How to spend 2 days in Vancouver
5 months in the pipeline, 8 weeks of skiing ahead, a 9.5-hour flight and I’m in Vancouver. I first flew here 5 years ago as my last working flight for British Airways. I had the privilege of sitting in the cockpit during landing and the views of the surrounding mountains were incredible! With only a short time before heading north to Whistler to start my 8-week ski instructor course with AllTracks Academy, I wanted to explore the city. Here are my best tips and recommendations for spending 2 days in Vancouver.
How to get to Vancouver
My flight from London Heathrow arrived at Vancouver Airport around 4 pm mid-February. To get into the city, catch the SkyTrain via the Canada Line and get off at Vancouver City Centre. This 20 – 25 minute one-way trip costs $9.35 CAD and takes you into the heart of the city.
Where to stay
YWCA
When I arrived in the city, I made the 10-minute walk from the City Centre station to my accommodation, the YWCA. This hotel sits on Beatty Street and is a good location to base yourself for a couple of days.
Cambie Hostel
For a cheaper option, stay at the Cambie Hostel in Gastown. There are private and dorm options to choose from and although it’s a very basic set-up, it’s ideal for a night or two. Plus, as a hostel guest, you get priority access to the bar downstairs. This thriving bar is open till 3 am, food and drinks are served till late and there’s often live music or a DJ playing. For those not keen on staying up into the early morning, I’d advise bringing earplugs! It was the ideal stay for our 20 strong collective when we came to Vancouver for the weekend for an ice hockey game.
Where to eat
La Taqueria Pinche
Prepare yourself for the best tacos outside of Mexico! This little restaurant is a true hidden gem. I’d recommend 2-3 tacos per person, especially the Barrira (beef) and Mole (chocolate chicken) and a healthy portion of nachos. Plus, you can’t leave this place without a margarita! To really finish yourself off, grab a portion of churros for a sweet cinnamon end.
Bao Bei
Situated in the centre of Chinatown, Bao Bei is the place to go for delicious Bao Buns. The menu is small, but each dish is packed with flavour and unexpected textures. It’s a small plate set up so get ready to share but it’s a great way to try more of the menu. Although, be prepared for an expensive dinner, especially if you’re starving as the quantities aren’t fully representative of the price. I’d highly recommend trying the Crispy Tofu which comes with a tasty sweet hoisin sauce, the crispy fried chicken, Pork Dumplings, Mantou Bao Buns and finally the Sticky Rice Cake – an interesting texture I was not expecting!
Steamworks
If you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, head to Steamworks. This restaurant and bar host a wealth of menu options from pizza, salad, burgers, and pasta. It’s a much bigger place than you expect, spread across multiple rooms and floors so is ideal for a large group.
Revolver Coffee
Need somewhere to shelter from the rain or the perfect accompaniment to a waterfront stroll? Stop by Revolver for a smooth coffee & slice of banana bread. This small coffee shop is just opposite the Cambie Hostel, so a necessary visit if you’ve had a late night!
Twisted Fork
On the hunt for brunch and Twisted Fork looks like the perfect Insta-worthy spot. I sadly didn’t get to try it when I first visited as the wait was too long on a Sunday morning. However, I managed a solo brunch when I returned to the city and its popularity shows it’s worth a visit.
The Birds and Beets
After the first failed attempt at brunch at Twisted Fork, we stumbled across The Birds and Beets, a cosy, plant-filled cafe. I’d recommend getting the poached eggs and avocado on their homemade bread for a delicious way to start your day.
Lift Bar & Grill
During a recent visit to Vancouver, I had the pleasure of enjoying rosé by the waterfront. Lift is the perfect location for some sunset drinks and dinner while you watch the shimmering water.
Di Beppe
Another good dinner spot, particularly if you’re in the mood for Italian, is Di Beppe. This little restaurant and cafe serve delicious Italian cuisine including the scrummiest Carbonara. I took myself on a solo date when I had 2 days in Vancouver and even enjoyed a glad of their natural wine that’s selected every Monday and Tuesday evening.
Alternative Foodie Options:
As a foodie, I’ve always got a list of places to eat and delicacies to try. Here’s a list of restaurants and cafes I’m yet to make it to in Vancouver but have been recommended through peer’s blog posts.
- Mom’s Grilled Cheese; Food truck.
- Stepho’s Greek; Davie Street and Robson’s Street.
- Cafe Calabria; Valentine’s decor.
- La Casita; Mexican in Gastown.
- Swiss Bakery; Get a Frissant (fritter and croissant).
- Sal y Limon; Mexican.
