Looking for the perfect Vancouver itinerary for 3 days with the family?
There’s no shortage of kid-friendly things to do in Vancouver, British Columbia, and around the city. But when you only have three days, figuring out what to see first or how long to stay at each location can be hard.
In the article, I crafted a detailed 3-day itinerary in Vancouver to help you plan your trip. Also, let’s assume you arrived the night before or are flying in early in the morning, so you have three full days in Vancouver.
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Vancouver Itinerary RECAP
- Day 1: Waterfront, Gastown and Stanley Park
- Day 2: Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon & Downtown Vancouver
- Day 3: Granville Island & Sunset Beach
Day 1: Gastown and Stanley Park
Waterfront and Gastown
Start your first day in Vancouver by exploring downtown Vancouver. If your hotel is in the Waterfront district, you can wear comfortable shoes and slowly walk to Gastown.
On your way, stop by the Vancouver Convention Center to see the digital orca, a big sculpture of an orca. You can also admire the view of the harbor and the North Shore mountains. Then, continue walking past Place Canada, where you can stop for a snack or shopping.
Then, follow the directions to the Gastown Steam Clock, one of the most famous landmarks in Gastown. The Gastown Steam Clock chimes every 15 minutes and emits steam, making it a fun sight for kids.
Explore the cobblestone streets of Gastown. Gastown is full of shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It has a European feel to the neighborhood. You can also stop at Soft Peaks for ice cream. On your way back, stop at the Vancouver Lookout, where you can have a 360° view of the city.
»» Get your tickets to the Vancouver Lookout
Stanley Park
When you are ready, it’s time to explore Stanley Park. You can get to Stanley Park by car or public transit. There are several parking lots in the park, or you can take a bus from downtown Vancouver. The TransLink bus #19 will get you to Stanley Park.
🚙 You don’t have a car? Consider renting bikes at Stanley Park to fully enjoy the park. Or you can use the Stanley Park Shuttle running in the summertime.
Stanley Park is a great place to take the kids. The park has many walking/hiking trails, including Beaver Lake or Lost Lagoon. You can also rent a bike.
Stanley Park is also home to the Vancouver Aquarium. The Aquarium is a great place for kids to learn about marine life. They have exhibits of sea otters, dolphins, and beluga whales and a touch pool where kids can interact with sea creatures.
You might want to walk/bike along The Seawall if you still have energy. It’s a 10-kilometre path that circles the perimeter of Stanley Park. It offers beautiful views of the water and the city skyline. There are plenty of spots to stop and take photos along the way. Kids will also love playing in one of the park’s playgrounds.
End your day with a dinner picnic at Second Beach. If it’s a warm day, kids will love to play in the Second Beach pool. It’s an oceanside heated outdoor pool.
Day 2: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Park
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Start your day at Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. It’s one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions, so you’ll want to get there early if you want to avoid crowds.
»» Get your tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge
You can drive to the Capilano Suspension Bridge using the Lion Gate bridge to cross North Vancouver or the free Capilano shuttle from Downtown Vancouver (Canada Place, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Blue Horizon Hotel).
There are many things to do at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You can walk across the suspension bridge and the Cliffwalk. Then, the Treetops Adventure allows you to explore the forest canopy at a height of up to 110 feet.
Don’t miss the Living Forest, where you can learn about the delicate temperate West Coast rainforest ecosystem. On this trail, you’ll find large interpretive panels about the forest floor, rainforest canopy, and geology at the canyon’s edge.
Kids will also love the Rainforest Explorers Program. It’s a self-guided interactive program where kids will learn about the rainforest. They will receive a booklet to fill with activities, similar to Jr Ranger programs in national parks. In the end, they can collect their Rainforest Explorer’s reward.
💰 The Capilano Suspension Bridge is free for children under 6 years old.
Lynn Canyon Park
When you’re done exploring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, drive to Lynn Canyon. This lovely park has many trees, a small river, and walking paths. It’s a great place to feel close to nature.
The main attraction here is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. This bridge is high up and goes across the canyon. Walking across it is exciting because you can see the canyon and the river below. Don’t worry, it’s very safe!
