Whale Watching Tours
Coming to Vancouver? You’ve got a 95% chance of seeing whales
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Your One Stop Vancouver Tourist Guide
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You’ve Got Friends in Vancouver!
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 2025 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 help travellers travel to Vancouver smarter, not harder.
Vancouver Travel Blog Trip Ideas
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Visiting Vancouver in August 2025: Events, Festivals & Things to Do
Vancouver in August is the dream vacation scenario. The constant sunny days and warm weather serve to showcase our amazing outdoor attractions. There are also tons of August events in Vancouver, festivals, and other summer highlights. Let’s take a deeper look at all the best things to do in Vancouver in August. Things to Do […]
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Uncover the Fascinating Gastown Steam Clock: A Must-See Vancouver Treasure
It whistles, it steams, and it’s become one of Vancouver’s quirkiest photo ops. But is the Gastown Steamclock just a tourist gimmick, or is there something more behind the puffs of vapour? Let’s break it down—and see what to see at Gastown Steamclock, and why people keep coming back. What Is Gastown Steamclock? The Gastown […]
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Best Vancouver Whale Watching Tours: Expert Reviews & Tips
Getting in on the best Vancouver whale watching tours is the easiest way to make our city unforgettable. Where else can you see an orca jump clear out of the water and clap down on the mighty Pacific like a gunshot ringing out in the distance? Let’s break down whale watching in Vancouver and find […]
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How to Get to Victoria from Vancouver from $18.50
It looks close enough on the map, but knowing how to get to Victoria from Vancouver can get complicated. There’s four different ways, four different prices, and you could be in there in 30 minutes or take half the day. Let’s take a deeper look at how to get to Victoria with the least hassle […]
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3 Days in Vancouver: Plan the Perfect 3 Day Itinerary
A 3 day Vancouver itinerary can really capture the essence of the city, but you’ve gotta come prepared. That’s where I come in – ready to guide you through planning your three days in Vancouver. I’ll not only suggest what to do in Vancouver in three days but also share my local insights on how […]
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What to Do in One Day in Vancouver: 24 Hours in Vancity
Doing one day in Vancouver? I want to make it the best visit possible, so here’s my promise: Even though it’s just a one day trip I’m going to make sure you soak in the city’s epic nature, eat at the best restaurants, and live and breathe our culture and history like a local. I […]
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10 Things to Do at Grouse Mountain: Top Activities (2025)
As Vancouver’s premier tourist destination, there’s no shortage of things to do at Grouse Mountain. Situated just 20 minutes away from downtown in North Vancouver, this distinguished alpine playground provides a plethora of outdoor adventures, breathtaking vistas, and exquisite dining experiences. The city may momentarily slip from your mind as you immerse yourself in the […]
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4 Days in Vancouver: Plan the Perfect 4 Day Itinerary
Planning a 4 day Vancouver itinerary doesn’t have to be hard, though it might seem that way. That’s why I’m here – a local-born and bred Vancouverite looking to help you spend 4 days in Vancouver like a local. Indeed, our awesome attractions and nifty nature can be done in a way that makes it […]
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2 Days in Vancouver: Plan a Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Spending 2 days in Vancouver is a great way to get your hand on the pulse of our city without going overboard. With this Vancouver weekend itinerary, you can take in the main attractions, have some great local food, and even slot in some epic outdoor escapes that make Vancouver famous. Let’s draw up a […]
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5 Days in Vancouver: Plan the Perfect 5 Day Itinerary
Finding things to do in 5 days in Vancouver doesn’t have to be hard. Of course, whether it’s your first visit or you’re a well-traveled guest, you’ll probably need some local help to get it done. Let’s get right into my 5 day Vancouver itinerary and get your vacation planned! How I Planned This 5 […]
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8 Best Vancouver Food Tours for Signature Local Eats
The best Vancouver food tours are a great way to lock in local delicacies and get up to speed on our city. Of course, with so many culinary tours these days, it can be hard to find the right one. That’s where I come in! Let’s dig deeper into the top Vancouver food tours for […]
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Where to Stay in Vancouver – Best Areas to Stay
If you don’t know where to stay in Vancouver you’re not alone. I was born and raised in the city, and I still don’t know which area I love best. That’s why I’m gonna break down all the best areas to stay in Vancouver so you can find what fits for you. Where to Stay When […]
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Top Victoria Tours from Vancouver | Best Day Trips & Packages 2025
The best day tours from Vancouver to Victoria BC offer the perfect opportunity to explore Vancouver Island hassle-free. That’s why I’ve sifted through dozens of tours to Victoria from Vancouver to find you the best. Let’s break down the top Vancouver to Victoria tour packages on the market. Vancouver to Victoria Day Tours: The Logistics […]
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How Many Days to Visit Vancouver: How Long You Need in 2025
You’ve made a great choice deciding on Vancouver for your next getaway – but how many days do you need to visit Vancouver on your trip? Allow me (and my Vancouver tourist guide) to walk you through a few quick itineraries to help you understand my city better. Let’s break down how many days you […]
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7 Days in Vancouver Itinerary: What to Do in a Week
As a local Vancouverite, I’m super excited to share with you this 7 day Vancouver itinerary that covers some of the best things to see and do in my beautiful city. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this list of what to do in Vancouver in 7 days should provide you with […]
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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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Capilano Suspension Bridge Free Shuttle – How to Get There for Free
Want to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge without paying for an Uber or dealing with public transit? Well, you’re in luck! The park offers a free shuttle from downtown Vancouver, making it one of the easiest day trips from the city. But where does it stop? How often does it run? And do you need […]
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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 […]
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 Travel Guide References
We want to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information when planning your Vancouver trip.
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.
