We lived in Vancouver for two years, and what a time we had. It’s breathtakingly stunning – I mean, it’s surrounded on almost all sides by great big looming mountains. Known as the city where the beach and the mountains meet. It is undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
And of course, the stunning outdoor areas of Vancouver are among its main attractions. Yep, Vancouver boasts some of the finest parks and natural settings in North America, places like Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and Grouse Mountain. And thankfully, you can easily squeeze all of these into 24 hours in Vancouver. As well as spend time in the city’s coolest neighborhoods like Kitsilano and Gastown, that’s if you’re careful with your time.
So, here’s our ultimate guide to spending one day in Vancouver.
8 Things to Do in 24 Hours in Vancouver
24 hours in Vancouver may seem like a short amount of time, but you’d be surprised at how much you can fit into one day here. As long as you stick to a schedule and follow my list below (in that order, preferably), you could fit up to 8 activities into a day in Vancouver.
Grouse Grind/ Grouse Mountain
Vancouver is home to one of the most famous hikes in B.C. – The Grouse Grind is a super-challenging trail that climbs up the face of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver. Funnily, it’s often referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” as you need to climb up a whopping 2,800 steps as part of the hike!
This local-favorite trail covers a distance of approximately 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) and has an elevation gain of about 853 meters (2,800 feet). It’s a favorite workout spot for locals, and the hike typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Thus, we recommend starting this hike as early as 7 am to ensure you fit the rest of the days activities in.
At the summit, all your hard work will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Vancouver and the surrounding areas. You’ll also be able to get to Grouse Mountain Resort from up here, which is a ski resort in the winter and has several restaurants/ Cafes.
It’s important to note that the Grouse Grind is a one-way trail, and it’s best to take the Skyride gondola back down the mountain.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Not too far away from Grouse Mountain is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which is home to the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge. This feat of engineering hangs 70 meters over the Capilano River, and it’s 137 meters long. And the views are stunning – think lush green forest and a gushing bright blue river!
But it’s all about the bridge here; there are also a few short hikes, a glass-floor viewpoint, and The Birds of Raptor Ridge, where you can see birds of prey.
Tickets for the Capilano Suspension Bridge cost from $81 CAD per person.
Stanley Park
In my opinion, everything good to see in Vancouver involves “the great outdoors,” and Stanley Park is one of my favorite spots in the city.
This gorgeous park (which is a whopping 404 hectares) overlooks breathtaking views of the city skyline, the North Shore Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. The Seawall walk is the best part of the park, and it stretches 28 km long, so you probably won’t get the chance to do all of it today.
My recommendation is to hire a bike to cycle the Seawall or book this awesome guided bike tour to see it in all its glory. The path winds its way around the picturesque perimeter of the park and extends through several vibrant neighborhoods, so it’s 100% worth doing.
Also worth checking out here are Beaver Lake, Lost Lagoon, and the Rose Garden.
Vancouver Aquarium
The biggest aquarium in Canada is located in Stanley Park, and it’s a great place to visit if you’re a fan of marine life. Here, you can see marine creatures like sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, and a beluga whale. In fact, there are over 65,000 animals here.
A ticket for Vancouver Aquarium costs from $40.95 CAD.
Granville Island
This is another one of my favorite spots in Vancouver. It’s a hive of activity with galleries and boutiques lining this artistic area. Granville Island Public Market is a must-visit for foodies, as here you’ll find reasonably priced food choices (with a highlight on regional produce and dishes). Look out for any events that may be happening and the street performers while you’re there.
Your best way to get to Granville Island is to ride a False Creek Ferry or Aquabus. False Creek is located along the Seawall, highlighted above.
➡️ Tour Suggestion: You can do a VIP walking food tour of Granville Island. Perfect if you’re a foodie (like me!), the tour includes no less than 20 food tastings. It costs from $155 CAD per person.
Kitsilano
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Vancouver, Kitsilano, or ‘Kits’ as the locals call it, has a lovely, relaxed/beachy vibe. There are two awesome beaches here – Kitsilano Beach and Jericho Beach, and there are also some really trendy coffee shops (we love Cafe Lokal on W 4th Ave) and vintage stores here.
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, and it’s where we recommend spending this evening. This vibrant area is just teeming with character and history.
Start your wander around by visiting the iconic Gastown Steam Clock, which is powered by steam and lets out quite a loud whistle every 15 minutes. Next, stroll along the cobblestone streets, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of boutiques, art galleries, and souvenir shops.
It’s also here in Gastown that you’ll find some of Vancouver’s best coffee shops, so, if you’re still in the mood for a coffee (I try not to have one past 6 pm), hit up Revolver on Cambie Street (it’s amazing!)
Stay around this area for dinner this evening – we really like L’Abattoir on Carrall Street and Di Beppe on West Cordova Street.
Watch a hockey game
Ice hockey is the national winter sport in Canada, and so, we highly recommend watching an ice hockey game to end your day in Vancouver. The Vancouver Canucks are Vancouver’s team – they are currently ranked 5th in the National Hockey League, and they play their games at the Rogers Arena, next to Gastown.
