25 Awesome Day Trips from Vancouver, Canada
If you’ve visited Vancouver, chances are you’ve walked around Stanley Park’s iconic seawall, visited Granville Island, snapped a photo of the old Steam Clock in Gastown, shopped on Robson Street and raised a glass in Granville’s entertainment district. In this post, we want to get outside the city and share our favourite day trips from Vancouver.
While there are countless things to see and do in Vancouver, there’s even more adventure waiting for you just outside the city limits (there’s good reason why Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities).
As residents of North Vancouver, we’ve spent the past few years exploring our big, beautiful backyard. It’s been fun doing the research for this long overdue blog post about the best day trips from Vancouver.
This post was originally published in 2017 and updated January 2023.
25 Awesome Day trips from Vancouver Today, we’d like to share OUR favourite day trips from Vancouver.It should be noted that you can easily convert some of these day trips into an overnight trip or weekend getaway. Read this post for the best road trip from Vancouver for first time visitors.
We highly recommend going slow and spending quality time at each spot, but we’d completely understand if you wanted to see it all.
Let’s get started, shall we?
We’re going to kick things off with our top day trips from Vancouver, rather then saving the best for last. Located 125 km north of Vancouver (about 1.5 hour drive), Whistler is a four season resort town with more than 8,000 acres of terrain spread across multiple mountain peaks.
Simply put – if you like adventure, Whistler was built for you.Whistler gained world fame in 2010 when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics with the city of Vancouver. Whistler consistently ranks as the top ski resort in North America. In 2008, it introduced the world record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, completing the longest continuous lift system in the world.
Over the past decade, Whistler has evolved to become a top summer destination in Canada.
Whistler boasts over 50 km of high alpine hiking trails, multiple golf courses, zip-line courses, ATV off road tours, Jeep 4×4 tours to view glaciers, bungee jumping, bear viewing tours, white water rafting, and several fresh water lakes for SUP, kayaking and canoeing.
The Whistler Bike Park has quickly become one of the best mountain bike parks in North America. Whistler hosts several festivals and events each year, including the World Ski & Snowboard Festival in April and Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival in August.
Things to do in Whistler:- Take the Whistler Peak 2 Peak Gondola Experience – learn more here.
- Try the Whistler Sasquatch Zipline, the longest zipline in Canada and the US.
- Rejuvenate and relax at the traditional Scandinave Spa
- Golf at 3 different courses, including the impressive Nicklaus North Golf Course
- SUP or kayaking at Lost Lake, Alta Lake or Green Lake
- Downhill mountain biking and/or cross-country trail riding
- Zip-line courses, ATV off road tours, white water rafting or bungee jumping
- Whistler Jeep Tour to see glaciers and snow-capped mountain vistas
- Helicopter excursion or float plane sightseeing tour
- Bear viewing tour and/or nature safari
- Hike to stunning alpine lakes at Garibali Lake, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Chekamus Lake, Elfin Lakes and/or Wedgemount Lake
- Visit the unique Whistler train wreck
- Search for Whistler hotel deals here.
Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. People often mistake Vancouver as the capital city of British Columbia, when in fact it’s Victoria.
Victoria is approximately 100 kilometres from both Vancouver and Seattle, making it the perfect day trip or weekend getaway for tourists and mainland residents. We try to visit Victoria at least once every year. If you’re short on time, we recommend you check out this Guided Food and History tour of Victoria.
While you technically can visit Victoria in one day, we’d recommend you give it at least one night. Maybe two or three.Most people will catch the ferry that departs from Tsawwassen BC Ferries Terminal, but you can take a bus from downtown Vancouver that will drop you off in downtown Victoria (ticket includes the ferry crossing). If you’re a first time visitor to Vancouver and you don’t have a vehicle, we’d recommend the bus option over renting a car and driving on the ferry.
You can also take a float plane from downtown Vancouver, which is a lot of fun. If you’ve only got one day to spend in Victoria, the float plane is the fastest and most convenient option. The ferry option will take you at least 4 hours in each direction.
If you decide to stay overnight – here’s where to stay in Victoria:We have stayed at the Magnolia Hotel, Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Best Western Carlton Plaza and would recommend them all. They are centrally located and family friendly. Search for more Victoria hotels here.
Related – 20 Things to do in Victoria, British Columbia
Located approximately 25 km’s northwest of Vancouver, Bowen Island is a laid-back island that feels miles away from the hustle of the big city. The island is only 6 km wide and 12 km long, so you can easily explore the island in one day. Popular activities are kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and boating.
The Snug Cove ferry terminal has a marina with small shops and restaurants. The most popular beaches on Bowen Island are Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay and Sandy Beach.
An easy scenic hike is the Killarney Lake trail. It takes about 2 hours round trip, covering 9 km’s. A more challenging hike is the summit of Mount Gardner. It takes about 7 hours, covering 17 km’s round trip.
