20 best day trips from Vancouver

One of the West Coast’s premiere ski destinations is just a couple hours' drive from Vancouver. Take the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, open year-round, and either hit the slopes or take a hike or mountain bike ride during summer.

Just drive twenty minutes from town, and you’ll feel like you’re in a whole new world. Go for a hike, take a gondola, or visit the wildlife refuge.

Scenic Squamish is just an hour from the city en route to Whistler. It’s a biker's haven along the Howe Sound, with many trails and a massive waterfall nearby.

When the temps become unbearable in AC-rare Vancouver, everyone heads to the lake. Cultus Lake is an extremely popular boating and swimming destination just east of the city.

Home to a massive annual sunflower festival, there’s always something in bloom in Chilliwack. There’s also a fantastic lake to boat or swim in during warmer months. It’s also an easy 45-minute drive from Vancouver.

Known as “sunny Tsawwassen” because clouds usually hover over neighboring Ladner, this small city and First Nations community sits near the US border with Point Roberts. You can hang out at the beach or take the ferry further afield to Vancouver Island.

Technically a suburb of the city, Richmond has grown a lot in the past decades. It’s also where you’ll find some of the best dim sum in the country and doesn’t require an entire day excursion.

Another suburb, North Vancouver is ideal for those who want to enjoy nature without going too far. Miles of hiking trails and ski slopes in the North Shore Mountains await you!

Ottawa might have the most famous tulip festival in Canada, but Fraser Valley offers a good alternative. There are also fewer crowds here than back east. 

Drive to Horseshoe Bay and take a 20-minute ferry ride from the harbor to beautiful Bowen Island. There, you can enjoy a taste of island life. Go kayaking, hike Mount Gardner, or relax in nature.  

You can also catch a ferry from Tsawwassen to lovely Salt Spring Island. This lesser-known Canadian isle is full of stuff to do for a jam-packed day trip. Check out lavender fields, go kayaking, or picnic and enjoy ocean panoramas.

This is located within Grouse Mountain, but prioritize the bridge if you have limited time. This high-flying attraction includes a tramway ride and a walk among treetops.

Along the Fraser River, many small towns offer a nice respite from urban chaos. Steveston is a small fishing village located just over an hour from Vancouver. You can charter your fishing excursion, visit the Britannia Heritage Fish Yard, and taste some of the best fish and chips in the province.

Just a 45-minute train ride from Vancouver, this lovely area is one of the Pacific Northwest’s craft beer capitals. The historic center is perfect for strolling around, with a few stops at breweries, of course, to refresh. 

A popular summer camping spot, the hot springs are also an idyllic day trip from the city. The unique landmark is about an hour from Vancouver in a tranquil setting between mountains and a lake. There are plenty of nice bars and restaurants to cap off your visit!

British Columbia’s capital city is well worth the 90-minute ferry ride it takes to get there. Wander cobblestone streets between brick buildings that feel like stepping back in time. Additionally, the Butchart Gardens and high tea at the Empress Hotel are not to be missed!

Just north of the urban congestion, Cypress Park is a massive forested area that’s a great hiking destination. Enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and Howe Sound. In winter, you can try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and tubing!

Another amazing hiking area near the city, Mount Seymour is a must-do for any mountain enthusiasts. The forested trails and peaks are located just over nine miles from Vancouver.

Named for the large rock on the town’s beach, White Rock is a great place to relax for the day. The long beach extends even further at low tide, and the main drag is the place to have a drink on a sunny day. There are also frequent car shows (official and impromptu drives along the ocean) in town.

A regional must-do if you’re not from the area, many excursions depart from Vancouver and towns around the harbor. There are half-day and full-day tours between April and October. Depending on the month, you’ll see various species, from Orcas to Gray Whales.