Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 6-day plan, rearranged for 5 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A huge forested park on a peninsula beside downtown, ringed by a long paved seawall. Walk a stretch or rent bikes. The path is one way for bikes, so check the signs.
Go when Morning, when the paths are cool and quiet.
Local tip You do not need the whole loop. Walk or ride a stretch, turn back when the group has had enough, and stop at the viewpoints. Check the signs for the direction of travel.
A long footbridge hung high over a river canyon, with walkways in the treetops. It sways a little as you walk, so hold the rail and take it slowly. Check ahead on tickets. Lynn Canyon, a free alternative, is in the extras.
Go when Morning, before the crowds and the heat of the day.
Local tip The bridge sways and it is high, so it is not for everyone. Hold the rail and go slowly. Lynn Canyon is a free alternative. Check ahead on tickets.
Bread, cheese, fruit and something sweet, packed on the way over, so you do not have to hunt for lunch before the gondola.
Local tip Bring a refillable bottle, because the mountain air is dry.
A group of totem poles carved by Indigenous artists, set beside the water on the park's east side. Read the signs, and stand back for the view of the harbour and the mountains.
Go when Late morning, on your way round the seawall.
Local tip Read the signs beside the poles, and take care near the water. The harbour view across to the North Shore is a good place for a photo.
A mountain you reach by aerial tram, called the Skyride, with wide views of the city and the sea. The top can be in cloud when the city is clear, so check ahead on the view and the weather before you go up.
Go when Afternoon on a clear day, once you can see the top from town.
Local tip The top can sit in cloud when the city is bright, so look at the mountain from below before you buy a ticket. Bring a warm layer, because it is cooler up there. Check ahead.
A market building beside the SeaBus dock, with food stalls and shops. The little ferry back across the harbour is part of the fun, and the city lights come on as you go.
Go when Early evening, then the SeaBus back across the harbour.
Local tip Eat something at the food stalls, then ride the SeaBus back. The ride itself is a short harbour tour with a view of the downtown skyline.
Food stalls and small counters around the market serve noodles, dumplings and sandwiches. Easy for a group with different tastes.
Local tip Everyone orders their own, then you meet at a table by the water.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A real aquarium inside the park, with sea life from the Pacific coast and further afield. It needs a ticket, and hours and what is on view change, so check ahead before you plan the day around it.
Go when Midday, as a cool indoor break from the paths.
Local tip It is a real aquarium, so you need a ticket. Check ahead on hours and on which exhibits are open before you plan the day around it.
One of the oldest Chinese neighbourhoods in the country, entered through a tall gate. Look in the bakeries and the herb shops and the narrow old buildings. Some streets are quiet, so wander with care.
Go when Midday, with a pastry from a bakery.
Local tip Walk through the gate and wander the main street slowly. Some blocks are quiet and others are busy, so stay with your group.
Small plates of dumplings and buns, shared around a table. A fun way for a group to try many things at once.
Local tip Order a few at a time and add more, and ask for tea.
A clock on a street corner in old Gastown that is run by steam and lets out a whistle every so often. Stop for a photo, then walk the cobbled street with its old brick buildings.
Go when Late afternoon, then walk the cobbled street.
Local tip It whistles every so often, so a short wait may be worth it. The steam comes from a pipe below the street, so the clock is mostly a curiosity.
A city beach on a wide bay, with logs to sit on and ships waiting at anchor. Come for the sunset, and stay as the sky changes color over the water. Check conditions before swimming.
Go when Around sunset, on a log with a snack.
Local tip Sit with the ships waiting at anchor and watch the sky change. The water is cold, so check conditions before swimming.
A sandy beach on the park's west side, with a big outdoor pool beside it and a grassy slope for a picnic. A good place for the children to burn off energy while the others sit.
Go when Around sunset, with a picnic on the grass.
Local tip The open-air pool beside the beach has its own season, so check ahead. Bring a towel, and use sunscreen even when it is cloudy.
A simple supper of crisp fried fish and chips, eaten with the sand under your feet as the sun goes down.
Local tip Eat on the grass, and watch the gulls, which like chips too.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A big covered market on an island under a bridge, full of fruit and vegetables, bread, fish, cheese and sweets. Walk once through, then go back to buy what looked best. Check ahead on opening days.
