Vancouver | Travel Aimz | www.travelaimz.com

Vancouver is a stunning coastal city located in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. A popular filming location due to its surrounding scenery - and you’ll soon see why. It is also home to Canada's most thriving art scene. With so much to do there we have collated a list of the top 10 things to do in Vancouver to help you plan the most perfect holiday.

Vancouver is also considered one of the most LGBTQ friendly cities in the world, we have even put together a list of the top 10 gay bars in the city you can check out.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano suspension bridge is by far the most popular thing to do in Vancouver and probably one of it’s most photographed attractions. Just check out its Google reviews if you need any proof.

Located only 15 minutes from the city makes it super easy to get to if you are short on time.

The Iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge located in the park, hangs 450 feet (137m) across and 230 feet (70m) above Capilano River. Though the most famous bridge, the park has a total of 7 Suspended footbridges that offer views 110ft above the forest floor.

This park is truly beautiful and the high bridges and walkways really do make you feel like you are walking on air, above a beautiful temperate rainforest. Be shore to stop on the bridges and take in the magnificent view and cedar scented rainforest air.

Though most famous for the Capilano Suspension Bridge (if you hadn’t guessed already) the park has so much more to offer. With a high ropes park, plenty of nature and history trails to choose from, and several eateries. The park also hosts events such as Canyon lights, that sees the park transferred during the Christmas season, with light displays.

Some tourists are put off going down the cost, but if you spend the day implying the rainforest and the rest that the park has to offer then £30 for a full day out isn’t so bad. The park is also a great choice for families as there is lots to do with the kids.

Cost: $55 CAD (£30)

Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00 - 18:00 (Varies slightly depending on the time of year)

Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is another top attraction located just 15 minutes from downtown. The mountain can often be found lining the back of Vancouver's landscape, and though most famous for offering winter skiing so close to the city, it has breath-taking panoramic views and outdoor activities all year round.

With a zipline and high ropes course, as well as educational talks and interaction with local wildlife there is really something for everyone. This is a great choice for avid hikers too, but if you don’t fancy the trek or aren’t as able there is also the lift that will carry you up to take in the swapping views of the city that this mountain has to offer.

If you happen to be there in the winter Grouse Mountain turns into an alpine paradise. With ski slopes, snow parks for the more advanced, ice skating and sledding, the mountain really comes alive.

A big plus is that most of the mountain's winter and summer activities are included with your mountain admission ticket.

Cost: $60 CAD (£35)

Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00 - 21:00

VanDusen Botanical Garden

In the 1970s an agreement was put in place between a local charity and the council to transform an out of use golf course, in the middle of the city, into a public botanical garden. Then VanDusen Botanical Garden was born.

This masterpiece in Downtown Vancouver spread across 55 acres and consists of over 7500 plant species to create a beautiful mid-city oasis. The gardens also welcome an abundance of wildlife. So if you love wildlife photography, or any for that matter then be sure to pack your camera. The gardens also offer guided cart tours for free to support people with limited walking abilities.

Before your trip be sure to look on the gardens website as over the years the gardens have become the perfect spot for hosting lots of city events that are well worth checking out.

Cost: $11.50 CAD (£6.50)

Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00 - 18:00

Watch the Vancouver Canucks play at Rogers Arena

The Vancouver Canucks are Vancouver’s local Ice Hockey team, and play in the NHL. Their home games take place at Rogers Arena which has a capacity of almost 20,000. There are a couple of games a week during NHL season so if you are in Vancouver while playing then be sure to try and get a ticket, the atmosphere is awesome!

Tickets range anywhere from $30 to hundreds, but the average price is about $80 a ticket

Cost: $80 CAD (£45) - The average ticket price

Opening Hours: Multiple evening games a week during NHL season

Granville Island

Granville Island is the art and culture hub of the city, and welcomes over 10 million visitors every year. It’s diverse array of music, unique art scene and extensive exciting attractions will leave you feeling like you’ve been touched by magic. On the island you’ll find streets lined with art galleries, theatres and Craft studios to explore. The island is also home to a free water park, the largest attraction of it’s kind in North America.

street music is one of the most distinctive characteristics of Granville Island, and throughout the year the island hosts multiple festivals that bring the crowds flocking, the most famous of all is Vancouver International Jazz Festival each summer, which showcases some of the best jazz talent in the world,

Possibly Granville island's most famous attraction is it’s public market that brings thousands of locals and tourists flocking daily. An indoor market with hundreds of stalls showcasing handcrafted products and food from around the world.

It's safe to say you’d be crazy to miss Granville Island off your list of things to do in Vancouver. So set aside some time and plan a day of art and culture in this beautiful city.

