Vancouver, British Columbia, features countless travel destinations with an uncommon flair. After all, the city’s vibrant history has resulted in plenty of unique spots you won’t want to miss.
However, this is a vast metropolitan area, so it’s easy to become overwhelmed with your options.
We’re discussing seven unusual Vancouver hotspots to put on your travel bucket list.
Let’s roll!
What Makes Vancouver BC’s Premier Travel Destination?
Vancouver is one of the top tourist destinations in Canada for many reasons. The city is the country’s largest port, making it a natural waypoint for travelers. And despite its designation as a major metropolitan area, its proximity to temperate rainforests, rocky coastlines, and many natural wonders attracts visitors from all over.
Vancouver might look like any other cookie-cutter city from the outside, but that isn’t the case! In fact, it’s one of Canada’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse municipalities. Only about half of all residents speak English or French as a native language, illuminating the region’s eclectic history.
For over 100 years, immigrants have traveled from across Europe and Asia to settle in Vancouver. Today, residents continue to celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. Accordingly, you’ll find museums, restaurants, and festivals dedicated to various ethnicities and heritages.
7 Unusual Travel Destinations in Vancouver
Vancouver’s diverse population and complex history have led to many unexpected travel destinations. Here are seven of the ultimate spots to add to your itinerary.
#1 Stanley Park
Considered one of the best urban parks on the planet, Stanley Park is the primary greenway in Vancouver. Over 1,000 acres of natural splendor overlook the city’s skyline. You’ll find nearly half a million evergreen trees, miles of walking trails, and unspoiled coastline here.
Stanley Park is essentially a borough of Vancouver. It’s home to the city’s famous aquarium, a range of restaurants, and many public art displays, such as the mysterious Two Spirits carving.
You’ll also find tons of fun activities for the whole family. Pools, splash pads, and a kids’ water park provide excellent places to cool off in the summer. Golf, tennis, and lawn bowling are also popular pastimes. While you’re here, you can stroll through multiple year-round gardens, explore a range of museums, or simply take in the sights.
#2 Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 450-foot pedestrian track that crosses the Capilano River. You can cross the dangling path and look down at the raging waterway below for a toe-tingling time.
But if you’re prone to vertigo, there are many other things to do in the park. A series of boardwalks meander through the temperate rainforest. Migratory birds and wildlife are familiar sights here. In addition, the Story Centre features interpretive exhibits detailing the park’s history. You can also listen to talks on the area’s ecology and culture led by local experts.
Ready to hit the road? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to RVing in Beautiful Canada!
#3 Bloedel Conservatory
Another must-see Vancouver destination is the Bloedel Conservatory. Located in Queen Elizabeth Park, this massive triodetic greenhouse features hundreds of plant species in three distinct biomes. Desert flora and specimens from tropical and subtropical rainforests cover the property, giving you a look into these unique ecosystems.
Additionally, the space serves as an aviary for hundreds of exotic birds that soar overhead and nest in the trees. This unusual ecosystem is open year-round, so you can enjoy tropical sights and sounds even in winter.
Eager for more? Here are 3 Excellent Overnight Trips Around Vancouver, Canada!
#3 Woodward’s Spiral Staircase to Nowhere
Nestled in the outdoor atrium of a former department store is an architectural oddity worth visiting. Known as the Woodward’s Staircase to Nowhere, this climbable concrete art installation winds upwards multiple stories before abruptly ending before reaching its destination.
Some say the spectacle represents an umbilical cord, symbolizing new life in the historic Gastown neighborhood, but others believe it’s simply the work of an eccentric creative. We suggest stopping by to see it for yourself and determine what it means to you. While you’re in the multi-use space, you might play a quick basketball game or join a salsa dancing class.
#5 The Marine Building
The Marine Building is a striking example of 1920s Art Deco architecture. No detail has gone overlooked, from the main entryway’s tarnished brass detailing to the lobby’s towering ceilings.
While the destination once dominated the Vancouver skyline, it’s now overshadowed by towering skyscrapers. However, you can still enjoy its classic aesthetic elements up close.
Take a stroll through the lobby and place a call from the old-school telephones. Or, simply admire the artwork and design choices that led the creators of Hollywood hits like Smallville and Fantastic Four to choose the Marine Building as a filming location.
#6 Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
One of Vancouver’s greatest assets is the many natural environments within the city limits. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one such locale.
This garden includes elements from the Ming Dynasty and incorporates the ideas of Taoism, Feng Shui, and yin and yang to create a living mosaic. Wandering paths, water features, traditional architecture, and tons of plants come together in a striking environment.
In addition to the sprawling gardens, you can enjoy a tea ceremony or learn more about the park’s history in the museum.
#7 The Sam Kee Building
Vancouver features the largest Chinatown in Canada, and the Sam Kee Building is an important part of this neighborhood’s history. Measuring only 6’2” deep, the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not have named it the world’s narrowest freestanding office building.
It was initially built as a spite house during a turbulent time for Chinese immigrants. Although no one thought the owners would do anything with the tiny parcel, they prevailed, and it still stands today. These days, it’s home to the Jack Chow Insurance Company.
Start planning your trip with a copy of the Lonely Planet Travel Guide to Vancouver & Victoria!
Vancouver’s Travel Destinations Reign Supreme!
Vancouver offers countless destinations with unusual flare. Whether you’re searching for a tropical oasis in the city, a spine-tingling trek over a river, or a look into the region’s cultural history, you can find something exciting around every turn.
The next time you head to Vancouver, don’t miss out on these unusual travel spots!
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