Vancouver

Detailed Vancouver Itinerary

Day 1:

Breakfast:

• Start your day with breakfast at Jam Cafe.

Morning:

• Head to Granville Island:

  • Take a taxi or Uber from downtown (under 10 minutes), or ride the Aquabus ferry.

  • The Aquabus runs every 5 minutes from 7:05 am to 8:55 pm. Roundtrip tickets are $8 CAD, available on-site.

Lunch:

• Enjoy seafood at The Lobster Man or The Sandbar on Johnston Street.

Afternoon:

• Explore Stanley Park:

  • Walk or cycle around the scenic seawall.

Evening:

• Catch the sunset at Sunset Beach:

  • Located at the mouth of False Creek, it’s a 20-minute walk (or 5-minute Uber) from Stanley Park’s main entrance.

• Cocktails: Visit Cactus Club for drinks.

• Dinner Options:

  • Sushi at Minami on Mainland Street in Yaletown (reservation needed).

  • Fast food at DownLow Chicken.

  • Score on Davie for tacos, burgers, and Asian fusion dishes.

Day 2:

Whistler Day Trip:

• En Route Stops:

  • Shannon Falls Provincial Park: Stunning 335-meter waterfall.

  • Brittania Mine: A former copper mine.

  • Squamish, Alice Lake, and Brandywine Falls:

    • Brandywine Falls: A beautiful 70-meter waterfall with a quick 1 km walk from the parking area.

In Whistler:

• Wander through Whistler Village:

  • Enjoy cafes (e.g., PureBread), galleries, and boutiques.

• Visit Lost Lake: A 20-minute walk from Upper Village via the Valley Trail.

Evening:

• Nightlife:

  • Visit nightclubs like Garfinkels (Garfs), Tommys, and Maxx Fish.

  • Join the Bar Hop Guided Tour on Friday or Saturday nights for VIP access to four bars, five drinks, and pizza.

• Don’t miss Cow’s Ice Cream, a Whistler institution.

• Dinner:

  • Visit Bearfoot Bistro (happy hours: 3:30–4:30 pm).

Day 3:

Morning:

• Breakfast at Terra Breads in Olympic Village Square.

• Visit Science World.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a meal at Tap and Barrel.

Afternoon:

• Explore Gastown:

  • Brunch at Twisted Fork or other Gastown restaurants.

Evening:

• Head to Kitsilano for sunset:

  • Shop along West 4th Ave and West Broadway (thrift stores and boutique shops).

• Dinner:

  • Dine at Boathouse Kitsilano Beach (perfect for sunset; book in advance).

Birthday Plan:

Morning:

• Breakfast at Cafe Medina (European-style).

• Visit Lynn Canyon and Grouse Mountain:

  • Gondola tickets: $86 per person.

Lunch/Dinner:

• Dine at The Observatory (reservation needed) or Altitudes Bistro.

Evening:

• Celebrate at Keefer Bar in Chinatown (reservation needed).

Steveston Exploration:

• Visit the Museum and Post Office and the Bird Sanctuary.

• Stop by Fisherman’s Wharf for frozen yogurt at Timothy’s.

• Stroll along the Boardwalk.

• Dining Options:

  • Catch Kitchen and Bar (happy hours: 3:00–5:30 pm).

  • Flying Beaver Bar and Grill.

  • Anar Restaurant for Persian cuisine.

• End the day with a wine tasting at Lulu Island Winery.

Optional Activity:

• Join a Kayak and Snorkel Tour for $109 per person.

Other Restaurants to Try:

1. Pajo’s Fish and Chips (Steveston, Richmond).

2. Maruhachi Ra-men (multiple locations).

3. Cactus Club at English Bay (happy hour from 5 pm).

4. Granville Island Public Market.

5. Jam Cafe for brunch (prepare for a wait).

6. Japadog in downtown.

7. Banh Mi Saigon.

8. Ask for Luigi (highly recommended).

Sunset Spots:

• Locarno Beach, Spanish Banks Beach, or Wreck Beach.

• For dessert, visit Rain or Shine on W 4th Avenue for the best ice cream in Vancouver.

Extras:

• For car rentals, use Discover Cars or Rental Cars.

Helpful Resources:

• Destinationless Travel.

• Nomadasaurus Vancouver Guide.