Your Complete Vancouver Itinerary: Explore the Best of British Columbia
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Top things to do in Vancouver
Sea to Sky Gondola 🚠
Begin your adventure with the Sea to Sky Gondola ride, offering stunning panoramic views of the Howe Sound fjord, coastal forest, and surrounding mountains. This thrilling experience sets the perfect tone for your weekend getaway.
We rode the gondola on a clear morning, and the summit views were the best photo stop of our trip.
Address: 36800 Highway 99, Squamish, BC
Hours: Daily, seasonal (typically 9:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Admission: Paid, adult tickets from roughly $74 online
Parking: Paid on site, flat rate
Please confirm current hours and pricing online before visiting.
See our best hikes in Canada
Squamish – The Adventure Capital of Canada 🏞️
Head to Squamish for breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures. Known as the adventure capital, you can enjoy activities like rock climbing, hiking, and eagle watching.
We stopped here for lunch before the gondola and could have spent a whole extra day.
Address: Squamish, BC, roughly halfway between Vancouver and Whistler
Please confirm trail conditions with the visitor centre before visiting.
See our best biking trails in Canada
Sea to Sky Highway 🛣️
Drive along the Sea to Sky Highway, famously coined as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The scenic route offers spectacular views of mountains, ocean, and forested landscapes.
We rolled the windows down and pulled over at nearly every lookout along the way.
Address: Highway 99, between Vancouver and Whistler
Please confirm current road and weather conditions before visiting.
It passes several roadside waterfalls, similar to our best waterfalls in Canada
Stanley Park 🏞️
Explore Stanley Park, a 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest. Enjoy the scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along the park’s famous Seawall.
We rented bikes and rode the Seawall in an afternoon. Still one of our favourites.
Address: Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver, BC
Admission: Free to enter
Parking: Paid, managed by EasyPark
Please confirm current parking rates online before visiting.
See our guide to wildlife in Canada
Suspension Bridges
🌉
Visit one of Vancouver’s iconic suspension bridges, such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge or Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. These bridges offer thrilling walks with stunning views of the surrounding nature.
We found Capilano worth the crowds, and the Sky Pilot Bridge at the gondola summit was a nice bonus.
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1
Hours: Daily, seasonal, hours change through the year
Parking: Paid on site, free overflow shuttle parking at busy times
Please confirm seasonal hours and pricing online before visiting.
Where to Eat in Vancouver
Granville Island Public Market
Explore the Granville Island Public Market for a variety of fresh produce, artisan foods, and delicious snacks.
We grabbed lunch from three different stalls and shared it all at a table by the water.
Address: 1661 Duranleau Street, Vancouver, BC
Hours: Daily, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission: Free to enter
Parking: Free until 11:00 am and after 6:00 pm, metered in between
Please confirm current parking rules online before visiting.
Browse more of our food coverage
Gastown Restaurants
Head to Gastown for a diverse culinary experience, with options ranging from gourmet restaurants to cozy cafes and vibrant bars.
We wandered Gastown after dinner one night and stayed for dessert somewhere unplanned.
Address: Gastown, Vancouver, BC
Please confirm individual restaurant hours before visiting.
We also love our favourite Indian restaurants in Toronto
Things to Do in Harrison
Cultus Lake Marina
Visit Cultus Lake Marina for parasailing and other water activities. The marina offers a variety of watercraft and jet-ski rentals to explore the beautiful Cultus Lake.
We booked our jet ski slot a day ahead in peak summer, and were glad we did.
Address: 50 Sunnyside Avenue, Cultus Lake, BC
Please confirm rental rates with the marina before visiting.
For more short getaways, see our weekend trips from Toronto
Harrison Hot Springs
Relax at Harrison Hot Springs, nestled against the magnificent mountains and sandy beaches of Harrison Lake. The hot springs are a perfect retreat for unwinding and enjoying nature’s wonders.
We soaked here after a long driving day and it reset the rest of our trip.
Address: 101 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC (Public Mineral Pool)
Please confirm current hours and admission pricing before visiting.
This fits well into a broader spring vacation in Canada
Harrison Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum
Discover the legend of Sasquatch at the Harrison Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum. Learn about the local folklore and explore exhibits dedicated to this mysterious creature.
We expected a quick stop and ended up spending nearly an hour here.
Address: 499 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Admission: Free entry
Please confirm opening hours with the visitor centre before visiting.
See our guide to wildlife in Canada
Harrison Lake
Explore Harrison Lake and soak in its breathtaking views. Once an arm of the sea, the lake is now a freshwater haven ideal for boating, fishing, and relaxing by the shore.
