Vancouver 5-Day Itinerary

Activities

1. 09:00 Stanley Park Seawall cycling loop 2.5 hours

   1888-established 4.05 km² urban park — 1.5x larger than NYC Central Park. The 9.6 km 'Seawall' bike route (counter-clockwise one-way) covers Brockton Point Lighthouse, Totem Poles, Lions Gate Bridge, Prospect Point, Siwash Rock, Third Beach, and English Bay. Rent at 'Spokes Bicycle Rentals' (Denman St, CAD 9.5/hour) or 'Cycle BC' downtown.

   Cost: Bike rental CAD 25 (USD 18.50 for 2.5 hours) TIP: Counter-clockwise one-way only. 09:00 start = 12:00 complete + photo time. Lululemon Run Club (Stanley Park entrance) offers free guided bike tours Wed/Fri/Sat 10:00.
2. 12:00 Stanley Park Tea House or Prospect Point Cafe lunch 1 hour

   Stanley Park Tea House (1948 English style + Royal Gardens, CAD 30-50) sits at Ferguson Point with English Bay + Vancouver Island views. Prospect Point Cafe (211m clifftop, casual CAD 20-35) faces Lions Gate Bridge + North Vancouver. Both lie along the bike loop.

   Cost: CAD 20-50 (USD 15-37) TIP: Tea House reserves Sat-Sun 12:00-14:00 are smart. Prospect Point walk-in OK. 'Sticky Toffee Pudding' is the Tea House signature.
3. 14:00 Robson Street + Pacific Centre shopping 1.5 hours

   Vancouver's signature shopping + dining strip, 1 km walking. Korean franchises (Lotte Plaza, MAC, H Mart) + local brands (Lululemon flagship, Aritzia, Roots). Pacific Centre (200+ stores) at Robson + Howe corner. 5-10 min walk from downtown hotels.

   Cost: Shopping discretionary TIP: Canada GST 5% + BC PST 7% = 12% tax added at checkout. US/KR duty-free limit USD 800/person (3-month period). Lululemon flagship has strong seasonal sales.
4. 16:00 Vancouver Lookout 169m observation deck 1 hour

   169m deck atop Harbour Centre (opened 1977). Glass elevator reaches the top in 40 seconds. On clear days, visibility extends to Stanley Park + North Shore mountains + Vancouver Island. Same ticket valid for re-entry (day + night views from one ticket). Best photo value.

   Cost: CAD 18.25 (USD 13.50) TIP: Clear-morning entry + night re-entry. SkyTrain 'Waterfront' station 1-min walk. Best photo angle: east toward Coal Harbour + Stanley Park in one frame.
5. 17:30 Gastown + Steam Clock walk 1.5 hours

   1867 Vancouver founding district. Jack Deighton (English) opened the first saloon here. Cobblestone streets + Victorian red-brick buildings give it European feel. The 1977 Steam Clock whistles every 15 min + Gassy Jack statue + 100+ vintage boutiques. Local chefs (L'Abattoir, Wildebeest) fill it after dark.

   Cost: Free (meals separate) TIP: Steam Clock photos at 15/30/45/hourly steam release. Touristy by day, locals by night — visit after 17:00. SkyTrain 'Waterfront' 5-min walk.
6. 19:30 Joe Fortes or Hawksworth dinner 2 hours

   Joe Fortes (1907, signature Sydney oysters + BC salmon, CAD 60-140, Robson Street) carries a 100-year oyster heritage. Hawksworth (2011, Rosewood Hotel Georgia ground floor, CAD 90-180) is Chef David Hawksworth's BC fine dining. Both walkable downtown.

   Cost: CAD 60-180 (USD 45-135) TIP: Joe Fortes book 1-2 weeks ahead; Saturday rooftop popular. Hawksworth 2-4 weeks + business casual. Wine pairing CAD 80-95 extra.
7. 21:30 Canada Place night walk (optional) 30 minutes

   1986 World Expo structure — white sail-roof recalls Sydney Opera House. Coal Harbour waterfront + North Shore mountain night view + cruise terminal departures. 1 km walk from Gastown. Free.

