Vancouver in Two Days

Vancouver's sail-roofed waterfront landmark and cruise ship terminal on Burrard Inlet — worth the walk around its promenade for harbour, mountain and ship views, and as the home of Flyover.

A roughly 25-minute immersive flying-theatre experience at Canada Place, with rides starting every 15–20 minutes, that simulates soaring over Canadian landscapes using motion, wind, mist and scent.

Vancouver's original downtown core, presented by its BIA as a compact 12-block district of cobblestone streets mixing design studios, fashion boutiques, galleries, speakeasy-style bars, live music venues and restaurants.

A 360° observation deck 168 metres up at Harbour Centre, reached by a glass elevator, giving a single panoramic read of Stanley Park, Gastown, the harbour, downtown and the North Shore mountains.

Vancouver's first and largest urban park is a 400-hectare West Coast rainforest on the downtown waterfront. Walk or cycle the Seawall and forest trails past beaches, gardens, totem poles and other cultural and natural landmarks.

Described by the City as the most populated beach area in downtown Vancouver, this West End beach sits beside the Stanley Park Seawall. It has a swimming raft with a large slide, two sand volleyball courts, kayak rentals and seasonal lifeguards, and hosts the New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim.

A 55-acre garden holding over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world, with a hedge maze and a LEED Platinum Visitor Centre, laid out as a calm green escape inside the city.

At 125 m above sea level this is Vancouver's highest point, with views over the city to the North Shore mountains. The 52-hectare park combines a landscaped quarry garden, an arboretum, sculptures and the Bloedel Conservatory.