Between the Pacific Ocean and peaks on the North Shore sits a port city brimming with energy. Join the bustle of the city streets, darting between charming boutiques, their windows glowing a warm orange, and cozy cafes and bars full of life and laughter. See the snowy mountains, just a short trip away, and venture up into their glowing treetops. Because in Vancouver, city comfort and mountain adventure are one and the same.
This is the best of the best, an all-inclusive list of the best things to do in Vancouver. While known for its abundant access to nature, some travelers might overlook the city's activities, especially during the colder months. Vancouver in December is alive with Christmas magic, but if you want to know what Vancouver is like in November, January, or February? It’s just as good.
As travel experts (and locals ourselves), we know Vancouver inside and out. Here’s what we recommend you do on your trip, from first-time-tourist must-sees to local hidden gems — categorized by theme so you can find what you’re looking for.
What is there to do in Vancouver in winter?
Here’s a quick overview of the categories:
- Indoor activities
- Outdoor activities
- Spots to explore
- Food to try
- Seasonal events
- Hidden gems
- Tours with time in Vancouver
- The big question
Best Indoor Activities in Vancouver
Vancouver's winter weather is mild, but it can be a little wet (the city has been subject to a rather mean nickname: ‘Raincouver,’ but we can’t entirely say it’s not true). However, protected by the mountains and warmed by the ocean currents, it is one of the warmest cities in Canada. Still, in the winter, indoor options are often appreciated.
Experience First Nations art and culture at the Museum of Anthropology
Best Museum in Vancouver — Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is located just outside of the downtown area on the University of British Columbia campus. But for the opportunity to learn about Vancouver and British Columbia’s Indigenous culture, it is worth the short trip.
Vancouver is located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, the Indigenous First Nations peoples of what is now known as Vancouver. MOA was instrumental in showing Indigenous art to a mainstream audience, and it continues to work with Indigenous communities to respectfully show traditional and contemporary art by First Nations artists.
MOA explores world arts and cultures (housing nearly 50,000 works from across the globe!) but really highlights the First Nations peoples. If you’re looking to learn about Western Canada’s Indigenous culture, MOA is the place to go.
Best Indoor Experience in Vancouver — Flyover in Vancouver
If you’re looking to get a sense of Canada in all its grandeur, check out Flyover in Vancouver. It is an immersive experience that welcomes you to Canada, coast to coast. Sit in flight-motion seats immersed in a wrap-around screen and feel the wind in your hair as you quite literally swoop across the country.
Soar over the prairies, fields of endless gold, and the towering mountains of the Rockies. See the tundra of the far-flung North and the East Coast seas that first welcomed European settlers to the land.
This is a great way to see Canada’s stunning natural beauty in winter (sans the famous Canadian cold). But, in winter, as Santa prepares for his busiest night of the year (and, naturally, takes several test flights to practice his navigational skills), you are invited to join him on a trip across the country and up to the North Pole. The Soar with Santa experience is available from the end of November until January 1, per the Big Man’s schedule.
The Public Market on Granville Island, with everything from fresh produce to imported treats
Best Store in Vancouver — Granville Island
‘Granville Island’ feels like a cheat’s answer to Vancouver’s best store(s), but we think it counts. The island is home to a thriving artistic and cultural community explored best through its many independently owned and run businesses.
The obvious first stop is the Public Market — an indoor food market with fresh and local food offered at dozens of individual storefronts and merchants. Knowing what to try at the market is daunting (and we’ll get to the best trick for it in a while), but it is absolutely a must-see (and must-taste) of the city.
But, while you’re on Granville Island, you should explore beyond the Public Market. Some of our favorites?
- Noropongi books (for beautifully curated multilingual books)
- Paper-ya (for the best Japanese stationery)
- MAKE Vancouver (for unique souvenirs)
- Lee's Donuts (for some of the best donuts in the city)
Best Outdoor Activities in Vancouver
As a certified ‘outdoorsy city,’ Vancouver is known for its great nature by locals and visitors alike. And this doesn’t stop in winter. The unofficial city motto? ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.’
A quiet winter morning on the seawall around Stanley Park
Best Bike Route — The Seawall
Vancouver is a city known for biking, whether along the seawall, around False Creek, or through the pedestrianized streets of Gastown.
If you’ve been to Vancouver in summer, you’ll know that the seawall surrounding Stanley Park can be very busy. This doesn’t take away from the experience (in fact, slowing down gives you the perfect amount of time to take in the views of the surrounding mountains, forest, and sea), but you’re unlikely to have the view to yourself.
Unless, of course, you bike it in winter.
