Daytripping in Vancouver, BC

And, there’s much more to the area than just Vancouver, so I wanted to share some tips for day trips when you are visiting the area.

The most amazing day trip we took was to Victoria, British Columbia. There are many ways to get to Victoria, including bus rides and ferries. But, the easiest and quickest way to get there is via seaplane through Harbour Air Seaplanes, which is what I used for an early October trip. The trip is only 35 minutes to Victoria, and it left from the harbor within a five minute walk from our hotel. They also leave both Vancouver and return from Victoria multiple times throughout the daytime and evening. These flights can be pricey, but if you are able to book at least two weeks ahead of time, you can take advantage of the comparatively inexpensive “Light” fare.

It’s quite easy to take an Uber from the Victoria Marina to The Butchart Gardens. The Butchart Gardens are a must-do if you are able to make it to Victoria. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen, and I have had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling to date. Everywhere you walk, you just want to take more pictures. If you are going during the busy summer months or at Christmas time, you can book your tickets ahead of time online, in case they sell out.

After you’ve seen the incredible gardens, you can head back towards the marina for more sightseeing. Check out The Fairmont Empress, an award-winning British Columbia hotel and National Historic Site dating back to 1908. They have a wonderful afternoon tea. The hotel is also quite close to the British Columbia Parliament buildings, which also make for some great photos. You can finish your day in Victoria by walking along the main streets to check out the bars and restaurants. Check out the Bard and Banker, a beautiful bar set inside the original Bank of British Columbia which opened in 1885, for a great happy hour and live music.

To see some beautiful mountains and scenery just outside the City of Vancouver, you can drive about an hour to Squamish. Your first stop in Squamish should be the Shannon Falls Provincial Park, a 0.7-mile loop trail to a beautiful waterfall, right off Highway 99. After you visit Shannon Falls, you can leave your car parked in the same lot and walk over to the Sea to Sky Gondola and purchase a round-trip ticket. When you get to the top of the mountain, there are several hikes that you can take for views of the surrounding mountains. After your hike, you may want to head into town for some lunch or a beer in their cute downtown area. The beer at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing really hit the spot. There’s also plenty of outdoor tables so you can continue to admire the scenery over lunch.

These types of day trips can turn a long weekend in the City of Vancouver into a longer vacation for couples and families.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Vancouver Page.