The Ultimate Guide to Vancouver in a Weekend

Spend a worthwhile weekend in British Columbia’s largest city Vancouver to sample the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. From awesome breweries, stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, Vancouver has it all!

Here’s my ultimate guide to Vancouver in a weekend!

Brewery Hopping

Vancouver’s microbreweries are the talk of the town—and if you feel like some company, book a tour with a fun company like Vancouver Brewery Tours. The best neighborhood is East Vancouver, where you’ll find most of the top breweries clumped together.

Stop by Granville Island Brewing, which opened in 1984 as Canada’s first microbrewery, or sample the popular brews at 33 Acres Brewing Company, who craft a range of delicious floral IPAs, schwarzbiers, and lemony Belgians.

You’ll find smaller, neighborhood breweries with tasting rooms, like Brassneck Brewery that have fun atmospheres as well!

Food Trucks

There are awesome food trucks abound in Vancouver, and there’s no better way to fill your tummy up for a low price. Grab a smoothie at the Juice Truck or a handheld pie at the Aussie Pie Guy.

If you’re a cheese-lover, check out Community Pizzeria– where you’ll get pizzas cooked from scratch and in a wood-fired pizza oven- or Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck!

For the best fish tacos this side of the border, head over to Tacofino and then top it off with some banana churros or diablo cookies.

Momo Sushi

For cheap eats that you can enjoy sitting down, try Momo Sushi in Gastown. The food isn’t the most gourmet in Vancouver, but it’s a great place to sample nigiri and rolls at a low price point.

They serve everything from takoyaki and avocado rolls to bento boxes and chirashi—and most dishes are under $10. The place tends to be fairly busy during rush hour at noon, so grab a seat just before or after!

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Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a massive 1,000-acre outdoor area, Vancouver’s popular and wild backyard. Head here in the morning and expect to spend a few hours enjoying the zoo, train, swimming pools, beaches, historical landmarks and aquarium.

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Grab lunch at the Fish House or Waterfall Cafe, or go for a quiet tea hour at the Teahouse. If the weather is good, I recommend playing a game of tennis or golf, or going for a peaceful hike among the 500,000 cedar and fir trees!

Vancouver Aquarium

Within Stanley Park, you’ll find Vancouver Aquarium, which opened in 1956 and regularly hosts educational events, exhibitions and kid-friendly activities.

It has a total of 166 aquatic displays featuring a diverse array of dolphins, sea otters, beluga whales, anacondas, sloths, eels, sea lions, eels and more.

Plus every winter there is an annual visit of “Scuba Claus” where Santa Claus dives in the tanks and swims with the fishes- talk about holiday spirit!

Granville Island Public Market

The Public Market is where you’ll find a fun assortment of fresh food, homemade products, and handmade gizmos. Support local art and take a look at the fine jewelry, and photography, and maybe pick up a souvenir of handmade soaps, bath products and silk scarves.

The Farmer’s Market here is open every Thursday from June to September. Shop for warm baked goods, preserves, plump fruit—and don’t leave without trying the candied salmon!

Bella Gelateria

Get a pre-dinner scoop of old-world handcrafted gelato at Bella Gelateria. This upscale gelateria is immensely popular with visitors and locals alike, and it’s no wonder—with original flavors like Amarena Cherry, banana bread, earl gray, lavender, matcha green tea, and fior de latte.

They also serve sorbets (can you say strawberry lime?) and excellent coffee!

Dinner at Nicli Antica Pizzeria

End a fun weekend in Vancouver and look for the red neon “Pizzeria” sign in the old neighborhood of Gastown! At the Nicli Antica Pizzeria, you’ll find authentic wood-fired pizza along with a chic atmosphere.

Go traditional with the Marinara, a tasty mix of pomodoro, oregano, garlic confit and fresh basil, or jump on the creative train and order the Cavolo Nero e Funghi, with its grana padano cheese, marinated mozzarella, tuscan kale and mixed mushrooms.

Buck Buck Mule from The Diamond

Top off an active day of sightseeing at the Diamond, a classy cocktail lounge above Maple Tree Square. Sit back and relax with the Buck Buck Mule, a refreshing mix of gin, sherry, cucumber juice, cilantro, lime and ginger beer.

Cozy, old world vibe. share it with some bar snacks like charcuterie, ceviche, and the house cuban sandwich!

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