vancouver tourist bus

Hop On Hop Off Vancouver: Sightseeing Tourist Bus Guide

The Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour is an efficient, affordable, and convenient way for you to discover the city’s most stunning attractions.

In this article I’m going to show you what’s included with this sightseeing bus, and how to make the most of your trip.

Let’s hop on and see if it’s right for you!

Hop On Hop Off Tour: The Vancouver Sightseeing Bus

⚠️ Warning ⚠️ – Especially during cruise season, lineups to get HoHo tickets at Canada Place can really back up. Make sure you walk right on by booking your Hop On Hop Off tickets in advance .

I love this Vancouver bus tour because it combines the social atmosphere of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent travel .

It’s easily one of the best Vancouver city tours around as it eliminates transit worries and makes you a city expert with its world-class commentary .

On these sightseeing bus tours you’ll see the city’s top sights in as little as two hours .

You can get on and off as many times as you want .

In all, it’s a fine choice for:

• Time-restricted travellers
• First time visitors looking to get their bearings
• Cruise ship passengers
• People visiting Vancouver with kids (they love being up top on the double decker bus)
• Senior citizens and people with limited mobility

Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Routes

The hop on hop off bus tour of Vancouver has two routes.

In 2024, your hop on hop off passes get you access to both:

• C ity Route – Vancouver Art Gallery, Pacific Centre Mall, Canada Place Cruise Terminal, Century Plaza, Sutton Place, Yaletown, Granville Island, Parq Casino, Science World, Chinatown, and Maple Tree Square
• Park Route – Gastown, Canada Place Cruise Terminal, Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver, Robson Shopping District , Coal Harbour , Stanley Park Pavilion, Vancouver Aquarium , Stanley Park Totem Poles , Prospect Point, Ferguson Point, Second Beach, English Bay Beach, Granville Island, Granville Entertainment District, Library Square, Stadium District, Chinatown, and Maple Tree Square

What’s great about these two hop on hop off routes is that they give you the chance to customize your own Vancouver itinerary at your own pace.

You can draw up a shopping vacation, museum excursion, nature & wildlife pilgrimage, or an entertainment and Vancouver sports outing all with one ticket – or mix them all for an all-inclusive feel.

Each Vancouver hop on hop off bus route also passes through the best Vancouver restaurants and bars neighbourhoods in the city.

Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Prices

• Adults (24 hours): $56.70 CAD
• Adults (48 hours): $80.48 CAD
• Children 3-12 (24 hours): $31.50 CAD
• Children 3-12 (48 hours): $40.79 CAD
• Children (0-3): Free

As you can see, tickets are valid for 24 hours or 48 hours – unlike tours in other cities.

So, if you board at 4:00 pm you’ll get unlimited rides until 4:00 pm the next day (or the day after, for the 48 hour pass).

These flexible tickets can let you do the City Route one afternoon (ending with a nice dinner in Gastown for example) and then do the Park Route the next morning.

You can check your dates using the tool below:

Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Tour Tickets

Hop on hop off tickets can be bought on site at the Canada Place Welcome Centre and it’ll be the same price as buying online.

That said, I suggest buying them in advance so that:

• You won’t have to wait in line to buy tickets in a busy tourist area
• You get instantly delivered smartphone tickets  
• You get reserve now and pay later tickets for great budgeting
• You get free cancellation tickets up to 24 hours in advance in case of emergency

I suggest booking the bus tour with GetYourGuide, the world’s largest tourist ticketing platform. 

Need more info? Check out the HoHo pass at GetYourGuide using the orange button below.

Is the Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Tour Worth It?

Honestly, if you’ve already seen most of the sights, you love driving, or you just plan on walking around downtown Vancouver it might not be for you.

That said, since I know you’ve come to this page because you’re interested in Vancouver bus tours – let me add a bit of local knowledge to help understand the advantages of the hop on hop off tours:

• Vancouver is hemmed in by mountains to the north, water to the west, and a river to the south.
• As a result, it’s one of the densest cities in North America
• Mass Vancouver public transit is limited mostly to the east (an area with zero major attractions)
• Parking is expensive and there are tons of one way streets, bridges, and hills

In other words, covering all this ground by driving or transport can get stressful.

Sitting back and learning about the major Vancouver attractions is better than looking for a parking spot, or checking Google Maps to make sure Granville Island is near a Canada Line station (it isn’t).

Vancouver Hop on Hop off Discount Code

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, there are no hop on hop off Vancouver discount codes .

I’m still waiting to see if any of the Vancouver tourist discount passes come back – the Vancouver Attraction Passport is back, but doesn’t include hop on hop off discounts. 

For now, I suggest booking your bus tour via GetYourGuide.

It provides the highest level of convenience, allows you to avoid lengthy queues, gives the best rates, and allows for free cancellation and book now pay later tickets.

Vancouver Hop on Hop off Route Map

Here’s a quick hop on hop off Vancouver route map with the major stops on the City Route:

• Stop 1 : Canada Place
• Stop 2 : Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
• Stop 3 : Robson Shopping District
• Stop 4 : Coal Harbour / Stanley Park
• Stop 5 : Stanley Park Pavillion / Vancouver Aquarium
• Stop 6 : Sutton Place Hotel / Robson street
• Stop 7 : Granville Island
• Stop 8 : Entertainment District / Chateau Granville
• Stop 9: Sports District / Sandman Hotel
• Stop 10 : Library Square
• Stop 11 : Parq Casino
• Stop 12 : Chinatown
• Stop 13 : Gastown (Maple Tree Square)
• Stop 14 : Gastown Steamclock

As you can see, all major sites that you could pack into a Vancouver two day itinerary are here.

