Vancouver

Canada's Pacific gateway city, featuring stunning natural beauty with mountains and ocean, world-class dining, and multicultural neighborhoods. It's just north of the US border and offers an excellent complement to Pacific Northwest exploration.

Things to do

• Stanley Park Seawall — Walk or cycle the iconic 9-km waterfront loop offering views of mountains, ocean, and city skyline with access to beaches and forest trails.
• Granville Island Public Market — Browse local produce, artisan goods, and street food in this lively former industrial area connected to the city by a scenic False Creek location.
• Museum of Anthropology — Explore one of North America's finest collections of Indigenous art and artifacts from Pacific Northwest First Nations housed on the UBC campus.
• Capilano Suspension Bridge — Cross the historic 140-meter bridge suspended 70 meters above Capilano River in a temperate rainforest setting with treetop walks and nature trails.
• Vancouver Aquarium — Experience Pacific marine life including beluga whales, sea otters, and jellyfish in Stanley Park with interactive exhibits and daily shows.
• Chinatown Heritage Walking Tour — Discover Canada's oldest Chinatown with historic architecture, dim sum restaurants, and cultural landmarks dating back to the 1880s.

Food to try

• Dim Sum — Traditional Cantonese small plates including har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai served cart-style at restaurants throughout Chinatown and Richmond.
• Wild Salmon — Locally caught Pacific salmon prepared grilled, smoked, or in poke bowls, showcasing the region's abundant seafood heritage.
• Nanaimo Bar — British Columbia's iconic three-layer dessert of chocolate, custard, and coconut that originated on Vancouver Island and is found in every local bakery.
• Spot Prawns — Sweet, delicate wild Pacific prawns available fresh in spring, often served simply grilled or in pasta at seafood restaurants.
• BC Roll — A Japanese-Canadian sushi roll invented in Vancouver featuring avocado, crab, and cucumber, now a staple at local sushi restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Remove Shoes Indoors — In many homes and some establishments, removing shoes when entering is standard practice reflecting both Asian cultural influence and practical Pacific Northwest living.
• Multicultural Respect — Vancouver's diverse neighborhoods including Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Latin American communities are best experienced respectfully by supporting local businesses and learning about their heritage.
• Outdoor Recreation Etiquette — Hikers and cyclists share trails with a strong 'leave no trace' culture; stay on marked paths and respect First Nations territories where indicated.
• Rainy Season Acceptance — Locals embrace drizzly weather year-round and expect visitors to do the same; 'there's no bad weather, only bad clothing' is a common mindset.