Credit: Hubert Kang/ Tourism Vancouver
Rain, snow, or shine, there's always a way to enjoy the city. Here are a few year-round activities you can check out in any season.
Mount Pleasant Mural District
Vancouver’s mural district has quickly become a hotspot for arts and culture and provides visitors with endless all-season entertainment. In the sunshine, rent a bicycle to explore over 100 murals in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Follow up with a sweet treat at Earnest Ice Cream, Mario’s Gelati, or Cartem’s Donuts. On a rainy day, stay dry in one of Main Street’s trendy restaurants and enjoy breakfast or brunch. Pass through the neighborhood’s colorful murals on your way to one of many craft breweries and enjoy a cold beer inside. On the rare occasion, it snows in Vancouver, throw on your winter boots and grab a coffee or hot chocolate from one of the area’s hip cafés, and wander the streets and alleyways in and around Main and Broadway in search of the perfect winter mural photo-op!
Granville Island
Rain or shine, Granville Island is the perfect place to spend your day. Take cover and pop into the Public Market to grab some local eats or visit one of the artisan studios which include glassblowers, potters, jewelers, and more. On a clear day, hop on a False Creek Ferry or Aquabus and journey across False Creek. Find yourself at Sunset Beach or in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighborhood and enjoy local restaurants, shops, and sun. In the evening, laugh out loud at an improv show or grab a cocktail at the Liberty Distillery.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour is a Vancouverite's favorite time of day no matter what the season. Start your day off in downtown’s historic district, Gastown. In the winter, hideaway at the Diamond, a classy cocktail lounge that overlooks the lively streets or enjoy a margarita (or four) on the patio of Tacofino in the spring and summer. Make your way to Chinatown and find yourself at the Keefer Bar, one of Vancouver’s most famous cocktail bars. Enjoy live music, a summer patio, and 50% off snacks, dim sum, and deserts. Head over to Yaletown and visit D/6 Bar and Lounge inside of Parq Vancouver’s trendy boutique hotel, the DOUGLAS. When the sun is shining, enjoy a drink on D/6’s rooftop patio that overlooks BC Place. When its chillier, warm up with a cocktail inside the lounge. On weekdays D/6 provides live music, movies, and games. The contemporary space has a nightclub vibe on Friday and Saturday and a karaoke-club vibe on Sunday.
Vancouver Aquarium
There’s no doubt that this Vancouver attraction can be enjoyed all year long. If it’s raining, stay inside and observe over 50,000 amazing aquatic creatures and catch an educational flick at the 4D Experience Theatre, which combines the high-definition excitement of a 3D film with thrilling sensory effects. In the spring and summer, head outside to the Aquarium’s outdoor portion and gawk at the adorable Sea Otter Exhibit and awe at the incredible Dolphin Habitat. During your visit, you will also learn about serious conservation issues facing the oceans today, such as ocean pollution and overfishing.
Theatre
Vancouver is known for having a world-class art and entertainment scene. Theatre and comedy are ongoing throughout the year and can be enjoyed all around the Lower Mainland. Head to Granville Island to catch some improv or stand-up comedy or stay downtown and see what’s on at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Make your way to East Broadway to catch a feature at the Rio Theatre, an independent, multidisciplinary art centre built in 1938. In the summer, head to Stanley Park to enjoy some Theatre Under the Stars or unleash your inner Shakespeare at Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park.
