The Vancouver Convention Centre is located at 1055 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver along beautiful Vancouver Harbor. The location makes it convenient to squeeze in a little “tourist time” to your busy JSM schedule. Check out a few attractions you may want to scout out while you’re in Vancouver.
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison Way
Open daily. See website for hours and ticket prices. Strongly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance.
Penguins, sea otters, and 50,000 other aquatic creatures await your arrival at Canada’s largest aquarium. Enjoy the new sea lion exhibit, sea otter feeds, shark dives, and free-roaming animals found in the popular Amazon Gallery.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall Street
Open daily. Check website for hours and ticket prices.
Named the World’s Top City Garden by National Geographic, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was the first classical Chinese garden in all of Canada. The jade green pond, koi fish, collection of 150-year-old miniature trees, and tai hu rock imported from China are some of the delights the garden offers. Built in 1986 by 53 master craftsmen from China and 950 crates of traditional material, it was constructed using 14th-century methods—no glue, screws, or power tools were used.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
3735 Capilano Road North
Open daily, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. See website for ticket prices.
The 450-foot-long (137m), 230-foot-high (70m) Capilano Suspension Bridge has thrilled visitors since 1889. While the wobbly bridge and stunning location is a Vancouver landmark, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers an all-encompassing BC experience.
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
639 Hornby Street
See website for hours and ticket prices.
The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection, alongside special exhibitions of contemporary Northwest Coast Art. Highlights include stunning gold and silver jewelry, monumental sculptures, and a towering totem pole by James Hart of Haida Gwaii.
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut Street
Open Sunday–Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Spark your curiosity with the Museum of Vancouver’s inspiring collection of extraordinary treasures. MOV’s featured exhibit, Haida Now, presents a visual feast of innovation and tradition with an unparalleled display of Haida art that boasts 450 works created by carvers, weavers, photographers, and print makers from as early as the 1890s. While visiting MOV, experience permanent Vancouver history and neon galleries, support local artisans at the MOV gift shop, and enjoy a stroll through beautiful Vanier Park on English Bay, situated between Kitsilano Beach and Granville Island.
Grouse Mountain, The Peak of Vancouver
6400 Nancy Greene Way North
See website for hours and ticket prices.
Just 15 minutes from downtown, Grouse Mountain sits on the edge of wilderness and civilization. As Vancouver’s most visited attraction, the resort’s unique combination of soft adventure, sophisticated leisure, and rugged recreation truly make it a must-see destination.
Stanley Park
735 Stanley Park Drive
Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rain forest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park’s famous Seawall. Discover kilometers of trails; beautiful beaches; local wildlife; great eats; and natural, cultural, and historical landmarks. The park offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests, including Canada’s largest aquarium.
GETTING AROUND
Be sure to check out Vancouver’s public transportation system, Translink, to easily get around the city, including the easy and inexpensive SkyTrain Canada Line route with access from downtown to the airport.
BC Ferries
BC Ferries has two Vancouver ferry terminals, Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay, which provide access to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast.
Tsawwassen, approximately 45 minutes south of downtown Vancouver, provides service to Victoria (90 minutes), Nanaimo (2 hours), and the Southern Gulf Islands (55 minutes – 3 hours).
Horseshoe Bay, about 45 minutes north of Vancouver, offers service to Nanaimo (100 minutes), Bowen Island (20 minutes), and the Sunshine Coast (40 minutes). During peak months, ferries run every one to two hours, but schedules change dependent on the season. Reservations are available on some routes and recommended during peak season and holiday periods. Visit the BC Ferries website for current schedules, fares, and reservations or call (888) 223-3779 (in North America) or +1 (250) 386-3431 (international).
Extend your trip with one or more day trips, just a bit outside of Vancouver.
Discover BC Wine
Boasting about half of the more than 270 BC wineries, the Okanagan Valley is a five-hour drive east of Vancouver. Running from the Canada-US border, where the landscape is almost desert-like, and continuing north 155 miles along a string of glacier-fed lakes, the region is divided into seven distinctive sub-regions, each with different climates and soil types. Along with producing excellent wines, the wineries are known for their picturesque surroundings.
Visit Whistler
Although acclaimed for its winter attractions, Whistler is a year-round destination, with festivals, activities, and fun for every season. A visit to the resort in the summer is the perfect time to try mountain biking, play 18 holes on one of Whistler’s four golf courses, hike the many mountain trails, and enjoy al fresco dining. From May to September, skip the drive and take Whistler Air’s float plane service from downtown Vancouver to Whistler and enjoy a view of the mountains from the air.
Bowen Island
Looking to get away without spending a fortune? Just take a trip to nearby Bowen Island, which is a 20-minute ferry ride away from West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay. Here, you can take in the laid-back vibe of rural island life while exploring small art galleries, cute shops, casual eateries, and waterfront patios along Snug Cove. This island also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking through lush rain forests, swimming at serene beaches, and mountain biking along forested trails.
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