3 things to do in vancouver

We’ve got folks who are already starting to plan next summer’s Alaska cruises, and some of those voyages depart from Vancouver—a city we really love. Vancouver’s a great place to visit at any time of the year, so if you’re planning a trip, soon, why not check out our three top things to do in Vancouver?

1. TOTEM POLES AT STANLEY PARK

The nine totem poles at Brockton Point in Vancouver’s beloved Stanley Park are consistently ranked as one of the top tourist attractions in the entire province of British Columbia. Used for a variety of purposes, such as immortalizing a special event or recording a tribe’s history, few items evoke the mystery and rich history of Northwest Coast aboriginals as much as the iconic totem poles. The Vancouver Park Board has been collecting the totems since the 1920s, and they come mainly from First Nations peoples from Alert Bay, the Queen Charlotte Islands and Rivers Inlet. The ninth and most recent totem was carved by artist Robert Yelton of the Squamish Nation in 2009. With the sea and verdant Stanley Park as their backdrop, the totem poles provide one of the most poignant encounters with the First Nations’ way of life that Vancouver has to offer.

2. BEAVER LAKE TRAIL, STANLEY PARK

You’ll find Beaver Lake Trail in Stanley Park, a 1,001-acre expanse located next to downtown Vancouver. Bring along your camera and snap scenic shots of the West End’s apartment buildings, English Bay Beach and the bustling inner harbor’s boats and seaplanes.

3. SEEK A MOMENT OF SOLITUDE IN A GORGEOUS GARDEN

You’ll find the perfect spot for a contemplative lunch at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a city hideaway reminiscent of a 15th-century Chinese garden. Sip jasmine tea (free with entry) under a willow tree and admire the Ming Dynasty design and gardening technique of asymmetric rocks and plants, winding pathways and reflecting pools.

Ready to go to Vancouver? We’re ready to send you there! Just let us know!