With trendy neighbourhoods, a thriving arts scene and top-tier restaurants, not to mention endless outdoor activities at your fingertips, it’s no wonder Vancouver ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Whether you’re looking to explore the forest-clad mountains, soak up the coastal delights or delve into the rich cultural heritage, there are endless reasons to visit British Columbia's main city.
Vancouver is celebrated for its culture, from world-class museums to toe-tapping music and theatre shows. If you dig a little deeper beneath the surface you’ll find a flourishing grassroots community, including up-and-coming bands and independent art galleries. There’s a distinctive cosmopolitan vibe too, with Chinese, Italian, Greek and Japanese enclaves dotted around the city, the most famous of which is the vibrant Chinatown.
The city’s neighbourhoods are well worth exploring, each offering its own unique character and charm. Whether you’re browsing the boutique shops in Kitsilano or checking out the hipster bars along the cobbled streets of Gastown, it’s easy to while away the hours mooching around these charming inner-city quarters. Surrounding these neighbourhoods are long stretches of coastal walkways, including the favourite seawall trail of Stanley Park, which offers stunning forest, ocean and mountain views.
Though Toronto and Montreal are considered the culinary capitals of Canada, there’s no denying that Vancouver is making its mark. It’s here where you’ll find some of the country’s best Asian restaurants, as well as succulent seafood dishes, a growing farm-to-table movement and the eclectic experience of Public Market on Granville Island. Oh, and let’s not forget the city’s ever-growing craft beer scene.
For the outdoorsy-type, there’s a playground of adventures on the city’s doorstep. So diverse are the landscapes in Vancouver that you could spend the morning hiking in pine-clad mountains and end the day watching the sunset on a sandy beach. Having said that, you won’t find Vancouvians cramming these activities into a single day. Whether it’s hiking, biking, swimming or wildlife watching, locals like to enjoy recreation at a leisurely pace, and so should you.