Exploring the best of Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you’re having a great week.

While the majority of this blog focuses on the best things to see and do in Ontario, I do occasionally find my way to other parts of Canada too! The weekend before last, my boss was a guest speaker at the BC Home + Garden Show, so I got to take a little work trip to Vancouver. I had never been to BC before and was excited to experience it, if only for a day or two! Because I was only in town for the weekend and I was working, I didn’t have a ton of time to explore. But even though Saturday was a full work day, I had Friday afternoon and all of Sunday to myself. (I purposely booked a flight that left late Sunday afternoon to give me as much time as possible to see the city!) Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at planning strategic itineraries to make the most of my time in any given destination. In fact, whenever I return from a trip, friends will often remark that they can’t believe how much I saw and did in a short amount of time. Just take a look at how much ground Tania and I covered during our two weeks in Italy last May!

On that note… someone recently reached out to me on Instagram asking for Venice travel tips, and said that this post was a great resource when it came to planning her gondola ride. I can’t tell you all how much messages like that mean to me! My goal is to help folks find the best things to see, do (and yes, eat!) both locally and abroad, and provide some helpful planning tips along the way. Knowing that I’ve helped even one person do that honestly makes my day, so thank you for sharing those messages with me! And now back to Vancouver…

Since I only had a short amount of time in the city – and no car access – I knew I wouldn’t be able to see absolutely everything I wanted to, such as the famous Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. But that’s okay, because there are plenty of amazing things to experience in downtown Vancouver – and I was pleased to learn just how walkable the city is! Today, I’ll be sharing my top recommendations for things to see and do in Vancouver. But first I’ll start with the logistics…

Where To Stay In Vancouver

Because this was a business trip, I was lucky that I didn’t have to do any research in terms of accommodations – that was all taken care of for me! But the hotel we stayed at was really fabulous, so I thought it was worth shouting out. The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver is located in the southern end of the city’s downtown core, close to the Yaletown, Chinatown and Gastown neighbourhoods. It was an ideal location for my work trip, because it’s just a 5-minute walk from BC Place Stadium, where the Home + Garden Show took place. The hotel staff were so kind and hospitable, and the accommodations were beautiful. I stayed in their Standard King room, which was light, bright and cozy. Some little touches in the room that I loved: a complimentary umbrella for guests to borrow (a must for drizzly Vancouver weather) and a Lotus Biscoff cookie (my favourite) waiting by the coffee maker upon arrival.

The hotel has three restaurants onsite: sixth-floor rooftop steakhouse The Victor, farm-to-table bistro Honey Salt, and casual sports lounge BC Kitchen. They also have a cocktail bar, a whiskey and tea lounge, a gelato shop and a patisserie. I had the pleasure of dining at Honey Salt, which was fabulous – stay tuned for my next post for more details on that!

The JW Marriott Parq also has several amenities for guests to enjoy, including a luxurious spa and rooftop Aqua Lounge, complete with outdoor hydrotherapy tub. And the gym has the most incredible city views… I’ve never been one to work out in a hotel, but a view this pretty could almost make me change my mind! If you’re not staying at the hotel but would like to enjoy these amenities, you can contact the spa to purchase a day pass.

Of course, no day pass was required to visit my other favourite amenity… the Parq Casino! I’m not a huge gambler and hardly a big spender – I only play the slots and my budget is a whopping $20 – but I always enjoy a casino visit when traveling. If you’re a poor sleeper like me and get easily jet-lagged, spending a half-hour at the slots is a great way to kill some time when you’re up before (or after) everyone else.

With all its fabulous restaurants and amenities, I could have easily spent the entire weekend without leaving the Parq… but that just ain’t my style! I had a long list of places I wanted to see – and a short time frame to work with – but I’m happy to report that I was able to see most of the things at the top of my list! So without further ado, if you’re also visiting Vancouver for a weekend (or ideally longer), here are my best recommendations for…

