The best part about having friends visit is showing them your favourite places – the places frequented and loved by locals. Now the challenge… trying to fit all of your favourite places into a short trip. Only 24 hours in Vancouver? No problem! It’s time to take your friends to these off-the-beaten-track locations (and some more well-known locations) to get a taste and feel for the city. The C-HR was the perfect partner to zip the three of us around.
7:04am Pickup at YVR Airport
It’s easy for your friends to spot you in the Arrivals gate at the airport, as the C-HR’s color is unmistakable at curbside.
9:16am Coffee
Seems like the perfect time for a coffee after an early morning airport pickup. Vancouver has plenty of coffee shops to choose from, but we stopped at Tangram Creamery for lattes, laughs… and ice cream.
If one cup of caffeinated goodness isn’t enough to wake you up, head to Arbutus Coffee at 2200 Arbutus Street. A coffee shop situated in a classic Kitsilano heritage building, this location is a great starting point for a walk through the neighborhood or for a chat with friends.
12:02pm East Van Treats
Main Street and Commercial Drive are the go-to East Van walking streets. We grabbed rainbow colored bagels for lunch from Rosemary Rock Salt, did some window shopping and snapped photos of the Mount Pleasant murals that add a splash of color to the buildings in the area.
If you have some extra time, cross the Second Narrows Bridge to North Vancouver and visit Honey Doughnuts, located in the picturesque seaside community of Deep Cove.
1:14pm Granville Island Market
The Granville Island Public Market is an iconic landmark that can’t be skipped. This bustling market, nestled under the Granville Street bridge, has every culinary ingredient you may need (and more). Picnic essentials were chosen as well as a not-so-essential plant for home.
If you’re sticking around long-term, Vancouver Farmers Markets run year-round at various locations within the city.
5:33pm Picnic at Spanish Banks
In a city surrounded by water, there’s no better place for a picnic than the beach. Spanish Banks is hard to beat as you watch the last rays of sun light the skyline of Vancouver in the distance.
Alternative picnic beach: Kitsilano Beach or Wreck Beach (no swimsuit required!) near the University of British Columbia.
6:30pm Sunset
Golden hour with your best friends wraps up the perfect way to show them your city.
Looking for another location to watch the sunset? Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver not only has a great view of Stanley Park, but has plenty of walking and hiking trails, and even some top rope climbing routes. Keep your eyes peeled for orcas swimming in the shallows.
What does your perfect day in Vancouver look like?
