Vancouver is one of the largest cities in Canada and there are so many things to do in Vancouver winter. It is often overlooked as a stopping point heading to the winter snow, but I love Vancouver as a standalone destination in the winter. Keep reading for the 12 Best Things to do in Vancouver winter!
Tips on Spending Winter in Vancouver
Located in the beautiful British Columbia, Vancouver is a gorgeous winter destination. As long as you keep warm, which includes dressing in the right clothing and taking indoor breaks, Vancouver is a great place to hang out from the months of November to March.
Here are my top tips for spending winter in Vancouver.
Tip #1: Dress warm but in layers! Temperatures in the Vancouver winter months can drop to 30 degrees, so it’s important to dress warm and appropriately.
However the restaurants and a lot of the buildings in Vancouver really do blast their heating, so it gets very toasty indoors. You don’t want to be stuck in a turtleneck sweater and sweating indoors.
On my trip, I carried my favorite adidas All Szn Fleece Boyfriend Hoodie in Black. It’s warm, comfortable, and versatile for all types of occasions. I wore it both on hikes and to dinner. adidas has a lot of other women’s hoodie options for layering.
You can also check out the adidas fleece options for even warmer clothes. Fleece pants are especially a great way to stay warm.
You can also layer an adidas jacket with the hoodie.
Tip #2: Mix a day with indoor and outdoor activities. Even if you dress up really warm, it will get cold and stiff outside. Especially if you have kids with you, you’ll want to mix up indoor and outdoor activities. Luckily, there are lots of fun indoor activities and cute cafes to warm you up in Vancouver winter.
Tip #3: Try to get a hike in – even if it is cold! A lot of the hikes close to Vancouver are very crowded and busy in the summer. Even the parking lots fill up super early during the summer, and you could easily be spending 20-30 minutes circling to find parking.
However in the winter months, the hiking trails clear up and you will have more of the trail and the views to yourself. Parking is of course a lot easier. Hiking is one of the best things you can do in Vancouver winter.
Things to do in Vancouver in Winter
There are tons of winter activities in Vancouver. If you can brave the colder air and weather (of course you can!), Vancouver is such a fun city to spend time in.
Cozy Winter Activities in Vancouver
1. Spend time in Downtown Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver is the main hub of downtown. Although I typically like to avoid downtown areas when I travel, Downtown Vancouver is really nice in the winter with the Christmas lights up.
Robson Square is a good place to start, where you will have an opportunity to go ice skating at the Robson Square Ice Rink.
Next, check out The Vancouver Art Gallery, which has a diverse collection of Canadian and Indigenous art, as well as international exhibitions. The gallery often features special exhibitions and events.
2. Visit Science World
When you’re sick of the cold, head to Science World. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of False Creek, Vancouver’s Science World is a great place to visit for both adults and families. When we were driving by False Creek, I asked my friend what the giant light-up dome was. It’s a really nice centerpiece of the area and super popular on the weekends.
Science World has a ton of different displays on and a kid’s play area with lots of cool features. They also have OMNIMAX Theatre, an expansive wrap-around screen.
We spent around 2.5-3 hours at Science World with our toddler and loved every minute of it. It was a great way to relax in the afternoon, away from the cold. Admission costs are CAD$33.20 for adults and CAD$22.50 for children.
3. Eat Cantonese Seafood / Dim sum!
Visiting Vancouver in the winter means fewer crowds, which is great for visiting any of the super popular restaurants here. Vancouver is famous for their Chinese food, and specifically Cantonese seafood.
Around 20% of Vancouver residents are Chinese, so it’s no surprise that the Chinese food is amazing here. Vancouver’s Chinese population dates back to the late 19th century. The city’s Chinatown is also one of the oldest and largest in North America.
Within Cantonese seafood, Vancouver is known for its vibrant dim sum culture, with numerous restaurants offering this traditional Chinese dining experience. Dim sum, which is effectively a variety of bite-sized dishes, is a really good “brunch” or lunch option.
