April 24, 2027 · Vancouver, BC

Chris & Emily

We're so glad you're coming. Many of you are travelling a long way to celebrate with us, so we've put together our favourite things about Vancouver to help you turn the trip into a proper holiday. Make a week of it — the city in spring is worth it.

Things to do

Stanley Park & the Seawall

Rent a bike and loop the seawall — ocean on one side, thousand-year-old cedars on the other. Budget two to three unhurried hours, and detour to the totem poles at Brockton Point.

Granville Island

Hop a tiny Aquabus ferry across False Creek to the public market: fresh food stalls, artisan studios, buskers, and the best people-watching in the city.

The North Shore mountains

Capilano Suspension Bridge is the famous one; Lynn Canyon has a free suspension bridge in a beautiful rainforest. Grouse Mountain's gondola gives you the whole city at your feet.

Gastown & downtown

Cobblestone streets, the steam clock, and great shopping. Add the Museum of Anthropology at UBC if you want the single best museum in the city, or Science World with kids in tow.

Cherry blossoms & gardens

Late April is peak bloom season — whole streets turn pink. VanDusen Botanical Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park are both gorgeous, and the views from QE Park are free.

Neighbourhood wandering

Kitsilano for beaches and brunch, Main Street and Mount Pleasant for craft breweries and vintage shops, Commercial Drive for coffee and character.

Eat & drink

Sushi, everywhere

Vancouver has some of the best (and best-value) sushi outside Japan. You almost can't go wrong — even the corner spots are good.

Dim sum in Richmond

Richmond has North America's best Cantonese food. Go hungry, go with a group, and order too much.

Ramen on Robson

The blocks of Robson west of Denman are a mini ramen district — perfect for a rainy evening.

Craft beer in Mount Pleasant

A dozen breweries within walking distance of each other around Main Street — Brassneck and 33 Acres are favourites.

Day trips

Staying a few extra days? These are the trips we'd pick first.

Whistler

Two hours up the Sea-to-Sky Highway — one of the most scenic drives anywhere. In late April you can ski in the morning and stroll the village patio scene in the afternoon.

Squamish

Halfway to Whistler. Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for fjord views, or walk to Shannon Falls. An easy half-day if a full Whistler day feels like too much.

Victoria & Butchart Gardens

Ferry across to Vancouver Island for the province's charming capital and world-famous gardens. It's a long day — consider an overnight if you have the time.

Steveston Village

A historic fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser, 40 minutes away. Fish and chips on the wharf, seals in the harbour, and a slower pace for a lazy afternoon.

Good to know

Getting here

Fly into Vancouver International (YVR). The Canada Line SkyTrain runs from the airport to downtown in about 25 minutes — no car needed if you're staying central.

Getting around

Transit is easy: tap a credit card directly on SkyTrain and buses. Downtown, Gastown, and Stanley Park are all walkable from most hotels.

April weather

Expect 8–15°C, sunshine mixed with showers. Pack layers and a rain jacket over an umbrella — locals barely use them.

Money matters

Canadian dollars, cards accepted everywhere. Tipping runs 15–20% in restaurants, similar to the US.