Travel Itinerary

Top Attraction Places in Vancouver and Victoria

British Columbia
1. Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a lush peninsula of huge trees adjacent to Downtown Vancouver. If you are looking to
get outside and enjoy some nature, this is the best place to visit in Vancouver. A paved seawall path
encircles the green space and is a wonderful place to explore on foot or by bicycle.

Inland, the park offers many things to do, and you can spend a full day exploring attractions like the
totem poles at Brockton Point or the Vancouver Aquarium. Spectacular views are a standard
throughout the park either back towards the city or out to the ocean.

2. Granville Island

Once mainly industrial, Granville Island is now a thriving center of activity with a relaxed and
distinctive atmosphere. Artists and retailers have moved into converted warehouses alongside
houseboats, theaters, galleries, and restaurants.

The Granville Island Public Market is one of the most popular attractions selling fruit and vegetables,
seafood, and a great variety of other specialties as well as ready-to-eat items. Not truly an island, the
arts hub is linked to residential areas by one road and footbridges to the south, and to the Downtown
peninsula (across False Creek) by ferry.
3. Kitsilano Beach

The sandy shoreline of Kitsilano Beach defines the laid-back, fun-loving Vancouver lifestyle. It's a place
locals hang out with friends or take a dip in the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool. The wide
beach here is popular with sun bathers in the summer.

Views from Kitsilano over the city center are wonderful. In addition to the beach and oceanfront, the
area has a number of cafés and walking trails, and a vibrant shopping strip lies a few blocks south
on West Fourth Avenue.

4. Walk along the Inner Harbour

Victoria's scenic Inner Harbour is the main attraction and the best starting point for tourists. Many of
the city's top sights are located either on the harbor or within easy walking distance. You can stroll
along the waterfront, pass by the Empress Hotel and Parliament buildings, watch street buskers
perform on sunny days, or stop in at restaurant for a bite to eat.

5. Parliament Buildings
Dominating the south side of the Inner Harbour is the imposing seat of British Columbia's provincial
government, the Parliament Buildings. Designed by Yorkshire architect Francis M. Rattenbury and
erected in 1897, the imposing stone buildings have neat, orderly gardens and are very attractive in
appearance - especially in the evening when lit by festoons of lights.

6. Beacon Hill Park

Green and well tended, Beacon Hill Park is a favorite outdoor area close to the city center. From its
highest point, lovely views look across Juan de Fuca Strait to the snowy peaks of the Olympic
Peninsula.
The park is home to huge trees, gardens, and ponds. Walking trails lead through the park to quiet
benches and areas for peaceful relaxation. You can see a variety of wildlife here, from deer to
peacocks, ducks, and occasionally even an otter. Paths also lead to high points with beautiful views
out over the ocean and mountains.