Overwhelmed by all the things to see and do in Vancouver? Yeah, me too. After countless trips and hours spent exploring every nook and cranny of this stunning city, we’ve had our fair share of adventures and misadventures.
And the worst part is, trying to fit everything in can feel like an impossible task. There’s no need to make your trip to Vancouver so stressful!
Which brings us to today’s article. Let’s get straight to the heart of the city (pun totally intended), as we guide you through the iconic Canada Place.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Canada Place is from March to May and September to November, thanks to the mild weather and affordable hotel rates.
Another good time to visit is in June, July, and August to avoid rain. However, be prepared for the possibility of a rainy day or two even during the summer months.
What is special about Canada Place?
Canada Place in Vancouver is a landmark known for its iconic white sails, serving as a premier cruise ship terminal, convention center, and tourist hub.
It offers stunning waterfront views, cultural attractions, and is pivotal for local events, making it a vital destination for both tourists and locals.
What makes Canada Place special is it’s a landmark and venue for world-class events. Opened in 1986 as the Canada Pavilion for Expo 86, it has become a national icon and a bustling hub on Vancouver’s waterfront.
It features various amenities, including offices, restaurants, cafes, and numerous shops.
How to Get to Canada Place
By car: drive north on BC-99 and cross the Oak Street Bridge. Make a left on 49th Avenue and turn right on Granville. Take the Seymour Street exit and proceed to West Cordova. Turn left and right on Howe Street.
By public transit: take the Canada Line (Skytrain) and get off at Waterfront Station. Walk west on Cordova Street and turn right at Howe Street. From there, follow the sidewalk to Canada Place.
What to Do in Canada Place
Fly over Vancouver with Flyover Canada
Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 855-463-4822
With this unique exploration experience, you’ll begin with a presentation on Canada’s history and culture before bracing yourself for takeoff. This immersive, multi-sensory adventure is well worth it!
As your feet dangle over a giant screen, you’ll soar over mountain vistas, springs, forests, and yurts, providing an aerial view of the country’s most beautiful places.
Visit the Interactive Exhibits at the Science World
Address: 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-443-7440
Science World is Vancouver’s iconic ball-shaped science center, featuring an OMNIMAX theater and a variety of family-friendly, science-related exhibits and activities.
It’s a delightful spot for children, filled with interactive and fun experiences. The location offers great views of the water and is easily accessible via public transportation.
Take a Scenic Walk on the Waterfront Walkway
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Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 855-463-4822
While you’re here, take a stroll along the promenade to enjoy breathtaking views of the harbor and the majestic sails set against the city skyline. It’s a fantastic spot to relax, take photos, or enjoy a leisurely walk.
Hang out and Watch a Free Outdoor Movie
Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 855-463-4822
On Thursday evenings in July and August, free outdoor movies are sometimes shown at the end of the pier. Bring a blanket and a lawn chair to enjoy this unique summer experience!
Check out the Olympic Cauldron
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Address: 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-689-8232
The cauldron is a unique and captivating sight in the neighborhood. This beautiful piece of art commemorates the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and has become a permanent part of Vancouver’s history.
Designed by architect John Furlong, the cauldron features stainless steel frames supporting individual sections of the Olympic flame.
Watch the Cruise Ships Go By
Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 855-463-4822
Designed to resemble a giant sailing ship, Canada Place is also the docking site for many of the city’s visiting cruise ships. From here, you can watch the cruise ships come and go, adding to the bustling atmosphere of Vancouver’s waterfront.
Attend an Event
Address: 999 Canada Pl #201, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 855-463-4822
Canada Place hosts some of the biggest events in the city. The Vancouver Fan Expo, the city equivalent to Comic-Con, the Vancouver International Auto Show, the BC Bike Show, and the Vancouver International Wine Show, among others.
These events draw in crowds from all over the region and provide a platform for enthusiasts to connect and engage with their interests.
Where to Stay near Canada Place
Pan Pacific
Address: 999 Canada Pl #300, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-662-8111
Pricing: $$$
Adjacent to Canada Place, this stunning hotel offers breathtaking views of the port. The rooms are equipped with Italian marble bathrooms, contemporary furnishings, and comfortable chaise lounges or sofas.
You can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a casual café and an upscale restaurant. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and an elegant spa.
Fairmont Waterfront
Address: 900 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-691-1991
Pricing: $$$
This hotel, connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, features an outdoor heated pool and premium rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering scenic views.
Inside, guests can enjoy a posh restaurant with harbor views, a bar with live music, meeting rooms, a ballroom, and a health club.