   Cost: Free TIP: Canada Place exterior lights from 21:00-24:00. Best photo angle from SkyTrain 'Waterfront' exit or Convention Centre east end.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 3 hours

   1889 137m-long, 70m-high suspension bridge crossing Capilano River canyon. One ticket includes bridge + Treetops Adventure (7 bridges connecting 30m treetop walkways) + Cliffwalk (75m glass-steel walkway hugging the cliff). Free shuttle from Canada Place every hour at 09:00-11:00 etc.

   Cost: CAD 69.95 (USD 51.80) TIP: Free shuttle 09:00 → 09:30 arrival. 11:00-14:00 most crowded; visit 09:30-11:00. Cliffwalk is the scariest — Treetops only for vertigo-sensitive. Nov-Mar Canyon Lights (60+ Christmas trees).
2. 12:30 Grouse Mountain — Skyride + summit 3 hours

   1,231m peak. 'Skyride' gondola (2.4 km, 8 min) to summit. Top has wolf sanctuary + lumberjack show + Discovery Trail + grizzly refuge (summer) + ski slopes (Dec-April). 'Observatory Restaurant' summit lunch. 360° view of North Shore + downtown + Vancouver Island.

   Cost: CAD 79 (USD 58.50, Skyride round-trip) TIP: Free shuttle from Capilano 12:30 → 12:45 — Capilano + Grouse 1-ticket package CAD 90 is best value. Summit sunset (summer 21:00, winter 16:00) is the move.
3. 16:30 Lions Gate Bridge view (Prospect Point) 1 hour

   1938 suspension bridge linking North Vancouver to downtown (mirrors Golden Gate). Bike + pedestrian path on east side allows crossing. Prospect Point (in Stanley Park) is the classic photo angle. Sunset + blue hour are best.

   Cost: Free TIP: Grouse shuttle 16:00 → Stanley Park Prospect Point 16:30. North Shore + mountains in frame. Photos from cliff, not from the bridge itself for safety.
4. 18:30 Granville Island or Yaletown dinner 2 hours

   Granville Island (Aquabus CAD 4.50, 5 min from downtown) has 50+ ingredient stalls + 10+ food counters. Yaletown (10-min walk south of Robson) houses Blue Water Cafe (seafood), Cactus Club Cafe (casual, CAD 40-80), Glowbal Restaurant.

   Cost: CAD 30-150 (USD 22-111) TIP: Blue Water Cafe book 2-3 weeks ahead + seafood tower (CAD 180, serves 4). Granville Island Public Market closes 19:00 — food court before 18:00.
5. 20:30 English Bay sunset walk (optional, summer) 1 hour

   Downtown west-end beach + harbor view. Jul-Aug sunset at 21:00 + Celebration of Light fireworks festival Saturdays late-Jul + first-Sat Aug. Jun-Sep beach + sunset walk; Nov-Mar too dark.

   Cost: Free TIP: Celebration of Light Saturdays draw 1M crowd + 25-min fireworks from 21:30. Beach + Stanley Park entrance are the prime spots.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Granville Island Public Market + artisans 2.5 hours

   Opened 1979. 50+ ingredient stalls (Lee's Donuts, Stuart's Bakery, Granville Island Brewing) + 50+ artisans (delicate ceramic, glass, textile, Net Loft). 'Edible Canada' BC wine tasting (CAD 4, 30+ wines). Aquabus (Burrard Marina ↔ Granville Island, CAD 4.50, 5 min) for atmosphere. 30 min walk + ferry from downtown.

   Cost: Aquabus round-trip CAD 9 + tastings discretionary TIP: Arrive at 09:00 opening — 12:00+ packed. Stuart's Bakery cinnamon bun CAD 6 is essential. BC wine bottles legal to export (1L/person, no duty).
2. 12:00 Sophie's Cosmic Cafe brunch (Kitsilano) 1 hour

   Opened 1988 — Kitsilano's signature brunch diner. Vintage 1950s American diner + 100+ collectible toys. 'Eggs Benedict' (8 varieties, CAD 22-26) + pancakes + milkshakes are signature. 30-min queue baseline, walk-in only.

