Attractions
Grouse Mountain's claim to fame is its breathtaking views over the city, the Strait of Georgia, and the islands. But there is much more: nature walks, helicopter tours, theatre, restaurants, wildlife refuge, raptor displays, paragliding, and hiking. Come winter? Snow, of course, and all the fun that comes with it.
Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches over the raging river below. Why make the crossing? To stroll through the treetops along seven elevated footbridges strung between the towering Douglas-firs of the coastal rainforest. This attraction is also home to a First Nations' Cultural Centre.
Lonsdale Quay on the shores of Burrard Inlet serves up a panoramic view of the Vancouver harbour with the savoury delectables of its international food fair and market. This is also where the SeaBus to downtown Vancouver berths so it's a natural choice for before/after lunch and coffee.
Arts, culture, history
The North Shore is the traditional territory of the Squamish and Burrard First Nations of the Coast Salish peoples. Totem Park, a collection of totem (story) poles contributed by local First Nations is located at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
For much of the 20th century, the harbour front near Lonsdale Quay was the location of Western Canada's largest shipyard. Today the city's shipbuilding roots are celebrated at the site with a 213 m (700 ft) pedestrian promenade that juts out into the inlet.
The North Vancouver Museum and Archives preserves the local history of shipbuilding, transportation, and logging through displays and artifacts. During summer months the museum's costumed guides lead an informal program of historically-based walking tours. Check at the Visitor Centre at the Pacific Great Eastern Railway Station for more information.
Presentation House Gallery is Western Canada's largest non-profit gallery displaying contemporary and historical photographic and media art.
Land activities
Northlands Golf Course offers a well formulated mix of challenging holes, downhill vistas, and strategically located natural hazards. Carved out of a mountainside forest, Northland's design has retained the spectacular natural beauty of its site.
Hiking and walking are indigenous to the North Shore lifestyle. Join the locals for a pleasant stroll through the charming village of Deep Cove, lace up your trainers for an easy walk down the Seymour Valley Trailway or gear up for challenging hikes in the wilderness of the North Shore Mountains.
Mountain biking on the North Shore is world renowned for its challenging trails, many of which are accessible year-round.
Natural Sights, Parks and Wildlife
Mount Seymour Provincial Park offers a network of trails through old-growth and second-growth forests for both hikers and mountain bikers. The park is accessed via a scenic drive with spectacular vistas of the city below.
Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve opens one-third of the Seymour Watershed to the public, offering rare access to the area's pristine meadows, forested slopes, and flood plains. The Reserve provides over 25 km (16 mi) of easy/moderate hiking trails as well as the Seymour Valley Trailway, a 10-km (6-mi) paved pathway that winds through the forest.
Grouse Mountain offers access to trails through self-guided or guided interpretive tours. The wildlife refuge and raptor display provide unparalleled opportunities for observing grizzly bears, grey wolves, and raptors in natural settings. Access to the mountain is by a scenic aerial tram or the Grouse Grind, a steep mountain trail wryly referred to by locals as "nature's stairmaster."
Capilano River Regional Park - Crashing through the dense rain forest, the Capilano River carves a steep decline through sheer granite cliffs. Walking trails, from easy to intermediate, follow the course of the river. The Capilano Salmon Hatchery, also located in the park, offers a remarkable opportunity to observe the venerated salmon throughout its life cycle.
Lynn Canyon Park and Lynn Headwaters Regional Park - Access Lynn Canyon Park by crossing the suspension bridge over Lynn Creek. Once across, choose from several easy walks to scenic pools and falls or connect with the network of hiking trails that lead into the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park or Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.
Water activities
Burrard Inlet concludes its inland thrust with a dramatic 18-km (11-mi) fjord known as Indian Arm. Carved by glaciers, the landscape is one of rugged coastlines, forested mountains, alpine lakes and waterfalls. Black bears, harbour seals, eagles, and seabirds are commonly sighted. Indian Arm is most easily accessed by launching a canoe or kayak from Deep Cove, a charming village at the east end of North Vancouver. Rentals and tours are readily available there.
Winter activities
Careen down alpine runs, drop into terrain parks, do a group tube or hit the most popular cross-country tracks in Canada. The North Shore has three mountains to choose from: Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour.
Each is just minutes from the city, easily accessible by road and public transit. Runs are lit at night for an incomparable west coast experience - gliding through the silent winter night with the lights of the city twinkling below.