This October, my friend and I decided to go sightseeing in Vancouver. It’s been years since I went anywhere outside driving distance, so I thought a weekend trip was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my travel era.

Check out my packing tips for a weekend trip.

If I had to describe Vancouver in one word, I’d say mountains.
In two words? Rain and mountains.
In three words? wet, rain and mountains.

ARRIVING VANCOUVER

We had three nights in Vancouver; the first we spent in an Airbnb since our flight landed at midnight. In the morning, we checked out of the Airbnb around 11 AM and into our hotel. They were kind enough to let us check in early as opposed to their 3 PM check-in time.

• ⚠️ We were so tired after the flight we wished we just went straight to the hotel. I’d not advise on this tactic, especially since you might not be able to check in early if there are people in your hotel room prior. Plus checking into your desired accommodation at once gives you a head start on your trip.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at a hotel downtown – Hotel Belmont – and if you’re in Vancouver for a short time, I’d recommend downtown too. Perfect for promenading- and sightseeing. Surrounded by restaurants, fashion boutiques, nightclubs, bars, easy bus access, close to two of the historic cities, Gastown and Chinatown; best place to start your day.

You can even step into the Gucci store while waiting for your bus and you get served free champagne and sparkling water while you (pretend to) peruse.

GETTING AROUND

While I recommend walking, the weather might not agree, and some things are way out of walking distance. It’s a big city so public transportation (public bus, SeaBus, SkyTrain) is pretty efficient and a Day Pass for about $11 is the best value for your money.

In addition, our hotel had free bikes for getting around the city, but you can also rent these on the street.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

After checking into the hotel, getting afternoon ‘breakfast’, strolling downtown & picking up our Day Pass from a 7/11 store, getting Sparkling water & Champagne from a Dior store, we finally started our day.

• Sea to Sky Gondola

This is located in Squamish and was about an hour’s shuttle drive from Vancouver.

As the name implies, it’s a gondola that takes you from sea level to sky level for the most amazing view. At the peak, there’s a suspension bridge leading to hike routes and an observation deck with a breathtaking backdrop for photos. There’re also gift stores and restaurants to enjoy the view while eating.

Unfortunately, it was rainy and cloudy when we arrived and we had zero visibility.

⚠️While I highly recommend it, I think it’s a view that would be most appreciated in summer on a clear day. Note that it might take a chunk of your day too.

• FlyOver Canada

This is located at Canada Place and was my best experience. It’s a simulated flight experience around Canada. You’re seated, hanging from your seat, but it feels like you’re on a ride. It takes you around Canada, you get sprayed by Niagara Falls, you feel the wind, smell the Canola fields; it’s amazing technology, you just have to be there. As you might imagine, we were not allowed to take photos, but words and pictures cannot do the experience justice anyway.

DAY 2

Sunday was terribly rainy, plus an Environmental Canada warning. We started the day late with breakfast at Perfecto Café & Bakery, then back to the hotel, and out again.

• Gastown

Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, surrounded by stores and boutiques and restaurants, home to the ‘anticlimactic’ steam clock- a popular tourist attraction. It was raining so badly, my friend gave up here, but I marched on. Hopped into some gift stores, did a bit of window shopping, and heard the steam clock ring. If it’s not raining, this is a beautiful place to sit out and eat.

• Chinatown

Another tourist neighbourhood. I spent less than an hour here, not just cause of the rain, but it seemed like an unsafe place to be at, alone. No doubt it’s a cultural experience but as you edge from Gastown to Chinatown, you start to see a lot of drunks, people on drugs, people lying on the street motionless, and there are a lot of homeless people camped on the sidewalks too.

As I was already in the area, I visited the Sun Yat-Sen Garden

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

It’s another popular tourist attraction in the area- the first classical garden outside of China. It’s both a museum and a garden. If I had to describe it in one word, I’d say it’s Zen. It’s a sight for eyes sore from walking Chinatown.

• Capilano Suspension Bridge

‘THE’ iconic tourist attraction. I could not leave without seeing this place. It’s a long suspension bridge that takes you through treetop walks, history talks, cliff walk etc.

• ⚠️ We got here in the evening so we definitely missed out on the view (and the cliff walk). I would recommend visiting here in the daytime.

We ended the day with Dinner at a restaurant downtown – the Italian Kitchen, then back to the hotel.

TIPS

It’s a big city with so much to do and a weekend is not enough time to see everything, so plan your itinerary beforehand. Put into consideration the weather since this is a rainy place. I’d advise having a bunch of indoor activity backups just in case the rain disrupts your plans.

Overall, I had a wonderful time and I’m looking forward to going back sometime in the future and visiting places/doing things we couldn’t like Grosse Mountain, Seaplane Tour, e.t.c

Here’s to many more cities.