We had such a fun time watching a game here, and as soon as the puck dropped, we were on the edge of our seats. The game is so fast-paced, and the camaraderie among fans and the chants echoing through the arena were so exciting to witness firsthand.
And if you have more time …
In an ideal world, I’d recommend you spend a minimum of 3 days in Vancouver. But, I know that time isn’t always on our side, so if you can manage a longer stay in Vancouver, below are some activities I highly recommend you do!
Go skiing
If you enjoy winter sports, Vancouver’s proximity to Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain offers great skiing and snowboarding at cheap prices.
Each mountain offers diverse runs suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. These local mountains also provide night skiing opportunities, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views of Vancouver’s twinkling lights from the slopes.
Plus, Whistler Blackcomb, located just two hours north of Vancouver, is one of the most renowned ski destinations in North America, boasting over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and a vibrant après-ski scene.
Day trip to Whistler:
Planning a day trip from Vancouver to Whistler is another thing you could do it you have more time.
Whistler is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada – with well over 3 million visitors vacationing here annually. Its popularity lies in the fact that it is breathtakingly beautiful (think looming mountains and bright blue lakes). I lived in Whistler for a few years, so it will always have a special place in my heart.
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is around 1.5 hours. You can catch a shuttle bus or coach to here if you can’t drive.
Go whale watching
If you plan to be in the city between April and October, why not consider a whale watching tour? On this tour, you can look out for orcas, humpback whales, seals, porpoises, and eagles. In season, there’s a 95% success rate!
More awesome Vancouver tours –
Where to Stay in Vancouver
Vancouver Hotels:
- The Westin Bayshore – Located in Coal Harbour, right next to Stanley Park, this large hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, on-site restaurants and Cafes, and a gym. The rooms are spacious, and many have water views.
- Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – This historic 5-star hotel is centrally located on W Georgia Street and offers elegant rooms and amenities like a swimming pool, restaurant, fitness center and spa.
Vancouver Hostels:
- HI Vancouver Downtown – This hostel on Burnaby Street has a fabulous rating on HostelWorld (8.8/10) and is located on a quiet street in the West End. It’s a short distance to Stanley Park and English Bay, and the dorms here are small (just 4 beds per room), and all have lockers. You can also book a private room here with a shared bathroom. Expect to pay around $44 CAD for a bed in a dorm here.
- HI Vancouver Jericho Beach – Another HI hostel, this one is located in the lovely neighborhood of Kitsilano, just steps away from the famed Jericho Beach. Again, it’s rated excellently (8.6/10), and you can choose from a private room or bed in a mixed dorm. There are mixed, male or female dorms here – each with 18 beds. A bed in a dorm starts from $36 CAD per night.
- Cambie Hostel – Seymour – Located in central downtown, this hostel is clean, safe, and has super-friendly staff. There’s also an on-site restaurant called Malone’s, and when you stay here, you’ll get a discount to eat there. There are lots of room types here, including a 2-bed female or male dorm. You’ll be paying around $26 CAD per night for a dorm bed here.
Where to eat in Vancouver
- Food trucks: From Japanese-style hot dogs at Japadog to fresh Mexican street cuisine at Tacofino, Vancouver’s active food truck culture is a treasure trove for reasonably priced and varied selections.
- Best spots in Kitsilano: See Nuba, a Lebanese restaurant noted for its cheap, healthy cuisine, or Sophie’s Cosmic Café, a classic diner with reasonably priced comfort food.
- Korean fried chicken in the downtown area: If you love Korean food, restaurants like Zabu Chicken offer fantastic fried chicken and rice dishes. Kintaro Ramen is another great option, with its generous servings and rich broths.
- Cool coffee shops: Vancouver’s coffee scene is world-class like Kafka’s Coffee on Main Street or 49th Parallel, which serves up great coffee alongside mouthwatering donuts.
Getting to Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) welcomes flights from all over the world – and the best way to get downtown from the airport is by booking a welcome pickup. The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English-speaking, and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
If you’re coming from elsewhere within Canada or over the border in the U.S., you could drive to Vancouver – from Seattle, it’s only a 2.5-hour drive, and from towns like Banff, you’re looking at over a 9-hour drive.
As for getting around Vancouver, that’s super easy, first off it’s a very walkable city (we walked pretty much everywhere here) and the public transport is excellent – you’ve got the city’s buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus here.
Thanks for Reading!
In short, Vancouver is one of the most stunning cities in Canada. I mean, you’ve got the beach, the mountains, and the fantastic Stanley Park on your doorstep here. Tell me, how did you find our guide to one day in Vancouver?
You may also enjoy reading –
Planning a Day Trip from Vancouver to Whistler (By A Local)
Where Should I Stay in Whistler? Guide to the Best Hotels and Hostels in Whistler!
Epic things to do in Whistler in Winter (Written by a Local)
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Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by snaphappytravel