Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Sawasdee Thai Restaurant
4250 Main StAmazing thai food
I'd say we eat here about once a week. It's 4 blocks away, super casual, and has excellent thai food.
56 locals recommend
Bob Likes Thai Food
3755 Main StI'd say we eat here about once a week. It's 4 blocks away, super casual, and has excellent thai food.
Family friendly, Japanese restaurant - also in walking distance or lots of street parking available if you drive.
17 locals recommend
Sushi Main
3710 Main StFamily friendly, Japanese restaurant - also in walking distance or lots of street parking available if you drive.
Some of the best sushi and Japanese food in the city. A short walk away but get there a good 30 minutes before you want a table - they don't take reservations and there's almost always a line up.
131 locals recommend
Toshi Sushi
181 E 16th AveSome of the best sushi and Japanese food in the city. A short walk away but get there a good 30 minutes before you want a table - they don't take reservations and there's almost always a line up.
Great coffee and casual food - cool vibe and a short walk away.
490 locals recommend
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StGreat coffee and casual food - cool vibe and a short walk away.
One of the only coffee shops actually on a residential street. We love this place - it's super cute and totally local and authentic. Coffee is great too...and it's about 3 blocks from our home.
35 locals recommend
The Mighty Oak
198 W 18th AveOne of the only coffee shops actually on a residential street. We love this place - it's super cute and totally local and authentic. Coffee is great too...and it's about 3 blocks from our home.
Pied a Terre
3369 Cambie StreetPretty awesome French bistro - small and intimate, great food.
Comfort food at its best. If you're counting calories this is not for you - but if you want the best grilled cheese in town, this is it.
113 locals recommend
Burgoo
3096 Main StComfort food at its best. If you're counting calories this is not for you - but if you want the best grilled cheese in town, this is it.
We don't go out much (pitfall of having a small child), but this is a favourite when the cousins are in town. It's in walking distance - good vibe - decent food.
42 locals recommend
The Five Point Restaurant & Pub
3124 Main StWe don't go out much (pitfall of having a small child), but this is a favourite when the cousins are in town. It's in walking distance - good vibe - decent food.
Entertainment & Activities
Within walking distance but also lots of street parking if you drive. Very family friendly - great "flatbread" style pizza
45 locals recommend
Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Main Street
4186 Main StWithin walking distance but also lots of street parking if you drive. Very family friendly - great "flatbread" style pizza
The closest toy store to our home. It's got a great selection of children's toys and games.
13 locals recommend
Kaboodles Toy Store
3404 Cambie StThe closest toy store to our home. It's got a great selection of children's toys and games.
Essentials
The closest grocery to our home. Some things are a little pricey but you can liken it to a smaller Whole Foods. Great for regular groceries or to pick up prepared food for lunch/dinner.
398 locals recommend
Choices Markets
1202 Richards StThe closest grocery to our home. Some things are a little pricey but you can liken it to a smaller Whole Foods. Great for regular groceries or to pick up prepared food for lunch/dinner.
Sightseeing
A must-do in Vancouver. Lots of great restaurants, the public market is a foodies delight, and kids only is always a hit with children 6 mo's - adults 80+.
470 locals recommend
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston StA must-do in Vancouver. Lots of great restaurants, the public market is a foodies delight, and kids only is always a hit with children 6 mo's - adults 80+.
A must-do in Vancouver. One of the largest public parks in the world. Enjoy a (long) walk in around the seawall (10-12km's), visit the aquarium, and in summer, kids can enjoy the outdoor water park.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdA must-do in Vancouver. One of the largest public parks in the world. Enjoy a (long) walk in around the seawall (10-12km's), visit the aquarium, and in summer, kids can enjoy the outdoor water park.
In the winter, Grouse offers some great local skiing with one of the most amazing views of the city on a clear day from the top. Year round you can ride the gondola to the top and explore.
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene WayIn the winter, Grouse offers some great local skiing with one of the most amazing views of the city on a clear day from the top. Year round you can ride the gondola to the top and explore.
140 meters/460 ft long and 70 meters/230 ft above the river. A great spot to spend a day or morning/afternoon - lots of hiking around and other neat things to explore/do.
1150 locals recommend
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano Rd140 meters/460 ft long and 70 meters/230 ft above the river. A great spot to spend a day or morning/afternoon - lots of hiking around and other neat things to explore/do.
...and bloedel conservatory. The highest point in the city. If you like flowers, this park and the conservatory are a must see.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie St...and bloedel conservatory. The highest point in the city. If you like flowers, this park and the conservatory are a must see.
Shopping
Several blocks of outdoor shops - you can find about anything there in terms of shopping or enjoy some people watching if you just want a stroll.
789 locals recommend
Robson Street
1155 Robson StSeveral blocks of outdoor shops - you can find about anything there in terms of shopping or enjoy some people watching if you just want a stroll.
Everything Else
A hit with children and adults - just a cool spot to get your "geek" on. We love it there and so does our 2 yo.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StA hit with children and adults - just a cool spot to get your "geek" on. We love it there and so does our 2 yo.
Adjacent to kitsilano beach (also recommended), this is one of the worlds largest outdoor pools. Open annually in the summer from the May long weekend/Victoria day to late September.
145 locals recommend
Kitsilano Pool
2305 Cornwall AveAdjacent to kitsilano beach (also recommended), this is one of the worlds largest outdoor pools. Open annually in the summer from the May long weekend/Victoria day to late September.
One of the host mountains for the 2010 winter Olympics. If you have time, this is a pretty cool spot for a day trip or to spend a night or 2. This is a year round destination.
85 locals recommend
Whistler Blackcomb
4545 BC-99One of the host mountains for the 2010 winter Olympics. If you have time, this is a pretty cool spot for a day trip or to spend a night or 2. This is a year round destination.
Just off the corners of Davie and Denman streets, English bay is a great spot to spend a day at the beach in the summer or to do some people watching year round.
158 locals recommend
English Bay
Just off the corners of Davie and Denman streets, English bay is a great spot to spend a day at the beach in the summer or to do some people watching year round.
We used to go here to watch laser light shows set to retro bands like Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. I think there's a lot more to it now - probably pretty cool if you or your kids like space stuff.
60 locals recommend
HR MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut StWe used to go here to watch laser light shows set to retro bands like Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. I think there's a lot more to it now - probably pretty cool if you or your kids like space stuff.
1.5 km's from our home, this is the 2nd closest grocery store from our home. It's a great grocery store for any/all items you might need, also has a selection of pre-prepared, fresh food to take out.
35 locals recommend
Marketplace IGA
2949 Main Street1.5 km's from our home, this is the 2nd closest grocery store from our home. It's a great grocery store for any/all items you might need, also has a selection of pre-prepared, fresh food to take out.
Arts & Culture
We don't go very often anymore but it's a decent gallery and always extra cool when they have a special feature/artist displayed.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StWe don't go very often anymore but it's a decent gallery and always extra cool when they have a special feature/artist displayed.