Of course, you will be given one on board (naturally) – but just in case I’ll leave you a Vancouver hop-on hop-off route map pdf in case you want to download it.

Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Schedule

I’m happy to report that the full hop-on hop-off Vancouver schedule is now back – and running year round .

• Summer : from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (every 20 minutes)
• Winter : from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (every 40 minutes)

The complete hop on hop off route takes 2 hours without stopping .

Note that the last bus leaves at the start of the route – 1.5-2 hours before ending time.

Tips for Vancouver Canada Bus Tours

• Buy your hop on hop off tickets online : Buying your Vancouver bus tour tickets in advance is convenient, allows you to avoid queues and most importantly can save you money!
• Take the tour on your   first day : This allows you to get oriented with the city’s layout early on in your trip. You’ll be thankful afterwards!
• Prepare for Vancouver weather : Bring a hat, suncreen, and water for the sun – but maybe a jacket for Vancouver’s famous rain!
• Take your own headphones : Yours will be much better quality than the free ones.
• Start early : The hop on hop off bus Vancouver can get very busy during peak season. Start with the first bus to guarantee a bit of space.
• Board at lesser known stops : If you can, avoid jumping on the bus at the main stops (Gastown, Canada Place, Granville Island etc.) during peak season.  

Vancouver Hop on and Off Bus Reviews

In reading through hundreds of Vancouver sightseeing bus reviews, I noticed a few common threads.

Number one, guests were usually very satisfied with the onboard guides :

They also noted the quick pickups and routes :

Also, it was noted about how easy it was to use to check off the city’s top attractions :

Again, no Vancouver hop on hop off reviews are perfect, and some guests also complained about the ages of the buses – but comfort is never an issue.

Where to Buy Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Bus Tickets

If you’re in the market for a Vancouver open top bus tour you’ve got two options:

Number one, you can go old school and buy your tickets on site at the Canada Place Welcome Centre – just a stone’s throw from the Vancouver Cruise Port .

I recommend this option for people who want to pay cash , but not much else.

Getting them at the window means a few things:

• Long lines especially in Vancouver in summer
• Having to actually get to Canada Place from other best areas in Vancouver
• Having to board way later and not being able to get on at just any stop

Again, I can’t stress enough how tickets cannot be bought at any other stops .

That’s why I strongly suggest booking your tickets online.

Booking Your Vancouver Bus Tour Tickets Online

In the post-COVID world online booking is king.

With many ticket offices shutting down and smart phones in everybody’s pocket, you can reserve your hop on hop off bus tickets in just a few clicks and have them on your phone in seconds .

This means you don’t have to wait in lines and you can board at any stop you want : Stanley Park , English Bay Beach, Chinatown, Gastown , Stadium District, Yaletown , you name it.

In booking online you also get free cancellation tickets up to 24 hours before your date .

For more information, click the designated link below:

Best hop-on hop-off bus Vancouver FAQ

Does vancouver have a hop on hop off bus.

Yes, Vancouver has a Hop-On Hop-Off bus service for sightseeing.

How much is the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?

The hop on hop off bus costs $56.70 for adults and $31.50 for children for a 24 hour pass, and $80.48 for adults and $40.79 for a 48 hour pass.

What is the Vancouver Hop On Hop Off Bus?

The Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a flexible sightseeing tour service, allowing tourists to explore Vancouver’s major attractions at their own pace with unlimited on-and-off privileges.

Where to buy hop on hop off bus tickets Vancouver?

Hop on hop off bus tickets in Vancouver can be purchased online or at various tourist spots – though online is recommended for skipping lines.

Wow does the hop on hop off work in Vancouver?

The hop on hop off in Vancouver works by allowing passengers to board and leave the bus at designated stops, exploring attractions at your own pace.

What to do on the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?

With the Vancouver hop on hop off bus you can visit all major landmarks, parks, and the city’s best neighbourhoods; enjoy panoramic views and learn about the city’s history.

Where should I start my hop on hop off tour of Vancouver?

You should start the hop on hop off tour of Vancouver at Canada Place. That said, this is typically the most crowded spot to do it.

Other popular starting spots include Granville Island and Stanley Park.

Do my hop on hop off bus tour tickets include entrance to attractions?

No, hop on hop off bus tour tickets do not include entrance to any of attractions along the route – they must be purchased separately.

What is the bus frequency at each Vancouver hop on and off bus stop?

Hop on hop off bus frequency in Vancouver is every 20 minutes in summer, while in the winter season they’re scheduled for every 60 minutes.

For up-to-date Vancouver BC hop on hop off bus schedule information you can call 604-451-1600.

When does the last Vancouver hop on hop off bus depart?

The last Vancouver hop on hop off bus departs from Canada Place at 3:30 pm (Oct-Apr) and 5:00 pm (May-Sept).

When is the first Vancouver hop on hop off bus?

The first Vancouver hop on hop off bus is at 8:45 am in both winter and summer.

How long is the Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour?

The Vancouver hop on hop off bus lasts about 2 hours depending on traffic, but you’ll need to add time for any stops.

Can I take luggage aboard the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?

Yes, passengers can take standard size hand bags and backpacks but larger luggage (like checked in luggage on airlines) is not permitted.

In a rut? Remember that there’s an all day baggage storage spot at Canada Place (a typical bus tour starting point). Simply head to 999 Canada Place Way between 8:00am until 5:00pm to drop off or pick up.

How does the validity of Vancouver hop on hop off bus tickets work?

Tickets for the Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour do not simply expire at the end of every day.

You’re granted 24 hours from the time you first board. In other words, if you get on the Vancouver city tour bus at 3:00 pm on a Friday you’ll have until 3:00 on Saturday to explore Vancouver.

Still Looking for Vancouver Bus Tours?

