vancouver: what to do.

Vancouver has a million things to do! Here are a few of my favourites. None of them require a car so they're easy for you to get to no matter where you're staying. Many of them are free too!

Things to do for free

Stanley Park is a Vancouver institution that is larger than New York's Central Park. You could spend days in the park (in fact, some people actually live in it). Stanley Park includes an outdoor swimming pool and many, many kilometres of walking, running and biking trails. The park was originally the site of Squamish settlement and was also used by the Musqueam. The park is open all year round but in the summer an almost ten kilometre walking/biking trail, part of the Seawall, around the perimetre of the park is open. Renting bikes would make Stanley Park fall into the not free category, but it would be well worth it, if you're visiting from out of town.

The Seawall is over 20 kilometres of trail, mostly along the water, starting at Stanley Park and ending in Point Grey. You can access it from any point in Vancouver so you don't have to do the whole 20 kilometres! You can also bike it since, in most places, it's split into a pedestrian and cyclist section. Just be wary of the English Bay part if you're on a bike: the division between the sections is so minimal that the pedestrians don't seem to notice that they're holding up the bikes. Regardless, bike/pedestrian entanglements don't end well for either party. Be sure to stop at the classic Sylvia Hotel for a drink in the West End though!

Granville Island is a Vancouver favourite and not free if you visit the market with wallet in hand! The market is always busy, but especially on Saturdays. Do not miss the donuts at Lee's Donuts and, if you're in the mood for fish and chips be sure to stop by Go Fish, just be prepared for a long, long line and eating on the Seawall. (Go Fish is just west of the entrance to Granville Island.)

Things to do that aren't free

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is pretty rad but also pricey. It doesn't just include the bridge, which is pretty scary, but manageable, even for someone with a fear of heights like me. It also includes a tree top walk and a cliff walk which had my stomach in my throat.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a truly gorgeous space. It's a wonderful place to spend a calm afternoon by yourself or to wander around in with your visiting mom. If you're on a budget or just like to save money, Tuesdays after 5 PM, admission is by donation.

The Grouse Grind is a one to two hour (depending on your ability) hike on Grouse Mountain. What it lacks in length, it makes up for in toughness. It's pretty much going up stairs (natural stairs) the entire time. They say you're not a true Vancouverite until you've done the hike. The reason the hike isn't free, is that you're not allowed to hike down the trail (I also wouldn't recommend it for your knees) so you have to take a Gondola down from the mountaintop restaurant. You can also take the Gondola up the mountain if hiking isn't your thing. Catch the 246 bus to Highland downtown and then the 236 to Grouse Mountain.

Things to do that are off the beaten track

Hiking in Lynn Valley is not super off the beaten track but it's not a regular haunt of tourists. It's a lovely area with a network of kilometres of trail. It's also pretty easy to get to, just take the SeaBus from downtown to North Vancouver and hop on the 229 bus to West Lynn.

Vancouver is known for it's super pricey real estate so take a stroll in Shaughnessy and imagine all of the interesting people that must have lived in the houses over the years. The Crescent has the most amazing houses around it. The neighbourhood is super quiet and full of large, old trees. You'll feel as though there's no way you're in the middle of city.

Go to the Farmers Markets. Vancouver has a fantastic network of Farmers Markets in the summer and one great one in the winter at Hillcrest Community Centre. (If you like to swim or just sit in the hot tub, head in to Hillcrest too. It has a gorgeous pool, but I digress.) You can wander around and sample delicious produce, baked goods and cheese. And the best part? You're supporting local food. You'll also get to meet a full cross section of Vancouverites: hippies, yuppies and everything in between.

See Part I of my guide to Vancouver here, especially important if you're hungry!