Being A Tourist in Metro Vancouver – Explore Local

Places of interest here in Metro Vancouver seemed like something I didn’t need to worry about. I live here, I love walking around here, eating out here, seeing shows here etc.

But 2020 taught me that when I can’t go anywhere else, it’s time to be a tourist in my own city. As we are days away from Winter, I thought I’d start with the Winter edition. Getting out and exploring – safely – when possible, is a great way for me to manage COVID stress and fatigue.

Some of these activities or attractions are currently unavailable due to the COVID 19 pandemic, but are must do’s when the pandemic is not in full swing!

My fave spots in Metro Vancouver

I’m saying Metro Vancouver because while some activities are in Vancouver proper, some are within the region and well worth the effort out of the city itself.

Grouse Mountain

We hit up Grouse mountain all year long. The views are fantastic on a clear day, showcasing the entire lower mainland. So while some may think it rains all the time here in  Metro Vancouver, we do get some pretty nice sunny days. And honestly, you can’t beat the views on a clear sunny day, especially with the glisten of snow. You can hit so many trails on the North Shore, but Grouse has something for everyone.

• Snowshoeing

  • • For the grind addicts at heart, during the Wintertime, there is the snowshoe grind. Yes, you can still time your efforts and it is definitely quite the workout. The best part though? If you don’t take yourself too seriously, sliding down hills on your bum is so much fun! And hey, it can help your time, so long as you don’t wipe out all that bad.

    • If you don’t have snowshoes, you can rent them from the mountain. All rentals during the pandemic need to be pre-booked, and honestly, I can see this feature sticking around post-pandemic.

• Skiing/Boarding

  • • There are 33 runs on Grouse Mountain, that are mainly intermediate to difficult, but there are a few easy runs to help get yourself acquainted with your skis/board. I am a horrible skier, but I can get down the cut, and take in those gorgeous city views all at the same time. Sometimes I bail, sometimes I don’t. Depends on how focused I am 😉
    • Again, if you don’t have skis or a board, rentals are available. They have a base package and a premium package for both skis and boards and in the current pandemic world, the rentals must be pre-booked.

• Outdoor ice rink

  • • Oh so typically Canadian, is the opportunity to skate outside. Vancouver is pretty mild and we do not get a lot of cold temperatures but life is a little cooler at Grouse. Hit the rink with your kids (or without), or sit by the rinkside outdoor fireplace and watch your kids rip around the ice rink. Great way to expel some energy, and do something just so Canadian.

It is also helpful to know that you take a Gondola up from the base of the mountain, to the chalet. So unlike most other ski resorts where you drive up in the snow, you drive to the base, hop the gondola, and then start your adventure. So, if you are not a fan of driving in the snow, this is your dream sitch. Oh, and all sky rides (Gondola trips) must be pre-booked both up and back down. And of course, don’t forget your mask (buffs also work phenomenally).

Whistler

• Skiing/Boarding

  • • The obvious reason people flock to Whistler in the wintertime. With over 200 marked ski runs on two mountains (Whistler and Blackcomb), this is the place to be for all skiing and snowboarding lovers. I mean you can’t possibly get bored with that many runs!

• Ziplining

  • • OK, so you’re not a fan of skiing or snowboarding; that’s fine! There is another super fun activity you can do, pending you don’t mind heights 😉 Superfly zipline company is open year-round and you can do the zipline tour which if I recall is approximately an hour and a half. They say to dress as if you were going to go skiing/boarding so you’re warm enough. I personally am not a fan of heights, but my husband and sister have done this, and they’re itching to go again.

• Scandinave Spa

  • • Looking for a spa day? Whistler has you covered. While your family and/or friends are hitting the slopes or the zip line, you can take some solid me time at the spa, while taking in the serenity of being in the mountains. It totally counts as outdoorsy!

Metro Vancouver Hot Spots

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

This runs from late November through until January 1st and is an annual tradition in my family. Admission to Bright Nights is by donation to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and riding the Christmas train requires a pre-purchased ticket. There is always a theme, and one of my favourites is a toss-up between The Grinch and Charlie Brown. The lights sparkle and the area of the park is bustling, showcasing the love and joy people have for the holidays.

