Vancouver Island in British Columbia is filled up with everything exciting, starting off from marvellous attractions, historic locations and vibrant charm which fills up the city. Whether it’s Stanley Park’s iconic seawall or the picture of the old Steam Clock in Gastown, there are a lot of places within the city which actually leaves the tourists baffled. But there are also many places outside the city which offers the perfect time to go for an adventurous road trip. Not just these places near Vancouver are beautiful but they offer a plethora of activities to indulge.
10 Best Places Near Vancouver
If you’re thinking where to go then here is a list of handpicked destinations which are just a few minutes drive away from Vancouver and offers some amazing experiences to recollect.
1. Whistler
Situated around 125 Kms north of Vancouver, Whistler is a small town which is also called the “Four season resort town”. Spread across an area of 8,000 acres of terrain covering around many mountain peaks. Also famous for being a town of adventure, this place came into the limelight in 2010 when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics along with the city of Vancouver. In the past 10 years, this town has emerged as one of the best places near Vancouver during the summer.
Things To Do In Whistler: Skiing, Ziplining, Mountain biking, Kayaking, and also taking a traditional Scandinave Spa
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2. Horseshoe Bay
Adding to the list of best tourist places near Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay is the gateway to Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast. This is a small village and marina which is located at the western end of Vancouver. This is one of the busiest ferry terminals of British Columbia and to reach Bowen Island, Vancouver Island or Sunshine Coast one has to board the ferry from here. Apart from being a ferry port, this town is also known for being one of the lively places to spend a day.
Things To Do In Horseshoe Bay: Scuba diving at Whytecliff Park, Ferry Ride
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3. Bowen Island
Situated at a location of 25 Kms of the northwest of Vancouver, this island is a laid-back attraction which gives a relaxing break from the hustle-bustle of the city. This island is spread across an area of 6 Kms and it is 12 Kms long. There are pristine beaches, ferry terminals and hiking trails which makes this island an ideal place to visit for adventure and relaxation. It takes around 20 minutes in a ferry to reach Bowen Island from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Or otherwise, one can also take a water taxi from Granville island which will take around 45 minutes.
Things To Do In Bowen Island: Kayaking, Mountain biking, hiking at Killarney Lake trail and boating
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4. Victoria
Situated at the edge of Vancouver Island, Victoria is one of the oldest cities located at the Pacific Northwest. People assume that Vancouver is the capital of British Columbia, but it’s actually Victoria. Located around 100 kilometres from Vancouver and Seattle, the city is one of the best places near Vancouver, Canada. There are ferries which run from Tsawwassen BC Ferries Terminal or people can also take a bus from downtown Vancouver.
Things To Do In Victoria: Visit the museums, Spend a day Beacon Hill Park, Drive through the Marine Route
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5. Garibaldi National Park
This gigantic wilderness park is situated between Squamish and Whistler, which takes around 1.5 hours from downtown Vancouver. The Garibaldi National park is one of the finest places near Vancouver to travel during summer. This national park is spread across an area of 1,950 square kilometres which is also home to some of the marvellous hiking trails. Apart from that there are many campsites which are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Things To Do In Garibaldi National Park: Hiking, Camping
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6. Deep Cove
For adventure lovers, Deep Cove is a paradise to experience the scenic beauty of nature and also indulge in some exciting activities. This is a quaint community located at the easternmost North Vancouver. Just a 25 minutes drive from Vancouver, there’s a small village where people can find restaurants, shops and the infamous Honey’s Doughnuts. Apart from that, there are activities like marina and kayaking which makes this region one of the best places near Vancouver.
Things To Do In Deep Cove: Surfing, Kayaking, Hiking at the Quarry Rock
7. Langley
Adorned by rustic wineries, Langley is a town which is located at a drive of 45 minutes from Vancouver. The Chaberton Estate Winery is one of the oldest and also the largest winery located at the Fraser Valley which offers the chance to visitors taste the finest flavor of the wine. There are also wine tasting tours which will save you from the hassle of driving across the town.
Things To Do In Langley: Wine tasting tours
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8. Richmond
Richmond is a culturally fulfilled unique city which is situated at Canada’s west coast. Located at a distance of 20 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, this city came into limelight recently after the 2010 winter games. The city bustles with an extravagant nightlife to explore which includes playing a luck game at casinos and exploring the famous Richmond Night Market which is a weekend affair. People can enjoy features like live performances, carnival games and around 200 retail stalls which have around 500 choices of food.
Things To Do In Richmond: Explore nightlife, shopping, play casino at River Rock Casino Resort
9. Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Situated around 150 Kms east of Vancouver, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is a magnificent park adorned by jagged mountain peaks and dense forest. This place is known as a paradise for adventure junkies as there are many hiking trails and recreational facilities. People can reach this place taking the Trans-Canada Hwy to reach and witness the paradisiacal beauty of this place.