EXchange Hotel
Address: 475 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2B3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-563-4693
Pricing: $$
Situated downtown, this upscale hotel in a glass-paneled skyscraper, which includes the historic 1929 Vancouver Stock Exchange building, is just a 5-minute walk from Canada Place.
All features are state-of-the-art, including advanced elevators, and you can use their phones as keys, eliminating the need for traditional key cards. Amenities include a Mediterranean restaurant, a cafe, a bar, a gym, and underground parking.
The Cambie Hostel
Address: 310 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-684-6466
Pricing: $
The Cambie Hostel is known for its vibrant atmosphere, offering 152 hostel beds across various room options including 8-bed dorms, 4-bed dorms, 2-bed dorms, and private rooms for long-term stays.
You can enjoy the freedom of no curfew or lockout policies. The hostel features a lively on-site bar and cafe with a sidewalk patio, as well as a common room equipped with cable TV.
St. Clair Hotel
Address: 577 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-684-3713
Pricing: $
Located in downtown Vancouver, the St. Clair Hostel is housed in a beautifully renovated heritage building dating back to 1911, with a charming nautical theme throughout.
The decor, reminiscent of an old ship, adds a distinctive and nostalgic atmosphere. Despite being centrally located in a bustling city, you should expect some noise at night. Earplugs are recommended for a comfortable stay.
Where to Eat near Canada Place
Oceans 999
Address: 999 Canada Pl #300, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B5, Canada
Phone: 604-662-8111
Pricing: $$$
Ocean 999, situated at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, is an elegant restaurant renowned for its Pacific Northwest cuisine and stunning waterfront vistas.
With a capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests, this premier Italian dining destination offers a chef cutting station featuring delightful dishes like roast beef and salmon Wellington.
Five Sails Restaurant
Address: 999 Canada Pl Suite 410, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-844-2855
Pricing: $$$
Five Sails Restaurant offers exquisite West Coast cuisine paired with stunning waterfront views, making for an unforgettable dining experience. You can savor the beauty of the sunset while enjoying exceptional dishes.
The wagyu steak and filet mignon are particularly outstanding, and the desserts, especially the chocolate selections, are phenomenal.
Mahony’s Tavern
Address: 1055 Canada Pl #36, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-647-7513
Pricing: $$
This spot is perfect for enjoying burgers and beers with a beautiful view. We had the meat lovers pizza, which was excellent. It’s a great little place, especially if you’re heading to Canada Place.
The interior has a unique, tavern-like decor. Overall, we enjoyed our time here, especially sitting by the water!
Riley’s Fish & Steak
Address: 200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-629-8800
Pricing: $$
Located in the heart of downtown’s waterfront, Riley’s Fish & Steak offers a chef-driven menu in a stunning venue that is both luxurious and inviting. Live music enhances the ambiance, creating a perfect dining experience.
The lobster is exceptional, the steak is good for the cut, and the beef carpaccio and prawn fried rice are both excellent choices.
Bacaro
Address: 1029 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-687-9887
Pricing: $$
Bacaro is a charming homage to Venice’s canal-side bars. This ambient restaurant is perfect for a date night or anniversary. We recommend the scallops were spectacular, and the octopus was the most tender we’ve ever had.
Where to Shop near Canada Place
Waterfront Centre
Address: 200 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-646-8020
Located at the corner of Burrard and Cordova Street, Waterfront Centre is a distinctive Vancouver landmark featuring more than 25 convenient shops, food outlets, and services.
Its unique structure includes spacious underground areas, with a notable highlight being the connection tunnel from Canada Place to the Waterfront Centre food court area.
Sinclair Centre
Media credit: dapperland
Address: 757 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1A1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-488-1685
Built in 1910, Sinclair Centre comprises four distinct heritage structures that were merged into one complex in the early 1980s. This elegant shopping destination features upscale clothing and accessories stores, an eatery, and even houses a passport office.
Burrard Landing
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Address: Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3G3, Canada
Adjacent to Canada Place is Burrard Landing, a retail and office space encircling the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
It’s renowned as a top outdoor dining spot with waterfront restaurants offering some of Vancouver’s finest patios.
Additionally, Burrard Landing houses the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, the largest seaplane terminal in Vancouver serving destinations across the Pacific Northwest Coast, including Vancouver Island.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Canada Place
Vancouver Transit Live: real time schedule of Vancouver BC’s TransLink buses.
Uber: book a ride anywhere in Vancouver, lets you track the driver’s location in real-time on the app and provide an estimated time of arrival.
iOs | Android
PayByPhone: pay for parking spots in the city.
GPSmyCity: Self-guided walks over 1,000 cities in Vancouver, with built-in GPS navigation functions. Works both online and offline.
iOs | Android