike, Vancouver has a well-developed public transit system: the SkyTrain is an elevated and fully automated train. The city also has trolley buses, the West Coast Express, a commuter railway, and the SeaBus, a ferry system that connects downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver. With this extensive transit system, it’s easy to explore all of Vancouver!
Top Vancouver attractions
- Canada Place: This iconic waterfront building is the home of the Vancouver Convention Centre and held the world’s first permanent IMAX 3D Theater. It is also the main terminal for cruise ships and many Alaska cruises depart from here. Canada’s Storyboard is a gigantic LED display on the outside of the building that features Canadian content and celebrates the Canadian sprit. The Sails of Light is a visual event that illuminates the buildings distinctive sails on a nightly basis.
- Stanley Park: Stanley Park is renowned as one of the most magnificent parks in the world. This park features a number of famous landmarks, such as the Lost Lagoon, Prospect Point and a variety of monuments. Also, you can walk along the Seawall, the most picturesque and well-known walking route of the park. The views of the downtown Vancouver, the mountains and the Lion’s Gate Bridge from Stanley Park are absolutely breathtaking.
- The Vancouver Aquarium: Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium contains numerous species of sea animals and hosts events or shows for visitors, especially for families. The aquarium is the largest one in Canada and one of the five largest in North America. One of its popular attractions is a 4D theatre that lets visitors virtually explore the sea. Not only is the Vancouver Aquarium a popular tourist destination; it is also a research, learning and animal rehabilitation centre.
- Grandville Island: To go to Granville Island, you don’t have to take the car: you can access it on foot or with the Aquabus. The Granville Island Public Market includes a farmers market, miscellaneous other vendors and a variety of restaurants and cafés. It’s a perfect place to buy some fresh seafood or taste a pleasant meal. In addition to the market, you can enjoy performance arts, musical shows or exhibitions everywhere on the island.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge: In North Vancouver, walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge will provide you with an adrenalin-inducing adventure in middle of a West Coast rainforest. This place is considered to be one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions. You’ll need to muster your courage to walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, suspended 70 metres above the river.
- Grouse Mountain – a.k.a. the Peak of Vancouver: If you are a winter sports fan, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding within less than half an hour from Vancouver. Four lifts will whisk you up to 26 trails from which you can enjoy a phenomenal view over Vancouver and the Pacific Coast. If you have more time, you can go to Whistler, the largest ski resort in Canada, which would take you about one hour from the Vancouver International Airport by car.
- Chinatown: Vancouver’s Chinatown is the second largest Chinatown in North America and the largest in Canada. You can find various restaurants, tea shops, clothing stores, markets and clinics here. Throughout the year, a variety of special events marks the calendar, including big celebrations on Chinese New Year.
Events in Vancouver:
- Northerners love spring and in Vancouver spring comes much earlier than in many other North American cities. . During sprint time, Vancouver hosts the Sakura Day Japan Festival at the VanDusen Botanical Garden at the beginning of April. Under the Cherry Blossom trees, you can experience Japanese culture including kimono demonstrations or geisha dances.
- During summer and fall, Vancouver hosts numerous international events, such as the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) from the end of September to the middle of October, the Vancouver Pride Parade on July 31st, and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival at different locations throughout the city in June and July.
- The Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show is an inspiring event to celebrate Canada Day at Canada Place.
- Shoppers will enjoy Robson Street where they can purchase fashionable products from Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and others.
With its location on the Pacific Ocean and its mountainous backdrop, Vancouver is one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. Its unique combination of outdoor scenic beauty, urban amenities, cultural and culinary offerings will entice you to explore British Columbia’s metropolis.
Check out our article collection from our 2005 trip to Vancouver.
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