Maybe I missed something that you’re just dying to know? Or maybe you’ve got something to say to help improve the blog.

Make sure you get in touch for questions about Vancouver bus tours or anything else related to your Vancouver vacation planning in the comment section below.

Photo credits : Grey Line West Coast Sightseeing Bus

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18 comments

The Vancouver Hop On Hop Off lists my hotel as one of the 16 stops (Century Plaza Hotel) however on the Hop On Hop Off website it lists Exclusions and it says Pick up and Drop Off at Hotels is an exclusion. I am confused about this, can I hop on at my Hotel or do I need to hop on at some other spot?

When they’re referring to hotel pick up and drop off it refers to the potential of a shuttle which will grab you at any hotel and drop you off at one of the stations. This is common with big tour packages, but no the HoHo.

Your hotel is indeed one of the stops, and I’m assuming it’s because there isn’t any major attraction right out front so they took the easy/lazy name.

You’re good to hop on there! Hope you love it 🙂

A couple of questions: What happens if the bus is already full when you want to board? How do you know when you have to board to get back to your starting point before the tour finishes for they day?

Unfortunately when buses are full you have to wait for the next bus to come.

That said, aside from the first stop this is actually a very rare occurrence. It might happen on the busiest days of the year when the weather is really shining, but I’ve yet to hear of it happening to anybody.

As for knowing when to board, the last bus leaves at 5:15 pm and takes 90 min to complete the full loop. Just ask the guide and they’ll show you how to connect to their live interactive map that shows all the buses in circulation, it’s impossible to miss!

Where is the closest pickup spot from Abbottsford please?

Abbotsford is nowhere near the HoHo bus stops… in fact it’s about and hour from downtown. If you don’t have a car you are going to have to take multiple buses to get into the city and it’ll take about 90 minutes.

The closest stop would be Chinatown.

Hi – I’m trying to find out which stop is the closest to the Railway Station

Closest one will be number one on the map above. It’s the terminus stop which is at Canada Place.

Dear sir/madam, I will be in Vancouver on 1/9/23 and see at the top of your website two routes city and park but only one map. Has the itinerary changed to one route? if so the words at the top are misleading. Look forward to hearing from you Kind regards Geoff

Hi Geoffrey,

After COVID this separate route was integrated into the original route… apologies if there is some confusion. That said, Stanley Park and all its stops and the beach etc. are still accessible.

A couple of questions: Is Canada Place the only place from where you can buy NON on-line tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Bus or are there other locations? Also, your webpage only indicates schedules for Summer and Winter in relation to bus frequency, however after a search, I found that Canada recognises the start of Summer being 21st June, so if I’m interested in using the HoHo Bus on the weekend of 8/9 June 2024, what will the bus frequency be as wouldn’t these dates be in Spring (not Winter or Summer)?

The only place I’ve seen them for sale in person is at the Canada Place… though you may find them at touristy/souvenir shops in the area as well, I haven’t seen them.

As for the summer/winter debacle most attractions don’t go by the exact summer solstice date… it’s generally May/June to September. I think you should be fine for the summer frequency, but just in case I’d contact them in advance to double check if it’s really a big deal for your plans. It is not spelled out concretely in any of the websites I’ve seen so it’s only an educated guess here.

Can I ride the bus around the route more than once on one ticket since it is a 24 hour ticket? I am not able to walk very far so it would be helpful for me to find something to do for a few hours where I can sit.

Hi Charlotte,

Yes, you’re free to ride as many times during the validity of the ticket 🙂

If you take the Hop on, Hop off bus in Vacouver the only one that is worth the price and the ride is the double decker bus with Mary as your tour guide. I was there on Sep 20, 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Mary as she was funny and informative. After a complete tour I stopped off at Stanley Park where I enjoyed the gardens and tour of the Aquarium. Another bus took me back to my final destination but there were no guides on that bus, only a prerecorded talking tour which was very poor compared with my experience with Mary. She was great!!!! 10*s for her, 0 stars for the prerecorded tour.

So good to hear Dorine! It’s unfortunate that some of the later buses don’t have guides as they really add a lot of colour (and knowledge) to the trip

We will be in Vancouver on May 4th. Is this considered summer hours and there fore the bus runs every 20 minutes?

Hello Avis, yes, in May it is considered summer hours 🙂

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What our customers say, frequently asked questions.

Currently, our Guided Tours are conducted entirely in English. Hop-On, Hop-Off offers recorded commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean & Mandarin via the AudioMe App.

In the summer, the first tour starts at 8:45 am with last pickups of the day starting at 5:15 pm. In the winter, the first tour starts at 9:10 am with the last pickups of the day starting at 3:15 pm.

All Tours services require a reservation.

Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing cannot accommodate motorized scooters/wheelchairs on any tours. Our Hop-On, Hop-Off buses cannot accept any type of stroller, wheelchair or luggage. Please contact us at 1-877-4551-1777 if you have any questions.

We offer fully recorded commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin for all clear-top convertible Hop-On, Hop-Off buses.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate motorized scooters/wheelchairs or folding wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers on our Hop-On, Hop-Off buses. This is due to limited storage capacity and provincial laws prohibiting luggage and other items that are not securely or properly stored onboard.

Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing can offer folding wheelchair, walker, and stroller storage on some of our Guided Tours. We cannot accommodate motorized scooters/wheelchairs on any of our buses. Please check with our Contact Centre about the availability of accessible buses before confirming your tour by calling 604-451-1600 or at [email protected] .

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate luggage on our Hop-On, Hop-Off buses due to limited storage capacity and provincial laws prohibiting luggage and other items that are not securely or properly stored onboard.

In the summer season, our scheduled frequency is every 30 minutes. In the winter, we arrive at each stop every 60 minutes. Schedules are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, contact us at 604-451-1600 .

