We’re all certain about one thing right now: nothing is very certain. While store hours, safety protocols, back-to-school, and our summer plans all remain variable at this time, there is no denying that there is something unifying in knowing that we’re all in this together.
It’s in this silver-lined spirit that, in conjunction with Vancouver Attractions, we have uncovered more than one way to not only rediscover our beautiful west coast city at this time but to experience it with more exclusivity than ever before! Below are 14 family-friendly ways to safely enjoy Vancouver this August.
Family Favourites
The following famous family favourites must be booked in advance however for many of us, this is a very welcome adjustment in these previously crowded summer hot spots!
That’s right! These popular summer tourist attractions are also open however at reduced capacity and additional procedures are in place. Does this mean an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic West Coast views in the middle of summer, without the crowds and photo-bombers? Yes.
Bikes, Carriage Rides and Golf — Oh my! | Stanley Park
Can you believe that 60,000 aquatic species only make up a fraction of this park’s fun!? If you’ve spent any time in the park lately, you may have noticed that with the traffic closures and increase buzz of socially distant visitors, there is an almost a “small-town” feel and an increased sense of community present as these countless, safely spaced gatherings share perhaps a new appreciation of our beautiful city’s iconic park. Rent a ride and cycle down to these attractions, all with new safely protocols in place:
Anthropology, Natural History, and a Copper Mine | Museum Madness
Did you know that the once largest copper mine in the British Empire is only a short (and beautiful!) drive from downtown Vancouver? Again visitors must book ahead to tour some of these popular spots:
Bonus Get a $100 credit for Vancouver’s top attractions at vancouverattractions.com click to save before you book. Stay safe in Vancouver and enjoy this unique time in our city.
Do you have a Vancouver event or attraction to share?Let us knowfor a chance to be featured.
With the world-wide focus on COVID-19, we at StayVancouverHotels have everyone’s health and safety top of mind. We understand the necessity of prioritizing travel safety and travel flexibility. Please refer to our partners at Tourism Vancouver for the latest updates.
The number of tourists who travel or spend a holiday in Vancouver keeps on increasing every year. It is not a surprise why the city’s tourism industry is flourishing. There are many reasons why people love to keep on coming back to this wonderful destination.
One of the most anticipated events of 2020, Vancouver International Wine Festival, will again kick off the new year. More commonly known as the VanWineFest, this event holds the record of being Canada’s premier wine and food show, pouring more than 750 wines from more than 16 countries, in only 8 short days. (Now who said math class wouldn’t be useful!) These wines will, of course, be accompanied by the most welcome of chaperones: their respective winemakers and vineyard owners.
Rated the “#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada” by New York’s BizBash (for the past 6 years in a row!) this year’s celebration will take place starting from February 22 to March 1, 2020.
We have something special for our valued guests like you. Book your stay with us and enjoy a FREE admission ticket to one of the world’s largest wine and food festivals. More details are available at the end of this post!
Knowing The History
The popular Vancouver International Wine Festival was inaugurated in 1979. During that time, the festival was organized to last for only two days. In its first public event, only around 1,000 people attended the festival. What makes this event even more meaningful is the fact that it was created in typical Vancity Style: for fundraising purposes. Since then, the VanWineFest has grown to raise more than $9.2 million and latest reports now boast an average of 25,000 admissions to the festival!
There is a theme or feature each year – This year France is the feature country!
The “Tasting Room”
One of the popular areas in the festival is, of course, the Tasting Room, where all the magic happens. In this area, you can see several brand owners and wine producers who will showcase their products to everyone. All attendees have a chance to have a taste of their share of the 750+ wines available for display.
The best part of all, however, is that several of these wine products are sourced from 15 other countries. As such, if you are going to be there, you will also get an opportunity to check out the top brands from the participating wineries abroad. Most of these wineries are award winners and considered senior leaders in the industry.
Where else can you visit with award-winning wineries and winemakers from across 5 different continents, while trying their finest wines in only 10 consecutive days …without a private jet? (Seriously, we’re interested if you know! You can find us in the tasting room)
Tips To Remember
If you are traveling to Vancouver for this iconic festival, be sure to arrive at least one day before the scheduled event. Not only will you have more time to prepare for the line up of activities prepared for all attendees, you’ll be in Vancity! This foodie paradise has more to see and do than can possibly be achieved in 10 days’ time — wine fests aside! However that’s not the only reason: as much as possible, try to avoid being late for this event so that you can still catch all the highlights and avoid line-ups.