Sadly, this was cancelled this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, but donations and 50/50 tickets are still in play for 2020. We’ll see you in 2021 to continue the years-long family tradition! 

Vancouver Christmas Market

This market runs from late November, through to Christmas Eve and is a German-inspired market that takes place in Downtown Vancouver. Occupying Jack Poole Plaza, the Vancouver Christmas Market is a great place to stroll with or without kids where you can find great stocking-stuffer type gifts, kids crafting, adult beverages, and food vendors. There is live entertainment throughout the day as well, which you can enjoy with a beverage and/or food before carrying on with your tour of the market.

Sadly, like Bright Nights, this market has been cancelled for 2020, but we know they’ll come back in 2021, ready to tackle a more normal style of Christmas.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

While this is a tourist destination year-round, the bridge is decorated for the Christmas season and is referred to as the Canyon Lights. It is a great family-friendly evening outside, where you can take in the beauty of it all. While the canyon lights are cancelled for 2020, there is still the Suspension Bridge, Cliff Walk, Treetops Adventure, the Story Centre, Kia’Palano, Raptors Ridge, History & Nature Talk, The Living Forest and Cap Kids and the park is open until 6 pm daily. When you all have a little bit of cabin fever and need to get outdoors, this is a great place to get out with the family, any time of the year.

And they are dog friendly (on-leash only), however not in the restaurants or Raptors Ridge. You can legitimately get the entire family out of the house!

Science World

I am 34 and I still love going to Science World, and I am not even a science nerd, but I wish I was. I’ve always been curious and I am notorious for asking questions in areas I don’t excel in or am in the midst of learning. As Vancouver can be very rainy and gloomy, if you find yourself needing to get out of the house or hotel, this is the perfect destination. With protocols in place for COVID 19, you and/or your kids can get involved with whatever is going on at Science World at the time that you’re visiting.

You can also sign up online to continue your learning from home which is a great way to keep yourself or your family occupied, especially these days. These are free resources, so if you’re able to, donate to Science World, so they can keep creating fun activities to be done at home. 

Granville Island

While it’s not an actual island since it is accessed by land from the Southside of False Creek, it feels like one. Filled with one of a kind shops, a market, artisan donuts, and restaurants, you will find a way to keep yourself occupied throughout the Winter. While you may need an umbrella at times when going from store to store, everything is inside. Or you could just run from store to store – sometimes the umbrella is more of a pain than a help.

Grab a donut from Lee’s Donuts, and a coffee from JJ Bean (or something else – I’m not here to judge) and wander the market perusing all the shops and supporting local small businesses. You can top it all off with a happy hour or dinner at one of the restaurants (The Sandbar and The Keg are two of my personal favourites) before heading home. You can make an entire day of this, and as it is on the sea wall, you can walk around the south false creek side of the seawall.

Seawall

Whether you walk, bike, run, scooter, rollerblade, or whatever, the sea wall is a must hit. Spanning from Spanish banks on the Southwest side of False Creek all the way around past Yaletown on the Northeast side, through the West end, around Stanley Park, to the Vancouver Convention Centre where the cruise ship terminal is. This is the longest uninterrupted waterfront path, and is approximately 28 km long (Source: City of Vancouver)! A bonus to the sea wall in the wintertime? Fewer tourists, so not as crowded.

VanDusen [Festival of Lights] Garden

While the VanDusen Gardens are open year-round, the highlight is the Festival of Lights. I’m also allergic to so many plants/flowers this kind of trip involves a lot of antihistamines 😉 The Festival of Lights is typically on from the end of November until early January and consists of a million twinkling lights. As with everything this year, the festival is cancelled. However, you can still go to VanDusen Gardens and take in the gardens, with our without a guided tour. Grab dinner before or after at the gardens and make an entire evening of it.

Vancouver Canucks Game

Whether you are a fan of the Vancouver Canucks or another team, catching a game when they’re in town is always a good time. I myself can’t wait for hockey to return to normal and get back to going to games.

What are some of your favourite places of interest in Vancouver, or Metro Vancouver? What are some things that you are missing this year that you would normally do during the Winter?