To get to Bowen Island, you take a 20 minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Or you can take a 45 minute water taxi from Granville Island. Check with BC Ferries for sailing times.
Related – 25 Things to do in Vancouver
Although the Sunshine Coast may not always live up to its name (it’s located in the Pacific Northwest, after all), it’s a beautiful coastal area that stretches from Langdale to Lund, with many quaint communities in between. If you’ve got the time, this is a great place for a coastal road trip.
Part of the fun is the actual journey to the Sunshine Coast. Most visitors will access the Sunshine Coast by ferry from Horseshoe Bay, but you can also catch a float plane, depending on the time of year. The ferry ride and marinas are quintessentially West Coast.
If you only have one day, you’ll want to focus your time on Langdale and Hopkins Landing. Hopkins Landing is a short walk from the Langdale ferry terminal and there’s a beach that overlooks the North Shore mountains. It’s a great spot for kayaking, swimming and beachcombing.
If you are traveling in a small group, you might consider booking a guided tour to explore a few of the hidden gems on the Sunshine Coast.
Search for hotel deals on the Sunshine Coast here.
Howe Sound is network of fjords situated between West Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, about 30 minutes northwest of Vancouver. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the Lower Mainland.
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience British Columbia’s natural beauty, driving a small speed boat around Howe Sound should be on your list.
One of the things we like to do in Vancouver during the summer is to visit the lazy seals that hang out on Pam Rocks, a cluster of tiny islands located in the center of Howe Sound. The only way to see these rock islands is by boat.
The best place to rent boats is Sewell’s Marina, located in Horseshoe Bay. Renting a boat is relatively inexpensive and you don’t need to have a special boat licence. A standard driver’s license is sufficient. For two hours of personal boat time (usually enough to get to the seal colony and back) it’s about $180 (check rates here). The boat can take between 4 to 6 people.
To visit marine parks and secluded coves that can only be reached by water, it’s wise to do the 4-hour rate and head to Gambier or Anvil Islands.
Related – Top Things to do Along the Sea to Sky Highway
6. Horseshoe Bay
Another great day trip from Vancouver is the village of Horseshoe Bay, the gateway to Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast, located on the western tip of West Vancouver.
Horseshoe Bay is also the location of the third busiest BC Ferries terminal. If you plan to visit Vancouver Island, Bowen Island or the Sunshine Coast, you will board your ferry at Horseshoe Bay.
Even if you don’t plan to take a ferry, Horseshoe Bay is a fun place to have lunch and spend the afternoon. There are a few restaurants in the village, including the legendary Trolls Restaurant (get the Oyster Burger or Clam Chowder), and it has a rocky beach with a playground that faces the marina.
After you visit Horseshoe Bay, check out nearby Whytecliff Park, one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada and a popular cold water scuba diving spot.
If you have time on your drive back to Vancouver, visit nearby Lighthouse Park, located in a residential area in West Vancouver. It is a popular attraction and a National Historic Site of Canada.
Related – 25 FREE Things to do in Vancouver
Located about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, the town of Squamish is one of the best day trips from Vancouver. It continues to build its brand as an outdoor adventure destination. It’s an easy drive from Vancouver and the scenery is everything you’d expect from a town in the mountains.
We could dedicate an entire blog post about things to do in Squamish. You can make several day trips from Vancouver to Squamish and still only scratch the surface.
For the thrill-seeker, rock climbing at the Stawamus Chief is world class and the Via Ferrata from the Summit Lodge is fun change of pace.
If you prefer to get in the water, the Squamish Spit hosts some of the best windsurfing and kite surfing in the Pacific Northwest. There area also dozens of hiking trails and parks, including the family-friendly Four Lakes Trail and the full day Elfin Lakes hike.
Other activities include a visit the West Coast Rail Heritage Park (home to the annual Polar Express experience), eagle viewing in Brackendale, golfing at Furry Creek, paddling and fishing on Alice Lake, shopping at the Squamish Farmers’ Market and brewery tours at Howe Sound Brewing.
Related – The best road trip from Vancouver for first time visitors
Another favourite day trips from Vancouver is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. It’s a 10-minute gondola ride that transports guests up the side of the mountain to a lodge that overlooks Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains.
There are plenty of things to do once you reach the summit. The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge is a big hit and will surely give you butterflies in your stomach as it sways from side to side.
There are multiple viewing platforms and several hiking trails for all skill levels. The Summit Lodge has an amazing patio, so if you’re not up for adventure, you can enjoy a relaxing lunch with outstanding mountain views.
If you plan to visit on a weekend in the summer, make sure you arrive early because it’s a popular attraction and the Sea to Sky Gondola parking is limited. There’s overflow parking available across the highway from Shannon Falls Provincial Park (you should check out the waterfalls if you visit the gondola). We’re told that there’s a free shuttle service on the weekends.
Or, you can walk 15 minutes to the Sea to Sky Gondola via the connector hiking trail.
Related – Winter fun at Sea to Sky Gondola in..* This article was originally published here
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