Top Best Places to Visit In Vancouver, British Columbia

There are a lot of great places to visit in Vancouver, and it would be impossible to list all of them in one little article. While I don’t currently live there, nor have I ever lived there for any extremely lengthy amount of time, I have been drawn there several times in order to visit old college friends. Though I have been unable to keep in contact with most of my college friends, there were others, whose bonds and closeness, drew us together regardless of the fact that I live hundreds of miles away from Vancouver, BC, in Pennsylvania. This article on places to visit in Vancouver is designed for the person who would like to see the best the city has to offer, not just what the tourism pamphlet says you should see.

One particularly nice thing about Vancouver is the lack of over-tourism. Most places you'll see will have some tourists, yes, but it won't be ridiculously crowded like some larger cities. I'd definitely recommend checking Vancouver out in the summer, because winters in Vancouver tend to be rainy and grey. A visit between May and September is ideal. Of course, if you want to check out the skiing in Vancouver, then winter is the ideal time to come on by.

Let's get started with my list of top best places to visit in Vancouver!

The Seawall is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in Vancouver. It's one of those outdoor draws that doesn't just appeal to tourists. Go on a bright sunny day and you'll see half the city (and a few dogs) getting their exercise on foot, bicycle and roller blades. The seawall stretches around most of the downtown peninsula and along in front of lots of prominent landmarks, so you can make it part of your sightseeing tour.

The Seawall is 22 milometers long, and it begins at the Vancouver Convention Center in Coal Harbor and ends on the other side of the water in Kitsilano Beach. It is divided into a lane for cyclists and a lane for walkers. You don't have to hike all of it, but kudos to you if you do! Some of the attractions along its length include Scienceworld, the Vancouver Convention Center, Siwash Rock, and Kitsilano Beach Park. It's one of the best places to visit in Vancouver, and well worth the exercise involved!

Scienceworld is one of the best places to visit in Vancouver! Technically known as the Telus World of Science, any local will refer to it by the former name. Who doesn't like Science? Seriously, this place is amazing, fun for kids and adults alike. The iconic building is hard to miss, and if you're doing a little bit of Vancouver sightseeing, visiting the outside of the building is worth it in itself. Inside, you will find tons of science related games, experiments and presentations, as well as an absolutely massive IMAX theater inside the dome.

The building and exhibits have just undergone a renovation, so come check it out. Be prepared to stay for hours. Don't worry, they have restaurants and plenty of places to rest inside. It's definitely one of my favorite places to visit in Vancouver, and my wife and I check it out as frequently as we can.

Kitsilano Beach, known as Kits Beach to locals, is one of the nicest places to visit in Vancouver. The sand stretches forever and the locals will be out in force when the sun peeks out. A block or two from the water you'll find lots to do, shopping and eating well will be no problem! Anyone who wants to visit Vancouver BC should really check out this area because it sort of encapsulates the Vancouver lifestyle. Enjoy the views of the city and the North Shore, the free volleyball nets, and the local culture. On certain nights during the summer, you might catch fireworks. If you're really brave you can try swimming, though I wouldn't venture out into the water except on really sunny days; this is Vancouver people, not California!

The Vancouver Art Gallery is one of my favorite places to visit in Vancouver. It is (in my opinion) one of the best art galleries in the world, and I've been to many. Never afraid to push the boundaries of what an acceptable exhibit should be, the VAG has had some very interesting ones over the years. My personal favorite was the 'furniture through time' exhibit, where you got to see what a typical living room looked like in each decade since 1950, with genuine pieces. It is one of the most well known Vancouver BC attractions, but I've rarely seen it uncomfortably full. There are nights you can visit and pay by donations, check out the website to learn more. It's definitely a Vancouver sightseeing must, as you'll see works of art by prominent Canadian artists, like Emily Carr.

Some other places to visit in Vancouver that I haven't mentioned yet: Stanley Park, a huge park full of old growth trees, right in the center of the city. Robson and Granville, one of the best areas to shop in the whole city, if that's something you're into. The Molson Canadian Brewery, you can arrange brewery tours, totally worth it for the beer enthusiasts out there!

I may have to write another article, there are a lot of places to visit in Vancouver that I haven't mentioned in detail. Good luck with your Vancouver sightseeing!