48 Hours In… Vancouver, Canada

This beautiful Canadian city offers temperate rainforest, urban exploration, gourmet

cuisine, and friendly locals. From indulging in a donut at Lee’s on Granville Island to

riding the Aquabus, and even hiking among soaring Douglas Fir trees – Vancouver

offers plenty to see and do. You may even catch wind of a director yelling “Cut!”, with

Vancouver being a major filming hub for television and film. Here’s how to spend a brief

two days in this city by the sea:

Arrival

You will most likely fly into YVR International Airport, located roughly 40 minutes from

downtown Vancouver. An affordable ride on the Skytrain (Vancouver’s answer to the

subway system, traversing both above and below ground) will deliver you downtown in

about an hour, or you can hail a taxi or Lyft/Uber.

Stay

There are a handful of great hotels to choose from in Vancouver, but nothing quite

compares to the Fairmont Pacific Rim, located steps from the 17-mile Vancouver

Seawall (the world’s longest uninterrupted path). Built in 2010, the Fairmont Pacific Rim

has thought of everything, right down to televisions in the bathroom mirrors – so you

never miss a news cycle or a Housewives rerun during a bubble bath.

Another luxurious option is the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a historic property infused with

1920’s glam. Conveniently located kiddie-corner to both the Vancouver Art Gallery and

the Pacific Centre Mall, whether it’s soaking up the culture or flexing your credit card –

your needs will be met.

Vancouver Seawall, The West End & Kitsilano

From your hotel, head towards the Vancouver Seawall. Watch for the Harbour Air

floatplanes taking off and landing, with the city’s mountains and ocean as the perfect

backdrop. You may want to hop on a Mobi bike, a rental bike share program that offers

bikes scattered throughout the city. After arriving at the Vancouver Seawall, follow the

winding path as you make your way through Stanley Park, Vancouver’s largest public

park.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the Vancouver Seawall, which offers 17 miles of paved

path, winding its way around Stanley Park and the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the best

ways to see Vancouver, and the scenery is second to none.

You’ll have worked up quite an appetite by the time you reach English Bay, which is the

perfect spot to stop. Resting at the edge of Vancouver’s West End neighborhood,

English Bay draws both crowds and locals alike – who are all keen to soak up the

stunning views, laid-back beach atmosphere, and proximity to hundreds of restaurants.

A few restaurants dot English Bay, including the casual fine-dining (and Vancouverite

favorite) Cactus Club, CRAFT Beer Market, and Hook Seabar. All offer varied menus

alongside million-dollar views.

Following the Seawall or hopping in a cab, head over to Kitsilano (a short ride over the

Burrard Bridge). With a high concentration of beaches, restaurants, and yoga studios –

Kitsilano is crawling with young, beautiful, and leggings-clad locals, in search of their

next Acai bowl or Kombucha fix. Aside from attractive locals, Kitsilano is home to the

Maritime Museum and the Museum of Vancouver, the latter offering a glimpse into

Vancouver’s unique history. Before you leave Kits (as it’s affectionately referred to by

locals) make a stop at Siegel’s Bagels, a Vancouver institution open 24 hours a day.

As day flows into to evening, make a stop at Reflections: The Garden Terrace, on the 4 th

floor at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. String lights, inventive cocktails, and delectable

small plates are the perfect way to begin your evening – before settling in at one of the

many restaurants in the area.

With over seven hundred restaurants to choose from in the downtown core alone, your

options are endless. A no-brainer fine-dining pick is Hawksworth (also conveniently

located at Rosewood Hotel Georgia), the recipient of a consistent stream of awards

annually. Venturing further afield (roughly fifteen minutes from the downtown core) is

Vij’s, quite possibly one of the most well-known restaurants in Vancouver. Founded by

celebrity chef Vikram Vij and his wife Meeru Dhalwala, Vij’s has been frequented by

everyone from Hilary Swank to Robin Williams (who waited in line like everyone else,

putting on an impromptu show for hungry customers).

Gastown, the Stanley Park Totems & The ‘North Shore’

This morning you’ll head to Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and original

settlement. Visit the Gassy Jack statue, a monument dedicated to Captain John “Gassy

Jack” Leighton, the original settler of what was to become Gastown, in 1867.

Stroll the cobbled streets until you arrive at the famous Steam Clock, which whistles and

emits puffs of steam every hour on the hour, drawing a crowd daily.

Heading into Stanley Park, take in the winding trails, lost lagoon, and towering Western

hemlock trees. Near the scenic lookout at Brockton Point, take some time to witness the

9 totem poles, First Nations art that is deeply significant to Canada’s first settlers. Each

totem tells a story and holds a different meaning.

From Stanley Park, travel by car or taxi over the Lions Gate Bridge and into

Vancouver’s aptly named North Shore, also known as North Vancouver. These majestic

peaks can be seen from most vantage points in downtown Vancouver, and are home to

old-growth and temperate rainforests, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, a working dam,

and much more.

Options abound for outdoor enthusiasts in North Vancouver, including the Grouse Grind

(affectionately dubbed the ‘outdoor StairMaster’). This steep trail on Grouse Mountain is

a right of passage for newly-minted locals, and the views at the top are worth the

somewhat painful climb. For another adventurous foray into nature, the Capilano

Suspension bridge offers 7 suspension bridges, viewing platforms, a cliffwalk, and an

information center. Bring a picnic or have a bite at the Logger’s Grill in the middle of the

forest. Whatever you choose, you’ll have 360-degree views of the gorgeous rainforest.

Chinatown and Yaletown

This evening will be your final night in Vancouver, and your last chance for after-dark

exploration before your departure tomorrow.

Dining options abound in trendy Yaletown, a neighborhood filled with warehouse

conversions, restaurants, and upmarket hair salons. Come evening, crowds fill the

cobbled streets of Mainland and Hamilton and patio hopping begins. Don’t miss sushi at

Minami, where your sashimi comes with a side of celebrity sightings.

A short taxi or Uber will deliver you to Chinatown, where the city’s history comes alive.

Considered Canada’s largest Chinatown and a designated heritage site, Vancouver’s

Chinatown is also home to trendy watering holes and spots for late-night bites. The

famed Keefer Bar is a Vancouver institution serving cocktails with local ingredients and

small plates with an Asian influence.

Granville Island

A visit to Vancouver is not complete without a stop at the Granville Island Market.

Getting there is simple, but instead of going by car – it’s strongly suggested that you

arrive via the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries. Both small boats transport passengers

across the Burrard Inlet to Granville Island, affording riders unparalleled views during

the short crossing.

Granville Island hosts everything from a produce market and seafood stalls to the

locally-loved Lee’s Donuts, artisan shops, restaurants, the Emily Carr University of Art &

Design, a separate kids' market, glass-blowing, and jewelry studios, and more. While

you can breeze through quickly, ideally you want to set aside a few hours to stroll the

shops, enjoy a final meal, and take in the sights, smells, and sounds of one of

Vancouver’s most beloved destinations.

While Vancouver may be viewed as Seattle’s equally rainy northern neighbor, there’s

more this great city than raingear and mountains. An exciting food scene, unique

neighborhoods, and laid-back hospitality all await you in Hollywood North. Interested in

a visit to Vancouver, Canada? Contact me here.