Yes, Vancouver has its core attractions, and no one will judge if you bike the Stanley Park Seawall and visit the Vancouver Aquarium every time you’re in town. But the city’s diverse food, shopping and attractions offer plenty more than that, too — especially if you go beyond the borders of Vancouver proper. Here’s how to spend a few days in B.C.’s biggest city.

If You Have 24 Hours

Morning

Gastown is no hidden gem, but it’s popular for good reason. Carb up at Nelson the Seagull, known for its sourdough bread topped with everything from avocado to wild salmon to in-season fruit for breakfast. Then hit the shops: find local, ethical and size-inclusive fashion and swimwear at Nettle’s Tale and stylish home goods at Old Faithful Shop, or wander toward downtown to browse beautifully curated new and used books at The Paper Hound.

Afternoon

The land known nowadays as Vancouver has been home to Indigenous peoples for many millennia. Drop by the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art to learn about the region’s artistic traditions and to view sculptures, carvings, paintings and more by Reid and other contemporary Indigenous artists. Get a First Nations perspective on Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours, whose outings focus on topics like totem poles and ethnobotany — the study of the relationship between humans and plants, focusing on how plants have been traditionally used.

Evening

Vancouver’s plant-forward restaurants prove you can make friends with salad. Vegetarian mainstay The Acorn’s zero-waste kitchen sources almost all of its ingredients from B.C. and Western Canada, while sister establishment Lila offers sustainable pescatarian contemporary Indian cuisine. Try the tasting menu — complete with wine or zero-proof pairings — at Michelin-starred Burdock & Co, known for its commitment to local, seasonal ingredients, or splurge on 18 courses (plus a take-home gift) of vegan omakase — a meal consisting of dishes selected by the chef — at COFU Chinatown.

If You Have 48 Hours

Morning

Kitsilano is a top neighbourhood for both shopping and dining. Start with brunch at Delara, where Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi’s seasonal cuisine harkens to his Iranian roots and features dishes such as khagineh, a Persian pancake stuffed with walnuts, dates and cardamom and garnished with pistachios, rose and grape molasses. Then indulge in retail therapy along West 4th at shops including Vancouver-born big names Kit and Ace, Arc’teryx, Lululemon and John Fluevog.

Afternoon

Grab a coffee (and maybe try on some specs) at Kits Café & Eyewear, then take a stroll to people-watch along Kitsilano Beach. After snapping a selfie at picturesque Elsje Point, stop in at the Museum of Vancouver, which aims to help visitors and residents alike dig deeper into the city’s history and culture. You can also get to know the region’s seagoing life at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

Evening

It’s a whole different vibe on Granville Island at night. Get to Artisan Sakemaker before 6 p.m. to partake in a tasting flight or sake cocktail alongside Japanese snacks like squid rings and takoyaki, a popular Japanese street food made of fried, battered spheres filled with diced octopus. It’s just the thing before a show; Arts Club Theatre Company, Axis Theatre, and The Improv Centre are among those performing on the Island. Or if introspection’s more your scene, book a private session for one or two at Circle Wellness. Spend your 90- or 120-minute visit soaking in the cedar hot tub and finding your Zen in the sauna-like Wellpod before ending your visit with a refreshing cold plunge and hot-stone recovery time.

If You Have 72 Hours

Morning

The rest of your day will be spent in Richmond, so start by moving southward for breakfast. Flourist Bakery’s offerings begin with luxe toasts made with their own organic, fresh-milled flour — don’t worry, you can ship a bag home rather than carrying it around with you. And Mishmish (it’s Arabic for apricot) is all about eats and treats inspired by the owners’ Middle Eastern heritage; the ka’ak — elongated bagels — pair perfectly with labneh and hummus.

Afternoon

Head to Steveston Village for a glimpse at the region’s fishing-focused past. If the weather’s nice, DIY a tour (for free!) along the Fishers Walk, a short trail with signage explaining Steveston’s history of fisheries. Or stay dry at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, whose exhibits cover everything from how salmon is canned to the evolution of fishing technology.

Evening

Top-notch Chinese cuisine is definitely Richmond’s core competency, but the island city offers much more than that. In the warmer months, the bustling Richmond Night Market is a feast for the senses until October 13, 2025 — bring cash, an appetite and the patience to queue for a bewildering array of photo-worthy global eats. And year-round, the official Dumpling Trail helps visitors navigate the city’s seemingly infinite restaurant scene with its list of 15 key dining establishments. They say trying all 15 is too much for one day, but it can’t hurt to try!

Planning a trip to Vancouver? Read more about the must-see spots in CAA Magazine's Fall 2025 issue and visit caamanitoba.com/travel to get started.