   Cost: CAD 15-30 (USD 11-22) TIP: Arrive at noon for 30-min wait. 'Eggs Benedict' Norwegian (salmon) is the top pick. Card + cash both OK.
3. 13:30 Kitsilano Beach + 4th Ave walk 1.5 hours

   Vancouver's 'Venice Beach' — beach + cafes + boutiques. Kitsilano Beach Park (2.5 km beach + outdoor pool, May-Sep) + 4th Avenue (Lululemon's 1998 first store) + Burrard Bridge view. Jun-Sep sunbathing + swimming, otherwise walk + cafes.

   Cost: Free (pool CAD 6.55) TIP: Kitsilano Pool (135m, world's longest outdoor pool) May-Sep only. 'Boathouse Restaurant' beachside has oysters + BC wine + sea views.
4. 15:30 UBC Museum of Anthropology 1.5 hours

   Opened 1976 + Arthur Erickson design + on UBC campus. Canada's top anthropology museum + 50,000+ Pacific Northwest indigenous works (Haida, Salish). 'Great Hall' totem poles + Bill Reid's 'Raven and the First Men' (1980 wood carving) are signature. 30 min by bus from Kitsilano.

   Cost: CAD 18 (USD 13) TIP: Bus 4/14/44 to 'UBC' terminus. Tuesday 17:00-21:00 by-donation entry. Bill Reid's carving in 'Great Hall' — photos OK.
5. 17:30 Granville Island Brewing or Cactus Club Cafe dinner 2 hours

   Granville Island Brewing (1984, Canada's first microbrewery, 6-beer tasting CAD 12) is best for beer + snacks. Cactus Club Cafe (Robson Street, CAD 40-80) is Glowbal Group's casual signature, with Top Chef Canada chef menu.

   Cost: CAD 30-100 (USD 22-74) TIP: Granville Island Brewing closes 18:00 — arrive before 17:30. Cactus Club walk-in OK + Coal Harbour waterfront branch recommended.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Sea-to-Sky Highway drive (2 hours) 2.5 hours (including stops)

   Hwy 99 (120 km, downtown to Whistler) is BC's premier scenic drive. Howe Sound fjord + Sky Pilot Mountain + Shannon Falls (335m, BC top-3) + Stawamus Chief (700m granite, Canada's top climbing) + Brandywine Falls (70m). Car rental recommended (downtown 'Budget' or 'Hertz', CAD 80-120/day).

   Cost: Rental CAD 100 + gas CAD 50 (USD 111) TIP: Shannon Falls + Stawamus Chief have free roadside parking + 30-min walks. Korean driver's license + international license needed. LDW + collision insurance CAD 25/day extra recommended.
2. 10:30 Squamish — Sea-to-Sky Gondola 2 hours

   Squamish 885m gondola (10 min) + 100m suspension bridge at summit + 3 trails (15 min-2 hours). Stawamus Chief + Howe Sound fjord 360° view. 'Summit Lodge' cafe + gift shop. Midway stop on the way to Whistler.

   Cost: CAD 56 (USD 41.50) TIP: Clear days only — skip cloudy weather. Nov-Mar adds 'Snowshoe Tour'. 'Howe Sound Brewing' (6-beer tasting CAD 15) for Squamish lunch.
3. 13:00 Whistler Village arrival + lunch 1.5 hours (with lunch)

   Whistler Village (30 min drive, Canada's #1 ski resort, 2010 Winter Olympics). Village has 200+ boutiques + 80+ restaurants + 50+ hotels. Seasonal vibe shifts: Dec-Apr ski, May-Oct mountain biking + hiking. Hotel check-in.

   Cost: Hotel CAD 250-500 + lunch CAD 30-60 (USD 222-444) TIP: Hotels: 'Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre' or 'Fairmont Chateau Whistler' lead. 'Roundhouse Lodge' lunch recommended. Shuttle + lift ticket + hotel ski package = best value.
4. 14:30 Peak 2 Peak Gondola — Whistler ↔ Blackcomb 2 hours

   Opened 2008 — world's longest gondola (4.4 km) at highest elevation (436m). Whistler peak ↔ Blackcomb peak in 11 min. Both summits + 'Cloud Raker Bridge' (2018, 130m suspension bridge). Nov-Mar skiing, May-Oct hiking + biking.

