The Top Sights to See During a Long Weekend in Vancouver
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Vancouver, British Columba
In the summer of 2015, I was invited on a family fishing trip to Canada. In order to attend the fishing trip, it was necessary to get my passport. Little did I know at the time that this would become the start of my global traveling and would eventually lead to visiting over 30 countries. After a successful fishing trip, I decided to put my passport to use and go on my first international solo trip, a long weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia over Labor Day. I was a novice at planning a trip, and was unsure of what to see during my time in Vancouver.
At the time I was teaching in Las Vegas and found a great deal on Alaska Air to Vancouver with a stopover in Seattle. My trip to Vancouver was long before I had ever considered of starting a travel blog so my photos do not necessarily tell the entire story of my visit. My visit to Vancouver was also well before I purchased my current camera. As a result, my photos were taken with an iPhone 5.
I created this page almost four years after my visit to Vancouver. It was fun to reminisce about my trip but challenging to remember all of the details. There were a few things that I really enjoyed about Vancouver. First, Vancouver was incredibly inclusive. I saw people of various religions, races/ethnicities, economic statuses, and political affiliations working together in harmony. Everywhere I looked, people were being treated with dignity and respect. When someone with a disability boarded the Sky Train, everyone offered to give up their seat. I was impressed with the caring nature of the people of Vancouver for their fellow man.
Second, despite having an abundance of natural resources and a small population, Vancouver (and Canada) are all about conservation and the environment. Vancouver offered many green public transportation options, including buses that ran on electricity. In my hotel room, a key had to be inserted to turn on the power, which meant the lights and air conditioner would always be off when I wasn’t there. Even the garbage cans had multiple options for sorting the garbage: including paper/cardboard, compost, bottles/cans, and trash. I was extremely impressed with what Canadians were doing to help reduce the amount of waste and pollution they were creating.
The Top Sights to See During a Long Weekend in Vancouver - Table of Contents
- Getting to Vancouver
- Vancouver Accommodations
- Getting Around Vancouver
- Stanley Park
- Canada Place
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Harbour Centre
- Stadiums
- Dr. Sun Yet Sen Gardens and China Town
- Vancouver Tours and Packages
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- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Getting to Vancouver on Alaska Airlines
To get to Vancouver, I booked a flight on Alaska Airlines for $339 round trip. Alaska Air had no nonstop options, so I had to make a stop each way in Seattle, Washington. I was thrilled with the service of Alaska Air.
Both of my legs to and from Seattle were on a 737-800, and I was able to reserve the exit row aisle for both flights. The flights to and from Vancouver were both on a Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 which is a propeller plane and is set up with a 2 x 2 seating configuration. I was a little worried as this was my first ever flight on this type of aircraft. I was pleasantly surprised with the smoothness of the ride, and although there were no exit rows, I found myself with an entire row to myself.
After arriving in Vancouver just after midnight, I took a taxi to my hotel at the cost of CAD$20. An easier way to get to and from the airport is via the Canada Line, but it doesn’t run after midnight.
Vancouver Accommodations - River Rock Casino - A Great Place to Stay Near Vancouver
I chose to stay at the River Rock Casino due to its proximity to the Sky Train Metro and Vancouver International Airport. Being close to the metro, I figured that I could quickly get anywhere that I wanted to visit. My room at the River Rock was a standard King Room which cost CAD$165 per night for three nights. The room was a typical upscale hotel room with a large bathroom with both a standup shower and a roman style bathtub.
Attached to the hotel was a casino with slots, video poker, table games, and a restaurant. Being that I lived in Las Vegas at the time, I did not spend much time in the casino other than one visit to the restaurant.
Getting Around Vancouver Using a Trans Link Daily Pass
During my long weekend in Vancouver, I did not have a car, so I had to rely on public transportation. I purchased a TransLink Daily Pass for CAD$10 ( the pass costs CAD$10.25 as of June 2019). This pass allows travel on the busses, Sky Train, and Sea Bus. The daily pass is good for 24 hours from the time of the first ride, whether it is on a bus, train, or boat.
I found that Vancouver had one of the more exceptional public transportation networks of any of the places I have ever visited. One of the reasons I felt this way was because of the simplicity of the system. It was effortless to find a route directly to anyplace that I wanted to visit.