Things To Do In Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park: Boating, Kayaking and Canoeing
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10. Harrison Hot Springs
And after a tiring drive what can be better than a soothing hot spring spa at this resort community located around 2.5 hours east of Vancouver. Surrounded by a series of picturesque lakes and mountain landscapes, this place is one of the must-see places near Vancouver. This luxurious resort features 5 hot spring pools, Healing springs spa and four restaurants which makes a perfect pack for a laid back vacation away from the town. Also, there is a beautiful waterfall resting in the wilderness which makes a great spot to visit.
Things To Do In Harrison Hot Springs: Kayaking, Boating, Hiking
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These are the best and handpicked places near Vancouver which a person can visit if they have a road trip in mind. Boasting the best hiking trails, magnificent landscapes and pristine beaches, these locations have everything to make a memorable vacation for its visitors. If you’re planning a holiday in Vancouver, then make sure to not miss to add these attractions in your bucket list.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places Near Vancouver
Where can I go for a long weekend in Vancouver?
You can check out the following destinations near Vancouver on a long weekend:
1. Whistler
2. Sunshine Coast
3. The Gulf Islands
4. Seattle
5. Harrison Hot Springs
6. Cultus Lake
7. Tofino
8. Kelowna
Where can I go outside in Vancouver for 5 days?
Places like Victoria, Whistler, Bowen Island, Sunshine Coast, and Fraser Canyon are perfect for a 5-day trip from Vancouver.
Can you do a day trip from Vancouver to Whistler?
Yes, you can definitely cover Whistler on a day’s trip from Vancouver since it is located really close to the city. In fact, Whistler Air provides travelers with scheduled floatplane flights between downtown Vancouver and Whistler between the months of May and September. Plenty of Vancouver sightseeing tours also include day trips to Whistler.
How much is the train from Vancouver to Whistler?
The starting price of the Amtrak train tickets from the city of Vancouver to Whistler is about INR 9,900 ($139.36). The average ticket price is usually around INR 11,200 ($157.41).
How long is the ferry ride from Seattle to Vancouver?
The Victoria Clipper ferry ride which connects the island of Vancouver with the United States will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes to get you to Seattle. It operates between the Belleville Terminal in downtown Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbor, and Pier 69 in downtown Seattle.
Which city is closest to Vancouver?
In terms of road distance, the closest city to Vancouver is Seattle at 193 km, followed by Portland at 417 km and Calgary at 676 km.
How far is it from Seattle to Vancouver?
Seattle is around 193 km away from Vancouver. You can either drive to Seattle from Vancouver or get there by train.
Is Vancouver near Toronto?
Though they aren’t really close to each other, Toronto would still make for a great weekend getaway from Vancouver. The aerial distance between the two itself is about 3,364 km, and a flight is the only sensible way to travel between these two places.
Which is the ideal place to visit near Vancouver with family?
There are a lot of places near Vancouver where you can pay a visit with your families like Playland Park, Grouse Mountain, and Cypress Mountain, Burnaby Village Museum, and Greater Vancouver Zoo.
Is there any romantic getaway near Vancouver for couples?
Yes, there are many romantic getaways near Vancouver for a couple like Corkscrew Inn, Pan Pacific Vancouver, Wedgewood Hotel, and Sutton Place Hotel.
Where an I go from Vancouver in winter?
For the winter season, Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, Flyover Canada, Stanley Park, Robson Square, and Capilano Suspension are ideal. They turn into beautiful heaven and offer an amazing view along with many activities.
Is there any beach destination near Vancouver?
Yes, there are many beaches in Vancouver where you can spend your holidays. These beaches are Kitsilano Beach, Sunset Beach, Third Beach, Locarno Beach, and Second Beach.
Is there any island near Vancouver?
Yes, there are many islands near Vancouver is and some of them are Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Brethour Island, Curlew Island, and Cabbage Island.
Are there any historical monuments near Vancouver?
Yes, there are many popular historical sites near Vancouver and some of them are even famous among history buffs. These sites are Vancouver Police Museum, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Marine Building, London Heritage Farm, and Roedde House Museum.
Is there any national park near Vancouver?
Yes, there are many national parks near Vancouver where you can visit. These parks are Pacific Rim National Park, Glacier National Park, Stanley Park, and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
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A mass-media graduate, Priyanka is a passionate writer and an avid traveler. Whether it’s about capturing the sunsets or hogging up some delicious food from different places, she never leaves a second to decide. Her mantra of keep going is “work, save, travel, repeat” which she lives by heart.