Our primary starting location is Canada Place. Please view our Live Map here to see all Hop-On, Hop-Off stops.

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B e s t V a n c o u v e r T o u r s

Canadian rockies & vancouver island tours, amazing giant sturgeon fishing day trip, discover vancouver with best local guides, best vancouver tours receives the safe travels stamp from the wttc.

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, created the Safe Travels Stamp in May this year, to allow travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the global standardized health and hygiene protocols.

The health and safety of our dear guests are among our top priorities at Best Vancouver Tours. You can check our COVID-19 safety plan here .

Located in Beautiful British Columbia and offering daily guided bus tours and private tours in Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and Rockies. Best Vancouver Tours is your best choice to explore Canada.

At Best Vancouver Tours, we pride ourselves on welcoming visitors from all around the globe to this beautiful place we call home. Coming from many different backgrounds, we all have one thing in common - passion for sharing our expertise and knowledge with you, the traveler, who made the decision to see what this exquisite land has to offer. Please allow us to showcase it to you. After we meet with you, leave everything to us. We will share all we know with you; we will make you laugh and understand where it all started. All you need to do is enjoy the scenery.

For more info check our sightseeing tours and adventures .

We were lucky enough to have the tour bus to ourselves, and our guide, Fred, was superb. Knowledgeable and friendly, he tailored the tour for us, recommended good restaurants and even walked through Stanley Park with us and pointed out the best places to see. 4 hours, picked up at the hotel and dropped off at a great nearby restaurant.

Shaun C, London, United Kingdom

This was our second visit to Canada and the first to Vancouver. It was great! Guide Michelle was excellent. She was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining: she pointed out sights of interests along with some funny and weird facts that kept the whole story attractive. The next day we went to Whistler and added a gondola attraction sea to sky. This is worth seeing! My boyfriend enjoyed the trip as a child lol

Hollie and Robert, Austria.

We spent a day with Adam touring Victoria and Butchart Gardens. It was an incredible day, one of the highlights of our whole trip! Adam was outgoing and an outstanding story teller, so we learned a lot about the city, the peninsula and the whole province with him as he is a local guy from the northern part of British Columbia. We didn’t regret the money we spent on this private tour, because you will never get so much attention from a guide with a group of other people.

Jack and Perry, Ireland.

We offer first-class professional tour guides with years of experience, who speak many different languages.

All of our tours are led by professional tour guides who have years of experience. Every tour is one of a kind and tailored specifically to the way you want it. We strive to deliver the best and will make every effort to provide a world-class experience. Small and big families, groups, couples or single individuals, elderly or the young at heart, we will take into consideration your every wish and will create an itinerary that suits your needs.  At Best Vancouver Tours, our commitment is to service, friendship and creating lasting memories for all who visit.

We own a fleet of comfortable cars and buses to accommodate couples, families or friends on their transfers and tours in Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler and British Columbia.

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Experience Vancouver in Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

Famously touted as the ‘Hollywood of the North’, Vancouver is situated in British Columbia with a stunning backdrop of North shore mountains. Vancouver is home to the largest port in Canada which is the third largest in North America.

The popular cosmetic treatment - Botox was invented in Vancouver. Over 40% of the population of the city comprises expats. It is a melting pot of a plethora of cultural, linguistic, and historical influences. The city attracts a lot of tourists every year, thanks to its pleasant climate among other Canadian cities. West Vancouver is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Canada.

Discover Canada Place, English Bay, Chinatown, and other hotspots. Or visit Gastown, Vancouver Aquarium, and Science World! With more than 20 stops, the hop-on hop-off bus tour drops you off right in front of some of the best things to do in Vancouver . Plus, you can upgrade your bus tour to include a scenic boat tour, evening tour, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is the best time to book the vancouver hop-on hop-off tour.

June to September is the best time to plan a visit to Vancouver. The weather is comfortable and ideal for sightseeing. You can expect good hours of sunshine which makes it easy to plan outdoor activities.

Q: How many days are enough to explore Vancouver?

We recommend spending two to three days in Vancouver. Three days is the ideal time to explore the city, its neighborhoods, and hidden gems.

Q: Are these tours guided?

That will depend on the tour provider. You’ll find that bus tours can be either live or audio-guided. Many will have a pre-recorded commentary that’ll share fascinating information about the history of Vancouver, its culture, and many places of interest. You’ll find that the audio commentary will be provided in various languages. English, French, German and Spanish are the most commonly used, but others may be available. Check the specific product page for full details of all the languages offered.

Q: What time do Vancouver bus tours operate?

Bus tours will run at different times of the day, especially if you have booked admission or skip-the-line tickets to the attractions. Make sure to check the tour details for full details on timings.

Other Hop On Hop Off Destinations

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Washington DC
• Los Angeles
• Johannesburg
• San Antonio
• Reykjavik Iceland
• St-Petersburg
• Benalmadena
• Thessaloniki
• Kristiansand
• BUENOS AIRES
• Hop On Hop Off Bus Offers and Deals

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THE 10 BEST Vancouver Bus Tours

Bus tours in vancouver.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

2. Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola Tour

3. Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Granville Island & Stanley Park

4. Vancouver City Tour Including Capilano Suspension Bridge

5. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

6. Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour

7. Discover Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver

8. Exploring Vancouver: Includes Admission to Vancouver Lookout

9. Vancouver City Hop-on Hop-off Tour

10. Small Group Tour: Vancouver Sightseeing and Capilano Suspension Bridge

11. Full Day Guided Tour in Victoria with Butchart Gardens

12. Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola Tour

13. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour from Vancouver

14. Whistler Sightseeing Tour from Vancouver: See Horseshoe Bay and Shannon Falls

15. EcoVenture: Exclusive Vancouver Private Tour

16. Post-cruise: Vancouver Tour with Lookout & Capilano Bridge

17. Grand City Small Group Tour of Vancouver

18. Shore Excursion: Post-Cruise Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour with Port Pick Up

19. Canada Vancouver Day Trip from Seattle USA

20. Vancouver City Tour: Stanley Park, Granville Island & False Creek

21. Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Small-Group Day Trip from Vancouver

