“I took the Legal Administrative Assistant program. CDI College helped me see what I wanted to do with my life and showed me the steps that I needed to take to get there.” - Cindy C., CDI College Graduate
One of the best things about Vancouver is the endless number of things to do in the city. In addition to its natural beauty, Vancouver has an endless supply of activities to do and places to see, regardless of the time of day or year. Rain or shine, indoors and outside, there is a lot to see and do in Vancouver.
Outdoor Activities
Parks and Gardens
Vancouver is home to some of the most beautiful parks and gardens in North America. Walk, blade or cycle around the Seawall in Stanley Park, a 1001-acre urban park that borders on the edge of downtown Vancouver. Hikers can roam the trails and check out the numerous gardens, monuments and beaches. Cyclists also enjoy the paths and trails of Pacific Spirit Regional Park. The stunning gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park are just one of the reasons to visit this urban park. Resting atop Little Mountain, the Park offers several great views of the city, while the Bloedel Floral Conservatory contains a huge selection of plants and several species of free-flying tropical birds.
Beaches
Did you know that Vancouver is surrounded by almost 18 km of beaches? Seriously, that's 11 miles of public access to waterfront! This includes ten ocean-side locations as well as a fresh water lake. Vancouver's beaches offer something for everyone, as well: sandy spots for soaking up the sun, outdoor sand volleyball courts, concessions for a cool treat on a hot day, and even quiet beaches where you can find some solitude and read a good book. Some of the most popular spots include Kitsilano Beach, Jericho Beach, Locarno Beach, Spanish Banks and Sunset Beach. For those who choose to stay downtown: First, Second and Third beaches are great spots for sunbathing, swimming and people-watching. Beautiful Trout Lake, just a few minutes east of Commercial Drive, is a lot more than a great place to swim. There are play areas, picnic spots and, best of all, free parking. For the more adventurous, Wreck Beach, Canada's largest legal clothing-optional beach, is located out near the University of British Columbia campus.
Biking and Rollerblading
With its combination of urban splendor and natural beauty, Vancouver offers limitless activities. Being surrounded by the mountains and the ocean gives Vancouver a range of unique activities to offer. Biking and rollerblading are very popular and are excellent ways to explore the city. There are numerous bike paths and routes throughout the Greater Vancouver area, including the Sea Wall through Stanley Park and around False Creek.
Golfing
The Vancouver area also has dozens of golf courses, each one surrounded by spectacular scenery and verdant greens. Thanks to a mild climate, Vancouverites can enjoy the sport almost year round. A number of courses have been designed to host professional level tournaments and are sure to provide a challenge to even the most seasoned devotee.
Skiing
Winters in Vancouver may be mild compared to other Canadian cities, but the area offers some of the best downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross-country facilities in North America. Every year, Grouse Mountain, Cypress and Mount Seymour attract local residents and visitors from around the world. Internationally renowned ski hills Whistler and Blackcomb are within a two hour drive from the city.
Boating and Fishing
If you love boating and fishing, Vancouver has several great charter companies that will help you explore the coastline and waterways around the city. Most of these charter companies are found on Granville Island, Coal Harbour and Horseshoe Bay. Fishing enthusiasts must obtain a license for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Licenses are available at several locations in the Greater Vancouver area.
Kayaking and rafting
Vancouver also offers some of the best water sports in the world. Cold water scuba diving is popular at Cates Park in Deep Cove and Whytecliff Park near Horseshoe Bay. Sea kayaks are often spotted on Burrard Inlet, False Creek and Indian Arm. English Bay and Jericho Beach are excellent places to learn to windsurf. Adventure seekers can visit the Thompson, Nahatlatch, Squamish and Chilliwack Rivers - all within a short drive from the city - for the thrilling day of whitewater rafting.
The coastal waters off Vancouver provide some of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Visitors and locals alike are awed by the majesty of the orca (or killer whales) that live along the Pacific Coast or the grey and humpback whales along their migratory route north. Dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, otters and eagles can also be spotted along the way.
Arts and culture
When it comes to arts and culture, Vancouver offers a lot to fans of live performance. From its home in the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in downtown, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra always impressed audiences with a meticulously chosen mix of classical and contemporary selections each year. Dance lovers will find numerous dance companies whose styles range from classical ballet to traditional Asian dance.
Theatre fans have much to choose from as well. Take in a musical, comedy or drama produced by the Arts Club Theatre Company. Check out the contemporary and classical pieces staged by the Vancouver Playhouse. Catch a Broadway spectacle at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts or smaller performances in more intimate venues such as The Firehall Arts Centre and the East Vancouver Cultural Center, simply known as the Cultch. Improv fans should check out the always funny Vancouver Theatre Sports League. Summer nights in Vancouver are usually ideal for outdoor theatre, such as Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in Vanier Park or Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park. Each fall, the city hosts the Vancouver International Fringe Festival on Granville Island.
Concert goers will be amazed at the range of live music that Vancouver has to offer. With everything from opera and classical music recitals to massive rock and pop music concerts, fans of any genre can find something to suit their tastes. The venues range from small and medium sized clubs, such as the Commodore Ballroom and the Railway Club to large arenas like Rogers Arena and the Pacific Coliseum.
The city has a host of large and small galleries filled with contemporary art. Locals and tourists flock to the Vancouver Art Gallery to view the latest exhibits as well as major works of renowned Canadian and British Columbian artists.
Many pieces of Aboriginal art are on display at galleries and points around the city. The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art focuses on the work of Northwest artists. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC contains numerous beautiful pieces as well as several totem poles.
Vancouver also has a number of public art displays, including a changing installation at the Vancouver Art Gallery's outdoor exhibition space at the Shangri-La Hotel and numerous pieces installed as part of the Vancouver International Biennale.