Vancouver is an amazing city that we’re so proud to call home, and one of the best things about this city is how many amazing adventures and experiences which can be enjoyed just a short distance from downtown. We’ve collected five of our favourite day trips to explore more of what makes Vancouver and British Columbia unique.
Experience a Charming Fishing Village: Located at the mouth of the Fraser River in Richmond, Steveston is a charming and historic fishing and salmon-canning village. Famous for its picturesque waterfront, which has featured in many movies and TV series, the village also features the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Shipyards national historic sites. While chefs and home cooks come here for the fresh seafood purchased at Fisherman’s Wharf, visitor can choose from whale-watching excursions, unique boardwalk shops, and amazing restaurants as part of a day in Steveston. Visit their website to learn more!
Explore the North Shore: Deep Cove is a gorgeous North Vancouver community nestled on the shore of Indian Arm at the base of Mount Seymour. Known for its calm waters and lush rainforest surroundings, it is a paradise for outdoor lovers with kayaking and stand up paddleboarding from the beach and pleasant hikes, particularly the famous Quarry Rock trail. Offering bistros, cafés, and waterfront parks for picnicking, no visit to Deep Cove is complete without a stop at the legendary Honey Doughnuts. This day trip from Downtown Vancouver can be completed with a stop at the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge, a thrilling, free-to-cross pedestrian bridge suspended 50 meters above a rushing river canyon in North Vancouver.
Visit a Historic Mine Town: Located 55km (34mi) north of Vancouver on the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, Britannia Beach was once home to the British Empire's largest copper mine. The Britannia Mine Museum allows guests to tour the underground works and massive remaining structures which took copper from the ground and shipped it around the world. Just next door, Britannia Village has restored and revitalized original mine town buildings into a shopping and dining hub with artisan shops, local eateries like the beloved Autostrada Oyster Bar & Grill, and the first British Columbia outpost of iconic Canadian ice cream makers Kawartha Dairy. Just a few minutes up the road, the Sea to Sky Gondola transports visitors nearly 900m above Howe Sound for stunning views of the Coastal Mountains and Howe Sound.
Tour the Fraser Valley’s Wineries: While the world-famous wineries of the Okanagan are probably the first thing which springs to mind when British Columbian wines are discussed, there are amazing wineries in the Fraser Valley, less than an hour’s drive from the St. Regis Hotel and perfect for a daytrip from downtown Vancouver. Sample Seaside Pearl’s wines in their converted chapel tasting room, wander the vineyards of Chaberton Estate, the oldest winery in the region, or enjoy a boutique farming and wine tour at Vista D’oro. This top 10 list of Fraser Valley wineries is a great place to start planning a day trip!
Go lake swimming and visit Brewery Row: Vancouver may sit on the ocean, but some of the most popular beaches are lake beaches with warm water and mountain scenery to take in. Just east of Vancouver, Belcarra Regional Park offers swimming in Sasamat Lake and Bunten Lake, that’s accessible from Downtown Vancouver by public transit. As a bonus, the transit line takes you through Port Moody’s famous Brewery Row with a number of outstanding breweries just steps from the Moody Centre SkyTrain station. Learn more about Belcarra and its network of beaches and trails HERE.