British Columbia’s gateway city sits between snow-dusted mountains and the Pacific, where rainforest trails meet glassy towers and a thriving food scene. Long before it became Vancouver, these lands were and remain the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil‑Waututh Nations—knowledge that enriches every walk in Stanley Park and every view across Burrard Inlet.

Vancouver’s modern story includes the 1886 arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Expo ’86, and the 2010 Winter Olympics, each shaping neighborhoods like Yaletown, Gastown, and Olympic Village. Today, visitors come for the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island’s artisans, and sea-to-sky vistas that look painted on.

Practical notes: Vancouver’s weather is maritime—pack layers and a light rain shell. The local currency is CAD; tipping is typically 15–20%. From YVR, the Canada Line SkyTrain reaches downtown in about 25–30 minutes. For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, then ride the SkyTrain or a taxi to your hotel or VRBO.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a city of contrasts: ancient cedars and sleek cycle paths, food trucks and fine dining, totem poles and neon-lit alleys. Start with the 10-km seawall loop around Stanley Park—bald eagles above, harbor seals below—and you’ll see why locals never stop bragging about their backyard.

Highlights range from the Capilano Suspension Bridge swaying over temperate rainforest to the Vancouver Lookout’s city panorama. In Gastown, steam clocks and brick lanes meet cocktail bars and indie boutiques. On Granville Island, makers, bakers, and buskers pack a compact peninsula of markets and studios.

• Top sights: Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Lookout, Granville Island Public Market, Kitsilano Beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, Museum of Anthropology (UBC).
• Local flavor: Aburi sushi, wild Pacific salmon, spot prawns (in season), Dungeness crab, excellent Chinese and Southeast Asian kitchens, and Indigenous-owned eateries like salmon dishes with bannock.
• Insider tip: Mornings on the seawall are quieter, and sunsets at English Bay or Third Beach are postcard-perfect.

Where to stay (downtown and Coal Harbour keep you central):

• High-end: Fairmont Pacific Rim — harbor views, art-filled lobby, rooftop pool.
• Resort vibe by the park: The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver — steps from the seawall, bikes on site.
• Spacious suites: Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown — kitchens and a strong location.
• Budget/social: Samesun Vancouver Hostel — lively, central, and traveler-friendly.
• Explore more stays: Hotels.com Vancouver or VRBO Vancouver.

How to get there: Fly into YVR (frequent nonstops from the US West Coast and major hubs). Compare routes and prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, taxis take ~30 minutes to downtown; SkyTrain is often faster during rush hours.

Day 1: Arrival, Seawall Stretch, and Gastown Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with a gentle walk or bike ride along the Stanley Park seawall from Coal Harbour to the totem poles at Brockton Point. Coffee stop: Revolver (precision pourovers) or Nemesis (velvety flat whites) downtown.

Evening: Kick off with the award-winning Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour—history and bites in Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood. Expect local cheeses, BC salmon, craft sips, and street stories that bring the cobbles to life.

Prefer a sit-down dinner? Try Miku for aburi (flame-seared) sushi with a waterfront view, or Ask For Luigi for handmade pasta in a cozy room. Nightcap: The Keefer Bar (apothecary-inspired cocktails) or Alibi Room (BC craft beer temple).

Day 2: City Highlights, Capilano Rainforest, and Sunset by the Bay

Morning: Breakfast at Medina Cafe—fragrant Moroccan-spiced sausages and famous Liege waffles—or OEB Breakfast Co. on Davie for creative scrambles. Then join the fully narrated Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Vancouver Lookout. You’ll explore Stanley Park’s totems, Granville Island’s artists, the glassy skyline from Vancouver Lookout, and the misty rainforest trails around Capilano.

Afternoon: Refuel on Granville Island. Mix and match at the Public Market: Oyama Sausage Co. (charcuterie), A La Mode (pot pies), Lee’s Donuts (old-school glazed), and Mondo Gelato for dessert. Browse studios and watch glassblowers at work.

Evening: Head to English Bay for a golden-hour stroll. Dinner in Yaletown: Blue Water Cafe (sustainable seafood, stellar raw bar) or Tacofino Ocho (Baja-inspired plates). For a late treat, find soft-serve at Mister (liquid-nitrogen ice cream) if you crave something playful.

Day 3: Full-Day Tour to Victoria & The Butchart Gardens

Make a day of it across the Salish Sea with the Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Ferry from Vancouver. It begins with a scenic 90-minute ferry through the Gulf Islands, then time in British Columbia’s capital: the Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings, and the storybook Fairmont Empress. The star is Butchart Gardens—55 acres of themed blooms, from the sunken garden to the rose-laced promenades.

Lunch suggestions in Victoria: fish and chips on the pier, spot prawn rolls when in season, or a farm-to-table stop at 10 Acres Commons. You’ll return to Vancouver by evening. Back in the city, Chinatown’s Phnom Penh serves cult-favorite butter beef and crisp garlic wings; or try Bao Bei for modern Chinese small plates in a lantern-lit room.

Day 4: Seaplane Views, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Start with a waterside breakfast at Sylvia Hotel’s café by English Bay or Jam Cafe (hearty hashes, line moves fast). Cap your trip with the Vancouver Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour—a 20-minute flight that arcs over Coal Harbour, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains for a coastal perspective you’ll never forget.

Afternoon: Squeeze in a final walk through Robson Street boutiques or the contemporary galleries around South Granville. Quick lunch ideas: Meat & Bread (porchetta sandwiches), Italian Kitchen (light pastas), or Salmon n’ Bannock (Indigenous-owned; salmon with bannock when available). Aim to reach YVR about 2 hours before a domestic flight or 3 for international. Compare last-minute options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com if your plans change.

Optional swap: If you have a late flight and want wildlife, consider replacing the seaplane with the half-day Vancouver Whale Watching Adventure (seasonal; orcas, humpbacks, and sea lions), but allow ample buffer before departure.

This 4-day Vancouver itinerary pairs outdoor adventure with city culture: Stanley Park and Capilano by day, Gastown flavors and waterfront sunsets by night, plus a ferry-swept escape to Victoria’s gardens. You’ll leave with mountain-framed photos, a pocketful of restaurant favorites, and a strong urge to come back when the spot prawns run or the first snow dusts the peaks.