22. Small Group Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain from Vancouver

23. Private Vancouver ALL IN ONE Full Day City Tour with 20 Attractions

24. Discover Vancouver Tour

25. $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private

26. Vancouver Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

27. North Shore Day Trip from Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Grouse Mtn

28. Private Guided Grand City Tour in Vancouver

29. Victoria BC Ferry Mile Zero 1 Day City Tour from Vancouver

30. The Fraser Valley Winery Tour

What travellers are saying.

Hometown Tourist: How to see Vancouver from the water

The city is bounded by water on three sides, so seeing it from Burrard Inlet offers a new and stunning perspective

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Article content

You’ve seen those blue buses chugging through downtown traffic, folks hopping on-and-off at various tourist sites, but have probably never ridden on one. Or taken a harbour tour by boat. Even a walking tour of Vancouver.

Hometown Tourist: How to see Vancouver from the water Back to video

Postmedia News sent Gordon McIntyre to spend a couple of days seeing the city of Vancouver through the eyes of the tourist: Here is Part 3 of his dispatch. You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 .

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Teresa Brewer had only a day-and-a-half in 2006 to tour a bit of Vancouver before her Alaskan cruise ship departed, but she swore she would soon return for a longer look.

“It only took me 17 years,” she laughed before she and her sister, Joy Walsh, climbed onto a 30-foot, rigid hull Zodiac — the kind the coast guard uses for search-and-rescue — for a tour of English Bay.

“I told my sister she’d love it, ‘Oh my God, it’s so beautiful,’ she’s never been here before. I can’t say enough about the city, and the people are so nice.”

Both women are from Virginia. Their visits also included Capilano Suspension Bridge Park , a Vancouver highlights’ bus tour, day trip to Whistler and then a day in Victoria before flying back to the U.S.

“The city’s just so breathtaking, it has everything,” Joy Walsh said. “I love the mountains, I love the water, I love the emphasis on preserving nature.

“And then there’s the city itself, it would be a very cool city anywhere (it was situated).”

The tour, this one run by Vancouver Water Adventures out of Granville Island, goes out of its way to make sure guests know that emphasis on nature and sustainability is a recent development, at least since colonization turned lands that Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations had lived on and stewarded for thousands of years.

Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine.

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Fittingly for a morning with low overcast and a hint of fog, the Zodiac was called Silver Myst and once the boat was out at English’s Bay’s boundary near Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver the city, from downtown to the crane-lined skyline at the University of B.C. on Point Grey, did look like a silvery ghost city through the morning haze.

Our captain, Gradon Day, a UBC student spending his second summer with Vancouver Water Adventures but only his second week skippering a boat, said he loves seeing the excitement on the faces of his passengers.

“Last week we had people here from New Delhi to New Brunswick,” he said. “It is a phenomenal job, an absolute blast.”

After guests are fitted with cruising suits or life-jackets, the choice is up to you, and climb into the boat at the company’s headquarters on Boatlift Lane, Day gives a quick but comprehensive history lesson about Granville Island as the boat slowly makes it way up False Creek in the no-wake zone before the Burrard Bridge.

About how relations were initially amicable between the Europeans who followed Capt. George Vancouver and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, but how the railway, logging and mining changed everything, the Indigenous people whose ancestors had lived in what’s now Vancouver were displaced, and the area filled in to accommodate expanding industry (Granville Island was initially called Industrial Island).

Not often do you hear a tour guide use the phrase “toilet of Vancouver” to describe a present-day geographical gem.

“There was no environmental protection, all the industrial and human waster was dumped here, making it uninhabitable,” he told the sisters and a couple from Finland.

The tour motors past much of what you would expect — you find out about Inuksuit, discover that tree atop the Eugenia building next to the Sylvia Hotel in the West End is meant to show how high tree tops were before the old growth was clearcut, learn that every squirrel you see in Vancouver is invasive, and hear why 32-million-year-old Siwash Rock hasn’t eroded away (it’s made of basalt, unlike the sandstone most of Vancouver rests on), and learn of its spiritual and mythical significance.

“There are a lot of Indigenous stories,” Day said. “I lack the knowledge to tell them, I highly recommend an Indigenous walking tour.”

We saw seals, bald eagles and black oyster catchers, one of almost 200 species of bird in a UNESCO-protected area where English Bay ends and Howe Sound begins. The oyster catchers were busy doing that, snapping up crustaceans from a rock too small to be an island, their clear bird calls belying their size.

“They’re feisty,” Day said of a species that weighs in somewhere between a robin and a crow. “They’ll chase bald eagles away.”

You even get some evolutionary history about seals’ ascent from water to land and back to water again.

“They share a recent ancestor with dogs and bears,” Day said. “It’s mating season and soon the pups — they’re about the size of a burrito — will be sunning on the rocks.”

Heading home, the boat makes a couple of close passes by ships docked in English Bay, and there is nothing quite like being a few feet away from a boat as long as a decent-sized office tower lying on its side.

And doughnuts! Why be on the water if you’re not going to have some fun with the Zodiac and its 450-horsepower motor. Hang onto the iron bar on the seat in front of you and enjoy as your hair (if you have any) whips in the wind and centrifugal force urges you gently sideways.

