Things to Do in Vancouver
This list covers a range of popular things to do in Vancouver, from large parks and beaches to gardens and attractions. The places are spread across several neighbourhoods, with the West Side, Central Vancouver, and North Vancouver appearing most frequently. All entries are free to visit, as no price levels are indicated in the data. Reviewers often mention specific activities like biking, sunset views, and peaceful atmospheres at these locations.
The selection includes outdoor activities like biking at Stanley Park, enjoying sunsets at English Bay Beach, and exploring gardens at VanDusen. It also includes unique spots like an aquarium shop and an art gallery. The list is ordered using a weighted rating to account for both star rating and number of reviews, ensuring well-established places are featured. All places are currently open and have at least 500 reviews. This method provides a balanced view of Vancouver's most visited and highly rated destinations.
| # | Name | Area | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Park | Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 49,030 | |
| 2 | April's Aquarium | South Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.9 | 977 | |
| 3 | Sams Original Art | West Side | ★★★★★ 5 | 575 | |
| 4 | English Bay Beach | Central Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 19,834 | |
| 5 | Queen Elizabeth Park | East Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 15,375 | |
| 6 | VanDusen Botanical Garden | West Side | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 13,915 | |
| 7 | Sunset Beach Park | Central Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 8,865 | |
| 8 | Kitsilano Beach Park | West Side | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 8,749 | |
| 9 | Jericho Beach Park | West Side | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 5,137 | |
| 10 | Cleveland Dam | North Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 3,592 | |
| 11 | Spanish Banks Beach Park | West Side | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,990 | |
| 12 | Harbour Green Park | Central Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,466 | |
| 13 | Locarno Park | West Side | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,402 | |
| 14 | The Shipyards | North Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,331 | |
| 15 | Pacific Spirit Regional Park | UBC | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,813 | |
| 16 | Capilano River Regional Park | North Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,659 | |
| 17 | Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens | East Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 647 | |
| 18 | Stanley Park Rose Garden | Central Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,306 | |
| 19 | Capilano Suspension Bridge Park | North Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 37,935 | |
| 20 | Bloedel Conservatory | East Vancouver | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 8,947 |
Stanley Park
It opens daily from 6:00 to 22:00. Reviewers often mention biking on the Seawall, visiting the aquarium, and seeing the Totem Poles.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
April's Aquarium
April's Aquarium is a shop in South Vancouver with a 4.9 rating from 977 reviews. It is open daily, with extended hours until 21:00 on Thursdays. Reviewers often praise the knowledgeable staff, healthy fish selection, and plant variety.
Opening hours
- Sun 10:00-18:00
- Mon 10:00-18:00
- Tue 10:00-18:00
- Wed 10:00-18:00
- Thu 10:00-21:00
- Fri 10:00-18:00
- Sat 10:00-18:00
Sams Original Art
Sams Original Art is a gallery on the West Side with a perfect 5.0 rating from 575 reviews. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00. Reviewers often mention prints, vibrant colours, and supporting the local artist.
Opening hours
- Tue 11:00-17:00
- Wed 11:00-17:00
- Thu 11:00-17:00
- Fri 11:00-17:00
- Sat 11:00-17:00
English Bay Beach
It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often highlight the sunset views, relaxing atmosphere, and the polar bear swim.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Queen Elizabeth Park
It is open daily from 6:00 to 22:00. Reviewers often mention the gardens, city views, and activities like pitch and putt golf.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Hours are 9:00 to 17:00 daily. Reviewers often talk about the maze, peaceful atmosphere, and variety of plants.
Opening hours
- Sun 09:00-17:00
- Mon 09:00-17:00
- Tue 09:00-17:00
- Wed 09:00-17:00
- Thu 09:00-17:00
- Fri 09:00-17:00
- Sat 09:00-17:00
Sunset Beach Park
It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 every day. Reviewers often mention sunset views, the seawall, and note it can get crowded.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Kitsilano Beach Park
It is open daily from 6:00 to 22:00. Reviewers often talk about sunset views, beach volleyball, and tennis courts.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Jericho Beach Park
It opens daily from 7:00 to 22:00. Reviewers often mention the beach, sunsets, and note it is less crowded than others.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-22:00
- Mon 07:00-22:00
- Tue 07:00-22:00
- Wed 07:00-22:00
- Thu 07:00-22:00
- Fri 07:00-22:00
- Sat 07:00-22:00
Cleveland Dam
It is open from 7:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often mention trails, picnics, and the peaceful atmosphere.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-22:00
- Mon 07:00-22:00
- Tue 07:00-22:00
- Wed 07:00-22:00
- Thu 07:00-22:00
- Fri 07:00-22:00
- Sat 07:00-22:00
Spanish Banks Beach Park
It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often mention the beach, tide pools, volleyball, and mountain views.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Harbour Green Park
It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often mention watching seaplanes, the seawall, and the green space.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Locarno Park
Its hours are 11:30 to 20:00 daily. Reviewers often mention the beach, BBQs, volleyball, and ocean views.
