Vancouver

Around Vancouver

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · British Columbia · 2.6M people

Vancouver

Locals say Metro Vancouver · “Vancity”, “Raincouver”

Where the sea meets the sky

Canucks greenCanucks blue

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to Metro Vancouver! Whether you're here for the mountains, the ocean, or the food, you'll find your people. Grab a coffee and join the conversation.

Clubs for Vancouver

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The room

One room for everyone around Vancouver. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Vancouver. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Stanley Park Large urban park with the Seawall and forest trails.
  • Granville Island Public market, artisan shops, and theatres.
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Swaying bridge over a canyon in North Vancouver.
  • Museum of Anthropology at UBC First Nations art and cultural exhibits.
  • BC Place Indoor stadium for sports and concerts.
  • Science World Geodesic dome with interactive science exhibits.
  • Outdoors Hike the Grouse Grind
  • Outdoors Cycle the Seawall
  • With kids Vancouver Aquarium
  • With kids Science World
  • Evenings Live music at the Commodore Ballroom
  • Evenings Dance at Celebrities Nightclub
  • Locals love Patio restaurants
  • Locals love Farmers markets

Through the year

  • Vancouver Folk Music Festival July Folk and world music on Jericho Beach.
  • Celebration of Light July International fireworks competition over English Bay.
  • Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) August Summer fair with rides, concerts, and exhibits.
  • Vancouver International Film Festival September–October Showcase of local and international films.
  • Vancouver Sun Run April 10K road race through downtown.

Vancouver has a mild oceanic climate with rainy winters and dry, pleasant summers. The best time to be out is from June to September. Best: Summer (June to September) is warm and dry, perfect for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“Skytrain”
The rapid transit system (SkyTrain).
“The Drive”
Commercial Drive, a neighbourhood with diverse shops and cafés.
“Kits”
Kitsilano, a beachside neighbourhood.
“Raincouver”
Nickname for Vancouver due to frequent rain.

Getaways

  • Squamish Climbing, hiking, and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
  • Nanaimo Ferry trip to Vancouver Island for beaches and trails.
  • Bellingham Cross-border shopping and outdoor recreation.
  • Chilliwack Farm country with corn mazes and hiking.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Vancouver Canucks NHL
  • BC Lions CFL
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS
  • Vancouver Canadians MiLB (High-A)
  • UBC Thunderbirds U Sports
  • Vancouver Goldeneyes PWHL

Eat and drink

  • Sushi (especially BC rolls) Vancouver's sushi scene is renowned; the BC roll (barbecued salmon skin) is a local invention.
  • Dim sum Rich Cantonese tradition, especially in Richmond.
  • Pacific salmon Grilled, candied, or smoked – a Pacific Northwest staple.
  • Spot prawns Seasonal delicacy, celebrated during the Spot Prawn Festival.
  • Japadog Japanese-style hot dogs with toppings like teriyaki and seaweed – a local chain.
  • Craft beer Dozens of breweries in the area, from hazy IPAs to sour ales.

Where people go

  • Seawall promenades The 28-km path around Stanley Park and the waterfront – a way of life.
  • Public markets Granville Island Market and others – hubs of local food and crafts.
  • Craft breweries Tasting rooms and taprooms scattered across the city.
  • Specialty coffee shops Third-wave cafes with meticulous pour-overs and latte art.
  • Mountain hiking trails Grouse Grind, Lynn Canyon, and countless forested paths.
  • Beaches Kitsilano, English Bay, and others – even if the water is brisk.

Heritage and traditions

Vancouver is proud of its stunning natural setting between mountains and ocean, its vibrant multicultural communities, and its reputation as a hub for film, tech, and outdoor adventure.

Say it like a local: “Grouse” — Great, excellent (as in the Grouse Grind)

Festivals

  • Powell Street Festival August Celebrates Japanese Canadian heritage with food, music, and crafts
  • Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival April Marks the blooming of the city's cherry trees with events and art
  • Vancouver International Dragon Boat Festival June Races, performances, and food at False Creek
  • Surrey Fusion Festival July Showcases food and music from dozens of cultures
  • Richmond Night Market Summer weekends Asian street food, shopping, and entertainment
  • Bard on the Beach June to September Shakespeare plays performed in a tent at Vanier Park

Landmarks with a story

  • Fort Langley National Historic Site The birthplace of British Columbia
  • Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden A Ming-style garden in downtown Vancouver
  • Marine Building An art deco landmark in the financial district
  • Gastown Steam Clock A steam-powered clock, a popular photo spot
  • Christ Church Cathedral Historic Anglican cathedral in downtown Vancouver
  • Sikh Gurudwara Sahib A prominent Sikh temple in Surrey

Food traditions

  • Vancouver special A Chinese-Canadian noodle dish with thick gravy, a local comfort food
  • Candied salmon Traditional Indigenous preserved salmon, often sold at markets
  • Spot prawn season In May, locals celebrate with spot prawn boils and festivals
  • Bubble tea A popular drink in Richmond and Vancouver, with many specialty shops
  • Food truck scene A vibrant street food culture, especially in summer

Music and arts

  • Vancouver School of conceptual art Artists like Jeff Wall and Stan Douglas are internationally known
  • Indie rock scene Bands like The New Pornographers and Destroyer call Vancouver home
  • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra A major classical institution
  • Indigenous art First Nations art is showcased at the Museum of Anthropology and galleries

A little history

  • 1886 Vancouver incorporated as a city
  • 1887 Canadian Pacific Railway reaches Vancouver, spurring growth
  • 1914 Komagata Maru incident – a ship with Sikh passengers is turned away
  • 1942 Japanese Canadian internment – many from Vancouver are sent to camps
  • 1986 Expo 86 – the world's fair is held in Vancouver

Rivalries

  • Canucks vs Flames NHL rivalry between Vancouver and Calgary.
  • Whitecaps vs Sounders MLS rivalry with Seattle.
  • BC Lions vs Stampeders CFL rivalry with Calgary.
  • Vancouver vs Toronto General sports and cultural rivalry.
  • Game day Canucks playoff hockey
  • Game day Whitecaps soccer matches
  • Outdoors Lighthouse Park
  • Outdoors Deep Cove
  • With kids Burnaby Village Museum
  • With kids Fort Langley National Historic Site

Vancouverites speak with a Canadian accent, but the city's diversity adds flavours from Chinese, Punjabi, and other languages. Common phrases include 'eh' for agreement, 'skookum' for good, and a raised vowel in words like 'out'.

Only here

  • The Grouse Grind – a steep hiking trail that's a rite of passage.
  • The 'Vancouver special' house style – a unique local architecture.
  • Float homes in False Creek – a quirky residential community.
  • The SeaBus and SkyTrain – an integrated transit system with stunning views.
New here? A few tips
  • Bring a raincoat – it rains a lot, especially in winter.
  • Use SkyTrain for commuting – it's fast and avoids traffic.
  • Try the sushi and dim sum – they're among the best in North America.
  • Learn about the Indigenous history of the land you're on.
  • Explore the neighbourhoods – each has its own character.

Make this page better

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Nearby

Every area
SquamishBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the sea, and every day is an adventure.Sunshine CoastBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the tide.LadysmithBritish ColumbiaA friendly harbour on the edge of the wild.NanaimoBritish ColumbiaIsland life, harbour charmDuncanBritish ColumbiaWhere the river meets the sea and totems stand tallAbbotsford–MissionBritish ColumbiaWhere the Fraser Valley feels like home.BellinghamWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.ChilliwackBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the fields

Vancouver. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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