Archie MontroseNon-touristy Things to Do in Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the most popular destinations in Canada to visit and is known for its beautiful scenery. If you want to enjoy the city as the locals do, we’ve listed some of the best activities you can experience!
So for those that want to get away from the crowds and popular tourist spots, this article is for you!
Non-touristy Things to Do in Vancouver
Exploring Vancouver as a local entails taking public transportation, hiking the city’s mountains, shopping at local markets, and volunteering for local causes.
1. Ride the Aquabus
Image by Flickr via https://www.flickr.com/
If you’ve ever seen colorful boats in False Creek, you’re probably curious about where they go.
Those are Aquabuses, one of the most efficient transportation methods across False Creek. The ferry provides transportation and sightseeing services, with eight docks quickly transporting commuters across the vast water area toward the other side.
The ferries and docks welcome pets and are wheelchair accessible. In addition, all of their docks have plenty of paid parking spots.
Granville Island is one of the most well-known landmarks accessible by the Aquabus. It’s renowned for its diverse dining options, charming cafes and bakeries, and vibrant art and nightlife.
The Aquabus also takes commuters to David Lam Park, where they can take a peaceful walk or relax in nature. This revitalizing green space is located at 1300 Pacific Boulevard and features spacious grassy areas ideal for lounging or having a picnic.
Tips
- If you’re a cyclist, you’ll be glad to know that aquabuses can hold bikes.
- Aquabuses are pet-friendly as long as you keep them on a leash.
- They accept almost all major credit and debit cards on board, so you won’t have to worry about not carrying any cash with you.
2. Drive in Style with Sea to Sky Exotic Driving Experience
Image by Scenic Rush via https://scenicrush.com/sea-to-sky-experience
Take a 3-hour exotic car driving experience to one of the most picturesque roads in the world with the Sea to Sky Exotic Driving Experience.
This is no ordinary stroll through the city’s streets; you’ll experience Bond-style driving of four supercars, including a Ferrari, Audi, Porsche, and a Lamborghini, all for CAD 795.
The staff are friendly and give drivers a quick briefing in their headquarters before they depart. This self-driven driving experience includes scenic coastlines from West Vancouver to Squamish or Whistler, making it ideal for a date or if you simply want to drive in style.
The Sea to Sky Exotic Driving Experience offers a complimentary hotel shuttle service for out-of-town guests. Pick-ups are in downtown Vancouver, the North Shore, and Waterfront Station at 601 W Cordova Street.
This location is also nearby some of the best ski resorts in the city, namely Mount Seymour and Grouse Mountain.
Tips
- Children aged 9 to 12 can ride free of charge.
- They don’t offer rentals or self-guided tours, so you must follow the group.
- Check the weather forecast before your trip because they will reschedule your reservation if the weather is bad.
- Weekends get booked fast, so we recommend you book as early as possible to reserve your slot.
3. Hike the Grouse Grind
Image by Grouse Mountain via https://www.grousemountain.com/
We must admit that the Grouse Grind is not for inexperienced hikers, but it is well worth the effort if you want to join the Vancouverites who do this every week to exercise.
This 2.5-kilometer trail climbs the face of Grouse Mountain and is known as Mother Nature’s Stairmaster due to the physical strength and endurance required to reach the top.
The trail begins on the east side of the Grouse Mountain Gondola, where you can stretch before starting your hike. After passing through the gate and crossing the bridge, you can begin your journey.
When you’re finished, head to the Grouse Mountain Chalet and purchase a Gondola ride ticket so you can head down and take a quick meal at a brunch spot like Altitudes Bistro or have a cup of joe at the Grouse Grind Coffee bar.
Tips
- The Grouse Grind is a one-way trail, so if you don’t want to pay for a Skyride ticket, you can also consider descending the BCMC trail.
- You can consider taking a walking stick to help you ascend the Grouse Grind.
- Bring plenty of water bottles, as this hike is not an easy challenge!
4. Shop at the Richmond Night Market
Image by Tourism Richmond via https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/
The Richmond Night Market is the largest night market in North America that runs on weekends and is a beloved event by Vancouverites.
If you plan to go here, make sure you go hungry as you’d want to try everything in sight with over 70 food and 100 retail stalls to choose from.
This night market is packed with gourmet food stands, providing a wide variety of food choices for people of all ages. There are also a lot of tasty Asian food stalls, vegetarian restaurants, and fast food options.
There’s also nightly live music and entertainment, carnival rides, and fair food games, but get there early because parking spots fill up quickly.
Tips
- It’s best to arrive early as parking slots run out fast.
- If you’re going to the Richmond Night Market, we recommend getting a Sweet Deals Coupon Book, which contains a lot of discounts that you can use at the market.
5. Participate in Zero Waste Vancouver
Image by Recycling BC via https://twitter.com/recyclingbc
There’s no better way to get involved than joining an important local cause. If you’re looking for a unique way to blend in with the locals, volunteer in Zero Waste Vancouver.
This local organization has numerous volunteer opportunities to promote Vancouver’s Zero Waste 2040 plan.
One way to get involved is to organize a neighborhood clean-up party where the city council provides all of the necessary tools, such as garbage bags, gloves, and other cleaning supplies. They will also pick up the waste you have collected.
Vancouver also has reuse and recycling drop-off events if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of your trash.
Bath towels, clothing, bicycles in good condition, home accessories, phones, and small household appliances are among the items you can donate. These will be recycled and reused to avoid ending up in a landfill.
Tips
- Bring your own water bottles! Community clean-ups can get tiring, especially when the weather is hot.
- If you’re a student, we recommend participating in the TRASHformation art challenge, where you can showcase your artistic abilities while raising environmental awareness.
That brings us to the end of our article on non-touristy things to do in Vancouver. Remember, if you want to experience the city in a unique way, interact with the locals to learn about the best ways to explore the city.
Now, just in case you’re still looking for more activities to do in Vancouver, check out these helpful articles:
