YVR Layover - Vancouver City Sightseeing Private Tour

Canada Place is an iconic landmark and venue for world-class events and inspirationally Canadian experiences, located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront. Canada Place is home port to the Vancouver-Alaska cruises, and houses Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Hotel, FlyOver Canada, World Trade Centre, and Indigo.

Gastown is one of Vancouver’s most vibrant and unique areas. As the first downtown core of the city, the neighbourhood has transitioned into a centre of innovation and truly memorable experiences, for locals and tourists alike, while maintaining a strong connection to its history.

A working steam clock, one of only a few in the world, located in Vancouver's Victorian Gastown. The clock is a key tourists destination in Vancouver. It’s also the near the start and a finish line of the Gastown Grand Prix, a single-day cycling race.

The Lions Gate Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that connects Vancouver to North Vancouver at the entrance to the Port of Vancouver.

Prospect Point is the highest point in Stanley Park and offers panoramic views of the park and the city. It's a popular spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenery.

Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall.

The charm of Granville Island lies in its unexpected mix of uses. The famous Public Market, open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, is home to more than 50 independent food purveyors and contributes to the Island’s appeal as a renowned culinary destination. In the Net Loft Shops and in the Artisan District, many of Canada’s best artists and designers can be found. Granville Island is home to many cultural venues and hosts numerous performing arts and cultural festivals year-round.

Vancouver has the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path. The 28 km Seaside Greenway is an uninterrupted pathway, including the Stanley Park Seawall, that extends from the Vancouver Convention Centre to Spanish Banks Park. Perfect for a walk, cycle, or jog, it is the most popular recreational spot in the city.

The Nine O’Clock Gun is a historic 12-pound muzzle-loaded naval cannon, cast in Woolwich, England in 1816 and brought to Stanley Park in the mid 1890s. Mounted today in a small pavilion at Brockton Point overlooking Coal Harbour, it’s surrounded by a protective enclosure added after pranks like rock jamming and a 1969 student kidnapping.

Originally fired at 6 p.m. on Sundays to signal the end of fishing, by 1898 it had become the city’s daily time signal—sounding at 9 p.m. PST so ships could set their chronometers. Modern operation is electric—the barrel is still loaded with black powder and triggered automatically; lights dim 10 seconds before the boom and snap back on afterward.

Despite wartime silences, supply interruptions like black powder shortages in 2022, and occasional misfires, the blast continues to resonate nightly echoing tradition, maritime heritage, and Vancouver’s spirit.

Brockton Point is the eastern tip of Stanley Park in Vancouver, offering stunning views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains. Named after Francis Brockton, who discovered coal in the area in 1859, it blends natural beauty with cultural history. It features a lighthouse built in 1914, scenic walking and biking paths along the seawall, and Vancouver’s most visited totem pole display, representing Indigenous art and heritage. The nearby Brockton Oval hosts cricket and rugby, with a legacy dating back to the 1890s. In 2023, the flags of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations were permanently raised here as a symbol of reconciliation.

The totem poles at Brockton Point in Stanley Park are one of Vancouver’s most visited attractions. They showcase the art and culture of Indigenous peoples from across British Columbia, including the Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Coast Salish Nations. Originally collected in the 1920s, many have since been replaced with replicas to preserve the originals, which are housed in museums. Each pole tells a story through carved figures representing animals, legends, and ancestral spirits. The display has grown over the years and now includes a visitor center and interpretive signs that honor and explain the traditions behind the poles.

The Hollow Tree is a 700-year-old tree located in Stanley Park that has become a popular attraction for tourists. The tree has a hollow center that visitors can walk through, and it's a popular spot for taking photos and learning about the park's history.

Located at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, Third Beach is a naturally sandy beach surrounded by trees that shield dippers and tanners from urban noise. This is a great beach for quiet bathing, picnics, and watching sunsets.

Second Beach is a family-friendly beach located in Stanley Park, Vancouver. It offers scenic views of English Bay and is known for its relaxed atmosphere, making it ideal for swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing. The beach features a large, heated outdoor pool, a playground, picnic areas with tables and grills, and access to the seawall for walking or biking. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, and public washrooms and a nearby concession stand provide added convenience. Surrounded by trees and grassy areas, it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a peaceful outdoor experience close to downtown.

The Rose Garden is a beautiful garden within Stanley Park that features over 3,500 rose bushes. It's a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying the colorful flowers.

As a Halifax native with an affinity to Canada’s coastline, the A-maz-ing Laughter sculptures at English Bay have become a choice destination after relocating to Vancouver. They are a reminder to me to never take life to seriously, and always create room for laughter.

An Inukshuk in Vancouver Canada is an Inuit sculpture used for navigational purposes. It appears as an abstract human form with outstretched arms.

English Bay Beach, also called First Beach, located along Beach Ave between Gilford St and Bidwell St, is the most populated beach area in Vancouver's downtown area. The Stanley Park Seawall, a popular running and biking route, runs along the east side of the beach.

One of Vancouver’s few distinct cultural historic neighborhoods, Chinatown appeals to locals, tourists, as well as a growing number of emerging chefs, artists, and small business entrepreneurs. Chinatown offers a wide array of stores, including home furnishings, health and wellness, fashion and attire, grocery, and so much more.

The Chinatown Millennium Gate is a symbolic entrance to Vancouver's historic Chinatown, located at the intersection of Pender Street and Taylor Street. Completed in 2002, the gate celebrates the cultural heritage and enduring presence of the Chinese Canadian community. It features traditional Chinese architectural elements, including tiled roofs, red pillars, and intricate carvings with gold accents. Inscriptions in English, French, and Chinese promote harmony and multiculturalism. The gate marks the transition between old and new, connecting the rich history of Chinatown with the evolving modern cityscape. It stands as a vibrant cultural landmark and a gateway to one of North America's oldest Chinatowns.