Activities to Enjoy Alone in Vancouver

Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s biggest attractions and is a place where you can spend many hours exploring alone. Firstly, take a walk or ride a bike around the Seawall, which is the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path—don’t forget to stop and take a photo of the Girl in a Wetsuit statue. Then there’s the option to visit the Vancouver Aquarium inside Stanley Park. You can also spend some time relaxing on its beaches or outdoor pool in the summertime or head deep into the urban park and explore the forest.
Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada, +1 604 681 6728

What’s waiting in Stanley Park | © Hayley Simpson

Shopping is a perfect activity to enjoy alone in Vancouver. Although Robson Street in downtown Vancouver is known as the city’s shopping street, locals tend to head to Metropolis at Metrotown in the Greater Vancouver Area instead. Less than 30 minutes by Skytrain from the city center, Metropolis is the largest mall in British Columbia and the third largest in Canada. There are over 450 shops and services, including big names such as Hudson’s Bay, H&M, Forever 21, Chapters, and Winners. You can also visit the cinema!
Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada, +1 604 438 4715

Granville Island is a very popular attraction for tourists and residents alike. The inlet sits just south of downtown Vancouver. Its biggest drawcard is the Granville Island Public Market, which is open every day and only features handcrafted products and the freshest food. It’s a great place to pick up supplies for a picnic, or you can simply choose a meal in the food court. From Granville Island, you can walk east towards False Creek and Olympic Village, or west around the headland to Kits Beach. Alternatively, you can enjoy a unique experience in the form of the Aquabus Ferry.
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Enjoying Granville Island | © Hayley Simpson

Real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield named Main Street one of North America’s top 15 coolest streets last year. Spend some time wandering the neighborhood, from approximately 6th Avenue to 33rd Avenue. There are many restaurants, breweries, consignment stores, and independent boutiques to enjoy. Favorite clothing stores include 8th & Main and Front & Company. For street art appreciators, there are some fantastic murals around the Main and Broadway intersection too. For more, head down to Main Street and Industrial Avenue.
Main Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

One of the more underrated things to do in Vancouver is, in fact, heading to North Vancouver. The Seabus is a ferry, which is conveniently part of the public transit system; it takes guests from Waterfront Station in Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver in about 20 minutes. Time your visit for sunset so that you can witness it over Vancouver’s skyline—stick to Lonsdale Quay or walk over to Waterfront Park. The Shipyards Night Market also happens every Friday night from May to October at Lonsdale Quay. It features live music, market stalls, a beer garden, and a lot of local food trucks.
Seabus at Waterfront Station, 601 W Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The Seabus and Vancouver views | © Kenny Louie / Flickr

“Queen Elizabeth Park is home to some of the most beautiful and well-maintained gardens in the world.” There are three big differences between this park and its counterpart in Stanley Park. Firstly, Queen Elizabeth Park stands at the highest elevation in Vancouver, which means stunning views of the city, backdropped by the snowy mountains of North Vancouver. Secondly, Stanley Park doesn’t have manicured gardens. Finally, Bloedel Conservatory is an indoor tropical paradise. Over 120 birds fly free inside the dome, and there are over 500 exotic plants and flowers thriving in the temperature-controlled environment.