Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the stunning city of Vancouver? As I mentioned before Malkit is from Vancouver this place is like a second home to us with loads of family members and friends to connect with. So, you can trust us when we say we’ve got the inside scoop on all the best local spots and hidden treasures.
Well, get ready to leave the beaten path behind and dive headfirst into a world of hidden wonders. In this ultimate Vancouver guide, we’ll take you on an adventure as we explore the non-touristy gems this city has to offer. From secret local spots to off-the-beaten-track attractions, we’re here to help you uncover the hidden gems that will make your Vancouver experience truly unforgettable. So grab your map, put on your explorer’s hat, and get ready to discover the side of Vancouver that most tourists never get to see! Trust us, this is going to be one wild and wonderful ride! Let’s dive in, shall we?
Table of Contents
Explore Local Neighborhoods
Vancouver has several vibrant neighborhoods that offer a unique local vibe and are worth exploring beyond the typical tourist sights.
Gastown
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, with cobblestone streets, antique lampposts, and heritage buildings that transport you back to the city’s early beginnings. Don’t miss the iconic Steam Clock. Browse indie boutiques, check out historic sites like the storytelling murals, and stop for a drink at one of Gastown’s many local watering holes.
Chinatown
Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest in North America. Stock up on exotic ingredients at the Chinese grocers, explore the surrounding gardens, check out the unique architecture, and soak up the bustling market atmosphere. Be sure to visit the Chinatown Millennium Gate and Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Commercial Drive
Known as “The Drive,” this East Vancouver neighborhood has a laidback, artsy vibe. There’s a mix of indie shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore. Don’t miss a stroll down Graffiti Alley to view the colorful street art.
Kitsilano Beach
Hang out at this locals’ favorite beach like a true Vancouverite. Kits Beach has gorgeous views of the mountains and downtown skyline. Walk along the seaside path, play beach volleyball, or simply relax on a bench and take in the scenery.
Granville Island
This iconic island underneath the Granville Street Bridge is home to an expansive public market with tons of artisan shops and eateries. Wander around the many local art studios and galleries. Catch some live music at one of the busking stages or outdoor patios.
Main Street
Main Street is Vancouver’s indie hipster and foodie hub. There are tons of locally-owned shops, breweries, and restaurants. Be sure to browse some of the vintage and antique stores. Or simply walk around and admire the colorful houses and street art.
Attend Community Events
Vancouver has a thriving community events scene that offers a more local experience than typical tourist attractions. Getting out into the neighborhoods and attending these community happenings is a great way to mingle with locals, discover new areas, and soak up Vancouver’s vibrant culture.
Farmers’ Markets
One of the best community events to check out is the farmers’ markets held throughout various neighborhoods on different days of the week. The Dufferin Grove market on Thursdays is a lively scene with fresh organic produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and street food. The Kitsilano farmers market on Sundays offers live music performances alongside delicious food and handmade items from local artisans. Don’t miss the Trout Lake farmers market on Saturdays, with food trucks, kids activities, and beautiful views of the lake.
Street Festivals
Street festivals occur throughout the summer and are fantastic for getting a taste of each neighborhood’s unique flair. Check out Car Free Day along Commercial Drive for live music stages, artisan vendors, and street performers. Then head over to Khatsahlano Street Party on West 4th for a massive block party vibe with food carts and pop-up shops from local businesses. For lively multicultural celebrations, the Italian Days Festival and Greek Day on Broadway offer music, dancing, and delicious ethnic cuisine.
Parades
Parades are another beloved Vancouver tradition, from the animated Vancouver Pride Parade in the heart of downtown to the illuminated Christmas Parade through the West End. Or check out the TaiwanFest parade in downtown Richmond with elaborate floats and street performances.
Outdoor Concerts
Vancouver also has a thriving local music scene. Outdoor summer concert series include the TD Concerts at Crab Park at Portside with stunning harbor views and Music at the Cannery in Steveston Village with local food vendors. Smaller neighborhood concerts happen at libraries, community centers, and parks across the city. Consult local event listings to find some homegrown talent.
Attending community events allows you to experience Vancouver alongside the locals and discover fun neighborhood happenings beyond the typical tourist attractions. Exploring farmers’ markets, street festivals, parades, and outdoor concerts will provide you with a vibrant slice of Vancouver life.
Go on a Food Tour
Vancouver has an incredibly diverse food scene with cuisines from around the world. Instead of just going to the popular downtown restaurants, consider a food tour that takes you to some of the city’s best ethnic eateries and hole-in-the-wall spots.
Head to Richmond to explore the myriad of authentic Chinese restaurants and try dishes like dim sum, congee, roasted duck, and steamed buns. The City of Richmond has one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia, so you’ll find incredible regional cuisines.
Make your way to East Vancouver for delicious Vietnamese food. Try pho noodle soup, banh mi sandwiches, and fresh spring rolls at family-run spots along Kingsway. There are also great Indonesian, Thai, and Malaysian restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The Punjabi Market in South Vancouver is the place to go for authentic Indian food. The all-vegetarian eateries serve mouthwatering curries, samosas, naan breads, and lassis. Don’t miss the sweet shops for traditional Indian sweets and desserts.
You’ll find Little Italy along Commercial Drive, which is full of casual Italian restaurants, cafes, and delis serving pasta, pizza, antipasti, and more. It has a lively, laidback vibe for sitting down to an affordable Italian meal.
Exploring Vancouver’s diverse neighborhoods and cuisines allows you to experience the true multicultural food landscape of the city. A food tour is a delicious way to step out of the tourist bubble and eat like a local.
Check out the Public Art
Vancouver has a thriving public art scene with beautiful murals, intriguing sculptures, and even interactive art installations scattered throughout the city. Get out and explore these creative public artworks during your visit.
Murals
You’ll find vibrant, colorful murals painted on buildings and alleyways across Vancouver. Several neighborhoods like Chinatown, Gastown, and Mount Pleasant are known for their stunning murals. Some of the most famous mural artists include Ola Volo, who paints abstract fantasy worlds, and Vikky Alexander, known for her photo-based murals. Walk or bike around these neighborhoods to admire these giant works of art.
Some standout murals to check out are the Haida Manga mural featuring massive Haida characters, the 15-story Luminaire building mural titled Vertical Garden, and the enormous orca mother and calf in Chinatown. Make sure to look up and around corners as you explore the city streets to catch glimpses of imaginative murals.
Sculptures
Vancouver has many whimsical and thought-provoking sculptures scattered through parks and public spaces. Sculpture artists like Douglas Coupland, John and Patricia Patkau, and Paul Sircus have artworks displayed across the city.
Some of the most popular sculptures include the Digital Orca by Douglas Coupland at Jack Poole Plaza, the large metal tree sculpture called Engagement in Point Grey, and the A-maze-ing Laughter sculpture featuring laughing figures in Morton Park. Meander through parks and plazas to find beautiful abstract sculptures among the green spaces and city sights.
Interactive Art
For a truly unique experience, seek out interactive art installations where you can become part of the artwork.
The Light Walk in North Vancouver allows you to walk through color-changing archways activated by motion sensors. In Hastings Park, the five-acre Pacific Spirit Parklands feature indigenous sculptures and artworks with QR codes you can scan to learn more.
One of the most iconic interactive artworks is the Photo Richard Low, A Waking Dream which has changing words projected on coils you can walk through and become part of the living art display. Discover the joy of immersing yourself in interactive art rather than just observing.
Vancouver’s vibrant public art scene gives you the chance to explore beyond typical tourist sights. Wander the city streets and happen upon beautiful murals, imaginative sculptures, and interactive art installations that will make your trip uniquely memorable. Keep your eyes open around every corner to discover artistic surprises that reflect Vancouver’s thriving creative culture.
Take a Cooking Class
Vancouver has a thriving food scene with culinary influences from around the world. Instead of just dining out, take a cooking class to learn skills and recipes you can recreate at home.
Learn French Cooking
Sign up for a French cooking class at the Vancouver Community College or a local cooking school. Learn techniques like making crepes, poaching fish, or preparing classic French sauces from a professional chef. Classes often include a multi-course meal with wine pairings so you can taste your creations.
Master Homemade Pasta
Italian cooking classes teach you how to make pasta completely from scratch. Learn to mix and knead dough, then shape and fill pasta variations like ravioli, tortellini, and gnocchi. An Italian cooking class may also cover appetizers, gelato, or classic Italian entrees to pair with your fresh pasta.
Roll Your Own Sushi
Sushi classes provide hands-on lessons in sushi rice preparation, rolling techniques, knife skills, and slicing fish. You’ll learn how to make various rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Tasting your homemade sushi is often part of the class. Consider a private class to customize it to your tastes and skill level.
Explore Indian Cuisine
Take a day to immerse yourself in Indian cooking, from simmering curries to making naan and chutneys. An Indian cooking class can cover everything from Northern to Southern Indian cuisine. You may learn dishes like butter chicken, palak paneer, dosas, and more.
Try Plant-Based Cooking
Vancouver has a thriving vegan community. Take a vegan cooking class to learn how to make completely plant-based meals. The class may teach you how to cook without any animal products while making delicious entrees, desserts, and more. You’ll leave with new skills for creative and healthy home cooking.
Learning to cook new cuisines is an engaging way to explore Vancouver’s diverse food cultures. Taking cooking classes allows you to connect with the city and its residents through food and conversation.
Go thrifting
Vancouver has some of the best thrift and vintage stores in Canada. Skipping the high-end shops downtown and heading to the thrift stores is a great way to experience Vancouver like a local. You can uncover rare vintage finds and decorate your home with unique items, often for a fraction of retail prices.
The West Side of Vancouver is thrift store heaven. Main Street in the Riley Park/Mount Pleasant neighborhoods has the highest concentration of excellent vintage and used clothing stores. Try hitting up Front and Company for its impressive and affordable selection of vintage jeans and tees. The Regional Assembly of Text focuses on curated used books, locally-made crafts, and unique gifts. Don’t miss the eclectic decor items and furniture at Meinhardt Fine Foods. Finish off on Main Street with some vintage accessories, housewares, and clothes at Public Liaison.
East Vancouver also shines for secondhand shopping. Commercial Drive is known for its retro and used clothing shops. F as in Frank has impressive vintage wearables from the 80s, 90s, and Y2K eras. Check out Audain for vintage Levi’s jeans and other denims through the decades. The Fall houses affordable and stylish consignment pieces from brand names.
Exploring Vancouver’s thrift store scene allows you to find one-of-a-kind fashion pieces and home decor items. You’ll taste Vancouver’s culture while uncovering rare secondhand treasures.
Hike Local Trails
Vancouver has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in North America right in the city. Skip the tourist hotspots like Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge and instead head to one of Vancouver’s gorgeous urban wildernesses.
One of the best hikes near Vancouver is Lynn Canyon. This free alternative to the Capilano Suspension Bridge features beautiful old-growth forests, waterfalls, river pools, and an amazing suspension bridge over the canyon. Don’t miss the 30-foot pool, a popular swimming hole, or the view downstream from the Twin Falls Bridge. The moderate hike to Norvan Falls has some of the most spectacular old-growth forests and scenery in the Lower Mainland.
Stanley Park is a great place to go for an easy hike right downtown. The park has a beautiful coastal forest with huge centuries-old trees. Walk around the seawall for stunning views of the ocean, mountains, and city skyline. Or take the steeper woodland trails further into the old-growth forest for a quiet escape from the city bustle. Make sure to stop at Prospect Point for the best views of Lions Gate Bridge and Burrard Inlet.
For a longer hike close to Vancouver, head to Pacific Spirit Regional Park. This lush forest has over 54 km of trails past beaches, marshes, and second-growth forest. Hike along the shore to Spanish Banks or head inland to experience the quiet serenity of the forest. Pay a visit to the remains of the RCMP’s explosives depot at Marker of Change on the Salish trail for an interesting history lesson.
With so many incredible hiking trails close by, there’s no need to battle crowds and traffic at the main tourist sights. Hit the trails in one of Vancouver’s urban forests for a peaceful nature escape right in the city.
Relax at a Spa
Visiting a spa is a great way to unwind and treat yourself while in Vancouver. Rather than splurging at a fancy hotel spa, check out some of the city’s best affordable local spas for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Scandinave Spa – This spa focuses on the Scandinavian practice of hydrotherapy, alternating between hot and cold water therapy. Enjoy the saunas, steam rooms, and pools followed by relaxing in the spa’s tranquil surroundings. They offer packages starting at $60 for bath access during off-peak hours.
Willow Stream Spa – Located in Fairmont Pacific Rim, this spa provides a tranquil escape in downtown Vancouver. Treat yourself to one of their signature massages and body treatments without the high hotel prices. Their spa packages start at $99.
