Vancouver is a year-round destination, but there is a real charm to visiting the area in the winter. Because let’s not forget it’s one of the warmest places in Canada.
That’s why I created this detailed Vancouver winter itinerary to help your family plan an epic trip to Vancouver this winter.
There’s no shortage of kid-friendly things to do in Vancouver in the winter. In the article, you’ll find a detailed day-by-day itinerary to spend a fun 4-day trip in Vancouver in the winter.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
Vancouver Winter Itinerary Recap
Over four days in Vancouver, you’ll experience a blend of urban exploration, outdoor adventures, and breathtaking natural beauty.
- Day 1: Aquabus ride to Granville Island, Stanley Park, and Vancouver Aquarium.
- Day 2: Maplewood Farm, The Shipyards and MONOVA
- Day 3: Lynn Canyon and the Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Day 4: Winter road trip along the Sea-to-Sky Highway
👉 P.S. If you want to visit Vancouver outside the winter, check out this itinerary instead.
Day 1: Granville Island and Stanley Park
You’ll start your first day in Vancouver with a short boat ride to Granville Island. The easiest way to get to Granville Island is by taking the False Creek Ferries. You can catch the Aquabus from many places, but I recommend from the Aquatic Center 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.
Granville Island
Once you’re at Granville Island, there’s lots to do and see:
- Granville Island Public Market: A must-visit for food lovers. You’ll find fresh food and lots of tasty things to try.
- Kids’ Market: An indoor marketplace with over 25 shops and activities for kids. Kids can also enjoy face painting, a jungle gym, and a play area with a giant Lego table.
- Art and Crafts: Check out the studios where local artists make and show their work.
- Street Performers: Enjoy music and shows from performers around the island.
- Shopping: Don’t forget to look for special souvenirs in the local shops.
When you’re done exploring Granville Island, head over to Stanley Park.
Stanley Park
You can take the Aquabus back and then a bus to the park (or your car) or rent a bike for a fun ride along the sea. For example, you can take TransLink #19 near Canada Place. It will bring you directly to Stanley Park in around 15 minutes. And it runs every 15 minutes.
Stanley Park is a big, beautiful park where you can:
- Walk or Bike on the Seawall: Enjoy great city and ocean views.
- See the Totem Poles: Learn about the First Nations people and see the totem poles.
- Nature Trails: Walk through green paths and enjoy nature.
It’s also in Stanley Park that you can visit the Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a really fun place to visit in Stanley Park when traveling with kids. It’s one of the biggest aquariums in Canada and has lots of amazing sea animals like:
- Sea lions
- Otters
- Whiprays
- Reef sharks
- Harbor seals
- and many more.
We love visiting Aquarium (the one in Quebec City is pretty cool too). It’s also the world’s largest hospital dedicated to sick, injured, or orphaned marine mammals.
GOOD TO KNOW: Once a month, the Vancouver Aquarium has sensory-friendly hours where Light and audio levels will be reduced around the aquarium (from 9:30am to 12pm). Learn more about this program.
It’s not just about watching fish; you can also learn a lot about caring for the ocean and its animals.
Buying your tickets online before you go is a good idea, so you don’t have to wait in a long line.
After a busy day, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the waterfront district or near your hotel. Or if the weather is nice, you can watch the sunset at Sunset Beach with a picnic.
🛏️ Where to stay for your winter trip to 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.
Day 2: Maplewood Farm, The Shipyards and MONOVA
Today, you’ll get to enjoy a mix of outdoor fun and indoor activities in North Vancouver, on the other shore. This day will be easy if you have a car.
Maplewood Farm
Start your day at Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver. It’s a beautiful little farm where you can see farm animals away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once you enter the farm, you won’t believe you’re in a city.
It’s like a little piece of the countryside right in the city. You can see different animals like:
- Birds
- Cattle
- Goats
- Horses
- Pigs
- Small Mammals
- Sheep
My son’s favorites were, hands down, the goats. They were so cute and friendly. You can get close to them, feed them, and learn how a farm works.
There is also a nice little walk in the forest around a pond. It’s a perfect spot for families and anyone who wants to spend a day outside with animals.
When you are ready, it’s time to head to The Shipyards, the heart of North Vancouver.
The Shipyards
The Shipyards in North Vancouver is a really cool place to visit. It’s right by the water, so you get great sea and city views. This place used to be where they built big ships, but now it’s where people come to have fun.
There are paid parking spots on the street but also paid underground parking.
In the winter, you can ice skating in an outdoor ice rink. It’s free to use (if you have your ice skates), and you can rent skates and helmets. ⛸️ ⛸️ We use the Decathlon ice skates for the kids. They are adjustable, which is great for kids growing fast.
⛔ BE WARNED: The ice can be super crowded, and the wait line to rent ice skates can be super long. If you need to rent gear, I recommend you visit early in the day.
When you need a little break from ice skating, head over to the Welcome Parlour, just next to the ice rink, to warm up with a fancy hot chocolate. They make delicious hot chocolate and have other treats too.
But one of the cool things is a hot chocolate garnish bar where you can add treats to your drink, for example, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, and candy. Sit down and relax while you enjoy your drink.
MONOVA (Museum of North Vancouver)
After your drink, walk outside the Shipyards toward MONOVA, the Museum of North Vancouver.
You can learn a lot about the area’s history. When you go inside, you’ll find stories about the people who lived in North Vancouver long ago and how the city has changed.
Some parts of the museum even let you touch stuff or play with interactive exhibits (and even see animals’ poops). What’s great for kids, too, is that they have a few different scavenger hunts and bingo sheets to keep them engaged throughout the entire visit.
You can end your day with a stroll along the pier before enjoying dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. The pier is a beautiful place to walk, especially in the evening. You can see the water and the lights of the city.