Some famous dim sum places in Vancouver near downtown are:
For the best Chinese food, you will want to drive further south to Richmond. Just south of the Vancouver Airport, eating dim sum in Richmond is one of the best things you can do in Vancouver winter.
My favorite dim sum spots in Richmond are:
In addition to traditional dim sum dishes like shu mai and shrimp dumplings, you will want to order their seafood specials. This can range from a lobster, to king crab, to abalone.
4. Go on a food tour
The other option for finding good food in Vancouver is to go on a food tour. The original Vancouver Food Tour is a very popular option for visitors to the Vancouver area. The Gastown tasting tour is a good option if you’re looking for vibrant city-like restaurants. Buzzy restaurants, craft cocktails and beers, small plates, etc.
5. Check out the Vancouver Lookout
It seems like every city has one of these nowadays, and Vancouver is no different. The Vancouver Lookout is located centrally in Downtown Vancouver, and provides a warm way to see a 360 view of the surrounding area.
It is open every day from 10am-6pm, including during the winter. Because it is so cold outside, the Vancouver Lookout is a great option for families looking to have a view without braving too much of the winter weather.
Admission prices run CAD$18.25 for adults.
Best Vancouver Winter Outdoor Activities
Spending time outside in Vancouver winter may seem a bit odd, but it is totally worth it – I promise!
6. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Nestled in the rainforest just north of Vancouver and a little past Stanley Park is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. This park is famous for its suspension bridge that goes across the majestic Capilano River, offering panoramic vistas of colossal Douglas firs and the surrounding landscape.
Capilano Suspension Bridge hosts a cool event called Canyon Lights, which makes it one of the best things to do in Vancouver winter. The bridge is lit up for the Christmas holiday season.
From the website – Cross the world-famous bridge, lit end-to-end with a changing multi-colour display, and sway high above the illuminated Capilano River. Journey into a glittering rainforest and walk high above the forest floor on a transformed Treetops Adventure. Finally, walk along the twinkling cliffside pathway of Cliffwalk.
7. Walk the Seawall Water Walk
If you are already near downtown Vancouver, you will walk to head to the Seawall Water Walk. The Seawall Water Walk wraps around the Vancouver Harbor and starts at the Vancouver Convention Center. It goes all the way North West up to Stanley Park.
We usually walk for around an hour and then head back into our cars to warm up – it is cold after all!
Grab a coffee at Giovane Caffe beforehand to keep your hands warm while you walk.
8. Visit Granville Island
Granville Island in Vancouver is a vibrant and eclectic district situated on a peninsula just south of Downtown Vancouver. Known for its bustling public market, artisan shops, galleries, and performance spaces, Granville Island offers a unique blend of culinary delights, arts, and a lively atmosphere.
Your first stop in Granville Island should be the Granville Island Public Market, where you can browse along any of the food vendors here. Most of the market is indoors, but you will be outdoors in areas as well.
You can then just walk around the small Granville Island and take in all the sights while your belly is full.
9. Take the Skyride up to Grouse Mountain
Even in the winter, you can take the Skyride gondola up to Grouse Mountain. From November 24th to December 25th, you can visit the Peak of Christmas, where you can go ice skating, say hi to Santa and enjoy other Christmas activities.
10. Hike Quarry Rock Hike in Deep Cove
Quarry Rock in Deep Dive finally reopened after being closed for 3 years. This is absolutely one of the most popular hikes in Vancouver, even in the winter.
The 2.5 mile hike will take you about 1.5-2 hours to complete. The hiking trail starts basically in a neighborhood, and you will have to go through a long set of stairs to reach the hiking trail.
Parking can be tough here too, which is why I love hiking in Vancouver winter. We found a parking spot immediately on a Saturday – something that is super rare.
On the hike, it’s easy to get overheated and then feel cold if you stop. There is a good amount of elevation on this hike at 675ft., so you will want to wear different layers. On this trip, I wore my adidas Daily Run 7/8 leggings in Silver Violet, adidas TLRD Impact Training High-Support Sports Bra, adidas All Szn Fleece Boyfriend Hoodie in Black, layered with a long sleeve Merino wool shirt under. This was enough layers to keep me warm, as we were keeping at a pretty fast pace along the hike.
