Vancouver's setting is hard to overstate, the North Shore mountains rise directly behind the downtown skyline, the Pacific Ocean laps against Stanley Park's seawall, and it's genuinely possible to ski in the morning and kayak in the harbour the same afternoon.
Stanley Park and the Seawall
Stanley Park, larger than New York's Central Park, has an almost 9km seawall path popular with cyclists and runners, passing beaches, totem poles, and consistent views across to the North Shore mountains.
Granville Island, a former industrial site now home to a public market and artisan studios, is a short ferry hop across False Creek from downtown and worth a half day for food and browsing.
The North Shore and Whistler
The Capilano Suspension Bridge and the less crowded Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge both offer walks through temperate rainforest canopy a short drive from downtown, Lynn Canyon is free and considerably less commercialized.
Whistler, about two hours north along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, is a world-class ski resort in winter and an excellent mountain biking and hiking destination in summer, doable as a day trip or overnight.
Recommended Stay · Vancouver · Downtown
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
A restored 1927 landmark in the heart of downtown, walking distance to Stanley Park and the harbour, with a speakeasy-style bar that's a genuine local institution.
