What To See In Vancouver For A First Time Visitor

A guest post by Hayley from the blog Highway 29.

Last year I packed up my life and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and whether you are thinking of doing the same and moving out there or going on holiday to visit the beautiful place that it is, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied. I’m almost sure I could give you an extensive list on things to see and do in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, but even I didn’t manage to see them all in my 7 months of living there.


So I asked myself what would be the best way of showing you how beautiful this city is and I figured everyone loves bullet points, don’t they?! So here are my top 5 places I loved to visit while in Vancouver.

1. Gastown is a small neighbourhood in Vancouver full of culture, food and fashion, it is also home to one of the few fully functioning steams clocks. The clock chimes every quarter hour with a beautiful melody which is played in full on the hour. Gastown has an array of restaurants includingThe Flying Pig, Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar, and The Old Spaghetti Factory which I often visited. There are lovely boutique shops dotted in and around and even maybe one too many tourist shops.



2. Stanley Park is a large public park on the outskirts of Vancouver, inside the park you can find two lakes, gardens and even a cafe or two. In the centre of the park you can take a walk around the Vancouver Aquarium, it is a little pricey but they offer student discount much to the happiness of my friend. Around the outside of the park is the Seawall which is around about an 8 mile walk in full, I used to love doing this, taking my camera and just walking.


3. Capilano Suspension Bridge for me is only really worth it if you’re going to spend a fair few hours there as it’s fairly expensive (unless your a BC resident then you can get a years membership for the price of one entry), you can actually get a free shuttle bus from by Canada Place. I did love it up there though, it’s very peaceful up there and it’s very photographic - Lynn Canyon is a good (free) alternative.



4. Steveston is a small village filled with shops and restaurants, you can also walk along the water front down to Garry Point Park. Steveston also has one of my favourite Ice Cream shops, they have so many flavours and two scoops is only $2.50 which in Vancouver is pretty cheap. Steveston is also used in many TV shows and movies (Once Upon A Time, Godzilla and the new Power Rangers movie).

5. Mount Seymour is one of a few skiing slopes there are just outside of Vancouver, I only ever visited this resort, but from what I can gather they are all fairly similar. Mount Seymour has some love hikes and trails, the view from Dog Mountain is incredible, I honestly could have spent all day up there.



These are just some of my favourite places, but there are so many more, British Colombia is packed with Public Parks large and small and not only do they have Mount Seymour they also have Grouse Mountain, Mount Cypress and of course the most famous Whistler. There are many tourist attractions, places to eat and shop, but too many for just one post.


Have you visited Canada? Would you like to go to Vancouver one day?

15 comments

  1. I was born in Canada and lived there until I was 23 but I lived in Ontario. I visited Vancouver for the first time just a couple months ago and loved it! Great post - you really covered the highlights well. I was really excited to find an Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown - there is one in Toronto too that I have been going to since I was a little girl!

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    1. It's a great post, I love Hayley's photos. She has really explored Vancouver.

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  2. It looks like a beautiful place rich in culture and sights. I would love to visit after seeing this!

    Hayley-Eszti | www.hayleyeszti.com

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    1. It does, I would love to visit as well Hayley.

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  3. Vancouver is such a beautiful place and you've captured it perfectly! I love your photos too! Xx

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  4. I've never been but it's on my wish list. Amazing pics. Gas town looks great x

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  5. My friends husband has just got back from Vancouver. It looks amazing! x

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    1. I've never really thought about visiting Canada before but I really want to go now, thanks to Hayley's post.

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  6. It looks incredibly diverse and beautiful. Canada is somewhere I've never really thought about visiting.

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    1. I agree, I think it does look very diverse and interesting to explore.

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  7. I've never been to Canada but these all look amazing - I love the idea of the steam clock! <3

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

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  8. I've never been to Canada, but i've heard it's beautiful.
    These photos definitely prove that!
    Sarah xx
    www.whimsicalmumblings.co.uk

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  9. Wow it looks absolutely stunning. We are planning on moving to Canada (half in jest) if Brexit happens :P that bridge does look a little scary though...

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