Best Activities In Vancouver This Christmas

We have tons of lovely activities to do this Christmas! And to get you into the wonderful holiday spirit, enjoy this video from our friends at Vancouver’s Best Places.

Grouse Mountain at Christmas

Our favorite activity at Christmas! There’s just so much to do at Grouse Mountain, with skating, reindeer, gingerbread houses, sleigh rides, the light tunnel and meeting Santa. And of course, there’s skiing, snowshoeing & snowboarding. DEFINITELY not to be missed.

Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas events go until January 6. For more information, please click here.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market has been a beloved holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike for almost a decade. The Vancouver Christmas Market features more than 80 huts of sweets, treats, and treasures in authentic German-style. It’s located downtown right by the waterfront at Jack Poole Plaza. It’s a nice walk from any of the hotels in downtown Vancouver.

The Vancouver Christmas Market is open until December 24th. To learn more, please click here.

Bright Nights Christmas Train at Stanley Park

During the holiday season, the Bright Nights Christmas Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza sparkle with three million twinkling lights! This is one of the best & most affordable Christmas activities to do in Vancouver. Donations at the front gate and a portion of ticket sales go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, to help burn survivors and their families. Bright Nights is open Thursday, November 29 to Saturday, January 5.

Wish to explore other attractions? Check out our VanPass voucher promo which grants you immediate access to 20 Top Vancouver options, such as: VanDusen Botanical Garden, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Sea to Sky Gondola, and many others!

Singing Christmas Tree

The Singing Christmas Tree is a free event which takes place over the course of six days (leading up to Christmas)! It involves a cast, choir and support staff of over 250 volunteers, and the stage features a giant Christmas tree with 10 levels from which over 80 members of the choir perform! The show involves singing by the choir, solo performances, mini-skits, acrobatics, dancers and even people floating down from the ceiling.

Singing Christmas Tree performances in 2018 are on December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16. Here is more information on what to expect. Hope to see you there!

Posted on December 6, 2018December 12, 2018 by Roy Abraham

Autumn In Vancouver

The city of Vancouver boasts beautiful autumns, and is well-known by tourists as an ideal shoulder season destination due to its mild temperature and tranquil atmosphere.

As an environmental gem surrounded by lush forests, towering mountains and the Pacific Ocean, there is no shortage of outdoor activities to participate in this fall.

Walk the Seawall

One of the best ways to take in the changing fall foliage is to walk Vancouver’s tree-lined seawall. Head out on an afternoon stroll through Stanley Park and admire the bright auburn hues that adorn the local tree species of the region.

Run the Trails

Work up a sweat while basking in all of fall’s glory sprinting through Vancouver’s ethereal rainforests. Visit Lighthouse Park for winding trails that feature mossy old-growth forests, or run alongside towering Cedars and Douglas Firs in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Destination Canada

Bike the Mountains

If you’re an adrenaline-seeker, downhill mountain biking makes the perfect autumn past-time. Just a short drive or bus ride over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, Vancouver’s North Shore area is home to vast mountainous terrain with world-class trails.

Hike the Grouse Grind

Challenge yourself with “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, also known as the legendary Grouse Grind. Although the hike takes a whopping 2,830 steps to complete, the striking fall colours along the way and sweeping views of downtown are reward enough.

Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver/ Rishad Daroowala

Paddle the Waters

Vancouver’s pleasant climate makes watersports accessible year-round. Sport some cozy attire and rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board at the city’s famous English Bay Beach, where you can leisurely cruise along the stunning shoreline.

Want to take advantage on some of these local destinations? Our VanPass voucher allows you to choose from up to 20 Top Vancouver Attractions (worth up to $75 in value)! Click here Click here to learn more and see below for some of our favourite recommendations.

Posted on October 4, 2018November 9, 2018 by Jorden Hutchison

Top Vancouver Attractions for Cruisers

Surrounded by lush green mountains and the brilliant blue waters of the Pacific, visitors will be astonished upon docking at Vancouver’s award-winning Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, celebrated as one of the most picturesque in the world. Centrally located in the city’s downtown core and within walking distance or a short drive away to a variety of major attractions, cruisers can easily fit in an array of exciting sightseeing adventures no matter how brief or lengthy their stay in Vancouver.

Image of 4D theatre experience — Photo courtesy of FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada. Canada Place’s premier attraction, FlyOver Canada, is situated just a few steps off of the ship and serves as a great start to a day of exploring. Offering the nation’s only 4D flight simulation, prepare to be wowed by a virtual journey across the country that comes complete with breathtaking sights, smells and sounds.

Children watching jellyfish at Vancouver Aquarium — Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver | Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium. A hop, jump and skip away from Canada Place, the stunning Stanley Park and its renowned Aquarium are must-see attractions during a visit to Vancouver. Providing a fun and educational experience suitable for the whole family, the Vancouver Aquarium contains incredible aquatic life, interactive and educational displays, and Ocean Wise conversation experts who work tirelessly to protect oceans worldwide.

Image of Granville Island Public Market exterior — Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

Granville Island. Next, make your way to Hornby Street in False Creek and hop aboard the AquaBus to travel by boat to Granville Island. Enjoy getting lost for hours in the world-famous Public Market, and explore the hundreds of local vendors distributing delicious food, colourful produce, handcrafted products and artisanal gifts. After, take a walk along the stunning seawall, and breathe in the fresh ocean air.

Overhead image of Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Capilano River — Photo courtesy of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Hail a cab or hop on a free shuttle to North Vancouver for some true outdoor adventure. A short 20-minute drive from downtown, the Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River, promising both a thrilling and scenic excursion. In addition to the bridge, visitors can also enjoy Treetops Adventure (a series of suspension bridges throughout the rainforest) and Cliffwalk (a cantilevered walkway jutting out from a granite cliff face).

Image of Grouse Mountain's resident grizzly bears — Photo courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

Grouse Mountain. Explore North Vancouver deeper by taking a quick five-minute drive from Capilano Suspension Bridge up to Grouse Mountain, the Peak of Vancouver. One of the city’s premier attractions, Grouse features sweeping views of downtown Vancouver and an array of memorable summer activities that range from hiking, mountain biking, grizzly bear-watching, dining and more.

Book your pre- or-post cruise stay with us at www.stayvancouverhotels.com – we provide the best rates, special offers and packages on downtown Vancouver hotels. Click here to learn more.

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Jorden Hutchison