West End, Vancouver guide

Vancouver boasts some of the top urban beaches in North America, and two of the city’s best are right here. Head to English Bay Beach and Sunset Beach Park for swimming, watersports and breathtaking sunsets. Or hit the Stanley Park coastline for a wilder beach experience. Forest-backed Second Beach and Third Beach are postcard-perfect scenes of the Pacific Northwest.

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s massive and magnificent playground. Follow the seawall by foot or bike to secluded beaches, picnic spots and scenic lookouts. Or explore the lush West Coast rainforest via kilometres of crisscrossing trails. Attractions and historical landmarks complement the park’s natural charm. Check out Vancouver Aquarium, visit Brockton Point Lighthouse or ride the vintage Stanley Park Railway.

With rainbow flags and streets lined with eclectic bars, restaurants and shops, Davie Village is Vancouver’s famous LGBTQ-friendly district. It’s a place to wander and people-watch by day, then sample a pulsating nightlife after dark. Celebrities Nightclub has been the go-to venue for raucous parties since the 1980s. Come June, Canada Pride takes place around the village and waterfront with colourful parties and parades.

Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium, recognised for its animal conservation. Through educational exhibits, you can discover over 65,000 animals from the Pacific Ocean to tropical reefs and the Amazon. For more wildlife encounters, spot deer, herons and raccoons at Lost Lagoon. Jump on a ferry at Sunset Beach Park and sightsee while cruising False Creek.

Step back in time to the 19th century at Roedde House Museum, where tours guide you through the home of the city’s first bookbinding family. Striking public artworks decorate English Bay Beach. Check out the ‘Inukshuk’ stone Inuit statue or the ‘A-maze-ing Laughter’ sculpture at Morton Park. You’ll find even more sculptures at Devonian Harbour Park.

You could dine on a different cuisine every day in the West End, from crispy Indian dosas to Vietnamese noodle soup and Filipino cookies. Denman, Davie and Robson Streets are packed with global eats that range from relaxed to refined. Held on Saturdays from May to October, the West End Farmers Market is a must, featuring bakeries, produce stands and food trucks.

Low-key by day, Davie Village bursts to life after dark with its lively LGBTQ-friendly pubs, wine bars and dance clubs. Head to Robson Street to sip sake at a Japanese izakaya pub. If martinis in a sophisticated setting with sunset views sounds like your vibe, Sylvia Hotel is home to Vancouver’s first cocktail bar, which opened in 1954.

Robson Street is where to go for shopping on Vancouver’s downtown peninsula. You’ll find gift shops next to independent and brand-name fashion outlets for every budget here. Home to everything from souvenirs to bike rental stores, Denman Village has a main street feel. Try Davie Village for bookstores and funky boutiques.

Over three nights in late July, the Honda Celebration of Light illuminates English Bay with a world-famous pyrotechnics display. Enjoy it for free from the shores of English Bay Beach. See squares and street corners sparkle with light-based art installations during November’s Lumiere Festival. In January, brave swimmers descend upon English Bay Beach to celebrate the New Year with a Polar Bear Swim.