We had a quiet morning on the beach before the day trippers arrived.
Address: Harrison Beach, Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Admission: Free public beach
Please confirm parking availability locally before visiting.
Lakeside fans might also enjoy our best places to stay in Muskoka
Places to Stay in Harrison
Sandpiper Resort 🏞️
Enjoy a luxurious stay at Sandpiper Resort, featuring deep soaker tubs, in-room wood-burning fireplaces, and magnificent views of the Harrison River and mountains. Don’t miss dining at the River’s Edge Clubhouse Restaurant for delicious food and stunning views.
We booked a room with a fireplace, and it turned an overnight stop into a trip highlight.
Address: 14282 Morris Valley Road, Harrison Mills, BC V0M 1L0
Please confirm room rates with the resort before visiting.
See our best resorts in Ontario
♨️ Staying at Harrison Hot Springs?
Find top-rated hotels at Harrison Hot Springs and lock in your rate through Expedia — the ultimate BC retreat for rest, relaxation, and natural thermal pools.
Where to Eat in Harrison
Muddy Waters Café🍛
Dine at Muddy Waters Café, which offers a unique farm-to-table experience using fresh, local ingredients. The dog-friendly patio adds to its charm.
We still think about the breakfast we had on that patio.
Address: 328 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0
Please confirm opening hours with the café before visiting.
See more of our food coverage
Rocky Mountain Chocolate 🍫
Indulge in a special treat with a chocolate ‘Sasquatch Feet’ from Rocky Mountain Chocolate, located next to Muddy Waters Café.
We picked up a box for the road and it barely survived the drive back.
Address: 328 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Please confirm opening hours with the shop before visiting.
Browse more of our food coverage
Things to Do in Abbotsford
Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival
Experience the vibrant colors of the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival at Lakeland Flowers. The festival showcases acres of tulips, peonies, lavender, and more, making it a visual delight from mid-May to early September.
We went early on a weekday and had entire rows of flowers to ourselves.
Address: 3663 Marion Road, Abbotsford, BC (Lakeland Flowers)
Please confirm festival dates and pricing online before visiting.
We also love the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa
Abbotsford Wine Scene 
Even if you don’t drink, visiting Abbotsford’s wineries and cideries is a must. Enjoy mocktails at Ripples Estate Winery while soaking in the beautiful vineyard views.
We are not big drinkers, and the mocktail flight at Ripples was still a favourite stop.
Address: 3387 Tolmie Road, Abbotsford, BC (Ripples Estate Winery)
Please confirm tasting room hours with the winery before visiting.
Wine lovers might also enjoy our best places to visit in Italy
Historic Downtown Abbotsford 
Explore Historic Downtown Abbotsford, filled with local shops, eateries, and historical sites. It’s a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and discovering unique local businesses.
We spent an easy hour here between our farm and winery stops.
Address: Historic Downtown, Abbotsford, BC
Admission: Free to walk around
Please confirm individual shop hours locally before visiting.
See our guide to small towns in Ontario
Maan Farms 
Visit Maan Farms, a family-friendly destination with farm animals, games, and delicious farm food. It’s an ideal spot to spend a fun-filled day with family and friends.
We went during berry season and left with far more jam than planned.
Address: 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7N4
Please confirm seasonal hours and pricing online before visiting.
See our family-friendly animal farms near Toronto
Taves Estate Cidery 
Enjoy fruit-infused mocktail ciders at Taves Estate Cidery and don’t miss the chance to cuddle with goats, making it a delightful experience for animal lovers.
Our visit to the goats ran long enough that we nearly missed our dinner reservation.
Address: 333 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC
Please confirm seasonal hours with the cidery before visiting.
It reminded us of apple picking at Chudleigh’s Farm near Toronto
Places to Stay in Abbotsford
Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel 🖼️
Stay at the charming Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel, featuring movie-themed luxury suites. Each suite is uniquely decorated to create an enchanting atmosphere.
Our themed suite made checking in feel like part of the trip.
Address: 2379 Chardonnay Lane, Abbotsford, BC V4X 0A6
Please confirm room availability with the hotel before visiting.
See our guide to glamping in Ontario
Where to Eat in Abbotsford
Amici Wine Bar 🍝
Enjoy a delightful dinner at Amici Wine Bar, known for its exquisite food and welcoming ambiance.
We stayed far longer than planned over dessert and coffee here.
Address: 33724 Essendene Avenue, Abbotsford, BC
Please confirm opening hours with the wine bar before visiting.
