In Vancouver for a short period of time and in need of a 3-day itinerary? Here’s how I spent 3 days in Vancouver. This itinerary includes Downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver.
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- Intro
- Getting to Vancouver
- Getting Around Vancouver
- Where to Stay in Vancouver
- Vancouver 3-day Itinerary
- Final Words
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Intro
Vancouver, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a beautiful metropolitan city. It is well known for its modern high rise buildings and the surrounding nature and outdoor activities. On our 3-day trip to Vancouver, we wanted to fit in the best of both of these worlds in the itinerary: enjoy the outdoors and also experience being in the city. This itinerary will include both if you also prefer to have a mixture of experiences.
Getting to Vancouver
There are several means of getting into Vancouver; by plane, train, car, and boat. If you’re like me and are located in an area where the train, car, and boat is not easily possible, then you would be flying into the Vancouver Airport (YVR). The Vancouver airport is about 35 minutes outside the main city area so you’ll have to find a way into town. It is easily reached by SkyTrain public transit, and more specifically on the Canada Line. Take a look at the SkyTrain Schedule and Maps here, and plan to get off at a station nearest your accommodation.
Additionally, other options to grab a taxi and order Uber/Lyft rides are also possible.
BUT! Booking an airport transfer (here, or in the widget below) is a great option since it takes the stress out of finding a ride and facing unnecessary high taxi/rideshare charges and fees. With Kiwi Taxi, you can reserve an airport transfer by selecting the size of car you need for you and your group, the pickup and drop off locations, and you agree on a set price. Then the day of your airport transfer, the driver will be waiting at Arrivals with a sign with your name on it before heading to the next destination. I find using them extremely convenient when traveling with a larger group to keep everyone together and split the price evenly.
Getting Around Vancouver
Vancouver is an extremely walkable city but there are options to take public transportation, Ubers/Lyfts, and Hop-On Hop-Off buses. We did a mixture of it all; public transport in the city and between outdoor areas, walked around downtown, took short Uber/Lyft rides to nearby areas, and also hopped on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus as well.
If you take the SkyTrain, you can also purchase and load a Compass Card. The Compass Card can pay for your SkyTrain ride and also be used on public transit, such as buses and SeaBuses. Learn more about the Compass Card here.
For the Hop-On Hop-Off bus/trolley, there are 24-hr and 48-hr options. I recommend looking at their routes and compare to your itinerary and determine if it’s best suited for your trip and budget. We purchased the 24-hr Classic Pass to get between Stanley Park and areas in downtown, and it worked wonderfully for our itinerary. If you’re interested in the Hop-On Hop-Off, check it out here.
Where to Stay in Vancouver
If you want to be walking distance to a lot of restaurants and bars, I recommend staying in the downtown area. We stayed at an Airbnb located in Gastown and it was an incredibly convenient location. Nearby areas of interest were within walking distance, and we also had no issues finding a place to eat and drink after a long day out exploring. Although staying in the heart of downtown is typically more expensive, you really can’t beat the convenience of it!
Vancouver 3-day Itinerary
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Vancouver itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Day 1 Points of Interest → BLUE
- Day 2 Points of Interest → ORANGE
- Day 3 Points of Interest → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE VANCOUVER MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Vancouver” | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “Vancouver” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “Vancouver” → Click it to open the Map |
Day 1: Vancouver City – Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island & False Creek
For your 1st day of your 3-day itinerary, go around and explore the many popular areas of Vancouver City! Visit Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island and False Creek.
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood that has retained its historic charm throughout the years. I quickly noticed this in the Victorian architecture of the buildings and the brick-lined sidewalks. We also headed over to Water Street which we strolled along and noticed many boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, Water street has the famous Steam Clock which provides a little show every 15 minutes. The Steam Clock has 5 whistles at the top that will whistle once the steam is released. So if you want to watch it, then you conveniently don’t have to wait very long to enjoy it hootin’ and tootin’.
Granville Island
Granville Island has an industrial and maritime vibe to it and is a cultural hub for art and artists. You’ll easily find tons of artisan shops, boutiques and food options. So take some time to peruse through all the shops and don’t forget to buy souvenirs! After shopping, be sure to visit the Public Market to grab a delicious lunch from one of the many food vendors. We ate lunch here at a table outside on the dock facing downtown, which gave us a nice skyline view while we enjoyed our food.
