Vancouver

Vancouver is Canada's western Pacific gateway — coastal city wedged between Pacific Ocean + North Shore Mountains. 675,000 in city, 2.6M in metro. Stanley Park (10% larger than NYC's Central Park, surrounded by sea on 3 sides), Granville Island public market, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the canonical 'mountain + ocean + skyscraper' photo. Asian-Canadian food scene (largest Chinese + Korean populations in Canada) + ski resorts 1.5h away (Whistler).

Stanley Park is the city's iconic 405-hectare urban park. The 10km Seawall bike loop is the canonical Vancouver activity (bike rental $15/day from various downtown shops). Sea-to-sky views, totem poles, Vancouver Aquarium ($35), Hollow Tree, and Prospect Point lookout. Free + always open.

Granville Island is a small island under Granville Bridge — Public Market with 50+ artisan food vendors, craft breweries, theaters. Free entry. Aquabus mini-ferry from downtown $4 (10 min ride).

Capilano Suspension Bridge (1889) is the iconic 137m bridge swaying 70m above Capilano River. $50 entry includes Treetop Adventure (7 platforms in fir trees) + Cliffwalk (jutting platform over canyon). Free shuttle from downtown.

Grouse Mountain (1,231m) is North Vancouver's iconic skyride — gondola to mountaintop with grizzly bear sanctuary, lumberjack shows, observation deck. $60 cable car. Sunset is iconic.

For real Vancouver food, the Asian-Canadian scene is the canonical experience. Vij's (modern Indian, $35-50), Hawksworth (modern Canadian, $60-100), Vancouver dim sum scene (Sun Sui Wah for canonical), Chinese Vancouver = best Chinese food in North America (Richmond suburb).

Iconic Canadian dishes: Poutine (fries + gravy + cheese curds, $8-15), Vancouver dim sum ($25-40), Vancouver sushi (Tojo's invented California Roll, $50-100), maple syrup everything, Canadian craft beer ($5-10/pint).

Day trips: Whistler (2h Sea-to-Sky Highway, $130 day tour) — world-class ski resort + Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Victoria + Butchart Gardens (3.5h ferry, day tour $130). North Shore Mountains.

Bottom line: Vancouver is one of North America's most-distinctive cities — nature + city + Asian food in one. 3 days hits the bucket list including Whistler.