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Twin brothers, born and raised in Vancouver, with a passion for travel and a passion for our city.
With this free Vancouver travel guide we wanna offer one stop shopping for your Vancouver trip planning – if something’s missing, just drop us a line.
Anyway, let’s start planning your visit… I have a feeling we’re going to get to know each other along the way!
Your 2026 Vancouver Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Vancouver? You’re in the right place.
Vancouver Planner is a Vancouver travel guide for first time visitors or returning veterans — created by locals who live, work, and explore this city every day.
Whether you’re looking for expert Vancouver travel tips, custom itineraries, or just a few Vancouver trip ideas to get started, we’ve got you covered.
We make travel to Vancouver smarter, not harder.
Vancouver Travel Blog Trip Ideas
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9 Best Places to See on Vancouver Island in 2026
There’s no shortage of beauty on Vancouver Island—but which stops are actually worth your time? This list of the best places to see on Vancouver Island skips the fluff and gets straight to the good stuff. Planning a trip here can feel like guessing a restaurant based on the outside menu—how do you know what’s […]
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A Calgary to Vancouver Road Trip: Enjoy Canada’s Most Scenic Drive
A Calgary to Vancouver road trip feels like pure summer. Maybe it’s the fresh mountain air or the way the lakes glow in the sun. Either way, the scenery just keeps coming. You’ll hit mountain towns, Okanagan beaches, and end with ocean views in Vancouver. It’s wild, sunny, and full of places you’ll want to […]
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Whistler Village: The Heart of Canada’s Best Mountain Town
Whistler Village isn’t just a ski resort—it’s a year-round adventure hub. Whether you’re into skiing, hiking, shopping, or just soaking in the mountain vibes, this place has it all. But is it worth visiting if you’re not a skier? And what makes it different from other alpine villages? Let’s break it down. What Is Whistler […]
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15 Best Day Trips From Vancouver Canada
Residents proudly boast about our city, but I can’t not mention the best day trips from Vancouver. Whether you label it a weekend retreat, a Vancouver escape, or a departure from city life, we have access to some of the most picturesque locations in the country, just a few hours away. So, here’s to my […]
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Visit the FlyOver Canada 4D Experience
The FlyOver Canada 4D flight simulator is a popular attraction that will virtually transport you across the Great White North in less time than it takes to whip up a plate of poutine. You’ll get an up-close-and-personal view of Canada’s most notable landmarks, including Canada’s Arctic, Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, and more. Perfect for […]
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Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Visit Guide (2026)
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers a unique blend of adventure and natural beauty. In fact, I’m not completely sure, but this might be the world’s only nature theme park. But is it too shaky for the common visitor? Let’s look at what to see at Capilano Suspension Bridge – and decide if you’re going to […]
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Best Places to Eat Near Capilano Suspension Bridge
Looking to round out your visit by having a great meal at the best places to eat near Capilano Suspension Bridge? Allow us to break down a few great choices depending on your tastes, budget, and tolerance for chocolate – I’m even going to cover vegetarian options as well. Let’s take a deeper look. ⚠️ […]
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The Top Tours of Butchart Gardens from Vancouver (2026 Reviews)
Butchart Gardens tours from Vancouver offer a great break to quell the noise. That said, this botanical paradise can be tricky to reach from Vancouver – but with a bit of planning, we’ll get there in the end. Here’s how to set up Butchart Gardens day trips from Vancouver. Planning Day Tours to Butchart Gardens […]
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Is There Free Parking at Grouse Mountain? A User’s Guide
Grouse Mountain sits about 13 km north of downtown Vancouver, which already raises a fair question for visitors. Not to mention, mountain attractions and free parking rarely travel together. So let’s clear this up properly. Is parking included, limited, or a sneaky extra fee? More importantly, can you arrive without overthinking it and still enjoy […]
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What to Do in Vancouver Before a Cruise in 2026
You’ve got a few hours and you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver before a cruise. Luckily, Vancouver’s cruise terminal sits right at the edge of downtown, so you’re basically stepping right into the heart of the city. But what’s actually worth doing before a cruise? What’s fun but not exhausting? What’s close enough that […]
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Weather in Vancouver in December: What to Expect + Wear (2026) 🎄
The weather in Vancouver in December is cool, rainy, and perfectly festive. While you won’t get piles of snow like in the rest of Canada, there’s a definite winter feel. Let’s take a deeper look at Vancouver’s weather in December for those visiting during the holidays. ☀️ Vancouver Weather in December: What to Expect There […]
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21 Vancouver Summer Activities + 2026 Summer Festivals
For the best things to do in Vancouver in summer, explore a mix of beaches, mountains, food, culture, and the chance to spot a whale or bear. With the rainy days behind, summers in Vancouver mean the British Columbia rains are long gone, let’s plan for sun-kissed adventures and delightful splashes. Here are the absolute […]
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Planning A Day Trip from Vancouver to Squamish
A day trip to Squamish from Vancouver is an easy way to escape the city and experience stunning landscapes. This small town, nestled between the mountains and the ocean, offers everything from outdoor adventures to great local eats. But is it really worth taking a full day for this trip? Let’s break down everything you […]
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Hop On Hop Off Bus Vancouver: Sightseeing Tourist Bus Guide
The Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour is an efficient, affordable, and convenient way for you to discover the city’s most stunning attractions. In this article I’m going to show you what’s included with this sightseeing bus, and how to make the most of your trip. Let’s hop on and see if it’s right […]
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Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge
Have you ever dreamed of exploring a rainforest from high above the ground, walking among ancient trees and experiencing nature from a unique vantage point? At Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the Treetops Adventure offers just that. In this post, I’ll delve into what makes the Treetops Adventure a must-visit attraction, provide a sneak preview […]
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30 Best Things to Do in Vancouver: Top Attractions (2026)
I’ve been chasing the best things to do in Vancouver since I was a kid – back when feeding squirrels in Stanley Park and hiking forest trails were the peak of my weekend thrills. These days? I’ve added cocktails, cuisine, and culture to the mix. Whether you’re a first-timer or a local looking for fresh […]
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Fisherman’s Wharf Victoria: Floating Homes, Seals & Seafood
Tucked along the waterfront near downtown, Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the city’s most unique spots. Picture floating homes, fresh seafood, and playful seals all in one place. It’s a working marina but also a vibrant attraction full of quirky charm. But is it just a tourist trap? Or is there something truly special […]
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Is Capilano Suspension Bridge Free?
