Archie MontroseVancouver is an outdoor lover’s gateway to adventure. With its towering mountains and the Pacific Ocean right at your doorstep, it’s no wonder that so many who flock to Vancouver are outdoor enthusiasts.
However, Vancouver also gets more than its fair share of rain. On average, Vancouver gets more than 160 days of rain per year.
And while locals don’t typically let the rain ruin their good time, countless days of rain can make hiking slippery and dangerous. This can seriously dampen the moods of tourists who might not be as enthusiastic about getting wet as the locals are.
What to Do in Vancouver When It Rains
So if you’ve come to Vancouver only to be greeted by grey skies, there’s no need to call off your trip. There are still plenty of activities to choose from!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of a few indoor wet-weather options so that you can still soak up all of what Vancouver has to offer, all without having to get your feet wet.
Read on to find out what you can do for fun in Vancouver when it rains.
Go Outside Anyway
Vancouverites don’t shy away from the rain, so if you’re visiting, do as the locals do and venture outside anyway. Just be sure to pack an umbrella. Visit parks like Lynn Canyon and Capilano Park, which offer plenty of cover underneath the towering trees.
Go to a Hockey Game
If it’s just too wet for your liking, shelter indoors. The National Hockey Leagues season runs from October to April, and you can purchase tickets to see Vancouver’s hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks directly from the website.
Go on a Pub Crawl
Drown your rainy day blues in a pint or a glass of wine. British Columbia is home to countless microbreweries and wineries, so spend the day sampling and finding a new favourite. Gastown, Coal Harbour, and Yaletown are lined with pubs to choose from.
Go North
During the winter months, rain in the city often means snow on the mountain, so pack your gear and head north! You can enjoy a day of snowboarding, skiing on the slopes, or strap on a pair of snowshoes and go exploring Mount Seymour’s many trails.
Go Shopping
There are plenty of designer outlets, independent boutiques and quirky furniture shops to be found in Vancouver. Get your fix in Yaletown, the Metrotown Mall, or any of the shops that line Robson and Alberni Streets.
Go to a Music or Comedy Show
Given its reputation as ‘Hollywood North’, it’s no surprise that there’s something going on almost any given night in the city. If the weather has got you down, head to a comedy show or catch a live concert at any of the city’s venues.
The Commodore Ballroom, The Orpheum, and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza are popular among performers, or you can catch an improv show at Granville Island.
Go Visit the Valley
Take a drive out to the Fraser Valley and visit some local, family-owned farms, breweries and wineries. Take home a bottle of something new, or stock up on fresh produce and cook yourself a nice dinner at home.
Go Indoor Rock Climbing
With Squamish less than 2 hours away, rock climbing is a very popular sport here in Vancouver. When the wet weather forces climbers inside, they head to any of Vancouver’s indoor rock climbing gyms, like The Hive in North Vancouver.
Go for Lunch
Whatever you’re craving, Vancouver has it. The food scene in Vancouver is world-renowned, offering countless options for sushi, pizza, fried chicken, bubble tea and more.
Places to Go When It Rains in Vancouver
Science World
Science World is an interactive learning centre that’s fun for kids and adults alike. Children will enjoy the many sensory experiences and tinkering spaces, and there is plenty of opportunities for them to learn about the human body and dinosaurs.
Adults might enjoy the slightly calmer experience of Science World After Dark, an adults-only time slot in the evenings.
Maritime Museum
Spend a warm and dry afternoon wandering around the Maritime Museum learning about Vancouver’s unique and long port history. Take note that they’re closed on Mondays, though!
Museum of Vancouver
Vancouver was first established by settlers in 1886 and has experienced rapid and explosive growth since then.
The Museum of Vancouver, located just steps away from the Maritime Museum, provides in-depth information on Vancouver’s growth and the circumstances that have influenced the culture of the city.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery is yet another of Vancouver’s excellent museum choices and offers a calm and relaxing way to spend an afternoon if the weather just isn’t cooperating. Afterwards, grab a snack from one of the many food trucks parked outside.
Visit the Vancouver Aquarium
Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is unlike any other. More than just a tourist attraction, the Vancouver Aquarium is also central to important marine research, as well as ocean and climate education.
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology is located on the ground of the University of British Columbia, near the Rose Garden.
Its displays inform visitors of the area’s unique past, beginning with information on the First Nations people, colonization, and exhibits that cover cultures throughout the world.
Vancouver Lookout
Get out of the rain and take in a 360 degree view of the city from the Vancouver Lookout Tower! Tickets can be purchased online or at the kiosk and it’s open daily.
Fly Over Canada
Experience the sensations of soaring over the mountains of British Columbia, the plains of the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and feel the cool mist of Niagara Falls on your face, all from the comfort of your seat.
Macmillan Space Centre
Located in Vanier Park, near the Museum of Vancouver and the Maritime Museum, sits the MacMillan Space Centre, an interactive astronomy museum that’s fun for both kids and adults.
Opened in 1968, the MacMillan Space Centre is home to an impressive planetarium as well as exhibit galleries, and you can often buy tickets to events and lectures.
Bloedel Conservatory
The Bloedel Conservatory is a conservatory and aviary located in Queen Elizabeth Park. Encased in a stylish dome, the conservatory offers visitors shelter from the weather while providing the plants and animals with a safe and consistent temperature to thrive in. Step inside and take a look at some of the beautiful foliage.
There you have it. Just because the weather is gloomy, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while you’re in the city. We hope our list helps you get an idea of what things you can do or where you can go in the city during the rainy season.
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