The city’s mild weather makes winter bike rides pleasant, as long as you wrap up and don a pair of gloves. And you get treated to a significantly quieter seawall with just as many stunning views of the surrounding landscape. So bring a pair of gloves and a hot thermos and take in the views of mountains plunging into the ocean while enjoying the rare opportunity to ride side-by-side with your travel companion.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens lights up for the season
Best City Nature — VanDusen Botanical Garden
VanDusen Botanical Garden is always a highlight stop for visitors in Vancouver. Maybe you’re there for the 55 acres of 7500 plant species and varieties from around the world. Maybe you’re just there for the hedge maze. You will be perfectly lost among a wealth of plant life either way.
But, come the end of November as the sun dips below the horizon each night, the gardens transform into a glittering display of over 1 million tiny lights, wrapped around and glowing between the greenery.
If you’re worried about the chill of the winter night, don’t be. Along the route, a range of warming food and drinks are available. Hot chocolate is a must, of course, but paired with Fireside Fondue, you’re sure to be full and warm all night long.
The Canyon Lights leading you to Capilano Suspension Bridge
Best Mountain Experience — Capilano Suspension Bridge
So technically this isn’t in Vancouver. It’s just across the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver (which, surprisingly given the name, is a distinct city from Vancouver). Still, Capilano Suspension Bridge is worth the trip.
This is a great way of experiencing Vancouver’s sea-city-mountain location first-hand. A free shuttle runs from Canada Place (located on the water downtown) and in 20-25 minutes (through and out of the city) gets you into the North Shore mountains (completing the trio).
The famous bridge makes a great short trip out of the city to see the British Columbia wilderness in all its glory. Winter here holds some great perks too — from mid-November through January, the bridge is lit end-to-end in a rainbow of color-changing lights. And, as you cross the bridge into the forest, the trees towering above glitter and glow as the lights ascend, leading you to the Treetops Adventure. Like snow in the air, they shimmer among the canopies and light up rope bridges strung between bows, and lead you further to the Cliffwalk, jutting out over the canyon.
The Canyon Lights are a staple of winter in Vancouver and make for a magical trip for both old and young.
Best Spots to Explore in Vancouver
This category exists to round up all the hard-to-pin-down areas. We will point you in the right direction (and give you our best recommendations) but you’re free to explore each at your own pace, and in your own way.
Gastown being blessed by a gentle flurry of snow
Best Neighbourhood to see in Vancouver — Gastown
There’s a reason everyone recommends Gastown as the best neighborhood for visitors. It’s centrally located, has lots to do — from souvenir shops to Vancouver-made global brands to independent boutiques, or cozy cafes and bars — and is a national historic site.
But that doesn’t quite do it justice.
Tucked beside towers of glass and steel of the Financial District are cobbled streets and short brick heritage buildings full of local boutiques. A steam clock perched on a corner sings its song every quarter hour, and no matter the time of day, people gather and wait to hear it. In Gastown, Vancouver hasn’t changed.
And here’s a tip from the locals: venture a bit beyond Water St. Some of the best stores are located just off of the main Gastown bustle. From Water St, take Cambie south for one block to find a group of independent boutiques (like Out & About Boutique or Old Faithful for home goods) on Cordova, and another block to find a cluster of great lunch spots on West Hastings.
The mountain view from English Bay beach
Best Beach in Vancouver — English Bay
Whatever the season, you’ll find Vancouverites at the beach. In fact, we have seen people walking and running the seawall (and we can only assume locals taking a dip in the water) even in heavy winter rain. If that’s not Vancouver summarized, we don’t know what is.
English Bay is the showstopper, and many events run there throughout the year (read later for that). In winter, the big one is the Polar Bear Swim. To take part in the icy ocean dip, you have to be there on January 1st at 2:30pm, but the event runs from 12pm-4pm for those simply watching.
But we wouldn’t blame you for sitting that one out — for our two cents, the beach is best enjoyed in warm clothes and with a hot cup while watching the sunset (the beach faces broadly west, giving you a great view of the sun setting over the ocean and mountains). For the best view, grab a table at the beachfront Cactus Club Cafe as the sky fades from blue to orange to black.
Stanley Park standing large and lush next to Vancouver
Best Nature Spot in Vancouver — Stanley Park
Stanley Park is about as big as Vancouver’s downtown core (and bigger than NYC’s Centeral Park) and has just as much to explore. Lost lagoons, towering old-growth fir trees, and Indigenous totem poles are hidden among the temperate rainforest. You can’t feel further from the city. Between them, find clusters of activities hidden among the trees.
