Finishing our Canadian Rockies road trip in Vancouver turned out to be a great idea. I’ve heard only positive feedback on this city, so I couldn’t miss it. However, I must admit, my first impression upon arrival into this coastal port wasn’t exactly as I imagined it to be. No wonder that after two weeks spent in the national parks and small cities with light traffic, low buildings and nature all around, Vancouver came as a shock. Skyscrapers and heavy traffic were rather claustrophobic for me. So, how I changed my mind? After we returned car to the rental, we bought coffee to go and walked all the way back the hotel. Enjoying the beautiful sunny weather and watching those little seaplanes taking off and landing in the Vancouver Harbor, I changed my mind about this fascinating city. 😊 So, if Vancouver happens to be your next destination, forget about my first impression, pack your camera and prepare for a rich program! Here are my recommendations for the top attractions in Vancouver.

For me, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park was the top Vancouver attraction and if asked, I would recommend it to everyone. Maybe only if you are afraid of heights, I would tell you to reconsider. For your better imagination and judgment, my boyfriend is afraid of heights and he’s survived. 😉

You can choose from more attractions within this park, the best is however to take them all. 😊 Capilano Suspension Bridge itself was the biggest attraction/adrenaline for me. I am not afraid of heights, but let me tell you, crossing this bridge made me think twice. 😊 It is nearly 140 meters long (and about 1,5 meters wide) bridge “hanging” 70 meters above the Capilano River. It is slightly swinging when you walk it, slightly more when its crowded with pedestrians. I felt like drunk, swinging from right to left and left to right with every step and was little stressed out. Railings were nearly up to my shoulders (I am not very tall person), so it should be safe. Yet I couldn’t stop thinking what if it turns around! 😊 Well, I would describe it in just one word – amazing!

The rest of the attractions is less adrenaline. Once you cross the Capilano Bridge, you will find yourself in the rainforest with its “Treetops Adventure” – system of suspension bridges (these are much shorter and don’t swing that much) and platforms. On the opposite side, you can enjoy “Cliffwalk” – a cliffside journey above the Capilano River. Walkways are narrow and one platform is from glass for the better view below to the canyon. 😊

So, what do you say? Would you dare? I am positive and believe that my description persuaded you, so you can further proceed to the official Capilano Suspension Bridge Park website to book your ticket(s). 😉 (If you’ve already visited Capilano Bridge, you can share your feelings below in the comment. 😊)

By visiting Vancouver Lookout tower, you will kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, you will enjoy beautiful view of the city and get to know the surroundings better. Secondly, you can take amazing photos of the city below, mostly in the evening when it’s dark. It is great that the ticket is valid 24 hours since its purchase. It means that number of your visits is not limited to one! You can enjoy the city views during the day (hopefully sunny one) and later in the evening – during sunset or later, when it’s dark outside. Vancouver Lookout is not only a great photo spot to take photos of the city from the bird’s perspective, it is a perfect photo subject itself. As it is not easy to find the best photo spot (as the tower is situated at the top of the building), your photo is more valuable. 😊

If you decide to visit the lookout tower, check out the official Vancouver Lookout website. It is little bit cheaper to buy tickets online 😉

Everybody who has heard about Vancouver must have heard about Stanley park as well. In 2014, it was awarded the Best park in the world by TripAdvisor. This green peninsula is the oldest and largest urban park in Vancouver and is easily accessible from downtown. We spent there more than half-day, however, you can prepare one whole day for your visit, because it has so many activities to offer. To make sure you manage to see everything you plan, I recommend renting a bicycle. It is very popular around and saves you lot of time when exploring around 27 km of forest trails. 😉 (However, be careful and watch out for pedestrians and other cyclists at all times!)

We started our Stanley park tour at the Second Beach, enjoyed the jungle-like surrounding of the Lost Lagoon, follow the sidewalk around the harbor and watched seagulls crashing shells on the pavement to get to the food inside. These birds were so clever! When they couldn’t crash it themselves, they took it in the air and let it fall on the pavement from about 15-meter high. Crows were clever enough to let seagulls crash the shell and then simply steal it. 😊 After all, why am I mentioning this? Just to warn you that you can be accidentally hit by such a falling shell. 😊

With a little detour to the popular Totem Poles, we continued to the Nine O’Clock Gun and Brockton Point Lighthouse. Once we got to the Girl in a Wetsuit Statue, we headed inside the park again, took a little break to enjoy the beautiful weather, passed the Vancouver Aquarium and headed back to the downtown. We didn’t see the other half of the park; however, I regret the most not seeing the local residents – racoons. To get luckier, come in the early morning or later in the evening, they are most active when it’s dark. Be careful, they are wild animals, and do not feed them.

It was after we arrived to Vancouver that we understood the perfect location of our hotel. It was just 5-minute walk away from the English Bay Beach. We even had the room with the ocean view, from the angle, but anyway. 😊 We used to go there in morning, sit and enjoy the morning ocean chill while sipping our morning coffee. In the late evening, we came back to walk in the direction of the Sunset Beach, to enjoy the sunset, of course. 😊 English Bay Beach and Sunset Beach are divided by the famous Inukshuk rock sculpture. It represents human figure and is one of the Canada’s national symbols. Don’t miss it, it looks really nice. 😊

Walking along these beaches, there are many restaurants. You can enjoy romantic dinner if you don’t mind waiting in the queue for table. We didn’t resist and bought barbecue hot-dog with jalapeno from a local street vendor. It was a bit difficult to eat it at the promenade. It was windy and my hair was all around my head, but it was so tasty and worth the struggle. Consider one for dinner too. 😊

When you decide to go to the English Bay Beach, I recommend also visiting A-Maze-Ing Laughter. It is located right next the to beach in the little Morton Park. A-Maze-Ing Laughter is art consisting of 14 tall bronze sculptures of a laughing Asian man. You can take funny and creative photos there and I believe it will make your mood for the day too. My profile photo on the ‘About me’ page comes from this very place. 😊

To relax and enjoy beautiful views, little walk around the Vancouver harbor is a great idea. Especially during a nice sunny day. You can start your stroll at Canada Place as we did on our first day. To all coffee lovers and addicts – grab one to go in downtown before you turn in harbor direction. 😊 On the way to the Seawall Water Walk, you can stop by the Olympic Cauldron or take photos of Digital Orca (a whale statue). Or you can simply watch sea planes taking off and think where they might be flying to. 😊 You can also by a ticket and enjoy a 20-minute flight above Vancouver. You can enrich your stroll by walking the jetty. However, it is floating and can make you little nauseous. Seawall Water Walk continues to docs around LightShed – Sculpture by Liz Magor, funny little cabin standing on four wooden pillars.

For even more inspiration for your Vancouver visit, check out our 3-day itinerary in this beautiful coastal city. You will find it at the end of my blog (you will have to scroll like couple pages, it is a bit longer blog) on Canadian Rockies Itinerary: From Calgary to Vancouver in 2 Weeks.

Love & happy travels,
RLT

P.S.: If you have any questions, different experience or suggestion, please share it in a comment below. 😉