Take another look at Metro Vancouver and Victoria this season
Get back to nature—or culture—in the heart of the city
Get back to nature—or culture—in the heart of the city
Big cities in British Columbia are well known for their restaurants, shopping, urban sights, and attractions. But, explore a little deeper and you’ll discover vibrant, outdoorsy cityscapes.
We’re all ready to reap the therapeutic and psychological benefits of being outside—namely, nature’s magical ability to decrease stress and increase happiness. Venture just outside the downtown core to find new ways to replenish and reconnect in nature with activities like forest bathing, whale watching, kayaking, bicycling, and birding.
Here are a few ways to see Victoria, Vancouver, and Richmond through a new lens.
Discover Victoria's wild edges and fresh-from-the-farm food (and drink!)
This BC capital is called the Garden City for good reason. There are numerous manicured gardens such as the sprawling Butchart Gardens or the well-tended flowerbeds at Beacon Hill Park. But for something new and a little more uncultivated, it’s worthwhile seeking out the city’s wild side.
Head into the rainforest and walk among towering cedars, Sitka spruce, and the red-barked Arbutus trees with Elemental Magick Adventures, and be present in the moment, aware of the sights, sounds, and smells of the ancient surroundings. Called “forest bathing,” this practice lowers blood pressure and increases vitality.
An experience in Victoria isn’t complete without getting up close and personal with the ocean. Get out on the water with Ocean River Sports—sea kayak and standup paddle board excursions depart daily from the Inner Harbour and Oak Bay. Gliding across the water is an exhilarating way to spot seals, otters, eagles, and maybe even a whale-from a safe distance of course.
Some of Victoria’s oldest neighbourhoods also have open spaces to explore. James Bay, bordering Beacon Hill Park and Fisherman’s Wharf Park, is home to the Dallas Waterfront Trail, a 7-km pathway with ocean views and access to rugged Fonyo Beach, the best place to search for sea glass amid the driftwood. Oak Bay, just 10 minutes from downtown, is its own seaside destination with local’s favourite Willows Beach. While in the neighbourhood, consider stopping at Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for handcrafted pizza on the patio or opt for locally inspired sharing plates and signature cocktails at Vis-à-Vis.
Head up the Saanich Peninsula on a self-guided tour of the Greater Victoria Flavour Trails, and stop in at Victoria Distillers to sample the blue-hued 1908 gin, or arrange a tasting at Sea Cider Farm + Ciderhouse (try the Rumrunner, a revelatory cider aged in rum-soaked bourbon barrels). Back in town, order “Tea-to-Go” from the Fairmont Empress and take away iced tea with a box of sweet and savoury goodies to enjoy in a park or by the sea. Back in town, indulge in the famed Fairmont Empress high tea in the elegant, turn-of-the-century Lobby Lounge.
Base yourself within walking distance of the Inner Harbour, downtown restaurants, and the Royal BC Museum. The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is always a good bet, as is the Inn at Laurel Point.
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Pedal, walk, or eat your way to a new side of Vancouver
With more than 450 kms of bike lanes, plus multi-use pathways including the Arbutus Greenway and the Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver is highly accessible on two wheels. Join Cycle City on a small-group tour led by a storyteller guide. Explore trails through Stanley Park, or pedal into the history of Chinatown, Gastown, and Granville Island.
You may think you know everything about the city, but a walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver will uncover new mysteries. From the mobsters that ruled Gastown a century ago to the secrets buried in Stanley Park, Vancouver’s history may surprise you. Other tour options include the murals in Mt. Pleasant with Vancouver DeTours, and upscale picnics in local parks with BC Adventure Company.
Sign up for an Indigenous-led walk in Stanley Park with Talaysay Tours to learn how the park’s trees and plants were used for food, medicine, and technology. Then visit the Bill Reid Gallery—named after an acclaimed Haida artist—to see carvings, sculptures, and jewelry in the contemporary style of Northwest Coast art. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC also sheds light on the stories and significance of a collection of more than 110 historic Indigenous artworks in its ongoing exhibit In a Different Light: Reflecting on Northwest Coast Art.
For an immersive experience, stay overnight at Skwachàys Lodge, a boutique hotel with 18 stunning “art installation” rooms that were jointly designed by an interior designer and an Indigenous artist. Carvings, paintings, and even custom headboards imbue each guest room with meaning and story. The effect is like slumbering in an art gallery.
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Richmond's location on a river delta makes it a haven for birders, bikers, and whale watchers
Richmond is best known for its famous night market (North America’s largest), along with its hip malls—a serious browser can find everything from trendy Asian fashions and tech toys to cute sushi sets and dried spices at Yaohan Centre, Parker Place, and Aberdeen Centre. Not to mention all the best upscale brands at a discount at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.
But even though you can attain shopping—or even dumpling—Nirvana, you’re never far from xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), wontons, or gyoza at mall food courts, or along Richmond’s Dumpling Trail, a collection of restaurants renowned for the best doughy wonders this side of the Pacific. Plus, there’s so much more to this Metro Vancouver city than those appealing urban pastimes, and the city’s prime location along the Fraser River Delta means outdoor adventures abound.
Richmond is on the Pacific Flyway—a migratory route for birds—makes it ideal for spotting common yellowthroats, bold rufous hummingbirds, or water birds like the shy green heron. Iona Beach Regional Park is a favourite viewing spot.
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport’s Pacific Flyway Adventure Package includes an overnight stay, plus use of a birding backpack with binoculars and maps, and a chef-prepared picnic lunch for two. Join a tour with photographer Liron Gertsman for tips on how best to capture these feathered beauties on film.
Beyond birds, being situated on a delta has other advantages; namely, Richmond is flat and makes for easy cycling. The city has more than 80 kms of routes and many interesting stops, including two National Historic Sites. Both the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, where fish were turned into edible “gold,” and Britannia Shipyards, a shipbuilding and maritime repair shop, are located here. A favourite ride is to cycle from downtown Richmond to Steveston Village, an eight-kilometre trip that joins up with the Railway Greenway, a former railroad that’s been converted into a multi-use pathway.
When you arrive in spend time exploring this historic fishing village with a working Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch the daily catch come in, or tuck into fresh fish and chips at local favourite Dave’s. Then, lock up the bike and join a tour with Vancouver Whale Watch to look for orcas and humpbacks, along with seals, sea lions, and porpoises.
To aid and abet your outdoor endeavors, it’s worth checking in to the . The hotel’s includes an overnight stay, plus use of a birding backpack with binoculars and maps, and snacks to take with you to nearby Iona Beach Regional Park.
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