Vancouver

Activities for Any Weather

One of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Vancouver is “What is the weather like?” And fortunately, no matter the answer, there’s always something to do in Vancouver—rain or shine. Read our roundup of great activities and exciting attractions for every kind of weather.

Sunny

Take a dip in Kitsilano Pool

Vancouver has five outdoor pools, but on a hot, sunny day, you might as well go straight for the mother of all of them: Kits Pool. This heated, salt-water pool is Canada’s longest pool, and it boasts remarkable views of the surrounding mountains, English Bay, Kitsilano Beach and the Vancouver skyline.

Rollerblade or ride a bike along the Stanley Park Seawall

Enjoy the sunshine and scenic views from the Stanley Park seawall, a paved pathway that circumnavigates the park’s waterfront. This route is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike, and during warm weather, the seawall is filled with rollerbladers, joggers and cyclists. On the way to Stanley Park, pick up a bicycle or pair of rollerblades from an outfitter like Bayshore Bicycles & Rollerblade Rentals.

Join a game of beach volleyball

When the sun is shining, Vancouverites flock to the nearby beaches for a game of volleyball. Kits Beach is well known for its waterfront recreation and social scene, but you’ll also find sea breezes and sunshine at Spanish Banks, where there are also twice as many volleyball courts.

Spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch

Vancouver has a number of scenic picnic spots located throughout the city, from blooming gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park to waterfront green spaces at Stanley Park. Fill up your picnic basket with locally grown produce, artisan cheeses, freshly baked breads and more tempting treats on Granville Island.

Windy

Fly a kite at Vanier Park

Take advantage of blustery weather with an afternoon of kite flying at Vanier Park. As the location of the annual Pacific Rim Kite Festival, this grassy park touts wide-open spaces and gusty winds coming off English Bay.

Windsurf the waters of Burrard Inlet

Harness a little wind power to unleash some serious moves on the water. Beginners can rent a board at Jericho Beach and test their skills on the tame waters of the Burrard Inlet, and advanced windsurfers will love the challenging surf in Squamish, located about an hour north of Vancouver.

Snowy

Snowshoe powder-covered terrain on Grouse Mountain

The Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park on Grouse Mountain offers four groomed trails for beginner and intermediate skills levels. Looking for more of a challenge? Try the Snowshoe Grind, the perfect winter workout for active visitors.

Ski the slopes at Whistler

Spend some time at Whistler, North America’s largest ski resort, where you’ll find more than 3,300 hectares (8,000 acres) of terrain for skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, snowmobiling and snow tubing. After a day of outdoor recreation, relax and recover with an array of après ski activities, such as spa treatments, happy hours and more.

Rainy

Peruse great works of fine art at the Vancouver Art Gallery

When the weather is cold and gray, add a much-needed dose of colour by exploring vibrant art exhibits and thought-provoking pieces in the Vancouver Art Gallery. With more than 10,000 works of art in the permanent collection, there’s plenty to see and discover.

Revel in retail bliss at Pacific Centre

Spend some time indoors at Pacific Centre, a landmark shopping mall in downtown Vancouver. Along with high-end department stores, Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom, the mall—much of which is underground, has over 100 shops and services for you to browse through on a rainy day.

Learn all about nature and science at Science World

Escape the rain, and venture into the fascinating world of science and technology. At Science World, visitors can learn about the human body, unique dinosaurs, rocket science, electricity and much more.

 


 

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