by Ellen Curham

If you head to Vancouver, BC during the summer months you’ll find an endless stream of activities in a city famed for its stunning natural surroundings. The small downtown core is easy to navigate and encased by quirky neighbourhoods, beautiful beaches and breathtaking mountains.

Only got 24 hours in this amazing city? We’ve got the lowdown on how to make the most of it…

Do breakfast downtown

First stop: Cafe Medina downtown for breakfast. This is one of Vancouver’s best-loved morning and brunch spots, serving Middle Eastern-inspired dishes and delicious waffles. Located right in the central core, you’ll get a real feel for this lively section of the city.

Take a hike

Then hop on the Seabus to the shores of North Vancouver. It only takes 15 minutes and will give you amazing views of the city skyline for the same price as a regular bus. Keep an eye out for whales—they’ve been known to venture this close to the city during summer months! Once you disembark catch a bus from the terminal to Lynn Canyon. This gorgeous forest park features quaint trails, a rustic suspension bridge and an icy pool for bathing in on hot days.

Hit the shops

Afterwards, make your way back downtown and venture to the historic Gastown quarter, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood. This trendy downtown spot features fashionable boutiques for a niche shopping experience with lots of local brands like John Fluevog and Kit and Ace. You can also check out the Steam Clock, a popular tourist attraction and the neighbouring Chinatown district for cheap souvenirs.

Food truck feast

For a cheap and cheerful lunch, grab a bite from one of Vancouver’s many food trucks. There are plenty parked downtown on a daily basis with locals loving Tacofino for Mexican eats, Mom’s Grilled Cheese for sandwiches and Chickpea for Mediterranean-style vegetarian dishes. Head to the steps at Robson Square where you can enjoy your meal surrounded by locals on lunch.

Cycle the seawall

After lunch, get to Denman Street where you’ll find bike rental stores. Most offer comfortable cruisers—or if you’re with a pal, grab a tandem. Then make your way to the beautiful seawall which runs the perimeter of the city and Stanley Park. The path is flat and full of incredible sites to take in. Make sure you hop off to see the totem poles in the park and check out some of the beautiful beaches.

History lessons

If you’re looking to learn about the region, one of the best places to check out is the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, located on the West Side of the city. Learn about the cultures of the First Nations of BC and get a real insight for the true history of Canada.

Hungry hippies

On your way back, you’ll pass through the vibrant Kitsilano neighbourhood. Its residents are famed for their healthy lifestyles and you’ll find a plethora of juice bars and beach-front yoga classes here. Stop at the Naam, a 24-hour vegetarian restaurant serving up large, filling and healthy portions to reenergize you for some night-time fun.

Brewery crawl

Keep heading east to the hip Mount Pleasant neighbourhood to sample some of Vancouver’s craft beer scene by going on a brewery crawl. Brassneck, 33 Acres, Red Truck, Steel Toad and Main Street Brewing are all within a few blocks of each other. Make sure to get a flight of beer and sample all that’s on offer, especially the famed West Coast-style pale ales.

Into the night…

What you do next depends on what you’re in the mood for. The entertainment district of Granville Street located downtown has a street lined with nightclubs pounding out the latest chart music while you’ll find alternative and hip hop clubs in the Gastown area. If you feel like continuing to bar hop, then go down Main Street and over to Commercial Drive for quirkier haunts.

Where to stay?

If all that sounds exhausting, make sure you check in to some nice digs to catch some shut-eye afterwards. The HI-Vancouver Downtown is located steps from English Bay and within walking distance of Stanley Park.

Meanwhile, SameSun Vancouver is located directly on Granville Street and is known for pub crawls and as a great place to meet other travellers.

Thanks to Raymond Bucko, SJ, Bernt Rostad, flightlog, Kenny Louie, Paul Hamilton and Matthew Kendall for use of their great images under the Creative Commons license.

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