Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary: Explore The Best Of Vancouver, Canada
Experience a seven-day nature-lovers’ dream in Vancouver with outdoor adventures, unbelievable food, experiences and more. Explore Stanley Park, cross a suspension bridge, enjoy the spectacular ocean views and eat at the Richmond Night Market.
7-Day Vancouver Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive and Settle In
Depending on where you are arriving from, make your way to your accommodation. The airport and ferry are less than an hour from downtown and accessible by public transit. If you are arriving by air, you can catch the SkyTrain downtown on the Canada Line in about 40 minutes. Once downtown, go for a walk around the waterfront and get situated.
Find a great restaurant downtown for dinner. If you are looking for suggestions on where to eat. Check out my post on the best places to eat in Vancouver. After dinner walk around Canada Place and watch the sunset or take in the Flyover ride with the whole family. This interactive ride takes about a half hour and is a fun way to fly over some of the most beautiful spots in Canada. Open daily from 9:30am to 9:30pm. Tickets range in price, with discounts for booking ahead on line as well as a reduced rate for BC residents.
Day 2: Stanley Park and English Bay
A trip to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Stanley Park. Depending on the time of year you are visiting there are lots of options the entire family will love. If you are visiting during the summer, plan for a bike ride along the sea wall, followed by a picnic lunch and an afternoon swim at the outdoor pool at Second Beach. Bikes can be rented from several spots just outside of Stanley Park. If you are visiting during the cooler seasons, spend the morning at the Vancouver Aquarium, visit the playground and then take a train ride or horse drawn carriage around the park. Tickets to the Aquarium range from $41-$57 per person and you will need a half day to see it all.
End the day at the nearby English Bay Beach. Find dinner or some gelato as you walk around and enjoy the colourful neighbourhood filled with art. If you’ve never been to Vancouver before or want to learn a little more about it’s history then be sure to check out GuideAlong’s Vancouver Downtown Audio Tour. We loved listening to it as we made our way around Stanley Park. For more on our family’s experience with GuideAlong, check out this post.
Day 3: Granville Island
Granville Island is a vibrant, family-friendly spot perfect for a day out. Wander through the Public Market, where you can sample local delicacies, fresh produce, and unique treats. Kids will love the Kids’ Market, which offers toys, games, and activities just for them. Don’t forget to catch a show at the Granville Island Theatre or take a leisurely boat ride around the harbour.
If you’ve still got energy, go for a walk on Kitsilano Beach of visit the Spanish Banks and take in the views with a picnic dinner.
Day 4: Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Lonsdale Quay
Located in North Vancouver, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a thrilling experience that offers breathtaking views of the canyon below. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, waterfalls, an ecology centre, washrooms and a cafe. It’s a perfect spot for a family adventure out in nature. Unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge, this park is free to enter. Plan for a couple of hours. You will need a vehicle or ride to get there and there is a small charge for parking.
About 15 minutes by car from Lynn Canyon, you will find the Lonsdale Quay. This is a great stop for lunch and a walk. The market has lots of vendors to choose from. Enjoy lunch and take in the view looking back at the downtown Vancouver waterfront.
Day 5: Science World and Gastown
Science World is a must-visit for curious minds. With interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and an impressive OMNIMAX theatre, this is a place where learning meets fun. Your kids can explore everything from the wonders of the human body to the mysteries of outer space. Tickets range from $24-$35 dollars per person. Plan to spend about a half day.
Following Science World, make your way to Gastown. Wander around, do some souvenir shopping, see the steam clock, and have dinner at one of local restaurants. Steam Works is a great dinner spot for the family. Enjoy the patio or grab a table inside with a view of the water.
Day 6: Family Fun and the Richmond Night Market
One of our favourite things to do in Vancouver is check out the beaches and parks, so I’ve left a day for exploring. If you are into something a little faster paced and visiting during the summer, check out the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). Depending on when you visit you can spend the day at Playland, enjoying the rides or take in a concert.
If you are looking for a fun night out with the family, be sure to check out the Richmond Night Market. Open Friday through Sunday starting at 7pm from April to October. It’s $8.50 per person to enter, seniors and children under seven are free. Or you can buy a zoom pass to skip the line for $40 (5 entries that can be shared with your family). Get there early as the lines get long and enjoy dinner and live music and shows. Parking on site is free. There are carnival games and a market to browse after you eat but head to the food first.
If you’re visiting over the Christmas holiday season, check out the Vancouver Christmas Market. Located at Canada Place, this market has music, food, rides and lots of artisans to help you finish your holiday shopping.
Day 7: Travel Day
Pack up, have one last walk on the beach and grab a few snacks for the trip home or to your next adventure.
Any do-overs?
You never know about the weather when you plan a trip on the West Coast and there are so many great things to see and do outside. We ended up visiting during an incredibly hot week in July. We enjoyed the weather but had to adapt a few of our outdoor plans to better fit with everyone’s energy levels.
See Experienced It for our family’s favourite things to do in Vancouver and Good Eats for our favourite restaurants.