Things To See & Do In Vancouver

Stanley Park – If you only have time to visit one attraction in Vancouver, make it this one. Stanley Park is to Vancouver as Central Park is to New York. As a matter of fact, at a whopping 1001 acres, Stanley Park is a whole one-fifth larger than Central Park! This iconic public park makes up the northwestern half of Vancouver’s downtown peninsula, and it has a long and storied history. Originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, it was one of the first areas explored by British settlers when they colonized the area in 1858, and it became Vancouver’s first park when the city incorporated in 1886. Stanley Park is a rarity among other large urban parks (including Central Park) because it’s largely a creation of nature rather than that of a landscape architect. Most of its manmade structures were built in the early 20th century, and the majority of the park remains as densely forested as it was in the late 19th century, boasting approximately half a million trees – many of which are several centuries old. I’d recommend devoting at least half a day to exploring Stanley Park. I spent about three hours there, starting at the Vancouver Rowing Club on the east side, and walking all the way around to the Stanley Park Teahouse on the west. I didn’t expect to spend that much time there, but as I kept walking – despite the chilly air and setting sun – the views just kept getting more and more breathtaking and I didn’t want to stop!

Here’s an rough outline of the path I took, for anyone interested in doing the same:

And here are some Stanley Park sights you won’t want to miss, listed in the same order I encountered them:

Totem Poles – Located along the Seawall at Brockton Point, this beautiful collection of totem poles honours the area’s original inhabitants. The collection started in the 1920s with four totem poles and has grown to a total of nine, with the most recent pole added in 2009.

Brockton Point Lighthouse – Just a five-minute walk from the totem poles, this striking red-and-white lighthouse is located at the easternmost point of Stanley Park. The lighthouse was designed and built by British landscape architect Thomas Hayton Mawson in 1914, and is named after ship engineer Francis Brockton.

Girl In A Wetsuit – Located on a rock off the north side of the Seawall, this whimsical bronze sculpture was created by Hungarian-Canadian sculptor Elek Imredy in 1972. The seagulls seemed to be big fans of it too!

S.S. Empress of Japan Figurehead Replica – Located just a few steps away from the Girl In A Wetsuit sculpture, this ornate monument is a replica of the figurehead of the RMS Empress of Japan, a famous ocean liner that crossed the Pacific Ocean over 400 times from 1891-1922. She was called “The Queen of the Pacific.”

Lions Gate Bridge – This stunning suspension bridge is 5981 feet long and 364 feet high, and it’s equally awe-inspiring whether seen from a distance or close-up. It’s pretty neat to be able to get so close to its underpass via the Seawall – I couldn’t appreciate how truly massive it is until I was right under it!

Siwash Rock – Located between Lions Gate Bridge and Third Beach, this rocky sea stack is 32 million years old (yes, you read that right!) According to Squamish First Nations legend, a man was transformed into Siwash Rock “as an indestructible monument to Clean Fatherhood” – a reward for selflessness.

Third Beach – By the time I reached this gorgeous sandy beach on the west end of the park, the sun was setting and I was treated to some spectacular views. It’s apparently a pretty bustling spot in the summer, but on this cool winter’s day, I got to enjoy this beautifully peaceful scene.

The Stanley Park Teahouse – This fine dining restaurant is located just south of Third Beach and is renowned for their seafood (ironically, they don’t actually serve tea!) I didn’t eat there, but it’s where I ended my journey in Stanley Park and picked up an Uber to take me back to my hotel. If you take the same route I did, this is probably where you’ll want to do the same, as it’ll be the first car-accessible point you’ve reached in a while. Unless you want to keep going and do the full loop, in which case… I applaud you!

I could honestly write an entire post about Stanley Park, but for now I’ll move onto the next destination on my list…

The Vancouver Seawall – This 22-km walkway is the longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the entire world! It has two sections which run parallel to each another, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists, which are clearly marked and separated (are you listening, Toronto??) The Seawall starts at Coal Harbour, winds all the way around Stanley Park, and ends at Kitsilano Beach. I was impressed by what a walkable city Vancouver is. I easily cleared 30,000 steps on both of my sightseeing days in Vancouver… which is a good thing, because as you’ll see in my next post, I enjoyed a lot of delicious pastries while I was there too!

