How To Explore Vancouver in 48 Hours: A Travel Guide

Looking for an easy summer trip? Vancouver should be at the top of your list. Located on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia, Vancouver is one of the most beautifully situated cities I’ve ever visited. Surrounded by the English Bay and snow-capped mountains, this harbor city is a true gem. With gleaming architecture and natural wonders close at hand, it’s no wonder the city gets 10 million visitors every year. There are so many things to do in Vancouver; your biggest challenge will be squeezing it all in!

Last summer, I spent two days in the city with my husband and parents before our cruise to Alaska, and we loved every minute of it. (If you’re taking a cruise that starts or ends in Vancouver and debating whether you should spend any time in this city, do it!) Whether you’re an urbanite, a nature lover, or a bit of both, there are things to do in Vancouver that satisfy everyone. Below is our itinerary for the two days we spent in Vancouver. I only regret that we didn’t have even more time to spend in this glorious city.

Thursday:

Since our trip was a celebration of my parents’ 50^th Wedding anniversary, we splurged on our accommodations and stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The location was perfect for us because the departure terminal for our cruise was right across the street. It was also a great location for getting around the city.

I’m an early riser by nature. Add in the time difference between NY and Vancouver, and I was up at 6 am on our first morning there. I grabbed a complimentary coffee at the hotel and headed out for a walk on the waterfront. It was a picture-perfect morning. I sat down on a bench and watched the morning activity of ferry boats, seaplanes, and cruise ships on the glistening water of Vancouver Harbour.

(Side note: I love the first morning when I wake up in a new destination. The anticipation of exploring an unfamiliar city thrills me to no end. Do you feel the same? Read more about why I love to travel.)

To get our bearings, our first stop was the Vancouver Lookout at Harbor Center, which offers 360-degree city views. We took the elevators to the observation deck and were greeted by a tour guide, who gave us a brief, 15-minute tour of the city. (This was the perfect time since we were all fighting jetlag and had limited attention spans!) Once we better understood the city’s layout, we were ready to explore on foot.

Next, we headed to Gastown, a picturesque (and a bit touristy) neighborhood. The area is named after “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a steamship captain and barkeep, who opened the first saloon there in 1867. The red-brick main thoroughfare is full of shops and cafes and is a good introduction to the city.

After lunch, we hopped on a complimentary bus (conveniently located across the street from our hotel) to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park located across the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver. Yes, it’s another very touristy location, but it was totally worth it.

The park is most famous for its suspension bridge which stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River and coastal rainforest. This bridge is definitely not for the faint of heart! I am somewhat afraid of heights, but I somehow managed to make it across without having a major panic attack. The views were worth it, but my heart was in my throat with each step, as I felt the bridge sway under my feet!

Once we reached the other side, we explored the seven suspended footbridges offering views 110 feet above the forest floor. On the other side, we also did the cliff walk, which followed a granite precipice above the Capilano River. The walk consists of narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs, and platforms, which jut out from the cliff face. It was another test of my fear of heights, but all in all, we had a perfect afternoon exploring the park.

For dinner that night, we headed out of the city center to a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Vancouver. Our destination? Osteria Savio Volpe. I had read quite a few reviews about this popular, rustic Italian restaurant known for its house-made pasta, and I couldn’t wait to try it. From the moment we sat down and were served complimentary prosecco until our last bite, we were entranced. The service was impeccable and the family-style menu had options for all of us. And the house-made pasta was delicious. Reservations are hard to get, so book in advance if you want to eat here.

Friday:

While my parents slept in, my husband and I grabbed a couple of complimentary bikes from our hotel (another perk of staying at the Fairmont) for a morning ride. Our agenda included cycling around Stanley Park. Our ride was spectacular. We rode along the sea wall, watching ships enter the harbor, seals playing in the morning sun, and seaplanes taking off and landing. After our ride through the park, we continued biking through the city. At 28 km, Vancouver has the longest uninterrupted waterfront path, and we took full advantage. It was the perfect way to start the day!

Later that morning, we went to Granville Island, home to the famous Granville Island Public Market. Similar to Pike Place Market in Seattle, this bustling public market is chock full of produce and food stalls. It’s a feast for all five senses. We braved the crowds to try various samples, before settling on a lunch spot outside. If you want a deep dive into the marketplace, I suggest doing a food tour.

After lunch, we took a water taxi across the river. We walked to Yaletown, a neighborhood of old warehouse buildings that have been turned into chic boutiques and restaurants. We did a bit of shopping and exploring before heading back to the hotel. My parents and husband opted for a nap at this point, but I was still keen to explore more of the city, so I jumped on the SeaBus ferry (a convenient, 5-minute walk from our hotel) to North Vancouver.

The ferry ride is about 15 minutes, and the views are spectacular. For anyone in Vancouver who takes this ferry for their daily commute, I’m officially jealous! There are a lot of great waterfront restaurants and shops to check out in North Vancouver. All are walking distance from the ferry terminal. On the day I visited, there was an outdoor festival, so I had the bonus of live music and a flea market. I was definitely tired at this point, but glad I jumped on the ferry to see this part of the city.

For our last dinner in Vancouver, we opted for Nightingale, a restaurant walking distance from our hotel. The casual restaurant/bar has a chic industrial vibe and serves up modern Canadian fare. We loved that much of the menu was sharable. I highly recommend sharing a few apps and then tucking into their gourmet pizzas.

Saturday:

Since we were leaving for our cruise to Alaska at 1p, we didn’t have much time to spare on our final morning in Vancouver. After a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we did some last-minute shopping on Robson Street. And then it was a bon voyage for us!

Additional Recommendations:

There were a few things we didn’t get to do on our trip that I still recommend based on my research. We didn’t visit Grouse Mountain while we were there because there were pretty bad wildfires which impacted visibility and air quality. Otherwise, this would have been the first thing on my list to do! We also didn’t have a chance to check out the VanDusen Botanical Garden which we heard was beautiful.

There are so many good restaurants and bars in Vancouver, it’s impossible to name them all. But here are a few that were on our list but we just didn’t have time to check out. L’Abbatoir in Gastown is great for special occasions. Ask for Luigi is the kind of restaurant that the locals like to keep to themselves. It’s located on a quiet corner in Railtown. Chambar is a mainstay beloved by Vancouverites and for a great spin on Asian street food, head to Torafuku. If you’re craving a cocktail, try restaurant/bar Crowbar or the intimate speakeasy, Prohibition.

If you’re planning a trip to Vancouver, I hope this itinerary serves you well! I’m so glad we got to spend some time here. If anything, it has only inspired us to come back and see more of this city and its surroundings.

Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you been to Vancouver? If so, what are your favorite things to do in the city? Please share in the comments below!

Happy travels!