False Creek
False Creek is the body of water that separates Granville Island and the main downtown area. There are several ways to enjoy the creek; by ferry, boat rental, kayak, standup paddle boarding, and more! There’s several water activity companies located on Granville Island, so you can walk to one that possesses your desired means of being on the water, then rent or book and enjoy some time on the water!
If you’re visiting during a colder time or would simply rather take a ferry around, then I suggest taking a ferry along the creek! Continue reading if you want to learn more about False Creek ferries or skip to the next section: Chinatown.
Taking the Ferry
If you are interested in taking a ferry, then I suggest taking the False Creek Ferry or Aquabus along the creek! When it’s cold and windy out, they close the windows so you can still soak in the views while also enjoy being on the water.
Ferry Pass
You can purchase the All Day Pass and hop off at any of the dock stops along the route, and hop back on one of the many ferries servicing the route. However, if you purchase a ticket for use on one ferry line, it is not compatible with the other. So if you get off at a dock to explore the nearby sights, and want to continue the ferry ride, be sure to get on the ferry line you purchased your ticket for. The False Creek Ferry are cute little blue boats, and the Aquabus are red and rainbow-colored. Regardless of which ferry line you choose, there are several ferries running the route so you won’t really have to wait very long for the next one. You can either purchase your ticket when boarding the ferry, or pre-purchase through their website. View False Creek Ferry tickets, or Aquabus tickets.
Ferry Dock Stops
Both ferry lines pretty much have the same stops, except False Creek Ferry has one more that stops at the Maritime Museum towards the West. Check out the False Creek Ferry dock locations map here, and the Aquabus dock locations map here.
You’re sure to find an interesting area to explore at each of the stops. There’s the David Lam Park stop which has nearby David Lam Park with several land and water art installations you can admire. Yaletown stop has Cooper’s park, where a Time Top sculpture is cleverly placed along the shoreline, making it seem like a spaceship was washed up from the ocean! Lastly, the farthest stop at The Village has awesome views of Vancouver skyline, with BC Place Stadium and Science World in view. See more False Creek Ferry Dock Locations and Nearby Sights here.
Chinatown
Vancouver’s Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Canada! Take a nice stroll through Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden. We saw beautiful pagodas of Chinese architecture, winding walkways, tons of greenery and a water lily-covered pond. The calming of the garden is surrounded by the bustling Vancouver city whose high rises can be seen beyond this tranquil oasis. Afterwards, we enjoyed Asian cuisine at one of the many restaurants in this area.
Day 2: North Vancouver – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain
Looking to add a day out in nature to your 3-day itinerary in Vancouver? Spend the day enjoying the outdoors in North Vancouver! The popular Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain are must-visits while here. If you prefer or are interested in being guided to both, check out this Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park tour, which includes transportation and entry tickets.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Getting There
To get to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you can easily take the free shuttle bus which operates all year round, and has a few pickup points in Downtown Vancouver. Check out the Free Shuttle’s pickup locations and times here. We went to the most convenient pickup point near the information kiosk right outside of Canada Place, located at the Port of Vancouver in downtown. This shuttle comes around every half-hour and takes about 20-25 minutes to reach Capilano. Additionally, the shuttle is first come, first serve, so if you want a guaranteed spot, I suggest getting to the shuttle stop a bit earlier. Other options to take the public bus, drive, taxi, or take an Uber/Lyft are also possible.
Capilano Park Tickets
When you purchase your Capilano Suspension Bridge Tickets (here), you will have to specify a date and time entry of your visit. Note that you can spend as much time as you’d like once you enter the park.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Experience
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has several attractions you can enjoy! Expect to spend about 2.5 to 3 hours here. Some attractions we enjoyed during our visit:
- Walk along the trails through the lush rainforest
- Admire the beautifully carved totems
- Take a thrilling walk over the suspension bridge, measured at 230 ft (70 m) high and crosses the Capilano River
- Venture through the tree tops, and be surrounded by incredible towering trees
- Live on the edge and traverse the unique cliffwalk, a walkway attached to the side of a cliff
Grouse Mountain
Getting There
From Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: We chose to take the bus to Grouse Mountain. On Capilano Road, head to a nearby bus stop where you’ll get on the #232 or #236 bus. The bus fare accepts cash or you can pay with the Compass Card. Once you get off, the Grouse Mountain gondola is only a short 10-min walk away.