Don’t make this mistake: walk on the suspension bridge and leave afterward. Enjoy the entire park and trails.
💰 The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free.
Evening in Downtown Vancouver
When you are ready, head back to your hotel and find a family-friendly restaurant around. You can walk to Robson St and eat at Paul Bakery. It’s open until 10:00 PM.
Day 3: Granville Island, Sunset Beach
Granville Island
On your last day, visit Granville Island. It will be a full-day adventure.
The easiest way to get to Granville Island is by taking the False Creek Ferries from the Aquatic Centre Ferry Dock on Sunset Beach. It’s a 2.0-kilometer walk from the Waterfront district to the Aquatic Center Ferry Dock. If your kids can walk that long or if you have a stroller, then it’s the easiest way to get there.
When you’re at the Aquatic Center Ferry Dock, follow the sign for the False Creek Ferry. Hop on the ferry and arrive at Granville Island in only a few minutes.
💡 Is Granville Island walkable? Yes. You can walk everywhere on Granville Island. It’s more convenient than bringing your car to the island. Parking is limited and it can get expensive.
Start your exploration at the Kids Market. It’s a fun indoor marketplace with over 25 shops and activities for kids. There are toy stores, clothing shops and restaurants and even a magic store. Kids can also enjoy face painting, a jungle gym, and a play area with a giant Lego table.
When kids are done playing at the Kids Market, walk to the Granville Island Public Market to get some goodies for lunch. You’ll find fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and more. Grab some lunch at one of the many food vendors, like the famous Lee’s Donuts, and take it to one of the picnic tables outside to enjoy.
I recommend going to the Kids Market Duck Pond for your picnic.
Then, you can walk around the island and look at the art and street performers.
If you still have energy and it’s a warm summer day, you may want to go to the Granville Island Water Park. But make sure you pack your swimsuits and towels. The water park is a fun way for kids to cool off and play. There are slides, water sprayers, and plenty of places to splash around.
And the best thing? It’s free!
Children must be at least 3 feet 6 inches (no exceptions!) to use the waterslide.
More time? An extra thing to do in Vancouver: Queen Elizabeth Park
Head over to Queen Elizabeth Park on your way back into town for some relaxation time!
This park has many gardens, including the Bloedel Conservatory. The Bloedel Conservatory is an indoor tropical garden in Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in the city.
You can also see the Dancing Waters fountains. They are just next to Bloedel Conservatory. It is comprised of 70 jets of water using 85,000 litres of recirculating water.
There are a few other gardens to see and walk around. And you can even have some fun at the Queen Elizabeth Park Pitch & Putt (at extra cost).
💰 Good to know: Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver is free to access, but some activities are paid, such as the Pitch & Putt and the Bloedel Conservatory.
Sunset Beach
When you are ready, head back to Sunset Beach using the ferry. You can enjoy the beach and wait until sunset. It’s a beautiful place in Vancouver to see the sunset.
GETTING READY FOR YOUR VANCOUVER TRIP?
✈️ Book your flight to Vancouver. Find cheap flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) using Google Flights or Skyscanner where you’ll be able to compare different airline tickets for YVR, including some low-cost ones.
🚗 Rent your car. You can rent a car directly from Vancouver Airport or wait until you are in town. I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars.
Do you need a car in Vancouver?
You don’t necessarily need a car in Vancouver, especially if you find a central hotel. Then, you can book tours to visit some of the attractions outside of the city center such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Goose Mountain tour and even a day trip to Whistler.
🛏️ Book your hotel in Vancouver. Booking.com is a great search engine for hotels and guesthouses in Vancouver. For this itinerary, I highly recommend you stay in Vancouver Waterfront. The waterfront area is perfectly located, near the train lines. The part of the city is also within walking distance from Gastown and even Granville Island. You can look at: Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel or Blue Horizon Hotel.
Final thoughts: 3 days in Vancouver
So there you have it, your Vancouver 3-day itinerary! I hope this helps you plan a great trip to Vancouver with your family.
Of course, in 3 days you won’t have time to see everything Vancouver offers, but you’ll have a great overview.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.