Exploring Vancouver’s Stunning Urban Landscape
Story by David Burke | Images By Joern Rohde
Founded on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Watuth), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations, Vancouver is consistently ranked among the top urban travel destinations in the world. Flanked by mountains and surrounded on three sides by water, the city is known for its stunning scenery and attractions, including Stanley Park, Chinatown, Grouse Mountain, the Granville Island Public Market, and the historic Gastown district.
National Geographic recently named Vancouver as a top place to visit in 2026, highlighting both its cosmopolitan appeal and its accessibility to nature and wildlife. Stanley Park and other expanses of parkland, its vibrant dining scene, and its arts, culture, and Indigenous tourism were lauded. The city’s role as a FIFA World Cup 2026 host was also cited as another reason to visit.
Canada’s West Coast hub (metro area population 3.1 million) boasts one of the planet’s most stunning urban backdrops, with the North Shore mountains looming over the city, Burrard Inlet and English Bay. It also features world-class attractions in both winter and summer.
During the colder months, Vancouver’s mild climate allows for numerous outdoor activities, even for non-skiers. On a clear day or night, a ride up the Grouse Mountain gondola affords spectacular views of the sprawling urban landscape below.
The famed Stanley Park Seawall is available for biking, running and walking, and the Robson Street Plaza, including the city’s only open-air ice skating rink (rentals available), is a great place to enjoy an afternoon from December through February.
The plaza is just steps from Granville Street, home to many of the city’s most popular entertainment venues. If you have an interest in sports, the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team plays at nearby Rogers Arena.
The recent expansion of the Professional Women’s Hockey League now sees the Vancouver Goldeneyes making their home ice at the Pacific Coliseum.
If you only have a couple of days, start by getting your bearings with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour that visits the key attractions — Stanley Park, including its beaches and beautiful totem poles, the famed Seawall and Vancouver Aquarium, along with Yaletown and Chinatown. The tours depart from near the Vancouver Convention Centre, close to Gastown and its famous steam clock. westcoastsightseeing.com
Food lovers will undoubtedly find a delectable variety of choices from among the more than 350 restaurants participating in the 24th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Jan. 21 to Feb. 8, 2026. dineoutvancouver.com
Vancouver is blessed with a deliciously diverse dining scene that ranges from some of the best pan-Asian cuisine outside Asia, to locavore farm-to-table cooking celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, to plenty of Michelin-recommended options for any occasion.
destinationvancouver.com
Art is ever-present, and the downtown core is home to two of the best-known galleries: the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) and the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. The VAG includes works by well-known Canadian, Indigenous and acclaimed international artists, as well as visiting exhibitions. One of the current exhibitions, “We who have known tides: Indigenous Art from the Collection,” showcases works drawn mostly from the gallery’s permanent collection and examines the impact of the proximity to the ocean on the work of Indigenous artists. vanartgallery.bc.ca
The Bill Reid Gallery is another place to be inspired by the contemporary works of Northwest Coast Indigenous artists. It includes a collection of creations by its namesake, best known for his two- and three-dimensional depictions of Haida mythology and legends. billreidgallery.ca
Science World is a great place for young and old to engage their inner scientist. It includes interactive, indoor and outdoor displays and demonstrations. scienceworld.ca
The Moshe Safdie, Richard Archambault and Barry Downs-designed central branch of the Vancouver Public Library is one of the most interesting pieces of local architecture, meant to mimic the Roman Colosseum. Its spacious atrium is a great place to hang out, as is the ninth-floor rooftop garden that affords views of downtown, including nearby B.C. Place Stadium. vpl.ca
Queen Elizabeth Park is best known for its formal, sunken gardens complete with waterfall, and the Bloedel Conservatory, a triodetic dome that houses a display of tropical and sub-tropical plants. Originally called Little Mountain Park because it sits on a high point with great views of the Vancouver skyline, the park’s name was changed in 1940 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth I (a.k.a. the “Queen Mom”). vancouver.ca/parks
The UBC Botanical Garden is a great place to stroll through coastal rainforest, including internationally recognized collections of rhododendrons, maples and magnolias. The nearby Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese tea garden designed in memory of Dr. Inazo Nitobe, whose wish was to foster world peace. botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
Vanier Park, just across False Creek from downtown, is home to the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. MOV explores the city’s history and features temporary exhibits, including “The Suitcase Project,” showcasing the work of photographer Kayla Isomura, through Nov. 8, 2026. museumofvancouver.ca
Next door, the family-centred H.R. MacMillan Space Centre includes exhibits on the wonders of space, including a planetarium. spacecentre.ca
The Chinese Canadian Museum’s permanent exhibit “Period Rooms: Historic School Room and Living Room” allows visitors to experience recreated period rooms from the original 1889 Wing Sang Building. chinesecanadianmuseum.ca
The Granville Island Public Market, across False Creek from downtown, is where you’ll find shops, studios and galleries where you can visit with the creators and browse for everything from silk to jewellery to custom-built canoes. granvilleisland.com
— With files from Nikki Bayley