Vancouver is a west coast city in British Columbia, Canada, and its population is the second-biggest after Tronto. With majestic parks, beaches, mountains, and forests, which are always within walkable distance from the center of the city, Vancouver offers enjoyment and adventure in a variety of colors by season not only to tourists but also to locals. To face a high demand for high-skilled workers against the low supply of local labor, for these couple of years, the Canadian government has been implementing a migrant's open policy giving students, technical workers, and their families easy access to apply for residential visas. Thousands of visitors have moved to Vancouver, and those who love its culture, nature, foods, and people have settled permanently.  However, this mass migration unexpectedly caused severe housing problems with a housing shortage raising numbers of unaffordable apartments for locals and migrants. According to recent news in October 2024, the Canadian government will start new regulations for restricting migrants' upcoming visa process to control the domestic issues in housing, the job market, the education system, etc. 

 

While I started the introduction too realistic and pessimistic to talk about Canada, I would like to highlight that Canada is always a great country to visit. So, here is a list of must-do recommendations you have to check before your trip!

 

 

Vancouver Aiport to City Center 

Many international airlines provide international flights to Vancouver. Once you arrive at the airport, the fastest and the most convenient way to get to downtown is a YVR Airport Akytrain, a metro-typed train, for about 25 minutes. 

 

Top Places to Stay in Vancouver

 

Must-Do Activities in Vancouver

 

1st Day 

Waterfront Station

Granville Street 

Granville Island

English Bay

 

2nd Day

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain

White Rock

 

Walking Granville Street 

Downtown Vancouver is a central vibrant city where people always want to come for business, arts, education, culture, restaurants, and nature. Granville Street is one of the main streets in the city that also offers buzzing nightlife activities. You may find various worldwide cuisine restaurants, unique shops, bars, clubs, and almost everything! You would never get bored walking on Granville Street. 

 

 

Granville Island 

 

Granville Island is well known as an attractive place with a farmers market and collections of souvenir shops. Take a local bus 050, 010, or 016 from downtown for 10 minutes, or if you would like to enjoy the spectacular view of Hornby Port with nice wind, you can walk for 30 minutes and cross the Granville bridge. This entire district facilitates art galleries, cafes, parks, as well as the indoor farmers market that collects small shops for honey, cheese, flowers, butcher, seafood, fresh vegetables, and fruits, many visitors come here to buy souvenirs. 

 

 

English Bay 

English Bay Beach is the most populated and easiest-accessible beach in the town. It lines the south portion of the West End, and Stanley Park is located at the end of the beach. In summer, people come here for sunbathing, swimming, Valley Bowl, beach activities, picnics, fireworks festivals, and many cafes and restaurants with stunning sea views. 

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge 

Capilano Suspensions Bridge is one of the must-see spots on the Northside of Vancouver. It crosses 70 meters above the Capilano River and is 140 meters long. Tourists and locals visit this place to enjoy the thrill of crossing the swing bridge in nature. It takes only 20 minutes to drive from the downtown. By public transportation, you can take the commercial ship so-called Sea-Bus from the Waterwall station, which runs every 20 minutes, the fare is 4.65$. From the Sea-Bus terminal, get the 236 bus which takes about 15 minutes. The 246 bus actually also takes you to the Northside of Vancouver, so you can transfer to the 236 bus from the middle of the point. 

 

Grouse Mountain 

After the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the next nature adventure spot, Grouse Mountain is always a perfect ultimate destination. It offers various kinds of outdoor activities year-round, hiking in summer and snowboarding and skiing in winter. If you do not have enough courage to climb the mountain, a gondola will help you to get to the top to enjoy the panoramic view.  

 

 

 

White Rock is in the southwest of British Columbia, which is literally famous for the White Rock as a symbol of this resort town. However, rather than that rock itself, I really loved to visit there to enjoy the atmosphere of peaceful resort spots and its night view at the pier. The coastal night lights on the seaside with hundreds of cruises stayed is a breathtaking view. Despite the long distance from the downtown and inconvenient public transportation, the White Rock Sea area is always worth visiting.