One of the Top Sights in Vancouver - Stanley Park
Stanley Park, covering over 1,000 acres is a public park in Vancouver. The park borders both Vancouver Harbor and the downtown area and was named Trip Advisors Best Park in the World in 2014. I chose Stanley Park as my first destination to visit in Vancouver as I wanted to follow the Sea Wall Path from the park to Canada Place.
To get to Stanley Park, I took the Sky Train Expo Line to Burrard Station. From Burrard Station, I took Bus 19 to the entrance of the park. My TransLink Daily Pass covered both the bus and the Sky Train. It is possible to walk from Burrard Station to Stanley Park, but I opted for the bus as I was planning on walking to Canada Place.
This trip to Vancouver was my very first international trip, and I was not well prepared for exploring the park. Upon arrival, I walked down towards Vancouver Harbor and went right to the Sea Wall Path. While it did provide picturesque views, I wish I would have explored other areas of the park, including the Hidden Lagoon and Vancouver Aquarium.
Just to the north of Stanley Park is the Lions Gate Bridge. The Sea Wall Path, which follows Stanley Park Drive, provides a place to take excellent photographers of the bridge.
As I continued towards Canada Place and Downtown Vancouver, I stopped to take a picture of the Empress of Japan Figurehead. The RMS Empress of Japan was an ocean liner built in the 1890s. After being recommissioned during World War I, the ship was retired in 1926. The figurehead was salvaged and displayed in Stanley Park in 1927. Today’s figurehead is a fiberglass replica that has overlooked the harbor since 1960.
Just past the Empress of Japan Figurehead are the First Nations Totem Poles. The Totem Poles are located at Brockton Point inside Stanley Park, and they are one of Vancouver’s most visited attractions. The oldest of the Totem Pole date back to the 1920s with the most recent one being added in 2009.
After stopping to photograph the Totem Poles, I walked back towards the Seawall Pathway and continued walking towards Canada Place. One of the amazing things about Stanley Park is how quickly it goes from a nature-filled park to an urban area. As I walked around the bend the most inner parts, Vancouver Harbor and Canada Place came into view. As I continued my walk, I now was walking in a major city instead of a scenic park.
Float Planes are a common sight in Vancouver. The Harbour Air Sea Plane Terminal is just before Canada Place. Some of the places that Harbour Air offers float plane service from Vancouver Harbor include Comex, Maple Pay, Nanaimo Harbor, Seattle – Lake Union, Tofino, Whistler, Victoria Harbor. In addition to passenger service, Harbour Air offers sightseeing flights from Vancouver Harbor as well.
Within a few minutes, my Stanley Park to Canada Place walk was complete. I highly recommend following the Sea Wall path from Stanley Park to Canada Place. This walk sums up Vancouver as it shows how quickly Vancouver can transition from beautiful nature scenes to an urban paradise.
Visiting Vancouver BC's Canada Place
Canada Place serves many purposes including being the port for Vancouver-Alaska Cruises, the home of the Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Hotel, FlyOver Canada, and the World Trade Centre.
According to the Canada Place website, the cruise ship port can accompany up to four ships at a time and sees over 900,000 passengers per year. Some of the more popular cruise lines that depart from Canada Place include the Princess Cruise Line, the Holland American Line, and the Carnival Cruise Line. Most of the cruises last from 7 to 10 days.
In addition to housing the cruise ships, Canada Place is home to the East building of the Vancouver Convention Centre. In 2010, the East Building served as the Press Center for the Vancouver Olympics. The West Building is located just across the street and is easy to spot as the entrance has a large projection of Earth just inside the doorway.
During my visit to Canada Place, I did not try Fly Over Canada. Fly Over Canada is an 8-minute video tour of Canada where the viewer wears a harness while being suspended above the video screen. The experience is supposed to give the viewers the idea that they are flying over Canada on a tour from east to west.
One other side note about Canada Place is that at noon the Heritage Horns from the top of the Pan Pacific Hotel play the first four notes of “O Canada.”
A Great Day Trip from Vancouver - The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Located in the temperate rainforest near North Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is home to the 450 foot Capilano Suspension Bridge. The Bridge is located 230 feet over the Capilano River. Besides the Suspension Bridge, the park also has a Treetop Adventure and a Cliff Walk. Both the Treetop Adventure and the cliff walk take visitors deep into the temperate rainforest and allow unique interactions nature.
