Vancouver in March: Where Winter Magic Meets Spring Adventure

As winter gracefully transitions into spring in our fair city, Vancouver offers a unique blend of seasonal activities that make March an exciting time to visit. From snow-capped mountains to early spring blooms, here’s your guide to experiencing the best of Vancouver in March.

Mountain Adventures: Winter’s Last Hurrah

March delivers some of the season’s best snow conditions at Vancouver’s local mountains, perfect for winter sports enthusiasts.

  • Grouse Mountain: Just 15 minutes from downtown, enjoy night skiing until 9 PM, snowshoeing trails, and the famous Skyride gondola offering panoramic city views.
  • Cypress Mountain: Home to Vancouver’s largest skiing terrain, March visitors can experience excellent spring skiing conditions and stunning views of Howe Sound.
  • Mount Seymour: Perfect for families, offering toboggan and tubing areas alongside ski runs. The mountain’s snowshoe trails are particularly magical in March’s crisp mountain air.

Indoor Escapes: Rainy Day Solutions

When March showers arrive, Vancouver’s indoor attractions provide endless entertainment:

  • Vancouver Aquarium: Explore the wonders of marine life in Stanley Park, featuring special spring break programming for families.
  • Science World: Interactive exhibits and demonstrations make this iconic dome-shaped building a must-visit for curious minds of all ages.
  • Museum of Anthropology: Discover British Columbia’s rich Indigenous heritage through world-class exhibits and artifacts.

Spring Break Special Events

March brings numerous family-friendly activities during spring break:

  • Vancouver Bloedel Conservatory: Escape to this tropical paradise in Queen Elizabeth Park, where exotic birds and plants thrive year-round.
  • Spring Break Camps: Various community centers offer day camps focusing on arts, sports, and outdoor activities.
  • Vancouver Lookout: Take in 360-degree views of the city from Harbour Centre’s observation deck, particularly stunning during March’s mix of clear and cloudy days.

Early Spring Activities

As spring begins to emerge, Vancouver offers unique seasonal experiences:

  • Cherry Blossom Walking Tours: Early blooms start appearing in March, transforming neighborhoods into pink-hued wonderlands.
  • Stanley Park: Experience the awakening of spring along the seawall, with early flowers beginning to bloom and migrating birds returning.
  • Granville Island: Browse the public market’s fresh spring produce while enjoying indoor entertainment at various theaters and galleries.

Travel Tips for March Visitors

To make the most of your March visit:

  • Pack layers – temperatures can vary significantly between the mountains and city
  • Book mountain activities early, as March brings excellent spring skiing and boarding conditions and higher visitor numbers
  • Keep an umbrella handy for typical March showers
  • Check special spring break programming dates at major attractions

Whether you’re seeking winter’s final thrills or spring’s first blooms, March in Vancouver offers a distinctive blend of experiences that showcase the city’s versatile charm.

Plan Your Stay

Make the most of your March visit by staying at one of Vancouver’s centrally located hotels. Our exclusive spring packages include valuable perks like gift cards, bike rentals, and special rates at local attractions. Book your accommodation through Stay Vancouver Hotels to be perfectly positioned for both winter sports and early spring activities across the city.

Family-friendly Vancouver

Families visiting Vancouver with young children can rest easy. With hundreds of year-round events, popular and lesser-known attractions, interactive museums and fun-filled parks to choose from, there’s no shortage of things to do to entertain kids and parents alike. So let’s take a look at some of our favourite family-friendly experiences, and start planning your itinerary:

 

Image of False Creek and Science World

 

Science World. Located in False Creek, the Telus World of Science’s silver geodesic dome has been attracting families since it first opened for Expo ‘86. Families can take advantage of a wide-range of offerings, including interactive displays (like playing a life-size piano with your feet), rotating exhibits and live science demonstrations. And don’t forget to catch a show at the larger-than-life OMNIMAX Theatre. At five storeys high and 27 metres in diameter, the theatre boasts a sensational wrap-around sound system – leaving movie-goers feeling like they’re right in the middle of the action.

 

Bloedel Conservatory. This huge glass bubble is is one of the best kept secrets for escaping from a rainy Vancouver day, and it’s also one of the largest domed greenhouses in the world to boot. The indoor attraction is located at Queen Elizabeth Park, and is home to 120 exotic birds, 500-plus tropical plants, and a beautiful network of fountains, gardens and sculptures. Afterward, take a walk through the 52-hectare park and soak up the gorgeously landscaped gardens, or stop for a bite to eat at Seasons in the Park.

 

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. A quick 25-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge boasts a number of attractions throughout the park, including the iconic suspension bridge (towering 230-feet high and 450-feet long above the Capilano River), Treetops Adventure (a network of suspension bridges amidst the coastal rainforest), and Cliffwalk (a cantilevered walkway jutting out from a granite cliff face). History, culture and nature are presented in unique and thrilling ways throughout the park, making it a must-see stop for family members of all ages.

 

Brittania Mine Museum. Take off with the kids for a trip along Highway 99, and soak up the Sea to Sky Highway’s majestic mountain and waterfront views. Along the way, you’ll pass by Shannon Falls and a number of top visitor attractions, including the Brittania Mine Museum. Here, kids and wannabe kids of all ages can hop aboard the underground train and uncover authentic mining tunnels, explore 10-acres of historic buildings, or take a fun and interactive guided tour to learn about mining and the history of Britannia. While you’re at it, roll up your sleeves and head to the gold panning station – you never know what you’ll find! For those who want to continue their Sea-to-Sky journey, don’t miss the scenic Sea to Sky Gondola for panoramic views and a network of hiking trails before making your way back to Vancouver.

 

Visitors who book through Stay Vancouver Hotels between now and May 15th will receive a $50 VanPass voucher for a single night booking, or $75 for a multi-night booking – gaining access to 20 of Vancouver’s top attractions and sightseeing tours. To book a stay with us, or view the full list of featured attractions, click here.