Recently updated on March 5th, 2024 at 12:57 am
No one should shoot by this happening Canadian city if it can be helped. To the many who know it well, it is a gem of a city that brings the great outdoors and city life together. It is also one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in the country, balancing nature and urbanity with style.
There’s so much to see and do in Vancouver that you might forget to check out what the surrounding area has to offer. A transport hub with great access to the rest of BC, Vancouver is the perfect jumping-off point for day trips into the region. Here are our top 5 escapes from the city.
1) Discover the Whistler Mountains: Traverse the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, BC’s favourite resort town. Enjoy incredible views and scenic stops along the way at Brittania Beach, Whistler Village, Shannon Falls and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum. When you arrive, don’t rush – there’s plenty of time for lunch and a shopping stroll through this picturesque town.
2) Visit Fraser Valley: Hire a car and visit the bucolic Fraser Valley, where Fort Langley National Historic Site should top your plans. This fortified trading post was where BC’s creation was officially announced in 1858. We suggest downloading some free Circle Farm Tour (circlefarmtour.com) maps and spend your time weaving around Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and beyond – dropping into visitor-friendly farms, boutique wineries and historic attractions along the way.
3) Explore Grouse Mountain: Located only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain’s Super Skyride whisks you high above the city to a mountaintop of adventure. Enjoy a trolley tour through scenic Stanley Park before boarding the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain for breath-taking views of Vancouver. Later, suspend your breath at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, swinging and swaying 70mt above the raging Capilano River.
4) Snorkel & Kayak with seals: Visit the Pam Rocks deal colony in scenic Howe Sound. Marine lovers have the chance to experience a face-to-face encounter with the seals in their natural environment by kayak and snorkelling. Experience spectacular ocean scenery and multitudes of birds from the nearby sanctuary including bald eagles and plenty of marine life.
5) View Victoria by Floatplane: Experience the rugged beauty of the west coast, travel to Victoria by floatplane. Upon arrival take a Zodiac ride in search of orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife, before a guided tour of the world famous Butchart Gardens.
Even if you stopped by Vancouver every time you visited a Canadian city, you’d find something new to enjoy every time.