Many visitors to Vancouver wonder: Is Capilano Suspension Bridge free? While the main Capilano Suspension Bridge Park requires paid admission, there are a few ways to visit for free or at a discount. So, are there any loopholes? Does the free shuttle mean free entry? And what about the nearby Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge? Let’s […]
Our Vancouver Travel Advice Promise:
We Answer Your Vancouver Tourist Questions
In this section you’ll find deep cut answers to all your tourist questions.
Where to eat near the Capilano Suspension Bridge?
Is it better to visit Grouse Mountain or the Sea to Sky Gondola?
What’s the best local treat to try at Granville Island? We’ve got all the answers.
Why Trust This Vancouver Travel Blog?
Vancouver Planner isn’t run by a content agency or AI tool – it’s a 100% locally written and managed travel blog.
It’s created by real people who live in Vancouver, explore it daily, and share what we genuinely love (and sometimes avoid!) about the city.
Over the past 30+ years, we’ve spent thousands of hours:
- 🚶 Walking the city’s best neighbourhoods
- 🍴 Eating at Vancouver’s best restaurants
- 🎡 Testing out Vancouver’s top attractions
- 🗒️ Building epic Vancouver itineraries
Everything on this travel blog is written from first-hand experience, not repurposed from other sites or scraped from generic travel lists.
Vancouver Travel Tips from the Pros
We’re not afraid to give real advice – whether that means finding Vancouver’s hidden gems, or sharing what food Vancouver is known for (yes, we’re talking about more than just restaurants in Gastown).
This Vancouver travel tips site exists to help you travel to Vancouver smarter — with the same advice we’d give our own visiting friends.
We update this blog regularly, and we walk the talk.
The tips and recommendations you’ll find here aren’t just Googleable — they’re lived, tested, and updated by people who call Vancouver home.
So whether you’re looking for:
- 🙌 A reliable Vancouver travel guide
- 🧠 Expert travel tips from locals
- 💡 Fresh, original Vancouver trip ideas
… we’ve got you covered 🤝
How to Plan a Trip to Vancouver
Planning a trip to Vancouver?
Here’s what you need to know to get it right from the start…
1. Choose the Best Time to Visit
Vancouver shines in every season, but picking the best time to visit Vancouver is an essential first step.
- 🌸 Spring in Vancouver brings cherry blossoms and lighter crowds
- 🌞 Summer in Vancouver is perfect for beach days, open-air concerts, and patio dining
- 🍂 Fall in Vancouver, the city glows with colour and crisp mountain air
- ⛷️ Winter in Vancouver transforms nearby mountains into ski havens while the city stays mild
2. Get to Know the Attractions
There’s a ton of stuff to do in Vancouver, but you’ll probably focus on:
- 🏔️ Grouse Mountain
- ⛩️ Capilano Suspension Bridge
- 🌳 Stanley Park
- 🐳 Whale Watching
- 🍔 Granville Island
- 🏛️ The Museum of Anthropology
3. Build Your Itinerary
With so much to see and do, your Vancouver trip plan should balance the big highlights with a few hidden gems.
Here’s our tailored itineraries depending on how much time you have:
- 🔥 One day in Vancouver
- 🔥 Two days in Vancouver
- 🔥 Three days in Vancouver
- 🔥 Four days in Vancouver
- 🔥 Five days in Vancouver
- 🔥 Seven days in Vancouver
4. Get Around Like a Local
A travel guide to Vancouver wouldn’t be complete without guides on how to get around Vancouver – so you can make every minute count.
This includes:
- 🚌 The Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Bus to maximize time
- ⛴️ A guide on How to Get to Victoria from Vancouver for that perfect day trip escape
- 🎿 A guide on How to Get to Whistler from Vancouver whether it’s winter skiing or summer getaways
- 🚢 All the Vancouver Cruise Terminal info a cruiser could ever need
5. What to Know Before You Go
We wouldn’t be the best Vancouver travel guide around if we didn’t show you some other tricks of the trade:
- 🚸 How to visit Vancouver with kids like a local parent
- 🎉 The best Vancouver festivals for any time of year
- 🛍️ The best shopping in Vancouver whether it’s souvenirs or high-end fashion
- 🏨 All the The best hotels in Vancouver for all budgets
If you’re still stuck — just write us! We get back to everybody.
Planning a trip to Vancouver BC doesn’t have to be hard.
Let’s go! 🤝
Our Vancouver Trip Planner References
We want to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information when planning travel to Vancouver.
That’s why we back up our experiences by fact checking every detail.
We get all our essential history/price/time info from official resources like:
- 🏙️ City of Vancouver Official Website – for city services, local laws, and public amenities
- 🚉 TransLink – for SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus transit planning
- 🧭 Destination Vancouver – for official tourism updates and events
- 📖 Wikipedia – Vancouver – for history, demographics, and general knowledge
- ⛴️ BC Ferries – for ferry schedules to Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Gulf Islands
- ✈️ Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – for airport details and flight info
These external sites are not affiliated with Vancouver Planner but provide helpful context and logistical info to round out your travel research.
