Voyage to Vancouver
- LaShai H
- Aug 25, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2023
Everything You Need to Plan a Great Trip to Vancouver
Let's get A-W-A-Y to Vancouver! My first trip to Vancouver was a family trip during our kids' spring break. We loved everything about this metropolitan city with picturesque mountain landscapes in the background. The week was spent hiking, biking, and touring the top museums and attractions. We had a great time and I’ll absolutely be back for more exploring soon. If you’re planning on going with your own kiddos, check out my post on things to do in Vancouver with the kiddos. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know to have a great trip in Vancouver for romance, a group trip with friends, or a family vacation.
This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. I independently evaluate all recommended products and services.
ACTIVITIES
Don’t miss these activities on your trip to Vancouver!
It's no secret I'm a huge cycling fan. I love biking beach paths at home and when I'm exploring a new destination, seeing it by bike is twice as fun. We rented bikes at Bikes on Robson. The rates were great, and the bikes were in excellent condition. I loved all of the biking options in Vancouver, especially downtown. The lanes were really spacious and well thought out. This visit definitely had me considering a relocation - which all great locations do! When we weren't checking out the local sites from a rented bike, we made sure to check out the top attractions. There are tons of great outdoor activities and so many things to explore, these are my top 3 recommendations for activities in Vancouver:
1. Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver's largest (1,001 -acre) public park. There is everything here from beaches, trails & family attractions. My family rented bikes from Bikes on Robson and spent an entire afternoon biking around and basking in the scenic views of water, mountains, and trees. This attraction certainly deserves a day or more, so plan ahead for a full day to explore and enjoy.
This historical landmark (built in 1889) is one of the top attractions in Vancouver. In addition to crossing the legendary Suspension Bridge, there are treetop walks and incredible views from the canyon cliffwalk. We underestimated how much time we could spend here, there’s so much more to see than just the bridge.
Looking for a delicious dining experience with incredible views of the city, mountains, and ocean? Look no further. The award-winning Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant was an absolute highlight of our trip. Hubby and I took the opportunity to sneak away from the kiddos for the evening and enjoyed the unobstructed panoramic views of Vancouver. The experience was luxurious and perfectly timed. I really appreciated that we weren’t rushed, and the service felt tailored to appreciating the views and savoring every bite.
One thing we didn't get to do but will absolutely be checking out for our next trip to Canada is visiting Porteau Cove to see the Northern Lights. If you have done this, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought.
WHERE
Planning a Trip to Vancouver? Here’s where you should stay…
We wanted to be near all the action during our trip to Vancouver, so we stayed downtown. Depending on what activities you’re planning, below are my recommendations for hotel accommodations:
This hotel has great suite options with really spacious rooms that are perfect for larger families. While it doesn’t come with free breakfast, you can add the breakfast for a minimal charge or use status in exchange for free breakfast.
Residence Inns are known for catering to travelers staying longer. All the rooms have small kitchenettes perfect for making small meals and traveling on a budget. This hotel also provides a free breakfast which can really help your budget stretch.
Currently ranked among the top hotels and resorts in Vancouver, the Westin Bayshore is located near Stanley Park and offers stunning views of the North Shore Mountains and Harbor. This hotel offers a variety of wellness programs including a state-of-the-art fitness studio.
Affordable
Ways to Save Money on your Voyage to Vancouver!
A family of five can rack up expenses pretty quickly. When planning a trip to Vancouver these are all of the steps I take to save in advance and while on the trip:
1. Grab Groceries -
We were there for a week, and one of the ways we tend to save especially on trips with the kids is to plan out meals and grocery shop. As long as your hotel room has a fridge, you can make most things work. Food is a big expense especially for a family of five, having granola, cereal, oatmeal, etc. has kept us from breaking the bank when we travel. It also lets us reallocate those funds for a really nice date night while we’re out there.
2. Select a Hotel with Free Breakfast
Fair warning- this is going to sound like the recommendation of a true penny pincher… but I’m going to put it out there because one meal can actually be used for two meals and snacks. If your hotel offers breakfast, you’ll often find bread (for toast), jam, and a Nutella, or peanut butter option - you see where I’m going with this right? PB&J Sandwiches! Turn your free hotel breakfast into lunch for at least a couple of your days and snag a couple extra pieces of fruit as a snack. We use this trick all the time and it really does help especially with kids.
3. Use Vancouver Attraction Pass and Book Activities in Advance
Vancouver Planner has a pretty wide variety of deals on local attractions and activities. In addition to saving money, you also have a cheat sheet for the top attractions, and that makes planning even easier.
Your Packing List
Taking a trip to Vancouver? Make sure these items are on your packing list:
Adidas Cloudfoam Shoe- This is my official travel shoe. They are super lightweight and comfortable. I own them in four different colors.
Furtalk Sun Visor- I am obsessed with this sunhat. I own it in multiple colors and take it everywhere.
Rockport Women's Wedge Sandal - This shoe is perfect because you can dress it up or down AND they are super comfortable. Whenever I'll be in warm weather and need a cute sandal - I reach for these.
Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle- Even without hiking on your to-do list, this travel water bottle is super convenient and can clip onto any bag. I use it at the airport to save on those overpriced water bottles.
For plans that include the kiddos, check out Vancouver for kids and subscribe to be the first to know when new posts arrive.
Remember no matter where the road takes you, stay curious, kind, and compassionate.
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