Coastal rainforest meets gleaming skyline in Vancouver, a city shaped by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, the 19th‑century gold rush, and the railway that stitched Canada together. Today, it’s “Hollywood North”—and a gateway to alpine peaks, temperate rainforests, and an island‑dotted Pacific horizon.

Vancouver’s greatest hits are blissfully close: bike the Stanley Park Seawall, browse Granville Island Public Market, stroll historic Gastown, and cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge into a cathedral of cedars. Spring through fall, pods of orcas and humpbacks cruise nearby; in winter, city lights sparkle below snow‑dusted mountains.

Expect mild, changeable weather—pack layers and a light rain jacket year‑round. The Canada Line whisks you from YVR to downtown in ~25 minutes. Menus celebrate the Pacific and Vancouver’s deep Asian influences: aburi sushi, spot prawns, and fragrant curries share tables with craft beer and small‑batch roasters.

Vancouver

Ringed by mountains and sea, Vancouver is a rare city where you can kayak a glassy inlet at breakfast, wander an art market by lunch, and watch sunset from a rainforest overlook before dinner. Neighborhoods feel distinct: the heritage brick of Gastown, the beachy calm of Kitsilano, the glass towers of Coal Harbour, and the indie pockets of Mount Pleasant.

Top sights include Stanley Park’s 400‑hectare forest and totem poles, the Capilano Suspension Bridge’s treetop walkways, and Granville Island’s craft studios and market stalls. Food runs the gamut—from Michelin‑recognized rooms to cult favorite noodle shops.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Fairmont Pacific Rim (Coal Harbour; design-forward rooms, harbor views, standout sushi lounge): Check availability
• The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver (on the Seawall; resort vibe, outdoor pool, bikes): Check availability
• Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown (spacious suites with kitchens; great for longer stays): Check availability
• Samesun Vancouver Hostel (budget, social atmosphere just off Granville St): Book a bed
• Browse more hotels: Hotels.com: Vancouver | Apartments/houses: VRBO: Vancouver

Getting there: Fly into YVR (frequent nonstops from the US West Coast and major hubs). Search flexible fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Seattle ~1 hr; San Francisco/Los Angeles ~2.5 hrs; Denver/Chicago ~3–4.5 hrs; New York ~5.5–6.5 hrs. Roundtrips commonly range ~$150–$550 depending on season.

Getting around: Use the SkyTrain and buses (Compass Card), plus easy car‑shares and rideshares. The Seawall is perfect for biking; most of this itinerary is reachable by transit and easy walks.

Day 1: Waterfront Welcome, Gastown Glow

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the journey with a harbor stroll from Canada Place to Coal Harbour—the floatplanes, mountains, and sails of the Convention Centre offer instant “you’re in Vancouver” views. Coffee at Nemesis Coffee (Polygon or Gastown; inventive single-origin pours and seasonal pastries) or Revolver (Gastown; rotating roasters, pour‑over specialists).

Evening: Dinner at Miku by the waterfront for signature aburi (flame‑seared) sushi—order the Salmon Oshi and a seasonal sashimi platter. Alternatively, book L’Abattoir for French‑influenced Pacific Northwest plates in a brick‑and‑beam dining room. Post‑dinner, wander Gastown’s cobbles and the Steam Clock, then sip a citrus‑forward cocktail at The Keefer Bar (apothecary‑style, Asian‑inspired drinks) or explore local taps at Alibi Room (ever‑changing BC craft list).

Day 2: Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Capilano

Morning: Breakfast at Medina Café (famous waffles; try the lavender latte) or Small Victory (buttery kouign-amann and stellar espresso). Rent bikes to circle the Stanley Park Seawall (10 km loop with mountain/forest/beach vignettes). Pause at the totem poles and Prospect Point for postcard views.

Afternoon: Ferry across False Creek or taxi to Granville Island Public Market. Graze from Oyama Sausage (charcuterie), Lee’s Donuts (old‑school classics), and The Lobster Man (spot‑prawn roll in season). Browse artisan studios for ceramics and First Nations art.

