A Local’s Guide to the City We Love
Vancouver is a city where the ocean meets forest, where every neighbourhood has its own rhythm, and where food connects it all. As locals who spend our days exploring and tasting this city, we’re thrilled to share our insider guide to the best things to do in Vancouver in 2025.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a week-long trip, this 2025 Vancouver guide covers local favourites, foodie experiences, hidden gems, and iconic attractions. It’s designed to help you explore Vancouver like a local while hitting all the top spots tourists love.
This isn’t just a checklist of tourist stops — it’s the city as we experience it every day. From early-morning seawall walks to hidden dumpling shops and cultural gems, here’s how to explore Vancouver like a local.
Best Time to Visit Vancouver
The best time to visit Vancouver is from May to October, when the weather is mild, days are long, and outdoor activities are at their best. Summer is perfect for festivals, beach days, and exploring Granville Island Market.
Spring and early fall offer blooming gardens, fewer crowds, and pleasant walking weather, making them ideal for exploring Stanley Park, Kitsilano, and the North Shore trails.
Winter brings cozy cafés, mountain snow activities, and opportunities for indoor cultural experiences, though rain is more frequent.
Stroll the Stanley Park Seawall
The Stanley Park Seawall is Vancouver’s crown jewel. Stretching 9 km around the park (or 22 km if you loop through False Creek to Kits Beach), it’s the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path.
This iconic walk or bike ride offers some of the best city and mountain views in Vancouver.
Local tip: go early in the morning or near sunset to avoid crowds. Along the way, explore Beaver Lake Trail — a serene forest pocket with lily-pad ponds, birdsong, and photo opportunities many visitors miss.
Other highlights include Prospect Point, Second Beach, and Third Beach — perfect for picnics, swimming, or sunset views.
Discover the Layers of Granville Island
Yes, the Granville Island Public Market is a must — but Granville Island has so much more if you know where to look. Behind the bustle, you’ll find the Railspur District, home to artisan studios, a hidden distillery, and the island’s very own artisan sake maker.
Wander through local art galleries, boutique shops, and live theatre venues, including the Improv Centre and Granville Island Stage.
Local tip: stop at Off the Tracks Bistro for a morning coffee or seasonal pastries. The patio is a hidden summer gem frequented by locals.
👉 Want to taste Granville Island like a local? Join our Granville Island Foodie Tour — a guided tasting experience featuring top vendors, local ingredients, and behind-the-scenes stories.
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Gastown & Chinatown — History, Bites & Hidden Sips
Gastown’s steam clock and cobblestones make it Vancouver’s most photographed neighbourhood, but insiders know the real treasures are tucked into its side streets: hidden cocktail bars, laneway murals, and family-run eateries.
A short walk away, Chinatown is a cultural anchor. Pop into herbal medicine shops, sip tea at Ten Ren Tea, or explore the peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Vancouver Foodie Tours’ founder, Michelle Ng, shares that her favourite restaurant in the city right now is The Mackenzie Room, just east of Gastown. She highly recommends trying the tasting menu for a true chef-driven experience.
👉 On our Gastronomic Gastown Tour, stroll Gastown’s cobblestones with local foodie experts, enjoy a progressive meal at three premium restaurants, and participate in an exclusive cocktail or mocktail-making experience.
Kitsilano Vibes — Sun, Salt & Stories
Known simply as “Kits,” this neighbourhood is where Vancouver slows down. Kits Beach is a local favourite for swimming, volleyball, and watching the mountains glow at sunset. Just behind the beach, you’ll find streets lined with boutique shops, independent cafés, yoga studios, and laid-back restaurants.
Local tip: Pack a picnic or grab takeout from The Naam (vegetarian institution since the ’60s) or AnnaLena (modern Canadian cuisine with a creative twist). In summer, locals spread out on the grass above the beach to watch the sun dip into the ocean.
Did you know? The surrounding area has deep Indigenous roots — once home to the Squamish village of Sen̓áḵw, whose presence continues to influence the community today.
