Real Canadian Superstore (Metrotown)
Your go-to for high-volume grocery shopping and essentials.
Multi-ethnic grocery store, incredible for fresh seafood, Asian snacks and ready-to-eat hot meals.
Traditional-style Chinese vegetable and meat market with a food court on the second floor. A tourist destination in itself.
Bring cashπ΅!Β
Conventional western supermarket.
Best times to go are first thing in the morning and weekday evenings.
Within walking distance. Plenty of parking.
Yes, it's legal in Canada. No, it's not for addicts. My mom uses a roll-on for her nerve pains and it does wonders. Ask the knowledgeable staff.
Just listing one. Almost 400 stores and restaurant (directory), from Aritzia to Arc'teryx to Apple to Armani. You really don't need to go anywhere else.
Wave Coffee
(16 min walk, 4 min drive)
Starbucks but soulfully local. On your way to the SkyTrain station. On a sunny day, enjoy the outdoor seating.Β
Hanoi Drip Coffee
(38 min walk, 7 min drive)
Inexpensive coffee drinks and sandwiches of various sorts.
Starbucks
(19 min walk, 4 min drive)
If you have to.
CoCo Bubble Tea
(27 min walk, 5 min drive)
If you have to get your boba fix. For some, a familiar taste of home.
Trattoria
(Italian)
Great ambiance on a sunny day or at night. Dimly lit at night combined with propane fire heated outdoor space make for a relaxed ambiance on a cool evening.Β
Crystal Mall Food Court
(Chinese)
For an authentic west coast Chinese experience that feels like you're in Hong Kong. Some of the best (and most affordable) regional Chinese food in the province. Try the shredded pork rice rolls.
Bring cashπ΅!Β
chefhyve
(Eastern European)
Familiar foods with a twist and unfamiliar spices.
Pokerrito
(Asian Fusion)
Efficient, convenient, flavourful and makes you feel good by the end of it.
Sushi Garden
(Japanese)
Inexpensive, non-pretentious, unobjectionable sushi. Enough said.
Central Park
(10 min walk)
Incredibly diverse, from massive Douglas Fir trees, to a serene duck pond, to a pitch-and-putt golf course, to a frisbee golf course, to a 4km rubber running track.
George McLean Park
(4 min walk)
A quiet neighbourhood spot just a few blocks away. Perfect for a peaceful morning stroll.
Deer Lake Park
(10 min drive)
Beautiful, serene 5km loop around a lake full of lily, wildlife, kayaks and more.
Stanley Park
(50 minutes by transit)
So many things to do for any and all age groups and interests.
From Burnaby Mountain Park
With a panoramic view of the North Shore mountains, downtown Vancouver and beyond.
From Kits Beach
The most accessible (read: busy). Where young urbanites hang out every day of the week, whether weekday or weekend.
From Sunset Beach
Also accessible but more relaxed than Kits. A great way to end a day of exploring Stanley Park.
From Wreck Beach
For chill place with waves crashing onto the shore, alongside other sun worshippers. Clothing optional...Β
UBC Thunderbirds
University Varsity Athletics
What you enjoy and your tolerance for physical exertion is unique to you. That said, below are some day trips that I have enjoyed with my visiting family and friends.
Energy needed: 3/5
Rent a bike at a shop near Waterfront SkyTrain Station.
Ride counterclockwise around Stanley Park. Take your time. Make stops at will to take in the magestic, panoramic scenary.Β
Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants near Burrard Bridge.
Continue biking along False Creek North Seawall as far as you have energy.Β
Return the bike to the shop.Β
Energy needed: 4/5
Bring a lunch.Β
Catch the shuttle bus to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park from in front of Vancouver Convention Centre.Β
Explore the park.
Have lunch in the park whenever you feel it. (Carry out all of your garbage.)
Return to the park entrance. Catch Bus 232/236 northward (up the mountain) to the base of Grouse Mountain.
Ride the gondola up to the top. Explore.Β
Have dinner in the restaurant. Catch the sunset.
Energy needed: 3/5
Start from Science World SkyTrain Station.
Walk along the False Creek North Seawall.
Catch the kayaks and dragon boats training in the water.Β
Sit and people watch at any of the many benches or cafes en route.
At Burrard Bridge, catch a water taxi to Granville Island.
Have lunch (and a pastry snack) at Granville Island's Public Market.
Explore the market and many artisan shops.Β
Have dinner. Catch one of the many comedy, improv, theatre shows.Β
Energy needed: 3/5
Start from UBC Bus Loop.Β
πΊοΈ Sites worth exploringΒ
UBC Rose Garden
Museum of Anthropology
Nitobe Memorial Japanese Garden
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
UBC Botanical Garden
UBC Farm
Wreck Beach π
Old Marine Drive Lookout Point π