As the filming location of popular works such as Deadpool, Jumanji, Godzilla and Twilight’s New Moon, Vancouver is likely a well-known spot to avid moviegoers. However, despite its numerous appearances on the big screen, the city is sometimes looked over by American vacationers in favor of hotspot destinations in Europe or the Caribbean.
With incredible year-round weather, expansive natural landscapes and an ethnically diverse population, Vancouver offers much more than what initially meets the eye, appealing to all kinds of travelers. Come along and get to know the city’s attractions and popular activities with this seasonal guide, and maybe inspiration will strike to start planning your next Canadian getaway.
Spring
The months of March, April and May are some of the most incredible in Vancouver, not just for the bargain hotel rates but also because of the comfortable temperatures and blooming flowers. On average, the early spring months sit around 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit, peaking in May at around 62. There’s usually some rainfall and cloudy skies during these months as well, though that simply means travelers can spend some more time outdoors without overheating.
Reconnecting With Nature
One of the first recommended stops for visitors is the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Garden, particularly the Greenheart TreeWalk in the center of it. A canopy walkway, over 1,000 feet of suspension bridges are strung up high in a lush rainforest, allowing visitors to wind their way through the tops of trees and take in sights of the valley floor below. The Greenheart TreeWalk appears on many guides and blogs as a year-round activity, and while that is true, the spring rainfall makes the surrounding flora and fauna extra vibrant.
For a non-suspended nature walk option, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of the prime locations for sights of cherry blossoms in April. The garden is also home to a traditional tea house where travelers can learn about the art of tea ceremonies and sample some of the leafy herbs themselves.
Considering Vancouver’s proximity to the open water, the spring season is also the perfect time to book a whale watching tour. Gray whales migrate back to the area in March and April, while humpbacks arrive in May.
Around the City Streets
We hope you have an appetite when visiting Vancouver because there’s plenty of good eats here. The Shipyards Night Market is a great location to sample global cuisine, and it’s open every Friday starting in May. Visitors will find live music, a beer garden and stalls selling local goods around the square as well.
Adventurous eaters will particularly enjoy the Spot Prawn Festival on Granville Island every May. For about six weeks, residents and visitors alike will be able to feast on the freshly caught crustaceans at the festival and nearby restaurants. It’s a local delight, and travelers will find that chefs get creative when incorporating the prawn into foods — think spot prawn pea soup and spot prawn Korean pancakes. After the six-week window, the prawns are still available, but instead are frozen so they can also be exported.
Summer
Peak season in Vancouver, the weather averages 65 degrees Fahrenheit in June, reaching 72-75 in July and August. It may not be the roasting temps American travelers are used to on their summer vacations, but the shining sun and cooler atmosphere are the perfect recipe for long days out exploring the city.
Food, Drinks and Entertainment
What’s summer without a little beer drinking and patio hopping? Experience Vancouver like a true local and take some time to relax on the outdoor seating at bars and restaurants. There’s always plenty of new craft breweries popping up around the city, so vacationers can either book a guided beer tour for some samplings or pick out their favorites and head there themselves — you can’t go wrong with either option.
Of course, attending a festival has to be on the itinerary, and considering how many are offered throughout the summer months, there’s guaranteed to be at least one that sparks travelers’ interest. From ScotFest BC, Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival and Khatsahlano Street Party to Greek Fest Vancouver, if there’s something to celebrate, there’s a festival for it.
Getting Active
Because of Vancouver’s variety of outdoor terrains, visitors have an array of activities they can choose from. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, horseback riding at Leghorn Ranch is one way to experience Canada’s mountains, while river rafting or fishing is available near the water. Additionally, renting a boat and exploring Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park, a saltwater fjord, combines adventure with relaxation as the area has secluded beaches and a beautiful stretch of coastline ideal for swimming. Whatever the outdoor activity is, Vancouver likely has it.
Fall
Changing Leaves and the Great Outdoors
If it hasn’t been made clear yet, every season presents unique activities to get travelers outdoors and experiencing Canada’s landscapes. As the leaves change into hues of red, orange and yellow, the arrival of fall is no different. Stanley Park Seawall, another one of Vancouver’s beloved attractions suitable for every season, is extra spectacular in the later half of the year. Stanley Park is one of North America’s largest urban green spaces, featuring woodlands, waterfront trail and views of the city. With September and October hovering around the mid-60s to high-50s, the surrounding trees setting the trails aglow with their color and a crisp fall breeze blowing through your hair as you bike, Stanley Park is unbeatable at this time of year.
Colored foliage and city views can also be achieved with a hike up Burnaby Mountain, located a short commute outside of the city. It’s a rather low mountain, making it an ideal activity for both novice hikers and advanced exercise junkies. Vacationers can’t go wrong with a visit to Burnaby at any point during the day, but it’s said to be especially beautiful under the intoxicating hues of sunset.
Travelers should consider rounding out their fall Vancouver trip with a journey to one of the city’s renowned golf courses. The Kootenay Rockies accommodates golfers of all skill levels, also offering hot springs, hiking trails and delicious restaurants. For the more serious players, Kimberely Cranbrook boasts seven championship 18-hole courses. From rolling mountain views to laid-back options, visitors are certain to find the perfect course for them.
Spooky Season and Fall Festivities
We warned you! There’s always an event taking place in Vancouver, and considering that the city is a melting pot of diverse people, the festivities cover some of the most popular holidays and also the most obscure. Harvest Haus, an Oktoberfest-themed celebration, is a fan favorite, while the Harrison Pumpkin Festival and surrounding haunted houses will be sure to have visitors getting in the Halloween spirit. The Circo Osorio Circus is also in town during the fall, and the classic Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival shouldn’t be overlooked either. We can’t cover all the major events taking place in the fall, so check out this month-by-month breakdown of the city's festivals.
Winter
Vacationers visiting during this time of year can expect temperatures in the mid-40s. The city generally sees more rainfall than snow, though Vancouver is still remarkable in the winter.
An Adrenaline-Inducing Good Time
Vancouverites love their lofted walkways, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge fits right in. Located a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, the long bridge swings across the Capilano Canyon and offers unparalleled views of the peaks and valleys covered in snow. If you dare, Capilano Park also has a treetop adventure trail and cliff walk for those who don’t mind heights. Travelers may be able to participate any time of year, but the Canyon Lights Show is what makes it the perfect winter activity. Imagine walking through a forest with trees decorated in sparkling lights and a dusting of snow, if you’re lucky, with the bridges and walkways also lit up — absolutely magical!
If the swaying bridges and heightened winter walk don’t spike your heart rate, consider heading out to a Canucks game at Rogers Arena. The deafening sounds of cheering fans will surely have visitors jumping out of their seats, and can you even say that you visited Canada if you didn’t watch a hockey game?
A Canadian vacation isn’t complete without the quintessential run down the slopes. On the outskirts of Vancouver, the North Shore Mountains house three main resorts: Grouse Mountain, with 33 runs, five terrain parks and other winter activities; Cypress Mountain, the largest at 53 runs and best for experienced skiers; and Seymour Mountain, offering 40 runs suitable for beginners and cross-country skiing. We would be remiss if the iconic ski resort of Whistler Blackcomb wasn’t mentioned, and though it is a 90-minute drive away, its world-class status makes the trek worthwhile.
Celebrating the Holidays
The arrival of winter can only mean one thing: Christmas markets. Located at Jack Poole Plaza (the same place as the famous Olympic Cauldron structure), the Vancouver Christmas Market runs from mid-November through Christmas Eve. Like most markets, this one features stalls serving tasty food, drinks and treats, festive music, twinkling lights and shopping.
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