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17 Things to Do in Vancouver Before You Die

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by Kate Siobhan Mulligan Aug 21, 2015

Let’s just admit a Vancouver bucket list could go on forever. Isn’t that why it’s great to live here? While it’s ludicrous to pick just a handful of items, we had to start somewhere. Here are 17 things you absolutely have to do in Vancouver before you kick the bucket!

1. Stroll through West Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park. Bonus: catch the sunset at the actual lighthouse.

2. Hike the Chief in Squamish. Bonus: camp at the bottom, head out early, and sit at the top before the crowds arrive.

3. Treat yourself to locally churned Earnest Ice Cream. Bonus: get two scoops.

There’s no greater love 🍦😍💜 #yvr #earnesticecream #earnest #truelove #🍦 #vsco #VSCOcam

A photo posted by Becky J (@bbexxann) on

4. Do yoga on the beach. Bonus: do yoga on a stand-up paddleboard with a view of the city, mountains, and islands.

 

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5. Go seafood crazy during spot prawn season. Bonus: pick up a bag of ’em fresh off the boats at the Granville Island docks.

6. Rent a kayak in Deep Cove and go exploring. Bonus: hit up Honey Doughnuts after. You deserve it.

I’d follow you deep sea baby. #deepcove #kayak

A photo posted by Lilian Gordon (@lilgxo) on

7. Sign up for the Vancouver Sun Run at least once. Bonus: actually show up and do it.

Can you see us?? Go team underprepared & overconfident!! #vancouversunrun #sunrun #sunrun2015 #yvr #vancity

A photo posted by padraicr (@padraicr) on

8. Make the long descent to take in the music, good vibes, and, uh, “snacks” at Wreck Beach. Bonus: bare it all, stay for sunset, join a drum circle, and give Boozy-boozy-freezies Girl a tip.

All natural… #wreckbeach #nudebeachvancouver #mexicanboy #natureandus

A photo posted by Luis Lezama (@luislezamaf) on

9. Brave the crowds to watch the fireworks from English Bay at least once. Bonus: fireworks!

10. Join the tourists and take the darn False Creek Ferry. Bonus: pick up those spot prawns at Granville Island.

This dramatic shot was captured by @latincouver. #VeryVancouver #Vancouver

A photo posted by Inside Vancouver (@inside_vancouver) on

11. Take time to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring, particularly in Kitsilano. Bonus: celebrate the end of winter.

A walk through the blossoms. Photo by @ferreror0chelle

A photo posted by Inside Vancouver (@inside_vancouver) on

12. Make use of all the bike lanes around the city. Bonus: bike down streets with the aforementioned cherry blossoms.

13. Hit the sea wall as many times as you possibly can, despite the tourists. Bonus: go at sunset, or for less tourists, go at dawn.

14. Attend the location-secret Dinner En Blanc. Bonus: it’s always in a top Vancouver spot.

15. Two words: Science World. Bonus: go to the Adults-Only 19+ “After Dark” Evening, and explore with a drink in-hand and no kids under foot.

16. It goes without saying, you have to do the Grouse Grind. Bonus: carb it up afterwards at a local brewery. You deserve it.

17. Take off over downtown Vancouver in a small plane. Bonus: fly to Tofino or Whistler for epic views of the inlets and mountains along the way, and then feel like a rockstar when you land and hit the slopes/surf like a boss. Internal high five.

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