13 Ways to Enjoy Spring in Vancouver

Posted on March 30, 2015 in Guides, Tourism

Spring is finally here! Shake off the rain, trade in your winter clothes for something light and outdoorsy, and take advantage of all the outdoor activities Vancouver has to offer this Spring. The list below features outdoor activities for both locals and tourists.

 

Guided Tours

Visiting Vancouver and want to get an in-depth tour of the city? Join one of the guided Vancouver City Tours or take on of the three Hop-On-Hop-Off tour buses in Vancouver. These tours feature friendly and knowledgeable tour guides who will show you the city while giving you a lesson in history.  The closest pick up point is conveniently located right in front of the Pan Pacific Hotel.   Just visit the Concierge Desk for all the details.

Stanley Park

Ask any Vancouverite what outdoor activity you should try while visiting Vancouver and they’ll definitely suggest visiting Stanley Park. Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest urban park and host to many activities. Rent a bike, roller skates or strap on your running shoes and soak up all the beauty the 10km seawall has to offer. Looking for a more quiet activity?Stanley Park offers over 27KM of forest trails for you to explore and get away from the crowd.

Vancouver Aquarium

 

Within Stanley Park, you’ll also find the famous Vancouver Aquarium. With over 50,000 animals from across the world, there’s no shortage of incredible things to see at the Vancouver Aquarium.  Encounter Beluga Whales, Dolphins, Otters and other sea creatures big and small.

Visit the Local Beaches

There are very few places in the world where you can hike a mountain, bike through a trail and visit a beach in the same day. In Vancouver, we are very fortunate to have several lovely beaches including Third Beach, which is Stanley Park’s nicest. Also within Stanley Park, you’ll find a beach featuring volley ball courts, concessions, restaurants and kayak rentals; English Bay. Other beaches in the Greater Vancouver Regional District include Kitsilano Beach, Spanish Banks, Crescent Beach and Ambleside Park.

Stroll Trough the Gardens

 

Stanley Park has it all. Including multiple garden displays that are sure to have you picking your jaw up from the floor. The Ted & Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden features over 4,500  hybrid rhododendron and azalea plants while the Stanley Park Rose Garden is home to 50 varieties of roses spread throughout out 2,500 rose bushes.

Granville Island

Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s most popular destinations. Take a walk and enjoy the natural beauty of the Burrard Inlet, enjoy lunch at one of Granville Island’s many restaurant patios or head inside to the Granville island public market. The Public Market boasts an assortment of colourful stalls that feature local, homegrown produce and handmade goods. If you’re looking for souvenirs and gifts to take back home, this is the place to be. You’ll find anything from handmade jewelry, fine arts and soaps to homemade jams, sauces and snacks.

Paddle Board

Now that you’ve stocked up on local goods from the Granville Island Market, you can head over to the Ecomarine Paddleboard Centre for some outdoor fun. Jump into a kayak or hop onto a stand up paddle board and soak up the sun while cruising through the Burrard Inlet. Not only is this a fun and relaxing activity, but it’s a great work out too! You can also head over to North Vancouver and Paddle Board in Deep Cove.

Rent a Boat

Craving a little more speed? Ditch the paddles and rent a speed boat at Granville Island Boat Rental. Look up and catch sight of a bald eagle or gaze down at a harbour seal. There’s no better way to explore Vancouver!

Fly in a Seaplane

Alright, maybe there is a better way to explore Vancouver; from a bird’s eye view. Hop on a Seaplane to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Spend the day exploring and visit the world famous Butchart Gardens. Return by ferry back to Vancouver, to enjoy the sunset as you sail through the Gulf Islands. You’ll get to enjoy an aerial view of the city, a look into British Columbia’s Capital and a serene ride back across the ocean to Vancouver.

Do the Grouse Grind

 

Have you noticed the mountain resort directly across the Pan Pacific Vancouver? That’s Grouse Mountain. How do you feel about hiking it? Located in beautiful North Vancouver, the Grouse Grind is one of Vancouver’s most popular hikes. The Grind isn’t the easiest of hikes, but you’ll feel like you’ve conquered the world after scaling this 2.9km trail up the face of Grouse Mountain. It’ll take a bit of mental preparation, but you know what they say; No pain, no gain!

Zipline

Hiking can be hard on the feet. Why not kick your feet up in the air… as you zip through the air at speeds of up to 80KM/hr. The zipline experience at Grouse Mountain will give you a unique perspective of Grouse Mountain, combining heart-pounding thrills with an exploration of BC’s old-growth forests.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

 

The best way to conquer your fears is to face them. If you’re afraid of heights, you may want to avoid ziplining for now and start off with something a little less intense. Cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge then check out the Treetops Adventure on the other side of the bridge – a squirrel’s view high above in the trees. If you’re still feeling adventurous, visit the famous Cliffwalk for amazing views of the canyon and rainforest.

Whistler

Take a trip to Whistler and visit some of the 2010 Olympic sites. We recomend renting a car so that you can stop and take-in the many viewpoints along the Sea-to-Sky highway on the way to Whistler. Once you’ve arrive, take a stroll through the picturesque Swiss style village or a gondola ride up the mountain for gorgeous mountain views.

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