Go when Morning, before the aisles fill up.
Local tip Walk the whole market once before you buy. Berries in season, smoked salmon and a pastry for the walk are all easy choices. Check ahead on opening days.
A hands-on science centre in a big silver dome at the end of False Creek. Plenty to touch, push and try, with room for both children and adults. Check ahead on tickets and what is on.
Go when Morning, when the exhibits are quiet.
Local tip Go straight to the hands-on rooms and leave the rest. Check ahead on tickets and on special shows. The seawall outside is a flat walk.
A wide sandy beach with a big saltwater pool beside it, volleyball nets and a view across the bay to the mountains. The pool has its own season, so check ahead before you plan on a swim.
Go when Afternoon, when the sand is warm.
Local tip The big saltwater pool beside the beach has its own season, so check ahead. Watch the sun, because the breeze off the water hides how strong it is.
A classical Chinese garden of ponds, pavilions, stone and winding paths, built in the traditional way. It is a quiet, calming place to sit. Check ahead on how it is open, and on tours.
Go when Afternoon, as a calm break from the street.
Local tip Walk slowly and sit on a bench by the pond. A short guided visit can explain the design. Check ahead on how the garden is open, and on tours.
Poutine is fries with cheese curds and gravy, a Canadian classic, and easy to share among friends or children.
Local tip Order one to share first, because the plates are generous.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A hilltop park with sweeping lawns and gardens, and a wide view of the city and the mountains. Easy paths, benches and room for children to run around. Walk down through the old quarry garden.
Go when Morning, when the paths are quiet.
Local tip The park is on the city's highest hill, so it has a broad view. Walk down into the old quarry garden, and go back up by the shady path.
A glass dome at the top of the park, full of warm-climate plants and free-flying tropical birds. A warm, dry stop for a wet day. Check ahead on how it is open.
Go when Late morning, or any time it rains.
Local tip It is warm and humid inside, so wear a thin layer. The birds fly free, so stay on the path. Check ahead on how it is open.
A simple lunch eaten on a bench or a lawn in the garden, with a bottle of water and a piece of fruit.
Local tip Pick a shady spot, and carry out your scraps.
A small indoor market of toy shops and play areas on the island, a dry stop for younger children. Check ahead on what is open, because the shops change.
Go when Late morning, if the children need a break.
Local tip It is a small, indoor place, handy when it rains. Check ahead on which shops are open, because they change.
A big garden of plants from around the world, with a hedge maze, lakes and quiet paths. Take a map and choose a loop that suits your group. Check ahead on events.
Go when Afternoon, with a picnic on the lawn.
Local tip Pick one loop from the map and take your time. The hedge maze is the easiest hit with children. Check ahead on events and on how the garden is open.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A famous garden made in an old quarry, with flower beds, ponds and paths to wander. It is large, so take your time. Check ahead on tickets, on what is in bloom and on how late it stays open.
Go when Midday, once you are off the ferry.
Local tip It is large, so plan on a slow loop with benches. Check ahead on tickets, on what is in bloom and on how late it is open. A hat and sunscreen help.
The heart of Victoria, a small harbour lined with old stone buildings, boats and buskers. Walk the waterfront at an easy pace and look at the floating houses and ferries.
Go when Afternoon, for a gentle harbour stroll.
Local tip Walk the waterfront slowly and watch the small boats. It is a pleasant place to sit with an ice cream before heading back.
It covers 5 days in Vancouver, planned for late June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 7.0 to 26.6 kilometers between its stops, and 67.9 kilometers in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 days around Olympic National ParkAbout 150 km awayAn easy add-on
3 days in SeattleAbout 180 km away
Heart of the Canadian Rockies, 10 Days | Calgary to VancouverAbout 470 km awayOther guides with a page about Vancouver. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageVancouver, the free travel guideLonely PlanetVancouver travel guideCondé Nast TravelerVancouver travel guideTime OutThings to do in VancouverThe GuardianVancouver travel featuresPhoto: popejon2, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Iiii I I I, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Craig Nagy, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: w4nn3s, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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