Day 3: Lynn Canyon & Capilano Suspension Bridge
On your third day in Vancouver, prepare for a day filled with nature and amazing sights. Today, you will visit Lynn Canyon and the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver.
These are two of the most beautiful natural spots in the Vancouver area.
Lynn Canyon Park
Start your morning with a trip 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. Here is what I recommend:
- Follow the Centennial Trail (right by the parking lot).
- You’ll cross the Twin Falls bridge, then walk in the rainforest
- You’ll then follow the sign to the suspension bridge and cross the bridge.
- You’ll be back to the parking lot and the Ecology Center and Lynn Canyon café.
If the weather is good, you can continue and explore more trails, such as the 30 Foot Pool.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
After enjoying Lynn Canyon, head over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This bridge is bigger and more famous than the one in Lynn Canyon. It’s like walking in the sky above the trees!
A big forest surrounds the bridge, and you can see the river far below when you walk across. There’s more than just the bridge at Capilano:
- They have treetop adventures where you walk on smaller bridges from tree to tree. It’s like being a bird up in the branches.
- There’s also a cliffwalk, which is a path that goes along the side of a cliff. It’s thrilling because you’re walking right next to the edge, but it’s very safe.
- There is also a nice nature walk with interpretive signs. Kids can participate in an explorer booklet.
And of course, the suspension bridge.
Take your time when you’re there. It’s so beautiful and there is a lot to do. You can easily spend hours there. And the kids will love participating in the Explorer program (free).
🎟️ Check pricing & schedule for the Capilano Suspension Bridg Park.
Day 4: A road trip along the Sea-to-Sky highway
Prepare for an exciting winter day trip from Vancouver on your last day! Today, you’ll take a beautiful drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, with a few amazing stops.
The distance between Vancouver and Whistler is 120 km (one-way), or 64 km to Squamish (one-way).
The Sea-to-Sky Highway Road is famous for its stunning views of the ocean and mountains. There are many stops you can make along the way, but here are our favorites.
🚙 Don’t want to drive? You can go on a guided tour from Vancouver to Whistler with access to the Sea-to-Sky gondola in Squamish.
Murrin Provincial Park
This park is a hidden gem with beautiful nature all around. Even in winter, it’s a lovely place for a short walk. Take some time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the park.
The provincial park has many hiking trails, but I highly recommend the Quercus Lookout Point trail. It’s a 1.4-km out-and-back trail that is considered moderate.
This hiking trail runs through the beautiful, green, lush forest. The train is not well marked, so you’ll have to follow the orange little flags on the trees. There are also lots of rocky areas and it may be wet. When we visited, a lot of water ran down the rocks on the trail.
Just be careful, but it’s feasible with young kids. Both kids had fun on this trail. Plus, the lookout at the summit is worth the effort. You’ll have a beautiful view over the ocean and the Sea-to-Sky highway.
🥾 Quercus Lookout Point Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 1.4 km (0.9 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 112 m (367 ft)
Shannon Falls
Then, you’ll want to stop at the Shannon Falls. The waterfalls can be seen from the town of Squamish or directly from the highway, but I recommend you take the time to park and walk to the waterfall’s base. It’s a quick walk to the waterfall along the river.
The Shannon Falls are one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia.
💡 Are you a fan of the TV show Virgin River? I am. And if you are too, you’ll be glad to know it’s the waterfall we see in the TV show.
Train Wreck Trail
Warning: The Suspension Bridge can be really slippery and icy in the wintertime. Bring microspikes if you have them and hold your young kids.
The Train Wreck Trail is just before entering the village of Whistler and it’s a must-do.
This hike is unique because you’ll see a few old train cars that crashed there long ago. They’re covered in colorful graffiti and surrounded by forest.
It’s like something from a storybook. The trail is easy to walk and really interesting. You’ll also walk on a small suspension bridge. It’s a 2-km out-and-back trail.
🥾 Train Wreck Trail Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 2.6 km (01.6 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 71 m (232 ft)
More things to do in Vancouver in the winter
If you have more time while you’re in Vancouver, you might want to add the following places to your itinerary:
Gastown (and the Gastown Steam Clock)
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.
The Gastown Steam Clock is 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.
Vancouver Lookout
The Vancouver Lookout is a fantastic place to see the whole city from up high. This tall tower in downtown Vancouver has a big glass observation deck at the top. You’ll take a glass elevator up to 168 meters (553 feet) to reach the observation desk. You’ll have a 360° view of Vancouver and the area from there.
🎟️ Check pricing & schedule for the Vancouver Lookout.
Grouse Mountain Tram
The Grouse Mountain Skyride is a fascinating way to see the beauty of Vancouver from above. You’ll take an aerial tramway up to Grouse Mountain. Reaching the summit takes only a few minutes (and a completely different landscape and weather).
You can see the city, the ocean, and the forests all at once.
It’s wonderful in the winter when everything is covered in snow. The ride itself is fun and a little bit thrilling. But, once you’re at the top of Grouse Mountain, there are lots of things to do, such as:
- Ice skating on the only mountaintop outdoor skate pond in BC
- Going on a magical light walk through the forest
- Having fun at the Kids Tree Canopy Adventure
- Sliding down the two sliding lanes
🎟️ Check pricing & schedule for the Grouse Mountain Skytram.
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: Vancouver winter itinerary
That’s it, your 4-day detailed itinerary to visit Vancouver in the winter.
From the peaceful waterways leading to Granville Island to the serene heights of Lynn Canyon and Capilano Suspension Bridge, each day offered a unique glimpse into the diverse landscape of Vancouver.
Vancouver, with its perfect blend of urban charm and natural wonder, has hopefully captivated your heart and ignited a desire to explore even more of its hidden gems.
