Raining in Vancouver? Here’s what to do, eat, and explore:
1. Always bring an umbrella (or know where to find one)!
You must have heard this before, but it’s no joke! A true Vancouverite always has an umbrella on hand – you’ll never know when you’ll need it! You can pick up a pocket-size version at any drugstore or convenience store in the city.
If you’re staying at a hotel, there’s a good chance the concierge has an umbrella or two to lend!
2. Drink and play board games in a “Nerd Bar”
Grab a few friends and head to one of Vancouver’s “nerd bar” to drink, eat, and play board games! 131 Water Kitchen and Bar (Gastown) and Storm Crow Tavern are the best places to do so.
3. Indulge in a hot cup of liquid goodness
There is a silver lining to every rainy day in Vancouver. Experience our favourite Fall tastes with these decadent drinks:
- Cafe Thierry – There’s shots of liquid hot chocolate at this beloved Vancouver cafe. Thick, velvety and all-around dreamy, you can sip the afternoon away with their devilish varieties.
- Mink Chocolates – In a little plaza across from Vancouver’s waterfront, is an award-winning chocolate cafe. The Vancouver Foodie Tours Chairwoman, Michelle, adores their Dark Chocolate Mocha with Marshmallows!
- Granville Island Tea Company – Featured on our Granville Island Market Tour, the Signature Chai Latte from Granville Island Tea is the first taste we think of when we think of Fall. The house-made blend is created daily for ultimate freshness and fragrance!
4. Explore the (free) indoor spaces
Downtown Vancouver is filled with interesting indoor spaces that are totally free! Some of the city’s best places to be on a rainy day include:
- The Gift Shop at The Vancouver Art Gallery – a fun-filled store in the heart of the city, great for creative gifts, books, and souvenirs
- The lobby of Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Pacific Rim – breathtaking spaces to explore
- The HSBC Building Atrium – check out the giant swinging pendulum and grab a slice of authentic Roman-style pizza at Sciue (pictured above)!
- The lobby of Hotel Georgia – check out the 3D retrospective art piece
- The Kids Market on Granville Island – an colourful building of toy stores, play areas, and candy shops!
5. Go shopping in Vancouver’s underground mall
If you’re wandering along the streets of Vancouver, you might just miss Pacific Centre. The luxury shopping mall is anchored by Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew, but is otherwise hidden under three city blocks in downtown Vancouver. Stretching from W Pender Street to Robson Street, you’ll find H&M, Artizia, Michael Kors, The Apple Store and more!
6. Slurp a bowl of authentic ramen…and prepare for a nap
Rainy days mean ramen. They fall hand in hand. Nothing is more satisfying than a piping hot bowl of noodles and savoury goodness. So, when the skies turn gray, beeline to the West end of Robson Street and you’ll find countless noodle shops, each with their own signature broth. Local favourite include:
- Hokkaido Santouka Ramen (pictured above) – Consistently voted as the best ramen in Vancouver. Expect it to be noisy, steamy and wonderful inside!
- Marutama Ramen – We love the creamy chicken shio (miso) broth and thin, chewy noodles! They’ve now got three locations in the city!
- Taishoken Ramen – This ramen shop is in Vancouver’s historic neighbourhood, Gastown. Their signature dish is tsumeken, where the ramen is served separately from the broth. Every bite of noodles is to be dipped in a bowl of soup to maintain the perfect noodle consistency
Do you have more ideas on how to make the most of rainy days in Vancouver? Leave us a comment below – we’d love to hear from you!