“I went out on a sunset tour last week, it was absolutely spectacular,” Day, a native of Singapore who loved the walking tours around his city state, said. “So many Vancouverites haven’t seen the city this way.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/gordmcintyre

Hometown Tourist

• What’s it like to ride Vancouver’s Hop-on, Hop-off bus?

• Alternative touristy places to see in Vancouver

• How to see Vancouver from the water

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Hometown tourist: Alternative places in Vancouver to take out-of-town visitors

You’ve seen those blue buses chugging through downtown traffic, folks hopping on and off at various tourist sites, but you have probably never ridden on one. Or taken a harbour tour by boat. Even a walking tour of Vancouver. Postmedia sent reporter Gord McIntyre to spend a couple of days seeing the city of Vancouver through the eyes of the tourists. Here is Part 2 of his dispatch. Read Part 1 here.

If you are visiting New York or Paris for the first time, you are expected to take in the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower, maybe even buy a “I Heart Paris/New York” t-shirt.

But friends might tell you about the secret garden at St. Lukes in the Fields in New York’s West Village, a perfect spot to pitch a picnic blanket and enjoy a book. Or Le Squat du 59 Rue de Rivoli , just down from the Louvre in Paris. These are places the local chamber of commerce might not have included in their helpful sites-to-see maps.

So when your cousins come to town and want to see Stanley Park and Gastown, by all means encourage them, then let them know about some of the lesser-known things to see and do in Vancouver.

See if they will try sockeye sashimi or raw Okeover Inlet oysters — there aren’t many cities where you can get seafood so fresh. See a play at The Cultch or anything at the Rio . Check out a Sofarsounds secret concert — it’s a worldwide phenomenon, but also a great way to enjoy off-the-beaten-path Vancouver from a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on East Hastings or a downtown rooftop for performances by local artists.

Or head to Guilt and Co. , a dark basement with a speakeasy feel under Maple Tree Square in Gastown, or Tyrant Studios atop the Penthouse Night Club downtown for great local acts, says Will Woods, a travel guide who offers alternative tours of Vancouver through his Forbidden Vancouver walking tours.

Woods takes visitors on walks called Lost Souls of Gastown, Really Gay History, Monumental Scandals, and a tour of the Penthouse itself where hidden cubbies in the furniture hid bootleg hootch during Prohibition (the club only obtained a liquor licence in 1968) and the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong pe rformed.

Woods, an alternative-Vancouver guide for 12 years, has just and conveniently published his own virtual off-the-beaten-path guidebook to Vancouver for those who have taken his tours, so he seemed a natural to turn to for hints about hidden treasures:

The virtual guidebook is strong on local, independent and BIPOC-owned sites, and forgive Woods if No. 1 on his list is one of his walking tours.

“Otherwise, I think that the Marine Building is well worth a visit if anybody’s got any interest at all in architecture, or even isn’t interested in architecture because it’s a very cool historic space,” he said.

“It’s well worth a visit on a weekday. Get inside and look at the lobby, go to the mezzanine and look around. That would be one of my recommendations.”

You’ve probably heard it at some point, that big boom resonating over Burrard Inlet at 9 p.m. every night. But you really need to be close enough to see the Nine O’Clock Gun firing, Woods said.

“It really goes off, it’s incredible,” he said. “I think what it must have been like to have like 40 of those cannons going off at the same time, it would have just blown your ears apart.

“It’s really a pretty cool thing to do. But don’t get too close, it’s loud!”

Good tidings

You need to get to Spanish Banks early, Woods said, to enjoy low tide to its fullest, and it’s one of his favourite places to bring friends who are in town.

“I really like doing this with everyone who visits. I go to Spanish Banks at low tide and walk right out as far as we can. It must be at least a mile out at low tide.

“My recommendation is not to get there at low tide but 90 minutes before because it takes such a long time to walk out.”

Paging bibliophiles

Massy Books is an Indigenous-owned and -operated store on East Georgia between Main and Gore streets, specializing in rare, offbeat and out-of-print books to today’s bestsellers.

“It’s got an incredible variety of writing, Canadian and from elsewhere,” Woods said. “It’s got a really big queer section, and it’s got a children’s section hidden behind a secret door, which is really cool.”

Rite of passage

Woods’ favourite Vancouver museum is in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park.

“The Maritime Museum is my favourite, I think it really fits with the history of B.C. and the province, and us being right on the water,” he said.

“And the St. Roch , to think it went through the Northwest Passage,” the schooner’s thick Douglas fir and hard Australian eucalyptus becoming the first hull to plow the Arctic route from west to east, while also becoming the first ship to circumnavigate North America.

Guerrilla in the midst

There’s one place Woods’s Stanley Park tour doesn’t get to because it’s on the far side of the park, but Woods can’t recommend enough a short hike to see a piece of guerrilla artwork known as Two Spirits .

Its creator remains a mystery to the public and the artwork is not sanctioned by the Vancouver Park Board: Two silhouetted faces carved into a huge stump. Come spring and summer, vegetation growing on the top gives it a nice coif, like if Carrot Top’s hair was green.

You reach Two Spirits from the park’s English Bay side, the trailhead is near Second Beach. Indigenous beliefs about two spirits (masculine and feminine sides) meld seamlessly with the West End’s queer history, Woods said, as well as commemorating the history of the land Stanley Park is on, home to Indigenous settlements for thousands of years until they were forcibly removed during colonization.

“I’m passionate about this piece, two spirits carved into a tree trunk and hidden in Stanley Park,” Woods said. “It’s really something when you’re on the trail and you’re sort of looking for it and you go to this little unofficial side trail and it sort of appears in front of you.