Granville Island – This former industrial site is one of Vancouver’s most popular public spaces. It’s home to more than 300 businesses, including shops, art galleries, theatres, breweries, and the famous Public Market: an indoor food market selling everything from cheeses, meats and produce to freshly baked bread, bagels and donuts from cult favourite Lee’s. It’s located just south of the downtown peninsula, and you can reach it in various ways – including on foot by crossing over the Granville Bridge – but the easiest way to get there is by taking a water bus. I took the Aquabus there and back: it departs every five minutes from the Hornby Street ferry dock, costs $7.50 per round trip, and the ride takes just 1-2 minutes.

Vancouver Art Gallery – This 165,000-square-foot gallery is the largest art museum in Western Canada. The museum was established in 1931, but only moved to its current location (formerly a provincial courthouse) in 1983. It doesn’t have a permanent collection (at least not one that’s on display to visitors) but hosts various temporary and traveling exhibits. Currently, the gallery is exhibiting works by Emily Carr, Denyse Thomasos and J.E.H. MacDonald, along with their Rooted Here: Woven from the Land exhibit which features the work of local Salish weavers. I will say, I was a bit disappointed by how small the exhibits were. While the museum itself is huge (the exterior reminds me of The Met in New York) very little of the space is actually open to the public. It was neat seeing works by renowned Canadian artists like Carr and MacDonald, but if you’re looking for an AGO-level experience, you won’t get it here. (The Carr exhibit, for instance, only occupies one small room.) All that said: I think the gallery is still worth a visit for the architecture alone! The striking neoclassical building was completed in 1913 by English-Canadian architect Francis Rattenbury, and was designated a National Historic Site in 1980. Its grand rotunda – with its twin marble staircases and soaring glass dome – is especially breathtaking. (Doesn’t it give Accidentally Wes Anderson vibes??) So if you love beautiful architecture and interiors as much as I do, the Vancouver Art Gallery is still worth a spot on your itinerary – just don’t budget an entire day for it!

Gastown – This vibrant neighbourhood is Vancouver’s oldest. It’s named for Jack “Gassy” Deighton, an English sailor who opened the area’s first saloon in 1867. Today, the neighbourhood is renowned for its collection of fashionable boutiques, cutting-edge art galleries, trendy restaurants and innovative craft breweries, while its Victorian architecture, heritage brick buildings and cobblestone streets nod to the area’s history. Don’t miss the landmark Steam Clock – an antique-style, steam-powered clock that whistles a tune and shoots out steam every quarter-hour – and the Hotel Europe, a stunning 1908 flatiron building.

Holy Rosary Cathedral – As both a Christian and an architecture lover, I always enjoy visiting beautiful churches when traveling, and this Roman Catholic cathedral is one of Vancouver’s most famous. It was built in 1885 in the French Gothic Revival style, and is a designated heritage building. Notable architectural elements include two asymmetric bell towers, red Scagliola marble arches, a dramatic Gothic tunnel vault, change-ringing bells, and Nincheri stained glass windows. The cathedral is open to visitors Monday-Saturday from 1-3:30. If you also find churches interesting, you may want to check out Christ Church Cathedral, another Gothic Revival beauty in the city. I didn’t have time for that one, but wished I did!

David Lam Park – This urban park is on the smaller side (at least compared to Stanley Park!) and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going out of your way to see it, but if you happen to be in the area, it’s well worth a stop. Located in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighbourhood, it’s right on the waterfront and features stunning panoramic views of False Creek. The park is named after David Lam, a Chinese-Canadian businessman, philanthropist and politician (he served as the 25th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1988 to 1995.) A circular stone sculpture – created in 1996 by landscape architect Don Vaughan – looks out over the water and bears the inscription “The moon circles the Earth and the ocean responds with the rhythm of the tides.” If you’re lucky enough to visit Vancouver in the spring, be sure to drop by the park for its annual cherry blossom festival!

Well folks, all of that just goes to show you… even with only a weekend in Vancouver, you can still plan a rich and exciting itinerary! I would, of course, like to return one day and have some more time to fully explore the city and its surroundings. I’ll keep you posted if I ever make it back! In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions about anything listed above – I’m always happy to provide trip planning advice wherever I can. My next post will be all about the best places to eat in Vancouver, because all that sightseeing can leave a girl hungry!

Until then, thanks for reading and have a great rest of your week!