   Cost: CAD 89 (USD 66) or ski-season lift ticket CAD 219+ TIP: Round-trip ticket allows hiking between summits (3-4 hours). 'Cloud Raker Bridge' is 30-min walk from Whistler summit — the iconic photo. Self-gondola OK with Korean license.
5. 17:00 Whistler Village walk + dinner 3 hours

   Whistler Village is Canada's premier mountain resort town. Olympic Plaza (2010 Winter Olympics medal podium) + Family Adventure Zone + 100+ boutiques. Dinner at 'Bearfoot Bistro' (fine dining, CAD 90-180) or 'Hy's Steakhouse' (steak, CAD 60-120).

   Cost: CAD 60-180 (USD 45-135) TIP: Bearfoot book 2-3 weeks ahead + 'Champagne Sabering' show (saber bottle opening). Hy's walk-in OK. Dinner often bundled with 1-night package; next-day checkout 11:00.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Whistler morning — Joffre Lakes or Lost Lake (pick one) 2-3 hours

   Joffre Lakes Provincial Park (1 hour drive north) has 3 glacial lakes + Lower Lake classic photo. Trail 5 km round trip, 2-3 hours. Lost Lake (15-min walk from Village) is a shorter 1-hour stroll + beach (swimming in summer).

   Cost: Free (parking CAD 10) TIP: Joffre Lakes Jul-Oct only (snow-free). Otherwise Lost Lake. For shorter time, do one ride at Whistler Mountain Bike Park (summer) or skiing (winter).
2. 12:00 Whistler → Richmond drive (2 hours + 30 min) 2.5 hours (travel)

   Sea-to-Sky Highway back south + downtown bypass + Richmond. Richmond is Canada's #1 Chinatown + 60%+ Asian-descent population. Alexandra Road (3 blocks + 200+ restaurants — Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, HK, Japanese). 25 min from downtown via Canada Line SkyTrain + walk.

   Cost: Gas CAD 30 (USD 22) TIP: 11:00 checkout from Whistler → noon departure. Direct 2.5 hours. Sea-to-Sky panoramic in reverse (different angle).
3. 14:30 Alexandra Road lunch + walk 2 hours

   Richmond's 'New Chinatown' — 3 blocks (City Centre to Aberdeen) with 200+ Asian restaurants. Signatures: 'HK BBQ Master' (Cantonese BBQ, CAD 15-25), 'Top Shanghai Cuisine' (Shanghai, CAD 20-40), 'Daimaru' (Japanese, CAD 20-50). Korean menus widespread (Bistro Mio, Mr Ho's Wonton House).

   Cost: CAD 15-50 (USD 11-37) TIP: Free parking at each restaurant. 15:00-17:00 quieter. May-Oct weekends 'Richmond Night Market' (Asia's #1 night market, 100+ stalls, CAD 6.75 entry).
4. 17:00 Steveston Village (fishing village) 2 hours

   1880s fishing village at Richmond's southwest tip — Fraser River meets the Pacific. Sunset at 'Garry Point Park'. 'Pajo's' (waterfront food truck since 1985, fish & chips signature, CAD 15-25). 'Once Upon a Time' filming location + fishermen's museum (free).

   Cost: Free (meals separate) TIP: Steveston Village to downtown by Aquabus (Fraser River) 1.5 hours. Driving 30 min (downtown to Richmond to Steveston). Jun-Sep sunset 21:00 + Pajo's closes 19:00.
5. 19:30 Return downtown + final dinner 2.5 hours

   Steveston to downtown 40 min drive + hotel return. Final dinner at 'Miku' (signature Aburi salmon, CAD 50-140) or 'Vij's' (modern Indian, CAD 40-80). Miku has Coal Harbour waterfront + night view; Vij's is celebrity chef + walk-in.

   Cost: CAD 40-140 (USD 30-104) TIP: Book Miku 1 week ahead + request Coal Harbour waterfront seating. Vij's walk-in arrive at 17:00 opening for short queue.

Meal Recommendations