Now although I would recommend seeking out every corner of Vancouver, I do not think it will be possible in just one or two road trips. I still haven’t done it and I lived there for a year. So out of my list, though it was painstakingly awful for me to just pick 9, these are the places I think it should be mandatory to see in Vancouver
1. Granville Island
In my previous post about my Vancouver trip I raved about the wonders in Granville island, be sure to check it out!
2. Chutney Villa
This is a south Indian restaurant that has some of the best Idili I have ever tasted and that’s saying a lot because my godparents are south Indian and make the best food! There’s a wide variety to choose from and it’s not very spicy so fear not but your taste buds will only go for a roller coaster ride of flavour and won’t be burnt off.
3. Stanley Park
This is one of my favorite places on the planet. I have a lot of childhood memories here and this place is one of the best spots to have a picnic or a bike ride or do anything active here. My family and I have organized countless picnics here with our friends and it’s a perfect date spot, as well. With the tankers taking off and the recreations yachts coming closer to the docks, its a place to remember. Whenever you g0 there, regardless of the time, people are running, walking their dogs or even taking their babies out to stroll and many people bike around quite a bit as well.
4. Vancouver Aquarium
This year it was my 5th time going to the Vancouver Aquarium but every time it is a different experience for me. I love to get soaked by the whales every time. But this time was different for me, this time I was just with friends. But enough about my experience this time. This is an amazing place for all ages you get to interact with different species, there are amazing places for Instagram shots and they have one of the very few 4-D theaters. Their 4-D theater always has amazing features and you’re guaranteed to always get splashed and don’t worry you won’t get soaked just a small spray, but it always takes you by surprise no matter how much you think you know its coming.
5. UBC Campus
This place is my home. It was the first place I lived at in Canada. It’s a massive campus with some of the most beautiful places ever! The grand clock tower near Acadia complex to the beaches down by the million dollar homes, to the main campus buildings, theres always something around the corner that takes your breath away! Its a great place to bike, skateboard, or walk around even drive around! Although I recommend all forms of transportation except driving through there because there are a handful of places you can only access by bike, foot or skateboarding and you get the full authentic experience out of a car. There’s so much to see and eat and do, you won’t be bored ever. I can’t speak for others, but it is like the first time every time.
6. Gastown
It’s one of the nicest spots in Vancouver for your high end shops and one of the best places to roam around, get lost, and indulge in amazing authentic Columbian coffee. And its actually a great place for dates and at night this place is magical. There’s a lot of history in Gastown about Vancouver and is one place I wish I had revisited in the last few years.
7. Cupcake Girls
A few years back they used to have their own show about their bakery, but I knew this shop before I ever even watched the show. Their cupcakes have a luxurious texture and are massive and are a little bit more on the expensive side of cupcakes but believe me, $10 is well spent in this place. If you have ever been to Crave Bakery in Calgary and you think that they are good, wait till you go to the Cup Cake Girls shop.
8. China Town
China town is the #1 place for my mother to get seafood, spices, and her cooking essentials. This place literally feels like you’re in a authentic real Asian market, there are people negotiating, there’s people yelling, indulging on treats on the spot and it smells just like the salty fish markets in most areas. It for me felt like most Indian streets and markets, except a lot cleaner and a lot more fish than veggies.
9. Downtown
Just like Gastown, Granville island, UBC campus, this is a place to explore. Theres the Telus science world, amazing coffee shops and restaurants that are gems, and there are little shops that are just fun to browse around.
Overall any city is a great city to explore, but not all of us have big enough budgets to fly out to European countries to search out and discover hidden gems in big cities in other countries. Why not start on improving your exploring skills right here at home in Canada?