Though beautiful on its own, the experience can be doubled with the Talking Trees Tour. Run by Indigenous cultural ambassadors, you will learn about the ways Indigenous peoples lived off the land for thousands of years and legends that still live in the woods.
While we could tell you all about the park’s history and wildlife, we will leave it to the experts over at Talasey Tours to share. They really do know it best.
Best Food in Vancouver
When traveling to Vancouver, you are likely lured in by the stunning mountain backdrop and simultaneous beachfront location. But what you might not know is that Vancouver is also foodie heaven. With a strong multicultural influence flowing through it, Vancouver’s food scene is outstanding.
Birds’ breakfast sandwich and Revolver’s coffee setup — image courtesy of Birds and the Beets and Revolver respectively
Best Cafe in Vancouver — Birds and the Beets | Revolver
Local cafe culture is thriving here — we can’t choose just one. It really depends on what experience you’re looking for.
Birds and the Beets is the perfect spot to get together with friends and enjoy exceptional drinks and delicious eats (breakfast, lunch, pastries: they’ve got it all. Our favourite? The breakfast sandwich made with soft scrambled eggs on ciabatta. Truly delicious). Located in Gastown, it has everything you would expect for the neighborhood — relaxed atmosphere, exposed-brick walls, stylishly wonky wood floor.
If you’re serious about your coffee and looking for a ‘third-wave’ experience, then around the corner is Revolver. It takes the hipster atmosphere of Gastown and runs with it. Choose between rotating espresso bean options, and pair them with delicious pastries. Complete, again, with brick, wood, and a barista with a mustache (probably).
Brunch at Cafe Medina is the perfect way to start the day — image courtesy of Cafe Medina
Best Brunch in Vancouver — Cafe Medina
Vancouver is a city of early risers and brunch-havers. You’ll be sure to be surrounded by locals as you take part.
Cafe Medina is one of the places that does ‘elevated brunch’ right.
Cafe Medina specializes in Mediterranean-inspired food, with a variety of breakfast skillets on offer. But, if you’re looking for something more traditional, there are also classic breakfast plates and avocado toasts. Whatever you get, make sure to have a side of a Liège Style Waffle (they say they have the best in the city, and, having sampled several ourselves, we’re inclined to agree).
It can be difficult to get a seat without a wait, but they have an online reservation system by charity donation if you’re looking to eat at a specific time.
Best Casual Restaurant in Vancouver — Tacofino
If you want a West Coast staple, Tacofino is it. Founded in Tofino on Vancouver Island, they soon spread down the island and across the Georgia Strait to Vancouver. They have the best blend of classic ingredients and modern fusion making for Mexican-inspired West Coast-influenced tacos, burritos, and bowls. They came 2nd in 2024’s best chain in Vancouver but, to us, was the best representation of the region’s blend between local inspiration and international influence.
We’ll be honest, everything here is fantastic. But people have strong opinions on their personal favorites. The Crispy Chicken burrito and the Achiote Cauliflower burrito (found in the Mount Pleasant ‘Ocho’ location) were both too strong of contenders for the best of the best, so we’ve included them both.
The stunning plates at Published on Main — image courtesy of Published on Main
Best Upscale Restaurant in Vancouver — Published on Main
Published on Main was awarded the number 1 spot in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2022, hasn’t left the list since, and earned a Michlin Star for its efforts.
There’s no way we weren’t including this one.
We both can’t say enough and can’t say too little about this spot. The menu changes seasonally, but some staples remain year-round. But we won’t spoil it. You should go in blind, ready to be surprised and wowed all at once.
Expect to have foods and drinks you have never heard of (the ‘yuzu mushroom soda’ may sound experimental but is “unreal” as quoted by one of our local experts). It doesn’t come cheap — their tasting menu will run you $165 per person — but it is worth every penny.
Published on Main is decidedly not a hidden gem and regularly books out months in advance. If you’re looking to make this a highlight of your trip, make sure you get a reservation well before your travel date. And be sure to come back and thank us later.
Best Bar in Vancouver — Guilt and Co
Gastown started with a single tavern founded by John “Gassy Jack” Deighton. So, naturally, the best bars in Vancouver are still found in the neighborhood. Underground in Gastown, Guilt and Co embodies the neighborhood's distinct vibe with dim warm lights, wooden beams, stone walls, and intimate atmosphere.
They regularly host local musicians for live performances so be sure to check their music calendar for any events during your travel dates.
Best Ice Cream in Vancouver — Rain or Shine
Vancouver takes its ice cream seriously, hosting an Ice Cream Festival through summer, and keeping the culture alive in its many ice cream shops through winter.
