Vancouver is one of the top places to visit in British Columbia, Canada. It’s famed for being a place where many American movies are filmed, as well as towering mountains and plenty of art and culture.
No trip to Vancouver would be complete without taking in some of the city’s top sights, which is why we’ve put together this detailed guide of the best things to do in Vancouver.
You’ll find our top recommendations of the 10 best free attractions in Vancouver, as well as all the best paid-for attractions and activities too!
Vancouver Art Gallery is one of the largest galleries in the whole of Canada and is the perfect place in the city for art lovers to visit.
You’ll find hundreds of contemporary, modern and antique works of art inside the gallery, as well as paintings, sculptures and models made by some of the world’s most famous artists.
There are new exhibitions and collections added every few months, so if you visit Vancouver...
English Bay Beach is an incredibly popular beach in the West End for both locals and tourists alike.
You can enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the sand where you can sunbathe, read a book or take a refreshing dip in the sea.
There’s also plenty of activities for kids and teens to enjoy at English Bay Beach such as volleyball, cycling or swimming and it’s a sure-fire way to get everyone together for the day.
Enjoy...
Grouse Mountain is an incredibly popular 1,200-metre high mountain that’s open all year round.
In the winter, you can enjoy the fantastic ski resort that takes you all the way down the mountainside.
Whereas during the summer, you’ll get to enjoy numerous hiking opportunities such as the Grouse Grind.
The Grouse Grind certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted as it’s an incredibly steep trek to the very...
Built for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Olympic Village in Vancouver is now a thriving community and is said to be one of the greenest communities in the world.
Of course, the main attraction within the village is to simply just wander around and admire the home of many athletes during the 2010 Winter Games.
However, you can also find plenty of bars and cafes to enjoy an afternoon snack, as well as beautiful...
Known as one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver, Kitsilano Beach is an absolute must-visit if you’re looking for the best free attractions in Vancouver.
It’s a great place to relax on the beach with a refreshingly cold beverage in one hand and a good book in the other.
If you’re not a particularly big fan of relaxing on the beach, then you can enjoy a friendly game of tennis or volleyball instead to keep...
The Seawall stretches for a total of 17.5 miles around the city’s waterfront and was constructed as a means of preventing erosion of Stanley Park’s foreshore.
While it was originally built for constructive purposes, the Seawall is also one of the very best free attractions in Vancouver.
You can cycle, walk, rollerblade, scooter, skate or run around the entire circumference of the Seawall and whichever way you decide...
The peninsula and shopping district of Granville Island in Vancouver is one of the top free things to do in the city, simply because there really is something for everyone.
You’ll find dozens of shops, stalls, tour offices, a brewery and even an art gallery in Granville Island so you certainly won’t run out of things to see or do.
There’s even a waterpark on Granville Island, although of course this isn’t...
Lynn Canyon Park is a spectacularly lush rainforest right in the heart of Vancouver and is absolutely teeming with so many incredible adventures and things to do.
You can swim in the natural pools, pay a visit to the ecology center or walk along the Suspension Bridge.
Lynn Canyon Park is a very popular place amongst locals so you will likely meet many local Vancouver residents who have been frequenting the park for generations...
One of the most popular National Historic Sites of Canada, the Lighthouse Park is a must-visit free attraction in Vancouver.
It’s open all year round and is an idyllic place to visit away from Downtown Vancouver if you’re wanting to get away from the busy city life.
Lighthouse Park is a great place to take the whole family as you can embark on various hikes along many different trails.
Of course, if...
Yet another awesome park to visit in Vancouver is Stanley Park; an impressive 405-hectare park that’s surrounded by the waters of English Bay and Burrard Inlet.
Inside the park, you’ll find over half a million trees, as well as an aquarium, the famous Malkin Bowl, beaches, monuments and plenty of hiking trails to enjoy!
It really is one of the best free attractions in the whole of Vancouver and is a place...
Skip the Line: Vancouver Aquarium
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Stanley Park Bike Tour
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Grouse Mountain
There are many things you can do for free in Vancouver like booking free entry into some Vancouver museums, joining locals to do some free activities and others. This allows you to have fun and relax on a budget or save for further experiences on your trip.