- Craft breweries; East Vancouver.
- Commercial Drive; Marketed as “Little Italy”.
- Buddha-Full Provisions; North Vancouver.
- Butter Baked Goods; Point Grey neighbourhood.
- Jam Cafe; Brunch (get there early).
- Rain or Shine; Ice cream.
What to do with 2 days in Vancouver
With only 2 days in Vancouver, you’ll need to prioritise what you want to see and do. Below is a variety of activities to choose from, but the top 3 I implore you to visit are; walk Stanley Park (at least part of it), grab a bite to eat at Granville Island, and explore the treetops of Capilano Suspension Bridge. With those ticked off, the rest is up to you.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver’s first, and largest, urban park in the city. With a mass of green space and surrounding seawall, this park is a great escape from city life. It takes roughly 2-3 hours to walk the circumference, or roughly an hour to cycle it. Wandering this great park is an ideal way to spend an afternoon, particularly on a sunny day.
As you make your way around, keep your eyes peeled for the Totem Poles on the east side, and the Lions Gate Bridge that connects Downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver. To walk across the bridge, take the short trail behind the cafe.
Walking this far, it’s only right to enjoy a break with a delicious almond croissant from Granville Island.
Granville Island
Granville Island is a foodie’s heaven. This public market has stalls of everything you could possibly want to devour. There’s fresh fruit and veg, meats, cheeses, bagels and plenty of meal and snack options. I opted for falafel souvlaki from the Greek stall and enjoyed it while overlooking the harbour.
There are also clothing and accessory shops that surround the public market and with a view of the city beyond, you could easily spend hours here trying different dishes and people watching.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
5 years on and I couldn’t help but visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge again. Tucked away in the forest, just north of Vancouver, is a place where you can walk among the trees.
During the winter, the forest shines with thousands of fairy lights. The team spends 3 months putting them up and 3 months taking them down.
With the purchase of your ticket, you can take the free 20-minute shuttle ride from Vancouver city centre to the attraction’s entrance. Then enjoy 2-3 hours of wandering through the forest, across the suspension bridge, and among the high trees.
Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge
An alternative free option, but I’m yet to visit, is Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge. Although it’s further from the city centre, there are multiple ways to get there. From Downtown Vancouver take the sea bus across to the Lonsdale Quay bus loop and take either bus #228, or #229.
Bus #228 will take you to Lynn Valley Center, which is about a 15-minute walk from Lynn Canyon Park’s main entrance. Bus #229 will also take you to Lynn Valley Centre. You then have to transfer to Bus #227 to be taken directly to Lynn Canyon Park’s main entrance.
It is suggested to walk the 15 minutes to the park entrance as Bus #227 is a smaller community shuttle.
Wander around the City
You don’t have to wander far in Vancouver to come across some iconic landmarks. With so many dotted around the city, you can easily make a game out of who can spot the most!
- Canada Place; Iconic white sails.
- Artwork around the city: Digital Orca, A-maze-ing Laughter, Wall for Women, Pink Alley, Davie Street Rainbow Crosswalk.
- Gastown Steam Clock; a steam-powered clock that goes off every 15 minutes.
- Flat Iron Building.
Ice Hockey Game
No trip to Vancouver is complete without watching a sports game! One weekend, we organised a trip to Vancouver to watch the Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames. It was a great experience with all 20 of us in a gigantic stadium all cheering for Vancouver’s home team.
Additional Ideas for 2 days in Vancouver
Likewise, in my true researcher ways, I’ve compiled a list of recommended activities and attractions around the city. 2 days in Vancouver is plenty to see the keys parts, but if you’re staying for longer or looking for more inspiration, take a look at the options below:
- Vancouver Aquarium; Located in Stanley Park.
- Grouse Mountain; summer hike, winter skiing.
- Museum of Anthropology; Open 10am-5pm, adult ticket is $15, 30 min bus from downtown, need 2 hours to wander around.
- Vancouver Lookout; A 360-degree view of the city.
- Vancouver Art Gallery; Open 10am – 5pm most days, an adult ticket is $24.
- Crab Park; A waterfront walk with a view of the Vancouver skyline.
- Lighthouse Park; West Vancouver
- Olympic Cauldron; Near Canada Place
- Brockton Point Lighthouse
- Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden; the Adult ticket is $35
- Vancouver Public Library
Although the list is endless of things to do and see in Vancouver, you can easily cram the highlights into 2 days.
For more Candian content, follow me on Instagram @ellielwilliams. For more wanderlust, check out my travel tips and highlights here.
Els x
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