Recently I looked through my travel content and realized I have not written much about Vancouver or BC. When I’m doing travel research, I really trust the opinion of people who live in the area. So I thought I’d do the same and write about travel destinations in British Columbia! This post will feature the most popular and iconic destinations to visit. I’m also planning follow up posts to share more hidden gems of our province!
Whistler
Iconic Travel Experiences:
- Fantastic ski slopes and back country for intermediate to advanced skiers.
- Explore Whistler Village which is an European style pedestrian only village with plenty of apres ski activities.
- For a taste of the Olympics, you can find the Olympic ring statue and also go down a skeleton track
- Enjoy the ultimate day of relaxation at Scandinave spa with outdoor pools and full spa facilities.
- Mountain biking and hiking in the summer.
- Other adventure activities such as bungee jumping, ziplining, whitewater rafting, golf, helicopter tour, and ATV riding.
- Famous annual events like Tough Mudder, World Ski & Snow Festival, and Crankworx
When to Visit: If you are going for skiing, I’d recommend January and February. Otherwise, I’d recommend May because of deals on activities and accommodation but still decent weather for outdoor activities.
The resort usually opens for skiing towards the end of November and stays open until late April. It’s usually the busiest and most expensive during the Christmas holidays and July-August. You don’t want to go too early or too late in the season though if you want good quality snow. I actually love visiting in the summer time because the village is still busy but accommodation is much cheaper (see how I scored last minute deals to Whistler). Plan for 2 days if not skiing and 3+ if skiing.
How to Get There: It’s about a two hour drive from Vancouver on the Sea to Sky highway. Although the road is quite windy, the lanes are nice and wide and well lit. Alternatively, there are several bus companies that provides transportation from Vancouver to Whistler (Epic Rides, Whistler Rides, Pacific Coach). This is pretty good if you’re staying in the village as everything is in walking distance. If you’re feeling luxurious, there’s also a plane ride option through Harbour Air during the summer time.
Photo by @lisahomsy
Kelowna
Iconic Travel Experiences:
- Wineries and wine tasting. My favorites were Evolve Cellars, Haywire, and Fitzpatrick! But there are so many to choose from in Kelowna, Penticton, and Naramata
- If you don’t want to drive, there are plenty of tour operators providing wine trips.
- Biking the Myra Canyon.
- Pet kangaroos at Kangaroo Creek Farm
- U-Pick fruit farms
- Water sports on Okanagan Lake
- Sparkling Hill resort for a romantic retreat or a girls get together.
When to Visit: The best time to visit Kelowna and the Okanagan area would be June – September. You’ll be treated to lots of sunshine and beautiful views. Not only will it be rainy during the winter, many wineries are not open for tasting. Plan for 3 days and check out my guide for a perfect weekend in the Okanagan.
How to Get There: It’s about a four hour drive from Vancouver on I5 + Coquillhala highway. There’s sections of the highway where the maximum speed is 120km/h and I remember driving very slowly because I had an old car and it was quite a steep incline. It’s an okay drive in the summer but be very careful driving in the winter. There are also some flights that land in Kelowna airport but you’ll then have to rent a car to get around.
Photo by @inn.fedchun
Victoria
Iconic Travel Experiences:
- Visiting the Parliament building
- High tea at Fairmont Empress hotel. This used to be visited by the Royal Family.
- Butchart Gardens 30 minute drive away if you’re a fan of flowers.
- Royal BC Museum
- Whale watching tours.
- Lots of great farm to table restaurants (Agrius, 10 Acres, Nourish)
When to Visit: The best weather would be June – August but the shoulder seasons would be great timing to take advantage of less tourists and better pricing. If you get lucky, sunny weekends in Spring and Fall would be a fantastic time to stroll through the city. You can also duck into cafes and restaurants if it’s raining! Plan for 2 days.
How to Get There: The most common way to get to Victoria from Vancouver is with BC Ferries from Tsawaasen to Swartz Bay. The ride is very scenic although expensive if you have a vehicle. From Swartz Bay, it’s about an hour drive to Victoria. Alternatively, you can take a float plane that lands directly into downtown Victoria.
Photo by @wisteria_voyage
Vancouver
Iconic Travel Experiences:
- Bike around Stanley Park
- Walk the waterfront and enjoy the mountain views and the sails of Canada Place
- Kitislano Beach and Vanier Park
- Enjoy cheap and delicious sushi! My favorite is sushi garden in Burnaby
- Choose from a huge array of Asian cuisine in Richmond
- For outdoor enthusiasts: do the Grouse Grind, hike Deep Cove, and check out Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Shop at cute boutiques in Gastown, Main Street, and Kitsilano
When to Visit: Again, summer time in July and August are the best times to enjoy the weather! But if you come prepared for the rain, you can still enjoy many of the great things to offer in Vancouver! Plus, eating the wide variety of restaurants should be a top to do in Vancouver and that can be enjoyed yearround. Plan for 4 days.
How to Get There: The Vancouver International Airport has flights connecting most major cities around the world! Take the Canada Line (our skytrain system) into downtown Vancouver in 30 minutes.
Tofino
Iconic Travel Experiences:
- Surfing in the Pacific Ocean
- Whale watching tours
- Exploring the great outdoors and the Pacific Rim Park
- Lounging and relaxing in B&Bs and rustic resorts
- Tacofino
Check out my list of things to do in Tofino!
When to Visit: Surfing is available year round but you better have a good wetsuit if you’re going outside of July and August. However, that is the busiest and most expensive time of the year. If you are not planning on Surfing, you can still enjoy a rain free weekend (fingers crossed) in May, June, and September. Plan for 2 days.
How to Get There: Enjoy the journey there as it’s beautiful but long. Take the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo and then drive for about 3 hours on the Pacific Rim Highway. It’s a stunning route though so it’ll make the time go fast. You can also take Harbour Air which flies directly into Tofino.
Photo by @alicia_haque
I hope this gives you some new ideas for weekend trips this year! I’m also planning on doing a follow up post with 5 MORE destinations to visit in BC that are more hidden gems and less well known. Tell me what your favorite spot in British Columbia is!