Spending the summer in Vancouver can be one of the best decisions you ever make when it comes to your holidays. There’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
If you’ve never visited the area before, or even if you’ve visited during the winter months when the city transforms itself, you’ll want to create a comprehensive itinerary of what you plan to do and see so that you don’t risk missing anything. With so much to offer, it’s an easy mistake to make.
And so with that said, we’ve created this article bringing together everything you need to know about planning ahead for a summer vacation in Vancouver.
Summer Vacation in Vancouver
1. Celebrate Canada Day
Taking place every year on July 1st, Canada Day is basically a nation-wide party, with Vancouver hosting all sorts of free events throughout the city. We’d recommend checking out the parades and fireworks and treating yourself to some of the delicious street food, and with so much live music on offer, you’re sure to find something to your taste so you can sit back and relax with a drink.
2. Eat at Miku
Miku is a specialist sushi restaurant with stunning views of the harbor and the mountains. They also go out of their way to only serve sustainably-caught seafood, and their expert chefs are amongst the best in the country. You won’t find sushi like this anywhere else outside of Japan, so if you’re a seafood lover then be sure not to pass this one up.
3. Book a cruise
Going on a cruise will allow you to explore the area in style and comfort without having to worry about missing anything. You don’t have to be part of a large group, either. Instead, why not consider a solo Vancouver cruise? We’ve found that most cruises are friendly and laid back, so even if you do go on a cruise as a solo traveler, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to make new friends.
4. Pack only the essentials
One of the big attractions of travelling to Vancouver is how many opportunities there are to go shopping, whether it’s from boutique stalls and independent craftspeople or whether it’s from shopping malls and flagship stores. Because of that, you’ll want to pack as lightly as you can, taking only the bare essentials. That way, you’ll have more space to take things back – just make sure that you pay attention to your weight allowance.
5. Go for a hike
Vancouver has dozens of different hiking trails, and some of them are better suited to the summer, than others. For our money, some of the best hiking routes take in such landmarks as Wedgemount Lake, Al’s Habrich Ridge and the Hanes Valley. If you’re relatively new to hiking, consider taking a guide with you, as some of the more advanced routes can be treacherous and you don’t want to end up having to be rescued.
6. Watch a play outdoors
If you’re a culture vulture, then there’s simply no excuse to miss this one. When the weather is at its best in the summer, various different theatre companies perform shows on the beach. You can even go along and watch Shakespeare plays against the backdrop of the mountains and the bay. It adds an extra layer of drama and really helps to bring the stories to life.
7. Celebrate Pride
If you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or even if you’re an ally or just a general tourist, Vancouver’s pride celebrations are not to be missed. There are more rainbows than at a meteorologist convention, hundreds of drag queens and street performers and pretty much anything else you could ever ask for. It’s a celebration of love and humanity in all its forms.
8. Go drinking
There’s a stunning little street in Vancouver called Brewer’s Row, and the clue is in the name. It’s home to a variety of small microbreweries and you could spend the whole day there if you were so inclined. Elsewhere in the city, there’s no shortage of bars and nightclubs, so if it’s a night out on the town that you’re after, Vancouver could be the city for you. Just remember to drink responsibly.
Now that you know just a few of the things you’ll need to bear in mind when planning your trip to Vancouver, it’s over to you to start creating an itinerary. Remember that the further in advance that you book, the more likely you are to be able to benefit from bulk discounts and other deals.
Other than that, the only thing to remember is to pack lightly so that you can bring plenty of gifts for your friends and family. And remember to pack a camera, too. Bon voyage!
Banner Image by Luke Lawreszuk from Pixabay