Vancouver sightseeing tours showcase the city’s mountain, ocean and urban skyline by air, land or boat.
Guided sightseeing tours allow visitors to relax and partake in interpretive discussion. Go on a flightseeing tour to soar over high-rise buildings or take a seat on a charter bus tour and enjoy interesting anecdotes and the views.
Self-guided tours allow for personalized itineraries. Hop-on, hop-off ferries and buses incorporate multiple Vancouver attractions and visitors can decide where and when to get off.
There are also self-guided and guided walking tours that lead to lively and historic neighbourhoods.
Flightseeing Tours
Select from a wide range of floatplane, air or helicopter tours and fly with mountain, ocean and urban backdrops. Swoop over glass buildings on a quick loop or day trip to the Sunshine Coast or Victoria. Other tours offer views of forests and coastlines, along with activities such as wildlife viewing.
Bus Tours
Relax on a guided coach tour of Vancouver. Choose from a narrated bus, SUV or small van and visit well-known attractions such as Capilano Suspension Bridge (North Vancouver) and Stanley Park. Victoria and Whistler are popular day (and overnight) trips from Vancouver too. Custom tours are also available.
Short on time? Hop-on, hop-off buses (by trolley or double-decker) are great for efficiently sightseeing in Vancouver, as they double as tours and as transportation. Buses make scheduled loops connecting neighbourhoods, parks and attractions.
Guided Walking Tours
See the city from ground up on a guided walking tour. There are plenty of choices: follow a local guide to interesting locales such as Chinatown, where Asian architecture meets serene gardens and colouful stores, or take a tour of the cobbled streets of Gastown, home to historic sites such as “Blood Alley” and Gassy Jack's statue. Some companies even offer free walking tours that highlight architecture and favourite local spots.
Self-Guided Tours
Discover well-trodden routes, plus those off the beaten path, on a self-guided sightseeing tour. Follow a map to Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games venues. Poke around neighbourhoods – follow “Silk Road” sign posts to Chinatown, or pick up a brochure that expands on Yaletown’s transformation from an industrial zone to a high-end commercial district.
Stop by the Vancouver Visitor Centre for self-guided routes, maps, and information on popular sights and attractions. Head out on foot, rent a bicycle, or purchase a TransLink day pass and travel by public transit.
Boat Tours
Board a hop-on, hop-off harbour ferry for a spin of waterside attractions – stop at Science World, grab lunch at Granville Island or delve into marine traditions at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. There are longer cruises available too (including an authentic paddlewheeler tour).
Bike, Horse and Pedicab Tours
In Stanley Park, share a tandem bike – and the sights – along the seawall (bike rentals are available for self-guided tours); settle into an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage for a narrated tour of the park; or be whisked around downtown Vancouver in a pedicab (a bicycle-powered carriage) on a historical, shopping or custom sightseeing tour.
VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer
Discover cross-province rail journeys from Vancouver. Choose one of Rocky Mountaineer’s train trips – admire the Rocky Mountains en route to Alberta, or take a short but scenic trip to Whistler and beyond. VIA Rail’s “The Canadian” is an iconic cross-country trip, from the west coast to Ontario. Both operators offer a “sightseeing class” with access to open-air or dome cars.
Driving Routes
Many British Columbia driving routes start in, or pass through, Vancouver, making this an ideal city to start a larger BC sightseeing tour. Follow the Coastal Circle Route via BC Ferries to Vancouver Island, or head along the Sea-to-Sky Highway Route towards the four-season alpine town of Whistler. Shorter circle and touring routes are also available.
Practical Points
- The peak season for sightseeing is from April to September although some tours and most self-guided trips can be done year-round.
- Most guided sightseeing tours require reservations, but some can be booked on the spot.
- Sightseeing tours may require a minimum number of people. Check with the operator to ensure tours are running.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for information on sightseeing tour operators, and help with trip planning and transportation.
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