Whether attending from Kits, Kelowna or out-of-country entirely, another thing to keep in mind is that if you do plan to stay in downtown Vancouver, you’ll want to book your stay ahead of time. Each year this Wine Festival brings in thousands of travelers to the city.
Until February 13th, you can still save on select downtown hotels using promo code VIWF. If you book a hotel with StayVancouverHotels.com, you will receive a FREE International Festival Tastings event ticket for the most anticipated Vancouver International Wine Festival ever:
Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:00 – 10:00 PM ($95 value)
Friday, Feb. 28, 7:00 – 10:00 PM ($105 value)
Saturday, Feb. 29, 2:30 – 5:00 PM ($95 value)
Saturday, Feb. 29, 7:00 – 10:00 PM ($115 value)
Surprising Reasons to Book Early
Can you believe it’s already been a decade!? If you can make it to Vancity a few weeks before the Vancouver International Wine Tasting event don’t think for a minute February isn’t a perfect month for tourism! Celebrating 10 years since the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games the city has countless events going on – including Vancouver’s Annual Just for Laughs festival and the grand re-opening the Sea to Sky Gondola
Check out the countless other fabulous Vancity events this February 2020 events here.
Remember! If you do plan to attend the Vancouver Festival this year, be sure to use promo code VIWF to receive a free ticket when you book your downtown Vancouver hotel stay. Offer ends February 13, 2020 – Click here to book.
For those of you still in “staycation” mode, summer may be ending soon, but that’s no reason to not get out and enjoy all of the wonderful offerings that Vancouver provides. Spending those remaining summer days having fun on amusement rides or experiencing live theatre entertainment, is a win-win for everyone!
This September, go check out the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – an icon of Vancouver entertainment, culture & events for over a century. The PNE hosts the popular summer fair each summer, yet the true spectacle is their selection of amusement rides at Playland.
Once you’ve had your carnival thrills, explore Vancouver’s Fringe Festival – every theatre lover’s dream come true. Featuring over 700 performances by approximately 100 artists, the festival is expected to draw over 40,000 attendees again from September 5th – 15th this year.
Check out some of our favourite rides at Playland, along with some highlights happening at the 35th annual Vancouver Fringe Festival.
August is the warmest month in Vancouver, BC and an exciting time to be out enjoying the summer weather! Lucky for us, we have excellent beaches that are easily accessible from the best hotels in downtown.
Here are 5 beaches in Vancouver that we highly recommend and which you will absolutely love – yet another reason to have yourself a staycation in this beautiful city!
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has recently been named North America’s top airport by Skytrax for a record-breaking 10th consecutive year. It’s often ranked among the top 15 best airports in the world due in part to its fantastic customer service, along with their commitment to innovation!
Continue reading “Ranked Among the Best – Vancouver International Airport” →
The great thing about staying in downtown Vancouver is how easily accessible everything is: from dining, to entertainment, attractions, culture & luxury – all within a short radius. And of course, we also have gorgeous panoramic views of the North Shore mountains, an impressive 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest (called Stanley Park) & the majestic waters of Vancouver Harbour & English Bay – truly breathtaking!
We understand that it’s not always easy to know where all of the sweet stays are in relation to the local happenings around town. That’s why we’ve selected a few of our favourite neighborhood recommendations for downtown Vancouver to help you out.
Continue reading “Best Hotels To Stay In Downtown Vancouver” →
With nicer weather upon us in Vancouver, many of us are seeking activities to get us out and about. So whether you are doing a staycation or are a visitor to this beautiful city, you definitely will want to check out these easily accessible gardens.
Here are 5 gardens in Vancouver that we just simply love – a perfect activity for sunny days!
With so much to do in Vancouver, there’s no reason to ever get bored! You can go hiking, participate in a race or marathon, visit museums or landmarks, check out sporting events, and so much more. However, if you are looking for something uniquely Vancouver, we’ve got that too!
Here are 5 of our favorite unique activities to experience in Vancouver as the weather continues to warm up.
Continue reading “Top 5 Unique Experiences in Vancouver” →
With beautiful Spring weather upon us, why would you ever want to leave Vancouver?
Instead of expensive trips to foreign destinations, people have been substituting cheaper alternatives: waiting for special travel deals online, driving to see relatives, having friends and relatives come to see them, etc. But an increasingly popular and fun vacation is the stay-at-home-vacation, or the “staycation.”
Continue reading “6 Ways to Have The Perfect Staycation in Vancouver” →