Home to a number of gorgeous green spaces, glittering blue waters and a dynamic city center, Vancouver, BC offers a nearly endless selection of things to do whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, foodie or amateur art critic. Experience the natural beauty of stately mountains and ancient forests while enjoying an array of wintertime activities including skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. When you are not outside playing, explore the city and delight in cultural attractions, shopping and delectable dining. With so much to see and do, the hardest part will be deciding where to start. Narrow down your list with these seven fun things to do in Vancouver this winter.
1. Hit the Slopes at Grouse Mountain
Set against the backdrop of the sparkling Salish Sea and the magnificent high-rises of Vancouver, the snow-covered Grouse Mountain features some of the most spectacular views around. Of course, with an average snowfall of 102 inches a year, the mountain is also home to world-class skiing and snowboarding. Discover the thrill of gliding down one of 26 runs or soaring over 30 and 60 foot jumps, rails and boxes at the terrain park. To experience the mountain from a whole new perspective, try night skiing and watch the sun set over the frozen grounds as the lights of the city shine brightly below.
2. Sample Award-Winning Cuisine
Featuring a rich and diverse menu of flavors, the multicultural city of Vancouver boasts some of the tastiest cuisine in British Columbia. Get your fill of local delicacies on the Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour, where you will sample everything from savory dim sum to rich creamy gelato at more than four award-winning restaurants. As you travel through town, you will discover more about the city’s architecture and culture as you pass by historic buildings and landmarks.
3. Visit the Largest Aquarium in Canada
Located within the lush grounds of Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium features an impressive menagerie of 90,000 creatures from around the globe. Wander past glowing tanks of jellyfish and exotic fish, stroll through a rainforest filled with frogs, birds and butterflies or delight in live shows such as sea otter feedings and daring shark dives. You can also meet the animals and get a behind-the-scenes look at their habits by joining the aquarium’s interpreters and biologists for interactive sessions as they train or care for the animals.
4. Soak in the Culture of the City at Granville Island
Formerly an industrial area filled with factories and sawmills, Granville Island is now buzzing with a vibrant artistic community. Chalk full of distinctive restaurants, artist studios and galleries, theatres, cafes and independent shops, this lively urban oasis is the perfect place to stock up unique and unusual gifts, connect with the locals or be entertained.
Stroll along Railspur Alley and peek inside artist’s studios as glassblowers, potters and broom makers hone their wares or watch one of the many buskers scattered throughout the Island’s cobblestone streets perform magic tricks, juggle and more. If you need to refuel, hop on the Granville Island Market Tour and sample an endless array of gastronomic delights from fresh seafood to warm baked goods found inside the famous market’s colorful stalls.
5. Snowshoe Popular Peaks
Listen to the sound of freshly fallen snow as it crunches underfoot and discover a place of beauty and solitude as you snowshoe through Vancouver’s winter wonderland. Just a short drive from downtown, you will find three ski-resorts featuring an abundance of trails for both beginner and advanced snowshoers.
Travel on pristine trails through Cypress Mountain’s alpine forests or explore the established parks at Mount Seymour for views of tranquil frozen lakes and snow-covered trees. For a more unique experience, visit Grouse Mountain’s magical Light Walk and watch as the area surrounding Blue Grouse Lake comes to life as breathtaking light displays dance across the snow and sparkle against the trees.
6. Experience Vancouver’s Shopping Mecca
Teeming with everything from locally-owned boutique stores to department stores, the bustling metropolis of Vancouver is a shopaholic’s paradise. Scour Robson Street, the city’s main retailing promenade, for popular North American brands, shoes, high fashion and jewelry. However, the downtown core is not the only location where you can snag the latest designer fashions.
Both the hip Yaletown and the historic Gastown feature renovated brick warehouses stuffed with swanky clothing stores, unique art galleries and First Nations artisan shops showcasing stunning carvings, masks and jewelry. Last, but not least, is the enticing strip of indie stores concentrated on the south end of Main Street. This is where the most on-trend Vancouverites come to dress themselves and pick up one-of –a-kind items, ranging from stylish housewares to eclectic stationary.
7. Explore the Vancouver Art Gallery
Nationally renowned as an art capital, Vancouver contains hundreds of public and private galleries that are ripe for exploration. Soak in the culture of the city with a visit to the region’s leading art space, the Vancouver Art Gallery. Peruse the gallery’s rotating collection of famous historical and contemporary artwork or admire vivid paintings of the West Coast wilderness created by British Columbia artist Emily Carr. Likewise, be sure to keep an eye out for one of the museum’s specialties, showcases of photography by local artists.
With unmatched natural beauty, an active local community and a thriving arts scene, Vancouver is the perfect place for travelers of all ages to play, learn and explore. Pack your bag and make the most of the winter season with a weekend getaway in your own Northwest backyard.