North Shore Escapes — Deep Cove & Lynn Canyon
Trade downtown energy for forest quiet by heading across Burrard Inlet to Vancouver’s North Shore.
Deep Cove: Rent a kayak, paddle out into the calm cove, and finish with a world-famous Honey’s Donut.
Lynn Canyon Park: Walk the suspension bridge for sweeping views — all the thrills of Capilano, but free and less crowded.
Local tip: Visit mid-week in the morning for quieter trails. For extra adventure, take a short drive to Grouse Mountain for panoramic views, ziplining, or snowshoeing in winter.
Culture & Creativity Beyond Downtown
Vancouver’s culture stretches well past downtown, from world-class museums on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus to neighbourhoods where art and history live in the streets.
UBC Cultural Highlights
- Museum of Anthropology: Fully reopened in June 2024, MOA is a must-visit for Indigenous art and heritage. Go on a Thursday evening for half-price admission and the glow of the Great Hall at twilight.
- UBC Rose Garden: Cliffside blooms with stunning ocean and mountain views — a favourite spot for locals to picnic or watch the sunset.
- Nitobe Memorial Garden: A peaceful Japanese garden with koi ponds and arched bridges — a hidden gem steps away from the museum.
Urban Creativity & Heritage
- Mount Pleasant Murals: Every alley tells a story. Each summer, fresh murals brighten the neighbourhood — best paired with a stop at one of its many micro-breweries.
- Hogan’s Alley Memorial: A small but important site honouring Vancouver’s historic Black community. Quiet, powerful, and worth the detour.
Richmond’s Food Adventures
Just south of Vancouver, Richmond is a food lover’s paradise — especially if you’re craving authentic Asian eats.
- Richmond Night Market (May–October): endless stalls of dumplings, skewers, bubble waffles, and neon-lit fun.
- Dumpling Trail: a self-guided route to the best dumpling spots in the city — from pan-fried pork to delicate soup dumplings.
Local tip: bring cash and come hungry. Sharing dishes is the best way to try it all.
👉 Want to explore authentic Asian eats beyond Richmond? Join our Authentic Asian Eats Tour in downtown Vancouver — featuring tastings like Siu Mai dumplings, sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, and Japchae noodles, guided by a local expert.
Indigenous-Led Walks & Storytelling
To truly understand Vancouver, explore it through the lens of its first peoples. Indigenous-led tours (like Talaysay’s Talking Trees Tour) share cultural knowledge of local plants, the history of this land, and the stories passed down for generations.
It’s a moving, memorable way to connect more deeply with the city.
Local Tips for Living Like a Vancouverite
Transit Hack: Buy a DayPass for unlimited SkyTrain, bus, and Seabus travel.
Weather Wisdom: Always carry a light rain jacket — even in September (“Vancouver sunshine”).
Coffee Culture: Skip chains. Try Revolver in Gastown or Elysian on 5th Avenue for locally roasted beans.
Hidden Café Pick: Ovaltine Café on Hastings — an old-school diner stepping back in time.
Where to Stay in Vancouver
Most visitors stay downtown or in North Vancouver for walkability and Seabus access.
Downtown: Robson or Coal Harbour are walkable hotspots. Boutique picks: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Paradox Hotel, Pan Pacific Vancouver.
North Vancouver: Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier for sunset views, or Seaside Hotel in the Shipyards.
Local tip: Rental cars help for day trips to Whistler or Deep Cove, but downtown is highly walkable.
Getting Around Vancouver
Getting around Vancouver is easy with public transport and cycling.
SkyTrain, SeaBus, Aquabus: convenient for attractions without parking hassle.
Cycling: dedicated lanes near Stanley Park, Granville Island, and False Creek. Bike rentals are available at several locations around downtown.
Final Thoughts: Experience Vancouver Like a Local
There are endless things to do in Vancouver in 2025 — from mountain-backed beaches to hidden dumpling shops and Indigenous-led walks. The heart of the city is in its food, culture, and people.
Hungry for more? Join us at Vancouver Foodie Tours to skip the guesswork, taste the stories behind the flavours, and experience Vancouver like a local.
