To start your Vancouver holidays on the right note, make like a Vancouverite and wake with the sun.

The perfect way to get your bearings around Vancouver is to go for a bike ride around its 28-km-long seawall, also known as the “world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path”. Start by renting your bicycle from one of the rental shops at the Georgia Street entrance of Stanley Park – Vancouver’s famous urban forest.

This 1,000-acre park is emblematic of the symbiotic relationship between the city’s expansive stretches of nature and its steel-and-glass skyscrapers. Many of the trees found in the park are centenarians (which you can explore via a walking tour), while a contemporary seawall borders its perimeter. Housing the Vancouver Aquarium, the famous Japadog food cart, and ample dining options, Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s most popular recreational spots.

Photo by Dania Shaeeb on Unsplash

A short ferry ride away, Granville Island offers a delectable collection of shops, galleries, cafes, bookstores, and theatre venues. Its Public Market is a hot favourite among locals and tourists alike; get ready to pick up all manner of delicious food and baked goods, local produce, and unique gifts while you are here.

For a cultural encounter like no other, spend an afternoon at the renowned Museum of Anthropology. It houses more than 500,000 cultural artefacts, including an extensive collection of First Nations art and objects from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Gawk at First Nation totem poles, canoes, feast dishes, and ceremonial masks in the Museum’s Great Hall. Look out for the iconic sculpture Raven and the First Men by the artist, Bill Reid – this memorable artwork is featured on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill.

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Blessed with a milder climate relative to other Canadian cities, Vancouver’s neighbourhoods and nature parks are made for walking.

Uncover Vancouver’s hidden secrets and decadent pasts with the Forbidden Tour. During the walk, you’ll discover the lost souls of Gastown, or uncover how this seemingly spotless city came to be known as the capital of sin.

For a breathtaking perspective of Vancouver’s natural beauty, embark on the North Shore Mountain Discovery tour. It takes you up Grouse Mountain through the lush North Shore rainforest, and across the 70-metre-high Capilano Suspension Bridge – a heart-stopping feature on many a traveller’s Vancouver to-do list.

If you are intrigued by Vancouver's deep-rooted Chinese history, take a “wok” around Chinatown – literally and figuratively. This four-hour walking tour begins with a meandering journey through the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden, an impressive urban oasis of green, a stunning garden reflective of the Ming Dynasty era and the first of its kind outside of China.

Be prepared to marvel at barbequed ducks and gasp at jars containing animal and plant parts with mystifying medicinal properties. After all that walking, you will be rewarded with a dim sum (bite-sized portions of Chinese food) lunch and a traditional tea ceremony.

To explore the city further, you can book a tour with Cycle City Tours. As you explore the city on two wheels, you’ll discover Stanley Park and Granville Island, plus the Olympic Village and Gastown, a cobbled heritage area ranked among the most stylish neighbourhoods in the world.

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As far as culinary adventures go, Time Out, CN Traveler and The World’s 50 Best have all placed AnnaLena on their must-try list. The restaurant exudes contemporary style with a subtle edge, highlighted by dishes like oysters with shaved foie gras, buttermilk fried chicken with lemongrass, and pork cheek with harissa. Its chocolate-covered crispy chicken skin is a unique dessert option, adding a sweet twist to the meal. Beyond the food, the establishment's decor featuring pop-culture figurines serves as a captivating conversation starter.

For a taste of French Canadian cuisine, visit Michelin-starred St. Lawrence Restaurant. Their monthly-changing menu ensures freshness, while the creative French country decor provides a cosy ambience. Don't miss the must-try lamb confit if available during your visit.

Next up, for something quintessentially Vancouver, the Vancouver Sun recommends the Blue Water Cafe. Dishing out sustainable seafood and sushi in Yaletown, it might just be your best bet for delectable ocean fare. While you are at it, consider this list of restaurants curated by Eater Magazine.

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