The best across all seasons is Rain or Shine, having a beach-front van on English Bay spring-through-fall, and locations in Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods open year-round. And, as Vancouver loves all things local, natural, and sustainable, their ice cream is made in-house in small batches with locally sourced ingredients.
If you want a go-to flavor, the Malted Milk Chocolate Honeycomb is a well-known favorite (and is available year-round). But their menu is constantly changing and their specials are incredible so consider going out on a whim and trying something new.
Vancouver Foodie Tour’s best-selling Granville Island Market tour
Try Them All — Vancouver Foodie Tours
In Vancouver, there is a food tour for everything. Vancouver Foodie Tours covers the city’s food culture perfectly in three distinct options.
First-timers in the city should head to Granville Island — a food hotspot — and take the Market tour to sample the best of the best (and, if you’ve been reading closely, yes this is the best way to know what should be your go-to in the Public Market).
For those looking to experience upscale dining, the Gastronomic Gastown tour introduces visitors to the neighborhood’s culinary scene through three upscale spots, allowing for more time to savor the atmosphere and taste of each location.
For an introduction to Vancouver’s vibrant Asian culture, head to the Authentic Asian Eats tour. This is a great way to explore the hidden gems and relatively unknown spots for most visitors (and many locals — when we took the tour, it was comprised mostly of Vancouverites who had never been to a single stop!).
As with most food tours, Vancouver Foodie Tours likes to keep their cards close to their chests and surprise guests with each stop. And, while we’ve experienced all three tours, we won’t spill their secrets.
Best Events in Vancouver by Season
Once winter has come and gone, Vancouver will still be here. So here are the best exclusive events in each season so you’ll be packed all year round.
An Authentic Cherry Blossom Festival in Spring
If you’re looking for a sakura (cherry blossom) experience but want to stick a little closer to home than Japan, have you considered Vancouver?
Probably not — the city’s pink display stays largely under the radar. But, each year, just as Japan gears up for its busy sakura season the city gets absolutely overrun with beautiful pink cherry blossom trees.
To explore by yourself, a detailed map is available to find hotspot streets. But, better than that, is the Sakura Days Fair celebrating Japanese culture and heritage in Canada while surrounded by glowing cherry blossom trees. It is held each year at the end of April.
Symphony at Sunset and the Honda Celebration of Light: two highlights of Vancouver’s summer
Beach-side Celebrations in Summer
English Bay is the go-to spot for summer festivals and events. And, bonus, most of them are free.
The biggest is the Honda Celebration of Light, taking place across 3 evenings in July each year. Fireworks are launched from a tanker boat in the bay for a multinational competition for the best light show. While there are paid seats right on the bay, most visitors arrive early and flank the surrounding seawall for an un-paid (and just as good) view of the water and sky. If you’re looking for a good spot, be prepared to arrive several hours before the 10pm launch. You’ll be in good company as people bring dinner in the form of picnics and barbeques, food truck offerings, or take-out from the nearby Davie Street Village.
This is not it though.
Nearby, on Sunset Beach (just a short walk along the seawall from English Bay) there is a yearly Symphony at Sunset. Also held in July, the local Vancouver Symphonic Orchestra set up a stage next to the beach and perform a free open-air concert. There are classical … classics, contemporary unknowns by Canadian composers, and recognizable film scores, all compiled into one incredible performance. Like the Celebration of Light, you should aim to arrive at the beach a few hours before the 8pm start. But, again, this is a great excuse for a beach-front dinner with dazzling sunset views while you wait.
There are many more summer events held along the stretch of beach (open-air movies, local markets, volleyball tournaments…) in summer, so whenever you visit there is likely something to see or do. It is always worth checking the City of Vancouver’s calendar of events to see if anything is happening during your visit.
Film Festival in Fall
Even if you haven’t been to Vancouver before, you have likely seen it featured as Seattle, New York, or any number of Hallmark Christmas towns. ‘Hollywood North’ (Vancouver) has long since been popping up on TV screens. So it makes sense that there is a thriving film scene in the city.
The best way to experience it is by attending the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). Each year in early October, events, talks, and (of course) film screenings are held to celebrate film and film culture in the heart of the secret cinema haven. Catching a featured movie or a live talk with some of the Academy Award-winning production specialists who visit for the occasion brings the movie backdrop alive.
One of the past Hot Chocolate Festival entries — image courtesy of The Federal Store
A Hot Chocolate Event in Winter
As the magic of Christmas fades and the winter chill sets in, Vancouver looks to the annual Hot Chocolate Festival to stay warm. Over 100 locations across the city join in to create custom flavors and offerings to win the title of Best Hot Chocolate in Vancouver.
