Visit one of the many beautiful beaches: English Bay & Sunset Beach, Kitsalano Beach, Jericho Beach Park (our favorite!), or Spanish Beach. Explore wonderful parks - Visit Queen Elizabeth Park's tranquil gardens with a skyline perspective or VanDusen gardens. The Vancouver Seawall is a 17-mile continuous, paved, car-free pathway, recognized as the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path. From the Convention Centre to Stanley Park to Spanish Banks, it is ideal for walking, running & cycling. You’ll pass beaches, totem poles, forest trails, and skyline views. You may see us on the trail! Head to Granville Island Public Market for local food, artisan shops, street performers, and waterfront views. Great for lunch and browsing. Wander around Canada Place for Harbor views, photo ops with the sails, and optional short harbor cruise from Harbour Cruises Ltd. Great spot for dinner with water views. Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery which houses a strong local & Canadian art collection.
GASTOWN Old part of town with boutique shops, great dining and bar options. Working gas lamps still light the streets at night! Revolver is our fav coffee shop, Guilt & Co. is a fun basement bar with live music. YALETOWN A dynamic neighborhood in the downtown area with lots of restaurants and bars. Great for a night out. One of our favorite restaurants near there is Homer Street Cafe & Bar! WEST END Jingle Bao & Yum Yum Wok - delicious dim sum Maxine's cafe & Bar - great bistro fare MOUNT PLEASANT La Fabrique St-George Winery - Georgian winery, cool vibes, picnic provisions, open late. Dear Gus Snack Bar - a jewel box of a wine bar; Natalie would be a regular if we lived here! Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions - great cocktails, bar food, lively + antiques. 33 Acres - award wining brewery and chill lounge space. CAMBIE VILLAGE June is a swanky cocktail bar (reservations encouraged), with a cool vinyl lounge - Lala - in the basement. Osteria Elio Volpe - modern, fresh Italian.
Vancouver has lots of great hiking opportunities right next to the city! Most of these trailheads are around a 30 minute drive from downtown. GROUSE MOUNTAIN https://www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind https://www.alltrails.com/poi/canada/british-columbia/grouse-mountain SEYMOUR MOUNTAIN PARK https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/british-columbia/mount-seymour-provincial-park https://bcparks.ca/mount-seymour-park/ CYPRESS PROVINCIAL PARK https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/british-columbia/cypress-provincial-park https://bcparks.ca/cypress-park/hike-ski/ CAPILANO SUSPSENSION BRIDGE Just north of Vancouver, explore the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and thrilling cliffwalk through treetops and canyon views.
DEEP COVE This is a beautiful bay in North Vancouver that’s perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. We did a fun kayak trip here with friends last summer! You can rent both right at the bay! Other spots around Vancouver to kayak or paddle board include False Creek or English Bay. SEA-TO-SKY HIGHWAY Coined one of the most beautiful drives in the world and located within a UNESCO Biosphere Region, the hour drive from Vancouver to Squamish traverses through the Howe Sowe Fjord, where you have views of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island, and the snowcapped peaks of the Coast Mountain Range. SQUAMISH, B.C. Many of our favorite adventures have started from this town that is truly an outdoor-lover's dream. Hiking and mountain biking are plentiful, as well as tasty restaurants and breweries. Some highlights include: hiking in Murrin Provincial Park, or the famous Chief hiking trails. Tasty food and beer at the Copper Coil Still and Grill, the Watershed Grill, or The Buvette.
WHISTLER, B.C. Want to visit the Alps but stay in North America? Whistler is a stunning mountain town famous for skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Take the gondola up to the peaks and hike amidst glaciers and alpine meadows, or enjoy the dynamic whistler village. THE GULF ISLANDS & VANCOUVER ISLAND It’s not just mountains in Vancouver! Take a ferry from either the Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay terminals, and enjoy a day trip or longer on one of the many beautiful islands just outside Vancouver. Some of our favorites for biking, hiking, or eating are Galiano and Mayne Island. And Vancouver Island is a great place to explore for a few days. VICTORIA, B.C. British Columbia’s capital city, situated on the southern end of Vancouver island. This VERY British city has double decker buses, English pubs, and high tea at the Empress Hotel.
Besides our wedding, there are several other fun events happening that same weekend: VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL AT JERICHO BEACH A beloved outdoor music event with global acts. https://thefestival.bc.ca/ RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET & SHIPYARDS NIGHT MARKET Weekend summer markets with food and entertainment https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/things-to-do/night-market/ https://shipyardsnightmarket.com/