Evening: Cap the day with a guided city-and-forest experience:

Suggested tour: Vancouver Tour: Stanley Park, Granville Island & Capilano Bridge — hotel pickup, city highlights, and time on the Capilano Bridge and Treetops Adventure.

After the tour, dinner in Yaletown: book Blue Water Cafe (sustainable seafood, raw bar, sablefish) or Elisa (steakhouse with wood‑fire finesse). Finish with ice cream at Earnest (salted caramel, rotating seasonal flavors).

Day 3: Whales, Kits Beach Vibes, and a Seaplane Sunset

Morning: Quick bite at 49th Parallel (pair a Flat White with a Lucky’s doughnut) before a marine safari. From spring through fall, orcas, humpbacks, and sea lions are often spotted.

Suggested tour: Vancouver Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure with Free Photos — high‑speed catamarans, indoor/outdoor viewing, naturalist guides.

Afternoon: Recover beachside in Kitsilano: stroll the sandy arc of Kits Beach, browse West 4th boutiques, and refuel with a salmon burger at Go Fish (seasonal shack by Fisherman’s Wharf) or a mezze spread at Nuba (Lebanese; try the crispy cauliflower). If weather turns, explore Science World’s hands‑on exhibits.

Evening: See Vancouver from the sky at golden hour:

Suggested tour: Vancouver Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour — 20 minutes of mountain‑to‑ocean panoramas departing from Coal Harbour.

Dinner at Vij’s (legendary Indian; no reservations for small parties—arrive early for the lamb popsicles) or Kissa Tanto (Italian‑Japanese finesse; reserve well ahead). Nightcap at Botanist (Fairmont Pacific Rim; imaginative garden‑driven cocktails).

Day 4: Sea to Sky Day Trip — Shannon Falls, Gondola, and Whistler

Full day (no need to split): Follow Howe Sound’s fjords north to alpine Whistler. This day tour layers dramatic viewpoints with a mountaintop gondola and village time.

Suggested tour: From Vancouver: Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola with Shannon Falls — typically ~10 hours with stops in Squamish and at 335‑meter Shannon Falls (note: gondola closed Nov 12–28, 2025; tour still operates with adjusted timing).

In Whistler Village, grab a flakey Aussie pie at Peaked Pies, a pastry tower at Purebread, or sit‑down plates at Alta Bistro (seasonal, local). Back in Vancouver, keep it casual with late ramen at Marutama (creamy chicken paitan) or a brewery flight at Brassneck (Mount Pleasant).

Day 5: UBC Culture, Brunch, and a Last Stroll

Morning: Head to the University of British Columbia peninsula for culture and calm. The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) showcases monumental Northwest Coast carvings and contemporary Indigenous art (check current hours; galleries reopened after seismic upgrades). Wander the meditative Nitobe Memorial Garden if time allows.

Afternoon (departure day): Brunch at Jam Cafe (hearty hashes and pancakes; arrive early) or a second round at Medina. Pick up last treats on Robson Street or in Gastown—local chocolates, smoked salmon, and small‑batch coffee make easy souvenirs. Ride the Canada Line back to YVR (~25 minutes) for your flight.

Practical dining notes: Vancouverites eat early on weeknights; prime restaurants book out—reserve when possible. Tipping is standard (18–20%). Seafood is seasonal—if you see spot prawns (May/June) or halibut (spring), say yes.

Optional swaps (seasonal/weather): If whale watching is out of season, swap in Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Vancouver Lookout for additional city time, or visit the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park. For a rainy‑day thrill, consider Flyover in Vancouver (immersive flight ride).

Vancouver rewards curiosity: a morning in old‑growth forest, an afternoon at a buzzing market, and evenings where top chefs riff on ocean bounty. With smart transit, thoughtful tours, and neighborhood eats, this 5‑day plan balances icons and insider favorites—leaving just enough unscripted time for discovery.