There are many ways to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. I chose to purchase my ticket outside Canada Place and take the free shuttle. The shuttle is only available to people who have prepurchased an entry ticket and is first come, first serve. Tickets to visit the park cost CAD$59.95 for adults and include the free roundtrip shuttle and access to the Bridge, Treetop Adventure, and Cliff Walk. I highly recommend visiting the park despite its high price. Walking across the Bridge and through the temperate rainforest was the highlight of my trip to Vancouver.
After showing my ticket and entering the Suspension Bridge comes into view. All of the additional attractions are on the other side of the Bridge. There are park rangers on either side of the Bridge that keep the crowds small, which allows for full enjoyment of the views. The Bridge itself is quite shaky, and I found it hard to keep my balance without holding onto the handrails. Throughout the entire crossing, I felt entirely safe, but the walk across would be difficult for someone afraid of heights.
Following a brief walk through some small exhibits on a boardwalk, I came to the Treetop Adventure. The Treetop Adventure features seven different suspension bridges that are permanently attached to the Douglas Firs using no bolts, nails, screws, or materials that could harm the trees.
Between the suspension bridges are viewpoints that provide panoramic views of the temperate rainforest. The top height of these viewpoints is 110 feet above the rainforest floor.
The Cliff Walk is the newest part of the park and opened in 2011. While similar to the Treetop Adventure, the Cliff Walk is secured to the granite cliffs that face the Capilano River. One of the highlights is the glass floor viewpoint of the river and canyon below.
The Best Observation Point in Vancouver - The Harbour Centre
The Harbour Centre is the 6th tallest building in Vancouver but offers a spectacular view of downtown, Vancouver Harbor and Canada Place. Tickets cost CAD$18.25 to get to the observation deck which features a panoramic 360 degree view of Vancouver. One of my favorite parts was the glass elevator which gives a great view during the ride up and down. From the top it is easy to see everything from BC Place to seaplanes taking off, to boats stopping for gasoline at the gas station island. Even though there are taller buildings in Vancouver, Harbour Centre’s location makes it the best one to visit.
Visiting the Vancouver Stadiums
Located next to BC Place is Rodgers Arena. Rodgers Arena is home to the Vancouver Canucks and was used to host hockey games during the Vancouver Olympics. Once again, due to construction, it was not possible to see the inside of the arena.
Located next to BC Place is Rodgers Arena. Rodgers Arena is home to the Vancouver Canucks and was used to host hockey games during the Vancouver Olympics. Once again, due to construction, it was not possible to see the inside of the arena.
The Best Garden to Visit in Vancouver - Dr. Sun Yet Sen Gardens and China Town
After leaving the stadiums, I ventured over into China Town and stopped at Dr. Sun Yet Sen Gardens. The gardens were completed in 1986 and honor the father of modern China former Chinese President Dr. Sun Yet Sen who had visited Vancouver many times. Admission to the gardens cost CAD$14.
Before heading back to my hotel, I did spend a few minutes walking through Vancouver’s China Town. While it was not different from many of the China Towns I had visited in the US, I did find it interesting to watch the interactions between the people. As stated earlier, the people of Vancouver are some of the kindest, most inclusive people I have ever met. This inclusivity was once again put on display with my interactions with the people in China Town as person after person invited me into their shops and showed me the goods they had to offer.