Spa by Aroma – For excellent massages at reasonable prices, visit Spa by Aroma. This family-owned spa focuses on therapeutic and relaxation massage techniques. A 60-minute massage starts at $59. They also offer pampering spa pedicures and manicures.
The Garden Spa – Situated within the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, the Garden Spa provides a peaceful nature setting for spa treatments. Massage therapy and body treatments start at $99 for 50 minutes. Take some time to also explore the magnificent botanical gardens.
Getting a spa treatment doesn’t have to break the bank in Vancouver. Pamper yourself and de-stress at one of these fantastic affordable spa options during your visit.
Explore Used Bookstores
One of the best non-touristy things to do in Vancouver is explore the city’s fabulous used bookstores. Unlike large chain bookstores, Vancouver’s used bookshops each have their own unique character and charm.
The iconic MacLeod’s Books on Pender Street in downtown Vancouver is a multi-level used bookstore housing over 100,000 new and used books. Wander through the towering shelves and stacks of books spanning a wide range of topics and genres. You never know what treasures you might uncover. MacLeod’s also regularly hosts author events and signings.
Another Vancouver institution is Pulpfiction Books, which has two locations on Main Street and West Broadway. Pulpfiction specializes in rare and collectible books, especially science fiction, mystery, and pulp fiction titles. They have an impressively large selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find books. It’s easy to lose track of time browsing the jam-packed shelves.
For used and antiquarian books, head to the quaint XC Hua Bookstore in Chinatown. They have an intriguing mix of used books, some quite rare, with a focus on Chinese literature and history. It’s a quiet place to dig through the diverse selection.
Vancouver’s used bookstores offer the thrill of stumbling upon unexpected book finds you won’t see elsewhere. Spend an afternoon getting happily lost in the stacks at these iconic independent shops.
Attend a Local Sports Game
Vancouver is home to several professional sports teams that often get overlooked by tourists visiting the city. Attending a Vancouver Canucks hockey game, Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match, or BC Lions football game is a great way to experience local sports culture.
Hockey
The Vancouver Canucks are the city’s beloved NHL hockey team that plays at Rogers Arena downtown. Grab tickets to see the Canucks battle other Canadian NHL teams as the crowd cheers them on. Arrive early to wander through the lively crowds, stop for food and drinks at concession stands, and soak in the energetic atmosphere inside the arena before the game starts. The fast-paced, hard-hitting action of hockey games gets locals fired up.
Soccer
For soccer fans, head to BC Place stadium to catch an exciting match featuring the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of the MLS. Watching a Whitecaps game surrounded by passionate fans is an experience unique to Vancouver. The club has a devoted local following, so the vibe during home games is exhilarating. From the chants echoing through the stands to the nail-biting moments on the field, a Whitecaps game captures the city’s enthusiasm for soccer.
American Football
The BC Lions are Vancouver’s Canadian Football League team playing American rules football. Cheer them on at BC Place as they face rivals like the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. CFL football has some fun rule differences from the American NFL and the action is just as intense. Taking in a BC Lions game is a chance to see a Canadian football tradition.
Attending a local sporting event is a great way for visitors to see a different side of Vancouver by getting a taste of what fans who live here get excited about. For a unique non-tourist experience, grab seats at a Canucks, Whitecaps, or Lions game and feel the energy as the crowd cheers on their hometown teams.
Conclusion
Well, my adventurous friend, we’ve reached the end of our journey through Vancouver’s hidden gems. I hope this guide has inspired you to go off the beaten path and discover the city in a whole new light. Remember, traveling is about more than just ticking off famous landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in the local culture, connecting with the people, and creating unforgettable memories. Vancouver, with its vibrant neighborhoods, stunning nature, and friendly locals, is the perfect destination for those seeking an authentic experience.
So go ahead, venture beyond the touristy spots, and let the city unveil its secrets to you. As you explore the hidden gems we’ve shared, keep an open mind, embrace the unexpected, and allow yourself to become fully immersed in all that Vancouver has to offer. Who knows, you may stumble upon your own secret spot, a place you’ll cherish forever. So pack your bags, my friend, because the non-touristy path awaits. Safe travels and may your journeys be filled with wonder and adventure!
Looking for more adventure, or thinking about booking an Alaskan cruise? Don’t forget to check New to Cruising? Here are 10 Tips for First-Timers.
Plan your trip with ease by visiting our Accommodation and Transportation pages. Discover unbeatable deals for a seamless and unforgettable Vancouver adventure!