For shoes, I opted to go with my adidas Terrex Skychaser 2.0 Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes. In the winter, the hiking trails tend to get muddy, so you want a shoe with more grip than your standard running shoe. adidas has a lot of hiking shoe options that offer different types of support – and the famous adidas fashionable style!
11. Hike around Stanley Park
Another great hiking destination is Stanley Park. There are so many trails here, as well as recreational courts, a rose garden, and biking trails.
Some easy hiking options are Beaver Lake Trail, and the Stanley Park Inner Loop, or you can make your own trail by checking out the Stanley Park trail map.
Hiking at Stanley Park is one of the best things to do in Vancouver winter because it feels like you are getting away from the city without being too far away from it.
You can stop at Prospect Point Cafe for a quick coffee to warm yourself up or check out any of the food vendors that have an official permit with Vancouver.
A winter bonus at Stanley Park is Bright Nights, running from November 30 2023 to January 2024. This Christmas celebration on the famous train is decked out for Christmas. Tickets do sell out early – so be sure to buy them as soon as you can.
12. Ski at Cypress Mountain
Technically local at 30 minutes away, Cypress Mountain is a good ski option if you don’t want to make a far trip out to the famous Whisler. Whistler has also become so touristy now-a-days, with tons of international visitors, that most locals don’t even ski there anymore.
Cypress Mountain is a very good local option for skiing. You can ski during the day and be back in the city of Vancouver for a great dinner at night.
Ski lift tickets are also much more reasonable at CAD$85 per person, rather than CAD$142 for Whistler.
If you are looking for more hiking options near Vancouver, check out my Guide to Banff National Park
What to Pack for Winter in Vancouver
Vancouver winter can be very cold, starting as early as November. Packing strategically for a weekend trip in Vancouver winter is crucial.
Start with the basics: bring layers. Start with a good base layer like the adidas Running Tops.
Waterproof and windproof outer layers are essential due to the coastal city’s frequent rainfall. Vancouver gets a lot rainier than Seattle, and yes people take around umbrellas here. Adidas has great jacket options, including rain jackets and windbreakers that are great for a Vancouver winter trip.
Next, you’ll want some comfortable shoes, preferably with good traction. I would say it’s a must for hiking in trails, parks, and even just slippery roads. adidas recently came out with awesome, new hiking shoe options including the Terrex AX4.
Given the cooler temperatures, pack a mix of sweaters, thermal layers, and long-sleeved shirts. Don’t forget a hat, gloves, and a scarf to stay comfortable during outdoor activities too.
Getting around Vancouver
Getting around Vancouver is super easy now that they’ve welcomed Uber to town. Back in 2017, I visited Vancouver in the pre-Uber times and it took me one hour to call a taxi (both in person and via their phone number). That’s right – ONE hour!!
Since then, I vowed to always rent a car. But on my most recent trip in 2023, I realized that Uber had come back! This expands the options as public transit is very good in Vancouver as well.
You can easily rent a car from the Vancouver airport, take Ubers around the city, or take the train as well.
Where to Stay in Vancouver in Winter
The most popular place to stay in Vancouver is downtown. This is where most of the hotels are but this is also where it will be the loudest and there will be some homeless population.
If you don’t want to stay downtown, I liked renting an Airbnb in the False Creek area, next to Science World.
You can also rent an Airbnb closer to Granville Island.
Overall Impressions with Vancouver Winter
Overall, I really enjoy spending time in Vancouver, BC in the winter. It’s a different North American city and really lights up during the Christmas holiday time. There are so many cool Christmas events, the hiking trails become a lot emptier, and you really just get to enjoy the city with fewer crowds.
There are so many cool things to do in Vancouver winter, I suggest staying in Vancouver for at least 3 days to get the most out of it. Make sure to make restaurant reservations early – as this is still a bustling city full of locals in the winter.
Have to been to Vancouver in the winter before? What did you think?
