Vancouver Trip Planner: Top 3 places to visit

Vancouver, Canada is that sparkling gem. It has the best of all worlds…mountains, an ocean, rain forests, wildlife, lakes and a huge park in the middle of the city.  With this Vancouver trip planner, I want to make sure you see the top 3 places from a local’s point of view. I was born and raised here, and my family has a long line of people born and raised here, so you know you are getting the “goods” 😉

Vancouver Trip Planner #1: False Creek Ferries

I love these ferries. They are not big, they are mini tugboats that take you all around False Creek. I would suggest getting a day pass and just riding around to all the different docks. There is something interesting to see at them all, and are popular areas. It is a great way to see different parts of the city from the water.

Hot Tip: Get off at Science World/The Village stop to take in the Olympic Village. Here you have to get your photo taken with the Giant bird statues and then hang out on one of the best patios in the city at Tap and Barrel while enjoying BC local beer and wine on tap…and some snacks as well 😉

Vancouver Trip Planner #2: Cypress Bowl lookout

Location: Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver

This lookout is along the road up to Cypress Bowl Mountain. It is located along the second switchback up the mountain and has stunning views of Vancouver and the whole lower mainland and beyond (on a good day). It is very popular with photographers and locals alike to watch the sunrise and sunset here. There are also picnic tables so you can enjoy the view for awhile, or I also suggest that you head up to the mountain and do some hiking (all levels available) in the summer/fall and snowshoeing or skiing/snowboarding in the Winter/Spring. Making this a day’s adventure will not disappoint.

Vancouver Trip Planner #3: Floatplane “airport”

Location: 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

Head down to Coal Harbour and take a seat on one of the benches to watch all the seaplanes take off and land. I can spend hours here just watching them. You can also book a trip on one, they have flightseeing trips, or hop a plane to go to Victoria, or any of the Islands. Harbour Air, which runs the largest all seaplane airline in the world, has their dock here.

Hot Tip: While sitting here, you’ll also be able to see the floating gas station, serving both recreational and commercial vessels. It is an unusual cool site to see as most filling stations for boats are off the mainland, not in the middle of the water.

Vancouver Trip Planner BONUS: The wood roller coaster

Location: 2901 East Hastings Street

Ok, I couldn’t do this list without including the Wooden Roller Coaster. It is located in East Vancouver at Playland/PNE grounds. I grew up going here, it was the location of my first job and the wooden roller coaster was a must ride every year! You’ll only have access to it when the fair is open, between May and September, but if you have your Vancouver trip planned for this time, I highly recommend you give it a whirl.

Wooden roller coasters are much better than the metal ones, in my opinion, as the fear comes with the thought that you’ll fall out of the seat at any moment! LOL  In it’s 60 years of operation, there has not been a major accident reported, so it is totally safe, even though it won’t feel like it. While here, enjoy the other rides, and fair food…yum!

I hope this Vancouver trip planner has given you some alternative ideas to the typical ones you will find (which I do recommend as well), so that your trip here can feel a bit more like what a local does.

If you haven’t already, make sure you get your free copy of “Your Vacation Blueprint” where I show you what you need to do to plan your trip.