British Columbia is definitely one of the most popular Canadian provinces to visit for tourists. As the largest city in British Columbia, Vancouver is often chosen as the starting point to other destinations in the province.
Home to lots of lake resorts to immerse in the natural beauty of British Columbia, Vancouver is especially popular during the summer months. However, it's also a great destination to visit if you plan to celebrate New Year's Eve up north.
In this post, we've got Adelina from YVR Bucketlist to share some of the best places to visit in Vancouver on a budget.
The city is also one of the most expensive destinations in Canada, so here's everything you need to know if you plan to explore Vancouver without breaking the bank!
Vancouver, Canada has the reputation for being an expensive city to visit and judging by hotel rooms alone, you'd be right.
However, once you're in the city, there are plenty of things to do that come a little to no cost. Currently, $10 USD is equal to about $13 CAD, but we won't need the full amount for a day of exploration.
The first thing I would do is pick up a transit day pass, which costs $10.25 but allows you unlimited travel on the city's network of buses, skytrain, and seabus.
Stanley Park
Spend the morning exploring Vancouver's Stanley Park and take a walk along the seawall – a 9 km route along the outer edge of the park offering beautiful views of the city, water, and park.
Stanley Park – Credit: PackMeTo.com
Don't miss the Totem Poles in the park and the “Girl in a Wetsuit” statue in the water, a homage to Copenhagen‘s Little Mermaid sculpture, both not too far from the Brockton Point Lighthouse.
On the other side of the park looking out towards the Georgia Straight, be sure to check out Siwash Rock, a 32 million-year-old sea stack.
Gastown
Next, you can head across downtown and visit the charming Gastown area where Vancouver had its origins.
Along the way, stop in Alley Oop and strike a pose in this Insta-famous alleyway. You can also join the Gastown Historic Food Walking Tour to learn more about the history of the neighborhood while indulging in some heritage delicacy, from the local craft beer to the famous Canadian poutine.
Gastown – Credit: PackMeTo.com
Once in Gastown, watch the Gastown Steam Clock chime and puff steam on the hour every hour.
Granville Island
Finally, make your way to Granville Island, a shopping and cultural district full of theaters, artisan workshops, and delicious restaurants.
Head to the Granville Island Public Market to pick up a snack, watch a busker show off their talents, visit an artist's studio, or check out the famous “Giants” – a series of six painted silos by the Ocean Concrete plant.
Granville Island Public Market – Credit: PackMeTo.com
There you have it, more than a full day of sightseeing for the price of a bus pass!
And if you're looking into some different options, you can also visit some other interesting areas to explore like Chinatown, Commercial Drive area, as well as take the seabus across the Vancouver Harbour to North Vancouver and explore Lonsdale Quay.
Contributor: Adelina from YVR Bucketlist
Adelina is a part-time traveler, exploring the world despite having a full-time job. At YVR Bucket List, she aims to inspire visitors and locals to get out there and explore everything Vancouver and its surroundings has to offer.
