Archie MontroseBest Summer Activities in Vancouver
Vancouver is a city with a lot of good attractions that offer fun and exciting activities.
Summer seems to last forever in Vancouver. The days are long, the weather is warm and sunny, and we can go out almost any day of the week.
You might be thinking about what you’ll do for your summer vacation, but there’s always something fun to do in Vancouver.
Keep reading as we narrow down some of the best summer activities in Vancouver.
Best Summer Activities in Vancouver
The best summer activities in Vancouver are going for a walk on the beach, exploring the city parks, camping, and whale watching.
Keep reading as we’ve listed some of the best places you can go during Vancouver’s summer season!
Dine at English Bay
Aside from English Bay’s stunning views, one of the reasons visitors return is because of the numerous dining options that are open all day.
The first stop is Arike Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in fusing Pacific Northwest ingredients with Nigerian herbs, spices, and flavors.
They offer a wide variety of specialty dishes such as shrimp toast and fish, where they incorporate Nigerian herbs such as ata ata din and moi moi.
Arike Restaurant is also an ideal vegan restaurant as they have a dedicated vegan menu that customers can pair with their rotating selection of natural and locally-sourced wines.
Next up is Café Portrait. This cafe offers classic breakfast options and their specialty Turkish coffee. This cafe is located at 1120 Denman Street and is available for dine-in and takeout orders.
Café Portrait is also an excellent brunch spot as they have an extensive selection of toast, omelets, and pastries.
Now, if you’re craving a classic burger and beer combination, we recommend you drop by CRAFT Beer Market. This establishment houses a wide selection of craft and specialty beer.
Apart from that, they are also a popular burger joint because their burgers are made from naturally-raised beef from Beretta farms. They also have a simple but tasty menu where you can order delicious tacos and flavorful pizzas.
This restaurant is lovely during summer as you are given a clear and bright view of the coast.
Explore Stanley Park
Stanley Park is one of British Columbia’s most well-known public parks, surrounded by Burrard Inlet and English Bay waters.
This park is the ideal location away from Vancouver’s busy city streets, where visitors can explore over 400 hectares of rainforest and enjoy views of the ocean, mountains, and the towering trees along the famous Seawall.
If you’re into gardens, Stanley Park houses over four spacious gardens, namely the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Rock Garden.
These gardens have a diverse collection of rare and unusual plants, Shakespeare trees, flowering bulb displays, and a wide variety of annuals and perennials grown in their nurseries.
No visit to Stanley Park is complete without seeing some of the most famous landmarks, including Prospect Point, Siwash Rock, and many others.
Prospect Point offers spectacular views of the Lions Gate Bridge, the Northshore Mountains, and the Burrard Inlet. If you get tired of exploring the park all day, there is a cafe nearby where you can get something to eat or a cup of coffee.
After that, visit Siwash Rock, located just off the Seawall between Third Beach and the Lions Gate Bridge. This historic site represented a warrior who was turned into stone to ensure his child’s future.
Go Camping in Alice Lake Provincial Park
Alice Lake is a beautiful park with top-notch camping facilities and walking trails. This park is about an hour’s drive from Vancouver, just north of Squamish.
Alice Lake is the perfect place for camping as it offers excellent overnight campground facilities with shower facilities, clean toilets, walking and biking trails, and three beaches.
The campground is located in a spacious forested area, near the beaches where the water is warm and calming. You can also take your inflatable boats or canoes to relax while watching the mountains in front of the park.
The park is surrounded by lush greens, dense forests, and tall mountains. Four freshwater lakes loom the landscape, making it ideal for fishing and swimming.
The trail around the lake is also famous for evening strolls. However, if you’re looking for a more challenging course, you can try the Four Lakes Trail, which is 6 km long.
The cost of a campsite at Alice Lake ranges from CAD 17.50 to CAD 43, depending on the number of people and length of stay.
Go Whale-Watching with Wild Whales
Wild Whales provides a personal and enjoyable whale-watching experience for people of all ages. Since 2003, this Granville Island-based organization has led guided tours to observe and learn about Vancouver’s diverse marine life.
Wild Whales has three types of boats: partially sheltered, open air, and zodiac. As the Strait of Georgia can become particularly windy, we believe it’s best to go with their partly-sheltered boat.
However, for the fearless adventurer, we recommend the zodiac. The best thing about the zodiac is the ride, as you’re given an unobstructed view of the ocean and the marine animals.
The view itself made us regret not taking photography classes as the coastline exploration showcases the open blue sea while scooting along the shores of some beautiful islands and going between them through narrow passages.
Some of the whales and other wildlife you may encounter include killer whales, humpback whales, harbor seals, sea lions, sea birds, and other species such as sea stars, anemones, and a variety of jellyfish.
The cost of whale watching at Wild Whales is CAD 155 for adults, CAD 130 for seniors and students, and CAD 95 for children aged 3 to 12.
However, if you prefer going on a private tour, it’s best to reach out to them by calling 604-699-2011 to inquire about rates and availability.
The only problem with summer activities is that there are so many of them to choose from, which makes it difficult to decide which ones you want to do.
If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver this summer, or if you live there and enjoy the various activities the city has to offer, we hope this list helps you decide what to do in Vancouver during the summer.
In case you’re still wondering what else is there to do in the city, check out our article on the best things to do in Vancouver.
