5 best things to do in Vancouver
The essentials of Vancouver with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Vancouver activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Vancouver shortlist
- Stanley Park & the seawall — bike the 10km seawall; totem poles at Brockton Point.
- Granville Island public market — the food market and the artisan workshops under the bridge.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge — the swaying bridge and cliffwalk; first hour beats the queues.
- Grouse Mountain & Skyride — the gondola to the summit; lumberjack shows and grizzly habitat.
- Whistler day trip — the Sea-to-Sky highway, Peak 2 Peak gondola; two hours out.
Flying in, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Vancouver activity providers
- Klook — Vancouver activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Vancouver experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Vancouver?
Stanley Park & the seawall — bike the 10km seawall; totem poles at Brockton Point. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Vancouver attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Vancouver?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Vancouver?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.