Opening hours
- Sun 11:30-20:00
- Mon 11:30-20:00
- Tue 11:30-20:00
- Wed 11:30-20:00
- Thu 11:30-20:00
- Fri 11:30-20:00
- Sat 11:30-20:00
The Shipyards
It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reviewers often mention the ice rink, food trucks, and Christmas market.
Opening hours
- Sun 00:00-24:00
- Mon 00:00-24:00
- Tue 00:00-24:00
- Wed 00:00-24:00
- Thu 00:00-24:00
- Fri 00:00-24:00
- Sat 00:00-24:00
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
It is open from 7:00 to 19:00 daily. Reviewers often mention it is good for dog walking, easy trails, and biking.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-19:00
- Mon 07:00-19:00
- Tue 07:00-19:00
- Wed 07:00-19:00
- Thu 07:00-19:00
- Fri 07:00-19:00
- Sat 07:00-19:00
Capilano River Regional Park
It is open from 7:00 to 20:00 daily. Reviewers often mention trails, the salmon hatchery, and fishing.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-20:00
- Mon 07:00-20:00
- Tue 07:00-20:00
- Wed 07:00-20:00
- Thu 07:00-20:00
- Fri 07:00-20:00
- Sat 07:00-20:00
Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens
Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens in East Vancouver has a 4.8 rating from 647 reviews. It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often mention free admission, city views, and cherry blossoms.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Stanley Park Rose Garden
It is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily. Reviewers often mention the roses, flowers, and peaceful atmosphere.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-22:00
- Mon 06:00-22:00
- Tue 06:00-22:00
- Wed 06:00-22:00
- Thu 06:00-22:00
- Fri 06:00-22:00
- Sat 06:00-22:00
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
It is open from 8:30 to 20:00 daily. Reviewers often mention it can be crowded and highlight the Cliffwalk and free shuttle.
Opening hours
- Sun 08:30-20:00
- Mon 08:30-20:00
- Tue 08:30-20:00
- Wed 08:30-20:00
- Thu 08:30-20:00
- Fri 08:30-20:00
- Sat 08:30-20:00
Bloedel Conservatory
It is open from 10:00 to 17:00 daily. Reviewers often mention the tropical climate, parrots, and exotic birds.
Opening hours
- Sun 10:00-17:00
- Mon 10:00-17:00
- Tue 10:00-17:00
- Wed 10:00-17:00
- Thu 10:00-17:00
- Fri 10:00-17:00
- Sat 10:00-17:00
Tips before you go
- Check opening hours, as they vary. Most parks open at 6:00 or 7:00 and close at 22:00, but gardens like VanDusen close at 17:00 and some shops have shorter hours.
- All listed places are free to visit, as no price level information was provided in the source data.
- Consider neighbourhood clusters. The West Side has many beaches and parks, while North Vancouver features attractions like the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Cleveland Dam.
- For shopping, April's Aquarium offers delivery and in-store pickup, and is open until 21:00 on Thursdays.
- Some places, like The Shipyards, are open 24 hours, while others like Locarno Park have a later opening time of 11:30.
- Many locations have wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, and restrooms, as indicated in their features.
How we made this list
This list was created using Google ratings and review counts as of October 22, 2026. To ensure stability, a weighted rating was used so places with very few reviews do not rank disproportionately high. Only places with at least 500 reviews were considered for inclusion. Furthermore, the list includes only places that are currently open to visitors. This approach combines popularity with quality to highlight Vancouver's most reliable destinations.
Questions about things to do in Vancouver
Are these places free to visit?
Based on the provided data, no price levels are indicated for any of these places, suggesting there is no admission fee. Reviewers specifically mention free admission for the Queen Elizabeth Quarry Gardens. However, it is always a good idea to check official sources for the most current information on parking or any potential entry fees.
Which neighbourhood has the most things to do on this list?
The West Side neighbourhood appears most frequently, with seven entries including Kitsilano Beach, Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks, VanDusen Botanical Garden, and Sams Original Art. Central Vancouver and North Vancouver also have several listings each, with four and four entries respectively. East Vancouver has three entries, such as Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory.
Are these places good for outdoor activities?
Yes, the list is dominated by parks, beaches, and gardens. Reviewers often mention activities like biking on the Stanley Park Seawall, beach volleyball at Kitsilano, hiking at Pacific Spirit Park, and picnicking at many locations. Features also note amenities like barbecue grills, picnic tables, and cycling lanes, supporting a wide range of outdoor pursuits. Many places are open from early morning until late evening, allowing for full days outside.
More in Vancouver
Things to do in other cities
Ratings, review counts, prices and hours come from Google Maps listings as of 2026-10-22 and change over time. Call ahead or check the venue's own site before you go. Nobody pays to be on these lists.