This city is ideal for urban exploration, from the independent boutiques of Main St to the coffee shops of Commercial Dr, the redbrick bars of Gastown, the markets and brewery on Granville Island, and the heritage-house beachfronts of Kitsilano. Vancouver’s meandering Oceanside pathways are perfect for exploring the city, with close to 30 kilometers of uninterrupted waterfront path allowing you to make your way around many parks, beaches, and favorite neighborhoods. A highlight is the path along the seawall around Stanley Park, where you can gaze at the mountains and the ocean while wild otters frolic along the shore.

If flora and fauna are your thing, you can’t visit Stanley Park without stopping by the Vancouver Aquarium, the largest in Canada and widely respected for its marine conservation research and animal rehabilitation. Exploring a city as diverse as Vancouver is hungry work, so it’s a good thing it’s often referred to as Canada’s dine-out capital.

Abandon your diet and dive into North America's best Asian cuisine, or unleash your appetite on a rich smorgasbord of fresh-caught local seafood. Vancouver also boasts a thriving craft beer scene, pouring the nation’s finest IPAs, sours, and more. Immerse yourself in the culture and history of this beautiful part of the world by visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery, known for its works by regional artists, and the Museum of Anthropology, which houses preeminent First Nations collections.