Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver Island in 6 Days

6 DAYS 8 places by WaTrips

Stanley Park, Gastown and Granville Island, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Whistler, Victoria's Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens and Tofino.

British Columbia's coast is mountains meeting the sea. Cycle around Stanley Park, explore Gastown and Granville Island's market, and cross the swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge. Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, then take the ferry to Victoria's Inner Harbour and the Butchart Gardens. Finish on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island in Tofino, for surfing, rainforest walks and whale watching. June to September is driest; winter brings storm-watching.

STOP 1 OF 8

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is a 405-hectare urban park in Vancouver, surrounded by water. Its 9 km seawall is popular for walking and cycling, with views of the mountains and harbour. Highlights include the Brockton Point totem poles, the Vancouver Aquarium and old-growth forest trails.

Best weather: May – Sep Heavy rain: Mar, Nov – Jan

STOP 2 OF 8

Gastown

Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, founded in 1867 and named after saloon owner "Gassy" Jack Deighton. Its cobblestone streets and Victorian buildings now house boutiques, restaurants and bars. The famous Gastown Steam Clock whistles every quarter hour.

Best weather: May – Sep Heavy rain: Mar, Nov – Jan

STOP 3 OF 8

Granville Island

Granville Island is a former industrial area in Vancouver transformed into a lively arts and food district. Its Public Market sells fresh produce, seafood and local foods. Artists' studios, theatres, boutiques and the waterfront make it a popular spot reached by small Aquabus ferries.

Best weather: May – Sep Heavy rain: Mar, Nov – Jan

STOP 4 OF 8

Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver stretches 137 metres across and 70 metres above the Capilano River. First built in 1889, the park also has the Treetops Adventure walkways among Douglas firs and the Cliffwalk along a granite cliff face.

Best weather: May – Sep Heavy rain: Mar, Nov – Jan

STOP 5 OF 8

Whistler

Whistler is a resort town in British Columbia's Coast Mountains and home to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America. It hosted events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links the two mountains, and summer brings mountain biking and hiking.

Best weather: Jun – Sep Heavy rain: Nov – Jan

STOP 6 OF 8

Victoria Inner Harbour

Victoria's Inner Harbour is the heart of British Columbia's capital, surrounded by the Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The harbour bustles with floatplanes, water taxis and street performers. The Parliament Buildings are outlined with thousands of lights at night.

Best weather: May – Sep

STOP 7 OF 8

Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia, were created from a former limestone quarry beginning in 1904. The 22-hectare gardens include the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Italian Garden. They are a National Historic Site of Canada and attract about a million visitors a year.

Best weather: May – Sep

STOP 8 OF 8 · LAST STOP

Tofino

Tofino is a small town on Vancouver Island's west coast, surrounded by temperate rainforest and Pacific beaches. It is known as Canada's surf capital, and nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has the long sandy Long Beach. Storm watching in winter and whale watching are popular.

Best weather: May – Sep Heavy rain: Nov – Jan

Seasons from 20 years of NASA POWER climate data.

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