Vancouver holidays

1. Get hands on with a visit to Science World, check out the geodesic dome, outdoor park and dozens of interactives spread across several floors. Sample a unique aerial view of the city with virtual reality ride Birdly.
2. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Those with a head for heights will enjoy strolling along the glass-bottomed clifftop walkway or the elevated canopy trail through the treeline. Once you’ve crossed the bridge you can enjoy historic exhibits, totem poles and shady nature trails. During winter months you can witness its magical transformation when it’s illuminated by over a million twinkling fairy lights.
3. For a more budget-friendly option, check out Lynn Canyon, which also has a suspension bridge and a hiking trail which leads to a pretty gorge, but without the Capilano’s entrance fee.
4. For a glimpse into the West End’s heritage before the skyscrapers arrived, swing by the Roedde House Museum. This 1893 Queen Anne-style mansion features rooms decked out with priceless antiques, such as an Edison cylinder record player, 250-year-old grandfather clock and mounted deer heads. Come on the last Sunday of the month when your entrance ticket includes tea and cookies served in vintage china.
5. Learn more about Canada’s indigenous peoples with a trip to the Museum of Anthropology, which resides in a distinctive building by Arthur Erickson erected on land in the territory of the Musqueam people. The museum is home to thousands of artifacts including textiles, ceramics, massive totem poles, masks and more.
6. Open at weekends from May to October, the Richmond Night Market is North America’s largest. Sample foods like grilled squid, pho fries, gyozas, roti mac and cheese, and nitrogen ice cream at the food stalls, then shop for gifts on the retail stalls. There are games, live music and entertainment, and always great people-watching.

• Abbotsford, in the Greater Vancouver area, is known as the ‘city in the country’ and offers small town charm and views of rolling hills and mountains. Here you can discover farms, award-winning wineries, hiking trails and golf courses. Top attractions include the Castle Fun Park, the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery and an internationally regarded airshow.
• Hop on the Aquabus to the former industrial area of Granville Island, which has grown to become one of the city’s most prized waterfront spaces. Today it’s a key artistic and cultural hub, thanks to the likes of the Net Loft shops, the Artisan District, green spaces, specialty food shops and galleries. It’s also famed for its lively Public Market with over 50 food stalls, plus you can pop into the Artisan SakeMaker there and sample some sake ice cream.
• The sought-after area of Kitsilano is a cosy seaside district famed for being the birthplace of Hollywood luminary Ryan Reynolds. It offers superb beaches, many great restaurants and a history of counterculture. The area’s home to a thriving coffee culture and its beaches feature Canada’s longest swimming pool. Don’t miss a live performance at the open-air amphitheatre. Browse the independent retailers along West Fourth Avenue and get interstellar at the HR MacMillan Space Centre.
• Yaletown is one of Vancouver’s most chic and prestigious hoods. There’s a preponderance of former warehouse buildings, restaurants, nightlife and boutiques. Stroll along the stretch of the seawall in the False Creek area past marinas and high-rises, drop into an event at the Roundhouse Community Centre or pay a visit to the railway museum. Call into a pavement cafe before shopping for one-off items in its quirky stores such as Fine Finds Boutique and pet store Barking Babies.
• Davie Village is a lively neighbourhood amid the bustling West End. It’s known for being the city’s LGBTQ+ area, as you’ll see from its sea of rainbow banners. By night it’s chock full of thumping clubs, bars and street life. The dining options here are truly multi-cultural, with eateries spanning from Malaysian to Persian.
• Whistler is the region’s key winter sports hub, but it’s a charming resort year-round. Take the Whistler wine walk and sample the town’s art scene with seasonal bites paired with the finest British Columbia wines. In autumn you can enjoy the fall colours and crisp mountain air. Have a picnic by the Lost Lake, kayak along the River of Golden Dreams and go on a mountain bike adventure riding on numerous trails.
• Hop on a ferry and explore Vancouver Island. It’s a laidback place defined by ancient forests, rugged coastlines and the cooling Pacific waters. The island is 283 miles long, spanning from the province’s capital of Victoria to the far-flung beaches of Cape Scott Provincial Park. It’s also home to several smaller islands to discover.
• Downtown Vancouver is a vibrant place comprising four distinct areas namely Gastown, the West End, Yaletown and Coal Harbour. The city centre is packed with attractions, art and entertainment, cool dining spots and prime shopping. While it’s easy to explore on foot you should take a ride on its futuristic SkyTrain monorail line.

 Fairmont Vancouver Airport is wedged between the ocean and mountains offering spectacular views. Some of its many amenities include a full-service spa, health club, signature restaurant and bar. Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel is an all-suite hotel with well-equipped kitchenettes in the main entertainment and sports district. Relax in the indoor pool with hot tub, the spa or with a drink in the garden terrace. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is famed for its ‘castle in the city’ appearance. It’s a shopping destination in its own right with the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton in the lobby area. The hotel features two stately ballrooms and all the elegance of an English castle. While Fairmont Waterfront offers outstanding views of the harbour, city and stunning coastal mountains. Visit the hotel’s highly rated restaurant, and relax on the rooftop, which features a heated swimming pool and a herb garden.