Exploring Vancouver
Vancouver is a city made for looking beyond the expected. Mountains, ocean and rainforest frame a collection of distinctive neighborhoods, incredible food, Indigenous art and culture, architecture, music and outdoor experiences.
As we gather for HORIZON 27, take the opportunity to explore what lies beyond our own agenda. Follow the waterfront, venture into the trees, discover a neighborhood you’ve never heard of or simply see where the city takes you. Whether you have a couple of hours between events, are an early riser, or have an extra day, there’s plenty waiting just beyond the horizon.
VISIT HORIZON 27 LANDMARKS
Some of Vancouver’s most recognizable sights might already look familiar. Eight local landmarks inspired elements of the HORIZON 27 Global Summit design. See how many you can spot in real life while you’re there!
Inukshuk at English Bay
Standing along the waterfront at English Bay, this stone figure was created by Inuit artist Alvin Kanak for Expo 86. Inuksuit have traditionally served as markers across the Arctic, helping with navigation, identifying important places and communicating information across the landscape.
Totem Poles at Brockton Point
Visit Brockton Point in Stanley Park to see the park’s collection of totem poles and learn more about the First Nations artists and cultures represented there.
Harry Jerome Statue
Located near Brockton Oval along the Stanley Park Seawall, this bronze sculpture honors Vancouver-born track star Harry Jerome, one of Canada’s greatest sprinters and a former world-record holder.
Lighthouse near Brockton Point
This red-and-white lighthouse has marked the entrance to Vancouver Harbour for more than a century. Find it near Brockton Point along the Stanley Park Seawall, with views across Burrard Inlet to the North Shore.
"Gassy Jack" Steam Clock in Gastown
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you should still see it. This quirky Gastown landmark whistles and releases steam throughout the day.
Digital Orca
Douglas Coupland’s pixelated killer whale in the Jack Poole Plaza appears to leap from the waterfront beside the Vancouver Convention Centre, with the mountains and harbor behind it. It's also located next to the 2010 Olympic Cauldron.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Suspended high above the Capilano River and surrounded by West Coast rainforest, this North Shore landmark is one of Vancouver’s signature experiences.
Lions Gate Bridge
Connecting Vancouver with the North Shore, this iconic suspension bridge is particularly striking from Stanley Park and the Seawall.
SEE
From iconic architecture and public art to Indigenous culture and waterfront landmarks, Vancouver has plenty worth seeking out.
Stanley Park + the Seawall
Vancouver’s most famous green space pairs more than 1,000 acres of forest with spectacular waterfront views. Walk or bike the Seawall for views of the city, mountains, ocean and Lions Gate Bridge.
Granville Island
Part public market, part arts district and part working waterfront, Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s essential stops. Browse independent shops and galleries, visit artist studios or grab something to eat overlooking False Creek.
Museum of Anthropology
Set on the University of British Columbia campus, the Museum of Anthropology is renowned for its collections and exhibitions of Indigenous art and culture, particularly works by First Nations of the Northwest Coast.
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
Located downtown, the gallery celebrates the extraordinary work and legacy of acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid alongside contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast art.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Step from the streets of Chinatown into a peaceful garden inspired by the private gardens of Ming Dynasty-era China. Its architecture, water, plants and rock formations create a quiet retreat in the middle of the city.
The Marine Building
Don’t forget to look up. This 1930 Art Deco landmark is one of Vancouver’s architectural gems, with an elaborate exterior and lobby filled with details inspired by the sea.
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Science World
The giant geodesic dome at the end of False Creek is one of Vancouver’s most recognizable structures. Inside, Science World offers interactive exhibits and experiences devoted to science, nature and technology.
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Vancouver Maritime Museum
Located on the waterfront in Vanier Park, the museum explores Vancouver’s long relationship with the Pacific. Its collections cover ships, exploration and the maritime history of Canada’s West Coast.
TASTE
Vancouver’s food scene reflects the cultures that make up the city, with outstanding Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi and Southeast Asian food alongside Pacific Northwest cooking and incredibly fresh seafood.
Sushi + Seafood
You’re on the Pacific, after all. Vancouver is known for its sushi, while local salmon, oysters and seasonal seafood make an appearance on menus throughout the city.
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Richmond
Just south of Vancouver, Richmond is a destination in its own right for Asian food, particularly Chinese cuisine. Go for dim sum, dumplings, noodles, hot pot, bakeries and an enormous range of regional specialties.
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Main Street + Mount Pleasant
Come hungry and wander. Independent restaurants sit alongside coffee shops, bakeries, breweries and bars, making this one of the easiest neighborhoods for creating your own food crawl.
Commercial Drive
Known locally as “The Drive,” this lively, multicultural neighborhood has longtime Italian roots and a food scene that now stretches around the globe. It’s especially good for casual eating and café hopping.
Granville Island Public Market
Come hungry to this indoor market packed with produce, seafood, cheeses, baked goods and prepared foods. Grab a few things and make your own lunch before exploring the rest of Granville Island.
EXPLORE
Vancouver is a city that rewards curiosity. Wander its neighborhoods, head into the rainforest, get out on the water or follow a trail with no particular destination in mind. Some of the best experiences are found beyond the usual visitor stops.
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VanDusen Botanical Garden
Explore plants and landscapes from around the world, then see if you can find your way through VanDusen’s Elizabethan Hedge Maze. Its thousands of pyramidal cedars make getting a little lost part of the fun.
Bloedel Conservatory + Queen Elizabeth Park
Step inside the domed conservatory for tropical plants and colorful exotic birds, then explore the surrounding Queen Elizabeth Park. Its elevated setting offers some of the city’s best views toward downtown and the North Shore mountains.
Chinatown
Pair the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden with a walk through one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods. Historic businesses, restaurants, architecture and newer creative spaces make it worth exploring beyond the main sights.
North Vancouver + the SeaBus
Take the SeaBus across Burrard Inlet for skyline views along the way, then explore Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards. From there, Vancouver’s North Shore mountains, forests and trails are within easy reach.
Lighthouse Park
Head to West Vancouver for trails through towering forest that eventually emerge onto rocky coastline. The combination of old-growth trees, ocean and city views makes it worth the trip.
UBC + Vancouver’s West Side
Make a day of your visit to the Museum of Anthropology by exploring more of UBC’s beautiful campus. Add the Nitobe Memorial Garden, UBC Botanical Garden or nearby beaches and forest trails.
Kitsilano + Kits Beach
“Kits” combines a laid-back neighborhood with one of Vancouver’s favorite beaches and sweeping views across English Bay. Kitsilano Pool, the enormous outdoor saltwater pool overlooking the water, is a local summer institution, although it won’t yet be swimming season during HORIZON.
Cherry Blossoms
You’ll be arriving at the tail end of Vancouver’s famous cherry blossom season. Late-blooming varieties can still be flowering in late April, so keep an eye out for bursts of pink as you explore the city.