It reminded us of our best places to visit in Italy
Table Bistro ☕️
Dine at Table Bistro, which offers some of the best food in Abbotsford, ensuring a memorable culinary experience.
We went for brunch and it became one of our favourite meals of the trip.
Address: 2180 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC
Please confirm hours and reservation policy locally before visiting.
Explore more of our food coverage
Best Time to Visit
Spring suits this itinerary well, since the Abbotsford flower fields bloom while Squamish stays snow capped. Higher trails can still be muddy, so we check conditions first. Crowds stay lighter than summer.
Summer is peak season here. We used the long daylight hours to fit in the gondola, a lake day, and a farm visit in one trip, though Capilano and the flower festival get busy, so we arrive early.
Fall brings cooler, wetter weather, and crowds thin out at every stop we returned to. Seasonal attractions, like the flower festival and farm activities, wind down for the year, so we confirm what is open first.
Winter is quieter and colder, with snow common around Squamish while Vancouver stays fairly mild. We found it a good season for a slower trip focused on Vancouver and Harrison Hot Springs.
Vancouver Itinerary by Area
- Downtown Vancouver and North Shore: We based ourselves here for Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the suspension bridges, the most walkable part of the itinerary.
- Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor: Our adventure day, built around the gondola and the highway drive, sits roughly halfway between Vancouver and Whistler.
- Harrison Hot Springs and Cultus Lake: A slower, water-focused stretch, alternating between the hot springs, the lake, and the marina.
- Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley: Here the itinerary turns toward farms, wineries, and small-town charm, with stops close together.
Free and No-Reservation Options
Several favourite stops cost nothing to enter. Stanley Park, Harrison Beach, and Historic Downtown Abbotsford are free to walk around, and the Harrison Visitor Centre and Sasquatch Museum is free entry too.
For tastings, we found Ripples Estate Winery walk-in only, easy to add on the fly. Granville Island Public Market also needs no reservation, since it is independent vendors to wander between.
The paid, ticketed stops, like the gondola, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and the flower festival, are worth booking ahead in peak summer. Mixing these with the free options kept our itinerary flexible.
Tips for Visiting with Kids or Toddlers
We found this itinerary manageable with younger travellers with extra time between stops. Stanley Park and Maan Farms are naturally kid-friendly, with open space and animals to see, and stroller access is easy at Granville Island and along the Seawall.
Suspension bridges and the gondola summit need more caution with toddlers, so we kept a firm hand near railings. Snacks, water, and a change of clothes made the farm and lake stops smoother. For more ideas, see our family-friendly animal farms near Toronto guide.
Stay Right Next to Stanley Park
Don’t let the perfect Vancouver basecamp slip away. Find and book top-rated hotels near Stanley Park through Expedia and wake up steps from one of Canada’s most iconic green spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I not miss in Vancouver?
Based on our own trip, we would not skip Stanley Park’s Seawall, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and a suspension bridge crossing. Granville Island Public Market is also worth adding for a relaxed food stop.
What is a good 3-day itinerary for Vancouver?
We structured our trip as one day for Stanley Park and Granville Island, one day in Squamish for the gondola, and one day in Harrison Hot Springs or Abbotsford as a day trip from Vancouver.
What are some fun things to do in Abbotsford?
We enjoyed the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, Maan Farms, Taves Estate Cidery, and a stroll through Historic Downtown Abbotsford, an easy full day of things to do in Abbotsford.
Is Harrison Hot Springs worth visiting?
We thought so. Between the public mineral pool, Harrison Lake, and the Sasquatch Museum, it was a relaxing counterpoint to the busier days of our BC itinerary.
Can non-guests use Harrison Hot Springs?
The Harrison Hot Springs Public Mineral Pool at 101 Hot Springs Road is open to the public, separate from private pools reserved for resort guests. We would confirm hours and admission before visiting.
What to do on the way to Harrison Hot Springs?
On our own drive out, we stopped at Cultus Lake Marina for water activities before continuing to Harrison. It breaks up the drive nicely.
We hope this Vancouver itinerary helps you plan your own British Columbia trip.
We have done the planning so you do not have to. Browse our tried and tested Canada travel itineraries and start your adventure.
Related Links
- For those looking to mix urban adventure with coastal beauty beyond Canada, check out our guide on things to do in Panama City .
- If you love Vancouver’s mix of modern attractions and rich history, you might also enjoy discovering London in 5 days .
- Planning a bigger trip west? Take a look at our trip to Banff for another Western Canada destination.
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