“That’s a really impressive piece of artwork.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/gordmcintyre

Hometown Tourist

You’ve seen those blue buses chugging through downtown traffic, folks hopping on and off at various tourist sites. But you have probably never ridden on one. Or taken a harbour tour by boat. Even a walking tour of Vancouver. Postmedia sent reporter Gord McIntyre to spend a couple of days seeing the city of Vancouver through the eyes of the tourists.

• What’s it like to ride Vancouver’s Hop-On, Hop-Off bus?

• Alternative ways to see Vancouver

June 9: Seeing Vancouver from the water

• Hometown Tourist: What's it like to ride Vancouver's Hop-On, Hop-Off bus?
• Vancouver expecting a record 331 cruise ship visits in 2023

A first timer’s guide to Prince Edward Island

May 25, 2024 • 8 min read

Experience a colorful slice of island life on your first visit to Prince Edward Island © Peter Unger / Getty Images

Long sandy beaches backed with red cliffs. Freshly caught lobster, oysters and clams. Toe-tapping music at lively kitchen parties or local pubs. And plenty of outdoor adventures, from cycling to kayaking to hiking. In the Gulf of St Lawrence, on Canada’s eastern shores,  Prince Edward Island  (PEI) may be the country’s smallest province, but there’s plenty to see and do.

Besides its natural setting, PEI’s other claim to fame is a series of early 20th-century novels about a feisty red-haired girl. Lucy Maud Montgomery set the Anne of Green Gables books around her PEI hometown of Cavendish, and several island attractions can tell you more about the noted author and the beloved Canadian character she created. 

You can visit Prince Edward Island as part of an Atlantic Canada road trip – the nearly 13km-long (8-mile) Confederation Bridge connects PEI to the mainland – or come for a peaceful beach escape. Bring your bathing suit and your appetite too. PEI’s nickname is “Canada’s food island.” 

Here's all you need to know to plan your first trip to Prince Edward Island.

When should I go to Prince Edward Island?

PEI shines under the summer sun, its short peak season running from late June into September. The weather is typically warm, with temperatures hovering around 20–25ºC (70–80ºF), prime time for beach-going, hiking and picnicking. With cooler mornings and evenings, the weather stays temperate into October, as the leaves take on their autumn reds and golds. Fall brings food fests too, including the  Fall Flavours Festival and the  PEI International Shellfish Festival .  

Many island businesses are seasonal, opening in May or June and closing in September or by the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October. Prices are typically somewhat lower in the shoulder months of May, June, September and October. Expect more rain and varied temperatures in both fall and spring, although you might have mild, sunny days too, which are good for hiking, bicycling and island exploring. 

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November, although the worst storms have previously hit the maritime provinces in the fall. Expect snow anytime between November and April, with fierce winter winds making the temperatures feel much colder than the average ranges of -11ºC to -3ºC (11–26ºF). 

Planning a longer trip?  These are the best times to visit Canada

How much time should I spend on Prince Edward Island?

If you have a long weekend, start in Charlottetown , exploring the province’s historic capital, and learn about its role as the “the birthplace of Confederation,” creating the union that would become the country of Canada. Have a drink overlooking the waterfront, then grab a bite from one of the vendors in  Founders Food Hall . Your next stop is Cavendish on the island’s north shore, where several sights tell you about the Anne of Green Gables story. Then explore the beaches of  Prince Edward Island National Park , perhaps taking a hike through the Greenwich dunes before dinner at  Dalvay by the Sea , a historic summer home turned inn. The next day, go kayaking or cycling. Dig into a traditional lobster supper, ending your trip with music in a local pub. 

To explore more of the island, plan a one-week road trip. After your time in Charlottetown, Cavendish and the national park, drive west for an Indigenous cultural experience on  Lennox Island , a Mi’kmaq community. Circle the island’s west side, sampling the spuds at the  Canadian Potato Museum , stopping for a lunchtime concert at the Stompin’ Tom Centre  and spending the night in the West Point Lighthouse . Returning to Charlottetown, stop off in the village of Victoria by the Sea for a lobster roll or freshly steamed mussels. If you have more time, continue east to Souris for a cruise on a lobster boat. 

How do I get to Prince Edward Island?

You can fly non-stop to  Charlottetown Airport (YYG) from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa year round, and seasonally from Calgary and smaller Canadian cities. For more flight options, consider jetting into Nova Scotia’s  Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), which has non-stop flights to additional Canadian, US and European cities. It’s a three-hour drive or bus trip from Halifax airport to PEI over the Confederation Bridge.  Maritime Bus can take you to Charlottetown from Halifax airport or from other destinations in Nova Scotia and neighboring New Brunswick. 

Although PEI has no train service, Canada’s national rail carrier, Via Rail , can bring you from Montreal or Quebec City to Halifax or to Moncton, New Brunswick. From there, take the bus or rent a car to continue to the island. 

How do I get around Prince Edward Island?

In compact, walkable Charlottetown, most attractions are along the waterfront or in the historic center.  T3 Transit , the island’s public transit service, runs buses to Charlottetown Airport and around the city. T3 Transit’s rural routes provide limited service between Charlottetown and other island destinations. While services are infrequent, the fares are fantastic value – only C$2 to travel anywhere on the island – if you can align your travels with the bus schedule. 

PEI is relatively flat, making it a good destination for cyclists. Following the route of a decommissioned rail line, the  Confederation Trail runs 273km (170 miles) through the island center, and you can also cycle the Island Walk, which takes you primarily on less-busy roads. 

Top things to do on Prince Edward Island

Go to the beach.

PEI has dozens of them. Some of the best stretches of sand are along the north shore in Prince Edward Island National Park, but there are sandy beaches around the island.

Dive into a novel

Learn the story of Anne of Green Gables , one of Canada’s most beloved fictional characters, and her creator Lucy Maud Montgomery at sights like  Green Gables Heritage Place or Anne of Green Gables Museum . 