The Granville Island website has a ‘plan your visit’ page that helps you to plan what you can explore on the island depending on how long you have, when you are planning on going and your interests.

Cost: Free

Opening Hours: 24/7

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a 400 acre park, well temperate rainforest, that sits between downtown Vancouver and north Vancouver, almost entirely surrounded by water. It sits like an island connected by two bridges and a small strip of park land to downtown Vancouver.

This park where the majority of locals will spend their leisure time, and what I class as Vancouver's answer to central park, but even better. A beautiful green sanctuary in the middle of the city, with towering Cedars and Green Ferns, and a 9 km stretch of seawall with views of English bay

It’s the perfect escape from the city hustle and if you are looking to unwind there is literally something for everyone: Walking trails (over 27 km), pitch and putt, tennis courts, beach, waterpark, lots of picnic areas and cafes, it is also the home of Vancouver Aquarium.

It’s safe to say you cannot miss Stanley Park off your list of things to do in Vancouver, probably the most well known attraction with tourists and locals alike.

Cost: Free

Opening Hours: Daily: 9:00am - 17:00

Museum of anthropology

The museum of anthropology is by far one of the most cultural things to do in Vancouver. The museum, located in the university of British Columbia is most renowned for its displays of first nations art, including magnificent Indigenous carvings, weavings and contemporary artworks. Not only this but the building itself feels like a work of art,with floor to ceiling glass walls that encapsulate the surrounding mountain range.

On top of the thousands of permanent objects the gallery has regular unique exhibitions that are definitely worth checking out before your trip and getting tickets for.

But if you just fancy walking around the permanent exhibitions the museum also offers free guided gallery walks for those wanting to learn a little more about the history of the artefacts.

Cost: $18 CAD (£10)

Opening Hours: Tues - Sun | 10:00 - 17:00

Whale watching

The waters off the coast of British Columbia are renowned for being rich with marine life. Every year Vancouver sees the likes of humpbacks, orcas, grey whales and minke whales, pass through its waters. For me this isn’t just one of the best things to do in Vancouver, this is one of the best things to do in the world. Witnessing the giants of the sea swim freely as they migrate

The reason this is a must do in Vancouver is the chances of encountering the whales on one of the tours is very high, with local operators reporting a success rate of over 90%. However, most will provide a guarantee - which means if you don’t see one on your trip, you can come back again for free, until you do.

Check out Vancouver Whale Watch, as one of the highest rated operators in the area.

Cost: $145 CAD (£85)

Opening Hours: Daily | 9:00am & 14:00

Jericho Beach

Jericho Beach is located on the west side of the city and one of a number of stunning sandy beaches that line the shores of English Bay. It is the best beach in the area for water sports with lots of activities to choose from, and all at a relatively fair price. The east side of the bay is allocated for swimmers, and the west side for watersports where you will see an abundance of sailors and windsurfers. However compared to other beaches in the area Jericho beach is usually much quieter.

What makes this beach so beautiful is the varied surrounding landscape. With Jericho Park to the back and views of the ocean with a mountain backdrop to the front. The beach is also one of the best places in Vancouver to experience a truly stunning sunset.

Cost: Free

Opening Hours: 24/7

Stawamus Chief Mountain

Stawamus Chief Mountain is located just a short distance North of Vancouver and a great spot for keen hikers.

What makes this mountain so famous is that it contains one of the largest granite monoliths ( A geographical feature consisting of a single massive rock or stone) in the world . This peak of the mountain towers over 700m above the waters of Howe Sound and offers breath-taking views of the fjords beneath as well as Garibaldi Provincial Park to the north.

The mountain has 3 peaks (Named first, second and third peak) and is possible to hike all 3 in one day, assuming you are relatively fit. However you will have to allocate about 9 hours for this. Bear in mind, the hike is tough as the trail literally goes straight up. In certain regions, you will find climbing aids in the rock like ladders & ropes. Though I can assure you it’s totally worth it when you get to the top, and witness the sweeping views below.

A popular route for a good days trek is to ascend the Second Peak and then continue on following the orange trail to the Third peak and will take most about 6 hours to complete. There is a campsite if you feel like staying for a couple of days to complete all the peaks.

For the keen adventurers the local town of Squamish that sits at the base of the mountain is considered the ‘Adventure Capital of Vancouver’, so if you fancy a spot of mountain biking or kite surfing then it’d be a great place to stay for longer.

Cost: $15 CAD (£8.50)

Opening Hours: 8:30 - 18:00 (Closes later in the summer)