And if that’s not enough, each stop creates a custom treat that compliments the drink, fulfilling the sweet experience.
The Hot Chocolate Festival runs through January and February annually.
Celebrate Christmas the traditional way (just with ocean-front views — classic Vancouver)
Christmas Events in Vancouver
Even though these might be in winter, Christmas events deserve their own category. The city embraces its position, perched on the edge of the beautiful snowy mountains, to lean into the festive season. And, in the city, storefronts glow gold with seasonal displays.
For a perfect city Christmas, head to the Vancouver Christmas Market for all the classics: German treats, unique gifts, and lots of festive cheer.
In Stanley Park, the thick pine forest is aglow (not unlike several hundred Christmas trees) during their Bright Nights celebration. A Christmas train runs through the display but is very popular.
But for the ultimate festive experience, head to the top of Grouse Mountain for the Peak of Christmas. And, in naming it, they knew they would be the best. After a thrilling SkyRide into the snowy forest, meet Santa, reindeer, and elves in a true winter wonderland.
Hidden Gems in Vancouver
As locals, we want you to see the real city. So, rather than gatekeeping them, here are the best spots that (most) tourists have yet to catch on to.
Ultimate Local Favourite — Pacific Spirit Park
Vancouver is home to not one but two temperate rainforests. Let that sink in. This city, with a mountain backdrop and sea on 3 sides, has two separate rainforest parks to visit.
Most visitors know Stanley Park (and, if you have been reading closely, you will have noticed it right up at the top of this post). But the second spot, Pacific Spirit Park, is our local secret.
Located in Kitsilano, Pacific Spirit Park is home to 55km (34 miles) of hiking trails through 860 hectares of temperate rainforest. While further from the downtown core than Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit is nearly double its size giving you access to the peace of a wilderness walk without leaving the city. And, as it is located next to the Museum of Anthropology (again, read more about this above), it makes for a perfect half-day out of Vancouver’s downtown.
Best Neighborhood off the Beaten Track — Mount Pleasant
If you want somewhere popular with locals but relatively undiscovered by tourists, head to Mount Pleasant. This is an ex-warehouse district with a whole lot of vibe.
Centered around two streets, a visit to either Main St or Commercial Drive brings you to a more local feeling Vancouver, where buildings are lower and independently run stores still reign. There you’ll find some of the best food in the city (with Main St being home to the city’s Michelin Mile — 4 city blocks with 10 Michelin-recognized restaurants — and Commercial Drive’s Little Italy), local fashion brands, and home goods boutiques to explore.
Circle Wellness Spa offering a luxury respite from city life
Best Hidden Experience — Circle Wellness Spa
A shipping container on the once-industrial Granville Island may seem unremarkable, but Circle Wellness Spa is anything but.
Any industrial atmosphere simply melts away as you step into your own private (and, might we note, clothing-optional) pod for one or two. There, you will be welcomed into a world of luxury as you take a self-guided circuit of rain showers, hot and cold soaks in stunning natural cedar tubs, ‘wellpod’ sauna experience, and open-air reflexology on riverbed stones.
With an open roof, the contrast between cool winter air and warming experiences only adds to the meditative experience. You will leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on the city bustle once more.
Best Tours with time in Vancouver
Sitting on Canada’s West Coast, and near the iconic Rocky Mountains, Vancouver makes a perfect stop in your Canada vacation. Whether you’re looking for a snowy mountain adventure or a grand trans-Canada journey, Vancouver is the perfect place to start.
A snowy ride though the mountains with VIA Rail
Best Winter Tour from Vancouver — Winter Escapades
From Vancouver, the Canadian Rockies are just a train ride away. In winter, VIA Rail’s Canadian train whisks you through valleys of snow and ice. In our Winter Escapades package, you begin your Rockies train tour in Vancouver, before plunging into the great snowy mountains for a week of winter activities.
(Top tip: add a night or two in Vancouver to fully explore the city before heading into the mountains, or a night after to unwind in a luxury spa)
Best Big Experience — Trans Canada Winter Train Tour
Vancouver is conveniently poised on one edge of the country for a Trans Canada Winter Train Tour. It almost feels rude to not explore it coast to coast.
Begin (or end — this trip is available in reverse) at one side of the country to get a full-breadth experience of Canada.
Is Vancouver Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes. From November as the weather starts to cool (but only to an average 7ºc or 45ºF), through to February’s early cherry blossoms bringing spring to the city, Vancouver is a top-tier destination for outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and really, really good food.
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