No motor vehicle? No challenge. It’s quick to discover the forests, mountains, shorelines, and islands outside the house Vancouver on a motor vehicle-free day vacation thanks to community transit, shuttle buses, and ferries.
Lonsdale Quay Market and Capilano Suspension Bridge
Merge two of the North Shore’s most effective points of interest to make an amazing working day trip. Just take the Seabus from Waterfront Station across Vancouver’s harbour. The trip will take 15 minutes and has excellent views. On the other side, head into Lonsdale Quay Marketplace to check out out the meals stalls and boutiques. It’s a good place to have lunch.
Following, hop on bus #236 to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Spring is a fantastic time to stop by considering that the snowmelt and rains make the waters of the Capilano River rage by means of the canyon down below the suspension bridge and cliffwalk. The moss and ferns in the temperate rainforest are also magnificent at this time of calendar year. Walk alongside the Dwelling Forest pathway to master much more about this one of a kind ecosystem.
Deep Cove
North Vancouver’s Deep Cove neighbourhood makes a fantastic working day vacation from downtown Vancouver – it’s straightforward to get there by using bus #211. The compact village consists of cute cafes and boutiques. Don’t pass up Honey’s Doughnuts, Vancouver’s most popular doughnut store. Kate Winslet and John Cena are each admirers.
Get your foods to go and have a picnic by the ocean at Panorama Park. If you want to get out on the h2o, choose a tour with Deep Cove Kayak. Or hike the easy Quarry Rock Trail. It’s a 4 km spherical-excursion and has a beautiful look at at the conclusion.
Bowen Island
If you want to expertise the island life, head to Bowen Island. It’s just a short ferry experience from Vancouver, but it feels worlds absent. Acquire the #257 express bus from downtown Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, then choose the Bowen Island Ferry as a walk-on passenger. Reservations are not offered on this route, but stroll-on passenger tickets not often market out.
When you get there on the island, investigate the boutiques, galleries, cafes, and eating places in Cosy Cove. Or seize a snack to delight in at the picnic area. If you’re up for a bit of a walk, head a couple of far more minutes up the hill to examine extra outlets and galleries at Artisan Square. Don’t skip the candies at Cocoa West.
Let time to go for a small hike on the trails in Crippen Regional Park. You can stick to paths upstream along Killarney Creek to Killarney Lake. Or hike to Dorman Stage for terrific sights of the ocean.
Lighthouse Park and Horseshoe Bay
Head to the shorelines of West Vancouver on bus #250 from downtown Vancouver. Your initial end is Lighthouse Park. If you’re in a rush, make a beeline for the lighthouse and nearby viewpoint. But if you have more time, consider a hike via the lovely forest. An effortless 6-km-extensive trail loops all around the exterior of the park, passing lots of gorgeous ocean viewpoints and groves of outdated-advancement trees. If you don’t want to do the complete loop, there are plenty of aspect trails that will get you again to the start out.
Right after the park, head back to the bus prevent and get again on bus #250 heading west to Horseshoe Bay. This waterfront village has lots of little stores and cafes. It’s also house to Troll’s, the place the same family members has been serving up legendary fish and chips listed here since 1946. Seize a seat on the patio to observe the boats and BC Ferries zip in and out of the fast paced harbour.
Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola
You don’t will need a motor vehicle to get to Squamish. Just e book a journey with the Squamish Connector. Board the bus in downtown Vancouver, then appreciate the scenery as you trip along the scenic Sea to Sky Freeway.
The Squamish Connector will fall you off ideal outside the Sea to Sky Gondola. Take the gondola up into the mountains for outstanding sights of Howe Seem and the encompassing peaks. Grab a consume and soak up the sunlight on their expansive patio. Or courageous a wander across the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. In spring the upper mountain trails are however snowy, but you can take a look at the easy trails around the lodge. Don’t miss the unbelievable viewing system on the Panorama Path.
Just after you return to the gondola foundation, observe a quick trail for about .5 km as a result of the forest to Shannon Falls. Tumbling an astonishing 335 meters down the cliffs, this is the 3rd-highest waterfall in BC. Be absolutely sure to comply with the trails to both viewing platforms to really enjoy its sizing.
Nanaimo
Thanks to the new Hullo Ferry connecting downtown Vancouver with downtown Nanaimo, it’s quick to head to Nanaimo for the working day. The 70-minute sailing has wonderful views of the North Shore mountains, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. System to choose the initially and last ferries of the working day to optimize your time in Nanaimo. You can e book tickets up to 10 minutes ahead of departure.
The moment you arrive, head to the Old Town Quarter historic district. Look through at artisan retailers or head to a cafe for lunch. Don’t pass up trying the town’s signature dessert, the Nanaimo Bar. The decadent development has a nut and coconut crumb base, a custard icing filling, and a slim layer of chocolate ganache on top. You can locate both of those classic and innovative versions close to the town on the Nanaimo Bar Trail.
If you stop by involving May possibly and September, be confident to catch the tiny ferry to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island). This gorgeous island is a provincial park and is an critical position for the Snuneymuxw Initially Country. You can discover the walking trails and unwind on the shorelines. If you’re fortunate, you may possibly be able to spot some of Saysutshun’s resident white raccoons.