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Summer in Vancouver is one of the best times to experience British Columbia’s trendiest city. Street festivals, night markets, beer gardens, bike trails, and kayaking through coves are just some of the activities perfectly suited for warm summer days in the city.

Stay at The St. Regis Hotel in downtown Vancouver for the perfect home base to explore Stanley Park, Gastown, Granville Island, and the rest of the city’s outdoor activities. Need helping planning your vacation? Learn more about how Troupe can help you easily plan your next group getaway.

Learn more of the best places to travel in 2022.

Top activities to do during summer in Vancouver:

  • Ferry to North Vancouver
  • Granville Island
  • Stanley Park
  • Head out on the water in a kayak
  • Chill at the beach
  • Wander neighborhoods like Gastown, Yaletown, and Chinatown
  • Walk the Vancouver Seawall
  • Dine at Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

Summer in Vancouver top activities

Ferry to North Vancouver

Enjoy a quick 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Vancouver across the water to North Vancouver. As you journey, watch sea planes taking off and landing in the waters of the inlet.

The ferry will drop you off right in Lonsdale Quay just a few steps from the Lonsdale Quay Public Market, a must-visit during summer in Vancouver. On the weekends, you’ll find a farmer’s market full of delicious local produce (try the peaches from Okanagan!). Keep walking along the water to find beer gardens, food trucks, outdoor concerts, play areas, bike trails, and more.

peaches

Granville Island

Granville Island is only a 45-minute walk, a 15-minute bus or a 10 minute Uber/Lyft ride from downtown Vancouver. This little island is full of boutique shops, parks, and a huge public market with food options from around the globe. Grab some food in the market to sit by the water (just watch out for very aggressive seagulls).

Plan on spending at least a few hours exploring the island where you can enjoy plenty of outdoor time and sunshine,

In addition, during the summer in Vancouver, Granville Island host’s the International Jazz Festival in late July. The Jazz Festival features a combination of free and paid performances by international and local musicians. Have a look at Granville Island’s website to help plan your summer activities.

Summer in Vancouver with Granville Island and city in background

Stanley Park

Perhaps the most popular spot to visit during summer in Vancouver, Stanley Park is a magical Canadian wilderness escape. The park is located right between downtown and North Vancouver. Walking or cycling through the park you’ll have tranquil water views to one side and massive redwood trees towering over you on the other. Biking trails are abundant but there are also plenty of wide open spaces great for picnics or sports.

Like Granville Island, there are often events going on in the park. Check here to see if there are concerts or other events going on during your visit.

aerial view of bridge to Stanley Park during summer in Vancouver

Water activities

One of the best kayaking destinations in the world, there are plenty of places just outside downtown Vancouver to rent a watercraft. Summer in Vancouver wouldn’t be the same without time spent on the water.

Jericho Beach Kayak Centre is located just outside the center of Vancouver. Here, you can paddle around English Bay and explore the local beaches and soak in the beautiful mountain backdrops.

man sits in kayak wearing bucket hat with green mountains in background

Beaches

Thinking you won’t be able to hit a beach near the big city of Vancouver? Think again. English Bay Beach and Sunset Park Beach are both located right in downtown Vancouver. And there are plenty of other nearby beaches like Kitsilano, Jericho, and Locarno.

Clothing optional Wreck Beach is located about an hour from downtown Vancouver by public transportation. Even if you don’t want to strip down, this is one of the best beaches to visit. While you’re in the area, be sure to pop into the UCB Botanical Garden to make it a truly nature-filled day.

aerial view over beach

Neighborhood wanders

There’s plenty to see in downtown Vancouver and its surrounding neighborhoods. Head to Gastown for plenty of outdoor dining opportunities. Check out Local Public Eats (try the shrimp dumplings!) and Steamworks Brewing Company. The area also has great nightlife. Country bar, The Bourbon, has a mechanical bull while Alexander Gastown is a 3-story venue that hosts live music, DJs, comedy shows, and more.

Yaletown is another great neighborhood in downtown Vancouver to wander around. Visit the Engine 374 Pavillion to meet the train that built Canada. Admission is free. Feel like a stroll near the water? Hike the section of the Vancouver Seawall Walkway that will take you from Yaletown all the way to Kitsilano Beach or Stanley Park, depending which direction and how far you want to go.

Chinatown is also a great option for a quick stroll and a bite to eat, though you’ll also find plenty of hip cocktail bars and indie clothing shops to explore.

two women walking through Chinatown from behind

Where to stay during summer in Vancouver

The St. Regis Hotel is the best option for accommodations during your summer trip to Vancouver.

Situated perfectly in downtown, you can easily walk from the hotel to the trendy restaurants of Gastown for delicious food and drinks. Caught in some B.C. rain? The St. Regis Bar and Grill is right off the lobby and has big screen TVs to catch all your favorite games. Also accessible from the lobby is Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, an upscale restaurant and lounge with live music and incredible food and drinks.

The hotel is only a few blocks from the Waterfront Station which will take you directly to and from the Vancouver airport in 30 minutes. From Waterfront Station, you can also take the Seabus ferry across the water to North Vancouver.

Flip over your menu at the hotel’s complimentary breakfast to learn all about the hotel’s fascinating history since 1913.

St Regis Hotel downtown Vancouver
Image courtesy of St. Regis Vancouver

Ready to start planning your summer in Vancouver getaway? It doesn’t matter who you’re traveling with, Troupe simplifies all group travel planning. Suggest possible dates, destinations, and accommodations to the group and let group members vote on their favorites. Then, share flight information, links to tour groups, notes on where to eat, and everything else! Check out Troupe’s group trip planner app to learn more.

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