Catch your dinner with a fiddling fisherman

JJ Chaisson is a lobster fisher and musician. Along with his wife Julie, he runs  The Fiddling Fisherman , taking guests out on their family fishing boat for a lobster dinner, accompanied by music from Chaisson’s fiddle. 

Learn about Indigenous culture

Take a food, music or art workshop in the First Nations community of Lennox Island. You might learn to bake bannock – a biscuit-like bread – over an open fire, get an introduction to traditional quill work, or craft your own moose-hide drum. 

Clap along at a ceilidh

Drawing on Irish, Scottish and maritime traditions, a ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee) is part concert and part kitchen party, blending lively fiddle music, singing, dancing and storytelling. These musical events take place in pubs, community halls and concert venues across Prince Edward Island. 

Read more:  12 exciting experiences in every corner of Canada

My favorite thing to do on Prince Edward Island

My favorite thing to do on PEI is walk, following sections of the  Island Walk , a 700km (435-mile) route around the entire isle. Modeled after Spain’s Camino de Santiago (though without a pilgrimage history), the Island Walk has 32 sections of 20–25km (12–15 miles) each, which take you along PEI’s sandy beaches and into its forests, above its red cliffs and through its small towns. You can walk for a day, a week, or more, listening to the splash of the surf, the chirps of the birds and the quiet sounds of island life. 

If you’d like help planning an extended walk, contact  Go for a Walk: Island Walk Coordination Service and  Outer Limit Sports , local outfits who can organize a walking itinerary, provide luggage transfer services and arrange accommodations. You can cycle the Island Walk, too. MacQueen’s Bike Shop  in Charlottetown rents bicycles and provides trip-planning services for cyclists.

How much money do I need for Prince Edward Island?

While PEI isn’t as pricey as major Canadian cities like Vancouver or Toronto, it’s not inexpensive either, especially during the summer high season. The island has only a few budget lodgings, with dorm beds starting at C$50 and basic doubles around C$120. Many traditional inns and B&Bs fall into the midrange, beginning around C$150 per night. If you’re watching your loonies, consider a cottage or motel room with a kitchen where you can prepare some of your own meals. 

Take public transit if you can. T3 Transit fares for adults are only C$2 a ride, whether you’re traveling within the capital or across the island, and kids ride free. Neither Uber nor Lyft currently operate on PEI, but  Kari , a local rideshare company, provides service, primarily in the Charlottetown area. Depending on the season, car rentals in Charlottetown range from C$50 to over C$100 per day. 

Some sample food and drink prices around PEI:

• Coffee: C$3–4
• Craft beer in an island taproom: C$8–10
• Pound of PEI mussels: C$14–18
• Lobster roll: C$27 and up
• Traditional lobster supper:  C$50–60 per person 

Wear the lobster bib 

Many seafood restaurants give you a bib to wear if you’ve ordered a whole lobster. Don’t be shy – tie it on to protect your clothes. Eating a lobster can be a messy business. 

Pack layers and rain gear   

While the weather is generally temperate from spring through fall, it can get breezy and cool by the shore or in the evening and it can rain at any time. Keep a light jacket or sweater in your day pack. PEI winters are cold, damp and often snowy. Not only do you need warm jackets, hats, gloves and boots, but be prepared for winter travel conditions, including snow-covered roads and high winds. 

It’s colder on the water 

If you’re heading out on a lobster boat or other cruise, remember that it’s chillier on the water, even in summer. Bring a jacket or clothes you can layer.   

“Ask an Islander” 

If you want to know more about Prince Edward Island or have a question while planning your trip, “Ask an Islander.” On the website of  Tourism PEI , the provincial tourism organization, you can post a question and a local resident will answer your query.

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Omar Apollo Plots North American ‘God Said No’ Tour, With Stops at the Hollywood Bowl and Forest Hills Stadium

By Thania Garcia

Thania Garcia

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After making multiple appearances at international festivals and headlining shows, Omar Apollo is coming home for a North American tour in support of his upcoming album, “God Said No.”

The Grammy-nominated singer will perform in amphitheaters across the country including two dates in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre. He’s also set to appear at the Red Rocks and Forest Hills Stadium, starting with a launch date of Aug. 20 in his home state of Indiana. Apollo will be supported by Kevin Abstract, Malcolm Todd and and Rayvn Lenae.

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The album title is said to be Apollo’s interpretation of  “ lo que sera, sera ” which translates to “whatever will be, will be” or “it is what it is.” In a press release, the album is described as embodying “Omar’s tongue-in-cheek humorous outlook on the suffering that comes from surrendering and accepting whatever is thrown at you by life, a relationship or lover.”

Tickets for the tour will be available starting with Citi and AMEX presales beginning June 11. An artist presale will begin June 12, starting at 10am local time. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale on June 14.

Tour Dates 

8/20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park  

8/21 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 

8/23 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island 

8/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage at The Mann 

9/3 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 

9/4 – Toronto, ON @ Pavilion at Budweiser Stage 

9/6 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion

9/7 – Forest Hills, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium 

9/10 – Cincinnati, OH @ The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park

9/11 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater  

9/13 – Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre 

9/16 – Miami, FL @ FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park

9/17 – Orlando, FL @ Orlando Amphitheater 

9/19 – Houston, TX @ The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall 

9/21 – Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park

9/22 – Irving (Dallas), TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 

9/24 – Bentonville, AR @ The Momentary *

9/26 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre 

9/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre

10/1 – Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater

10/2 – Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield * 

10/4 – Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre * 

10/5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl 

10/8 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl *

10/10 – Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Amphitheatre 

10/11 – San Diego, CA @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

* Non-Live Nation Date

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