Vancouver Tours and Packages
A tour is not necessary to enjoy sightseeing in Vancouver. The city is easy to get around using public transportation. A tour or package is necessary for a variety of special activities. Some of these activities include bike tours, whale watching, fishing, sailing, kayaking, and hiking. Below, are 12 tours/packages that caught my eye.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
 Vancouver City Tour with Vancouver Lookout Admission - $61.98 First time to Vancouver? Get your bearings on this half-day tour by comfortable coach for a great intro to the seaport city. Admire the sails of Canada Place, and soak up local flavor passing through Robson Street, Chinatown and Gastown. Wind through Stanley Park’s rainforest and shorelines for vistas of Lion’s Gate Bridge and visit Brockton Point’s historic totem poles. Inhale delicious aromas at Granville Island’s Public Market, and top off your tour at Vancouver Lookout with sweeping panoramas of the city, ocean and mountains. Bonus: Hotel transport is included. |
 Illuminated Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour in Vancouver - $35.66 Brighten a Friday or Saturday night outing on Granville Island with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard that glows in the dark. This 1.5-hour guided paddle into False Creek and the English Bay gets you out into the water before sunset for a front-row view of the sky as it bursts into brilliant colors. As night falls, explore the inky waters with the help of the powerful LED lights fitted onto your kayak or board. This small-group outing, limited to 12 people, makes it easy to keep up with your guide and have some fun. |
 Vancouver City and Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights Tour - $81.05 This tour is packed with highlights and unique experiences. Get into the holiday spirit as you explore Vancouver’s soaring skyscrapers, architectural masterpieces, urban beaches, and coastal rainforests. Stops include Canada Place, Robson Street, and Stanley Park, voted the #1 Urban Park in the World on TripAdvisor. Lastly, be dazzled by thousands of magical lights twinkling across the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. |
 Private 3-Hour Sailing Charter in Vancouver - $62.77 On this private 3-hour sailing charter tour, explore the city of Vancouver with its surrounding mountains, beaches, parks and marine life. Discover the beauty of English Bay as you sail in one of the world's most spectacular settings. Aboard the 27-foot Misajepa, you'll have breathtaking views of English Bay, False Creek, Kitsilano Beach, UBC, and West Vancouver's luxurious waterfront homes. |
 Vancouver City Tour Including Capilano Suspension Bridge - $83.43 On this Vancouver tour by comfortable coach, not only will you visit top Vancouver attractions including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown and Chinatown, but you’ll also experience the thrilling, scenic Capilano Suspension Bridge! You'll have time at several attractions to explore on your own by foot, and your guide will provide commentary about the places you visit. |
 Vancouver Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - $32.50 See Vancouver’s waterfront sights on a relaxing one-hour tour of Vancouver Harbor. This cruise offers stunning views of the city skyline and the North Shore Mountains. You will see the world-famous Stanley Park, a rich green oasis of majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees on a peninsula that juts into the harbor. It’s an ideal way to see the city at a calm and relaxed pace. |
 Crab Fishing Tour in Vancouver - $118.47 This is a trip for people who love crab and have always wanted to catch their own food. This experience includes a crab lunch or dinner on the beach and crab casting instruction. Fishing is from the docks using casting traps. Your fishing guide and chef will teach you how and where to catch the tastiest BC Dungeness crab, and how to prepare your catch and cook it West Coast style. |
 Vancouver Biking and Hiking Tour including Lunch - $107.66 On your 6.5-hour biking and hiking adventure, explore the natural beauty of British Columbia. Cycle along the Trans Canada Trail in the Fraser Valley and hike through the temperate rain forest in the North Shore. Your tour includes bicycle rental and helmet, lunch and refreshments, and transportation for the day. This trip is suitable for adventurous people of all ages, with a basic level of fitness. |
 Vancouver Food Trucks Tour - $47.27 Food truck popularity has exploded in cities across North America, and Vancouver has some of the best food trucks around! During this two-hour small-group tour, discover the city’s most popular food trucks and dine on a four-course lunch of the most delicious offerings. You’ll be led by a passionate foodie guide and sample street food highlights including a hot, wild salmon salad, butter chicken on freshly baked naan bread, Japanese fried chicken and a diablo cookie. |
 Sea to Sky Highway Day Trip from Vancouver: Shannon Falls, Britannia Mine and Gondola Ride - $99.32 Immerse yourself in British Columbia’s rugged mountainous beauty on this tour from Vancouver to the natural and historical attractions along the Sea to Sky Highway. You’ll visit Shannon Falls, one of the province’s tallest waterfalls, enjoy sweeping views of Howe Sound and the coastal forest on the Sea to Sky Gondola, and go underground at the Britannia Mine Museum. Round-trip hotel transport from select locations is included. |
 Private Salmon Fishing Charter from Vancouver for up to 4 people - $389.00 Enjoy a private salmon and crab fishing excursion from Vancouver for up to four people with a full-day fishing charter. This package includes either six or eight hours of Pacific salmon and Dungeness crab fishing with a professional guide aboard a 23-foot, custom-offshore, sport-fishing charter boat. Troll for Pacific salmon and drop crab traps in the Burrard Inlet near beautiful Vancouver. All the necessary equipment is included. |
 Vancouver Whale Watching Safari - $174.01 Watch orcas, gray, and/or humpback whales in their natural habitat on this high-speed whale-watching safari along the British Columbia shoreline. This 4-8 hour tour includes pick-up from your Vancouver accommodation, such as hotels, private homes and Airbnbs. |
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