From downtown Vancouver: Similar to Capilano, to get to Grouse Mountain, you can easily take the free shuttle bus which picks up at Canada Place. Check out the Free Shuttle’s pickup times here. The shuttle comes around every half-hour and takes about 30-35 minutes to reach Grouse Mountain. Additionally, the shuttle is first come, first serve, so if you want a guaranteed spot, I suggest getting to the shuttle stop a bit earlier. Other options to take the public bus, drive, taxi, or take an Uber/Lyft are also possible.
Grouse Mountain Tickets
There are several ticket options depending on what time of season you’re visiting. Check out the Grouse Mountain website to view their ticket options for Summer or Winter here. I recommend purchasing the Skyride Mountain Pass at a minimum as it includes the roundtrip gondola ride to the top of the mountain, as well as a ton of activity inclusions! There’s also several other activities you can book at additional cost, which will vary depending on the season you’re visiting.
Grouse Mountain Experience
Once you take the gondola ride up the mountain, there are several activities and attractions you can do! The Skyride Mountain Pass includes a lumberjack show, ranger and owl talks, chairlift ride to the peak, as well as viewing the resident Grizzly bears, just to name a few. Also, I found the view from the peak to be amazing! From up here, we saw Vancouver from afar as well as the surrounding tree-covered hills. If you decide to purchase activities at extra cost, you can enjoy ziplining, a mountain ropes adventure, and even paragliding. Check out the plethora of activities you can do at Grouse Mountain here.
Day 3: Stanley Park and Vancouver Attractions
For the last day of your 3-day itinerary, spend some time outdoors enjoying the famous Stanley Park, and stop by several Vancouver attractions. We decided to purchase the Hop-On Hop-Off pass for this day since we wanted to get to Stanley Park and easily get to the other Vancouver attractions that are conveniently on its route. Purchase Hop-On Hop-Off tickets here.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a magnificent urban park and considered one of the greatest in the world! It has trails, beaches, and many points of interest. You can walk and explore, drive around the island, or take the Stanley Park shuttle trolley. Check out the Stanley Park map (here) to help plan out your time on the island.
There’s a ton to see and do in Stanley Park, and here’s a list of a few things we did during our visit:
- Walk along the waterfront seawall path
- Gaze the Vancouver skyline
- Walk along one of the many trails
- Stop at Nine O’clock Gun
- Awe at the First Nations totem poles
- View the Brockton Point lighthouse
- Admire the view of the Lions Gate Bridge from Prospect Point
- Eat at the Prospect Point Cafe
- Stop at the Hollow Tree
Walking the entire seawall around the park will take about 2 hours, and faster when cycling. However, there’s so many places to stop at in Stanley Park, where you can easily spend half a day here.
Science World
There are a ton of museums in Vancouver that are worth visiting! There’s the Maritime Museum, Biodiversity Museum, and the Museum of Vancouver, just to name a few. However, since I work in the engineering field, I lean towards visiting STEM-related locations, so I included visiting the Science World in our itinerary. Science World is a science center full of interactive hands-on exhibits with activities that you and your family can enjoy. So if you appreciate science, technology, and engineering, then I recommend giving this place a visit!
Port of Vancouver
The Port of Vancouver has Canada Place, an iconic ferry terminal and convention center. You can pop in and take a look around. Outside, you can stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the harbor views, where you can also view parked harbor sea planes. From here, we got an amazing view filled with the modern high rises of downtown Vancouver. We also stopped at the Jack Poole Plaza to see the Olympic Cauldron statue, which was built for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Vancouver Lookout
I am wholeheartedly a sucker for views from high places, so it only made sense to add the Vancouver Lookout to our 3-day itinerary. At the top of the Vancouver Lookout, you can get a panoramic 360-degree view of Vancouver at 553-feet (158.5 meters) high. It is centrally located so we could see Gastown nearby, Stanley Park to the west, and the mountains towards the north. If you want to be guided around the tower, an audio tour is available for free on their website here. We visited during golden hour and caught the sun setting over Vancouver, and stayed to see the glimmering city lights.
Final Words
Vancouver, Canada is a beautiful city and is definitely worth a visit! You can experience city life in metropolitan downtown Vancouver, and head to the outer parts and enjoy being outdoor in Vancouver’s nature. I hope my 3-day itinerary of Vancouver helps you plan your trip! Bon Voyage!
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Have you been to Vancouver? What was your experience like – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
