Vancouver Day Trip,
Great Places around Vancouver

Granville Island

Close to downtown Vancouver, this neighborhood is an absolute “can’t miss it” on your list of things to see in Vancouver. If you’re short on time, you can cut it down to half a day, but you won’t regret spending a whole day on the Island!

Technically a peninsula, as it’s attached to the “mainland” of Vancouver, Granville Island is a scenic, diverse neighborhood with lots to see and do. Wander down Railspur Alley and watch artisans at work through their shop windows, buy fresh fruit and baked goods from the many small stores, look at the floating houses in Sea Village, and listen to the talented buskers at work while relaxing to the smell of the Pacific Ocean and watching the avian life nearby. There’s even a store devoted to all things medieval and fairytale! Granville Island is also home to a local brewery, the Granville Island Brewing Company, with tours available and cheap, yet delicious, beer samples.

This You Tube video shows some of the highlights in and around Granville Island.

Every type of food imaginable is sold somewhere on the island, it seems! Restaurants from cheap hole-in-the-walls to fine dining do business there, along with specialty shops for fudge, cheese, sausages, or almost anything else you crave. Check out the Granville Island Public Market, located in the northwest of the island, between 9 AM and 7 PM for some amazing food and interesting goods of all sorts.

If you grab food to go, you can sit and watch the Vancouver skyline, but beware of the sometimes-aggressive critters that try to steal your food, including bold seagulls and pigeons.

The island has clear maps posted in many places around the small area, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost.

Best of all, Granville Island doesn’t charge any kind of admission fee, and you can even enjoy the day for free if you’ve spent all your money on Vancouver’s other, higher-priced attractions. Good luck walking out of the Public Market without purchasing anything from the many tempting food stalls, though!

Victoria

Victoria BC is a beautiful city and a very fun day trip that tourists (and Vancouver residents) of all ages can enjoy. Walk down to the Inner Harbour and buy something from the merchants and artists with stalls set on their blankets, see the Empress Hotel, visit Beacon Hill Park, and see the Miniature World. There’s so much to do in Victoria that you could easily spend more than one day there.

If you have a car, take the BC Ferries route from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and ride the ferry to Swartz Bay, then drive along Highway 17 until you reach Victoria. It will take 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic and your driving speed. You can also take prearranged bus tours that will take care of transportation from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, or use public transportation and save money.

The visitor centre in Victoria is comprehensive, has enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, and is really worth spending a little time in. They’ll give you a map and information about all the attractions you shouldn’t miss while you’re there.

One unsung but incredible attraction is a simple ice cream shop called the Beacon Drive-In. You have never tasted better soft-serve ice cream! Ask for directions -- the locals know where it is, and for good reason.

The stores in downtown Victoria are neat to wander around, as there are unique little locations that you won’t find anywhere else. You can find all kinds of souvenirs here, from intricate woodwork to maple sugar candies.

Many different whale-watching and sightseeing tours are available, so if you have a little extra cash, consider taking part in one just for the novelty.

Food isn’t a problem in Victoria. Just like Vancouver, Victoria is filled with many different and unique places to eat, and there’s sure to be a delicious restaurant for your budget in any given area.

With its British charm and quaint yet lovable atmosphere, Victoria will no doubt make an enjoyable day trip from Vancouver!

Whistler

While some people say Whistler has a tourist trap feeling to it, don’t let that scare you away. With a few simple tips, you can avoid the Whistler tourist traps and have a blast at this top-class ski resort. If you love the outdoors, you’ll fall in love with Whistler. It’s such a hot spot that it was selected to host several of the events at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Two amazing mountains with the largest skiing area in North America offer skiers and snowboarders endless entertainment during the winter. The Whistler trail will give your legs a workout (and your eyes a treat -- the view is gorgeous!) if you climb it in the summer. Mountain-biking, zip-lining, fishing, kayaking, and other opportunities exist too.

You can get to Whistler by train (but watch out, the fares are pricey), bus, or car. If you go by car, budget as much as $20/day for parking fees at the ski resorts, though. The drive is scenic and easy -- just take the Trans-Canada Highway north to Horseshoe Bay, then take the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.

The tourist traps here are mainly the restaurants and prices. If you want to, try avoiding the restaurants with expensive food and cook it yourself. In the Whistler Village North, there’s an IGA grocery store with plenty to choose from, and most hotels have microwaves. To save money, go the last week that both mountains are open in May, and you’ll get to try both summer and winter sports. Regardless of when you go, you’re sure to love Whistler.

Map of Vancouver Day Trips

Granville Island Victoria Whistler

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