8 Free must-see places to visit while in Vancouver area

Vancouver is a great place to visit. There are many things you can see and do that do not cost a lot of money. In this blog, I will share some of Vancouver’s must-see places to visit.

We were very lucky that the smoke from the fires burning in and around BC and the US did not affect us till near the end of our visit. Unfortunately, a few places we put off till another time as viewing the beautiful mountain ranges were not so clear. Sad that so much beauty was destroyed by these fires.

A few of these places have some pretty long hikes with uneven terrain so it is a good idea to have some Hiking Essentials to bring along.

1. Deep Cove, Quarry Rock

Deep Cove can be found in the North-Eastern edge of  North Vancouver. You may get to it off of the Mount Seymour Parkway or from Dollarton HWY. (North eas2400 Panorama Dr). This beautiful cove is nestled on the Indian Arm of the Vancouver Harbour. A small little hamlet with a population of approx 469 residences and businesses. You will find restaurants, pubs, picnic areas, shopping and watersports on the beach.

The Hike

This hike up to Quarry Rock is 1 1/2 -2-hour hike. I highly recommend good footwear, water, and snack. It’s a family-type hike but it definitely gets your heart pumping. The terrain is stairways, uneven ground with an increase and a decrease in elevation to the rock. Once at the rock, upmost caution must be taken as there have been lives lost due to falling over. At the rock, you are adorned with the majestic beauty of the cove in the distance as well as the harbor.

2. Stanely Park

Stanely Park is a public park with 405-hectare of trails (27Km)and forest that borders the downtown of Vancouver and is almost entirely surrounded by waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. You can walk the seawall, swim, kayak, boarding, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, view the harbor and the Vancouver Skyline or visit the Vancouver Aquarium nestled inside the park. The park has lush gardens, trees, and totem poles to admire. There is also a dog-friendly beach where you can let your dog run and swim with new friends.

3. Park Royal/Ambleside park

Park Royal is a sophisticated urban shopping village, with stores like Lululemon and the new Salomon retailer that will be sure to please. Here you may be fortunate to find some unique cars like the Lamborghini parked outside the coffee shop among many others. The area in which the Park Royal is located is a short walk to the harbor. We walked along the Seawall and into Ambleside park which is a beautiful walk full of lush forests and a pond with a variety of birds and turtles.

4. Lynn Canyon

Lynn Canyon is located on the eastern edge of North Vancouver.Off the Trans Canada Highway 1 to exit 19. Follow Lynn Valley Road. Once you cross the suspension bridge you are open to 617 acres of a forest full of hiking trails and walking paths where you come across very tranquil areas of streams, waterfalls and a 30 ft swimming hole. The swimming hole can be very busy but is a nice place to dip your feet after a walk in the heat of the sun.  This swimming hole also consists of a place where many cliff dive. Diving is not promoted although it is a popular attraction for youth and beyond as a great place to hang with friends and check out some daredevils who are willing to plunge into the crevice. Caution is advised as many have been known to lose their life diving in some of the areas along the pathways.

I recommend good footwear as well as water, snack and your swimsuit.

5. White Rock

White Rock was named form the  486-ton boulder that resides on the beach that migrated south during the last glaciation.

This quaint area can be found on the Southern edge of Surrey. The street is lined with shops and restaurants with breathtaking views of the pier and ocean that in the distance is the USA.

Low tide in the morning is a great time for a walk to find seashells, crabs of all sizes and sea life.

6 Steveston Fishermans Warf

Steveston is another quaint little fishing village on the western shores of Richmond. Here you will find some unique shops and find some of the best fish and chips at some of the local restaurants on the pier. Fishing boats pull in and tie up to the pier where you walk along to find the seafood of your choice to purchase. Steveston is also known for a perfect place to film many tv shows and movies. Walk the streets and find that perfect gift or treasure to bring home.

7. Pacific Beach/Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach is a clothing-optional beach. It is found off HWY 99 on Marine Drive.  We were not sure what to expect as it was our first time on this type of beach. I must say, It is not what you may think. People are very friendly and comfortable in their own skin. Although we kept our clothes on I realize that no clothing is not such a big deal. I can also say that maybe once I visited the journey it took to get there, I may be more fit to, therefore, more at ease to be unclothed. The trek down to the beach is 500 wooden steps. Not so bad going down but coming back up was quite a workout. Yes, That is 1,000 steps in all. YIKES!

It is a beautiful beach but is colder as it is from the Pacific. Here one can join in a game of Volleyball, walk the shores or bask in the sun.

8. Grouse Mountain Grind

We never had the chance to visit but will definitely be on my list next time I visit Vancouver. Known for a natural stair master as it has 2,830 stairs and is 2.9 kilometers long up the mountainside.

Grouse mountain has an array of activities such as Zip-lining, Skyride, Chairlift, Mountain Golf, Paragliding, Helicopter tours that require tickets as well as a garden, demonstrations, and shows. It looks like a great place to spend the day. The hike is free so come prepared for a day of hiking.