Almost every couple in love enjoys strolls through beautiful places, where they can soak in picturesque natural or urban landscapes, unwind from daily life, or capture incredible photos. Vancouver boasts plenty of charming, cozy, and romantic spots perfect for a leisurely walk. Discover more at vancouveranka.
Stanley Park
This park isn’t just Vancouver’s largest; it’s the biggest in all of North America! That means you’re sure to find a quiet spot for a peaceful stroll, where lovebirds can enjoy some alone time. Here, you can admire stunning landscapes featuring lakes and mountains, all minimally touched by human intervention. The most scenic and longest walking route is the Seawall, an 8.8-kilometre path encircling the park between the water and the land.
Beyond its expansive trails, Stanley Park is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. The park boasts roughly half a million trees, some reaching nearly 80 metres tall and standing for hundreds of years. Among these trees, you’ll find about 200 bird species, while beavers can be spotted near the lakes. The forested areas are home to rabbits, coyotes, grey squirrels, skunks, and raccoons.
Vancouver Aquarium
Nestled within Stanley Park, a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium can be either a delightful part of your park exploration or a fantastic standalone date idea.
More than just a public attraction, the aquarium is a dedicated hub for marine research and animal rehabilitation. A portion of every ticket sold goes directly towards helping marine life.
Since 1996, the aquarium has stopped capturing animals from the wild. Instead, its residents are replenished through successful breeding programs, especially focusing on species threatened with extinction in their natural habitats.
In the main pools, you can marvel at dolphins, sharks, seals, and sea otters, while transparent tanks showcase giant jellyfish, octopuses, stingrays, turtles, and many other fascinating creatures. The aquarium is home to approximately 300 different aquatic species, alongside over 50 types of amphibians and 1,000 varieties of invertebrates.
For the best experience, try to time your visit with the feeding sessions of the aquarium’s residents.
The site also features an exotic mini-park, teeming with tropical butterflies, vibrant parrots, and unique plant life.
Granville Island
Once an industrial hub, Granville Island has transformed into a vibrant destination brimming with entertainment. It’s the epicentre of celebrations during Canada Day, and home to one of the city’s most renowned public markets. Here, you can sample an array of international dishes and delectable sweets: think whimsical ice cream flavours, locally made chocolate, homemade macarons, crispy pastries, and so much more. Grab a bite at one of the many cafes and restaurants, offering both indoor and patio seating.
The island is also a cultural hotspot, with popular venues like the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, an art gallery, and the city’s only professional improv theatre.
To top it all off, Granville Island offers breathtaking panoramic views of Vancouver and the bay, laid out as if in the palm of your hand.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Perched at the city’s highest point, Queen Elizabeth Park offers stunning panoramic views of Vancouver. It was created on the site of a former quarry, which operated from the 19th to the 20th century. After the quarry closed, locals petitioned for a park, but their requests initially went unanswered. It wasn’t until after World War II that the decision was made to establish the park, and the first sapling was planted. Two years later, then-Princess Elizabeth visited Vancouver and planted an English oak she brought with her.
Year by year, the park expanded, with new and diverse attractions emerging. The 1960s saw the creation of the **Sunken Garden** with its waterfall, followed by the opening of a conservatory, a golf course, a wedding pavilion, a tennis court, and cafes. You can enjoy dinner at the local “Seasons in the Park” restaurant or pack a picnic to enjoy outdoors.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
This garden demands just as much attention as Vancouver’s other green spaces. Spanning 22 hectares, VanDusen Botanical Garden is home to plant species from across the globe. The garden is divided into several themed areas, including the Canadian Garden, Rose Garden, Sino-Himalayan Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Perennial Garden, Stone Garden, and Northern Hemisphere Garden.
Adding to its charm, the grounds are adorned with striking stone sculptures created by artists from various countries during the 1975 Vancouver International Stone Sculpture Symposium.
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver is an integral part of the University of British Columbia. The museum’s extensive exhibits allow visitors to explore diverse global cultures in one place, with a particular focus on the lives of Canadian Indigenous peoples. The largest hall showcases impressive cedar totems, ancient wooden chests, and vibrant canoes. Separate galleries feature traditional instruments, everyday objects, clothing, masks, weapons, mummies, and other characteristic artifacts from various countries in Asia, Africa, and North and South America. In total, the museum’s collection boasts approximately 571,000 ethnographic and archaeological artifacts.
English Bay
English Bay, and its adjacent Spanish Banks, were named after the 1792 meeting between British Captain George Vancouver and Spanish Captains Valdés and Galiano. Several popular beaches lead to the bay, including English Bay Beach, Kitsilano Beach, and Sunset Beach. In the summer, English Bay hosts an international fireworks festival, and around New Year’s, the traditional Polar Bear Swim takes place. But even without special events, a stroll along the bay promises immense enjoyment.
Gastown
This historic downtown neighbourhood charms visitors with its narrow, cobblestone streets winding between inner courtyards, where hidden shops, cafes, and coffee houses, gas lamps, and Victorian-era buildings await.
Gastown is home to the world’s first steam-powered clock, now an iconic symbol of the area. Every 20 minutes, it chimes with the Westminster Quarters, and on the hour, it releases a dramatic cloud of steam. This clock was built to commemorate the community’s efforts in saving Gastown from demolition. You’ll also find the unique flatiron-shaped “Hotel Europe” here. Don’t miss the Vancouver Police Museum or the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden while you’re in Gastown.
Robson Square
This modernist urban plaza is crowned by its stunning glass roof. Above, a beautiful rooftop garden features serene ponds and cascading waterfalls. Administrative buildings first opened here in 1978, followed by courtrooms and the Vancouver Art Gallery, which is one of Canada’s largest and the biggest in British Columbia. For the 2010 Winter Olympics, an outdoor skating rink was added to the square, offering a fantastic spot for winter fun.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Get ready for an exhilarating experience 70 metres above the Capilano River! The Capilano Suspension Bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, stretching an impressive 137 metres. Originally constructed in the late 19th century from hemp ropes and cedar planks across the canyon, the bridge was upgraded in 1903 with sturdy steel cables capable of supporting the weight of 1,300 people simultaneously. Since then, it has become an incredibly popular attraction for both tourists and Vancouver locals alike.